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Grave Peril

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Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
The story just gets better and better as it moves along. Though each book is basically a standalone, the story is advanced every time because we always know what has happened before. They are also always at least a year or two after. Every book introduces new characters who Harry gets to interact with and maybe become friends with. The world that they live in is our world with the only twist being that the fantastic and mystical exists, and who wouldn’t want that.

The barrier between reality and the never-never is thinning. Ghosts are coming through and causing a lot of trouble in Chicago and people still do not believe. Harry has been invited to attend Bianca’s elevation in rank within the Red Court of Vampires. While Harry did not consider going the invitation was issued while he was with Susan and she is one tenacious reporter who does not get the real danger involved. There is always more going on than meets the eye and Harry is blaming himself for a lot of things.

I loved the book the first time I read it and for the second time I listened and got even more out of it. James Marsters does the narration and he is Harry for me at this point. He does a great job not only with Harry but with every other character and brings them to life  wonderfully. I loved him as Spike on Buffy, and can hear him with some characters, and could and do listen to him for hours as he takes me away to Chicago and my favorite wizard detective. This is Urban Fantasy at its best!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “Hellhounds.”
“Harry,” Michael said sternly. “You know I hate it when you swear.”
“You’re right. Sorry. Holy shit,” I breathed, “heckhounds.”
Jim Butcher, Grave Peril
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Fool Moon

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Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2)

by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author), James Marsters (Narrator)

 

When it comes to Harry Dresden I always have a great time reading about him and his misadventures in the world of magic. He is a wizard who does not always see things as they are. The characters are all likable in one way or the other, even the criminals seem to have some type of redeeming quality. The bad guys are always dark and menacing in the best possible way. The world inhabited by these characters is so obviously ours but with a twist that makes it special.

There have been several murders that Murphy has not told Harry about until it becomes obvious that they are not just animal attacks. When he finally gets involved he lets her know that werewolves or some flavor of shifter has come to town and is doing damage to innocents and criminals alike. Murphy has called in the FBI and they are pushing her out of the investigation for their own reasons. The real question comes down to whether Harry can figure out who is doing the killing and keep himself on the right side of a jail cel.

The Alphas make their first appearance here as college students. Susan and Harry are still circling each other but not committing to a relationship. Karrin and Harry are still trying to find common ground for their friendship and working relationship. This is a good series that makes reading more than once a fun venture.

James Marsters or Spike if you are a Buffy fan is Harry Dresden. When he starts to speak you will be pulled to Chicago and the trouble that happens when is around.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“There’s more magic in a baby’s first giggle than in any firestorm a wizard can conjure up, and don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
Jim Butcher, Fool Moon

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Storm Front

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Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1)

by Jim Butcher , James Marsters (Narrator)
I remember the first time I read this book and it sucked me in pretty quickly because it was different from anything else I ever read before. This time was the same even though I knew what to expect this time around. The idea of a real life wizard living and working as a private eye is very cool. The way he is introduced is good because it is not a far fetched story but something that is more or less plausible. The language is perfect and conveys the the feelings, thoughts, and lives of the characters perfectly. The characters take on a life even in this first book where you can see who they are and what they will be later as they evolve.

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a wizard, but not an old hermit type, but a wizard who lives in the world and has to survive there. He has a P.I. license and also consults for the police department on cases that do not have an obvious cause and seems to have a supernatural component. When he is called in on a case that involves a man and woman having their hearts explode in their chests by means that are not apparent he steps into something that is more than it seems on the surface. As the only known practicing wizard in Chicago Harry falls under suspicion not only with the White Council but by his friend Karrin Murphy who does not understand why he is holding back information from her.

Harry has only two days to find the real killer and stop him from taking even more lives. But when he is targeted can he find the killer before his own time is up. And can he possibly have a life outside of magic and death.

I love Harry now and forever because he is a wizard with a heart and sense of fair play like no other. This introduces you to his world and the people and places that he interacts with the most. This series can be fun but it will always have a dark edge because true magic and magical beings have a tendency to do what they want and it will not always be nice. Go for it!

“I’d made the vampire cry. Great. I felt like a real superhero. Harry Dresden, breaker of monsters’ hearts.”
Jim Butcher, Storm Front                Jim Butcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars