Reviews

Grave Peril by Jim Butcher

jedipwner's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

przela71's review against another edition

3.0

Another fun Dresden book. I preferred the first two to this one, but this was still an enjoyable read.

snoopydoo77's review against another edition

5.0

Well DAMN, what a hell of a ride this book was.

I finished the audio last night and I’m still not sure what to think and how to review it.  I also think there is not much that can be said without spoiling it for the few souls that have to read this book series yet.

If you are one of them…. Stop what you’re doing and go get started on this … for real ...l waited way too long to get this series started and wish I would have listened an started it earlier. But at least now I can binge it.

This book started out like the last books with what seems like a case for Harry, but all that changes quickly. There is a lot of things happening and some that I  think will change the rest of the series.

 I still love Harry (more than I should.. I think lol) and how he handles his things and even things that are not him or for him. I think his loyalty to his friends will be the death of him someday … for real that time lol. His sense of humor is just the best, hands down. Way to many times that I laughed out loud looking like a loon in public.

While Murphy is very important to the story, she is not as much in this book as I hoped, but for a reason. I still love her every time she is around. But mostly his friendship to her.

Susan…. Same with her , love her and a lot things are happening with her, that are vital to the story.

Bob …. Bahahahha …. I want my own Bob… for real.

We meet Michael (and his wife) in this book who I also really, really loved, I hope he will remain a big part of the series. He somehow balances Harry out and makes a good counterpart to him.

We also meet Thomas, I think we will see more of him in future book, I have a feeling there is more to him and am curious to see what that is.

The end left me a bit heartbroken and I’m curious to see how things play out for my darlings

Overall, I LOVED this book. We get action, humor, heartbreak, nail-biting suspense all jam packed full in one wonderful epic story.

I listen to the audio and highly recommend them as well if you are an audio fan. James Masters does a terrific job with these books.

Overall I can’t rate it any lower than full 5 ★

hirvimaki's review against another edition

5.0

Even better the second time around!

njdarkish's review against another edition

3.0

I had heard that the Dresden Files starts to go from decent to actually pretty good at around this point, and I have to say that I generally agree. I feel like this piece is a considerable improvement from the prior two books. The story was more interesting, and where relevant, scary. I very much enjoyed the addition of Michael as a character and I hope to see a lot more of him in future books.

But, this book still has most of the weaknesses of previous books as well. I understand that Harry isn't exactly the most reliable narrator, but even still I can't help but be bothered by how chauvinistic he frequently is, in spite of his claims of being so chivalrous. An example of this is that [medium spoiler] at the end of the book, when Justine is sent to Harry as almost a gift from Thomas, he states that the reason he doesn't sleep with her is because it'd be weird to share her with Thomas. Not that he's in love with Susan, not because it would be the wrong thing to do-- that it would be weird. Some gentleman. [/end spoiler] I guess it's just hard to keep cheering for a character who is honestly so skeezy at times. Also, this book continued to suffer from Butcher's apparent lack of range in synonyms. My wife (who I've listened to the audiobooks with) has expressed a desire to mail him a thesaurus with a bookmark on the page with the word "purr." Every female purrs everything they say, even a werewolf in book 2. It's getting really annoying. Plus, every time a female character comes into a scene (even if they were in the last scene) Butcher/Harry has to take the time to describe every sensual curve (Murphy may be the only character is isn't all sensual curves) and piece of attire. It feels like he's going over a checklist each time a woman enters.

So, as a whole I enjoyed the book, especially James Marsters' audiobook performance, but I hope the series actually shows improvement in writing as I've been hearing it does. A lot of people have said favorable things about the series starting from the next book, so I hope that their words turn out to be true, because I really want this series to reach the potential I feel it has.

arjohnson5623's review against another edition

5.0

Book three is easily my favorite of the series so far, and I anticipate them only getting better as I carry on with Mr. Dresden's saga.

gandhisaurus's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

eesh25's review against another edition

3.0

When I started the series, I said I'd read at least three books because I'd heard the first few weren't the best. Well, didn't like the first two, and I can't say I loved this one either, but I needed at least three stars to keep going, so I guess I'll be reading more of these.

This book follows Harry on yet another supernatural mystery. This time, it's ghosts who seem to be going haywire, and Harry is trying to get to the bottom of it with the help of Michael. Michael is a character who's introduced in a way that makes it seem like we should know him already. Except I didn't remember him from previous books. Turns out it's because he's not in them. But Michael is a wielder of a magic sword and a sort of "holy" man. I like Michael. He can be a tad preachy, but he's honest and a good guy.

Harry is his usual self, with his version of "chivalry" which means he can only see women as damsels unless they literally try to kill him. And sometimes even then. There's also his goodness and humility that never ring true because anytime he does something remotely decent, the author uses it as an opportunity to shove Harry is such a good person! down our throats.

Then there's the leering. Why does Harry have to leer at women so much? I actually started a "Fuck You" counter for every time Harry over-described a female character. I started it at 13%, and we ended on a 12. Here's a (tame) sample:

"She threw her head back and laughed, revealing creamy, delicious expanses of throat and bosom."

Seriously Harry, what the fuck? And you should be glad I didn't have an "Ew" counter for every interaction with Harry's godmother. Seriously, they were disgusting.

Anyway, I've already ranted about the shitty treatment of female characters in my other two reviews. So let's get to the things I liked about the book. I already mentioned Michael. I also like Bob, even if he is just a talking skull.

Also, the world-building in the series has been good from the beginning. All the supernatural creatures have been interesting. And I like how the world expands with each book. There's supernatural politics now, and that's fun. Plot-wise, I think I preferred the last two books. The plot of this one thought it was cleverer than it actually was. And the reveal was underwhelming because it wasn't set up well enough.

Overall, the paranormal elements, some of Harry and Michael's interactions, James Marsden's narration and my Fuck You counter, they're what got me through this.

Moving forward, all I can hope is that Harry becomes more bearable at some point. I'm getting sick of hearing about every woman's breasts and legs and face. It needs to stop, which is why I'll end the review with a final, "Fuck you, Harry."

pc953's review against another edition

4.0

Alright this is the one that has convinced me why everyone recommends this series. Even while reading it I had someone else come.up to me and mention that they hated the first two books but this one turned them around on the series.

The story structure finally breaks out of rhe mold of the first two.

The chauvinistic attitude is somewhat reduced.

The world is starting to come together.

Excited to see how the side characters continue to grow.

And it really felt like a classic noir story with the cascading reveals at the end.

I'm convinced to keep reading and see where this series goes. It's just such a fascinating world.

ychor's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This had some good moments as Dresden does his typical careen from crisis to crisis while *almost* dying but always managing to reach down deep for the little piece of magic to save him. I enjoyed the character of Michael quite a bit and it was nice to see a different take on bitey vampires. Fun but not remarkable read.