Storm Front
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Is it woth it to continue the series?
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Kevin
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 13, 2014 05:36PM
Yes it is worth it. The series is crazy right now and it only keeps getting better.
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The quality of the writing improves dramatically between the fourth and fifth books. I don't know if he got a new editor, or what, but if your problem is with the writing, I would stick it out at least that far. Also, the balance gradually tips from mostly episodic (and yes, sometimes predictable) storytelling to a longer term, much more involved, story.
It is fairly well accepted by the hardcore fanbase that Grave Peril, book three, is where the story really starts getting good.Keep in mind the Storm Front was Butcher's first published book. It took him till book 3 to really find his voice, and in anycase that is where the overarching plot line for the 20 book outline he had started to kick in.
I've also heard that by now, after so many Dresden books, his editor has very few redlines for Jim. Of course thst means its a quicker trip from manuscript to bookshelf! :-)
Jim Butcher really matures as a writer after his first book, and it's pretty fun to watch his progression as you make your way through the series. By the time you get to book 15, it's apparent that he has become one of the best (if not the best) urban-fantasy writers of our time.
While there are a few duds (#13 being the most glaring) the series remains strong and interesting. In Fact, #15 Skin Games, is in my opinion his best one yet.
Book 12 is my altime favorite for a complete book.
Yes, #12 is amazing.
Tim "The Enchanter" wrote: "While there are a few duds (#13 being the most glaring) the series remains strong and interesting. In Fact, #15 Skin Games, is in my opinion his best one yet."When I first read #13, Ghost Story, I did not like it very much. Then, I read #14, Cold Days and I realized I was missing some plot twists. I went back and re-read the whole series beginning with Storm Front and I took notes on the characters and plot clues as I read.
Having precognizance, it dawned on me this was epic fantasy! I had been erroneously reading each book as a separate story with little connections to future books. Epiphany! Butcher was leading us subtly at first and now not so subtly to a very climactic end to the series.
After that re-reading #13 was very enjoyable and had me looking for hidden clues to what was to come in the next books.
@Beverly,What!! You don't reread all released Dresden Books just prior to the next one coming out!!??
What kind of Dresden Fan are you!?
:-)
Howard wrote: "@Beverly,What!! You don't reread all released Dresden Books just prior to the nect one coming out!!??
What kind of Dresden Fan are you!?
:-)"
After I read each paper book, I gave it to my son, also a Dresden fan. To re-read them I would have had to get them all back from him which interrupted his own reading of them so I wouldn't do that. To have my own copies, I began buying the books, 1 or 2 at a time, in digital so that I could re-read whenever I wanted. I finally completed my digital collection with Skin Game.
:-)
Howard wrote: "@Beverly,What!! You don't reread all released Dresden Books just prior to the nect one coming out!!??
What kind of Dresden Fan are you!?
:-)"
The Dresden Files are actually one of the few series where I've done that. And unlike some of the other series I haven't been disappointed by the new book yet. (I'm looking at you Victory Conditions)
Just finished the 5th book (Death Masks). Gotta say, the quality has improved a lot. I think it becomes much more exciting once you get to know who the individual characters are, and it's great seeing old faces again. I love how big the story is, and while the individual cases remain intriguing, the real fun is in the overarching plot-lines that tie it all together.
I give this series a huge thumbs up and encourage to keep reading.There are very few series that I hated to finish. The Dresden Files (and his Fury series) is smart, fun and wickedly wonderful.
Main characters, side characters are great. Environment keeps you guessing and wanting more.
One of the few that I re-read.
Book #2 is by far the weakest. If you can make it to #3, you're hooked. Oddly enough, I found it was much harder to get into his Codex Alera series. Again, it was the third book that sort of hooked me as well.
I had a problem getting into Codex Alera the first time I tried. Two years later I gave it another shot and I got sucked in hard!
They get more predictable as they go on. If my friends hadn't been so insistent that I read them, I probably would have stopped much sooner than I did.And the stories go from dark and gritty noir magic in the first book to four color pulp fantasy urban, sometimes skipping the urban altogether.
There are some neat ideas presented, but they aren't worth reading if you ask me.
Just began the series, and have read the first two. I'm looking forward to the rest of them.
Eric wrote: "They get more predictable as they go on. If my friends hadn't been so insistent that I read them, I probably would have stopped much sooner than I did.And the stories go from dark and gritty noi..."
I would agree with you that they have lost something, not just as anxious to read them when the new ones comes out. Up to Changes, I have read the series multiple times, now I am still feeling he jumped the shark with Ghost Story and he hasn't recaptured the force of the early books. Have started listening to the audio just to finish them because I am less than excited any more. Just MHO
It was the lovable, snarky, old school chivalrous, morally conscientious character, Harry that hooked me and kept me reading the series. I think that those who see the characters as trite and the stories as predictable and have read past book 4 and then lose interest are not picking up on the veiled main plot.
Jim has given us clues to it in each book like scattered cookie crumbs and he is leading us to a very big climactic ending.
By not re-reading the books in quick chronological sequence, I didn't pick up on it. When Cold Days was due to be released, I started re-reading from book 1, Storm Front. I don't know what book I was reading when I realized there was a mysterious bigger plot enveloping the smaller ones in each book, but I started taking notes.
Butcher has stated that the book Changes (book 12) marked a turning point in the series so I was not surprised when the tone changed. Ghost Story is a bit confusing but good none the less, and the next two are seeing great advances in the over arching plotline while still providing self contained stories., though it is getting harder to see them as case files.All I can say is I'm in until the end of the 23rdish book!
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..."
Series gets much better. Really takes off with books 3 and 4.
Jacqueline O. wrote: "BTW - re: The TV Series - I actually saw that first and liked it, and it led me to the books. I do like the books BETTER, but still, I have to give credit to the TV series for that. (And when I ..."Paul Blackthorne is a good actor, but not the Harry Dresden that Butcher imagined.
Kelly wrote: "I say yes, continue. Future books throw some great surprises at you, and the characters develop and become very three dimensional as you learn more about them..."I totally agree.
Of course continue. It's a great series.
Does anyone else wonder if Erika ever read on, whether she ended up liking the series, or whether she ever checks this thread?
Adriana wrote: "Does anyone else wonder if Erika ever read on, whether she ended up liking the series, or whether she ever checks this thread?"I have wondered about it.
I have wondered as well. I hope so as the series gets freakishly good. Although I agree with the comment on #13 being less than awesome (I also agree that #12 was fantastic and I enjoyed #14 immensely).
Read Storm Front, skip Fool Moon, dive into book 3. It just gets better and better from there, if you are not hooked by book 4 you are a freak of nature.
I'm bummed that Ghost Story isn't getting love in this thread. It's one of my favorite stories in the series (even though Marsters didn't narrate the audio version)
I liked the slower pace and I appreciated the change in Harry's perspective.
I liked the slower pace and I appreciated the change in Harry's perspective.
Dead Beat is one of my favourites in the series. Anyone who has read will know why.
Adriana wrote: "I'm bummed that Ghost Story isn't getting love in this thread. It's one of my favorite stories in the series (even though Marsters didn't narrate the audio version)I liked the slower pace and I ap..."
I did not like Ghost Story when I first read it but with insight from reading Cold Days and Skin Game a reread shows it is setting us up for a lot of future events.
I still don't get why people say to skip Fool Moon, there are characters that get introduced in that book that are crucial to story arc, I liked it.As for Ghost Story, I couldn't get into it so after multiple tries I did listen to the audio. I liked the other narrator, having never heard Marsters before ( read the books on my own up to that point). I know it is heresy, but I preferred the other narrator, Marsters isn't my cup of tea but then I have my own Harry in my head after so many re-reads that he has a hard time competing with him there.
I still haven't read skin game, these newer stories just aren't as enjoyable to me, IMHO
I'm going to come back at this just because some readers might happen by.If you love urban fantasy, fantasy with real world elements, or just fantasy but are open to a different reality....
This set of books are great!
If you are a paranormal reader who likes a bit of romance....no.....probably not you...
If you are a Harry Potter fan who wants modern grit.....go for it...
This book and set of books can be awesome.....but you have to know what you are getting into....
I admit I have them shelved at the moment.....just because they got a little boring. But URBAN FANTASY they ARE!
If that is your first love....go for it!
Here's my opinion. If it's a fun read, it's a good read. If you enjoyed it - regardless of predictability, or whatever, then it was time well spent. Period. If you want surprise, walk down dark alleys or vacant buildings at night. If you want your reading to entertain you, then there you go. I think you already have your answer. And yeah, the series gets better. IMHO only.
David wrote: "Here's my opinion. If it's a fun read, it's a good read. If you enjoyed it - regardless of predictability, or whatever, then it was time well spent. Period. If you want surprise, walk down dark a..."AMEN! What you said!
Enjoyment is my #1 goal in reading a fantasy book and the Dresden Files has been my #1 favorite enjoyment of all the series I have read so far.
It took me two tries to get through the book one, but, because of all the accolades, I forced myself to read it and I am glad for it. I found book 2 to be so-so - better than book one and fun read but not great. I felt that book 3 is where the series really took off, with books 4 and 5 being great. Things stayed good since then and I enjoyed the entire series. Even if some of the books were not great, I would not skip any - all characters go through gradual changes and skipping a book would make the series less enjoyable.
David wrote: "Beverly:Here's something else to enjoy. I hope.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..."
I know Indie authors need all the help they can get, but I hope you weren't posting just to promote. But okay, I'll check it out especially since it is now free on Amazon.
I've only read like the first five books, but I think if you at least partially enjoyed storm front, you will like the rest of the series. I enjoyed Storm Front, but personally I think the books just continue to improve.
You have had so many responses to your question that I'm not sure if my two cents worth matters, but I'll add it regardless. The first 6 books in the series are just ok. They're not anything special. You don't have to read them in order and there is a lot of review. I skipped Summer Knight and didn't miss it at all. Then all of a sudden the series takes off. Each book becomes better than the last, you can't read them out of order anymore. I have had people tell me "If you watch that TV show, the first season sucks but if you stick with it gets better." and I try but just can't force my way through it - so I feel badly to recommend the same thing. Actually, maybe I'm changing my mind. If you don't like the first book, skip the next 5 and start with "Dead Beat" - if you don't like Dead Beat then the series just isn't for you.
Adriana wrote: "I'm bummed that Ghost Story isn't getting love in this thread. It's one of my favorite stories in the series (even though Marsters didn't narrate the audio version)I liked the slower pace and I ap..."
Audible just released a new recording of Ghost Story with MASTERS NARATING!!
Not to get all fanboy or anything . . . :-)
For those interested it looks like Erika didn't continue with the series. Or at least she hasn't noted that here on GoodReads . . . Thats ok though. I'll read her share of them . . . :-)
Howard wrote: "For those interested it looks like Erika didn't continue with the series. Or at least she hasn't noted that here on GoodReads . . . Thats ok though. I'll read her share of them . . . :-)"
haha, I haven't done much reading of anything lately. I've been too busy... My life sucks...
Read those for me, Howard ;)
On it Erika! You are really enjoying them too!
I would keep reading the series looking back the first book i see where you coming from as far as predictability. The series does indeed get better and better. If you like anything about the first book give the second book a chance as its probably twice as good.
The series starts off a little slow but that is because Butcher is building Harry as a character. The first book is honestly a typical day for Harry and an introduction to the readers of who he is. As the series progresses, so does Harry. His world and the world of magic surrounding Harry continues to grow. The series is worth continuing
a definite yes for the series being worth your time! sometimes a little predictable but certainly the characters are well developed and the moral wrestles and conscience quandaries are courageously engaged!Also the story arcs are keen enough to draw you into the bigger stories behind the every day stuff of Dresden's life. Good stuff
Bonhomous wrote: "You don't have to read them in order..."Yes, you do. Don't be ridiculous.
I did not enjoy the first book either but the series really picks up in the next one. So yes IMO it is worth continuing. The problem with the first one is that the author has used it as a vehicle to set up Harry's world and the story is somewhat predictable. The later books dont have this problem and are quite enjoyable.
Haven't read the entire thread, so this may have been covered already, but: Butcher wrote the first three books as an assignment in a creative writing class and it shows. The books are flawed in a couple ways. However, the series gets progressively better once you get to book four. The hard-boiled PI stuff drops to the background (including the misogyny disappearing). Dresden becomes much more reminiscent of a character like Indiana Jones. He doesn't get beat up nearly as often and actually becomes a force to be reckoned with in a lot of ways. His relationship with Murphy also improves immensely in a number of ways, though it's certainly not without its problems.I'm also one that was brought to the show by the TV series, and honestly I like both, but the books are far superior. Most adaptations butcher (see what I did there>) the source material to some degree, but the Dresden Files TV show was an unusually egregious offender in my view.
