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Aaron Tidball
I believe this book is the first one where I would say absolutely no. Changes relies on relationships and serial storylines going back through the entire series. Most of the earlier books, while more enjoyable in context to the previous, can still be enjoyed stand-alone. This one wouldn't work at all without the history.
Sherry
You can read this series out of sequence, but I don't recommend it. Jim Butcher tries to add enough information about each character and event in the previous books to help you understand the plot and the characters but it is a much richer experience if you read them sequentially. The books are not like a TV series where each episode is a story unto itself. With Harry Dresden you get to know the characters better with each consecutive book. Have you met mouse yet? Do you know how Harry found him? Do you know what he has grown up to be?
Marcus
Perhaps the first five-six books and even that wouldn't be advisable if you want to get the most out of the series. Once certain events start gaining momentum and becoming main story arch, reading Dresden files out of sequence is just foolish.
Dagmawe Amanuel
My input on this is pretty much useless because this is a 10 year old question, but i would answer no. The reason why is because even though Butcher brings you up to speed on different characters, you won't be able to appreciate Butcher as a writer. I say this because throughout the series, the books go from an average noir experience to an expansive world that gradually develops over time. Furthermore, the characters if read out of sequence won't feel as impactful because Butcher takes his time to develop different characters over the course of his novels. So, I would highly recommend you to read from the beginning if you want to feel the full impact of Dresden and the world he inhibits.
Dru
Yes. I did so, on purpose, because it was the first one available on audio CD so I jumped in having ONLY read the 1st book in the series. With 10 books unread in-between, I still loved it. Nonetheless, there are a few things you'll be confused about like:
- Knights of the cross
- Molly
I enjoyed it more the 2nd go-round, having read all the books in order, but this can stand alone.
- Knights of the cross
- Molly
I enjoyed it more the 2nd go-round, having read all the books in order, but this can stand alone.
Xander Cassel
It´s easy to; Butcher catches the reader up on everything pertinent to events, and none of the editions I´ve read have been numbered, so it´s a crapshoot without looking up which order they´re in.
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