Storm Front
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Is it woth it to continue the series?
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Max
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 19, 2013 02:19PM
Yes. if you didn't like the book that relatable. i enjoyed it but it lacked the fineness of the later books. if you do skip ahead then you may want to check out the plots of the earlier books. overall they just keep getting better.
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YES - nuff said. definitly give them a go you wont regret it. this series would have to be the rattiest/most read paperbacks on my bookshelf for a very very good reason
I came to the Dresden files via my love for Charlaine Harris's stories - it was in the anthology of "Many Bloody returns". I also started in the middle with White Nights because that was the only one my small town library had. I then went to a bigger public library and picked up whatever books they had on hand. Then I became obsessed with them and had to get the audio books (still through the area library systems) and it all made more sense. Storm Front is not the weakest, but it does get better and better and BETTER! Don't give up. Harry's worth it.
I loved the first book and have read all the others, this is my favorite series by far. My daughter reads them too and she loves them. However, I have recommended this series to others and some have found it lacking, even boring. If you are not hooked after the first one, I would not continue. I don't find them predictable, but some of the books in the series are much better than the rest. All in all, for me a great series, if others may disagree.
Erika wrote: "So, probably by asking this I will run into some die hard fans of this series. But I want honest opinions about it.I finished this first book, and thought it was very predictable. I thought it wa..."
I've read all 14 books so far, and own the audio books as well. Before each new book comes out I go back and listen to all of the previous books. For me, the books a GREAT!
With that said, Storm Front was Butcher's first book and he still hadn't developed his full writing style . . . I recommend jumping right to book #3, Grave Peril, or maybe even book #4, Summer Knight. If either of those grab you, you can go back and pick up the earlier book(s).
Oh, and James Marsters reads the books for the audio books!
I love the Dresden series and have re-read the books multiple times too. I would disagree with Howard about skipping book 2 Fool Moon. You would miss meeting some key characters that appear often in later books. So DONT skip any of the books, they all have their purpose.
I respectfully have to agree with Howard. Some very key characters appear in Fool Moon. I've read the series several times now. Skipping a book will create gaps that won't be explained otherwise.
Certainly skipping book 2 would mean not meeting a number of characters, and getting to know the regulars even better, but if skipping a book allows a new reader to discover a reason to stick with the Dresden Files then I say jump to the book where many acknowledge Jim Butcher "hits his stride". As the original poster acknowledged her mixed feelings about continuing with the series and has, for my senses at least, resisted others advice to continue, and knowing that once she is caught, she could, and likely would, pick up the skipped book(s) later. Though I did not say that in my original post in this thread, that was indeed my attention.
I finished Storm Front and while there were many things I liked about it, I might not have read another if I hadn't bought the first three books as part of a bundle. I thought Harry was a bit immature for someone I pictured around 30 years old. If it is true that the first book started as a college writing assignment then that might explain it. I'm in the middle of Full Moon right now. This repeating theme that I must break the law and lie to people who trust me to protect someone attitude is starting to annoy me. I just expected more nuanced thought processes from a someone as powerful as Harry Dresden. So I guess I would give a mixed review on the series so far. I expect to finish at least through the third book since I already own it. I just wish I didn't feel like slapping Harry upside the head so much.
You should at least try one or two more books. For me, the great pleasure that I get from Jim Butcher comes from his cleverness. He does spin a good yarn, I think - I don't find his work to be predictable, as you said - and most importantly, at least for myself... I have a hell of a good time with him and his characters!
So, please continue - and come back to this discussion to let us all know what you thought.
Moonlight wrote: "I finished Storm Front and while there were many things I liked about it, I might not have read another if I hadn't bought the first three books as part of a bundle. I thought Harry was a bit imma..."Harry very much grows out of that because of the events of the book. As a wizard, he tends to think that the less people around him know, they better off they are. This idea gets brutally taken apart at several points in the series and Harry gets a "What the hell, Hero?!" from the characters who were on the receiving end of that.
As for Harry's immaturity in general, the books start when he's roughly in his mid-20's and he's led an oddly sheltered life. He almost never spends time with people when it isn't on a job at the start of the series and he doesn't really read the news (calls himself a magical nerd at one point). But this is something that also changes over the course of the series, as he gets more and more responsibility.
I bought the first three books together somewhere around 2005ish. I read the first one, said "meh" and left all three on my book shelf for probably 2 years. I was craving some urban fantasy one day and plowed through the first three in less than a week and proceeded to go out and buy the next one. More than one person has said it, each book is better than the last. The first book isn't my favorite thing ever but the series is one of my favorites.
Also if anyone hasn't read Buther's other series "the codex alera" you should. Its more straight up fantasy than Dresden but its really good. Its Roman Legions plus elemental spirits and guile and weird spider bugs, rather large dog men and the Marat a tribal group that bond with totem animals. Its very different and really good.
Moonlight wrote: "I finished Storm Front and while there were many things I liked about it, I might not have read another if I hadn't bought the first three books as part of a bundle. I thought Harry was a bit imma..."Dresden Files get better with each book. I realize not many people like the first book but there is alot of world building going on. I've read Butcher's Codex Alera Series. It's much different series from Dresden Files. Butcher is branching out into steampunk. The first book in that series is due out this year.
The first and second book might be thought of as average, but then the rest..OMGICANTSTOPREADING.. sorry about that. Well yeah, they get better :)
I am currently on the third book and I'm still uncertain about the series I do enjoy them but they seem to be very predictable to me
I am a die hard fan, that being said, I think that the books improve steadily for at least the next five books in the series. After Deadbeat, my personal favorite, I think they plateau a bit, but definitely read number 2 at least.
I think the series gets better with each book. You should definitely continue; you won't be disappointed. I love the supporting cast of characters. Starting a new Dresden book feels like visiting with old friends. Now that I've read all 14 books, it's so hard to patiently wait for the next book to come out!
I thought the first book was ok. I didn't fall in love with the series until the third book. I think the best way to desribe the Dresden files series is like any TV show out there that is like House or Bones. Every episode House has someone he can't figure out. He prescribes a few things that are wrong and almost kills the patient. At the end it all comes together. It's the same with Dresden. Harry is going to get himself into a bad situation because of his mouth or just because hes a wizard (or because it comes to him). He's going to be exhaused, and yet somehow pull something crazy out of his arse to get himself out of the situation. At the end it call comes together.
I've read the first book a couple times and listened to it once on audio. (they say marconey not Mar-cone, it drives me up the wall) What I really like about the series is the characters and their growth. I like the new characters (LOVE Michael, Sanya, and **Spoilers**). I like to read the first book to reflect on how far Harrys come. The characters in the books later are really what enrich Harrys life. And Harry around them, is HILARIOUS!
Jim Butcher's books are great! As mentioned the 1st one is the foundation to the Skyscraper being built to a 3 level Apocalyptic Penthouse to finish the effort!(23 books in all) What is great is that they all pretty much stand on their own merits in return can be enjoyed as a one shot.For Butcher fans a new Steam-punk series is about to be released!A "Sherlockian Gear Smasher of a series.....
This is a fantastic series! Please keep going, it gets better. Of course, I love just about anything Jim Butcher writes. Codex Alera series is also very good. All page-turners to me!
I really love this series, but his last book is showing signs of fatigue. And that's okay--he's written a bunch of these and the story has to come to an end sometime. None the less, I will keep reading. By the way, I too recommend Codex Alera series.
I'm a fan. Sometimes I don't agree with some of his narrative, mostly I do. First books are always rough, as the author is trying to find his stride. I rarely dismiss an author given a first book. That said, try the audio book of "Storm Front" - James Marsters is a wonderful voice and does a beautiful job with all the books. I find that audio books are my favorite way to read. I also am a huge fan of Simon R. Green's "Nightside" series, which is incredible. If you are at all interested in urban fantasy, this is a "must read".
If you don't get hooked on the first book then you may as well walk away. This series has been one of the best. From Book one on. I also disagree about it being predictable
I love the series however book one is definitely not my favorite, my recommendation is to keep reading, the series gets better exponentially.
I personally thought the first book was rather good, but I hated the second. The third was amazing, though. I would suggest reading at least through the third one (Grave Peril). My friend recommended the series to me, and assures me that the FIFTH book is the best. I'm not sure if you'd want to read that far into the series, but that's just my opinion of the thing....
The next book, "Fool Moon" has a few interesting twists and turns.
Erika wrote: "I want to know what you guys say about the rest of the series, does it improve? is it predictable? If I didn't get hooked from the beginning, do you think I could like the rest?Tell me, I want to know!"
Personally, I fell in love with Harry. The stories are fun and possibly predictable, if I were putting that much thought into them.
I love to escape and just not think sometimes and Harry Dresden is my worthy companion. I'm seriously hooked, but I wouldn't hold it against you if it's not your cup of tea! ;-]
Mark wrote: "Indeed I have even chosen to read the comics, the new one has just started and is actually a brand new story called "Ghoul Goblin"."There's a COMIC?
Yeah it's really good.
I read the first one, Welcome to the Jungle which wasn't bad. Here's a list:1 Welcome to the Jungle (prequel to Storm Front) October 2008 Illustrated by Ardian Syaf. Published by the Dabel Brothers. Includes 12 pages of concept art.
2 Storm Front, Volume 1: The Gathering Storm June 2009 Illustrated by Ardian Syaf. Published by the Dabel Brothers. Includes Restoration of Faith an eight-page comic from the Showcase 2009 Free Comic Book Day, originally published as a short story on Jim-Butcher.com.
3 Storm Front, Volume 2: Maelstrom February 2011 Illustrated by Ardian Syaf and Brett Booth. Published by Dynamite Entertainment. Includes preview of "Fool Moon" and concept art.
4 Fool Moon, Volume 1 November 2011 Illustrated by Chase Conley. Published by Dynamite Entertainment.
5 Fool Moon, Volume 2 April 2013 Illustrated by Chase Conley. Published by Dynamite Entertainment.
6 Ghoul, Goblin (set between Fool Moon and Grave Peril) March 2013 Illustrated by Joseph Cooper. Published by Dynamite Entertainment.
Honestly the first three books aren't so great. I listened to the audiobooks and then switched over to actual books for the fourth book. However I wouldn't recommend skipping them because they set up some major plot points and some recurring characters for a large chunk of the series.
yes it is worth reading. the series gets better. i also would recommend it to any one who wants to write novels as well because it shows you the early mistakes a young author makes, while also showing how an author can improve.
I would say skip to book 4. If you do not like that one, just stop. Book four is where the series really begins. It is about the quality of writing that continues through the series.
I say keep reading... the books get darker, but also more entertaining, and the story evolves quite a bit. Dresden is not a static character in this series... things keep happening to him, changing him, and they carry over from one book to the next.If you don't like it by book 3, stop.
I am halfway through #4. If it doesn't wow me, I am going to stop. Harry is just not that appealing to me.
Brenda: Thats fair. He's just not doing it for you. I'm currently 3/4s through #3 for about the tenth time. I think he rocks! :-)
Books one and two were written in his masters program. They are the weakest of the series. It just got better and better over time and eventually his novels were reaching number 1 on the NYT fiction list so Butcher has increased his appeal and he has improved over time. There is a wikipedia review which summarizes the series and it is interesting to read the entries as it provides an excellent timeline to the series. The books seem to have become darker over time as Harry has taken a real beating lately (including his own death).
That wikipedia link sounds good. However since this is a thread about convincing people to continue reading the series, it would be best to post spoilers more carefully. It isn't fair to reveal important plot twists to those who haven't read it that far ahead IMHO
Yeah the first book was a little slow. For me as each book went on the story got better and better. Now I can't wait for the next. Dresden Files has pretty much turned into the Truman Show for me, I want to see what happens next.
Geez, people, at least hide the spoiler stuff. There's a lot of people out there who will NOT read books if important stuff has been spoiled.But the first page already contains spoilers...so... sigh. Whatever.
I really hate when people don't think about what they're typing.
Can somebody change the title of this thread from "woth" to "worth" it makes this whole discussion look kind of the one dome by people who cannot spell or somebody who does not care?
I read the first book and then put the series on the back burner for years. Just recently I downloaded the fifth book(audio) from the library. I was so impressed by it that I picked up the series again. I've owned the first three books for a number of years and I couldn't believe that I had such gems hiding in my stacks.
Where's the "Like" button?
They get better as each book goes on. Book 2 and 3 is really where the series picks up steam. I will say this if you like audio books the narrator Jame Marsters does a fantastic job of bring the books to life. So much so that I have all of them in audio book and usually will re listen to them all once a year.
And again, where is the "Like" button?! :-)
Mark wrote: "Can somebody change the title of this thread from "woth" to "worth" it makes this whole discussion look kind of the one dome by people who cannot spell or somebody who does not care?"Only the person who started the thread can change the title.
I am on the third book of the series. I thought the first one was the best. Grave Perilisn't as good as the first two in my opinion. It seems to have upped the fantasy content. Regardless, the series is great so far.
BIG YES, as many people mentioned the 1st few books are not always that good because as a magic user he is gaining power & prestige, by 'Cold Days' his character has not just grown in maturity & complexity but so have the characters around him, Dresden is one of those books I hate waiting for the author to finish the next one... Skip a couple books & read 'Summer Knight' where he starts dealing with Mab & deity's, loads of fun, after that I think u could make a better decision
I've only read a few of the Dresdin books, in no particular order, and have enjoyed them all. Butcher is a good enough writer that I rarely feel that I'm missing information that would spoil the book for me.
Just finished the first book and found it ok enjoyed the world he built in it so I will continue on.
