Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) in What's the Name of That Book???

Dec 06, 2015 Nadine in NY Jones rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi, authors-i-don-t-ever-want-to-read-a, audio, paranormal, mystery, dick-lit, detective-mystery, hard-boiled

I had a little party when I finished this book, I was so glad to be done with it!!!

I quickly became tired of Harry Dresden's bumbling, cantankerous and sexist ways. Every time he described a woman's make-up, I winced. (ESPECIALLY when it was described as "tasteful.")

This is one of those books where women are not just people, they are "cheerleaders" or "mother wolves" or "sluts."

Plus, aside from being a sexist schmo, Dresden is an asshole - he's hired to consult for the police, but he regularly w I had a little party when I finished this book, I was so glad to be done with it!!!

I quickly became tired of Harry Dresden's bumbling, cantankerous and sexist ways. Every time he described a woman's make-up, I winced. (ESPECIALLY when it was described as "tasteful.")

This is one of those books where women are not just people, they are "cheerleaders" or "mother wolves" or "sluts."

Plus, aside from being a sexist schmo, Dresden is an asshole - he's hired to consult for the police, but he regularly withholds information from them. What is that bullshit?

And I'm sorry to say this, as much as I love anyone associated with Buffy, but James Marsters' narration makes it worse - he is miked so close, every breath and wet ticking sound of his tongue against his palate is amplified. I really wanted him to pause and take a drink.

Plus the way Butcher has set up the magic just strikes me as silly, with Dresden's reliance on fetishes and a staff, the stupid spirit within the skill, regular references to "the Never-Never" and focusing his "will" on his "blasting rod" and opening his "third eye" ... it's all so childish. And Dresden is so stupid sometimes, missing obvious clues, destroying evidence, withholding information from the police, making poor decisions. Plus, we are constantly told Dresden's thoughts, which just emphasizes how slow and dense he is. Such as (and I paraphrase here):

bad guy cuts off a lock of Dresden's hair.
He cut off my hair!
My hair!
He's got my hair!

Yeah, we got it the first time, we've been paying attention and are all up to speed on how bad juju can be performed when a wizard has a body part like hair or nail clippings or blood. No need to keep saying it like an idiot. No amount of telling us you have savvy and learning can overcome the slow and dense thought processes we are shown. There is constant recapping throughout the book! It was really annoying. I despise Dresden so much that I rooted for every person who attacked him.

The writing can be ridiculous. "The words pounded around her like sledgehammers, throwing up concrete." yeah, okay.

I just hated the characters Butcher created, and I really hated his inability to write women as people.

I can see the appeal here of an irreverent wizard who works as a detective, but it doesn't appeal to me, and I won't be continuing on with the Harry Dresden series.

I was all set to give this one star, but the ending was satisfying (and didn't involve describing any woman's make up). So, two stars, and I never want to read anything by this author ever again. ...more

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Jun 01, 2018 JD rated it did not like it

Shelves: fiction, mystery, fantasy

It read as if Raymond Chandler and Robert Jordan adopted someone who couldn't write.
I bought the first 3 books in the series on a recommendation, but I'm finished here. ...more

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Feb 21, 2010 Isabel rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

read it in maybe half a day. like candy.

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Apr 02, 2008 Cheryl rated it it was ok

I liked this book and would be willing to try another - - - but right now, i can't say this is a total Love-fest for me. An interesting concept though, with a wizard as a detective. ...more

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