Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jul 10, 2014 Srividya Vijapure rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015_reading_challenge, series_2015, fantasy, urban-fantasy

My first book by the author and I was dreading this read, simply because it was a favourite of my good friend Manju, here in GR and I didn't want to disappoint her, in case I didn't like it. Of course, knowing her and her tastes, I needn't have feared so much, as she only likes the best and is often more brutal than me when it comes to rating books! Yes Manju, you are right, Harry is wonderful! After that comment, I guess it is needless to say that I loved it.

When I started this book, I was expe My first book by the author and I was dreading this read, simply because it was a favourite of my good friend Manju, here in GR and I didn't want to disappoint her, in case I didn't like it. Of course, knowing her and her tastes, I needn't have feared so much, as she only likes the best and is often more brutal than me when it comes to rating books! Yes Manju, you are right, Harry is wonderful! After that comment, I guess it is needless to say that I loved it.

When I started this book, I was expecting another typical urban fantasy, with weird characters and some crazy magic systems and incomprehensible and complex techniques that somehow manage to wow the reader and entice them into continuing with the series with some carrots laid out for them! How wrong was I to believe such a thing? This book was as simple as it could get and yet was extremely interesting, with a simple yet interesting plot, snarky characters and witty dialogues and writing.

Harry Dresden, the main character, was a wonderful diversion from your other ubiquitous wizards! Well he had to be, for I guess he is the only wizard who is listed in the yellow pages! Lol! I loved him from the first page, he is not your know-it-all, superhero type wizard but a normal human wizard, with all the vulnerabilities and strengths that you would find in any person. I guess this is why I found him really interesting and could actually relate to him. His attitude was refreshing, both towards magic as well as towards himself and others around him. He was self deprecating at times without being too whiny about it, in fact he was downright funny when he was self deprecating, which made it really nice and refreshing to read!

The plot had all the quintessential elements of a fantasy book - you had vampires (ooh these were scary!), faeries, demons, wizards and the wizarding council and a talking skull and last but definitely not the least, the clueless humans! This motley of characters added spice and flavour to the book while not taking the reader away from the main plot. In fact, my favourite characters in this book were the talking skull and a faerie - they were simply hilarious! It also had a bad villain and some gruesome murders, making it a thrilling read!

The book was fast paced and had some interesting twists and turns, which made me want to read and finish quickly. While the plot itself was routine in format, the handling, the dialogues and the characters made it different and worth reading. Of course, as with any series, this one gives you more questions than answers in the first book, but you don't really mind it, given that this is the first book of the series and also given that you are introduced to several elements simultaneously in this book.

Definitely a good read. Can't wait to read the next one in this series. While I go grab the next one, why don't you give this a try. Irrespective of whether you like fantasy or not, Harry is definitely a character to look out for! He more than makes up for any issues that you might have against the story! Happy reading!
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Sep 04, 2017 Rachel C. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-goodreads-reading-challenge

This was entertaining and the main character is definitely amusing. I've been told this series gets better, so I have high hopes. The bad guy was kind of disappointing to me... I expected more epicness from them instead of the posturing. Still, definitely amusing. ...more

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May 21, 2018 Tina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series, kindle, home

I really liked it! Dry humor and not the usual hero, it was just what I needed after some sugary romances:)

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Jan 27, 2018 Angie ☯ rated it liked it · review of another edition

I have heard so many raving reviews for Dresden and almost as many totally opposite review. I wasn't sure what to expect going in. Especially after hearing that the series gets good after 3 to 6 books.....that's a little scary! I like a book to grab me right out of the gate.

I liked Harry; he isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination and he is snarky, which I love. I didn't love the book, but I did enjoy it. It just didn't grab me. I will read more into the series. ...more

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Nov 19, 2020 Susan rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: cultural-usa, 2019, set-in-north-america, paranormal-fantasy-magic-etc, gritty-mystery

I am not sure what to make of this one.

The story is OK, and at times even interesting and exciting.

The protagonist/narrator, Harry Dresden, on the other hand... is kind of an ass. He is also a sexist ass, which threads through the narration because he is also the narrator. I am unsure, however, how much of Harry's assholery is due to being an ass and how much is due to bravado.

Hmmm....

2.5 stars for this one, and I'll try book #2 to see where it goes from here.

p.s. Harry, if we are going to be p ...more

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Dec 13, 2019 Agnes rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2019-reads, urban-fantasy

3.5-4 stars

Murder mystery and magic. What more could one want for an entertaining story?

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Apr 04, 2014 Bonita rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2014

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It's very much outside my normal reading experience. It had enough humor that I wasn't peeing my pants through some of the more gruesome parts. I will look into the next book. ...more

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