Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Apr 27, 2010 AH rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: zzread-sept-2010, first-in-series, wizards

I had been meaning to read this series for a long time. Finally, I found a male lead character in an Urban Fantasy. A main character named Harry - and he was a wizard. So, right away, I had images of a kid with glasses and a lightning scar on his forehead. But this is Harry Dresden. Nothing at all like Harry Potter. Harry Dresden is a wizard who works as a private investigator. He investigates the paranormal and consults with the local police department.

Reading this novel made me feel like I ha I had been meaning to read this series for a long time. Finally, I found a male lead character in an Urban Fantasy. A main character named Harry - and he was a wizard. So, right away, I had images of a kid with glasses and a lightning scar on his forehead. But this is Harry Dresden. Nothing at all like Harry Potter. Harry Dresden is a wizard who works as a private investigator. He investigates the paranormal and consults with the local police department.

Reading this novel made me feel like I had been dropped into a black and white movie. It had a gritty feel about it. The characters seemed like they belonged in the novel; even the supernatural creatures felt real. From the first scene where Harry is approached by a woman looking for her missing husband, to the exciting end, I was hooked.

I really liked Harry. Even though he was a very powerful wizard, he seemed like such a normal person. Harry is honest. He has a great sense of humor, almost self-deprecating. He has trouble dating women. He seems to always lack sufficient funds. Harry’s choice of wardrobe kind of seems sexy. He never goes anywhere without his black duster and his magical accoutrements.

The secondary characters are entertaining. Morgan, who holds the “Doom of Domacles” over Harry would like nothing better than to catch Harry breaking one of the wizards’ laws. Morgan has a way of appearing at the most inopportune moments for Harry. I especially enjoyed Bob the Skull as a character. The banter between Harry and Bob while mixing potions was very funny.

The author’s choice of bad guys was great. Who would have thought that a toad could be so scary? Well it is if it is a toad demon sent out to kill Harry. I am still having bad dreams about scorpions the size of small dogs.

I had been warned by Goodreads friends that Storm Front suffered from First Book Syndrome. Sure, there were a few slow spots. Nothing serious. Nothing to prevent me from lowering my rating. A few of us are reading the next book, Fool Moon, next month. Join us!
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Apr 24, 2010 Cee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, wizardy-magic

I really liked this book. It being a first book in a very long series, there were a lot of characters to learn to know, but the main characters voice was very distinct, and I loved him immediately.

Harry the wizard for hire takes on a case of a woman, searching for her husband. He expects that he's just having an affair, but he'll look into it anyway. However, this case is not as simple as it looks on first glance. When his help is also needed by the police in a suspicious investigation, Harry m ...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Moondance rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: demons, sorcerers, magic, action, wizards

I have had this book on my TBR list for years. I am so glad that I finally took the time to read it. Harry is the only professional wizard listed in the Chicago phonebook. His relationship with the police through Special Investigations helps him pay his bills. When a couple is found murdered by a powerful magic, Harry is the first suspect. Excellent characters, compelling storyline. I think there is something about Harry that I could come to love. 4 stars

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Jul 09, 2010 Lili rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I've had this book forever!, seriously, for whatever reason I never got to read it before and I realize now what a shame that was... I'd been missing on a great series!
I used to think about Harry Dresden as a scary, mean, ugly and very powerful old man... turned out he's not old, he's quite funny AND attractive, even if he doesn't think so himself, he's as powerful as I thought he was but in a nice kind of way.
The whole story was pretty confusing, I never really knew who the bad guy was and I li ...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Stacey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

Listened to this on the ipod--James Marsters is amazing! Not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had read it.

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Feb 02, 2011 Katie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

This was really good. This is a great short book. Funny in parts. I have tried to read it before, and failed. But, the narrator, James Marsters - is a wonderful story teller. He made the book for me. I love Bob.

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