By: Jim Butcher
Publisher: RoC Book
Publish Date: 2000
Format: Paperback 352pgs, pocket size
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: 1st in The Dresden Files
Recommendation: Yeah, a fun series with strong magic influence and a man with manners, for a warlock that is. ;)
Book Synopsis:
Harry Dresden - Wizard
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions. Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.
Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things - and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a - well, what ever.
There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get...interesting.
Magic. It can get a guy killed.
First Sentence:
I heard the mailman approach my office door, half an hour earlier than usual.
My Thoughts and Summary:
Harry Dresden, a wizard who's come out of the closet and specializes in finding lost items, paranormal and investigations, but Harry hasn't had any work to pay his rent, for some time. Harry is an honest man, with what work had come around and he didn't take the payoff but told the truth. Until a woman calls asking him to find what she has lost...her husband. Then a call from Lt. Murphy comes, asking Dresen to come to her murder scene with a couple dead bodies involved, needing him to look around as she feels is paranormal related. Two cases in minutes after a dry spell of months, Harry tries to handle both cases for both pays.
The book starts fast with two cases, which build the magical creatures and magical usages for us. These two cases bring a wizard investigator into so much more that's out there; vampires, bad magic, and the council that watches over wizards and more.
I love Bob! Bob is a possessed skull that helps Harry with his potions, or has all the potions memorized. But his humor is wonderful! I really enjoy him. I enjoyed Harry as well. He has an old gentlemanly feel to him, yet he's brass too. But he is approachable for me, I know not for the other characters in the book, but I like him just the same. Leutinent Murphy is a hard one. She is a solid rock and on the police force that could make Harry's life hell. But she is a good cop.
I enjoyed the mystery and following Harry along on the two cases he took on. He really gets beat around some, but the mystery all works out in the end. And along the way we get introduced to a real world full of magic that's just starting to come out of it's shell to the public.
I like there is magic here, mixed with humor. It's fun. I plan on continuing with the series to see where it goes, as I've heard the books get better.
I read this book for my own enjoyment.
Great review, Melissa! I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the series. It's the first UF series I read with a male protagonist and I love Harry and Bob to death. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it! The Dresden files are one of my favourite series and I adore Harry (and Bob and Mister!). The books do get better and better and the world gets more depth and colour as Harry meets more people and more enemies. Keep going! :-)
ReplyDeleteI have never read a uf with a guy in the lead role...I do wonder, oh wait, I have. But it was a UF noir
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get into this series and am continuously baffled and it's enormous popularity. Apparently it's not until book 4 that the series gets really good but I don't have the patience to find out if it's true. After book 2 I gave up.
ReplyDeleteOh I want to read this one. I've had it on my tbr too long! My dad even got it and read it before me and he's not a reader! Yes, I fail. I so need to read this series. Glad to hear it gets better.
ReplyDeleteSo many people seem to like this series, I really should give it a try. And now that you mention Bob the skull, I am more interested than ever.
ReplyDeleteJenn - Thank you! I'm trying to think if I've read much with a male protagonist in UF my self. I don't think I really have, actually. Huh. But Bob and Harry are very cool. :)
ReplyDeleteMel - I do look forward to reading more of the books. Which now reminds me I need to add the second book to my shopping list. :) Thank you!
Blodeuedd - You know I was thinking on teh male lead too. I think this might be my first book. I do think I have a few others here, but have not read them yet. Fantasy, yeah loads of men, but not UF. Hm. Something new. :D
Simcha - Honestly, after reading this book, I can see why you didn't like it. There is a lot needed in this one, and four books is a lot to go through to get really good. It's good, but not outstandingly great, yet. :) Thank you!
Melissa (Books&Things) - Oh! Your dad read this one! Wow. Impressed. :D You do need to get to it then. lol. Do enjoy!
StephanieD - Oh Bob the skull was the best part for me. I feel bad saying that, but I just enjoyed him. He was fun for me. :) Thank you!
Great review! Like Mel, I adore Harry and Bob! The series gets better and better, and I love how Harry grows without changing his basic character. He keeps his wise-cracking sense of humor and stays a good guy, despite temptation after temptation. One of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteSince I'm such a big fan of Atticus in the Iron Druid series, I've been told I'd love Harry and his adventures, too. It does sound fun and I love it when good humor is part of the mystery. I think I'll try it.
ReplyDeleteAlexia - Thank you. :) Everyone keeps telling me the books get better and better. I look forward to reading them and seeing. :)And the humor if so much fun. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMissie - Oh, I have the first 2 books of Iron Druid here, and want to read them. So, I'm not sure how they compare, but glad to hear good. :) Thank you, and hope you enjoy the book!
I discovered this series last year and love it. So humorous, I love it that Harry is a hero who has such doubts about himself and as for Bob? A wonderful character, one of my favourites. Oh and yes the books do keep getting better.
ReplyDeleteI only read this one for now and I confess I don't remember a lot about it lol. But I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I would be curious to know your opinion about the second book like that I could know if I need to read it too.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Mel! I love this series. Sarcastic humor - my favorite! Thanks for reminding me how great Harry Dresden is.
ReplyDeletePetty Witter - Glad to hear you found this series fun too! :) And I do enjoy Harry's doubts. ;D And Bob... Bob is just to cool. I hope he shows up plenty more. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMelliane - I am ashamed to say this book was not as memerable as many I've read, so I can see not remembering much of it. :) But I'll keep trying the series out as everyone says it gets better and better. :)
Sharron - Thank you! So glad to hear you loved the series as well. The humor is so much fun. :) And thank you for stopping by!
I read this series a long time ago and now waiting for Cold Days... July come around already!! Anyway, I envy you the reading pleasure awaiting for you with this series... I wish I was reading these books for the first time again :)
ReplyDeleteCherry - Hi! :) Thank you for stopping by. So glad to hear you enjoy this series with Harry. :) And I don't think I'll make it that far to be ready for the release in July. I hear there are lots of books for this series. :) Thank you! Hope you enjoy Cold Days when you get it this summer. :)
ReplyDelete