Reviews

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

devydude1020's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the perfect blend of mystery and magic!
Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a private investigator in modern-day Chicago, but he is also more than that; he is a wizard for hire. As a professional wizard with adverts in local newspapers, Harry claims to be more adept at understanding the magical oddities of the “normal” world, and sometimes he is the only one that can provide answers for cases both big and small. When the Chicago Police Department hires Harry as a consultant for a double homicide that was clearly committed by someone with black magic, not only does he imagine the big payday this case will bring, he also thinks that they don’t have long before the deadly mage strikes again. Harry understands that it won’t take long before he himself becomes a target, whether by an unidentified killer with unknown power, or by the police that could start looking to pin the double homicide on him if he doesn’t provide answers quickly. It’s a race against the clock to solve the case by any means necessary!
This fast-paced, captivating novel is the first of a series that people will fall in love with. Harry Dresden is a smart, flawed, rough-around-the-edges character that only makes this magical tale feel even more like a classic detective story. A must read!

prairiephlox's review against another edition

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4.0

My first Dresden novel. It is unfortunate because I saw the TV show before I ever read the books. The show was cancelled after only one season (not surprising, it was a great show imo, but there was little relational change between the characters), and it left so many unanswered questions. I thought to myself, I can get these answered by the book! Nope. Other than being based loosely in the same “world” that Butcher created, it’s not really the same.

Which is ok.

I usually don’t like urban fantasy, but I love the Dresden Files. I love the feel of the narrative, like a gritty detective story. I love the beat of Chicago. I love the characters, their flaws, their strengths. I love Harry Dresden. What a fantastic character. I love the darkness that its inside him, and the quirky sarcasm that he uses to deflect the danger of the world.

oliviakt07's review against another edition

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4.0

A recommendation from members of my D&D party, I was beyond pleased with the first book in the Dresden Files series. Harry Dresden's world of fantasy in neo-noir Chicago was hard to put down or put away, and although some would say I blew through it without enjoying it fully they would not be 100% correct.

What strikes me about the start to this series is how Dresden's narration of the events involving the murders, disappearances, supernatural drug deals, and questionable alliances he encounters (and what feelings and thoughts they provoke) are shared in a relatable inner dialogue. His descriptions and reactions are expressed in such a way that he feels like a real person and not a character in a fictional series. He is a loner we can identify with, and appreciate.

He talks to and about himself and others the way most of us do. He, as a character, does not stand by and let the plot take control like some characters in other tales. He is in the driver seat as much as possible. James Marsters voice also give Dresden and his monologs an extra, silky smooth, kick. No one else is Dresden to me.

I cannot wait to read more into the series, and see what is next for our P.I. and his allies. I am looking forward to more of Butcher's choice of vocabulary and adjectives, humor and grit, when it comes to the entities that are swarming the Windy City. Most of all, I am grateful that the series reignited the mystery and fantasy genre for me, and based on that able to give both (and the hybrid of both) another try.

hamspamdamere's review against another edition

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3.0

Quick fun read. Interesting set-up, nice pace. Somehow did feel like the first in a series that can get better. Probably will read more, but not straight away.

tgray39's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

rekadarnb's review against another edition

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1.0

I don’t know what I the hell I just read. I don’t even see the point of being a wizard. This man is a bumbling fool. I surprised the book ended on a good note. He should be dead. I can’t continue with this series.

shelbyyjune's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

3.0

annieblw931's review against another edition

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1.0

Tried so hard to read. Half way through and still unsure of the plot. I just couldn't

scoobielaura23's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm so excited that the library got more Dresden Files audio books!!! I loved the other one I listened to, and loved listening to James Marsters, so I might be a bit obsessive about listening to these for a while.

da_thirst's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I hear people are down on this book, but it is solid. The world building is strong, the characters are interesting, and the plot competently uses both. The series gets better than 'competent', but if we're doing comparisons then this book is certainly better than a lot of books with a far more impressive pedigree than a high schooler.

In short, don't skip it to get to the better books.