Rating: 
Summary: Excellent third installment
Review: 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. The characters are more fully developed, with the addition of powerful character in Micheal. This book, as with the others, carries Dresden's humor and attitude into each situation, no matter the situation. Partying with vampires, summoning demons, or being greeted by his cat, he takes all of this, perhaps not in stride, but at least at a good sprint. A good read on all accounts.
Rating: 
Summary: Butcher kicks the series into high-gear...
Review: Harry Dresden is the only wizard-for-hire in the city. His front door is littered with magic-how-to pamphlets, and most of the time, he barely ekes out a living helping people find lost things and working with the police when things get a little bit rough, supernaturally speaking.
Things are about to get a little bit rough. Spirits are going ballistic. Ghosts are showing up all over the place, wrapped in spiritual barbed wire, and understandably cranky about the situation. With a holy sidekick crusdaes-style knight in construction books and a weapon blessed by God on one side, and an eagre yellow-paper tabloid writer on the other, Harry has more than enough to juggle, let alone with spooks trying to nab him.
Which is when, of course, he's invited to a costume ball thrown by a vampire he truly offended in the first book, "Storm Front."
The 'Dresden Files' series grows up in this book. Though still light-hearted and a blast to read, with sarcasm and wit to satisfy even the most jaded of cynical readers, the story takes a turn for the darker, and though the novel is complete in and of itself, there is a definite sense that many of the plot-lines begun in this book will be carrying over into September's "Summer Knight." I for one, can't wait.
The characters are all very much alive in this book (even the dead ones), and Butcher has done a magnificent job of characterization. The mystery itself has just the right number of twists, and hey, if that isn't enough, there's Bob. You remember Bob, right? The oversexed air-spirit trapped in the form of a skull?
Seriously, snap up the whole series, starting with "Storm Front." The 'Dresden Files' are yours to be opened, and I promise you'll be re-reading them in anticipation of September's new release. Fans of Hamilton's Anita Blake, or Huff's Claire Hansen are doubly invited to meet Mr. Dresden. You'll be glad you did.
'Nathan
Rating:
Summary: Dresden taking on ghosts...
Review: Harry Dresden takes on ghosts, vampires and faeries this time around. Ghosts have emerged from the Nevernever, wreaking havoc among humans. Harry has to find whatever is responsible for stirring the supernatural creatures and threatening the lives of his friends. To make matters worse, he has made a bargain with his Godmother -- a beautiful, yet sadistic faerie who wants him under her command. Also, vampire Bianca has sought out revenge against him for having angered her (in Storm Front) and an evil spirit is possessing souls by way of nightmares. Harry, with the help of Michael, a God-fearing Knight, and Thomas, a sneaky vampire, must put a stop to things while avoiding death. There are various twists throughout the novel.
Grave Peril, the third installment of the Dresden Files, is somewhat different from the first two efforts. First of all, characters like Michael and Lea (faerie) are thrown into the story without so much as an introduction. The abruptness of the aforementioned characters' sudden appearances confused me at first. Also, the novel's execution is somewhat different from the first two offerings. The plot twists are downright over the top and overwhelming at times. Sci-fi/fantasy novels are full of action and twists, but this one has a little too much of those things. But I still enjoyed the novel. There are lots of witty passages and the dialogue is sharp and crisp. The characters are also great. Harry is still self-deprecating and that makes him all the more fun. I also liked Michael and his bantering with Harry. Bob was great, as usual. Lea was not developed enough. I hope I will read more on her in future novels. And I also hope that there will be more Murphy in the next installment. All in all, Grave Peril is another action-packed Harry Dresden novel and I look forward to reading Summer Knight.
Rating:
Summary: Who you gonna Call?!
Review: Harry Dresden, Jim Butcher's wise-cracking wizard gumshoe returns in this gripping adventure! This time Harry finds himself a reluctant ghostbuster who must discover who have stirred up the ghosts of the spirit world who are going on a terror spree in Chicago.Harry's adventures will take from escaping from seductive but manipulative fairy godmother who seeks to enslave him, to battle blood-thirsty vampires and finally to a terrifying ghost of a demon he has slain!Harry Dresden series is entertaining blend of magic mystery, mirth and mayhem as you watch Harry get himself into and of of trouble and who's sense of honor is written in stone.The characters again come alive in this series like Harry's friend,michael a real knight who juggles saving the world with his responsiblities of his family.
Bianca, the sinister head of the vampires in town and her equally menacing vampire hench people:Kyle and Kelly. Susan Rodriguez, Harry's on again off again reporter girlfriend. I love this series and you will to. So if you want excitement.Who you gonna call? Harry Dresden of course!
Rating:
Summary: Not my favorite of the series
Review: I devoured the first two Harry Dresden books but was brought up short with this one. While I still think Harry kicks Anita Blake's butt any day, he came across as a little long in the tooth in this one. It seems someone is always bailing him out, either his intriguing but nasty fairy godmother or the incessantly annoying Michael. I missed Murphy's presence keenly, and wondered at a possible continuity glitch: didn't Harry sacrifice his mother's pentacle to defeat the "bad guy" in the last book?
Rating:
Summary: rolicking fun and adventure
Review: I have read all three titles in this series and can't wait for number four.
Some say this series is similar to Hamiltons Anita Blake. The early Blake titles for sure. Like them this had a sense of adventure, humor and mystery.
That mecahnical objects go on the fritz whenever Harry is around adds plenty of light touches. Also the ingrediants in his potions are imaginative to say the least.
I am not much of a fantasy reader but this series is definetly an exception.
The titles pretty much stand on their own and move at a fast pace.
The fact that Harry tells the story in first person helps keep the pace going. This is escapist adventure not a soul searching morass.
The setting and plot lines leave plenty of room for Harry and Company to expand. And expand I hope they will.
This is a wonderful series and I for one cannot wait for the next title.
Rating:
Summary: Humor, Horror, Hype
Review: I have read only four the Harry Dresden-wizard novels and I stand here craving more from the author each day. This novel is by far the best of the series. We see Harry interact with the character more so than before and finally his feeling for Susan are laid out on the table. At first, it seemed that Jim's minor major characters lacked depth, but everything is coming full circle. I can't wait until we the full back story of Harry's life that will make a interesting book. Keep up the good work Jim.
These are perfect books for those a little disappoint in the Laurell K. Hamilton serious as of lately.
Rating:
Summary: A witty, fast-paced read
Review: I have to say, I am a sucker for books in this genre, so when a friend recommended them, I gave the first 3 books in the series a try. Wow. Great read, from the snarky main character, to the well-rounded cast surrounding Harry Dresden, wizard-for-hire. The third book, Grave Peril, is by far the best of the first three in the series. There is still humor, still that sparkling wit, but there is a growing sense of maturity, not only in the characters, but in Mr. Butcher's writing.
All in all, a very enjoyable series. And I've just come back for the other three books. If you're a fan of Glenn Cook, or Tanya Huff, P. N. Elrod, or to a certain extent, Laurell K Hamilton, you'll enjoy this series immensely.
Rating: 
Summary: The series started so well
Review: I picked up and enjoyed the first book in this series, so bought the second and third together expecting more like STORM FRONT. Unfortunately Butcher fell into the same trap so many authors have done. The reviewers compare this series to that of Laurell Hamilton, and it does do the same pattern only faster. It only took three books for Butcher to change what was a good urban fantasy/mystery about a private investigator/wizard into an attempt at a modern fantasy epic in which the main character is the pivotal element in a worldwide war between wizards and vampires.I don't understand why so many of the fantasy writers seem determined that any character they create has to become Frodo. I was looking for a nice urban fantasy/mystery like Mercedes Lackey or Tanya Huff do so well. Buy the first book, skip the rest.
Rating:
Summary: It just keeps getting better
Review: 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. New characters are introduced with a sense of backstory that actually made me wonder if I'd missed some books somewhere. Not that more story was needed to explain anything, I just wanted to know more about the history between these people. I was amazed at how real these people felt (especially the Knight of the Sword, Michael, who could arguably carry a series of his own). Even the main thrust of the plot seems to be intertwined with a previous case of Dresden's which we only see in flashback. This should be disconcerting, and I did occasionally find myself wishing I'd read that book as well. However, the story flows so well that you almost find yourself thinking that you did read that book. More importantly, the third book in this series starts to delve into the emotional life of Harry Dresden in a way we'd only glimpsed before. Personally, I'm a sap, so I'm all for dealing with emotional issues. Also, it really helps you to know a character and their motivations better if you have more insight into their source. Also, the further bits of background (more about the vampire Courts, the White Council, etc) really enhance the tapestry that is The Dresden Files. If this series does not become a cult hit, and soon, I'll be very surprised.
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