Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Title: Storm Front

Author: Jim Butcher

Series: The Dresden Files #1

Genre: Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Mystery

Publisher: ROC

Publication Date: April 1st, 2000

Edition: Kindle Edition, 332 pages

Source: Library

Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BAM

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 transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. 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.

  Bless the passage of time, this is the second time I have read this book but the first time I really enjoyed it. Back in 2007, there was a show for this book series. Now, when I say that it was loosely adapted, that is a vast understatement. It was bad, there were some small things that were good. The casting for Harry Dresden himself was pretty spot on, (Paul Blackthorne) and that was about it. The rest was overly campy at best. The point is, I have forgotten enough of the show since I watched it in 2009 and now that I can enjoy these books without the show sullying things. Anyway, on to the actual review of the book.

  This was a very fun book. The plot is very reminiscent of a gritty Noir Detective shows, but with magic. The magic aspect wasn't always explained that well, but this is the first installment, and I've got 15 books to understand how their magic works so I'm not worried. The mystery, and who the killer was, kept me on the edge of my seat. (I also forgot most of the plot of this book since the first time I read it and now), I kept wondering how Harry was going to get out of the bind he was in.

  I liked the characters, Bob might be my favorite character. He wasn't in the book much but based on the scenes hew as in he's going to be that smartass comedic relief. Murphy is a second favorite, she's the kind of character that I wish more men knew how to write. And Harry, our main character and narrator, well I like him enough that I will continue reading. His humor doesn't always land with me, but that's fine. Warden, he's kind of a jerk, and I hope he has some character development in the coming books because the way his character is will get real old if he's still like that 10 books later.

  It's been a while since I've read a book in such a short amount of time, and I tore through this book. It was so much fun and I can't wait to continue the series. I am borrowing them through the library (Ebooks) and I haven't looked at that waitlist for book 2 yet, but it will be a while as I catch up, I wish I had the money to just buy all the books and binge read them, alas I do not.