What to read while waiting for the next Dresden Files

[Lisa]

I read on Jim Butcher web page he liked Fated by
Ben Jacka and the 2 that follow, has anyone read them?

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I've read the first 2, still have the third on my shelf but these have to rate as my second favorite UF series right after Butcher's, Dresden series.

[Matt]

Another good series is by John Flanagan. The series is titled "Ranger's Apprentice" currently the series has 10 books, so it should keeo you busy for a while.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I'll also endorse the Ranger's Apprentice booksThe Ruins of Gorlan is the first. Good YA series that non-YAs can enjoy also.

[Michele]

Loved Will in Ranger's Apprentice too!...although I do think the style is quite different from the Dresden Files.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I just read the first Nelson DeMille John Corey book, Plum Island. It's not fantasy but John is a mouthy wise guy who put me in mind of Harry.

[Ian]

I just read the Secret Histories books by Simon Green. I am not a huge fan of his in general as I feel the Nightside is a bit too tongue in cheek and the Ghost Finders storyline thus far seems to be lifted from season 5 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer but the Secret Histories were a lot of fun. Not a single private eye in sight which I like (they all pale in comparision to Dresden so I prefer a different take on the genre).

[Patrick]

If you guys haven't read the Marla Mason series of books by T A Pratt (Tim Pratt), they're a fun Dresden alternative. Blood Engines is the first book.

[Simon]

Thanks!

[Brittany]

If you havent tried it read , Jim Butcher himself recommends it!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Fated is my go to series after Dresden...of course there's only 3 so far (one more is due out this year).

[TheThirdLie]

I've got to say, I really disliked what I read of that aeries.



I do recommend Dead Harvest to the list. I'm just about done with the book and its pretty awesome. Very Dresden-esqu main character.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Think I'm going to reread Storm Front, haven't read that one for a while.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

(view spoiler)[ I think the hardest thing about going back and rereading here is the early lack of trust between Harry and Murphy. Knowing what comes later but going through her threatening Harry and cuffing him because he's kept her in the dark, like he's supposed to according to the White Council. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Mike, that's why I've been very slow to (view spoiler)[ warm to the relationship between Harry and Murphy. I started out disliking the character immensely (I believe her alignment is "Lawful Stupid), and even now, she's my least favorite of Harry's posse. (hide spoiler)].

[Mike (the Paladin)]

(view spoiler)[ To each as they say. In general I like Karen, I'm hoping she finally takes up one of the swords. Of course she's taken a bit of a darker turn but we'll see. (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

Peggy wrote: "Mike, that's why I've been very slow to [spoilers removed]."

I had very similar feelings, Peggy! While she's not exactly my least favorite, she's not near the top either.

[Greg]

I have found the "Iron Druid" series by Kevin Hearne to be Dresden lite. They have a wisecracking main character who makes a lot of pop culture references. However, the plots don't seem as bold or complex as the Dresden books. They are a light time filler, but they make me miss Dresden.

[Edward]

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'm only 8 books into Dresden, but will keep this list handy for when I'm tapped out. Probably will read Anton Stout's series next, since I've met him.

[Edward]

Liz wrote: "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 ..."

Dresden definitely has a unique style of story telling. So much so that I hesitate recommending my book (also Urban fantasy) to Dresden fans because I'm not sure they'll get the same fix. (I'm more the Stephen King vein of writting.) I wish they'd do another Dresden TV series. The one Syfy did was low budget and badly cast. Considering how great the source material was, I'm surprised at how badly it turned out.

[Edward]

I think Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere is a great book. It's kind of like Dresden, but with a British twist. I know it won't fill out the year, but love it for what it is. We shouldn't think as these other series as fillers but love them in their own right. At least until Jim is able to write a book a month. ;-)

[Nicole]

There's always the Dresden Files comics, they're publishing one right now that comes right after Fool Moon called Ghoul Goblin. There's 3 issues so far out of an expected 6.

Welcome to the Jungle was also good as a small prequel. There's a hardcover of all the issues.

[Judy]

You might want to try Monster Hunters International by Larry Correia. It isn't like Dresden, but I love both series so there must be some similarity. Monster Hunters has monsters, elves, gnomes, werewolves as well as the monster hunters who are the main characters. It sounds serious and scary, but it is also howlingly funny.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Judy. Have read the Alex Verus books? the first is Fated. I compared our books and we have several in common, thought you might like these.

[Judy]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Hi Judy. Have read the Alex Verus books? the first is Fated. I compared our books and we have several in common, thought you might like these."

Thanks, I'll check them out. I can never have too many books lined up to read/listen to.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I don't know, I think my to be read list has passed any reasonableness, LOL.

I do wish audio versions of the Alex Verus books would be released.

[Judy]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I don't know, I think my to be read list has passed any reasonableness, LOL.

I do wish audio versions of the Alex Verus books would be released."

Have your tried the Monster Hunters series? I wasn't drawn to the title, but my daughter listened to the first one and said I had to try it. I'm so glad I did.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Yeah, I've recommended them and read them all. Have you found Larry Correia's other series the Grimnoir Chronicles? The first is Hard Magic. I like the Monster Hunter International series better, but they're good.

[Judy]

I've heard of it - and heard it compared to Dresden - but haven't tried it yet. Another one to put on my list. Sigh...

[Mike (the Paladin)]

If you have more books on your to be read list than you can ever possibly get to..it means all of us here are doing our job.

[Kharm]

I'm surprised more people haven't recommended the Codex Alera series. It's not UF, but it's pure Butcher. It's something like six books, it's a completed series (which is always nice) and while it starts out slow, the last two books are almost non-stop action.

I used to read a lot of UF (Mercy Thompson series by Briggs, Hollow series by Harrison, Otherworld series by Armstrong, Norville series by Vaughn, Blake and Gentry series by Hamilton), but it got to the point that I felt like I was reading Urban Fiction not any particular story. It just all blurred together. Dresden is the only UF I still read on a regular basis.

I will still recommend the Cal Leandros and Korsack brothers series by Rob Thurman. The first Cal Leandros book starts out a bit whiny, but he is a teenager so at least it's in character. And he does grow up. I will also recommend Child of Fire/Game of Cages by Harry Connolly. A newer author, but good so far.

On the topic of new authors, Among Thieves by Doug Hulick has a character that reminds me of Harry. Awesome debut novel.

The Keeper trilogy of Tanya Huff's has the kind of humor that I've always loved in Butcher's writing.

I've actually enjoyed Carrie Vaughn's non-werewolf novels. They've all been stand-alone as far as I know, but they've been lovely.

I'm also a fan of Martin's Song of Ice and Fire, Carey's Terre d'Ange and everything of Tamora Pierce (despite the Young Adult label).

[TheThirdLie]

Only problem with Connolly's series is that it was cancelled and he has no intention of going back to it. =\

Among Thieves' sequel is also kind of in limbo. :(

[Kharm]

I hadn't heard that about Connolly's series. That's a shame. I'm still willing to wait for Among Thieves, though. I think something will come.

[TheThirdLie]

Its a shame, Connolly had something unique going.


Hopefully we'll see thatvsequel soon! I need my charming thief fix. :D

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I found Connolly's series after it had fallen by the way also. I wonder about that. The publisher dropped it because of "poor sales" yet a lot of us never heard of it. I suspect it's sold better since it ended.

[Shahbaz]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Yeah, I've recommended them and read them all. Have you found Larry Correia's other series the Grimnoir Chronicles? The first is Hard Magic. I like the Monster Hunter International series better, ..."

I don't feel that Larry Correia's Grimnor Chronicles is anything similar to Dresden, but It is a very good 2 books so far. I liked the MHI series better also, but I've grown to love Correia after I first read the first MHI book, none stop action, and a good story too. Hell when reading Correia you need some popcorn because its like watching a pure action movie, my bad a "GOOD" action movie.

[Simon]

Love the MHI books! You are right--just like watching a good action movie!

[Judy]

Susie B wrote: "Love the MHI books! You are right--just like watching a good action movie!"

A good action movie that is also laugh out loud funny.

[Simon]

Yes!

[Adria]

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 have also started to read the Nightside series as well. Its enough like The Dresden Files to keep me tied over, but also very different and entertaining to keep me interested in the series itself. I also went back and read all the Codex Alera novels by Jim Butcher as well.

[Patrick]

I'll repeat my recommendation for the Marla Mason series by Tim Pratt (or I think sometimes T.A. Pratt?). Blood engines is the first book.

[Toby]

I just joined this group so that I can tell you guys to read the Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka! Even Jim Butcher is a fan!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Yeah I've been telling everyone that it's the best UF I've found other than the Dresden books.

[Adria]

I've also started reading the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey. I love this series. I would say it's tied with The Dresden Files for me.

[Lndavidson]

I read the Sandman series before the Dresden files. Both were recommended by family.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

We've talked about it elsewhere. We all rate Harry as among our favorite reads. I just don't care for the Sandman Slim books yet agree on others here. I find it interesting how while we all find something in Butcher's Dresden books we really like other books we like and compare to them get rated higher or lower for each of us.

It would be interesting to know what it is that transcends about the Dresden books.

[TheThirdLie]

I think what makes The Dresden Files so good is that Butcher really puts a great effort into building his story. There's so much detail and foreshadowing that things don't just pop up randomly for entertainment value, but are subtley introduced and woven into the story.

[Lndavidson]

I think it is because There is so much to process in the Dresden Files. It isn't just a complex story line. There are way more. There is family drama, relationships, friends, and enemies. Harry is good but he has a very dark side. Much like all of us. Most people have those dark thoughts. The lady with the screaming kid in Walmart. Most people dream of getting after her( and by getting after her I mean beat the sh!t out of her). He has those thoughts and some times acts on them. He seems very relatable. There are great arcs and tons if what ifs. There is so much hidden information in these books that you can read them several times and still find new tidbits of informations yet still laugh out loud and the same thing you laughed at the first time you read them.

[Melissa]

It's the books' pacing and snappy dialogue along with the reluctant hero angle and a great cast of characters

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hang in there...."no spoilers"