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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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They get better
I really liked this book, because it combined the genres that I love; Fantasy, and mystery. The first book was good, but I found the dialogue a little cliche, however I have read the 2nd book and can tell you that they get better as you progress through the series. Definitely a must read for anyone looking for a "Grown Up Harry Potter."
Rating: -
Fun Read
Harry Dresden is the only wizard you'll find in the yellow pages. He has set up shop in Chicago, and in addition to helping people find their lost items or dealing with the occasional paranormal event, he is also a consultant for the Chicago P.D. After Harry receives 2 calls almost at once, one from a wife whose husband has gone missing and one from Murphy, head of Special Investigations, who has 2 corpses that she'd like to get his take on, his day goes down hill from there. I don't want to give too much more away, but really, the story is quite good.
I liked Butcher's take on magic and how it is formed and where it's energy comes from. It didn't have the feel of, "Well, it's magic, just accept that it happens the way it happens." There are concrete and physical bases from which the magic comes from in this world, and I found it a refreshing change (for instance, when making a love potion, tear up a $50 bill to go into the potion, because money is sexy).
I'm sorry it took me so long to get around to reading these books, but at the same time, now I want to go pick up the lot at B&N, and the rest of my TBR pile is looking a little downtrodden right now, so I may need to space these out a little. If you haven't read these before, though, pick up Storm Front. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
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Magic Does Not Make a Stereotypical Character Not So
I purchased this book for a friend on the basis of some strong reviews I had seen on Amazon, then got around to reading it myself over the last couple weeks. I immediately called and apologized for inflicting it upon him. To think that Butcher continues with these characters over a dozen more books is incomprehensible to me; it literally makes me wonder if they are all this bad. Fortunately, I'll never find out.
I started to get worried in the first chapter: a gumshoe, scorned by the world and late on his rent, gets a call from a distressed woman offering big money? "Ok," I thought, "That's a little campy, but I'm sure the fact he's a -wizard- will drive this story." Boy, was I wrong. One character after another surfaced, all lacking any original qualities: The hard-nosed lady cop who sticks her neck out for the P.I., her skeptical partner, the well-spoken mob boss, the silent barman, the nosy reporter, and-- get this-- a rich, desperate housewife. Butcher even manages to make Morgan and Bob uninteresting, and that's tough to do.
The plot begs to be made into a short-lived, low production value television series. An action sequence where Dresden is naked and his date is under the influence of a heavy-duty love potion? Oh, how droll. It doesn't take a genius to figure that the two cases he is working that appear totally unrelated are,
, the same case! Even Keanu Reeves would have a tough time issuing a "Whoa".
In short, apart from a couple one-liners and some mildly interesting magical interludes, this is the same gumshoe paperback perpetrated by a thousand other authors. If you have seen or read any other escapades of a low-life private investigator, it's probably better than this, and if it actually does happen to be your first escapade into this genre: don't get discouraged. There actually are better incarnations than Butcher's Harry Dresden. Now, go watch Chinatown.
Rating: - First time reading this author
I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing this book but having a dry run from my favourite authors I thought I'd give Jim Butcher a try. I felt it was surprisingly high in emotional content for a male author (sorry I know that's a bit of a cliche), I was expecting much more action and less emoting. The result was a very satisfying read, I was able to understand the characters' motives and reactions and was able to become immersed in the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy and suspense.
Rating: - Ripped through the pages...
This was such a fun book. It is not perfect, however leaves you rooting for our protagonist, Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden.
This was such a fast read for me (I would rip through 20 pages and be like, OH WOW, what time is it?) My only complaint is the final chapter, an epilogue of sorts, that felt out of tone with the descriptive, beautiful language of the rest of the novel. It felt like it ramped up to a climax, delivered, but then fell off the cliff of story-telling. I wished I knew what happened to the people a little more (although there is book 2)
If you are looking for a great sci-fi story, including Vampires, Wizards, Demons, and talking skulls, this is a great book that will have you thinking and guessing right up until the end. You won't want to miss a single page of the action. So much fun. Enjoy!
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