Small Favor

By Jim Butcher.

(Previous book here.)

Harry owes two favors to the faerie queen Mab. In this book, Mab calls in one. It ain't small- she wants him to track down Gentleman Johnnie Marcone, who's just been kidnapped by supernatural baddies. Said supernatural baddies turn out to be the Denarians (again), who seem to be on some kind of recruiting trip. The assault on Marcone (who's now a member of the supernatural community) means that authorities have to be called in, including the Archive (a.k.a. Ivy), a little girl with the memories of everything.

The Denarians are fallen angels who possess (to some degree) whoever touches a coin that houses the angel within. Harry has dealt with them before, and knows all too well what it's like to touch one of those coins. His goal is to make sure the Denarians don't get some really powerful recruits.

I liked this one, it was quite the ride. There's some trickiness, some Billy Goats Gruff (no, really), some swordplay, and something happens for Harry that hasn't happened in QUITE awhile. I was a wee bit unsatisfied with one story aspect (see below the cut), but otherwise, a good read. Four stars from me.