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maddierandolph's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Cursing, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Drug use
eat_sleep_read's review
THE ABSOLUTE UNENDING MISOGYNY OF THIS BOOK. No no no no no no no!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
cheruphim's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
(reposted from Goodreads)
This was a read that left me conflicted. On the one hand, 2000s fantasy writing scratches a nostalgia itch for me, and reading something from that time period gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling of reading books of that ilk as a middle-high schooler. The urban fantasy element is top-notch, and the author does a fantastic job at setting the scene and describing the main character's world.
On the other hand, whew is this book flawed in the way it describes female characters. Like, I get it, it's from 2000 and the author was probably getting a feel for the character, as well as the setting and writing in the mind of a neo-noir detective. But it doesn't make it any easier to digest. Every female character in this book is described as stunning, drop dead gorgeous, with the perkiest breasts and legs, save for maybe one, and even she is described as being 'like a cheerleader' in figure. I don't think I'd mind it as much if the main character described one female character like this, but it's with every single one, and frankly it gets exhausting.
Throughout this book, it reminded me of something very familiar, and by the end of it, I was able to pinpoint it: The CW'S Supernatural. Of course, Storm Front precedes this television series, but it feels similar in vein to it, from the urban fantasy aspect to most of the female characters being 2000s 'it-girl' hot chicks. Whether that is a plus or a minus depends on how you feel about Supernatural.
This was a read that left me conflicted. On the one hand, 2000s fantasy writing scratches a nostalgia itch for me, and reading something from that time period gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling of reading books of that ilk as a middle-high schooler. The urban fantasy element is top-notch, and the author does a fantastic job at setting the scene and describing the main character's world.
On the other hand, whew is this book flawed in the way it describes female characters. Like, I get it, it's from 2000 and the author was probably getting a feel for the character, as well as the setting and writing in the mind of a neo-noir detective. But it doesn't make it any easier to digest. Every female character in this book is described as stunning, drop dead gorgeous, with the perkiest breasts and legs, save for maybe one, and even she is described as being 'like a cheerleader' in figure. I don't think I'd mind it as much if the main character described one female character like this, but it's with every single one, and frankly it gets exhausting.
Throughout this book, it reminded me of something very familiar, and by the end of it, I was able to pinpoint it: The CW'S Supernatural. Of course, Storm Front precedes this television series, but it feels similar in vein to it, from the urban fantasy aspect to most of the female characters being 2000s 'it-girl' hot chicks. Whether that is a plus or a minus depends on how you feel about Supernatural.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, Murder, and Gore
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
nicosta_music's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
For a book coming off of my Anti-TBR list, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Storm Front. To get this book's glaring issue out of the way -- yes, main character Harry Dresden spends the first few chapters randomly mentioning how much he "respects" women while also being incredibly misogynistic. But honestly, some of his takes were so ridiculous that I thought it was hilarious. Like, come on:
“Women are better at hating than men. They can focus it better, let it go better. Hell, witches are just plain meaner than wizards. This feels like feminine vengeance of some kind to me.”
Comedic gold. No person grounded in reality says things like this. It's also extremely telling how the minute Harry
Despite the weird misogyny and perviness that occasionally spewed from Harry's mouth, I thought he was a bit of an endearing character. He reminded me of a lot of my IRL guy friends -- sort of like the quiet, loser-type nerds who are actually chill when you get to know them (except my IRL guy friends grew out of the weird chauvinist attitudes).
The plot was fine. Nothing special, but I appreciate a mystery with magical elements. The way things always seemed to conveniently work out for Harry was also funny to me and kept me entertained. I'd recommend this book to anybody who think's they'd enjoy reading about an incel who lacks self-awareness bumbling his way through magic and crime scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual content, Blood, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Animal death, and Child death
biobeetle's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
cheezh8er's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Murder
paizliibubs's review
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Murder
nadalien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Ó, a gyönyörű hímsovinizmus szépen beletakarva az "Én csak férfi vagyok tradicionális elvekkel" marhaságba. A tévé sorozatot kedveltem, ezért akartam elolvasni a könyvsorozatot is. Csalódás volt. Nyilván a sorozat sem volt hibátlan, de sokkal kevesebb hibája volt, mint a könyvnek.
Igyekeztem az elején mindig arra asszociálni, hogy a szerző nyilvánvalóan a film noir stílusát és elemeit szeretné megidézni és fantasyba csomagolni, de a 2000-es években ezt lehetett volna sokkal jobban is megoldnai.
Talán egyszer esélyt adok a második kötetnek. Talán.
Igyekeztem az elején mindig arra asszociálni, hogy a szerző nyilvánvalóan a film noir stílusát és elemeit szeretné megidézni és fantasyba csomagolni, de a 2000-es években ezt lehetett volna sokkal jobban is megoldnai.
Talán egyszer esélyt adok a második kötetnek. Talán.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Misogyny
arbitrary_convenience's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
This is going to sound harsh, so I want to be clear: I enjoyed reading this.
It read like the author was trying to insert himself into a fantasy life. Which is fine, it’s just a bit silly. He’s always complaining about not getting girls, yet there somehow happen to always be girls around him who are willing to go on dates? Suspicious. How many times can you call on brains vs brawn, claiming your experience is what sets you apart as a professional, making you the clear winner? Endlessly apparently. Would half the story be solved with like 3 conversations? Quite possibly. Should Dresden just find a therapist already? Definitely.
Overall, it was very funny. I enjoyed it very very much.
It read like the author was trying to insert himself into a fantasy life. Which is fine, it’s just a bit silly. He’s always complaining about not getting girls, yet there somehow happen to always be girls around him who are willing to go on dates? Suspicious. How many times can you call on brains vs brawn, claiming your experience is what sets you apart as a professional, making you the clear winner? Endlessly apparently. Would half the story be solved with like 3 conversations? Quite possibly. Should Dresden just find a therapist already? Definitely.
Overall, it was very funny. I enjoyed it very very much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Misogyny
fantasticcan1475's review
Main character is a pompous, arrogant misogynist
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, and Murder