LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED) --
Harry Dresden, Chicago's wizard for hire, has had a
hard time of it lately. Facing down powerful enemies is finally taking its toll,
and the flame of his anger is growing daily, fanned by guilt and loss. During
this low point, a senior member of the White Council of Wizards, Listens
To-Wind, asks Harry to help investigate a string of brutal murders in rural
Mississippi. As the case gets under way, an unknown law enforcement group wants
Harry and Listen To-Wind out of the way, and the Dog Men, thought to be the
culprits in the killings, are not who they seem. Meanwhile in the town, a strong
force of ghouls has gone undetected, until now. Ultimately, Dresden has to
temper his rage and convince the Dog Men to help him battle the ghouls,
otherwise they are all doomed. Complementing the text from Butcher (<i>The
Cinder Spires</i>) and Powers (<i>G.I. Joe</i>; <i>Drafted</i>), artists Galindo
(<i>Red Sonja</i>) and Mohan (<i>Dean Koontz's Frankenstein</i>) create stunning
illustrations, every panel and page more exciting than the last. A slow start
picks up to a heart-pounding pace that wraps up
nicely.<br /><b>Verdict</b> Butcher's many fans will
not be disappointed with the action, and readers need no prior familiarity with
“The Dresden Files” to enjoy this first volume in a stand-alone
graphic series (collects six single issues). Highly recommended for older teens
and adults.-Laura McKinley, Huntington P.L., NY<br /><br /><br /><br />