By: Jim Butcher
Published By: Roc
Publish Date: January 2001
Format: Paperback, 401pgs Mass Market size
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: 2nd in The Dresden Files series; 1st Book ~ Storm Front
Recommendation: Sure, if you enjoy magic and werewolves, there is a whole world drawn here!
Synopsis:
Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work - magical or mundane.
But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.
A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses - and the first two don't count...
First Sentence:
I never used to keep close track of the phases of the moon.
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/ Kim Delaney approaches Harry in McAnally's Pub asking about symbols. Harry refuses to tell her about something that could cause her to be killed. Finally he tells her about most but not of the dangerous inner circle related to demons, demigods or Arch Angels. After Kim leaves pissed to not get her information and Harry feeling as he did wrong with doing right, Murphy shows up. There's been a murder and she needs Harry's help, after all this time. A distorted dead body with pay prints visible in the dust and blood, and a full moon. This case is out of Murphy's jurisdiction but identical to ones four weeks earlier. If things go according to last months murders this is the first night past of four total murders to come. If things don'e work out with Harry on this case, Murphy might lose her job and Harry landing in jail as Internal Affairs is investigating her after the last case Harry helped with.
After the happenings of Storm Front, Harry's work with the Special Investigations unit at Chicago Police Department has tapered down to nothing, which was a big source of income for him. So Harry is broke beyond broke. This is nice to see a wizard that has to fight to make it and not just instantly have money at his disposal. Murphy stayed away as she was being looked at, thinking in kahuts with the mobster Marcone. Murphy is also still holding a grudge against Harry for not letting her know what was up with the case in Storm Front.
I like that this one shows Harry needs to trust in others, or just a select few. He has things they can not know with the council, but they need to know much of his knowledge with the dangers they are crossing, and killing around them that they fight. Harry gets scared and knows it. He's not all brass balls all the time, but he pushes on as he has to get the job done as there is no one else around to do it. Harry does take one heck of a beating in this book, exhausted physically and magically, and keeps going.
I still love Bob, the brilliant skull. I think he might be my favorite character in these books thus far. He's got a sense of humor and sticks out to me when I read these.
This book has much more magic from Harry, which I enjoy seeing. We get into different types of 'werewolves.' I like this classification system and the differences between them. Great setting for the world with this.
Harry works with Special Investigations and the FBI in this round. He also gets himself in trouble with one of the 'werewolf' groups, the mobster drug dealing Marcone is at his door wanting him, and there is another werewolf out on the prowl killing. The story and mystery flow better for me this time around, along with the world building. There are more hints of things to think on in the future. Harry's name to a demon (he has more than just three) and Harry's mothers dark past. There is an opening to the dark magic here, I'm curious to see more of it. And I'm again curious as to why the White Council seems to be cautious with Harry, other than with his troubles with his mentor.
All that being said, I still feel I'm falling short of the awesomeness everyone else sees in these books. Now, I've heard the third book is where it picks up and gets good, so I will continue onto the next book to check it out. But with all the great elements present, thus far I'm not sold on the series yet. Maybe I'm one of those few that doesn't connect with this one, but we will wait and see.
*I read this book for my own enjoyment.
If you're not sold by the end of Grave Peril then I will stop pushing the series on you but I promise from book four onwards they not short of awesome and book three is when the stakes are really raised! I think of Storm Front and Fool Moon as prequels to the real story but laying the foundations for Harrys world and relationships. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mel. I've heard the series gets better after the third book. I've finished the third and I'm going to try the fourth to see what happens. I'm hoping Harry gets interesting soon. For some reason he seams boring to me. I like the world and things around him. I'll try one more. :)
DeleteI still need to read that first book so I'll see if I feel the same as you do. I'm sorry it's not rocking for you, but hopefully it will soon.
ReplyDeleteMelissa (B&T) thank you. Everyone loves this series, and maybe that's the trouble for me. I've heard to much amazing talk about it, that I'm not getting through that. Hope you love it when you start it. :)
DeleteIt doesn't actually make me want to try this series. But then I never saw the thrill
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd, Oh I think I've heard to many great things and so many loving these books, that I'm having a hard time seeing the books for them selves. And I kinda think Harry is boring. lol. THank you.
DeleteI have to check this out. A friend of mine said to make sure to listen to the audiobooks especially since they are read by James Marsters (Spike from Buffy). I hope the series does pick up for you guys. I can't wait to start this because I heard that it does get better and better. Thank you so much for the awesome review hon :D
ReplyDeleteDiana Ramsey, Oh everyone loves these and YES! James Masters is said to do a wonderful job reading the book. THank you for stopping. :)
DeleteI know, everyone talks about it, that is why I must start it LOL! Love James Marsters, I love his voice so it will be even better when I listen to it. Thank you again and you are welcome :D
DeleteYa have to love Harry! Awesome review:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Kimba. :)
DeleteSorry it wasn't totally awesome, but i hope the third really IS where it greats. Sounds like an interesting premise. I'm a bit curious.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Thank you Lauren of Shooting stars Mag. I'm through the third and going to go to the fourth here this year. :) I've heard that's where the story really picks up pace. Thank you.
DeleteThank You!!! I tried to get into this series too but it didn't click with me. It was good in some parts but I don't see the thing that makes it so huge.
ReplyDeleteOh Jennifer Bielman, I've heard of one other person that didn't click with the series too. Oh so glad to hear. I'm going to keep trying as I've heard the fourth book is where it gets better. :) I'll let you know.
DeleteThis series is insidious. Each book draws you in a little more into the world of Harry Dresden. You wouldn't see it in the first couple of books. In fact I gave Storm Front a 3 out of 5. You only notice it when you turn around and there is no more to read and you miss it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Cherry, good to hear it gets better with each book. I do feel Harry's character is being built on here and do like the world. So I'm looking forward to trying more books and see what happens. :)
Deleteoh you have progressed in the series! I still need to try this one but I hasn't that impressed by the first one...
ReplyDeleteMelliane, I'm actually through three right now, and I'll try the fourth one. We'll see what happens. :) Thank you!
DeleteI hear such great things about Jim but yeah I hate feeling like I'm the only one who doesn't see the awesomeness. Let me know if you continue it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cari. It's hard when you are the oddball of a loved series. :) I'll keep trying the next two books and see what happens. :) Thank you for stopping.
DeleteI've done only two first books, Melissa, so I need to read another one before the awesomeness starts, and like you I'm waiting for the miracle and counting on it :))
ReplyDeleteOh Kara-karina, thank you. You make me feel so much better. As I mentioned above I'd only heard of one other person until now that wasn't taken with this series. So glad to hear I'm not alone. I've heard it picks up much better in the fourth book, so we shall see.
DeleteAs the series continues, it gets better when you sees all the levels that Harry's magical world contains. There is a lot of thought put into the way the elements mingle, combined with Butcher's artful way of telling the story that brought the books alive for me. (I have to qualify that by saying again that I listened to the stories and the first two were read in a blasé manner but they do get better. Marsters can bring a sensual tone to them.) Hopefully the next one will convince you ;)
ReplyDeleteJackie, I read the third, and it was better. So I'm going to keep going and see what happens. Some reason Harry wasn't my kind of character. But he is growing with the pieces I'm starting to learn. I'll definitely try the fourth book. I just need to get it. ;) Thank you!
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