Heh. We're opposite ends of the spoiler spectrum aren't we?
The bit that grated with me was Harry consciously reflecting on the fact he used them, explaining the provenance, and calling them reference jokes. I like that kind of thing to be something-you-pick-up-on-if-you-recognise, rather than lampshaded, and it felt a lot more lampshaded to me. However, to make myself feel better about it, I will handwave it as Harry seeking out something comfortable at a time when he's questioning his humanity.
The gender politics are pretty terrible (as an aside, did you read the parts where Harry's quoting like, pop culture science articles on women's behaviours? WHOSE TRASHY MAGAZINES HAVE YOU BEEN READING, HARRY?) and it feels a bit like lazy writing. Also a convenient reason to keep Butcher from committing to a serious love interest, because he seems to think he has to, which is odd.
no subject
The bit that grated with me was Harry consciously reflecting on the fact he used them, explaining the provenance, and calling them reference jokes. I like that kind of thing to be something-you-pick-up-on-if-you-recognise, rather than lampshaded, and it felt a lot more lampshaded to me. However, to make myself feel better about it, I will handwave it as Harry seeking out something comfortable at a time when he's questioning his humanity.
The gender politics are pretty terrible (as an aside, did you read the parts where Harry's quoting like, pop culture science articles on women's behaviours? WHOSE TRASHY MAGAZINES HAVE YOU BEEN READING, HARRY?) and it feels a bit like lazy writing. Also a convenient reason to keep Butcher from committing to a serious love interest, because he seems to think he has to, which is odd.