A review by nytephoenyx
Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.0

I still can't justify why I enjoy The Dresden Files. The main character, Harry Dresden, is sexist in that "I believe in chivalry" kind of way. The writing isn't that good. So many unbelievable things happen. And yet? It holds my attention and I read the books really quickly. I guess Dresden reminds me a little of Anita Blake, another urban fantasy mess I really enjoy and absolutely cannot justify.

The first book, Storm Front, was the "evil wizard" book. Fool Moon is the "werewolf" book. Sure to come are zombies and vampires. While most of Butcher's writing is immediately pretty flat, one thing that does interest me is the mythological breakdowns. Butcher pulled werewolf references and lore from a lot of different cultures to build his characters... and yup, was even cocky enough to tell us all about it in an informational breakdown for the uninitiated. I do like the magic, the recklessness of it. The mythos is interesting.

Know, though, that the plot line was a complete train wreck. There were so many things going on that even Dresden took a step back in the book to recap with his subconscious. In some ways, it was pretentious (as if the reader can't keep track of what's happening!) and in other ways, humorous (so much banter). There were the promised werewolves and a bunch of other things and really, Dresden should be super super super arrested right now, but it's more... convenient to tie things up in an illogical bow, I guess.

Fool Moon is an absolute mess but an enjoyable one. I'm a sucker for punishment, because I'm going on to book three. It's not a book or a series I'd buy, though. Strictly for the borrowing.

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