Such an enjoyable story, but to be honest, I found Harry to be pretty annoying until the last third of the book. His arrogance and chivalry bordered on absurd. He needed to be pressed up against the edge to find his solution this time though, and the climax was a sheer delight. I also sometimes find Michael to be an annoying character, and that doesn't bode well for the rest of the series, does it? He seems to be taking on a larger role as the white knight, whereas I like darker aspects of Dresden.

Here's my only problem with the story: I thought for a while that I was gaining a good understanding of magic, death, vampires, Faerie, and the power of God in the story, but there an air of ambiguity seems to pervade this story, as if whatever's necessary is fine. That's not OK. I like when there is some sense to the nonsense, if you get my drift. Don't just invent new things, because there is no other way out.

At the same time, I am well aware that I'm giving a weight of importance to urban pulp fantasy that is just for fun. Maybe, then, the problem this time is with the reader.

And even I must admit that Harry's dramatic solution is ingenious, and it made sense, so that made me happy. It was a long time coming though. I am expecting we'll see some of the ramifications in the next volume. I'm looking forward to it.

So, this inched up from a low 3-star to a high 4-star in the last 100 pages, so if you slog a little, my advice is to keep investing, because you'll be rewarded.