Rating: 
Summary: A Decent Occult Mystery
Review: Though it started a bit slow, "Storm Front" was a reasonably entertaining occult novel. I was surprised to discover that although I came to dislike the main character (a professional wizard who was a little too full of himself and whose attitudes towards women left something to be desired), I was still interested in discovering what happened next. My only beef was that there was a little too much exposition on magical system theory; those who are already familiar with magickal philosophy may find their eyes glazing over. All in all, an enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!!
Review: This is my first foray into fantasy and this was an awesome introduction. If you love mystery and the paranormal then this book is for you. Harry Dresden is a consultant to the Chicago police department and is brought in to help investigate a brutal murder that has of course, paranormal undertones. What surprises Harry is that he becomes a suspect. So to clear his name he has to wind his way through meetings with a vampire, a mob boss, an executioner, fairies and ladies in lust. Author Jim Butcher carries the reader through twists and turns and makes this story not only fun but believable too! I can't wait to read the others in this series!
Rating:
Summary: My First Fantasy
Review: As a writer of historical fiction, I've never been tempted to read fantasy. But a reader emailed me with praises for Storm Front and I was curious enough to buy it. What fun! I loved Harry and his various problems, not to mention Bob. I'm buying the rest of the series tonight and can't wait until they arrive. Warm fuzzies! Karen Ranney
Rating:
Summary: A fun first book in a series with promise
Review: Always a willing participant in the mystery with a paranormal twist, I picked up "Storm Front" on the advice of a friend with similar obsessive paranormal compulsions, and dug right in.
Jim Butcher's wizard sleuth, Harry Dresden, is a refreshing change from the usual oversombre, dark and deadly sort one finds in most paranormal mysteries. For one, Harry has a rather self-defeating chivalrous attitude about women, and a seriously horrible track record with dating. His relationship with the typical "behind the scenes wizard council" is very strained: in fact, he's on a sort of deadly probation for some very questionable acts in his past. He's the only "out" wizard in Chicago, and usually, he's broke.
"Storm Front" puts Harry in the middle of a series of truly grotesque sorcerous murders. The police want his help (but the wizard's council refuses to allow an "open information" policy with nonwizards), the mafia want him to walk away (and they're willing to push the issue), there's a demon after him, the wizard's council have someone making sure he doesn't do anything wrong - and that someone has a very big sword, and someone is trafficking a drug that is incredibly addictive, and opens up the "third eye" in those taking it.
The secondary characters are a bit light on depth, but likely this can only improve with the rest of the series, and this is often the case in first books.
Harry is an ejoyable hero to read, tends to have a very forward approach to the mysteries and complications, and has a sharp wit that tends to leave a smirk on your face. His terrible luck with machines (a side effect of being a magical person), his awful luck with women, and his rather unique approach to magical information storage and retrieval (an oversexed talking air spirit trapped in the form of a skull) are sure to keep you reading.
If you're a fan of Anita Blake, then there's a chance you'll enjoy Harry Dresden. Harry is funnier, much more tame, and though the crimes strike a similar chord, the novel in its entirety is much more light-hearted than any of the Blake bloodbaths. As far as mysteries with a twist go, I'd grab "Storm Front" in a heartbeat. You'll be glad you did.
I, for one, picked up "Fool Moon," the next in the series, the very next day.
'Nathan
Rating:
Summary: Good series.
Review: I like Harry Dresden he certainly knows how to show a lady a good time. Of course, thats just part of the story he is a wizard who works with the police on solving cases that are hard cases to solve. Karin Murphy is a tough lady cop who always gives Harry a hard time,but I think that she reall cares about Harry. This case is about who murdered Tom-Tom and Jenny Stanton. Toot-Toot and Bob the talking skull are very interesting side characters and I hope to see more of them. I am now starting Fool Moon and really enjoying it. Keep up the good work Jim, Ilike these books.
Rating:
Summary: Better than Blake
Review: At last, a "fix" for the ones of us that have jumped the sinking ship called "Anita Blake - Vampire lover". Smart, dark humour, great characters and a believable world.
And a very good mystery too! Better than Anything Laurell K Hamilton ever wrote.
Rating:
Summary: A Wizard Named Harry & a Special Investigations Unit
Review: Well, not exactly the wizard at the top of the children's reading list - closer to X-Files with a bit of humor. However, this is an imaginative spin on the ever after battle of good vs. evil, with the wizard Harry Dresden (who isn't really 'nother one Harry grown up). Unique and darkly magical, the author
obviously has a grand time weaving a scary spell of a story, having license to throw in ... unexpected elements. Harry Dresden walks a fine line between the Nevernever and the criminal side of Chicago, practicing his idiosyncratic magical talents within the boundaries and principles of each world. Will he forfeit his own mortality for the greater good? Humorous or seriously scary, the adventures of this wizard named Harry are close enough to life to make you wonder at times. Haphazard and hard on electronics, Harry has issues with cars, computers, as well as a fat cat named Mister...and a nasty minded skull named Bob. Alchemy and potions, demons and handcuffs, maybe a little too much - but clever. I enjoyed it and look forward [future books]
Rating:
Summary: Too bad he didn't keep it going
Review: I bought this, the first in the series, and enjoyed it very much. It's a good urban fantasy, dealing with the idea of a wizard as a PI. Nicely done and so I ordered the next two books together with the expectation of more of the same. I was disappointed. Butcher falls prey to the fantasy writer's curse that seems to make it impossibly for them to write a series that doesn't end up with the main character becoming the key player in the fight of Good vs Evil in the whole universe. #2 starts setting it all up and in #3 the series has become just another such book like several dozen on the shelves. He also seems to like to abuse secndary characters but then has them keep coming back as if nothing happened. Buy this first book but skip the others.
Rating:
Summary: Things that go bump (and slither, and scratch) in the night
Review: It's not original, it's not gonna raise any moral questions, and it sure isn't gonna win any highbrow awards. But. I love the writing, the character, and the whole attitude of the book. It's fun and I want to read lots more about Mr. Dresden. It's a terrific storey, and will be going in my collection of keepers. Oh, wait... I never throw anything away... So, maybe I'll just stick with how much I liked it.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Enjoyable Book
Review: I wasn't too sure if I would like this book, since the main character is a wizard and I'm just not into that whole Merlin thing. But, a number of the other reviewers who are Laurell K. Hamilton fans have recommended this book, so I decided to give it a try. This is similar to LKH in that it takes place in an alternative reality USA where magic is somewhat acknowledged, and the existence of vampires, werewolves, and other things that go bump in the night is not disbelieved. However, Harry Dresden's character is not very similar to LKH's Anita Blake, so don't read the series expecting a male version of her. Harry is his own person, and an interesting one at that. He knows his magic but has problems with everyday appliances. He is well-mannered and caring in a world that doesn't always appreciate such things.
To balance out his personality, there is Lt. Karrin Murphy, who has all of the aggressiveness that Harry lacks. Harry is her consultant on police matters of a supernatural nature, and isn't very respected by the other members of her team. I enjoyed this book because Harry is a likable guy, and it's easy to empathize with his circumstances - professional, financial, and personal. The magical aspects of the story are well-explained, the killings are horrifying, the main characters are interesting, and the secondary characters are quirky. All in all, a nice package.
|
