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nswigert's review
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
2.0
Jim seems to have forgotten that when you’re playing with tropes, you’re supposed to add twists to make it interesting and fresh. There were brief times when the book was funny, but the accidental sexism and, failure to maintain the pace and tension during action scenes made it a difficult read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Violence
Minor: Racism
fraebae66's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Sexist contenteat_sleep_read's review
THE ABSOLUTE UNENDING MISOGYNY OF THIS BOOK. No no no no no no no!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
ayyknee's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
lilac_rose's review
funny
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I only really have one problem of with this book and that is the sexism of the main character. This is really good bar that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
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
sbaskin322's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
nerdydeathwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.25
This was a re-read because the Dresden Files get recommended so often as a great urban fantasy series. I like the world. I'm not thrilled about the MC's view of women. The author seems to think that if the MC verbalizes that he's "old fashioned" or "chivalrous," then it's ok to write him as blatently sexist and have him objectify women all the time (even dead ones?!?). The plot and the world made it enjoyable. I'm not giving up yet but I see why I previously stopped after the second book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
inspector_slack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
I mean it feels like a book written by an overtly sexual man who wants to live his sexual fantasies through writing. The main character is a self proclaimed chivalrous gentleman... But he constantly is sexualizing, objectifying and fantasising about the female body. Idk if this is intended irony, or just a warped perception of "appreciating women" in their entirety but it's a little unsettling. The story is fun and the world building is just right. Without the constant horny-posting, though, this would be far more enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism and Sexual content