Series to Read While Waiting for the Next Dresden Files Book

[Wdmoor]

The Monster Hunter books are more in the same league as the Joe Ledger series by Jonathon Maberry or even the Travis Chase books by Patrick Lee and while I enjoy them, I'll always go for the Peter Grant or Dresden or Sandman Slim series first.

[Andreas]

Widmoor, you might also consider the "Alex Verus" books!

[Howard]

I just finished "The Devil You Know", the first Felix Castor novel, and I will certainly be reading the next one. Good book.

[Rimsha]

Read these:

[Christopher]

Erica wrote: "All of these suggestions sound really good. I just started Jim Butcher's series called Codex Alera. I'd imagine most Jim Butcher fans have probably already read it. From what I have read of the fir..."

I have read one of the Codex Alera books though it was one of the last ones. It is worth the read in my opinion. It is not the Dresden Files but it is still good. I have yet to read a bad Jim Butcher book.

[Mike]

I just started reading a new book The Martian by Andy Weir https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... and so far it's been awesome. It's not Urban fantasy at all in fact it's Hard SF. It's about an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars all by himself and his struggle to survive. The only thing that really makes it like Dresden is the astronauts attitude and jokes, he may actually be funnier than Harry.

Think Macgyver with Robinson Crusoe on Mars with Harry's attitude. So other than the attitude it's nothing like the Dresden files, but probably the most enjoyable hard SF book I've read in a very long time.

[Lindsay]

I just finished the Cal Leandros series (Nightlife), which I really enjoyed. The characters are solid and their development throughout the series rivals Dresden's. Fans of Supernatural in particular will enjoy this series.

Currently beginning book three of Connor Grey (Unshapely Things. This is also a great series. It's definitely interesting reading about a character who used to have power, but lost it all. It's the exact opposite of what you normally get in this genre.

I'm also Team Iron Druid. I love that series. Granted, book three is absolutely ridiculous, but it sets up the next two books, which are definitely worth the cringing through 'Hammered.'

I really recommend Simon R. Green's Secret Histories series. I read it before I picked up 'Nightside,' so it has a special place in my heart. I love 'Nightside,' but 'Secret Histories'' character depth wins, hands down, in my opinion.

Not terribly similar to Dresden, but one of my new favorite series, is the Reminiscent Exile by Joe Ducie (Distant Star). The first three are out now, and the world building blows me away.

Dead Things was a really great read. Definitely one of the darker books in the genre, but that made me like it even more. Felix Castor was also enjoyable. Others I've read in the past year that I'd recommend are: Days Gone Bad, The Business of Death, and Clean. I also read Child of Fire at the beginning of 2013 and ordered the next two in the series. I never got around to reading them, but the first book was promising.

I know a lot of Dresden fans like 'Alex Verus,' but I haven't gotten to them yet. I'm thinking I'll be starting Peter Grant after I finish up with Connor Grey.

[Wdmoor]

Andreas wrote: "Widmoor, you might also consider the "Alex Verus" books!"

I just checked out Fated...thanks for the heads-up. Bill

[Damian]

Lindsay wrote: "I just finished the Cal Leandros series (Nightlife), which I really enjoyed. The characters are solid and their development throughout the series rivals Dresden's. Fans of Supernatura..."

Glad to see that I'm not one of the only ones who enjoyed Nightlife so much. Unfortunately, I've only ever met one person who reads it irl.

[Howard]

I'm about half way through Crime Against Magic, the first Nathan Garrett book and though I have books two and three, I'm not sure I'll read, or listen since I do audio books, them. The first bokk is oaced fairly well but I was about three hours into an eleven hour book before the principle plot line was made clear.

[Lindsay]

Damian, I really loved Nightlife. I think Blackout was my favorite in the series. Possibly Slashback as well. They were all just really great, and deserve way more readers. All I want is just to take Cal, Niko, Robin and Promise into my bosom and pat their heads and let them know everything will be okay. I'm sure Robin would enjoy that.

[Damian]

Lindsay wrote: "Damian, I really loved Nightlife. I think Blackout was my favorite in the series. Possibly Slashback as well. They were all just really great, and deserve way more readers. All I want is just to ta..."

Given the description of the new Cal book, Cal might bite. I like Blackout, but Deathwish is definitely my favorite. The "let me go" scene is definitely the thing that makes it my favorite scene in any book ever written. I honestly never thought a woman could write different personalities of men like she has. She's definitely a master in personalities, and is my second favorite author of all time. I fully recommend the Cal Leandros series to anybody who likes Fantasy.

[Lindsay]

WHY would you remind me of that scene? What have I ever done to you? Why do you clearly hate me?! *goes and sobs* I want another book from Niko's current-day POV. Niko has too great a voice not to be heard, especially now that Certain Events are happening to Cal. I NEED Niko's reaction to that. And not just the brave face he puts on for his baby brother.

Oh man, Rob blows me away. I know I'm also a woman, so (thankfully) I don't have perfect knowledge of the male mind (double thankfully), but even I could tell how well she wrote from multiple men's POV. She managed to write it well without turning it into, "OMG, bewbzz! masturbation! bewbz!" I've added her other two series to my Must Read NOW list, and can't wait to get them. Especially 'Chimera.'

I only just read the description for 'Downfall.' Oh shit. Bad things are gonna go down. I can't wait!

[Damian]

Agreed! And I reminded you because that's what makes Rob's series so great. A LOT of depth to her characters.A Niko POV is definitely needed, though. There WILL be a Robin POV, if I remember correctly. I think she talked about it on her Twitter.

[Lindsay]

I NEED a Robin POV. But at the same time... oh god. I'm terrified.

[Damian]

Lindsay wrote: "I NEED a Robin POV. But at the same time... oh god. I'm terrified."

Be afraid, be VERY afraid.

[Ken]

There are many good paranormal stories, some are more serious than others. Some of my favorites are:
Greywalker - Kat Richardson
Felix Castor series - Mike Carey
Iron Druid - Kevin Hearne
Secret Histories of the World or the Nightside -both by Simon R. Greene
Templar Chronicles - Joseph Nassise
Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz

Obviously, none are just like the Dresden Files,but they all possess qualities I enjoy in common. That is, the sense that it is modern times and that, maybe, just maybe,this could really be happening in our world.

[Nne]

I actually preferred the iron druid books to dresden. You could try rob thurman books and nathaniel cade series. Really enjoyed them.

[John]

I've been jumping around all over the place reading wise. I read the Hugh Howey books (Wool series, then went with the Primal Shift books, followed by the The Aliomenti Saga. I am currently reading the Slow Burn books. Out of all of those, only the The Aliomenti Saga series went unfinished (I read 1-3). I was just tired of it, the same thing happened to me with the Game of Thrones books (you can burn me at the stake later for blasphemy).

[Felix]

Andreas wrote: "Have also read "London Falling", and found it quite good. The unusual thing (in the fantasy genre) was that that the protagonists (London policemen) get confronted with an evil spirit and need to c..."

Here's the second book, The Severed Streets!

[Felix]

Also I couldn't pass up this title My Life as a White Trash Zombie! This series is a fun read!

[Lindsay]

Damian, the Robin POV was better than I'd ever expected!

I'm a huge fan of the Kate Daniels series. It's UF, and has magic and sarcasm and awesome villains, but it's not really all that similar to TDF. It does have some amazing secondary characters, phenomenal character development, and a brilliant story arc, though. The seventh book just came out, and it wrapped up the main story arc, and introduced the next. It was SO good. I am absolutely in love with that series.

I also second all the books that Ken listed, with the exceptions of 'The Templar Chronicles' and 'Greywalker,' as I haven't read those yet. Both are on my Kindle, and I plan to read them soonish.

I just restarted 'Dead to Me' by Anton Strout. I'd started it last November and never finished. I'm about halfway through, and I enjoy it so far.

[Lindsay]

I'm thinking of starting Rob Thurman's 'The Korsak Brothers' next. I really enjoy her writing, and am interested in seeing how she writes for two brothers who don't really know each other, since the brotherly relationship and codependence is what really drives the 'Cal Leandros' series.

[Damian]

It drives their entire existence. The Robin POV was great, and I even got to read it a few days early. My only problem with Downfall was Cal going half again and you know who being a human. Seems a little too miraculous, and I was really wanting more of Cal's other half. But now I honestly don't know what to expect. The two big enemies are gone, and now we have the Lupa, which haven't seemed like such a huge problem in the series to me, and the vigil. My only real question left that I want answered is who that pale skinned woman was when Cal Niko and Robin went underground. But even with those problems, Downfall has taken it's pedestal along with Skin Game of books I couldn't stop reading until I was finished. I can't wait for more of Leandros, Dresden, and I can't wait to buy the new Secret Histories book when I can money this friday!

[John]

Thank you for the suggestions Cindy.

Just started reading David Baldacci. So far so good. Everything is moving at a good pace.

[K. P.]

The Libriomancer by Jim. C Hines is a pretty good book with some of the same elements as Dresden. The main character is very similar to Harry.

[Sherroy]

I really love Larry Correia's Monster Hunter International series. Infact, it is one of my favourites. In a few of the books it changes character perspective, it is still really awesome and action packed. The downside, in my opinion is the weapons talk. That can go on for pages.

If you don't mind a female protagonist, The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs is also really good. Patricia writes a few good series.

[Lindsay]

I'm nearing the end of the second Mercy Thompson book right now. I really like Mercy, which rarely happens with the main protagonist at the beginning of a series. She's smart, but not a genius. She relies mostly on speed and cleverness rather than raw strength. She's brave, but not a bravo, to borrow a word from the Kate Daniels series. She also knows how to play the "stupid werewolf games" that the wolves more or less force her, a coyote, to adhere to, under threat of her death. She's a good, realistic character, and, best of all, she does not possess a magical vagina that make everybody obsessed with her.

It's a good world, and is what werewolves and vampires SHOULD be. Wolves are violent, bloodthirsty, territorial, and slightly psychopathic. They're horrifically oppressive towards female wolves, and this shows in how the women treat Mercy, a female who is not bound by outdated beliefs. The vampires are just evil sons of bitches, with the possible exception of Stefan, Mercy's sometimes-friend, who drives a bus painted like the Mystery Machine. He's an interesting character, and we've learned a lot about him in the second book.

I don't particularly like books where the focus is on vamps or wolves, so this was a nice surprise for me.

There is a love triangle (blech), but it's not a huge or even particularly large plot point, and it's made clear in the first book that one of them only cares for what she can give them, as opposed to actually caring about her. This definitely takes a back seat to the action and mystery.

I like that Mercy is a mechanic, but she keeps getting dragged into supernatural crap because of her relationships to other preternatural creatures. Best of all, she's actually a pretty good detective. I only barley figure things out before she does, which is a testament to Ms. Briggs' writing. I just finished the October Daye series. While she eventually becomes likable around book four, Toby is hands down the WORST detective I've ever read about. And that's her day job. At least Mercy doesn't get paid for this, although she probably could make a good go at it if she so chose.

Anyway, this was sort of like a review instead of a recommendation, although they can be interchangeable. Sorry about that.

Tl;dr Mercy Thompson is a pretty good read, and, while she makes a good protagonist after the fourth book, Toby Daye is a truly useless detective.

[Lindsay]

Just a note: I did read the first Alex Verus, but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't particularly like Alex, and the female characters were all flat and useless. Maybe they get better, but at the moment, I just don't feel like waiting for them to start acting like real people.

For just once, I would like a male author to write female characters that are not only believable, but whom I aspire to be. I just didn't get that from 'Fated,' and have no desire to read yet another series where the women are only good for being the resident Damsel in Distress for the brave male hero to save. I understand why this series appeals to some readers, especially men, but it just wasn't something I particularly cared for.

[Damian]

Lindsay wrote: "Just a note: I did read the first Alex Verus, but I just couldn't get into it. I didn't particularly like Alex, and the female characters were all flat and useless. Maybe they get better, but at th..."

That's an issue for both genders. A lot of women can't write men, and men can't write women. The only exception that I know of is Rob Thurman, who can apparently write anybody anybody.

[Mike]

I can definitely see that being an issue with the first book in the Alex Verus series. He does get better at it though, the women later on in the series are pretty descent, but still suffer from some of those issues.

[Lindsay]

Haha Damian, I was just about to mention Rob Thurman as I was reading your comment. Damn she's good.

[Lindsay]

Hands down, the worst portrayal of women in an UF book has been "Dead to Me" by Anton Strout. I genuinely thought it was supposed to be parody or satire, until I realized how seriously that book took itself. Jane was so poorly characterized that I was almost offended on behalf of all natural blondes everywhere.

Not that the males were much better, but at least they didn't write in their "dearest diaries" about their thong. *headdesk*

[Lindsay]

I think the only thing that made me somewhat like Luna in Alex Verus was that I imagined her as Jewel Staite circa Firefly. It was the two buns on the top of her head that did it. Unfortunately, Luna didn't even remotely come close to being as well written and amazing as Kaylee.

[Joel]

So many good recommendations... So many XD

[Sasha]

Quite a few of suggestions from this thread are already on this list:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

So far I only read Dresden Files, Iron Druid Chronicles and Kingkiller Chronicle from that list and recommend them all. I am currently reading 4th book in Sandman Slim series and while I do not enjoy it as much as I did the first 2 books it is still a good read.

[Lindsay]

Just finished the Markhat series by Frank Tuttle. Holy crap is it amazing. Currently, there three are novellas, followed by five novels. It's actually noir fantasy, not UF, but there really isn't a huge difference, imo.

Read this series now. Do it. Do iiiiiit.

[Lindsay]

My favorite part of the Markhat series is by far the characters. All of the characters, including the ones that are barely in a single book. Every. Single. One of them is three dimensional. I was constantly having to rethink my first assumptions about characters, as they'd surprise me later on.

One thing I really love is the humor. It's dry, and witty, and subtle. It's also very well used. Something that's always annoyed me with Dresden and Vesik is how it sometimes feels like the scene was built around the joke, as opposed to the joke flowing naturally with the narrative. With Markhat, the humor is natural, and the characters show emotions actually appropriate to the situation.

Best of all? Amazing female characters! Here's what some authors, both male and female, don't seem to understand when writing strong women characters: "Strong" doesn't mean you punch someone's brains out, then go home and eat fried chicken in your messy apartment while you have no feelings and wear dirty sweatpants. (I now realized I could have just said "frat boy" instead of typing that whole description.) "Strong" doesn't mean denying all typical female traits in favor of stereotypical male traits. In Markhat's world, the women can kick ass, yes, but they're also intelligent, funny, wear feminine clothes and makeup, get excited over weddings, befriend ogres, punch vampires in their faces, and crawl through brambles after their foolish husbands. Basically, they're real people. Minus the ogres and vampires, I'd imagine. The same goes for the male characters, though with less dress wearing. I can't promise that that will always be the case, however.

It's just SO GOOD, people. So good.

[Damian]

The men don't wear dresses? 0/10 for the lack of cross dressing representation. On a serious note, what's the difference between a Noir Fantasy and a UF fantasy?

[Sasha]

Iron Druid Chronicles is a good example of Urban Fantasy. Often Noir Fiction is also Urban Fantasy when it includes fantasy elements (magic, paranormal), like Dresden Files series. Noir is just french word for Black, but in my mind more applicable translation here would be Dark.

[Lindsay]

Damian, the main difference with Markhat is that it's set in another world, as opposed to our world, but a sort of parallel one with magic.

It's actually a REALLY interesting world. It's relatively steampunk, and is set about a decade after the Troll War. The main character was a soldier in the War, and the city, Rannit, as well as the rest of the Kingdom, is still going through some pretty heavy changes. The War demolished the monarchy and implemented a Regent. It also increased the size of the gap between classes. The rich are very rich, and the poor are very poor. The main form of message delivery for the main characters is street urchins. And boy are there plenty to go around.

WAIT!! There was a crossdresser! In one of the short stories. So book now gets 10/10 for crossdressing.

[Damian]

Sounds like the Nightside.

[Lindsay]

Umm. Sort of, but only in a very vague, "both are UF" sense. As much as I love Nightside, it was very UF fluff, imo. Markhat doesn't fall into that category, at least not for me.

Despite the existence of magic in this world, the average person has just about zero access to magic. The main character has no powers of his own, and actually despises when people keep freaking hexing him without his damn permission, even if they are just trying to help. He's also very skeptical whenever anything mystical is brought up as the cause behind a case. It's really interesting and SO well written. The humor is very dry, and very "blink and you'll miss it," which is my favorite kind. I was surprised the author isn't British. At least not to my knowledge. The in-your-face banter humor of Dresden and Vesik aren't really my cup of tea the past few years, but Markhat has my humor down to a tee.

[Lindsay]

I just used the phrases "cup of tea" and "down to a tee" in the same sentence. This is why we don't write posts while extremely tired and medicated. Or at the very least, we proof read them first.

[Damian]

No, keep them. It makes me feel better whenever I do something like that. What kind of perspective is the book narrated in, and can I get an example of the humor you're talking about?

[Lindsay]

A few humorous quotes:

"He puffed up and turned to the halfdead at my right. 'This man is making threats to me, under your roof,' he said. 'Is Avalante going to stand there and allow him to continue?'
The halfdead handed me a long, curved dagger.
'You make a mess, you clean it up,' he said. His voice was as dry as a long-shut tomb. The mob busied itself finding nooks and crannies to back into."

"I recalled Stitches' admonition that I tell no one of the false huldra, even Darla. I told Darla the whole story in whispers."

"Darla was clapping, her display of enthusiasm somewhat hindered by the gun in her hand and the wary look in her eyes."

"Maybe it was the way the place smelled. Maybe it was the way the couple didn't draft me into the Army. But I decided I liked them."

I'm going to trust your powers of deductive reasoning in figuring out the POV from those quotes.

[Lindsay]

Oops I found a few more. The first post are ones I highlighted on my kindle. These are from Carol's reviews (if you don't know Carol, your life saddens me. Rather, your Goodreads life, at least):

"'Sixty-five crown,' she said, her voice glacial, to match her eyes. 'Seventy, if you vow to hold your tongue.'
'I grinned. 'Sixty-five it is,' I said."

"She is the daughter of our mother, of our father,' said Ethel, as if that would explain the unimpeachable purity of Martha's soul. 'She sews. She does not leave home, without word, without warning. Martha does not do this thing.'
I might have asked a smaller man about the diameter and luminous intensity of his sister's halo. But I considered the restrained rural nature of the Hoobin sense of humor and merely nodded."

"The mojo lingered, though, and it did its best to turn my thoughts from purity, which meant it was reduced to the arcane equivalent of whispering things like 'see how she wears that pencil seductively behind her right ear' and 'those pants are rather tight, in a loose sort of way, are they not?'"

I can't spoil exactly what was happening, but my favorite book is 'The Broken Bell,' if only for the breathtaking juxtaposition in a scene towards the end of the climax. Even thinking about it, and about how I will never be that great a writer, absolutely amazes me.

[Damian]

Your trust was misplaced. It took me an hour until my brain decided to collapse from the strain. The humor, however, is not my favorite. It's funny, but only the last got a real laugh out of me. I do like the writing style, though. While I don't find it as humorous (I'm taking anatomy and almost misspelled that) as Harry Dresden's "I don't believe in Faeries!", the author will easily get laughs from me. I'll have to pick up the series whenever I have the money to buy more books.

[Lindsay]

I didn't laugh when I read them out of context either. It's hard to find something funny when you have no idea what's going on. Like the joke about the couple not drafting him into the Army; makes no sense without knowing what's going on. Same for just about every book.

[Lindsay]

I didn't laugh when I read them out of context either. It's hard to find something funny when you have no idea what's going on. Like the joke about the couple not drafting him into the Army; makes no sense without knowing what's going on. Same for just about every book.