Grave Peril [MP3 CD]

 

 

Create your own review

Yet another winning book in the Dresden Files series by Mr Butcher. I love his writing style and the humour he spreads through each story.

This book was a shocker in many ways, some of what was done with the characters, the magic and the results of this story's events.

The only thing I really don't like is how each of his books have numerous incorrect words (typos) and spelling errors that the publisher at Penguin Books missed. These a pretty glaring errors so that is getting me pretty ticked off with the publishing company. Maybe Mr. Butcher can have a word with them?? I have luckily borrowed them off a friend, but I would be taking these books back to the store with these errors if I was buying them. They're not acceptable as they're all through the book and each book in the series seems to have more that's missed. So Mr. Butcher, if you're reading this review, talk to your publisher because this is cheesing off your readers!!

Other than that I rate this another 4/5 stars. Great writing, keep it up!! :)

I got the book in 3 days and it was in perfect condition with no tears or folds in the pages and no damage to the spine or cover.

After reading something as thought-provoking as Ian McDonald's The Dervish House, I was aware that I needed to tackle something lighter, something more fast-paced, for my next book. And Jim Butcher's Grave Peril, the third installment in the now insanely popular The Dresden Files sequence, appeared to fit the bill rather perfectly.

Though a bit formulaic and episodic in format, the misadventures of the wizard Harry Dresden have always made for fun-filled reads.

Here's the blurb:

Harry Dresden's faced some pretty terrifying foes during his career. Giant scorpions. Oversexed vampires. Psychotic werewolves. It comes with the territory when you're the only professional wizard in the Chicago area phone book.

But in all Harry's years of supernatural sleuthing, he's never faced anything like this: the spirit world's gone postal. All over Chicago, ghosts are causing trouble -- and not just of the door-slamming, boo-shouting variety. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly. Someone -- or something -- is purposely stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc.

But why? And why do so many of the victims have ties to Harry? If Harry doesn't figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself...

As was the case with its predecessors, Storm Front and Fool Moon, Grave Peril features the first-person narrative of the sympathetic, if frequently inept, sole wizard in Chicago. Although he may not always be the sharpest tool in the shed, I find it hard not like and root for Harry Dresden. Like James Bond, you know he'll pull through in the end. Hence, it's in the execution that you truly get to enjoy Jim Butcher's stories. And the witty tone of the narrative adds an extra layer to the overall reading experience.

The supporting cast is again comprised of Bianca St. Claire, Karrin Murphy, Susan Rodriguez, Bob the Skull, and the cat Mister. But new characters play an important role in this book, chief among them Michael Carpenter, a Knight of the Cross, Leanansidhe, Dresden's faerie Godmother, Thomas Raith, a White Court vampire, as well as Mavra, a Black Court vampire.

The addition of new characters provides yet more hints that this series echoes with more depth than meets the eye. The introduction of new concepts such as the various vampire Courts, the faeries, and the Knights of the Cross is yet more evidence in that regard. Hopefully, there will be more developments regarding these concepts in the next volume. For, as fun and entertaining as these novels are, I'm afraid that they will lose their appeal if they remain too formulaic and episodic in style and scope.

Once again a fast-paced urban fantasy plot, Grave Peril has more surprising twists and turns than the more linear first two volumes. Especially the fate of one of the main protagonists at the end, which sort of shocked me, for I never saw it coming. I'm glad to discover that it won't always be a case of all's well that ends well. . .

If you are looking for quality urban fantasy books featuring a flawed and endearing wizard trying to do the right thing, then I strongly urge you to pick up The Dresden Files books.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 40 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars A for "Grave Peril"
A for "Grave Peril"
This was another thoroughly entertaining story in the life of Harry Dresden, wizard. Read more

Published on May 3 2010 by Zafri M.

5.0 out of 5 stars Gravely good
After two good-but-not-great urban fantasies, the Dresden Files suddenly rockets into the "great" category with its third. Read more

Published on Jun 6 2009 by E. A Solinas

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, refreshing style on this genre.
What needs to be said? Jim Butcher has nailed this genre down and I am very addicted to his Dresden series. 'Nuff said.

Published on Mar 29 2009 by Andrew Krose

5.0 out of 5 stars It keeps better and better
Yes, I am a fan now. I am completely in love. Jim Butcher is now my favourite writer and Harry Dresden is now my favourite character ever. Read more

Published on Jun 28 2004 by Maximira C. Carvalho

5.0 out of 5 stars It just keeps getting better
If you want to know how I feel about this series as a whole, check out my other reviews. This installment, however, Butcher seems to have hit his stride. Read more

Published on May 7 2004 by Marcus Bailey

5.0 out of 5 stars The best yet
'Grave Peril' is definitly the most entertaining installment of the 'Dresden Files' series so far. We learn more about Harry, and Butcher brings in a strong cast of new and... Read more

Published on April 25 2004 by Mystery Lover

4.0 out of 5 stars Butcher Hits His Stride
The first was a great introduction, the second was an enjoyable read, but with Book 3 Butcher's Dresden Files really take off. Read more

Published on Feb 25 2004 by Ashley Lambert-Maberly

4.0 out of 5 stars A spooky--and I mean spooky--continuation of the series
If you've read the previous installments of the Harry Dresden series--and if you haven't, I'd start at the beginning, with Storm Front--you'll know that Harry Dresden, Chicago's... Read more

Published on Dec 16 2003 by David Kudler

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent third installment
Grave Peril, the third in a series that now includes the latest fifth installment(Death Masks), is quite possibly the most well written of the series so far. Read more

Published on Aug 28 2003 by Danielle

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of series!
The entire series of Dresden books are just fun, fast, and wonderful. Grave Peril is particularly intricately woven, and a bit more serious than some of the others. Read more

Published on May 19 2003 by ashjmfan

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 40 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!