I'll admit after Harry's last fiasco with the werewolves in FOOL MOON I was less than enthusiastic to start up GRAVE PERIL. I just didn't think I could stand reading another lackluster, bitchy, overly compensating female character. I practically vomitted during the entirety of Karrin's appearances in FM. Luckily there were much fewer appearances by these lackluster ladies than in the previous book, and I'm shocked to say he might have even toned down a bit on the hard edged annoying "I don't need anyone to help me out much less a man" character they each seemed to have endless annoying supplies of.

I was excited to see Harry get a new set of sidekicks in this one. My favorite by and far was Michael the Fist of God with his sword Amoracchius. His wife Charity could have stayed out of the picture more as she was one of Butcher's bitchy women that I despise so much. I was also happy to see the storyline finally encompass his God Mother as their backstory had only been vaguely alluded to in previous books. The ghostly Nevernever and it's shifting boundaries serve as a wonderful playground for world development for Butcher and he uses the opportunity to it's full advantage.

While Butcher still throws everything AND the kitchen sink at poor Harry he writes it in a more plausible and less depressing way. Harry has grown and now knows how to deal with the extrordinary things that happen in his life. The ending fight scenes are well put together and hold you turning from page to page.

After being so disappointed with FM I was reluctant to pick up another Dresden book. But now I'm feeling more excited about seeing what Butcher puts his poor Harry through next time.

- Katie Wilks
March 29th, 2006