History YMMV / SkinGame

** Well, we [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NeverFoundTheBody never saw the body]], and [[spoiler:the Denarians]] have proven tough to kill in the past.

* DesignatedHero: Butters complaining to Harry that the first thing Harry does after seeing him again was to pay off a debt like a sidhe would instead of asking how he's been doing. Actually, the first thing Harry does is to inquire about their relationship. It's supposed to show Butters' shattered faith in Harry, but it comes across as Butters being an argumentative asshole.

* RewatchBonus: Upon a second reading, the knowledge of [[spoiler:the codeword Harry and Grey were using to communicate secretly]] makes quite a few conversations more interesting.
* WhatTheHellHero: Butters complaining to Harry that the first thing Harry does after seeing him again was to pay off a debt like a sidhe would instead of asking how he's been doing. Actually, the first thing Harry does is to inquire about their relationship. It's supposed to show Butters' shattered faith in Harry, but it comes across as Butters being an argumentative asshole.

* HilariousInHindsight: In ''Ghost Story'', Butters commented that he'd accept fight training from Marcone's hired Einherjar five minutes after getting a functional lightsaber. Come this book...

* LawfulEvil: Goodman Grey, who is described by [[spoiler:Vadderung]] as the kind of mercenary who, once he accepts a contract, keeps to it no matter what. (See also: NobleDemon) Good thing that [[spoiler: Harry hired him before Nicodemus did.]]

* LawfulEvil: Goodman Grey, who is described by [[spoiler:Vadderung]] as the kind of mercenary who, once he accepts a contract, keeps to it no matter what. (See also: Noble Demon, below) Good thing that [[spoiler: Harry hired him before Nicodemus did.]]

* {{Narm}}: Michael kicking down the little fence door comes off as this since that action is totally not Michael and totally over the top.

* Narm: Michael kicking down the little fence door comes off as this since that action is totally not Michael and totally over the top.

** [[spoiler: It's directly stated in book that Lasciel and Hannah are capable of creating a Way out of Hades, and we NeverFoundTheBody... To drive the point home even further, Harry himself got out of a "Falling-Rubble-Smushy-Death" himself by opening a Way inside the domicile of a powerful supernatural being, in ''Changes''.]]
** Harry is older than Hannah and more experienced in the use of magic. Whereas [[spoiler: Hannah]] is extremely skilled in Fire Magic, Harry is more well-rounded, and that well-roundedness played out in their short fight. While [[spoiler:Lasciel and Hannah]] could only throw a continuous stream of Hellfire at Harry, he was busy reflecting that fire into the ceiling with Soulfire-infused wind. [[JustifiedTrope Harry pointed out the difference]] between his own skills and [[spoiler:Hannah's]], and he used that difference to his advantage.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Hades. [[spoiler: Averting EveryoneHatesHades, Hades himself is a rather fun character that readers loved. Takes Harry to his study, the two have a nice chat, and even explains why he named Cerberus Cerberus!]]

* HilariousInHindsight: In Ghost Story, Butters commented that he'd accept fight training from Marcone's hired Einherjar five minutes after getting a functional lightsaber. Come this book...
* VillainBall: [[spoiler: Why didn't Nicodemus have one of his ''FANATICALLY LOYAL'' minions act as the sacrifice at the Gate of Blood instead of Diedre. Isn't that the type of thing he recruited them for?!]]

* HilariousInHindsight: In Ghost Story, Butters commented that he'd accept fight training from Marcone's hired Einherjar five minutes after getting a functional lightsaber. Come this book...

** [[spoiler: It's directly stated in book that Lasciel and Hannah are capable of creating a Way out of Hades, and we NeverFoundTheBody...]]

* HilariousInHindsight: In Ghost Story, Butters commented that he'd accept fight training from Marcone's hired Einherjar five minutes after getting a functional lightsaber. Come this book...
* TheWorfEffect: Nicodemus and Tessa are supposed to be some of the hardest enemies Harry has ever had to face. [[spoiler: When Harry gets locked in a vault with Tessa without magic for several minutes, when she is ''insanely trying to kill him'', he not only survives in good enough shape to continue the mission, he kicks her around quite a bit. We don't even see her using the 'avoid wounds by becoming a swarm' trick despite being shot several times.]] And Nicodemus acts like he's forgotten that the Judas Noose apparently renders him completely invulnerable. It may not even be mentioned in the novel.

* HilariousInHindsight: In Ghost Story, Butters commented that he'd accept fight training from Marcone's hired Einherjar five minutes after getting a functional lightsaber. Come this book...

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: [[{{Adorkable}} Harry shouting "Parkour!"]] while [[CasualDangerDialogue vaulting over crystals entrapping]] [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]].
* HilariousInHindsight: In Ghost Story, Butters commented that he'd accept fight training from Marcone's hired einherjar five minutes after getting a functional lightsaber. Come this book...
* TearJerker: Oddly, when [[spoiler: Nicodemus kills Deidre.]] It's obvious that he doesn't want to -- and, conversely, that she's willing to do it for him.

* AnticlimaxBoss: [[spoiler:Lasciel and her new host]] are defeated disappointingly quickly; they could have been a great returning villain.

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: [[{{Adorkable}} Harry shouting "Parkour!"]] while [[CasualDangerDialogue vaulting over crystals entrapping]] [[EldritchAbomination Eldritch Abominations]].

* CrowningMomentOfFunny: [[{{Adorkable}} Harry shouting "Parkour!"]] while [[CasualDangerDialogue vaulting over crystals entrapping]] [[EldritchAbomination eldritch abominations]].