

š±š Read on Kindle š 352 pages ā± Read time: 5 hours š·ļø Publisher: Ace š ARC provided by NetGalley šļø Release Date: April 14, 2026
I came into this one already a little biased. Hand me anything with a Dresden Files label and I'm basically a golden retriever who just heard the word "walk". The Goodman Grey story Mister Petty absolutely delivered. Grey is Harry Dresden without the moral hand-wringing, and watching him operate in his own spotlight felt like being a handed a gift. If Butcher ever decides to give Grey a full novel, I will pre-order it at midnight without blinking.
The anthology as a whole is a solid sampler platter of urban fantasy. You've got witches, demons, vampires, and at least one ghost with a serious grudge, which honestly, is the energy we all deserve. The theme of payback ties everything together just enough to give it cohesion without feeling forced. Some stories introduced me to worlds and author I hadn't explored before, and a few of those are already on my TBR now. That's exactly what a good anthology should do. It's a speed-dating event for book series, and I left with a few numbers.
If you are a fan of The Dresden Files or urban fantasy in general, this collection offers enough sparks to keep you turning pages.
Would I recommend it? It's a solid read, especially for fans of Harry Dresden Universe. It's a genuinely fun read with some standout moments, a few new authors worth following, and at least one story (you know which one, Grey fans) that'll have you grinning. Not every story hits home, but enough did to make it worth the few hours I spent with it.
š±š Read on Kindle š 352 pages ā± Read time: 5 hours š·ļø Publisher: Ace š ARC provided by NetGalley šļø Release Date: April 14, 2026
I came into this one already a little biased. Hand me anything with a Dresden Files label and I'm basically a golden retriever who just heard the word "walk". The Goodman Grey story Mister Petty absolutely delivered. Grey is Harry Dresden without the moral hand-wringing, and watching him operate in his own spotlight felt like being a handed a gift. If Butcher ever decides to give Grey a full novel, I will pre-order it at midnight without blinking.
The anthology as a whole is a solid sampler platter of urban fantasy. You've got witches, demons, vampires, and at least one ghost with a serious grudge, which honestly, is the energy we all deserve. The theme of payback ties everything together just enough to give it cohesion without feeling forced. Some stories introduced me to worlds and author I hadn't explored before, and a few of those are already on my TBR now. That's exactly what a good anthology should do. It's a speed-dating event for book series, and I left with a few numbers.
If you are a fan of The Dresden Files or urban fantasy in general, this collection offers enough sparks to keep you turning pages.
Would I recommend it? It's a solid read, especially for fans of Harry Dresden Universe. It's a genuinely fun read with some standout moments, a few new authors worth following, and at least one story (you know which one, Grey fans) that'll have you grinning. Not every story hits home, but enough did to make it worth the few hours I spent with it.