It’s my day off. I’ve slept late. My sweet husband made me breakfast. Then I took four hours out of my day and read Ghost Story.
Four Hours.
Right then. Harry is dead. No getting around that. The blurbs on the book are utterly correct. He’s got nothing – no power, none of his familiar resources, not even his damn cat. Do you actually think that will stop our Harry from doing the right thing? Yeah you right about that one.
I’m not sure why it took me so long to read this book and start the series. It could be that I have been a lifelong fan of Mercedes Lackey and, to be fair, very little can hold a candle to Valdemar and her inhabitants. And yet, I was pleasantly and happily surprised with this book.
Lackey is an master story teller, giving just enough rich descriptions to fill your mind with wonder and just enough of a glimpse into each character’s heart that you can almost tell what they are going to do – until they shock you with their actions. A few other things shocked me as well.
As most of you know, I am out of the broom closet. I was delighted to find loads of lovely references to many magickal ideas and ideals – that were for the most part true. Thank the gods somebody is getting it right!
This story has potential. Let me start off by saying that, so you’ll understand better why I also say you should read this at your own peril.
I attempted to read this book twice, and both times I couldn’t make it past page 15. The writer threw in anecdotes and asides that didn’t have any impact on the story as it was in those first pages. That he can turn a phrase and do so well isn’t really in doubt — the problem I have though is that the mini stories didn’t matter. If the ministory doesn’t matter, then don’t include it because the reader doesn’t care.
Behold! I give you the “Sipp™ Vacuum Insulated Black Trim Travel Tumbler.” This mug is the shit. Yes indeed, it was the price of a week and a half worth of Timmies or a weeks’ worth of Starbucks coffee. It is worth it.
Why? Let’s get the specs out of the way first:
Yes, it’s good. Yes it took me close to seven months to get through. Why? Some of the stories I’d read before. You know how much I love Harry. But if you know how the story ends, no matter how good, there really isn’t a sense of urgency to read it. All in all, the stories didn’t disappoint – as per usual. Hats off to you Jim. You did it again.
From the Publisher:
The first short story collection in the #1 New York Times bestselling series-including a brand-new Harry Dresden novella!
Here, together for the first time, are the shorter works of #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher-a compendium of cases that Harry and his cadre of allies managed to close in record time. The tales range from the deadly serious to the absurdly hilarious. Also included is a new, never-before-published novella that takes place after the cliff-hanger ending of the new April 2010 hardcover, Changes. This is a must-have collection for every devoted Harry Dresden fan as well as a perfect introduction for readers ready to meet Chicago’s only professional wizard. Buy it HERE.
