Dresden Files discussion
Novel series like the Dresden Files?
@ Bob Hellequin Chronicles looks good to me. Thanks for the recommendation.
Great news, if you purchased on your kindle from Amazon the first book of the Alex Verus series, Fated by Benedict Jacka, Amazon is offering the audiobook of Fated for just $3.99!
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Just completed The Unbound novels The Change, The Cure, and the Escape by Teyla Branton. Pretty interesting series. The Unbound carry a gene which gives special powers as well as long life to whoever expresses the gene. The gene manifests itself when the individual reaches the age of 31-33. The unbound has the ability to regenerate their bodies after sustaining major trauma and can live to be 2000 years old. The protagonist of the story is Erin who comes into her powers following a catastrophic car crash. As usual there are two opposing groups of the Unbound, The Emporium who want to dominate normals, and the Renegades who want to protect humanity.The author is a woman as so there is some of the sexual tension typical of female authors. Still the stories are a good read and many of this group will enjoy this recent urban fantasy.
Mike, There appears to be a discount as long as you bought it on Amazon.
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I've seen a lot of people recommending the Hollow's series as a book similar to the Dresden Files. I tend to be wary of female authors due to my desire to avoid an over abundance of romance in my fantasy.Can anyone tell me to what degree romance plays a role throughout the Hollows series? On a scale of 1 - 10 how much romance is there throughout the entire series of books?
Also, can anyone recommend any other Urban Fantasy Novels that aren't too romance heavy. I prefer a solid magical system. I've already read the Rivers of London, The Iron Druid, 20 Palaces, Alex Verus, Nightside, Sandman Slim, and Helequin.
EDIT: Also, I prefer books that have an audiobook version.
Timidobserver wrote: "I've seen a lot of people recommending the Hollow's series as a book similar to the Dresden Files. I tend to be wary of female authors due to my desire to avoid an over abundance of romance in my f..."If you want a romance free series, many in this group have recommended the Alex Verus series by Bendedict Jacka. Romance is kept to a minimum and it is an outstanding series with four published books. The first three are currently available as audiobooks with the fourth due out the end of this month. This series will not disappoint.
I have been investigating Gildart Jackson ( narrator of the audiobooks) and found the following on line:
Born and brought up in England, Jackson worked there for several years as a barrister before deciding on a change in careers. “I think all lawyers are in some ways frustrated actors,” he muses. “It’s a wonderful career but deep down I longed for something that would allow me to be creative. It took some reevaluating of where I was in my life to finally realize where the magic for me truly lay – no pun intended – and that was in acting.”
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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I LOVE The Hollows series, but I would not recommend it as similar to The Dresden Files. It's a much 'softer' series. Not fluffy by any means, just softer.It doesn't have the female protagonist Rachel drooling over male bodies or explicit sex scenes a la Anita Blake. It doesn't have the stereotypical love/hate scenario either, where you know it will end up with the characters in bed, realising they misunderstood each other and happy after all - and then paired from then on in the series.
The love/romance relationships between characters are an important part of the series, but I would never class it as PR. The relationships are very important for supernatural species plot development.
The first book in the series is definitely a scene setter and the character and plot development moves a million miles away from that first book.
If you like the Sookie Stackhouse series, then you'll probably like The Hollows series.
Sookie Stackhouse, The Hollows and The Dresden Files are probably my top 3 UF, but they all very different.
Timidobserver wrote: "...Can anyone tell me to what degree romance plays a role throughout the Hollows series?...Also, can anyone recommend any other Urban Fantasy Novels that aren't too romance heavy. I prefer a solid magical system. ... Also, I prefer books that have an audiobook version. "Let me address the first, last. There is a good Audiobooks group here at Goodreads. If you have not accessed it you should.
You might try the Monster Hunter International Books, but there is a bit of romance in that series. I didn't find it excessive but I have only read one. It isn't like Twilight.
You might consider the Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Is it urban fantasy? Certainly in parts and after Roland draws his Ka-Tet which is his traveling group. It's a good audio series.
Much shorter (only 2 books) is the King/Straub collaboration of "The Talisman" and "Black House". Similar in some ways to the Dark Tower series but set more in the modern world. And with the second in the series (Black House), it is very much modern but at that point it starts to drift more into Horror.
Monster Hunter International is probably the next series I will pursue. Just too many other books to get to it right now.
See now for me, Monster Hunter International is far too comic book like and I couldn't even finish the first book.I'm just finishing the first Alex Verus book and so far it is almost a British clone of The Dresden Files, but I suspect (and hope) it moves in another direction with the rest of the series.
As far as I can see, Alex Verus and The Iron Druid Chronicles are like The Dresden Files - the point of this very long thread!
Anything else UF I've read may have elements of The Dresden Files, but are too different to be like The Dresden Files .
Lots of series have been recommended (thank you!), but most of these recommendations are for other good UF series, not series like The Dresden Files .
Hope this makes sense!
I'm also an audiobook fan (health problems mean I can't read books right at the moment), so all of my comments are about audiobook versions.
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I'd suggest trying a few books. Then see who's take on books you tend to agree with among the scads of reviewers here. That will give you a better idea of books you might like.
Forney_bill wrote: "See now for me, Monster Hunter International is far too comic book like and I couldn't even finish the first book. ... I LOVE The Hollows series, but I would not recommend it as similar to The Dresden Files. It's a much 'softer' series. Not fluffy by any means, just softer."Well maybe I should try the Hallows first book before I wander down the MHI trail. For me, it doesn't have to be "just like". I mean - Harry Dresden is Harry Potter for adults and in a different location. In some ways, if someone wants a book "like" Dresden, they can listen to the Harry Potter books. Which I did. Which I liked. But it is missing the humor and the adult relationships; and Harmione is a much tamer less adult version of Molly.
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At the risk of sounding completely sexist, I think women are more likely to like The Hollows and men are more likely to like MHI.Everyone has their own tastes and this thread gives plenty of new ideas for books to try!
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Oh, Bob the 4th Jacka book should be out in audio soon.
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The fourth Alex Verus book is out in audiobook now. ;-)I'm currently on book 3 and loving the series, so hopefully I can go straight from book 3 to book 4.
Each book in the series follows on time wise quite quickly - which I like. Book 1 is good, but with a familiar set of characters. Book 2 onwards is where those characters come into their own and make the series well worth reading for Dresden fans.
But a decision is taken by one of the characters between the end of book 2 and the start of book 3, and so far in book 3, we don't have the reason for that decision. I hope that changes before the end of the book or I will be chaffing over it LOL!
Mike PNR has to be quite far down the list of tags for a book for me to bother reading it, but you are so right about a lot of people classing PNR as UF. They're not wrong, it's just the balance between PNR and UF is so personal.
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Have we talked about the Jeremiah Hunt series by Joseph Nassise? My take on the first book was that it's good but didn't really jump out at as a great series. I just finished the third (and so far the last published). They seem to be getting better. I'd suggest this as another good UF series.
Bob wrote: "With Silent Screams, book 3 of the Hellequin Series is coming out February 18, 2014: Here is the summary from Amazon.com:His name is Nathan Garrett, but he’s also known as Hellequin. And murderi..."
Just read the novel "With Silent Screams", good story line and mystery. Maintains the standards of the first two novels.
Alison wrote: "The fourth Alex Verus book is out in audiobook now. ;-)I'm currently on book 3 and loving the series, so hopefully I can go straight from book 3 to book 4.
Each book in the series follows on tim..."
ONLY GETS BETTER WITH #4 CHOSEN!
This thread is huge and at one time I had read the whole thing but I am far far behind now. That said, if I am repeating anyone I apologize. I recently finished reading The Necromancer's House. It was amazing. Definitely worth reading for anyone who enjoys urban fantasy. It is dark and scary. The magic in it is inventive and original. I would say it is a bit heavy and not light reading but that's how I personally like my books.. Check it out.
Hi all! I'm fairly new to the group and to UF in general. I'm an old school scifi/fantasy girl, growing up on series like Dragonlance, The Rift War Saga, Elfquest etc. I just recently started the Dresden Files and really like it. As a newbie to this genre, I don't know many of what has already been posted, but will definitely check them out. What I have read are probably newer authors to the genre so I'll share some of those. I liked Maria Lima's Blood Lines series and both of Diana Rowland's series. There's Caitlin Kittredge's Nocturn City and Black London Series. Vicki Pettersson's Signs of the Zodiac, Kelly Meding's Dreg City and Jaye Wells Sabina Kane along with the new series about to come. That's all I can think of off the top of my head! Lol I'm almost finished with Dead Beat and will start Proven Guilty later today :)
Kat wrote: "Hi all! I'm fairly new to the group and to UF in general. I'm an old school scifi/fantasy girl, growing up on series like Dragonlance, The Rift War Saga, Elfquest etc. I just recently started the D..."Kat, your likes are similar to mine, I don't think you are such a newbie. For a few more that you might not have delved into yet, I will just write author names, you can check them out at your leisure:
Harry Connolly
KIm Newman
Glenn Duncan
Lilith Saintcrow
Faith Hunter (The Skinwalker series)
Karen Chance esp Midnight's Daughter
Benedict Jacka
Jenna Black
Jennifer Rardin
Cherie Priest (Bloodshot)
Patricia Briggs (Mooncalled)
Carrie Vaughn
Kim Harrison
Jeanne Stein
J F Lewis
Ilona Andrews
T A Pratt
Ben Aaronovitch
Cat Adams
Jess Haines
MLN Hanover
Mario Acevedo
Kat wrote: "Hi all! I'm fairly new to the group and to UF in general. I'm an old school scifi/fantasy girl, growing up on series like Dragonlance, The Rift War Saga, Elfquest etc. I just recently started the D..."Kat,
If you like the Dresden Files, you should check out Sandman Slim, Shadow Pack and Days gone bad. All series from male authors (all light on the romance side).
Tasula has already mentioned Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series, but I personally prefer her Alpha and Omega series (a spin off of Mercy Thompson)
I'm a fan of the repair man jack novels.
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Brad we've talked about a lot of these before. It's one of the oddities that we all like Dresden but disagree on a lot of the other series (for example I dislike Sandman Slim). A mixture of tastes.
I've actually read about half of the authors Tasula listed, I didn't list them myself in my earlier post. I just picked up Frost Burned and am dying for The Undead Pool coming out tomorrow! I buy all of my books in paperback, although I'm probably gonna get TUP on kindle so I can read it now.
I am also waiting for the undead pool, however I haven't met many men who can get into the series.
We have a few over in our read along group, or at least who have actually written some posts anyway.
Oh haha! Just realized you are a part of that group too Leslie! :)
I've read about half of the authors on Tasula's list too, so I will be checking out the rest now - thanks!The sad thing about Kim Harrison's The Undead Pool coming out is that there will only be one more book to look forward to, because The Undead Pool is the 2nd last book in the series. It will definitely be a series I will reread again and again (another sign of a good series to me).
Brad I love the Alpha and Omega series - it's definitely a great spin off of the Mercy Thompson series. I find I don't always like other series by the same author, but I give them a try all the same.
Just finished Chosen, the 4th (latest) Alex Verus book - and what a stonking read (well 'listen', because I do audiobooks)! Best thing I've read in a while and can't wait for book 5 in September. I'd put Alex Verus right up there with Harry Dresden now in my must read asap list.It might be because I did all 4 books back to back, but from a slow build in book 1, this series just got better and better. Some fantastic characters too - I love Arachne and there was a tear in my eye towards the end of book 4 (not a spoiler btw).
Time for The Undead Pool now - what a treat!
Alison wrote: "I've read about half of the authors on Tasula's list too, so I will be checking out the rest now - thanks!The sad thing about Kim Harrison's The Undead Pool coming out is that there will only be ..."
I agree, I also like that the Alpha and Omega series isn't written at the first person, unlike the Mercy Thompson one and the overwhelming majority of UF. I do enjoy first person writing, but I also like some change and the story line possibilities offered by the 3rd person.
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Well Kevin Herne's 'The Iron Druid Chronicles' would probably fit the bill. It has the same POV tongue in cheek 'why me?' feel to it. And it pop culture references will leave to in hysterics.
..though from further scrolling I can see that somebody else has mentioned it before :-)
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I've been following this thread for months and it is funny how many books recommendations have been repeated. At this point it is just about finding new and relatively unknown authors and books...about anything else you suggest will have been suggested 5 times already. I saw someone mention the Vesik series and I got excited since it appears to be something I'd like, but I hadn't heard it before.
LazerWraith wrote: "I've been following this thread for months and it is funny how many books recommendations have been repeated. At this point it is just about finding new and relatively unknown authors and books...a..."I've been following this as well and actually have read some of the recommendations that have come out of it - some I've enjoyed, others less so.
For instance, one that I dove into was the Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch. While the tone is definitely different than Dresden, it is compelling and interesting and has me hooked.
I also read Fated by Benedict Jacka, which I enjoyed, but I haven't decided if I enjoyed it enough to continue the series. I liked the idea of the character and the interpretation of how the magical world was structured was somewhat interesting, but in some ways it felt a bit hard to relate to and a bit too mired in it's own world.
I started the first book in the Iron Druid series, but again I didn't feel committed. The character and theme is definitely similar in tone to Dresden, but the druid lore was a bit too much to absorb and buy into. I may come back to it in time - who knows.
I think the main thing I've found in these other explorations is that what makes The Dresden Files compelling (for me anyway) is only partially thematic and more about world and character building in ways that draw the reader in. It is more about the writing than the content.
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Have we mentioned the Hellequin Chronicles by Steve McHugh? The first Crimes Against Magic? Or the Jeremiah Hunt series by Joseph Nassise? The first Eyes to See?
We probably have as I know I've discussed them but don't remember if it was here.
Happens a lot.
Dresden Files
Books mentioned in this topic
Trail of Lightning (other topics)Rivers of London (other topics)
Rotherweird (other topics)
Dead Things (other topics)
The Legacy of Gird Omnibus: Surrender None/Liar's Oath (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ben Aaronovitch (other topics)Stephen Blackmoore (other topics)
Andrew Caldecott (other topics)
Brian McClellan (other topics)
Charles de Lint (other topics)
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His name is Nathan Garrett, but he’s also known as Hellequin. And murdering one of his friends and trying to blow him up is a good way to get this centuries-old sorcerer’s full attention…
An old friend’s dead body, a cryptic note, and an explosion that almost costs him his own life propel Nate headfirst into a mystery involving a new threat from an old foe. Now he must piece together the connections between a grisly series of tattooed murder victims, an imprisoned madman, a mysterious alchemist, and a deranged plot to usurp the throne of the hidden realm of Shadow Falls, rival to the power of Avalon.
Can Nate avert the coming slaughter, or will he become the latest to fall in this clandestine war?
With the story careening between modern-day New York and Ontario and 1977 Maine, With Silent Screams continues the gritty and action-packed mix of urban fantasy and ancient mythology that mark Steve McHugh’s popular Hellequin Chronicles.