Series: The Dresden Files #1
Narrator: James Marsters
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by: Buzzy Multimedia Publishing Corp. on June 10, 2009
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. I'm a wizard. I work out of an office in midtown Chicago. As far as I know, I'm the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country. You can find me in the yellow pages, under Wizards. Believe it or not, I'm the only one there.
With rent past due and a decent meal becoming an issue of some importance, Harry needs work, and soon. A call from a distraught wife, and another from Lt Murphy of the Chicago PD Special Investigation Unit makes Harry believe things are looking up, but they are about to get worse, much worse. Someone is harnessing immense supernatural forces to commit a series of grisly murders. Someone has violated the first law of magic: Thou Shalt Not Kill. Tracking that someone takes Harry into the dangerous underbelly of Chicago, from mobsters.
FIRST IMPRESSION…
A fantastic introduction to Harry Dresden’s magical and dangerous world! Can’t wait to read what comes next for this wizard.
THE NARRATOR…
James Marsters (aka Spike from Buffy) really brings Harry Dresden’s character to life with his calm and collected narration. He has a smooth voice and makes flawless distinctions with each character in the story. James’ narration can sometimes get a little breathy, but I find that it fits the mood of the scene and wasn’t turned off about it enough to stop reading. James really does a marvelous job of making you think you’re sitting in a room with Harry while he’s telling you an exciting story!
THE STORY…
Harry Dresden is a practicing wizard in the city of Chicago. He earns his living as a private investigator and as a consultant for the Chicago Police’s Special Investigations Department, helping solve cases dealing with the supernatural and magic, with his friend and police Lieutenant Karen Murphy. Trouble seems to follow Harry wherever he goes, keeping the reader on their toes as to what happens next.
Storm Front begins with Harry being called in by Lt. Murphy to consult on a double murder case where the victims seem to be killed by a strong form of black magic. With a powerful killer on the loose breaking the most important law of magic and a missing husband to find, Harry ventures into the dark world of magic and mobsters in order to catch a killer and save a family. Just an average day in the life of a wizard trying to the pay the bills!
The magical world Jim Butcher has created is both dark and fascinating. The rules and politics in the “wizarding” world, known as the White Council, are a bit complex and I look forward to learning more about them as the series progresses. Jim Butcher’s a fantastic storyteller who keeps you on the edge of your seat with multi-faceted characters, an engaging supernatural world and some humor.
“Paranoid? Probably. But just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean there isn’t an invisible demon about to eat your face.”
THE CHARACTERS…
Harry is an intriguing character, he always has the best intentions but is pretty moody and brooding wizard. Would I consider him an alpha? probably not my kind of alpha, but he definitely is a strong character. Harry’s a bit nerdy, has almost no lucky with women, isn’t rich but still has plenty of charm and a great sense of humor. He believes in doing the right thing at any cost, which usually lands him in the middle of some dangerous situation…I would say he’s pretty close to being the male version of Rachel Morgan from the Hollows series. I really appreciate his vulnerability, although he is a wizard he’s not immortal, making him a more relatable hero in my eyes. He hasn’t won me over completely just yet, but it’s still early!
“I’d made the vampire cry. Great. I felt like a real superhero. Harry Dresden, breaker of monsters’ hearts.”
The supporting characters in Storm Front are few but just as entertaining as Harry. His sidekick/lab assistant Bob the Skull always has a great one-liner and really knows how to lighten the mood throughout the book. Lt. Murphy comes across as a real hard ass who’s constantly on Harry’s case and who’s main priority is her job. Now I love a strong female character, but I just didn’t connect with Murphy in this book. I’m not sure if my reasons for feeling this way about her is that I’m learning about her through the eyes of the male lead (yes, I went there!) but I found her character lacking empathy and warmth but maybe I should just take it for what it is, a story about a male wizard. Harry describes her as beautiful, smart and one of his closest friends, but their close relationship is not fully conveyed to me in this book and is a little frustrating. I hope my opinion of her changes as I continue the series.
“Harry,” Bob drawled, his eye lights flickering smugly, “what you know about women, I could juggle.”
FINAL THOUGHTS…
Storm Front is a solid character driven story with a noir feel that instantly grabs your attention. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden (how cool is that name?) has captured my attention with his snark, angst and big heart. Jim Butcher has created a supernatural world with wizards, vampires, fairies and some unique villains that I can’t wait to revisit!
RtDS RECOMMENDATIONS: Fans of great world building and dark urban fantasy with male leads will love Harry Dresden! If you enjoy Kim Harrison and Jocelynn Drake be sure to add Jim Butcher to your TBR shelf.
I’m going to have to try this series out. I read this book a few years ago and I don’t know why I didn’t continue with the series. I remember enjoying the book and I’ve heard good things about the series getting better as it goes on. I might have to see if my library has it on audio. Great review, thanks for bringing this back to my attention.
I’ve heard the series starts off a little slow but gets better, I enjoyed Storm Front enough to continue the series. Thanks for stopping by Melanie!
Thanks for this review! I have the first two books on my shelves, but still have to start reading them someday. Glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve had this series on my list for a while, I’m trying to tackle all those series I’ve put off reading this year.
I’ve been following your reading progress updates for this one on GR and Twitter. Sounds like it’s an awesome listen. I’ve had this series recommended to me enough that I think it’s about time I add it to my TBR pile Thanks Lori!
I enjoyed it, some people gave the audio some bad reviews but someone taking a breath while narrating isn’t going to turn me off from listening! It’s not the best intro to a series but I did enjoy it enough to continue because it comes highly recommended. I look forward to hearing your thoughts when you get to it!
I’m still giggling about you being Harry Blackstone. LOL
Haha…very funny..don’t underestimate Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden! 😛
I actually bought this audio on an Audible sale awhile ago, but for whatever reason I’ve been skipping over it. Great review. I think I may start this one soon. 🙂
It’s a slow start but I like it enough to continue!
This is another kind of narrator that just grows on you, I think is a combination of two things, you get used to their style, and they themselves become more familiar with the characters. After a few books you won’t be able to tolerate anyone else reading this series. A 4 star rating for the first book is promising, I hope you continue 🙂
Great review!
I love James Marsters so he’s not the problem, the story’s a little slow for me but I do enjoy the characters and the narration. I’m reading book 2 now…thanks for stopping by! <3
I love The Dresden Files it’s an amazing series but the few first books are nothing compared to the newer ones, best of these are Grave Peril, Changes and Cold Days. Wait till you read those they are extremely fast paced and full of action believe me!