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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I missed out on a lot of the timing of events, kept getting confused why duel wasn't happening, but i liked that the baddies lived.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Three stars for the book, Four for the audiobook. My friends are probably getting sick of me praising James Marsters' performance on these, but he is truly top shelf. I would have probably given up on this series after the first book or two (15 is a rather intimidating number of books), but keep coming back for Marsters' role of Spike the Wizard Detective. And oh lord when he voices Bob? Or faeries?? Perfection.
The first two books were fun and quirky and scratched that irresistible itch for urban fantasy, noir, and pissy anti-heroes all in one go. They really started following the same predictable pattern after that though. The first person POV of a rather unlikable protagonist stops being charming after about the 87th time Harry grumbles "Hell's bells" or bemoans how being "so chivalrous" is his greatest curse. There are a few female characters who could have redeemed it for me, but they all fell flat and became tired tropes who were present solely for the development of Our Hero shortly after being introduced.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy these books in spite of myself. I just feel like there is much more I would need out of them before I could really sing their praises. I can in good faith recommend checking out at least the audiobooks, especially for Buffy fans, and ESPECIALLY for Spike fans.
The first two books were fun and quirky and scratched that irresistible itch for urban fantasy, noir, and pissy anti-heroes all in one go. They really started following the same predictable pattern after that though. The first person POV of a rather unlikable protagonist stops being charming after about the 87th time Harry grumbles "Hell's bells" or bemoans how being "so chivalrous" is his greatest curse. There are a few female characters who could have redeemed it for me, but they all fell flat and became tired tropes who were present solely for the development of Our Hero shortly after being introduced.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy these books in spite of myself. I just feel like there is much more I would need out of them before I could really sing their praises. I can in good faith recommend checking out at least the audiobooks, especially for Buffy fans, and ESPECIALLY for Spike fans.
Edited 1 Jun 2025: Amending my review to 1⭐, because as fun as these first stories were, that was killed by the full on pedo-fantasy in book 8.
28 Feb 2025 - 5⭐
Good, fast paced, ridiculous, magical noir pulp. Just chef's kiss levels of fast-food-fiction.
I love Dresden. I love the fact that he took a shower (several showers!) even more.
28 Feb 2025 - 5⭐
Good, fast paced, ridiculous, magical noir pulp. Just chef's kiss levels of fast-food-fiction.
I love Dresden. I love the fact that he took a shower (several showers!) even more.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved Dresden files as always, was nice to see Harry finally getting some understanding and closure over Susan.
After this book Harry effectively has alot more enemy notch's on his staff post, But also Gains new allies and understanding.
This book really had the ick factor where disease was involved, but from the start it was unmissable, from fighting fallen angels who want to set a plague on the world, ducking the cops, taming an ex girlfriend to a supposed gentleman's duel this book hardly gave you time to catch your breath.
I Loved Shiro's character.....
Yea massive 5 stars...Again and Hats off to James Marsters commentary!
After this book Harry effectively has alot more enemy notch's on his staff post, But also Gains new allies and understanding.
This book really had the ick factor where disease was involved, but from the start it was unmissable, from fighting fallen angels who want to set a plague on the world, ducking the cops, taming an ex girlfriend to a supposed gentleman's duel this book hardly gave you time to catch your breath.
I Loved Shiro's character.....
Yea massive 5 stars...Again and Hats off to James Marsters commentary!
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just as fun as the previous book. I like how the cast of characters in each book so far seems to be fluctuating between Harry’s two biggest problems. Makes me wonder when those two problems become one very big problem.