All Things Jim Butcher discussion
What to read while waiting for the next Dresden Files
I really enjoy Kim Harrison's "The Hollows" series. She is an amazing author and has created a provocative and eminently readable verse. A worthy addition to your stellar list above. I also very much appreciate the Mercy Thompson series. So many books, so little time.
Why do people who like Dresden have to like urban fantasy? I bet that a certain percentage of people like me who read Dresden, don't read many other urban fantasy at all.
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For me, both Gaiman and Kay are fantasy. Urban Fantasy, I talked to other people is not something they like, they just like Dresden. It is more like comparing people who have not read or read a lot of fantasy to just have read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings.
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I know that, I am just talking about the overall big picture.
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Although I hate to say it, the Twilight series has made an impact on the urban fantasy area. There are too many (imo) series now that have vampire romance, or werewolf romance, etc plotlines woven into the story. That's the kind of pandering that I don't enjoy reading, and the kind of stories that more people are associating with urban fantasy.
Gregory wrote: "Strange enough for me, Dresden is really the only urban fantasy I like. If you check out my bookshelves, nearly all my other books are fantasy, high fantasy, or thriller.Although I hate to say it..."
On the same wavelength as you are Gregory!
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I have to say, I agree with Brenda's recommendation whole-heartedly. Additionally, this whole genre classification issue is moot I would think. What kind of vibe the books give off, or the tone, or the 'anthropological' aspects of the series is really how you reccomend readings to another person. Kim Harrison's "The Hollows" Series gives off a vibe similar to the Dresdenverse for me as well. I could babble on about the aspects that ring similar (boring) but I would definately say that if you like Harry enough to stick with him for 13 books, I would suggest giving Rachel a book or two to win you over as well.Honestly, if I had to slip either of these series in a genre, I would make up my own and stick them both in 'comedic fantasy'.
Justin wrote: "It's kind of a shame that urban fantasy often carries negative connotations. I've read a ton of good urban fantasy and I've never read twilight."So what other good UF can you recommend?! Thanks!
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I also listed a few series near the top of this thread that I felt had similarities to The Dresden Files.
Justin wrote: "Mark Chadbourn just released the second book in the Swords of Albion series. The first book is entitled The Silver Skull. An Elizabethan era fantasy. It reads like an UF. It's so fas..."Thanks!
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The Man with the Golden Torc is the first in the Secret Histories series, I actually like it better (so far, I've only read the first) than his Night Side books. I've found that of the Urban Fantasy I've read, I dislike more than I like. I do like the most of Green's that I've read (though not all). I also like Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros Series, the Anton Strout books you mentioned and most of the Repairman Jack books (F. Paul Wilson). I think a lot of us who really like the Dresden books end up on a sort of quest to find other books that are close to them. So far, haven't really. I've found other readable and even enjoyable urban fantasies, but none nearly as good.
Of course I still read a lot of Epic and high fantasy. One doesn't exclude the other.
I would have to agree with Mike's comment above regarding the Repairman Jack series by F.Paul Wilson. I'm not sure I would classify them as UF but Wilson has written an extroardinarily complex series with touches of horror, occult, supernatural and the classic good vs evil theme! I highly recommend them!
Hi, first off, not starting a debate here, just a question. I wondered what you'd call the Repairman Jack books? Horror, something like that? As I said just wondered why you wouldn't call it urban fantasy?
I myself have nothing against urban fantasy if its good its good no matter what label you want to put on it.the Hollow series i am up to date on and yes if you like Dresden give it a chance i will say that for me i think the series has slipped and i dont know if it can get its magic back for me.
The Nightside books i wanted to like so much since i loved Blue Moon Rising but i just felt he was trying to sell it too hard i forget the excat wording but every other paragraph was how "that's how it it in the nightside" or something to that effect and it just drove me crazy that i just dropped it before i found out the backstory of the main character who was kind of interesting
sandman slim just started and im feeling that and would reccomend giving it a try.
Reading the posts in this thread got me thinking. I just wanted to comment on something I've seen many forums internet-wide. Twilight seems to get more credit and blame than it deserves. So many people say, "since Twilight" we are inundated with bad urban fantasy. I would like to say we had good urban fantasy long before Twilight. We've had bad long before and long after. I think Twilight's popularity may have made the mainstream public more aware of urban fantasy, but I don't believe it has had the influence on the writing as so many think. Here are several great urban fantasy reads, whether solo or series: Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake series) by Laurel K Hamilton 1993 (recommend only books 1 - 10)
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman 1995
Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse Series) by Charlaine Harris May 1, 2001 (recommend only books 1 - 8)
Something from the Nightside (Nightside Series) by Simon R Green 2003
Dead Witch Walking (Rachel Morgan/The Hollows series) by Kim Harrison April 2004
Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson series) January 31, 2006
Twilight published in 2005
Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer Series), June 2006
Storm Front (our beloved Dresden Files) 2007
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels) by Ilona Andrews 2007
Rosemary and Rue (October Daye ) September 1, 2009
Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts) by Stacia Kane May 25, 2010
Urban fantasy has been around a while. I just think urban fantasy newbies think "Oh, I loved Dresden, I'll try another" and then accidentally pick up some of the paranormal romance out there. Unfortunately, many of these are formula books stuffed with gratuitous sex. I'm not a prude but sex and a HEA are not enough to make me want to read a book. I think a lot of paranormal romance readers may be reading for the sex. However, many paranormal romance lovers also love a good urban fantasy series. Go figure. It's this that has caused the problem as urban fantasy and paranormal romance get lumped together. You have to be especially careful of the sites that have a romance fan base because the recommendations get skewed by the paranormal romance crowd. They may love Dresden, so you think, cool they love Dresden too, I'll go with their recommendation and then you find yourself in romance, formula hell. That's why finding a forum like your group is helpful. It helps weed out the schlock!
Finally, I think you have to compare apples to apples. Twilight is a young adult series. Compare it to Rachel Caine's Morgainville vampires series (2006) perhaps, but never compare it to adult urban fantasy. Comparing Dresden and Twilight - They aren't in same ball park. My long-winded opinion. Forgive me, please.
Got to agree with a lot what you say Betsy. I like Dresden, on the other hand, there are a lot more urban fantasies I don't care for (I spend a lot of time since I found the Dresden books looking for books that are close.) I have no use (personally) for PNR or that matter for urban fantasies that bleed too much that way. For example Vicki Pettersson's Signs of the Zodiac series, I really wanted to like them. Sort of a "super hero/urban fantasy crossover, it's a good idea and a lot of people apparently really like them. They're no for me however. I TRIED to like them, but just couldn't.
I see here on good reads a lot of cases where people say "I like X". They name some book the really like. "Can someone recommend something like it?" Then I see people recommend things that make me wonder if they read the same book I did. If it's a fantasy, urban, high, low, sword and sorcery, epic or whatever a list of generic fantasy recommendations shows up. I usually don't comment, why offend?
Oh well... Life goes on as they say. I suppose there are times that I see a book one way and others see it another and that accounts for a lot of that.
I think that's a great attitude to have, Mike. Would never want to offend anyone either.
I agree as well. The urban fantasy market is just starting to fragment into different marketing groups. Twilight attracts it's teen market, you have a monster sized market for the paranormal romances, and then the market for whatever's left. Twilight and the paranormal romances are definitely whats in style right now, but the style will eventually change.I think that's one of the reasons I really like Dresden though, it's in the whatever's left marketing category. Butcher is more worried about telling a story than appealing to any of the big marketing groups that are in style right now. Unfortunately that makes it a bit hard to recommend series that are like Dresden, since their really aren't that many series like it.
I know. You have to pick "some aspect of the book" to be like. I haven't found anything "like it". I just recently finished Midnight Riot and liked it. There are a few slight crossovers (the protagonist is an apprentice wizard rather than as Harry a full fledged wizard who later takes an apprentice. The protagonist is a little like Harry, a wise guy etc. but only in some ways etc.). We find a book we love and then the problem is finding something to go to after we've been happily caught up in a fantasy world we liked. It's hard. I like a lot of urban fantasy, but probably I've disliked more than I've liked...
Justin wrote: "I often find myself looking for the "next Dresden Files". With a release schedule of one a year, it can be a little hard to wait for the next release. Over the years I have found a few series that ..."I was so happy when I read this. I've been silently dying. I think my heart skipped a beat when Mr. Butcher tweeted he was done with Ghost Story.
I think you are right about picking an "aspect of the book" that reminds you of Dresden. With that in mind, I liked October Daye series because the hero(ine), bit it's only alike in that the main character is made to suffer as much as Harry and still overcome- the series gets better as it goes too.I really enjoyed Mind Games by Carolyn Crane recently - doesn't remind me of Dresden but it is very fresh and clever. To me, this is more science fiction than urban fantasy.
I like Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer series a lot too. The main character doesn't remind me of Dresden, but one of the supporting characters reminds me of Harry rather strongly. Series is action packed too. I could do w/o the vampires, but at least she has a fresh take and unique story.
I'll check out Midnight Riot! Thx
(Ali, your post made me smile)
I'll check into those, thanks.
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Of the list I made only the Mercy Thompson series matches Dresden Files in almost every aspect I care about. Briggs has a similar writing style to Butcher, although her stories will obviously have a slightly more feminine feel to them. I have not seen many Dresden fans not like Mercy Thompson, and vice versa. Of course this all just a matter of opinion. This thread has already added quite a number to my TBR pile.
Oh and I have tried the October Daye books, well the first one anyway. I wasn't that impressed, but now that you say the series gets better I might give #2 a shot. I thought it had potential.
Humm, couldn't get into the Mercy Thompson books, "to each..." as they say.
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They just didn't catch my interest. I can't say I disliked them. The first just left me cold. I put it back down without finishing it. I suppose I may try them again at some point. Having not "grabbed me" they suffer from the same handicap as a lot of other books in my case, my horrendously huge mountain of "to be read books". LOL
Justin, I've said often I couldn't get into these. I will try to read the first again and give it more of a chance. I've had that kind thing happen before, maybe my mood was wrong when I picked it up before LOL... Give me some time to move it up on "the list". I literally have hundreds of books waiting to be read.
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That's probably part of it...though nice werewolves don't "chap" nearly as much as "nice vampires"... Like I said, I'll try and give it another shot.
I just finished my first Mercy book and really enjoyed it. i'm told the series gets even better so I'm eager to continue.@ Justin: I have to ask, "What is your favorite book cover?"
@Dustin: Hounded looks good...onto Mt. TBR it goes! :)
I have loved Dresden Files books for a while now, but have only recently branched out to more Urban Fantasy reading. I am not sure I have actually read anything that reminds me of Dresden. Dresden has that quick wit and dialogue hard-boiled detective novel(think Philip Marlowe)mixed in with humor and a lot of Shakespeare references. I just don't see that in other Urban Fantasy. Not that, that is a bad thing, it is just what sets Dresden apart to me.I can't wait for Ghost Story.
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@ Justin: I have to ask, "What is your favorite book cover?"
Oh, good question. My favorite covers...hmmm let's see...
1.
- The simplistic nature of this cover does well to convey whats between them. ( Link to the artwork )2.
Chris McGrath is the artist, and you see his stuff everywhere. All his work is amazing, there something about this cover I like in particular. ( Link to the artwork )3.
Always found this cover to be compelling.( Link to the artwork )4.
Famous Hungarian artist Istvan Orosz did this cover. Absolutely amazingly fitting for this book. ( Link to the artwork )5.
Jon Sullivan is doing some amazing work for Pyr Books. This cover is stunning.( Link to the artwork )
You've got some good stuff there. Jon Sullivan looks to be very talented. You are too right about McGrath being everywhere but he is fantastic so that is to be expected. He is Harry's personal artist after all. I really like the cover by Istvan Orosz. Pictures within pictures have always appealed to me. This one is a great example of that multi-layered style.
Why Grandma! What great taste you have. =D
Dustin wrote: "I'd recommend HoundedBy Kevin Hearne"I liked Hounded, Dustin. Thanks. On to Midnight Riot. Trying to fill the days until Ghost Story!!!
Right now I've been reading: George RR Martin's GAME OF THRONES SERIES (about 550 pages into A STORM OF SWORDS when I'm supposed to be reading THE HUNGER GAMES for my book club :0 ) A few other suggestions would be:
The Night Angel Trio- Brent Weeks
The Alchemyst Series- Michael Scott
The Otherworld Series- Kelley Armstrong
Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series- Laurell K Hamilton
Just a few to get you started... I also love Catherine Coulter, Elizabeth Lowell, Kay Hooper, Patricia Briggs, Gregory McGuire, Philippa Gregory, Charlaine Harris... and ALWAYS LOOK FOR MORE!
I am not caught up on the Dresden Files. I'm only up to Small Favor. But I also recently discovered Mike Carey and Simon Green. I really liked the first Weather Warden book by Rachel Caine. I love the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. I have Moon Called in my TBR but I haven't read it yet-I have too many series going now and need to finish some.
I have the first to Night Angel books by Brent Weeks. I'm kind of new to straight modern fantasy that's geared to adults. I've read more classic stuff like LOTR and YA stuff with my daughter like Eragon and Chronicles of Prydain.
Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson(I've only read The Way of Kings, but it blew me away), Patricia Briggs, Ben Aaronovitch, Terry Pratchett, George RR Martin, Rob Thurman, and Daniel Abraham (Long Price Quartet) are all worthy reads.I love Jim's Codex Alera series as much as his Dresden Files. You wouldn't know it's the same author, it's so different, but it's really great.
And for the comics fans in the mix, the cleverness of Aaron Williams' PS238 and Nodwick series should have lots of appeal.
Twenty Palaces series! First book is "Child of Fire". Could not put it down. Great complex lead, fascinating world. Really well done. Actually picked it up because Jim Butcher had praised it so highly. Loooved it. I'm starting the second one now.Child of Fire
I'm starting an audio reread of Storm Front. Over the next 6 months or so I'll probably reread the series and hopefully finish up around the time Cold Days comes out.Anyone wants to join in we can discuss. Let me know if anyone's interested.
I'm tempted Mike. Are you planning to bang them out one after another or listened to like 2 a month or what? My problem is that I have reading for two book clubs I have to fit in as well and a huge back log of books on my TBR.
I'm not planning a schedule. I'll listen to the audios. If I do them one after another I'll be through them too quickly. I'll probably listen to them as an aside to whatever else I'm reading. I suppose I'll try for 2 a month or so...but probably won't be able to hold out and will run through them. LOL
Oh, this is tempting. I may have to join you Mike. I need to decide if I will read them all again or if I should listen to them. I have yet to listen to one of Jim's books and I hear that Marsters is excellent.
I'm all but through Storm Front...but don't have Fool Moon. However, I do have Grave Peril. I'll probably skip over Fool Moon (I've read the books all several times) and go right to GP. I own all the others. Of course if I don't slow up I'll be through them all in a couple of weeks and still have months to wait for Cold Days. LOL
All Things Jim Butcher
Books mentioned in this topic
Crimes Against Magic (other topics)Created, the Destroyer (other topics)
Fated (other topics)
Hounded (other topics)
The Lost Prince (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Mike Shevdon (other topics)Justin Gustainis (other topics)
Sergei Lukyanenko (other topics)
Ben Aaronovitch (other topics)
Larry Correia (other topics)
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- Patricia Brigg's Mercy Thompson series: Moon Called
- Simon R. Green's The Nightside Series: Something from the Nightside
- Nancy Holzner's Deadtown Series: Deadtown
- Anton Strout's Simon Canderous series: Dead To Me
- Richard Kadrey's Sandman Slim series: Sandman Slim
- E.E. Knight's Vampire Earth series: Way of the Wolf
Al of these series/authors exhibit qualities that I feel are compatible with what I love about the Dresden Files. The are all well written with charming protagonists. Usually a intense story mixed with humor and action. What do you read that reminds you of the Dresden Files in some way?