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A review by xkrow
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
3.0
A solid romp that has some big (character) flaws.
The story is the major element I went into this for, and while it isn't anything brilliant, it's perfectly fine for what this is. It doesn't meander on things for too long. Almost every scene feels like its working towards the final goal. It is also peppered with some AMAZING action scenes that are each unique and really fun to read. Butcher just kept surprising me with he was going to pull out next. It being a "magic world" definitely gives it an edge of other, more real detective thrillers.
What truly ended up hooking me were the world elements. The different types of magic, spirits, the politics of the world, Dresden's hidden past. All lay the groundwork that I'm very interested in continuing. One negative point here would be though that the world doesn't feel "lived in by magic". What I mean is, there are parts where magic is used so many times that its hard to think people are completely ignorant of it. Of course, the White Council probably does a lot of work, but if magic has existed from time immemorial and these people have mingled with the regular world, it should probably look a LOT different than what it turns out to be.
On the character front, this book is VERY mixed. I don't think there's a single character in this book that I wholly liked. Like, of course there are the side characters that I don't dislike, but they don't play enough of a central part. Murphy is annoying and completely caricatured as the "tough, down-on-her-luck cop" who spits out an angry "Damn you!" every 5 minutes. Her actions really don't line up with her apparent relationship as described by Dresden either. Speaking of Dresden - man that guy is divisive. In some parts, he's a perfectly enjoyable protag - a sly humored detective with a dark and hidden past. But in other parts he's just like the most annoying person to read, constantly in his mind about being "traditional" and noticed the "boobs boobing" on every female character - even a DEAD ONE. God, I hope he gets better.
So, overall, the book had elements that disappointed me, elements that were par for the course, and elements that exceeded my expectations, and that is exactly what makes it tough to score. Though, one thing I am certain of: Mr. Butcher is one horny man, god.
The story is the major element I went into this for, and while it isn't anything brilliant, it's perfectly fine for what this is. It doesn't meander on things for too long. Almost every scene feels like its working towards the final goal. It is also peppered with some AMAZING action scenes that are each unique and really fun to read. Butcher just kept surprising me with he was going to pull out next. It being a "magic world" definitely gives it an edge of other, more real detective thrillers.
What truly ended up hooking me were the world elements. The different types of magic, spirits, the politics of the world, Dresden's hidden past. All lay the groundwork that I'm very interested in continuing. One negative point here would be though that the world doesn't feel "lived in by magic". What I mean is, there are parts where magic is used so many times that its hard to think people are completely ignorant of it. Of course, the White Council probably does a lot of work, but if magic has existed from time immemorial and these people have mingled with the regular world, it should probably look a LOT different than what it turns out to be.
On the character front, this book is VERY mixed. I don't think there's a single character in this book that I wholly liked. Like, of course there are the side characters that I don't dislike, but they don't play enough of a central part. Murphy is annoying and completely caricatured as the "tough, down-on-her-luck cop" who spits out an angry "Damn you!" every 5 minutes. Her actions really don't line up with her apparent relationship as described by Dresden either. Speaking of Dresden - man that guy is divisive. In some parts, he's a perfectly enjoyable protag - a sly humored detective with a dark and hidden past. But in other parts he's just like the most annoying person to read, constantly in his mind about being "traditional" and noticed the "boobs boobing" on every female character - even a DEAD ONE. God, I hope he gets better.
So, overall, the book had elements that disappointed me, elements that were par for the course, and elements that exceeded my expectations, and that is exactly what makes it tough to score. Though, one thing I am certain of: Mr. Butcher is one horny man, god.