Dresden Files discussion
Novel series like the Dresden Files?
Affably wrote: "I've been meaning to make myself read Castor but its hard for me to gain traction on those. Is he the self sufficient type with at least a modest amount of power or does he rely on his friends? be..."He's pretty self-sufficient for most of the series, but he does gain a sometimes partner/apprentice who is very powerful. One thing you have to know about Castor's world, though, is there isn't a lot of flashy magic being thrown around like in the Dresden. Magic is a lot more subtle in that world (for example, Felix's primary weapon is a tin flute).
"Give Joe Ducie's the Reminiscent Exile series a try. It's first person and sort of blends Dresden, Stephen King's Dark Tower, and Doctor Who into a great series. It's only two books in so far. "i>
I will check into that. You hooked me with the reference to Dark Tower.
I know the question was just about 1st person fantasy, but that isn't a requirement for me. If I were recommending something to those that had exhausted Dresden (and I have), then I would recommend the Dark Tower series and also the Peter Straub/Stephen King collaboration on the Talisman and then Black House.
I read The Talisman when it was published in the mid 80s and LOVED it, but for me it's a very long way from The Dresden Files. I found it very dark and menacing (yet I cried at one point - unusual for me). There is no humour in The Talisman and the main character is a child.Almost 20 years later Black House was published and I couldn't get into it at all. Stephen King doesn't have the light heartedness that I love about Jim Butcher.
Alison wrote: "I read The Talisman when it was published in the mid 80s and for me it's a very long way from The Dresden Files. I found it very dark and menacing (yet I cried at one point - unusual for me). Th..."No doubt about it. The King fantasy worlds are very much darker and humorless. Same for the Gunslinger series, for the most part though Eddie provides a bit of comic relief. I like the character development and the creation of the fantasy worlds though.
And on the point of fantasy series, I have just completed the second in the Deborah Harkness "All Souls" trilogy. I am a fan. Again, not first person and not the humor of Dresden. But more romance and comparable character development. I recommend this series as well.
Deborah Harkness is just brilliant and I can't wait for her next book. I hope she doesn't stop writing at the end of this trilogy. Very different and fresh.
Someone told me Harkness was Twilight for adults, but I don't see it. I really enjoyed it -- a creative world and none of that annoying teenage angst.
JPerceval wrote: "Someone told me Harkness was Twilight for adults, but I don't see it. I really enjoyed it -- a creative world and none of that annoying teenage angst."It's a Romance, with supernatural, but way way diferent than twilight, if you want to group them with vampires with money, you got that part, but don't compare a sparkly emo, with some berserker darwin :P ( I've read both books, and enjoyed both, but i will admit this, I can re-read Harkness books and still find pleasure in them, Twilight just seems forced to me now....)
The All Souls trilogy seems to have a dark undertone, but it's a great read.
I have almost finished Crimes against magic. The character isn't that much like Dresden (he gets laid a lot more.) The magic is really interesting, along with the story.
Has anybody read the Necrocope series. The main character is named "Harry". After that, I really don't remember much about the series other than I liked it. Harry talks to the dead. But he doesn't rip knowledge from the dead as a necromancer might.I picked the first one up in the airport bookshop as I was flying every week. Then I read the rest. I think you have to read at least two. This has to be be 20 years ago or better. I don't even have the books any longer.
I see that the series has added additional books since I read them so many years ago. I think I would have to go back and reread some of the books first.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Joni, I haven't found any UF that I like as well as Dresden, but there are are a few I like (the Green books you mentioned for example). Have you tried Rob Thurman? I like her Leandros novels. I al..."I like the Leandros novels, too.
Me too, and the newest one just came out tuesday,
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I've read the first couple Leandros novels so far, but the main char is just too whiney to be likeable.
I have trouble with those books. Great endings, but the middle is just too confusing. There is a definite flow problem to her writing, and it annoys me.
I've tried the Leandros books twice, but I just can't get into them. I might try once more - 3rd time lucky!
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The Leandros was good enough for me. There isn't that many supernatural powers, but the story is just good enough to get me hooked. I am going to read the rest as soon as I finish with the Hellequin Chronicles.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I found them okay and readable but they won't be among my favorites. Looking for a "stop gap" UF they'll do."though rather than just stop gap your UF's with Leandros read some really well written ones like Alex Verus, or Rivers of London instead :D while we all again wait for another Jim Butcher fix
I just tried Alex Verus but I couldn't get into it.
Forney_bill wrote: "Has anybody read the Necrocope series. The main character is named "Harry". After that, I really don't remember much about the series other than I liked it. Harry talks to the dead. But he does..."Ugh I remember that series and I thought it was way too creepy in some parts. Sure its good but some of the chapters require some heavy duty brain bleach. I'm used to imagining the scenes of a book automatically which really becomes a problem when those scenes get too twisted or disturbing.
Alison wrote: "I've tried the Leandros books twice, but I just can't get into them. I might try once more - 3rd time lucky!"
Well after the first book they become more bearable as the angst gets toned down. Besides (view spoiler)
Ugh I remember that series [Necroscope by Brian Lumley] and I thought it was way too creepy in some parts. Sure its good but some of the chapters require some heavy duty brain bleach. I'm used to imagining the scenes of a book automatically which really becomes a problem when those scenes get too twisted or disturbing.I didn't recall that but don't doubt you are right. Seems to have a good following/ratings at Amazon for those looking for a stop gap series. I won't revisit the series because (best I can tell) there is no audio versions.
Glad to hear someone besides me read them. Mostly about talking to the dead and vampires.
Forney_bill wrote: "Ugh I remember that series [Necroscope by Brian Lumley] and I thought it was way too creepy in some parts. Sure its good but some of the chapters require some heavy duty brain bleach. I'm used to i..."Yeah weel the parts that involve the protagonist are okay but the parts where they dvelve into the antagonists past can be pretty disturbing.
Is the demon accords series any good?
Jim Butcher has endorsed novels by Justin Gustainis
I'm gonna give 'em a try.
All the Monster International Series (audio books) are on sale to audible members for 6.95 each. So for those that read with our ears, this may be the time to pick up that short series. I have heard good things but have not indulged in that series yet. The sale is only for 48 hours.
The Monster Hunter series is excellent and well worth the money spent on the audio versions.
@Donn...just picked up the first one in that series. Sounded interesting. Well see.
On book 5 of the audiobooks of the Kate Daniel series by Ilona Andrews and it is another series that I would say is similar to The Dresden Files.At first I wasn't sure I would stick with it, but it's a slow burner and suddenly during book three I realised I was gripped.
The fantasy world is interesting and with some clever twists e.g. the role of vampires. The main character is female with a brilliant back story and she's a real kick ass. There's a lot of violence, but there's a lot of humour. My favourite quote so far - “I can't give you the white picket fence, and if I did, you'd set it on fire.” - says the love interest to the main character.
The romance and sex bits are a tad too much for me because I'm not into Paranormal Romance (I'm female btw), but given the main character's background, it does play an important part of the story and I would class this series as UF and not PR.
If The Dresden Files are 10/10, the the Kate Daniels series is at least 7/10.
BUT I do think the narrator of the audiobooks is a big factor in my enjoyment of the books.
Recommended. :-)
@Donna..just finished the first in the series by Justin Gustainis, Hard Spell. It's not bad. The story is more from the police angle of things. Kind of like Karen Murphy's SI Unit. Enjoyable read.
MHI are great, the Nightside; good, Sandman Slim; afreakinmazing, the Demon Accord are also really good too. I too am always on the lookout for a new series to read. Have really found anything worthy of my time so I'm sorry to say I have started reading The Mortal Instrument series. Don't judge, I'm desprate for entertainment.
I've finished all of the current secret histories, I would love to read the nightside, but they're too light of a read for me. The Demon Accords is a great story, but Gordon got way too strong way too fast. He literally crushes his enemies into paste. Alex versus series is a little too much flight for me. I think I'll read the Cal Leandros Series.
Has anyone seen the dresdan files tv show yet?
I have. It's good, but terrible compared to the books.
I havnt read the books yet, but ivebeen meaning to. Is it a lot differant from the books or is stuff missing?.
about as close as they come to the same is that some of the episodes have the same titles as the books and they share some character names :P
Lndavidson wrote: "MHI are great, the Nightside; good, Sandman Slim; afreakinmazing, the Demon Accord are also really good too. I too am always on the lookout for a new series to read. Have really found anything wor..."Since you and I both like Nightside and Sandman, maybe we share some tastes-
have you looked at Harry Connolly's Child of Fire, or O'Malley, Daniel The Rook which was fabulous and different or
Gischler, Victor The Pistol Poets
Carey, Mike The Devil You Know
Simmons, William Mark One Foot in the Grave
Armstrong Kelley Bitten
Acevedo, Mario Nymphos of Rocky Flats
Collins Nancy A Sunglasses After Dark
Huston, Charlie Already Dead
Lewis, J F Staked
Newman, Kim Anno-Dracula
Rardin, Jennifer Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Andrews, Ilona Magic Bites
Williams, Liz The Snake Agent
I will definitely give them a go. My brother (also on goodreads) suggested The Iron Druid Chronicles. So far so good. Any book where the main character can speak with his pet ( in this case a Irish wolf hound named Oberon) is worth a test read.
Try the Deacon Chalk series by James R. Tuck. Great lead character with some wicked ass-kicking thrown in.
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@Lndavidson Lots of love for The Iron Druid Chronicles on here too ;-)@Julie Peckett (Nocturnallupine) Thanks - will check the Deacon Chalk series out - the book cover is dreadful, but that's often the case for good books! ;-)
I'm watching the TV series (again) and will try to stick with it this time. The characters are fine, but I just don't find it as exciting as the books LOL! Thank goodness for the recommendations on here.
I know what you mean about the covers, I've only read the third book in the series but I wasn't left wondering who's who and why was this happening. That said, I will be getting the first two.
Hi all,I've been searching for the past couple of weeks for books similar to The Dresden Files and from reading this I think I will try the Ilona Andrews "Kate Daniels" series.
I doubt I will enjoy it as much as the Dresden Files books. I read the complete series from middle of February 2013 and finished Cold Days about a week or so ago. Nearly every spare minute was spent reading them.
I'll be keeping an eye here for more recommendations for similar books.
Alot simpler and lighter are the Skullduggery Pleasant books. Aimed more at kids but they are entertaining. The books are based in Ireland
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I see others mentioned Iron Druid but I have chime in favor of Iron Druid as well. Very very similar to Dresden I think without being too much of a copycat. Once it has more books I might end up liking it as much as Dresden. Maybe... Time will tell. Love this thread!! UF is really fun.
Ian wrote: "Hi all,I've been searching for the past couple of weeks for books similar to The Dresden Files and from reading this I think I will try the Ilona Andrews "Kate Daniels" series.
I doubt I will en..."
I enjoy the Kate Daniels books, but I think that they are more geared toward female readers. From a prior post I made, you might want to look at these- there's a variety of types, but all very good. Happy reading:
Aaronovitch, Ben Midnight Riot
Gischler, Victor The Pistol Poets
Carey, Mike The Devil You Know
Simmons, William Mark One Foot in the Grave
Armstrong Kelley Bitten
Acevedo, Mario Nymphos of Rocky Flats
Collins Nancy A Sunglasses After Dark
Huston, Charlie Already Dead
Lewis, J F Staked
Newman, Kim Anno-Dracula
Devereux, David Hunter's Moon
Kadrey, Richard Sandman Slim
O'Malley, Daniel The Rook
Pratt T A (Tim) Blood Engines
Shevdon, Mike Sixty One Nails: Courts of the Feyre
Rardin, Jennifer Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Andrews, Ilona Magic Bites
Williams, Liz The Snake Agent
I've read Ben Aaronovitch's series which starts with Midnight Riot - it is a different take on magic and paranormal elements but I have really enjoyed the series thus far. Just don't expect the main character to be a British Dresden - he has his own personality, but is still well developed.I've started reading Fated by Benedict Jacka - this series definitely more closely parallels the action-level of The Dresden Files, but I'm still deciding how I feel about the characters (though I'm admittedly only halfway through the first book).
I had also tried Rachel Cain's Weather Warden series, but while I really enjoyed the weather and Djinn drama, the relationship drama kept getting in the way and got on my nerves.
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I was thinking about trying the Weather Warden series, so thanks for the heads up. I like books with some romance/relationship stuff, but as a sideline to the UF aspect. That's why I think The Kate Daniels series might be too girly for some who like the Dresden Files. As a female I must admit it's a fine line though and I'm glad we can see how far down the list Paranormal Romance comes when people are rating a book. I can avoid the PR books, but until I give a book a try I can't decide whether the romance/relationship aspect is going to get on my nerves.
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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How can you not adore something like that?