Storm Front

When I first encountered Harry Dresden, a professional wizard solving a double homicide in Chicago, I was instantly hooked by its noir, fantasy, and traditional mystery with dollops of humor. This novel—the first in The Dresden File series—kept me engaged the entire time with a fast-moving plot and interesting characters.

I could see in my mind’s eye Chicago’s skyscrapers and their reflection in Lake Michigan as Harry dug deeper into the crimes and the supernatural world. This was my first urban fantasy read, and Butcher’s ability to blend a private investigator story with the supernatural ensured it was not my… show more.

I love this book because wizards are real, and they have to deal with things like paying the bills and stubbing their toes.  I love that Harry Dresden, the main character, is, at times, an unlikable jerk with a heart of gold. 

I love that he gives a hundred percent of who and what he is to every effort. I love that he’s trying to save the day while trying not to fall apart.

This story made me feel that even among the monsters, there is justice.

Harry, the main character, is a very charming wizard and investigator. He helps people, including the Chicago police, with “supernatural” problems.

In this case, his task is to solve a double murder committed through black magic. Things are not always as they seem in an understatement when it comes to sorcery. While the police may not agree, Harry knows exactly where to find the perpetrator, and he does. Although Harry is quite effective, he has a lot of obstacles: local law enforcement and the not so invisible… show more.

In Urban Fantasy, Jim Butcher reigns supreme.

This was the first book I ever read in the genre and my greatest inspiration. Harry Dresden is basically an American Harry Potter on steroids, facing challenges that would make any British child soil themselves. I love the blending of real-world mythologies and lore, bringing it all together in a cohesive narrative told through the eyes of a wise-cracking smartass.

It’s also the first novel that truly had me on the edge of my seat, gripped in the intrigue and suspense while laughing my ass off. Shout out to Bob the Skull–You are… show more.

This series is a fun, unique adventure in a world where magic is strange and unusual. I loved following the adventures of the main character, Harry Dresden because it’s fun to learn the background of the magic in his world.

I enjoyed the fast pacing of the book and the high quality of writing. Mr. Butcher has created a captivating series that takes the reader to places they never could have imagined.

What I enjoyed most about these books was the pure entertainment, blending moments of tension, thrilling suspense, and poignant emotions that resonated deeply. Loved the way it blended the occult with your classic detective novels.

I also really enjoy the character of Harry Dresden and the rich supernatural world crafted by Butcher, where Dresden operates as a supernatural detective (or wizard for hire). Plus, the writing is very similar to the detective noir styles of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, which brings unique vibes.

The first book in this amazing series is Storm Front. This series always fascinated me because it is so absolutely unique. It’s about a modern-day wizard who has a practice in Chicago. You can hire this Dresden guy to fix your magic stuff.

It is so creative in both the problems and solutions that it always tickled me to try to outguess the author. And the main character is snarky and has an attitude. He’s sort of an anti-hero but better than he thinks. I love novels that both entertain me and make me think and drag emotions out… show more.

I find the combination of mystery and fantasy in the Harry Dresden books irresistible, and Storm Front is certainly no exception. A typical detective has to watch out for the as-yet-undiscovered killer. Harry has to watch out for the killer—as well as the White Council, the organization of wizards that is profoundly suspicious of him and more than ready to execute him if he takes one step out of line. And then there are various supernatural creatures who want either to kill humans or to use them for their own purposes.

Butcher’s imaginative humor is second to none. I have… show more.

Jim Butcher’s world of the Dresden Files is rife with politics and magical mishaps.

I love the trope of the wizard who can’t get out of his own way because of his tragic past. The side characters in this book really bring it to life and create a great foil for Harry to come into his own.

Ok, so I cheated. This is an entire series of books, because I read book 4 through 11 in the past 12 months.

The truth is that I’ve listened to seven of these books in the past year, because they relax me. And, because Jim Butcher (author) and James Marsters (narrator, it’s Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) have become comfort food for my troubled soul when I’m having a rough time. Jim writes a good book, but I suspect that the character of Harry Dresden makes it easy.

I love gritty noir, but I also love gritty magic. And… show more.