Mari D. (luv2cnewthings) reviewed on 10/3/2013 + 55 more book reviews

Well, this one starts just about where the previous one (Grave Peril) left offexcept that it is raining toads over a lake somewhere in Chicago and Billy the werewolf seems to be Harrys sidekick. He nudges Harry out of the black hole he put himself in due to the guilt of Susans (Harrys girlfriend) predicament. Unfortunately, the appointment Billy set up for Harry is with a Sidhe Queen a.k.a Faerie royalty Mab to be precise.

During the appointment, Harry learns his contract with his godmother (Leanansidhe) was sold to Mab. This is a healthy dose of reality since the terms of this sale were put into the metaphors of debt! For example, the fae have a way of making sure that further bargains only get you in deeper, instead of into the clear. Just like credit card companies, or those student loan people. Now theres evil for you. (26)

Then onto the White Council meeting where naturally Harry is blamed for the war with the vampires and Morgan (a warden of the council) wants to kills him all over again. To make matters worse, he learns that his renewed contract with Mab is a key piece to the wizard/vampire war.

So, Harry runs around Chicago trying to fulfill the contract by finding a killer. In turn, he asks Billy to watch his back. He asks Murphy for help instead of the other way around. He also meets a bunch of Changelings and learns through first hand experience about the hierarchy of the Faeries. (i.e.: The Queen that was - Mother, the Queen that is just the Queen, and the Queen to come the Lady. Perhaps this is Jim Butchers nod to the tarot deck: Past, Present, and Future.)

While trying to find the killer and missing object, Harry ventures more into the Faerie worlds within our own, the Nevernever, and another sort of purgatory. All the while he is venturing deeper into a war. No, not the wizard/vampire war; the war between Summer and Winter. For a good laugh, what is his battle cry: I dont believe in faeries! (296)

And as usual in the Jim Butcher fashion, almost everything ends well.

Again, there are good laughs or bits of sarcasm, like when Harry thinks to himself: Phenomenal cosmic powers be damned. I have a lease. (17) Or how about the constant reminder that a man is writingi.e.: In the ruins of my office stood a woman with the kind of beauty that makes men murder friends and start wars. (16) (Troy anyone?) A mix of the two: Mab tilted her head, watching me with that same smile. Maybe she didnt get the reference. Or maybe she didnt like being compared to a thirty-story lizard. Or maybe she did like. I mean, how should I know? I have enough trouble figuring out human women. (24) Maybe a new category to spice things up - things that make you go hmnnn: I looked down at my hurting hand and scowled. I didnt think you were much into freedom as a concept, Mab. You should not presume, wizard. I adore freedom. Anyone who doesnt have it wants it. (26) Another for this category: But this is where it always begins. Monsters are born of pain and grief and loss and anger. Your heart is full of them. (175)

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