Series Read: The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher

[Ashley Marie]

Karen wrote: "Are you listening to the audio or reading a copy Marla?
I liked the first few books, but it really does step up a notch after that so I do understand people that are a bit "take it or leave it" aft..."

Seconding Karen - the series improves dramatically over time.

[Marla]

#1
Finished: What a great story! (view spoiler)[ I was cheering for Harry the whole way. I knew Morgan was going to help him somehow. I'm very glad that the Doom of Damocles was lifted from Harry. Harry was so great beating Victor without violating any of the Laws of Magic. (hide spoiler)]
I can't wait to read the next book!

[Steven]

YAY! Glad you loved it! One of my absolute favorite series... and it gets better and better!

[Marla]

Karen wrote: "Are you listening to the audio or reading a copy Marla?
I liked the first few books, but it really does step up a notch after that so I do understand people that are a bit "take it or leave it" aft..."

I read it, but I almost want to listen to the next book because of all the raving on this thread about James Marsters voice :D

[Marla]

Thanks for coming to talk to me, I don't feel like I'm reading in a vacuum. I usually only listen to books that I don't like reading, so which (in your opinions) was the "worst" book, so I can listen to that one.

[Ashley Marie]

I'd try the next one, Marla. IMO, the weakest books are the first three.


The audio are really terrific!

[Steven]

I love James Marsters. Meeting him earlier this year was a treat!

Marla, the first three books were written before he sold the series, so they're not as polished as the rest... Once you hit book 4, prepare to be obsessed. :D

[Marla]

Thanks, I am requesting the next one on audiobook right now. I don't usually read series books back-to-back, but I've got 2 that I can't wait to continue! This one and Mara Dyer series by Michelle Hodkin, a strange YA series.

[Ashley Marie]

Marla wrote: "Thanks, I am requesting the next one on audiobook right now. I don't usually read series books back-to-back, but I've got 2 that I can't wait to continue! This one and Mara Dyer series by Michelle ..."

I have Mara Dyer on my TBR soon pile - I might have to bump it up!

[Steven]

Oh I will have to check it out too then!!

[Marla]

I hope you like it, they are annoyingly depressing and confusing, but I actually only rated them 3 and 4 stars, but I just can't wait to see what happens.

It might be because they just stop, gotta hate those cliffhangers. Usually it makes me angry, but I think enough happens in the books, though they can be slow at times, but I just can't put them down. I don't know why.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Marla wrote: "I hope you like it, they are annoyingly depressing and confusing, but I actually only rated them 3 and 4 stars, but I just can't wait to see what happens.

It might be because they just stop, gotta..."


may not be the best endorsement I've ever heard...hahaha
I'll check it out anyhow ;)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Steven wrote: "I love James Marsters. Meeting him earlier this year was a treat!

Marla, the first three books were written before he sold the series, so they're not as polished as the rest... Once you hit book 4..."

That's awesome! Where did you get to meet him?

[Steven]

At WizardCon Raleigh, NC back in March. I also got to meet DAVID TENNANT! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

wow!
That must have been an amazing day!! :D

[Steven]

It was the best day EVER!!!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Peter Capaldi was recently here, but with a new baby that wasn't going to happen! Maybe if it was David Tennant I would have tried though... haha

What do you think of the latest season? I thought that Clara actually became a good companion, they toned her down a little (view spoiler)[ so I was a bit sad to see her go! (hide spoiler)]
The last episode was awesome. Can't wait to see what happens next :o

[Steven]

I'm ashamed to say that while I am a MASSIVE Doctor Who fan, I haven't seen past the first five Capaldi seasons. I love Clara, but I'm not enjoying Capaldi at all. *sigh*

I need to catch up, because River Song will be in this year's Christmas special.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Last season wasn't the best for either of them. This one has been much better and I am now liking Capaldi

Even if you skip all of last season it probably won't matter too much ;)

[Steven]

I can't skip!!! LOL

[Nicole]

River Song!!!

And thank you for the Mara Dyer rec as well.

God I love this thread. Silence for months, then every so often it booms with interesting discussions.

[Marla]

LOL, I just don't want you to think the Mara Dyer is in the same league as Harry Dresden, cuz she's not. And it's YA paranormal romance instead of paranormal adult too.

Actually, has anyone read Kim Harrison's The Hollows? I started that series this year too. Rachel Morgan kind of reminds me of a less competent female Harry Dresden. But I liked this first book better!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Steven wrote: "I can't skip!!! LOL"

hahaha

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nicole wrote: "River Song!!!

And thank you for the Mara Dyer rec as well.

God I love this thread. Silence for months, then every so often it booms with interesting discussions."

I know, right?!
I miss Harry :( Although I'm picking up Butcher's latest from the library tomorrow so maybe that will help fill the hole before the next Dresden book is released

[Steven]

Marla, I read the Hollows over the end of last year and the beginning of this year. I enjoyed them so much! I love Jenks!

[Nicole]

Is that the steampunk one I heard about Karen?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Sure is

[Marla]

Steven wrote: "Marla, I read the Hollows over the end of last year and the beginning of this year. I enjoyed them so much! I love Jenks!"

I LOVE Jenks! And I can't skip either :D

[Marla]

I don't know if this is covered in later books, but it just occurred to me. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is named for 3 famous wizards...Harry Houdini or Harry Potter? or am I missing some other famous magical Harry?

[Steven]

He is named after three different stage magicians — Harry Houdini, Harry Blackstone, Sr., and David Copperfield. When Harry was born, Harry Potter wouldn't have been around. :)

[Marla]

Steven wrote: "He is named after three different stage magicians — Harry Houdini, Harry Blackstone, Sr., and David Copperfield. When Harry was born, Harry Potter wouldn't have been around. :)"

Oh, duh! LOL, magicians, not wizards. I thought he was saying they were all more than magicians and actually wizards. I guess I should read more carefully. Thanks Steven.

[Steven]

Ah, well, Harry's dad wasn't magical. He was a stage magician. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Steven wrote: "Ah, well, Harry's dad wasn't magical. He was a stage magician. :)"

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten that!

[Nicole]

Karen wrote: "Steven wrote: "Ah, well, Harry's dad wasn't magical. He was a stage magician. :)"

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten that!"

I'd totally missed that. Thanks Steven!

[Steven]

You'll learn more about family stuff the farther you go. :)

[Nicole]

I think I'm up to 8 or 9 next. Probably will be a Christmas read.

[Marla]

Just finished audio of

I'm so glad that I listened to it! You're right, if you can get over the "wet sounds" while he's reading, James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer without the accent) makes a fantastic Harry!

I don't tend to write as much when I review audiobooks...

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Lol
I quite liked those sounds and missed them as the books get on and he becomes a bit more polished!

[Marla]

Murphy (view spoiler)[ was annoying that she was trying to arrest Harry for what exactly? It wasn't like he had motive or really any incriminating evidence except for arguing with the girl. And she was killed in MacFinn's place!

I was happy that she and Harry made up at the end. I didn't think she would shoot him, but I was a little worried at that last battle scene. (hide spoiler)]

Denton (view spoiler)[ seemed okay for a federal agent in the beginning, but he had me fooled. I don't know who would be worse between him and Marcone. I'd be leaning toward the wolves, since more and more, they didn't care about anything but the kill. (hide spoiler)]

Harry (view spoiler)[ I did not think that what he got from Chauncey was worth one of his names. Though information about his mother might have been.

Harry's potions remind me of James Bond's gadgets. You don't know how he's going to use it, but you keep waiting for it.

I was horrified when Harry used the wolf belt! So what kind of lasting effects will come from that. Luckily, he's a wizard and constantly tempted by black magic, so hopefully he's got more will power than Denton's group.

I hope that after rest, Harry's magic returns. Every time his magic failed, I'd be so anxious. I cannot imagine Harry without being a wizard. (hide spoiler)]

Tara West (view spoiler)[ was an interesting wolfie character. So Harry thinks she was a wolf that took human form. I was sad that she won't be back. I liked her taking the Alphas under her wing. (hide spoiler)]

Alphas (view spoiler)[ were like pups. I laughed at Tara's characterization. I hope they make guest appearanced in later series books. (hide spoiler)]

MacFinn (view spoiler)[ was terrifying! I felt bad that Carmichael died saving Murphy, but I am very glad that Murphy didn't die. I kept expecting Harry to draw the circles and lure MacFinn into it. I really wanted MacFinn to take out Denton's pack. I felt bad for MacFinn and I was glad that he didn't blame Harry. It was very convenient that on film, Murphy shot Denton and MacFinn. (view spoiler)[

Werewolves (view spoiler)[ I was a little surprised at Bob's list of multiple types of werewolves and then I was intrigued as Harry proceeded to meet each type. So who made the belts for Denton's pack?! (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Marla]

Karen wrote: "Lol
I quite liked those sounds and missed them as the books get on and he becomes a bit more polished!"

LOL, I loved the audiobook and listening to him, but I usually like to read my favorite books...I'm so torn. I hear the books get better but everyone loves him on audio too.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I did the whole series on audio, and my husband listens to them over and over again so I feel like James Marsters lives in our house. Haha

[Marla]

Karen wrote: "I did the whole series on audio, and my husband listens to them over and over again so I feel like James Marsters lives in our house. Haha"

Hey Karen, I want to come to your house for a visit...James Marsters...heh heh.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Does anyone have any recommendations for my husband while we wait for the next release from Butcher?

I seriously need him to read something else (as much as I love James Marsters, there have been 3 people in this marriage for the last year lol)

I got him started with Scott Lynch (Gentlemen Bastards) which seems to be a winner, and he has finished The Aeronaut's Windlass. Any other ideas?

[Nicole]

I was going to suggest, I also know that he voices the book , but if you don't want any more James....

Scott Lynch is good, and maybe Brandon Sanderson? Robin Hobb for sure if he's into high fantasy.

[Steven]

Had he tried any of the other big UF series? I know Dresden could be the gateway drug to more UF!!!

You could try the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, and the Preternatural Affairs series by SM Reine might be up his alley also.

[Logan]

My husband really liked the Iron Druid Chronicles series on audio.

[Steven]

Logan wrote: "My husband really liked the Iron Druid Chronicles series on audio."

Ah yes, that's a good "guys" series too. I liked that one too!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Thanks guys, I'll look them up!

I was actually going to read Hounded this month to see if it was something that may suit him

[Dale]

I tried reading Hounded by I guess it just wasn't for me.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

What didn't you like Dale?