Urban Fantasy discussion

No spoilers in this topic, please.

Note: Putting up this topic early so feel free to talk about the book now if you wish. :)

This is the weakest Dresden book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and every book so far in this series! Harry is just too much fun!

This is the first book that I have ever read by Jim Butcher, and I enjoyed it. The plot was fairly fast paced and interesting and I can see down the line where characters can be more fully developed especially Bob, liked the idea him. Harry is a likeable guy and one that I want to read more about.

I agree. Butcher has a knack for creating characters that are just amazing. Even teh characters you hate are wonderfully built.

I tried to read this one a couple of years ago, but after 100 pages gave it up. I found I just didn't care about the characters. I felt really bad about it as most people really like this series, so I was excited to read it.

This was the first urban fantasy book I read, I don't remember how it comes that I bought it. I really liked but got only through the 4th book. I passed it to my husband and he has read the 13 of them!

As Jessical mentioned this is the weakest of The Dresden Files Books, and after reading many reviews I know that there is more to come down the line. I wouldnt say the book is brilliant...but it was enjoyable and an easy read. Therefore I am going to read another book in the series I am sure they get better.

Emma wrote: "As Jessical mentioned this is the weakest of The Dresden Files Books, and after reading many reviews I know that there is more to come down the line. I wouldnt say the book is brilliant...but it wa..."

I REALLY didn't like STORM FRONT when I read it. If a friend hadn't insisted I try the 2nd book I would never have read any more and I would have missed out on some really good books! I listened to STORM FRONT when they started putting them out on audio and it completely changed my opinion of the book! James Marsters is such a perfect reader for these books. He brings them to life!

Looks like this is one that I should try again, although I may have to take Melodie's suggestion and do the audio book. I do have to travel for x-mas and I usually listen to an audio book.

I keep wondering why people love the Dresden File books so much when I couldn't even get through the first one, but I'm being told that after the first book the series gets better so I think I might give it another shot.

I really suggest everyone try to get through it. Harry is the type of character who grows on you like Ivy. I find myself wondering about him in between books. He is so well developed I think of him as a regular guy (putting aside the wizard thing and all). You just want him to find his happily ever after even though I know this series isn't about that and is a continuing one. Anyway, can you tell how much I like him. The important secondary characters grew on me just as much.

Though this is probably my favorite series now, I have to admit that the only reason why I made it past the 3rd book was that I kept reading great reviews for the latest books in the series. Luckily, I endured.

The first one wasn't terrible (for a first book in a series) but the 2nd and 3rd books had me rolling my eyes at every other page. Though Harry himself is a cool guy, I hated how his character was being used to advance the plot over and over. In the second book, especially, I felt that every time Harry was presented with a limited set of options, he would always choose the worst one. This is less notorious in the 3rd one, though it's still there.

By the 4th book, this changes. Bad situations force themselves on Harry and he's given no choice but to face them as best he can. In the previous books the bad situations were usually created by Harry making all the wrong choices.

After that, the series really takes off and the character development is one of the best I've seen. I think that the only other series that can give it a run for their money on that front is Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan Series.

Hmmm... I'm rambling, aren't I?

To me, The Dresden Files is today's best UF/Paranormal series in the market, hands down. It has wit, well developed characters, and a fantastic, well crafted universe, among many other virtues that are a rarity nowadays.

However, it doesn't have a smooth start, IMO. To me, the three first books are the weakest of the series. I can understand those who can't find the appeal on the Dresden series. It takes a while (three books to be precise) for it to grown on you. However, I think it's worth the effort of a second chance (for those who gave it up after the first book), and a little patience for those who are still reading the first three.

After them, you'll find yourself in a wild ride, counting the days until next release. I recall I started the series, because I heard great things about the first two, but they didn't engage me much at the time. Later on, I re-read them and added a couple of the following ones, and I was absolutely hooked. So much, that I shared them with my daughter, who is now as hooked, if not more, than myself. We only regret that my husband can't read English (we aren't Americans/English native speakers). I'm 100% sure he'll love them. He enjoyed the TV series, and frankly, the adaptation is so "loose" that IMO all it kept in place from the books were the names of the characters. The books are SO much better, especially after they pick the pace (after book 3).

So, I'd say to those who feel these books don't like to the hype, that's not hype at all. They are good, but you need to be patient, and continue reading. You'll be rewarded, trust me.

I guess there was something about Harry that I adored form the beginning- bad decision making and all. Harry knows he's flawed, but it just trying to make the best of whatever situation he's in. He's like the ultimate underdog.

I've read every single one of these books and I'm glad I read all the earlier comments before posting. I'd honestly forgotten which book Storm Front was in the series!

I hadn't noticed the slowness or points other people have pointed out in the first three books. Maybe because I was reading so much PNR and straight fantasy at the time, I'm not sure. I loved Harry, loved the characters and felt the writing really drew the reader in.

But - I can say that his latest installment seemed rather form-written and predictable to me. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm not going to buy book 14 when it comes out.

Over all I highly recommend this series. My husband read it after he saw a few of the TV shows and is glad he did - definitely a writer who appeals to both sexes equally.

I think the series gets a lot better when Murphy stops being so purposefully obtuse. It always annoyed me, in the beginning, how she seemed to refuse to believe Harry and tried to block him at every avenue, after asking for his help. Once she got on board, and they start introducing more interesting secondary characters which become more relevant, the series got better.

Of course, I also feel that the books are a little repetitive in the overarching plotlines of each individual book, but I'm still hanging in there. A little overwhelmed at the thought of there being 22 or 23 books by the time we're through, though, if the formula doesn't change up a bit. (Granted, I haven't read the last two releases, and I've heard book 10 does just that, so we'll see.)

Yeah, Murphy being on board helps a lot, of course, that could have been helped along a lot faster if Harry had just gotten over trying to protect her by keeping her in the dark.

Although I admit that was frustrating that Harry took so long to get over protecting Murphy, it was probably a more "realistic" (hee, hee) character development point. It's a hard balance to both have a character change and grow and still make it believable. One of Harry's endearing traits is how stubbornly he clings to his convictions. If he got over anything too soon, it might not be true to his character. I don't like characters who just suddenly start acting differently. But investing in this series is less about perfectly balanced pacing and more the sort of consistent character development I was describing.

I really enjoyed Storm Front (read it several months ago), so I'm looking forward to following the discussion here. I'm hoping to start chipping away at the rest of the series in the coming months. I was interested to learn here that James Marsters narrates the audio books. Being a huge geeky BTVS fan from way back, I must now seek out one or two of them, because I can so hear his voice working perfectly with these stories.

My husband has read all of them and I've read bits and pieces of most of them. I'm hoping that having a discussion to look forward to will motivate me to get off my duff and read a whole one :)

I am reading Storm Front again since I read it so long ago. I went through it too fast and missed a lot the first time around.

You all have convinced me to try this one again, I will be picking up the audio version of the book later today.

Darcy, It's not a great book, but Strom Front is a good and interesting book. I really consider it a mystery with paranormal elements (vampires, demons, fae, etc) more than a pure Urban Fantasy. Yes, I like Harry Dresden.

Before startign the 1st book (only in January) I decided to read "Restoration of Faith", to get a feel of the story, and I have to say I love it! If the series is like this, or better, I'll be sure to become a fan.

With so many comments about how this series gets better after the first book, I think I'll give Storm Front another shot.

Well, swayed by the dulcet tones of James Marsters, I bought and listened the first two and, wasn't immediately a fan. I'm giving in to the praises of you fans though and will get the next couple of books in the series.

I am in the middle of the book right now and have to say it is better listening to it, than I remember. Plus James Marsters does a great job in the narration. I will probably listen to as many as I can to continue on with the series.

I just read Storm Front and Fool Moon, and now I'm starting on Grave Peril.

Prepped by the commentary, I didn't have high expectations going into Storm Front, which is probably why I was pleasantly surprised by how fun it was. I expected heavy info dump and lots of meandering, but the world-building was relatively well integrated.

I thought Fool Moon was a little more disjointed.

Frustrated by the same aspect that Chichipio mentions, I'm glad to hear that in future books, Harry's lack of communication won't be a driving force to the plot. I guess he learns his lesson!

The Murphy thing bothers me too. If they've known each other for years already, why is she so darned quick to suspect him? Happy to hear she eventually gets on board and acknowledges Harry as the good guy he seems to be.

The determined and penniless Harry is a great character. He's just so freakin' likable!

I finished this book now and do have to say the advice I was given to listen to it was great. I will continue on with the series and will try to keep the same format.

One character that I loved that was just way out there was Bob the talking skull. Those scenes had me cracking up!!

Bob continues to be a hillarious core character. One of my favs.

I read Storm Front in 2008 and remember not being that impressed by it. I gave it 3 stars. I heard from several people after posting my lackluster review that the series takes off after the first book. I put # 2 (Fool Moon) on my "to-buy" list and just never got around to buying it. Plus, my library seems to carry all the Dresden books BUT # 2.

This weekend, I finally purchased the book for my Kindle and will read it (eventually).

I do remember liking Bob quite a bit. :)

I enjoyed Storm Front, but I did find Fool Moon a bit more lacking. Haven't been able to get my hands on the third in the series yet; bookstores are so unreliable in their stocking (case in point: NEVER can find the first in Sherilyn Kenyon's series--Fantasy Lover, is it?)...I did just get a Kindle, but I'm trying to control the spending there.

My husband got White Knight for me for Christmas, and I'm wondering--exactly HOW important is it to read these books in order? I have the feeling one should, but I'm just curious from those who have read all?

Summer, you should definitely try to read them in order. Something Butcher does very well is let his characters and the story evolve. If you pick up White Night (I assume this is the one you've got, #9 in the series and not "Summer Knight" which is #4) you'll find a ton of new characters and, the ones you already know, have grown so much that some of their actions wouldn't make much sense to you. For instance, after Fool Moon is quite hard to picture Murphy actually helping Harry without being obnoxious about it.

Chichipio wrote: "Summer, you should definitely try to read them in order. Something Butcher does very well is let his characters and the story evolve. If you pick up White Night (I assume this is the one you've got..."

That's what I figured. And yes, I meant White Night. :-) Thanks for the input.

definately read in order. There are things that would be spoiled or not make enough sense reading out of order.

I loved Storm Front, thought Fool Moon was a little meh, LOVED Grave Peril.

Just finished reading Storm Front for the third time last night! I am addicted to the Dresden Files and to Butcher's other series which is more epic fantasy in feel, the Codex Alera and was concluded with book #6 in the fall of 2009.

I appreciate how fallible Harry Dresden is, how very alone he is, and how funny he is.

I just finished it and I really liked it. There's humor, action and mistery. It defenitly wasn't a waste of time and I'm going to keep reading the series.

I listened to the audio version of this book late last year, maybe Nov. or early Dec.? I enjoyed it but not enough to read more. I'd liked the TV show that got early cancelation a few years ago (typical for me -- any TV show I like gets canceled early) and didn't realize it was based on a series of books. I ran across it on Audible.com, which is where I buy all my 'books' so I gave it a try. Someone told me the series doesn't really hit its stride until book 3, so I am now listening to Fool Moon and reading Soulless. I read when I'm stuck at work or at home and listen when I'm in my car or doing other stuff like walking the dogs. This way I hardly ever have to deal with real life, LOL.

The Dresden Files is a fantastic investment. The series really takes off in book 3: Grave Peril, and goes from strength to strength from there.

Murphy, though... I'm sorry but she annoys me, especially in Storm Front. Her character gets more to do later in the series and becomes more whole, but early on she can be tough to handle.

Still, Dresden Files is my absolute favourite series, and it's very much worth reading on.

Sandra wrote: "I listened to the audio version of this book late last year, maybe Nov. or early Dec.? I enjoyed it but not enough to read more. I'd liked the TV show that got early cancelation a few years ago (..."

I really did not like the audio version. The Dresden's voice was just wrong from what I pictured. Try reading the book's they are worth the effort.

Really? It's James Marsters! Of Buffy and Angel and even Torchwood.

I bought the next two because they had a sale and am listening to Fool Moon and am enjoying it.

I think it depends on whether you bought the book first or the audio first a lot of the time. I am a big Buffy fan, and I actually invested in the books after listening to the audio book of Grave Peril, and thinking "I have to go back to the start and follow this series." In my head I hear James' voice reading the lines now... love it!

Emmett wrote: "I think it depends on whether you bought the book first or the audio first a lot of the time. I am a big Buffy fan, and I actually invested in the books after listening to the audio book of Grave P..."

I sure you are right, I listened to Full Moon Rising first and follow up with the reading the rest of the series and I loved Riley's voice.

This a solid UF series that I would say is aimed more towards men. Butcher seems to be very conversant with geek culture and Harry's story arc reminds me of the long running role playing games I once played. I just finished book 7 and expect to catch up with the current book by the end of this year.

Fool Moon can probably be skipped by anyone who isn't a werewolf nut like myself. The most important thing that happens is Harry regaining Murphy's trust and making some new allies. Book 3 is an important change in direction, each book thereafter is essential to the overall story arc. This group should do a group read on Book 3 sometime in the next year...

I bought Storm Front and Full Moon last year, but didn't get around to reading them (my husband did, and thought they were okay). Late last year though, I decided to try them on audio when I learned that Mr. Marsters (swoon...) was narrating them. I though the first two books were okay, but wasn't convinced about the greatness of the series that so many others exclaim. I'm now on the fourth book though, and I'm really enjoying them and plan to get through all of them this year as part of a series challenge. =)

I read the first three book years ago (soon after they came out in pb) but I didn't continue. Then I read a short story that had Harry in it and decided to try picking the series back up and I ended up reading books 4 to 11 (Turn Coat) in approximately 2 weeks this January. Needless to say I am hooked.

Storm Front is the beginning of a great series. I have read all the books in it. Though Storm Front, at least for me, was a bit of a slow beginning it is worth it to introduce you to Harry Dresden's world, as it is something no one should miss out on.