Review: Grave Peril, by Jim Butcher

They just keep getting better.

Rating:

👻👻👻👻👻

First Response:

Who you gonna call? HARRY DRESDEN!

One Sentence Summary:

Chicago's paranormal denizens have been particularly troublesome of late; and Harry Dresden is determined to find out why.

Tell Me More:

I need to start this review by talking about Stranger Things.

When season 1 of Stranger Things came out, I thought it was fantastic. I loved every second of it; and even thought that the ending, with it's unresolved plot-threads that hinted at deeper mysteries, was perfect as it was. I didn't need a second season, because how could anything live up to the perfection of season 1?

Then came the announcement for season 2; and honestly-- I was a little mad. WE DIDN'T NEED A SEASON 2! Why would you ruin perfection?

Then I watched season 2, and was blown away. I loved it just as much, if not more than, season 1! And I thought the ending was fantastic all over again! We don't need a third season, because how could anything live up to the perfection of season 2?

Then came the announcement for season 3; and.... I was still kinda mad, but not CAPSLOCK mad. We didn't really need a season 3. Why would you ruin perfection?

Then I watched season 3, and was absolutely floored again. It was amazing! I loved it! How could anything ever live up to this?

I think you can probably guess what happened next.

This time, however, I was on board from the get-go. Season 4? Of course it's gonna be great! All the episodes are 90 minute TV movies? Don't care. I'll watch them all. Multiple times.

While I know my reactions to the Dresden Files haven't been nearly as skeptical as my reactions to Stranger Things, this book has definitely had the same effect on me as season 3-- Oh, there's 15 more books to read? I'll make popcorn; bring on the Vampire war.

The audiobook I listened to had an author's note at the beginning where Butcher stated that for many fans, this is the book where the series really kicks off; and after finishing it I'm inclined to agree. The first half of the book felt much like the previous two books: a paranormal detective story with a given-monster-of-the-week formula. Last week was werewolves-- this week it's ghosts. The ghostbusters may have a monopoly on New York City, but Chicago has Harry Dresden (and frankly, they should be grateful for him!). Something has been stirring up the Nevernever (which is what the Dresden Files call the afterlife? and the fae realm? and vampires are from there too? It's kind of a catchall) and suddenly Harry Dresden has found his friends under attack. He's on the case to track down what (or who) is behind it.

In the back half of the book, however, the story opens up from a worldbuilding perspective. Yes, Harry is still trying to figure out who's after him, but to do that, he has to attend a vampire court masquerade. While there, we're introduced to the three different vampire courts, a dragon, and Harry's own fairy godmother (who, to be fair, already appeared earlier in the book and is profoundly uninterested in bibbidi-bobbidi-boo-ing anything for Harry). We learn about the politics and of the magical world, and how important it is to follow the letter of the law (it's spirit be damned!).

Personally, while appreciate what the back half of the book is doing, I kinda missed the noir-y, hardboiled aesthetic. Harry wasn't working a case with the police in this book, though he's dealing with the fallout of a previous case and we get occasional flashbacks. There's a textbook femme fatale character who shows up early on, but by the end her role feels almost incidental. I liked the way this book opened up the world of the supernatural, but I'm going to be disappointed if we start to lose some of those hardboiled/ noir/ police-procedural vibes going forward. That being said, though, I'm here for whatever's next! I've even got the next book ready to go for tomorrow's read!

This book is getting 👻👻👻👻👻 / 5 for being so much fun to read. I laughed several times while listening to it! The way Butcher weaves humor into even the tensest moments is truly masterful, and I can't wait to read more of Harry's adventures.