Grave Peril

This book, third in Dresden series, is similar to first two - entertaining but not very original. Once again, it lacks that ironic perspective (a la Mike Carey). Easy read though. ( )

Not really liked it. A deus ex machina action which never worked for me. Dresden seems to just raise one hand and the Vampires are dead. The magic system is too 'harry potterish' type, where you just have to raise a wand or an arm and power flow will kill the antagonist.
Though it still was readable i was not impressed with the story. ( )

Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of Urban Fantasy
Animal Abuse: A number of animals, including a cat and a bird, are murdered by a rampaging... something.

My Thoughts: This one is a hard one for me. Don’t take that wrong—I love this series, and I loved this book—but it was a hard one. These books become progressively grimmer, like most urban fantasy series. However, I was literally rolling during the initial scenes with Michael. I had forgotten how intensely comical the interactions often are between Michael and Harry. The scene in the nursery, after they’ve just returned from the Nevernever and are methodically disarming themselves and trying to look harmless for the approaching police kept me cracking up for a long time after I finished reading it.

So, a mixture of the bitter and the sweet, like all Jim Butcher’s stuff. If you have never experienced the Dresden Files, just know this one is a hard one, but important.

Disclosure: I purchased this book for myself, as I have this entire series. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: In all his years of supernatural sleuthing, Harry Dresden has never faced anything like this: the spirit world's gone postal. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly. Someone—or something—is purposely stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc. But why? If Harry doesn't figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself. ( )

Loved it, as usual !! ( )

"Wow," Bob said. "You're dying. What a great plan."

Bob always knows how to put things.

Still loving Harry Dresden. The third installment offers a broader picture of Harry Dresden's world, and like before, he starts playing with the line between good and bad magic.

Jim Butcher is teaching me a lot about writing, about story, and storytelling. How to continue to make things worse for your character. Don't just put a time limit on him saving everyone. Make him take poison that puts a time limit on his life-saving! How to unfold backstory: in dribs and drabs. He mentions the Nevernever nearly immediately in the first book. But I don't think he ever outright explains it. Harry will mention, say, Faeries, and Bob will elaborate: "Either we get the Disney version of Faerie, with elves and tinkerbell pixies and who knows what sugary cuteness, or we get the wicked witch version, which is considerably more entertaining, but less healthy." He drops bits of information only when we need them. And sometimes even then we have to wait. It makes for a smoothly flowing story that seems to unfold effortlessly and keeps you turning the pages.

I like the character of Michael, though I don't know exactly what he is. I don't know if we'll see him again, but I hope so.

And Harry continues to make mistakes and pay the price for them. He loses people. He makes enemies. He starts wars. And he doesn't even get paid.

And I love him even more for it. ( )