Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)

If you like Harry Dresden you will enjoy this reading very much. The whole book is included, and James Marsters (Spike of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) does an Outstanding job of reading it. I intend to get all these books (with James Marsters reading), and urge the production of ALL the Harry Dresden series using Mr. Marsters as the reader.

An entertaining, short fantasy read (the book is only 322 pages long).

I stumbled upon this author (Jim Butcher) while reading someones' review; I've always enjoyed fantasy so I decided to give it a try.

'Storm Front' is the first of a series of books (now 10 or so books) starring Butcher's hero, Harry Dresden. Dresden is a wizard/part-time private investigator who often gets involved, with or without the police, in investigating paranormal occurrences.

The writing quality is reminiscent of your typical detective/sleuth novel...only better. What I really liked was the way the story really hooked you into reading on and on; there was always something happening, or about to happen, to keep your interest at a high level.

Also, it was not hard to identify and like Harry with his self-depreciating and cynical humor. Other characters, although not greatly developed, are intriguing and easily fit into the frame work of this story. And as you might suspect, there were some interesting confrontations involving humans as well as your evil fantasy types.

Conclusion:
A short fantasy read that is well presented and fast paced. It has an interesting hero and the storyline that will tweak your curiosity to the very end. 4 1/2 to 5 Stars.

R.Nicholson

I pick up this book thinking that it had a promising plot, but i soon came to realize that it sucks. I hated this book, the characters were ridiculous and what could have been a good premise was absolutely wasted. Do not under any circumstances try to read this book. I had to put it down around half way through. I would much rather stick to George R. R. Martin.

Even if you've read the novel more than once (as I have), it's another thing entirely to hear a Harry Dresden-like voice shouting down a Loup-Garou. Get a hot cup of tea, or coffee, or Mac's best stout, and sit back to enjoy a really tense novel read by a really tense gravelly voice with nothing better to do then sound beat up, angry and still pulling the heroes out of the fire. Go Harry!
(And bravo James Marsters!)

This was a great way to start off the Dresden Files. I had fun reading this book all the way from the start to the finish. I don't want to write anything about the story as it could be a spoiler, but I can say if you like odd Private eye books this is the series for you. I have spent years reading the Vampire Files and now I have this series to look forward to.