Rating: 
Summary: The perfect mix of hardboiled and fantasy fiction
Review: Take traditional hardboiled fiction, give it a mind bending preternatural twist and you have Storm Front, the first book in a new series with the potential to send author Jim Butcher to the top of the gumshoe sub-genre of horror/fantasy fiction. Harry Dresden, the series' protagonist, is everything that's great about the hardboiled anti-hero, with a twist: He's a wizard trying to make a living working practical magic in a modern world that's foolishly rejected the supernatural in favor of science and technology. Part average guy, part renaissance man, Harry's got a dark side, a wicked sense of humor and a deeply rooted, personal code of honor that drives him to risk everything to fight the supernatural forces preying on his clients, an attitude that puts him at constant, dangerous odds with both the bad guys and the authorities alike. In Storm Front, when a routine murder investigation turns out to be anything but routine, the police reluctantly turn to Harry for help. But a case that started as a way to pay the rent soon gets complicated for Harry when he's forced to cross paths with the Chicago mob and a mysterious figure known as the Shadowman, drawing Harry into a web of black magic and danger. Already under the Doom of Damocles (a form of probation placed on him by the White Council who oversee the ethical use of magic in the world of the mundane) Harry himself falls under suspicion and is forced to risk execution to solve the mystery and stop the Shadowman, before the killer takes another victim. Storm Front is a riveting, action packed roller coaster of a novel, a damn good mystery with compelling characters set in a rich alternate reality universe where anything can happen. There's a little something for just about everyone here from black magic and the Chicago mob to vampire madams, demons and the fey. I enjoyed this novel immensely and am looking forward to the next in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful start for a new series
Review: Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden's a wizard (amazingly enough, the only one listed in the yellow pages under "Wizard"), often solving crimes with a supernatural twist. So when the Chicago PD brings him in to consult on a double murder committed with magic, Harry sees a way to pay last months' rent. Unfortunately, not only does he have to find the black mage responsible, but the magic he needs to call upon might bring the unwanted attention of the White Council. They've already placed the Doom of Damocles upon him, and dabbling in black magic will mean a death sentence. And then there's the brothel owning vampiress who'd like to see him dead. And a mob boss who'd like him to mind his own business... or he'll see him dead. You start to get the feeling that Harry's not exactly the most popular guy in town. The plot combines elements of a detective novel and modern fantasy, with a healthy dose of dark humor, for an intriguing debut novel.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent fantasy
Review: On Harry Dresden's Earth, beings such as fairies, trolls, and vampires roam the planet. Wizards also exist, as Harry knows first hand, being such a creature. Harry has listed himself in the yellow pages as the only in the open practicing wizard in the country. Harry has even helped the Chicago police on a case or two though most officers reject the arcane. Harry is in good standing with the White Council that governs wizards because he once killed someone in self-defense yet survived. He is under the Doom of Damocles and if he breaks any more rules, he will be executed. any of This makes his present situation a bit touchy. He is working a case involving the use of deadly magic that requires Harry to reconstruct the original spell in order to identify the murderer. If his watchdog catches him, he will be obliterated. Feeling he has no choice, Harry soon finds himself on the abyss by the dark magic he encounters. Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and Tanya Huff will love this new fantasy series set in a world where preternatural creatures live and magic is a form of science. Harry is a remarkable character that risks everything to travel down the path he feels is right, especially since a wrong turn is fatal. With more novels like this gem, Jim Butcher will not need magic to become a household name.
Rating:
Summary: What a treat!
Review: I ordered this book practically sight unseen....and am so glad I did! I can hardly wait for more adventures from Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden! I will hoarde these books like I do my Laurell K. Hamiltons!
Rating: 
Summary: Storm Front--A Real Blast
Review: Storm Front is a thrill-a-minute journey into the Chicago "Otherworld." Author Jim Butcher has invested his protagonist-narrator, Harry Dresden, with a charming mix of idealism and cynicism, of otherworldly wisdom and mundane naivete, of awesome power and gentle vulnerability. A delightfully off-kilter and subtle sense of humor left me chuckling regularly. The supporting cast is filled with characters I want to meet again and again--Toot-Toot, the pizza-loving faery; Bianca, the vampire madame; Karrin Murphy, semi-hard-boiled Director of Special Investigations for the Chicago PD; Susan Rodriguez, who will do just about anything to get a supernatural scoop; and my favorite, Bob, the smart-aleck, oversexed, talking skull. I can't wait for the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: Can you hurry up with the next one! I'm addicted!
Review: I adored this book. Dashell Hammett meets Laurell K. Hamilton. Harry and his problems (most which are self-inflicted) make a great and wonderful read. I finished it in one evening. Alot of action, great dialogue, interesting characters. I can't wait to see the others of the series!
Rating:
Summary: I like it!
Review: This is a great first novel! I like Harry, & look forward to more titles in the series.
Rating:
Summary: FIVE STARS FOR STORM FRONT
Review: This is an amazing book! The ideas are fresh and the characters are origionals. The plot is pure entertainment from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. Hats of to Jim Butcher! I now have a new favorite author.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Magical Debut
Review: Harry Dresden is an openly practicing wizard living in Chicago, where magic, wizards, faery's, vampires, etc. are still thought of as make believe. In Storm Front Dresden is called in as a consultant with Chicago's Special Investigations Unit (SI Unit). The crimes committed are being done with some heavy duty magic. Open season on wizards, and since Harry's the only wizard in the phone book he'll have to do some hard and fast investigating to find the culprit before this case lands him in jail. With a highly unappreciated dry wit, a spirit in a skull with a photographic memory and a lecherous mind named Bob, and what magic he can call to him, Harry Ddresden is off to catch a killer. His only hope is to stay alive and out of jail himself, long enough to accomplish this. Oh, did I mention that Harry is already under serveillance by the White Council (the governing body of wizards) for an unrelated mishap? The overzealous Warden who keeps tabs on Harry is sure that he (Harry) is the killer. All of Harry's tracking and tracing efforts are being misconstrued by people a lot scarier than the Chicago P. D. Poor Harry has his hands full. Let's hope the Blue Beetle (his trusty, not quite blue anymore VW) will help him speed to the center of this tangled web before he winds up incarcerated or incinerated.
Rating:
Summary: Real Magic
Review: These books are fantastic. I got the first book in the series on a Friday night, Saturday morning I was at the bookstore for more. The books have elements of both the supernatural and some twists and turns in like a good "who done it" so if you like either I would recommend them. As for the writing style; Mr. Butcher paints very vivid pictures, making it easy to get lost in the story, and the way he writes the characters made them quite believable. No "knight in shining armor" who makes no mistakes and has no fear; Harry Dresden has his issues and was a very believable person as a result. A fun a fantastic read, I hope the series continues. And don't make my mistake of just getting the first one. Get them all at once and save yourself the trouble!
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