Reviews

Grabesruh by Jim Butcher

6ftblonde's review against another edition

2.0

Meh

autogeek's review against another edition

3.0

This book is significantly better compared to [b:Fool Moon|91477|Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, #2)|Jim Butcher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345556849s/91477.jpg|855288] (#2 in the series), but still has a bit too much going on and everything is just a bit too over the top.

Its not as bad as [b:Fool Moon|91477|Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, #2)|Jim Butcher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345556849s/91477.jpg|855288], but not quite good enough. You are always acutely aware of the comic-book like unrealism which makes it hard to relate to the characters in a meaningful way. No matter the danger, no matter the gravity of the situation, you don't feel concerned or excited because you know Dresden will always find a way out of it with everything and everyone important ending up safe and happy. This happens all the time. Even though he is tired and weak and all out of juice, he finds the last bit of will to fight and then after a while the last, last bit of it. And then when he is finally done and it is now all and truly lost and everything is hopeless, he finds the now really, truly last bit of courage to pull a metaphorical rabbit out of his hat. It gets a bit tiring after a while.

I listened to the audiobook version with narration by James Marsters who does an excellent job with it. Overall, a fun read in a comic-book sort of way but could have been better.

samanthanoel's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

4.75

timinbc's review against another edition

2.0

Meh. I've read quite a few similar but better. To be fair, this one's from 2001 and the others may have been influenced by early Butcher. Still, to name two, I like Sandman Slim and Stross's Laundry series better, and Paul Cornell's urban-police books WAY better.

I was put off early when Michael put what was explicitly described as a five-foot sword into a gym bag. Unless Michael uses the gym to practise pole-vaulting, that's a heckuva gym bag.

Also agreed with the others who noted that the book's just repetitions of don't go in there / but I have to / omigosh my power is drained / uh-oh, I'm in trouble / (digs deeper) Aha! I win! And sometimes he wins by remembering one more thing we hadn't known about magic.

As happens so often in urban fantasy even now, Harry seems to face an unending stream of opponents who are vastly more powerful than he is. One gets tired of them finding little reasons not to splatter him. Especially his evil godmother either. Too strong, too nasty, forces the plot to make up reasons to keep Harry alive/intact.

cate07luna's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Favorite book of the three so far, I think. 

beachybookstack's review against another edition

5.0

Much more personal and professional disaster happens in this book than the previous 2 novels. Harry is up against the repercussions of earlier actions in a bad way. Something is lurking around Chicago and there's no indication of what it could really be until about halfway into the book. From there, things take a turn, drawing in familiar characters and new ones. Michael is a newer addition to Butcher's cast. Faith magic goes a long way here and Harry will take what he can get to survive their troubles. Vampires overflow out of this one and naturally someone will get turned. The ending really leaves Dresden in a hell of a spot for the next book.

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!