(3.5 / 5)

I’ll be honest—I never really cared about Harry’s relationship with Susan. She was just kind of there, and suddenly they were a couple. Then she was gone, and he was devastated in a way I didn’t really understand, given what we’d seen of their relationship. So when she comes back in this book…I still don’t really care. Besides, the sex scene was far more graphic when I prefer, so it just made me all the more glad she’s not around more.

The rest of the book was sufficiently interesting. The duel hanging over Harry’s head while he tries to solve the mystery of the missing shroud makes it all the more intense, though of course we know he’s going to make it out okay somehow, since he’s the start of the series and by now we know several more have been written after this. So the outcome of the duel wasn’t a huge surprise, but I didn’t know how it would come about, and it all comes together pretty well. I was super excited in general to see Michael again in this book, though his wife, while I can understand how she feels, is starting to annoy me. I really hope that at some point, Butcher will include female characters for more than sex appeal (though Murphy is the exception to that), but so far, I plan to continue the series. If you’re interested in these books, I highly recommend the narration by James Marsters. ( )

JM's been working on his pronunciation, guys, because he managed 'Maori' really well! I'm so proud.

Also the story was entertaining. :) ( )

This installment of the Dresden files includes about 700 different deadly and unwinnable situations that the titular character must somehow get out of. And, of course, he does. (This should not be a spoiler, for fans of this series). Harry continues his paranormal detective work in Chicago with the help of some associates surprising and less so. Enemies become friends and new enemies emerge. Harry is also asked, and seems to begin to contemplate, some difficult questions, about his provenance, his life mission and his very identity. I can only believe that future volumes of the series will include confrontations with these powerful supernatural beings, and maybe, some profound answers. ( )

457 ( )

I’ve been doing a slow reread of the Dresden Files with some mixed results. I remember loving this one, though, the first time I read it, and it really held up. I love the Knights of the Cross, and there are several fantastic battles, so vividly described it’s almost like watching a great action movie. The bloodthirsty, revenge-loving part of me also loves the scene with Cassius.

”People like you always mistake compassion for weakness. Michael and Sanya aren’t weak. Fortunately for you, they’re good men.”
Cassius laughed at me.
“Unfortunately for you, I’m not.”

Also, I’m digging James Marsters as narrator on 1.5 speed, so I think that’s how I’ll continue the reread! ( )