Well, Jim has mentioned Dresden Files is a multiverse.. So, since we have infinite possibilities, it is connected with everything and in one of those universes they share the same bloodline..

Maybe they grow it somewhere like they do meat and crystals?

Maybe it's powered by smaller cristals not worth mentioning? Or the aether currents?

I guess someone will have to ask Jim for an answer on this, too many options.

Destroying the book risked pissing Grimm off enough that he would not later release her or simply kill her (you got take in consideration she didn't know the rescue was coming). And if he killed her after she destroyed the last copy of the book (as far as she knew), the knowledge would be lost forever, she couldn't take that risk. As long as the book existed in Albion they could try to recover it again, even if she never managed to get out with the knowledge she memorized.

1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus.  What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?

Considering Jim answers about how Hades made the labirinth his personal bank, I think it's more likely that Nic is going after an object. If Nic is persuing his regular goals, I'd say Pandora's Box or another greek relic that cause chaos, maybe something from Pan..

But considering the end of SmF, and how all the coins Thorned Narnshiel got from Harry disapeard, they may be under Tessa possescion who migth be BC, or under a third party. Anyway it could be that either a BC Tessa, or a third party has locked all those coins in Hade's safe, to break havoc on Nic's plans. And Nic want his friends back. This plot would also be one of the reasons Michael will get out of the bench..


2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team.  Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request?  Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?

I think Nic wants Harry for something especific, either cause he was alredy dead once, and that migth help him pass Hades security, or by the Starborn angle..

3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven".  Who else did Nicodemus recruit?  How will they interact with Harry?

Shagnasty, has alredy been mentioned by Jim, I see Harry having a lot of trouble with him, and in the end either Shagnasty buying it/getting locked under DR, or Harry managing to have Shaggy left behind to deal with Hades.

The last surviving church mouse.. I see her being a problem for Harry to deal, he will try to save her/keep her safe, all along not understanding what are her real motivations being there (revenge/forced/greed), until the very end.. I think she migth get killed and be another guilt trip for Harry..

Considering Hades is the lord of the dead I bet we will see some necromancer or at least an ectomancer, I think Kumori is a good possibility. Harry will want to convert her but it wont work. Plus she will probally have a personal objective, maybe an object from the vault to help on her stop death research.

Deirdre will also be present and will be always teasing Harry and, when all the backstabing start she will try to get a chop of Harry personally due to SmF.


5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present.  In fact, there have been various hints...  Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?

Murphy has alredy been confirmed as Harry sidekick, So there is a high chance we will see Fidelachius, even if she is there mainly to keep an eye on Harry back.
We know Michael is comming out of the bench, most likely it has to do with Molly, but I wont be surprised if he picks Amorachius for one last time.
I see no reason why Sanya should show up, but all three swords showed up on every Denarian book.. I mean GP apart, all three swords have always shown together (DM, SmF, Changes)..

6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist.  In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve.  What are Mab's reasons in this book?  Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?

I personally think she dislikes competition. I mean whats the point of she keeping the Outergates safe and one idiot causes the apocalypse on her world? That apart, I think she holds a grudge due to Nicodemus abusing her accords on SmF.

7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay.  The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book.  Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?

I'm wanting it to be Lash comming back, been born like Athena, and since Harry is not Zeus she springing out of his head would kill him.... In the end of the book Molly will fix Harry, by extracting this new Lash from his head, where she will either reside on the new "skull" Harry made for Bob (or at least promised to make) or will enter Amanda Beckit, that would be interesting cause since Harry called compared persephone, and Hades will be one of the theme of the book.

I dont think the parasite is Nemesis related, since it made a deal to keep Harry alive during GS, I dont see how keeping a starborn alive would be usefull for Nemesis...

8.  One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal.  Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross.  What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?

I think someone in the nic's eleven group will have made a deal with a thirty party, either BC, Nemesis agent or with Hades themselves. I think it would be a cool twist if the church mouse made a deal with Hades to get revenge on Nic or even to see/bring back the dead church mouses...

9.  (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others.  Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.

Pass.

10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book.  Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven?  The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want.  Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit. 
[/quote]

I think something will happen that will either totally break the Murphy/Harry ship or will make them get in a relationship. I'd be sad but not surpride if Murphy buys it in this book, especially considering Jim quote that some knigths dont last longer than a day..

I think Harry reunion with Maggy and Mouse will be short, not even sure if Harry will be revealed as her father.

I think Harry will finally start accepting a little of Molly interest on him, instead of instantly denying the idea..

Well, I'll start readinf the Half-Made World today.. It seens The Tyrant's Law is due to 14 May not March, It's just me who missread the release date :-(

It seens the story follows a war between two of the Spires: Spire Albion and Spire Aurora.

Back on topic..

Really cool theorie Serack. I find interesting that Soulfire migth give Harry the power to change the WK mantle. After all it's the "power of creation". 

Question is, does Mab knows this? Does she wants this? Does she think Harry won't do it? What would she gain or lose with it?

As for Harry fusing the mantles in only one, I find it that it is too much especulation yet. Don't think it's going to happen. Maybe if he gets a nother mantle from Odin or other god we could especulate that Harry is being forged by many diferent powers to take Mab place as Earth Guardian.. Or any job that every major players want's done but that require their coperation but none trusth the other to be the one responsible for it..