This latest addition to the Harry Dresden series finds
Harry wearing the gray robes of a Warden to the White
Council. You might think this would earn him a little bit
of hard-won respect with the members of the Senior Council.
Not so much. The Council still isn't sure Harry is a wizard
to be trusted and continues to keep a close eye on him. The
Merlin himself isn't above making thinly veiled threats
about Harry's imminent future or possible imminent future
demise should Harry be caught on the wrong side of the
Wizard's law. Still, Harry remains a useful tool for the
Council.
For a guy with almost no people skills, Harry has friends
in high places...as well as friends in low places and in
useful places. Although, acquaintances would probably be a
better term. But whatever, the old adage "beggars can't be
choosers" works to Harry's benefit and certainly applies
here. Important to the Council right now are Harry's
contacts with the Sidhe. Harry is charged with finding out
why the Faerie Courts haven't declared war on the Red Court
after attacks launched the previous year.
No sooner does Harry receive his marching orders than he's
attacked and rammed in his beloved VW with pulverizing
results to both he and the little blue Beetle. What else
can happen to this poor guy in less than 24 hours? Plenty,
it seems.
Molly Carpenter, the daughter of an old friend, needs
Harry's help in proving her boyfriend's innocence on an
assault charge. Even though the kid was the only one seen
with the victim, he insists he's innocent and Harry
believes him. Harry's investigation of the attack takes him
to a horror film festival where he discovers supernatural
entities are indeed at work. The Windy City is about to be
in for a world of hurt as malicious creatures that feed on
fear take on Chicago. Harry musters up his troops that, as
usual, include Bob the talking skull, the Fallen Angel and
Mouse the dog. The gang goes into full battle mode as they
defend the unsuspecting mortal population and themselves
from the beasties at the door. Why can't the beasties ever
understand that with everything else Harry has going on, he
just doesn't have time for this? Poor Harry, he better damn
well make time.
Each book just keeps getting better and better. Butcher is
so funny and so good at dialogue. His characters are well-
established and after eight books, he knows his world well.
Actually, he knew it well from the very first book in the
series. Layers upon layers of character development are
consistent from book to book. There are no mistakes in his
story arc that I've ever caught. The story is neatly tied
up and groundwork is set for future events. A completely
satisfying read.
Elevated "into the front rank of urban fantasy heroes" (SF
Site), professional wizard Harry Dresden is pledged to
fight crime, banish evil, and outwit the masters of dark
arts in the shadowy corners of Chicago.
Harry, the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, is
drafted to look into rumors of black magic in the Windy
City. And if that wasn't enough, he must help the daughter
of an old friend, whose boyfriend was the only one in a
room where an old man was attacked. He insists he didn't do
it. And what looks like a supernatural assault straight out
of a horror film turns out to be-well, something quite
close to that, as Harry discovers that malevolent entities
that feed on fear are loose in Chicago.
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