Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1) by Jim Butcher
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Book Reviews of Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)
Book Review: Very addictive.
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked this book up on a whim. I had seen adverts for the newest book in the series and heard good things so I got Storm Front to see if the series was worthwhile.
I was very pleasantly suprised by just how good Storm Front is. Now, I don't believe that this book or Butcher's style of writing is for everyone. You either get it, or you don't. It's a very contemporary style, with a first-person narrator who often narrates his thoughts the way a person speaks - it's quick, a bit messy, and full of pop-culture references. But it makes Harry very accessible for the reader and has you rooting for the guy the whole way through. Harry Dresden reminds me a lot of Peter Parker. Kind of an average guy with average problems, but he knows that he has powers, is not exactly modest about using or bragging about them. He also has the sarcastic wit and the abundance of people out to get him. The main difference, of course, is that Dresden does not hide who he is, and in fact advertises it openly.
Anyway, the plot is interesting and fast-tempoed and there is plenty of action to keep the reader engaged. Butcher is able to give each of the characters some humanity and depth which is important when he starts with such a unrealistic concept as a wizard living in modern-day Chicago. It works, though.
This is a promising first novel, and I look forward to working my way through the Dresden Files.
Book Review: Not deep, but action packed and fun to read
Summary: 5 Stars
An entertaining, short fantasy read (the book is only 322 pages long).
I stumbled upon this author (Jim Butcher) while reading someones' review; I've always enjoyed fantasy so I decided to give it a try.
'Storm Front' is the first of a series of books (now 10 or so books) starring Butcher's hero, Harry Dresden. Dresden is a wizard/part-time private investigator who often gets involved, with or without the police, in investigating paranormal occurrences.
The writing quality is reminiscent of your typical detective/sleuth novel...only better. What I really liked was the way the story really hooked you into reading on and on; there was always something happening, or about to happen, to keep your interest at a high level.
Also, it was not hard to identify and like Harry with his self-depreciating and cynical humor. Other characters, although not greatly developed, are intriguing and easily fit into the frame work of this story. And as you might suspect, there were some interesting confrontations involving humans as well as your evil fantasy types.
Conclusion:
A short fantasy read that is well presented and fast paced. It has an interesting hero and the storyline that will tweak your curiosity to the very end. 4 1/2 to 5 Stars.
R.Nicholson
Book Review: Excellent fantasy
Summary: 5 Stars
On Harry Dresden's Earth, beings such as fairies, trolls, and vampires roam the planet. Wizards also exist, as Harry knows first hand, being such a creature. Harry has listed himself in the yellow pages as the only in the open practicing wizard in the country. Harry has even helped the Chicago police on a case or two though most officers reject the arcane.
Harry is in good standing with the White Council that governs wizards because he once killed someone in self-defense yet survived. He is under the Doom of Damocles and if he breaks any more rules, he will be executed. any of This makes his present situation a bit touchy. He is working a case involving the use of deadly magic that requires Harry to reconstruct the original spell in order to identify the murderer. If his watchdog catches him, he will be obliterated. Feeling he has no choice, Harry soon finds himself on the abyss by the dark magic he encounters.
Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and Tanya Huff will love this new fantasy series set in a world where preternatural creatures live and magic is a form of science. Harry is a remarkable character that risks everything to travel down the path he feels is right, especially since a wrong turn is fatal. With more novels like this gem, Jim Butcher will not need magic to become a household name.
Book Review: Superb Magical Debut
Summary: 5 Stars
Harry Dresden is an openly practicing wizard living in Chicago, where magic, wizards, faery's, vampires, etc. are still thought of as make believe. In Storm Front Dresden is called in as a consultant with Chicago's Special Investigations Unit (SI Unit). The crimes committed are being done with some heavy duty magic. Open season on wizards, and since Harry's the only wizard in the phone book he'll have to do some hard and fast investigating to find the culprit before this case lands him in jail. With a highly unappreciated dry wit, a spirit in a skull with a photographic memory and a lecherous mind named Bob, and what magic he can call to him, Harry Ddresden is off to catch a killer. His only hope is to stay alive and out of jail himself, long enough to accomplish this. Oh, did I mention that Harry is already under serveillance by the White Council (the governing body of wizards) for an unrelated mishap? The overzealous Warden who keeps tabs on Harry is sure that he (Harry) is the killer. All of Harry's tracking and tracing efforts are being misconstrued by people a lot scarier than the Chicago P. D. Poor Harry has his hands full. Let's hope the Blue Beetle (his trusty, not quite blue anymore VW) will help him speed to the center of this tangled web before he winds up incarcerated or incinerated.Book Review: Looking Forward to the TV Show!
Summary: 5 Stars
Storm Front is the first novel in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series.
Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a wizard, named after the famous magicians. Harry is the only Wizard listed in the Chicago phonebook. With his trusty staff and unique characters such as Bob the Skull, Harry tackles tough cases involving paranormal crimes.
In Storm Front, Harry is asked by the Chicago PD's Special Investigations division to look into some mysterious murders that couldn't have been done by a normal human. When Harry deduces that the crime could have only been done by another wizard, he soon finds himself on the list of suspects. Deadly forces are at work to stop Harry from continuing his investigations. And to top it off, he's being followed by a wizard to make sure he doesn't break any of the seven laws of magic. With any slip-up, his watcher would be glad to turn him in to the White Council for judgment. The punishment for breaking any of the laws is death.
With colorful characters and a suspenseful plot, Storm Front was a tremendously fun and exciting read. Action, suspense, mystery, magic, romance, comedy, and other-worldly characters - this book has it all.
It's no wonder The Dresden Files has been made into a TV series for the SciFi Channel.