Ever since Changes, the novel that fundamentally shifted the focus of The Dresden Files and added untold complications to the larger story, each successive novel has dealt with major revelations and advancements in the saga.  Even before that, the novels leading up to Changes were on a clear path of escalation.  In other words, it’s been a while since there has been a novel of The Dresden Files that has been relatively stand-alone and low-key.

 

A number of fans seem to be disappointed with the lack of massive world-altering events, but after the string of mind-blowing reveals in Cold Days, the previous volume, it would have been difficult to top.  And given that the overall structure of the series is roughly meant to be 23-24 standard novels, capped off with an apocalyptic trilogy that ties all the major plot threads together with the war against the Outsiders, the standard three act breakdown demands a few novels that focus on advancing minor plot threads to that end.

 

There’s also a sense that this is a minor pause, a semi-calm before the next storm.  If one considers the three act structure, the transition between introduction and complication arcs was roughly the Proven Guilty/White Knight period.  In retrospect, that makes a lot of sense; similarly, one would expect that the next major shift, from complication to resolution, would take place with volumes 16-17.  Thus Skin Game has the task of bringing critical plot threads up to date, while setting up the conflicts to come that will alter the state of play for the drive towards the climactic confrontation.

 

To that end, Nicodemus Archleone returns, as does the spectre of The Order of the Blackened Denarius, the collection of humans “possessed” by fallen angels.  Harry is forced into working with Nicodemus by his role as the Winter Knight, the champion of Winter, the Unseelie fae.  Mab, Harry’s “boss”, charges him to assist Nicodemus in breaking into a secret vault of Johnny Marcone, which is connected to a similar vault in the depths of Hades’ Underworld.  With everyone involved pretty much hating each other, Harry and his allies must fulfill the obligations of Winter, all while determining what Nicodemus is really up to and preparing to stop it once the accord is over.

 

Obviously, there’s a lot more to it than that, and there are some important plot points that one can take away from the whole affair.  In terms of the larger conflict, Mab and Marcone have set this entire situation up to gain revenge against Nicodemus and provide Harry with access to weapons in the possession of Hades for the coming Outsiders War.  In the process, there are specific advancements with regards to existing important weapons, namely the Swords of the Cross.  (Who knew Butters would step up like this?)

 

Despite Molly’s barely-there presence (a downside, from my perspective), her growing comfort with the mantle of Winter Lady is troubling.  This is especially true when one considers that there is a complicated relationship between Winter Knight and Winter Lady, and that Harry comes across supposedly ancient statues of Hecate, a triple goddess, that appear to depict the Summer and Winter queens.  This is clearly meant to be significant; it’s implied that the current set of queens has long been foretold.

 

Molly’s status is not to be taken in isolation.  Harry has been struggling with his growing love and deep attraction to Karrin Murphy since the start, but he also can’t ignore that there is an underlying attraction to Molly.  With Harry’s relationship to Karrin taking a big step forward in this novel, right on the cusp of kicking into high gear, the notion that Molly might be corrupted by the mantle of the Winter Lady and claim him as her own is all too believable.  That Molly is also the most logical one to get past Harry’s defenses and corrupt him just adds to the suspicion.

 

It’s a prospect that wouldn’t simply threaten Harry’s well-being and his ability to make his own choices in the coming war, so it makes sense that this novel would also focus a lot on his damaged relationships with the friends and family that survived Changes.  Notably, while Butters and Michael smack him around philosophically a bit, it’s the implications of his relationship to his daughters that worries the most.  That’s right, I said daughters, because not only does Harry get closer to Maggie, but that head-splitting parasite in his head turns out to be an entity of spirit conceived by Harry and Lash, the shadow of fallen angel Laschiel that once lived in his head.

 

We already know from Changes that threatening Maggie is a very bad idea, as Harry will do anything for his children.  So imagine when that child is a being of pure intellect with the potential of Bob.  If Harry gets corrupted, what does that mean for the newborn potentially deadly weapon that he has spawned?  That Molly helped “deliver” it is troubling for all those reasons.

 

In essence, the novel surrounds Harry with people of varying positive and negative influence as examples of what he might become, even as he stands at the Winter crossroads.  It seems rather obvious that this pause in the major action is meant to reflect on all the shifts in the status quo and what that will mean for Harry and his future.  It’s also the perfect opportunity to test and demonstrate the nature and limits of the Winter Knight mantle, before those details become even more critical.