foxy_llama15's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
raetracer's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this start to the series! I felt it was a little explanation-heavy, and the female characters were more "dames" than well-rounded individuals. But I've heard it really picks up in the next couple books, and I did love the humor and the world!
bigbookslilreads's review
3.0
First Jim Butcher read, and I was hooked.
As a first book in a long series, Storm Front starts off Harry Dresden's story as an entertaining and fast-paced read that got me wanting to pick it back up every time. However, it is not without its flaws.
The book picks up some of the stereotypical detective and noir tropes: a lone man doing investigation for the police gets involved in more danger than he can chew right off the bat, getting in trouble with the mob, with the police, and with a number of attractive women. However, it also includes elements of urban fantasy, with the detective being a self-proclaimed wizard investigating the supernatural in our regular old-world. As someone who reads more fantasy than detective stories, this mix of genres was what I was looking for the most.
Even though this hasn't been explored in a completely unique way so far, it has opened up interesting possibilities for future instalments.
Because of the utilisation of the above-mentioned tropes, Storm Front's fast-pace does not hide its predictability and sexism. The twists didn't feel like twists at all. The characters were also prone to stereotypes and a certain blandness: the tough female cop with a heart-of-gold and a motherly and soft touch for the MC, the journalist seducing the MC for a story (not to mention plenty of other women trying to seduce the MC just because he's apparently that sexy-but-geeky-knight)... The MC is, in my opinion, the most interesting character introduced here, with a talent for stupidity but also self-doubt and humility that allows one to feel some tension throughout the story. He is fallible, often in a hilarious manner, but can also pull through with the use of some intelligence and experience
However, the case for sexism cannot be solved here. I heard about others saying it was handled tactfully, but I have to disagree. Every time a female character was introduced she was reduced to her looks or her feminine traits. There was even the case of a powerful supernatural female being that couldn't stand the MC because he saw her at her most "bestial" and "ugly" self. I would find myself trying to excuse this prevalent aspect of the book because of the noir aesthetic the author was trying to create, but I feel this wasn't an essential component of that, and it could be made more current. However, it just remained an offensive cliché.
I was still very much entertained by this story and I plan on continuing with the series. Especially because even most fans agree that this first book is the weakest. However I do hope that it improves in terms of world-building and characterisation.
As a first book in a long series, Storm Front starts off Harry Dresden's story as an entertaining and fast-paced read that got me wanting to pick it back up every time. However, it is not without its flaws.
The book picks up some of the stereotypical detective and noir tropes: a lone man doing investigation for the police gets involved in more danger than he can chew right off the bat, getting in trouble with the mob, with the police, and with a number of attractive women. However, it also includes elements of urban fantasy, with the detective being a self-proclaimed wizard investigating the supernatural in our regular old-world. As someone who reads more fantasy than detective stories, this mix of genres was what I was looking for the most.
Even though this hasn't been explored in a completely unique way so far, it has opened up interesting possibilities for future instalments.
Because of the utilisation of the above-mentioned tropes, Storm Front's fast-pace does not hide its predictability and sexism. The twists didn't feel like twists at all
Spoiler
as I was foreseeing some interlinking between cases from the startHowever, the case for sexism cannot be solved here. I heard about others saying it was handled tactfully, but I have to disagree. Every time a female character was introduced she was reduced to her looks or her feminine traits. There was even the case of a powerful supernatural female being that couldn't stand the MC because he saw her at her most "bestial" and "ugly" self. I would find myself trying to excuse this prevalent aspect of the book because of the noir aesthetic the author was trying to create, but I feel this wasn't an essential component of that, and it could be made more current. However, it just remained an offensive cliché.
I was still very much entertained by this story and I plan on continuing with the series. Especially because even most fans agree that this first book is the weakest. However I do hope that it improves in terms of world-building and characterisation.
shobechiu's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tanman's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is book has officially sold me on the Fantasy Genre. It is riveting from beginning to end. It doesn’t let up.
I only mark it down a star for being inappropriate at times and for a slightly lackluster ending. Still satisfying, just not at epic as i was hoping.
I only mark it down a star for being inappropriate at times and for a slightly lackluster ending. Still satisfying, just not at epic as i was hoping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Sexual violence, Violence, Gun violence, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, and Drug use
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
ladyrohde's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
danr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A very enjoyable audiobook. Keeps your attention throughout.
jadeline's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book, Jim Butcher did a great job! I loved the way you get drawn into the story experiencing it along with Harry and getting to know his world - you get details and explanations without getting bored by them.
ein's review against another edition
4.0
Решил попробовать, несмотря на вялый синопсис (фи, еще один сериал про волшебника?), и оказался весьма доволен. Странице к сотой тут начинается довольно закрученное веселье, которое идет по нарастающей до самого финала. Прочитывается очень быстро и не дает скучать. Экшен-сцены потрясающие и сделают честь любому фильму. Да и вообще ощущение такое, будто посмотрел отличный фэнтезийный боевик. 4,5 звезды, пошел читать следующую.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
UPDATE 7/11/17 - Reread for grins, this time in audio while on a car trip with the below-mentioned husband, and holy crayfishes is the audio version great!! I'm definitely going to continue the series in audio, much more enjoyable in this format!
I read this book for one reason and one reason only. That reason has a shaved head and loves playing Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and I've been happily married to him for four years.
He also happens to really like Harry Dresden, a Chicago-based wizard whose magical exploits have been chronicled by fantasy author Jim Butcher in (by my count) 15 volumes in as many years. He's been after me to try out Storm Front, the first book of The Dresden Files, since approximately our second date. So, since the time I was still trying to appear dainty in his presence by ordering a salad as an entree and pretending to be full after eating it.
This weekend, it finally happened. Maybe it was the weather; the extremely belated arrival of temperatures in the 60s was certainly a welcome relief. Maybe it was the knowledge that my public library would be closed today for staff training and the resulting desire to load up my bookshelf with options to get me through til Tuesday. (I know it's just one day, but anytime the library announces a closure for a holiday or some other perfectly good reason, I act like a squirrel feeling the first cold breath of winter, snatching up and storing as many books as I can in my cheeks (or tote bags)).
Whatever the reason, he wore me down. I read Storm Front. And I had a pretty good time.
Harry Dresden is a fun character—occasionally cranky, a little awkward with women, and sometimes averse to following the rules. He's a wizard, but not the secret sorcerer type, as he's listed right in the yellow pages. He chooses to work out in the open, although not everyone appreciates his skills. Karrin Murphy, a detective with Chicago PD, sometimes calls him in to consult on cases involving magic, to the skepticism and chagrin of her coworkers. They have a good working relationship, though tensions arise when Harry can't tell Murphy everything he knows. I could see that there's lots of room for Butcher to develop their relationship in future books.
In Storm Front, Harry is on the hunt for another wizard, one who has been using black magic to literally rip the hearts from his victims' chests. Along the way he gets help from a patchwork collection of characters, including Bob the skull, Mac the taciturn bartender, sultry journalist Susan Rodriguez, and my personal favorite, a fairy named Toot. The supporting cast is varied and original, though I guess that's to be expected when you're dealing with magic.
Unfortunately, someone doesn't want Harry poking around the murder scene—a message delivered more than once, with increasing violence. He can't back off, though, because the White Council suspects him of committing the murders himself. Harry has to find the real killer to clear his name, even if he dies trying.
I read this book for one reason and one reason only. That reason has a shaved head and loves playing Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and I've been happily married to him for four years.
He also happens to really like Harry Dresden, a Chicago-based wizard whose magical exploits have been chronicled by fantasy author Jim Butcher in (by my count) 15 volumes in as many years. He's been after me to try out Storm Front, the first book of The Dresden Files, since approximately our second date. So, since the time I was still trying to appear dainty in his presence by ordering a salad as an entree and pretending to be full after eating it.
This weekend, it finally happened. Maybe it was the weather; the extremely belated arrival of temperatures in the 60s was certainly a welcome relief. Maybe it was the knowledge that my public library would be closed today for staff training and the resulting desire to load up my bookshelf with options to get me through til Tuesday. (I know it's just one day, but anytime the library announces a closure for a holiday or some other perfectly good reason, I act like a squirrel feeling the first cold breath of winter, snatching up and storing as many books as I can in my cheeks (or tote bags)).
Whatever the reason, he wore me down. I read Storm Front. And I had a pretty good time.
Harry Dresden is a fun character—occasionally cranky, a little awkward with women, and sometimes averse to following the rules. He's a wizard, but not the secret sorcerer type, as he's listed right in the yellow pages. He chooses to work out in the open, although not everyone appreciates his skills. Karrin Murphy, a detective with Chicago PD, sometimes calls him in to consult on cases involving magic, to the skepticism and chagrin of her coworkers. They have a good working relationship, though tensions arise when Harry can't tell Murphy everything he knows. I could see that there's lots of room for Butcher to develop their relationship in future books.
In Storm Front, Harry is on the hunt for another wizard, one who has been using black magic to literally rip the hearts from his victims' chests. Along the way he gets help from a patchwork collection of characters, including Bob the skull, Mac the taciturn bartender, sultry journalist Susan Rodriguez, and my personal favorite, a fairy named Toot. The supporting cast is varied and original, though I guess that's to be expected when you're dealing with magic.
Unfortunately, someone doesn't want Harry poking around the murder scene—a message delivered more than once, with increasing violence. He can't back off, though, because the White Council suspects him of committing the murders himself. Harry has to find the real killer to clear his name, even if he dies trying.