Dresden Files discussion
Novel series like the Dresden Files?
Mary wrote: "What I didn't like about The Magicians was the plotlessness. Also I wasn't convinced that Fillory was any good in the first place, which makes it hard to debunk it."I can see how it would feel plotless - to be honest the first book did lack a complete story arch to draw it together, but it felt more like real life in that sense - real life doesn't have a plot, things just happen and I think that was the author's point. But in the end, the third book drew all of the seemingly tenuous threads together into a very bow-tied conclusion that I found very satisfying. And having read them back to back I had little occasion to over-analyze things in the interim.
Perhaps it was his point, but that's moot. It's what I didn't like. After all, I can get "like real life" 24 hour a day straight and unsurpassed in realism.
Mary wrote: "Perhaps it was his point, but that's moot. It's what I didn't like. After all, I can get "like real life" 24 hour a day straight and unsurpassed in realism."
No argument there - life has realism in spades. For me, it is the relatable realism of the world that first drew me into Dresden to begin with and is an overarching theme to the fiction I choose. If I can't relate to the world or characters, then it looses me. I can relate to Harry and to Butters. I can relate to Alex Verus, to Peter Grant, to Arthur Dent, to Tavi, etc. And on some important level I could relate to Quentin Coldwater, so I was drawn in. If other's weren't, then no worries. What we read is simply what speaks to us.
Robert wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Thanks Bob and Robert and others for the suggestions!Thanks! Finished ALL of Alex Verus series. ALL Yancy, Charming, MHI, Greywalker, October Daye, Incriptid, NightCaller, more ..."
I a really DID like the Yancy Lazarus books - I very much enjoyed the second one. I was getting more into it by then. I'm pretty hard to surprise, and it had some nice tie-ups in the storyline and set-ups for more in the series. The Alex Verus books are quick reads and have such a great supporting cast, well YL had cool friends, too! Both are enough Dresden-esque to keep my attention. Not the same, but entertaining. I've added both to my must-read list.
I did liked the Magicians - but it didn't feel like an escape - felt stressful and depressing sometimes. I'm a sucker for the whole good guy/ bad guy/ underdog scenario - that's why I read for enjoyment. Not the same, but nice blend of magic and the real world - I agree. I'm rolling through the new October Daye right now. I don't love girlie, but hey - what can I say? I'm a girl. I do like the way Fairie is portrayed - dangerous, creative, beautiful, full of consequences and promises, etc. It's different and I have gotten to enjoy the characters of that world as well. I can always go back to Simon R. Green/Nightside when I don't have something new.
Any other suggestions?
I have not read Sandman Slim that several folks suggested. Have you?
@Mike,I simply like the world building and the rules. The rules is what makes the magic work.
I like the characater. I like his personality.
And I like the narrator.
I've enjoyed most of the Sandman Slim novels. I'll admit that the main characters hard edge becomes a bit grating in the last couple of books. Just my opinion, but overall they're good reads.
There have been a lot of suggestions here for other series to try, while we wait for more Dresden. I took one suggestion and read Rivers of London, which I really enjoyed. I like the humor in it and the lead character's experience as he learns there is a mystical london and magic is real. I am delighted to hear it might become a TV project.I read a sample of Cinder Spires, and I am looking forward to reading the book when it comes out soon.
Here is a review I posted on Amazon concerning James Hunter's second novel about Yancy Lazarus:Hold onto your hats and prepare for a roller-coaster ride!
Cold Hearted, A Yancy Lazarus Novel (Episode 2) opens with a thrilling ride into Winter's World and only continues to accelerate in twists and turns as the story unfolds. The story opens with Yancy on a mission of mercy to save the son of his fellow Guild member Ben. Ben and Yancy invade the home of Old Man Winter. We learn of Randy Sheldon, a failed Guild wannabee who has declared war on the Guild, and who has allied himself with an evil Lich sorcerer in exchange for a major power upgrade. Yet there is someone pulling his strings and they lead to the highest levels of The Guild. Mr. Hunter has expanded his world. We learn more about the "VIS", The Guild, Yancy's former life before he became the Enforcer for the Guild, Some of his friends, Ben and James, an FBI agent, Lady Luck and the Fates. The author fleshes out Mr. Yancy, making him and his world more believable. This book is a major upgrade over Episode 1 and congrats to Mr. Hunter for crafting a great story with believable characters. Mr. Hunter also follows the advice of Jim Butcher and really tortures his main character Mr. Lazarus, who literally does rise from the dead in this novel! Oh and did I mention Sir Galahad and the Holy Grail?
http://benedictjacka.co.uk/2015/09/25... Folks: take a trip over to Benedict Jacka's website and give him your opinion. He is currently working on book #8 and is debating if he should accelerate the story line. You can also join his facebook page and he has weekly updates posted there.
Posting from James Hunter's Face Book Page:*Grumpy old man smacks broom handle against the ceiling* “Turn down that infernal, no-good racket you damned kids!” he hollers.
And what is that infernal, no-good racket, you ask? Why the shoot ’em up, foul-mouthed antics of Yancy Lazarus. That’s right folks, Strange Magic is available as an audiobook. Yep, now you can listen to Yancy wise crack it up while he battles his way through ridiculous odds. If you’re into audiobooks, please drop me a line and let me know what you think. You can pick up the Strange Magic audiobook here: http://www.Amazon.com/dp/B015T389AK
Elizabeth wrote: "Robert wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Thanks Bob and Robert and others for the suggestions!Thanks! Finished ALL of Alex Verus series. ALL Yancy, Charming, MHI, Greywalker, October Daye, Incriptid, Nig..."
Hi Elizabeth: I read the first three Sandman Slim novels and just gave up on the character. Just didn't find the main character likable enough. The authors hopefully realize that the readers must become invested in the main characters and care about them. Even anti-heroes must have some redeemable characteristics and I just didn't care about Sandman Slim.
Well I've been busy with life and not stopped by for a while :) Thanks everyone for continuing the discussion and continuing to recommend new books!I've LOVED both the peter grant and the hellaquin series! Just finishing Lies Ripped Open now. I've bailed on Alex Verus - I'm not sure what it is about the books I don't like - it may be the narrator - and I may need to try reading the print - don't object to it, but it's much harder to find time [three teens, none of whom drive, all of whom have insane schedules - car time is 'reading' time for me!]
I just downloaded Aeronaut's Windlass and am hoping for the best - off to check out Yancy Lazarus
Cherie wrote: "Well I've been busy with life and not stopped by for a while :) Thanks everyone for continuing the discussion and continuing to recommend new books!I've LOVED both the peter grant and the hellaq..."
The second Yancy Lazarus is a major improvement over the first novel. So please stick around for the second novel. I wrote a review of the second novel Cold Hearted and it was a wild ride!
Any idea why you are giving up on Verus?
Robert wrote: "Any idea why you are giving up on Verus? "I won't bore everyone with another complaining fest but I keep stopping and starting - I think I'm in the midst of 4 - and it's always a chore. I am actually going to try reading the print [I mostly audio as I said above - fits my lifestyle] because I wonder if the narration is part of my problem - I will try a print read to see if I like it any better. Short answer? I can't stand Alex - and I don't usually feel that strongly negative about characters!
That said I've started Aeronaut's Windlass and I like it very much! Found the first Yancy Lazarus as a free borrow from kindle too - so that's my next print read, I've heard that the second is a big improvement from several folks - so thanks for confirming it Robert!
Cherie wrote: "Robert wrote: "Any idea why you are giving up on Verus? "I won't bore everyone with another complaining fest but I keep stopping and starting - I think I'm in the midst of 4 - and it's always a c..."
Boy, I loved Alex Verus #4 Chosen. The novel felt like an early Terminator Movie with non stop action. Perhaps, the audio book does not do the novel justice.
I too love the Peter Grant novels, and the Hellequin novels ( think I was the first to recommend it here (as Bob, before my son stole my identity on this site! LOL) so we are pretty simpatico as to our likes. Just ordered Butcher's new Windlass novel! I also like the Unbounded Series by Teyla Branton which is finishing with Novel 5 released today. The entire series is available for 20 dollars on Amazon. It reminds me of the Heroes TV series.
Really . . . hmmmm must go look at Unbounded! I think it's true - the narrator doesn't do action well marsters on dresden and holdbrook-smith on peter grant are two of the best narrators - truly enhancing the books
Hmmm my kids love Heroes - will tell them too!
Cherie wrote: "Really . . . hmmmm must go look at Unbounded! I think it's true - the narrator doesn't do action well marsters on dresden and holdbrook-smith on peter grant are two of the best narrators - truly ..."
I do agree that James Marsters and Kobna Holbrook Smith are perfect narrators for their series... they bring something extra to the reading experience. But tastes are individual and I found after a short time of listening that I really like Gildart Jackson for the voice of Alex Verus. But print might be the way to go if someone isn't getting into Verus via audio.
Speaking of narrators... I'm still not sure how much I like the narrator for The Aeronaut's Windlass... really good voices but sometimes the text seems to lack something.
agreed Jeanie - not bad, not outstanding - but I think that it takes time to find voices for all the characters - so I'm being patient LOL
Cherie wrote: "That said I've started Aeronaut's Windlass and I like it very much!"It took me almost 3 weeks to get through Aeronaut's Windlass. I think it's missing a ton of information regarding what the spire is, what happened on the "surface" that it's uninhabitable etc. And it was just a slow read for me.
It did pick up towards the end, but I don't think it was as strong of a book as I've come to expect from JB.
Taste is like mileage. Put me down as liking Gildart Jackson as the voice of Alex Verus. And I am a fan of the series. That is my go to recommendation for those looking for something till Dresden.I have Aeronaut's Windlass on my wish list because - Jim Butcher. But the reviews seem mixed here so I will wait a bit on that.
I started aeronauts windlace yesterday and it's ok so far. It's actually the first of Jim Butcher's work outside of Dresden that I've read, mainly because more traditional fantasy is pretty far from my plane of interest. It's definitely a difference in tone to what I'm used to, but not in a bad way. Also, while it's steampunk, it feels much more like the little traditional fantasy that I have read. Again, a little outside of what I'm comfortable with, but I'll go with it. I do respect that Mr. Butcher is able to write in such diverse ways and not feel stuck writing one group of characters in one story (despite fans like me wanting him to do nothing but churn out new Dresden stories non-stop). It would probably make the story stale to both the writer, and subsequently the readers.
I've mentioned chuck wendigs blue blazes on here as something that might appeal to Dresden fans, I know I enjoyed book one immensely. Well he had some publishing issues and is offering book one and two on his goodreads blog for free right now, check em out
Not precisely like the Dresden Files, but the audio is read superbly by James Marsters, there are paranormal elements, and it is related to Jim Butcher's other work, The Cinder Spires... The Vampire Empire by Clay and Susan Griffith turns out to be quite good. I've finished the first, The Greyfriar and love Marsters' narration. There is also a powerfully strong character who works secretly to protect humans from paranormal creatures they have no hope of fighting on their own---a lot like Dresden. But this alternate history steampunk story has additional elements that really pulled me in. My opinion may change after the second or third books, but Marsters narrates so it won't be a waste of time.
Folks: Available today, Wendigo Rising James Hunter's latest installment of Yancy Lazarus! Only 99 cents @ amazon!"Bigfoot is REAL! Yancy Lazarus—mage, bluesman, and rambler—knows because there happens to be a nine-foot-tall, walking myth standing in the road, flagging him down.
Yancy just can’t escape his reputation as a supernatural Fix-it man even when cruising through the forgotten backwoods of Montana. Turns out Bigfoot has a serious problem on his hands: one of his own has gone rogue, developing a taste for the flesh of humans and Sasquatch alike. A greater Wendigo has risen for the first time in thousands of years and if Yancy can’t stop the creature it could be a slaughter for the residents of a rural Montana town.
But even with the monstrous threat looming on the horizon, Yancy has bigger fish to fry. He’s working as an agent of Fate, attempting to put the kibosh on a nefarious scheme, aimed at upsetting the tenuous balance between the supernatural nations. When your boss is Lady Luck, however, nothing is ever left to chance, and his two cases may have more in common than it appears. If he can’t figure out the missing link it could usher in a new world order: an age of inhuman creatures and walking nightmares … one where Yancy Lazarus doesn’t exist. "
Just placed my order, Will report on it later this week.
Mod
Well just finished Wendigo Rising by James Hunter and it is a thrill ride.Once again following the James Butcher school of torturing the hero.
Yancy Lazarus is beaten and betrayed, yet he endures and triumphs.
A 4.5 star review because I rarely give a 5!
Preternatural Affairs, Books 1-3: Witch Hunt, Silver Bullet, and Hotter Than Helltown.Free books available on Amazon. Written by SM Reine.
Fun read on the first three.
Main character is a male witch, who works for the Preternatural Affairs division of the FBI. Give it a look!
I *love* the Preternatural Affairs series, César is one of my favorite characters from the books that S.M. Reine writes. She writes in a few genres, but they all end up connecting to each other in some way. Personally, book 6--Ashes and Arsenic--is my favorite of the bunch so far. Another series that reminds me of DF is the Pax Arcana series by Elliott James that starts with, Charming. There are only 3 books so far, Fearless was awesome, but there are a handful of short stories to read which are also pretty good.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23...Review of Burned by Jacka. Looks like a winner, available on April 5, 2016.
Burned by Benedict Jacka: 5 STARS on AMAZON: A great novel! Alex has finally confronted his The Kobayashi Maru scenario. The famous no-win scenario that was part of the curriculum for command-track cadets at Starfleet Academy in the 23rd century. primarily used to assess a cadet’s discipline, character and command capabilities when facing an impossible situation, as there is no (legitimate) strategy that will result in a successful outcome.Non stop action as Verus and his friends Luna, Anne and Varium are marked for death and the clock is counting down. His friends who have supported Alex and he in turn has supported them become his Achilles heel. No one can catch a diviner unless he himself allows it. Alex is confronted with a no win choice. He can run and hide and his friends will be destroyed. Or he can allow himself to be captured and destroyed.
What will he do?
Love to discuss the novel with other members of the list once you have read it!
New Yancy Lazarus novella out today. The Morrigan and it may be the best of the James Hunter series. Available for $.99 cents on Amazon. The is full of political intrigue and non stop action. Also fills the back story of Yancy and why he left the Guild.
Just finished the new Lazarus novella; Flashback the Morrigan. Here is a synopsis of the novel. I believe Mr. Hunter is continuing to improve as a writer and this may be his best writing yet:"The year is 1998. Yancy Lazarus—bluesman, gambler, mage, and professional fix-it man—has been working for the Guild of the Staff for over 25 years. Handling ugly problems no one else wants to touch. Mostly by breaking things, blowing ’em up, or otherwise meting out Guild sanctioned justice, Rambo-style.
But his next assignment will be his last.
A Guild operative, with a headful of dangerous secrets, has gone missing inside Tír na nÓg, the court of the High Tuatha De Danann: ye olde Irish gods of badassery. Yancy—along with fellow wet-works man James Sullivan and Judge Ailia Levchenko—is dispatched to retrieve the missing operative or, barring that, make the perpetrators behind the operative’s disappearance pay a steep, bloody price for crossing the Guild.
Unfortunately, the kidnapping is the least of Yancy’s worries.
Turns out the missing Guild operative has uncovered a dark conspiracy—a diabolic plot to stage a coup against the King. After three-thousand years of relative peace, dark demons, driven into exile by the Tuatha De Danann long ago, have returned. They intend to reclaim Tír na nÓg for themselves, and with an army of Irish nightmares at their backs, they’re damned-near unstoppable. Unless, of course, Yancy and his allies can navigate the murky waters of court politics, ferret out the traitor amongst the ranks of the Tuatha De Danann, and devise a way to put the kibosh on the invasion.
But with pissed off godlings gunning for them on every side, the Guild investigators are gonna have to think fast and shoot faster if they want to avoid being murdered horribly. And even if they do manage to prevent a brutal war, nothing will ever be the same, because one of their number isn’t coming home …"
***
Love the sound of both of those Bob. ;-) Definitely a series I need to start reading.
If you like the Dresden Files and the Iron Druid Chronicles, you should definitely check out the Pax Arcana series by Elliott James. It has an interesting concept: Prince Charming, the guy from the fairy tales that slew dragons and rescued princesses, wasn't one guy, it was a whole family. John Charming is last descendant of this family line. He's a bad ass monster hunter, and he's also a werewolf. The series is laugh out loud hilarious, uses interesting creatures from fairy tales and mythology, and keeps the pace at a fairly high tempo throughout. I could gush all day about how great this series is, but the simplest and most direct way I have to convey this series is by a single quote found within it:"Popular teen novels not withstanding, vampires only sparkle when they burn." - John Charming
Ha ha! Love the quote. Sounds good - going to need to get my hands on a copy.
Elizabeth wrote: "Robert wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Thanks Bob and Robert and others for the suggestions!Thanks! Finished ALL of Alex Verus series. ALL Yancy, Charming, MHI, Greywalker, October Daye, Incriptid, Nig..."
Hi Elizabeth: don't miss the new Yancy Lazarus Novella, Flashback the Morrigan. I believe it is Mr. Hunter's best overall story yet!
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The short stories all well worth the read also. The latest book is my favorite so far.
The Pax Arcana is next on my list, already purchased.I didn't like Alex Verus or the Iron Druid (stopped both series after the first two books). Nowhere near Harry.
But i want to recommend the MINDSPACE books by Alex Hughes, starting with CLEAN.
Mindspace reminds me of the Dresden Files in many ways, especially the two main characters. It's about a telepath, not a wizard, but he's as strong a magnet for bad luck/hard fate and tries so hard to do the right thing that he keeps screwing it up, without fault really. I feel for him.
BUT there is no humor to be found, no wisecracks and no banter, well, almost. This feels more like a grown-up, darker version of Harry, in a world closer to our reality.
Alex wrote: "The Pax Arcana is next on my list, already purchased.I didn't like Alex Verus or the Iron Druid (stopped both series after the first two books). Nowhere near Harry.
But i want to recommend the M..."
I agree I have read all the Mindspace novels and novellas. Disagree on Alex Verus, got better with every book, I believe you gave up to soon.
Mod
I'm not sure I would love the Iron Druid books if it weren't for the audio... Luke Daniels does a phenomenal job and his Oberon voice is a treat. Alex Verus is very good in audio but is likely just as good in print.One problem is that there is no such thing as another Dresden... he's one of a kind. Anything else is a disappointment because it isn't Dresden but that's what we keep hoping to find.
It is interesting how differently people react - loathe Alex Verus as I've whined before LOL - iron druid is alright - on audio agreed - entertaining and light.I just started Charming so thanks for that recommendation, putting mind space on the list - keep 'em coming!
I know I've mentioned the Rook before - heads up that the next book, Stiletto, is finally coming out this spring!
Okay, the Rook is now on my to-read-list ;)And the PAX ARCANA is awesome! The first series in, like, EVER to come close to TDF for me. Thanks for the tip!
Got to read the Alex Versus series. It even takes place in the same universe as Dresden, well he mentions him in the first chapter of the first book. Fated is the first book
Good reading!!!
This is admittedly an odd recommendation, but the Play to Live series by D. Rus is like a cross between Dresden Files and Ready Player One. Play to Live has a hapless hero whose power increases over time--to some fairly extraordinary levels--and he's always the one who helps out the helpless. In Max's case, he's transferred his intellect into an MMORPG and has acquired his magical skills through the game. Instead of Mab, he's become the high priest for the Fallen One... manipulated into it just as Mab did Harry. I've read the first three and enjoyed them, although I have to admit the fourth has started off a little too weird for me--nine year old shamans and toddler elf mages... what's next, superbabies?
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the Pax Arcana series and am reading the Alex Versus series now. Both are really good. The Pax Arcana series has a main character who shares a similar sense of humour to that of Dresden (love the snarkiness), but the world of the Alex Versus series is closer to that of Dresden. Combine Elliott James's writing style with Benedict Jacka's world building and you come quite close to Jim Butcher. ;-)
Dresden Files
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I will certainly concede that the Magicians is brutally gritty and gets there fairly quickly. But while the first book is often touted as an American Harry Potter goes to college, it really turns out to be more of a 'what if someplace like Narnia was a real?' and the realistic dangers that would accompany such a scenario.
It certainly isn't for everyone. But I did enjoy it a lot more than I anticipated that I would. It isn't something I'd normally recommend as fitting the tenets of this forum, but thought it worth mentioning as loosely fitting the genre.
Mike - I agree with the idea of a splinter discussion as there definitely seem to be varying schools of thought. There are many recommendations in the thread that I've avoided based on things like heavy PNR or character archetypes I'm not interested in. But I try to steer away from deterring others as a result as tastes do vary.