THE DRESDEN FILES - My experience with the first three books
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- THE DRESDEN FILES - My experience with the first three books
#booktube #dresdenfiles #jimbutcher
The Dresden Files has been requested on this channel ever since I started it and I thought it would be a good time to read the first three books of the Dresden Files. After reading Storm Front, Fool Moon, and Grave Peril I felt like I had enough to say to make my first Dresden Files video. Jim Butcher does a lot of things I really liked, and a few I don't like so much but over all Storm Front, Fool Moon and Grave Peril did entertain me. I'll go over all the details of my experience with the first three books in the Dresden Files in a no spoiler fashion in the video. Hopefully with my opinions and thoughts on Harry Dresden you would be able to decide for yourself if you should pick up Jim Butcher's acclaimed Urban Fantasy series.
I now have a Patreon that has some cool benefits, including access to my discord server! This is 100% optional and thank everyone for their support!
/ thefantasynuttwork
I kept saying "Fools" Moon instead of Fool Moon. My mistake, blame all the Robin Hobb I've read hahaha
Book seven is where the series hits it stride and just keeps getting better from there
I think the series “levels up” as it progresses. Summer Knight, Dead Beat, and Changes are points where the story seriously gets insane. Love the Dresden Files. Definitely my comfort read and I hope it gets mentioned more with some of the greats that the fantasy genre has to offer.
Very nice to hear there's some major ones coming up for me
@@thefantasynuttwork I’d say progression goes Summer Knight (pretty good), Dead Beat (great), and finally Changes (hot damn). Looking forward to your reactions!
To me, Dead Beat is the highest peak in pre-Changes era of Dresden Files. Damn, what a book!
Yeah, Dead Beat is my favourite. Polka will never die! It was the first book in the series to be sold in hardcover, so Jim Butcher deliberately ramped things up. My advice for Changes, though? Don't listen to it or read it in public. People have been known to cry.
Its does get better for sure, i reread them all 3 times except Ghost story for some reason I didn't like at all. What kind of sucks about this series are author plans for them , i think he said 22(maybe 23 now books with current format and 3-4 book series to end whole story. I don't think we will see ending before 15 -20 years, which is kind of crazy thinking about this now.
I’m looking forward to seeing how you feel as you continue on. These started out as monthly breaks from epic fantasy and now I am always thinking about how soon I can read the next one!
We will see 👀
@@thefantasynuttwork The Fairies' Path (Fate: the Winx Saga, 1,
now that Netflix will not continue this series maybe you can make a review on this book please thank you
Keep your expectations in check about Changes.
Some personal favorites prior to Changes are Death Masks, Dead Beat, Proven Guilty, Small Favor, and Turn Coat.
Everybody always hyped up Changes and I think it can be a negative for those reading it for the first time.
Yup, seconding this.
Changes was so hyped up to me that i felt somewhat disappointed, because everybody was saying that it exceeds any expectations and it got predictable somewhat because of that.
Still great book, but Ghost story, which was underhyped because everybody was expecting something even more bombastic tham changes, hit me in the feels so hard that i even ignored all the chaos plotwise.
Good to know
@@jormungandthemidgardserpen1845 I couldn’t agree more!
Michael Carpenter is probably one of my favorite characters in literature. Pretty much every scene with him in it you're either yelling "IN NOMINEI DEI!" with him or wishing you had a friend like him.
Hahaha it's true
A righteous man that you can love without thinking that he seems a bit self-righteous it's kind of like seeing what Jesus would be like nowadays
@@thefantasynuttwork did you ever read bad girls don't die by Katie Allendorf can you make a review auf this book of can you tell me if this book is good or not
@@jorgnocke991 I have not read that book yet
@@thefantasynuttwork thank you for the time thank you for Replay to my question so quickly and have a wonderful and blessed day
This made me happy! Really hope you stick with the series throughout because as Harry evolves so does Jim and it's really fantastic to go on the journey and experiencing Dresden!
I definitely will!
I'm currently rereading the entire thing for the first time, with comics and short stories in chronological order(don't do it, it is somewhat spoilery and distracting on the first read) and i have only one thing to say:
You ain't seen nothing, my friend. It applies to both good and, sadly, bad points you've made. And I'm not just talking about Changes or Peace talks/Battle ground. There's plenty of great stuff in every single book and it thankfully completely outweighs all the bad stuff.
I love the series and it became my perfect comfort read.
That's exactly what I like to hear!
I’m so pumped you’re on the Dresden train!!! Loved this review, and I was right with you with liking all the first 3 books. You’re in for quite the treat with the world building expansions in the upcoming books!
Thanks man, looking forward to it!
I love that this showed up in my recommended feed, because I started reading (listening to the audiobooks) the Dresden Files series. I've just finished Fool's Moon, did Storm Front earlier.
They feel fun so far.
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Something I can't recommend enough is the audiobook versions for the Dresden Files. It's a really fresh way to experience them once you've gone through them all. Like I can't harp on enough about how wonderful James Marsters is as the narrator. Though the first 4 audiobooks are kinda bad quality wise but after that it's nothing but fantastic.
Glad you enjoyed the first three books so far. Hope you continue enjoying them cause the series is a ride.
Yeah the audio is fantastic
I'm glad you're having fun.
I'm having just as much fun in my re-read 😁
It has definitely been fun!
I LOVE THE DRESDEN FILES!! 💗💗💗 So addicted! I could never put them down! I've read them all over and over again and am always waiting (even years!!) for the next ones to come out! I can't get enough 🥰
That's so awesome
Mister (Harry’s cat) rules! Happy that you, Allen and Sarah are on the Dresden journey and will be discussing it together. Suffice to say, Dresden being my 6th favorite fantasy series of all time is definitely not due to these first three books. 😂
Hahaha that just means I'm gonna love these later ones even more. Mister is the best 🔥
I know u have heard it a million times, but just u wait Jimmy, this series gets incredibly epic and amazing! 🤩
Hahah it must be true!
This was a super enjoyable non spoiler review for someone who hasnt read these books! Im gonna get to these when I feel like I can take a break from Discworld a bit as my palete cleanser. Speaking of which i did start Reaper Man and you're gonna LOVE IT jimmy.... Fantastic start so far
I need to get back to Discworld soon!
Fantastic to hear your Dresden thoughts thus far, Jimmy! They resonate very much with my own as I’m just one book ahead of you. I can see you loving Michael Carpenter, whom I liked as soon as I met him.
Thanks man, I think Michael is a real chad
Yessss Jimmy talking Dresden makes me so happy and excited!!!!
Glad to hear that 😄
The Dresden Files is my favorite urban fantasy series. I read a lot of urban fantasy and epic fantasy. The humor in these books is great. I recently reread the entire series in 2020 in anticipation of the most recent installment. His growth throughout the series keeps you engaged. He feels like a real person. He is my favorite fictional character hands down. The stakes get bigger and bigger and yet the mystery/detective element persists.
Sounds awesome!
My favorite series, and my favorite character in fantasy. His growth and character development over the course is amazing
Oh snap I didn't know you enjoyed these!
This is my favorite series to read and reread when i first stsrted this journey,, i rereadvthese books at least once a year. I hope you enjoy thr series as it goes on it gets alot of fun. and i am a new subscriber so i cant wait to see your reviews
Hey I appreciate that! I'm happy you're here and am looking forward to reading more Dresden 😎
I very much fell you with wanting for some reason pickingup the next book. Maybe it has to do with the easy to get in to and good start of each book.
But I do fell with these books that my excitement for them usually slow down after a third of the book and come back again later. Maybe has to do with I'm not the biggest fan of the action here at all. Or maybe in general haha.
I do really like these books though, there is something there! I'm very excited to hear more!
Appreciate you watching 😄
These are books that you can "fall into". Carrys you along, very visual. Makes you smile. Good characters.
great way to describe it!
Great video jimmy! I’m going to read Dresden eventually so this was helpful for sure
I'm so glad to hear it was helpful 😊
Yeah, this is going to become at least a top 5 favorite series for you. Calling it now. It's only a matter of time with you already enjoying the first few. It didn't reach all time favorite status for me until book 12.
Realm of the Elderlings was my favorite series for years, then First Law took the crown and held it for another few years, then Dresden Files books 12 - 17 came in like a damn wrecking ball and melted my face off with how awesome they are. I don't say something is an all time favorite lightly. Dresden Files becomes on that level and even surpasses it. You literally can't even imagine how good it gets in the second half. This isn't hyperbole, I swear. 🤣 It's going to be so painful for Sarah to talk about the early books with you and Allen, knowing what she knows. I feel for her. 🤣
We actually bargained with her to not mention how good later books are because Allen and I hear it enough 😂
At 5:54
This is the scene with Lydia. Everyone talks about this one being specifically bad, but I feel like not everyone gets what Jim was going for in that scene. Butcher describes her that way to showcase that she was using a poorly crafted facade, the words used in the description. I believe Butcher describes her hair as "asphalt" black or something like that, to emphasize that aspect. The description was bad on purpose, because the scene had a character pretending to be a femme fatale, but not being very good at it, Lydia thinks that's what Harry would want to see and how he wanted her to behave in order to get him to help her.
Granted, this doesn't change much the other descriptions in the series neither excuses them. Harry definitely checks up on all the otherworldly beauties around him. At least Butcher plays it fair and describes Thomas with as much detail.
I just think love potions are lame tbh haha but good points made
@@thefantasynuttwork Love potions are really lame, that's why Harry doesn't make them. The Lust potion was a bit contrived, that's true, but with perspective, I kinda think it was cool the way Jim set that up as a way to forge a true love between Harry and Susan.
I like these three first books a lot, even more after a few rereads when you pick upon the many secrets and set ups that Jim has planted. They're integral to the series, but are only noticeable in hindsight, which is why I appreciate them a lot.
I’ll say as a reader who’s read the whole series twice and individual tales more than three times, the best parts of Butcher’s writing is specific moments for him when he’s focused on a certain emotional tense moment like a crescendo flowing in the background. I’ve had to stop rereading a few because he does a certain effective quasi-trope that makes me emotionally distressed. But I think it just means he definitely grows as a writer, also if you get to Changes I recommend reading the Bigfoot trilogy it’s one of my favorite non main book stories besides Christmas Eve or Zoo Day (this one is my favorite because he experiments with a different literary tool tho I can’t recommend it since it takes place way in the future)
Thanks for the recommendation!
One word sums up my thoughts about the first three books pretty well: average. I like them in the same order with about the same amount of conviction as you do.
Look forward to reading the rest of the series alongside you and Allen. Great video, Jimmy. Cheers!
Thanks mate!
Summer Knight is where Jim Butcher really figured it out. That was the book that caused me to fall in love with the series. After three progressively better books, he knocked it out of the park.
I hope I love it!
I'm a huge fan and have read all but Brief Cases and I have to say, those early books, maybe the first 8 or 9 have that cringe with Harry. Too much of his protective thing with women and what got me is constantly explaining it in each book as if we have no idea about it. I love the series and can say it finally tapers off, but that was a big reason I had to take breaks in between reading books because too much would make me crazy! Great review, can't wait to see your thoughts on the rest of the series
Thank you My friend
The fandom is definitely too hard on books 1 and 2, to the point where it can almost discourage new readers. IMO, they are good, fun books that kick off a great series - that’s how I pitch them.
Yep, nothing mind blowing but fun
I’m working on Grave Peril right now. If it wasn’t hearing from people on Booktube and discords that it gets better is what is saving helping me move on to book three because Fool Moon was just basically a blood bath.
It seems a lot of people struggle with book two
I haven’t had the best luck with urban fantasy, but I enjoyed Ninth House too! Listening to you, Sarah, and Allen talk about this series is making me consider giving it a try someday. 🙂
I'd love to hear your thoughts, plus they're short 😂
I finally gave in, to my friend’s insistence that I start the Dresden Files, this past October…. 5 months later, I’m 3 chapters away from finishing Battle Grounds (the current last book in the series), and I can’t bring myself to continue the book. Mostly because I don’t want it to end just yet. I don’t want to wait for the next book for years just like everyone else! 😭🤣
I’m glad you enjoyed the series so far. It does get more expansive and I love that Jim Butcher had a way of creating some relateablility to his characters, including the villains. Except for one character. You’ll find out soon enough. 🤣
This all sounds like good stuff to me!
Great video! I have pretty similar thoughts; I like Grave Peril better than Fool Moon better than Storm Front. I'm looking forward to Summer Knight and the subsequent books; I don't usually have any issue with high or low expectations influencing my thoughts, so I'm excited for it all regardless.
Thanks for uploading! Keep up the good work!
thank you!
I’ve read and listened to the entire series and I like your take on the beginning! I am a huge fan of the series even when it goes full on crazy and somewhat unbelievable I mean that’s why we read stories the impossible can happen, I do miss his being a detective though, it was one of the first things that drew me to the series a detective in the super natural where could that one go! One of my favorite characters was Shiro, don’t want to do any spoilers either for any who have not read the books but I really liked his calm and resolve. I also too love Michael who is exactly what he is and I think he helps keep Harry grounded as time goes on. I will be interested in your further comments as you progress with the series. As others have said waiting for the next one is hard you want to see what is going to happen next. Thanks for your views I hope you continue to read on it is a fun series!
This was great to read and I always like hearing the opinions of more veteran readers of a series. I think I'm in for a good time
Is there a date set yet for the discussion between you three?...I don't want to miss it!
Not yet but soonish!
@@thefantasynuttwork thanks for the reply and I will be on the lookout for it. : )
You've got a solid 9 books before the noir-case structure changes. Even then, I'd argue that the elements are still there for most of the books beyond that point.
Another thing: You'll be doing yourself a disservice if you never check out the audiobooks. James Marsters brings that voice that you're talking about to a whole new level - coming from someone who started reading these in paperback.
I'm doing these on audio with the paper at the same time, it's been nice
@@thefantasynuttwork
That's awesome. The audiobooks also get better in quality with the each installment, so look forward to that. Really cool that you've taken up this series!
Unrelated, but I finally started Sun Eater after your review and I'm hooked.
Good video and reviews. The series really starts to take off in book 4 and then every single book gets better than the one before from book 4 on (I haven’t got to Changes yet, currently on book 10)
I'm excited to continue, thanks for watching!
I'm getting to the end of Dead Beat, book 7, right now and I'm unfortunately considering calling it quits. After the first three I was mild on the series and everybody kept saying read to book 5 which I did and was still mild on it. Then they said go to at least book 7, which I've done now and am still equally mild. Every book has been a two or three star for me and I haven't seen the quality jump that everyone talks about, so maybe I just have to admit it's not for me. But that lure of Changes, man... I want to know what it's all about. Hoping you continue on the positive trend, Jimmy! There are some fun moments for sure.
Can always wait for me to get there and then see if I think it's worth continuing 😂
@@thefantasynuttwork That is likely exactly what I will do. At your pace, that'll be next week lmao. I still can't believe how fast you got through Malazan.
@@Danny_Matson hahaha I think Dresden will be a little slower 😂
for changes to have the impact it has, it required the strong foundation that are the first 11 books, by book 11, Dresden Files was already an all time favorite, probably top 10 fantasy for me. Changes and what comes after, just made it go past everything on that top 10 list, yes even the cosmere, and it is sitting right there at top 3 behind LoTR and Wheel of Time, pending more books to see if it will go up or down on that list.
I'm glad you love it so much!
Philip Chase’s reviews did a good job of addressing the way women are described in the books. The male gaze is definitely a big trope in older detective fiction so I understand why Butcher has those elements included, but it definitely gets excessive at times too.
I’ve read the first 5 books and so far Summer Knight is my favorite. There is comforting familiarity to the Dresden universe that I really enjoyed. Some of my favorite parts are just Harry talking to Bob in his lab or seeing what your favorite side characters are up to.
I think familiarity is a good way to put it
You're making me want to re-read the whole series! Love to hear your thoughts. Will you do the same structure moving forward, three books at a time reviews?
I think so or maybe just whenever I have something new to say
Actually on my 3rd re-read right now. On Skin Game, then on to my first reread Peacetalks/Battleground (really a single book that Butcher's publishers wanted him to break in two... at least there was a good break point)
If you're feeling this great going into Summer Knight, I think you're going to love it. The first 3 were just okay to me, but Summer Knight was where I officially caught the "Dresden bug".
Glad to hear that!
Like a bunch of others, really looking forward to see how your opinion evolves over time. I find that Butcher crafts the story better and better over the run of novels as well as continuing to expand the world without, for me, having it be overwhelming. I find it fun to see when Booktubers get to the current released book and then are like, "wait, I have to wait now?!?!" Lastly, you keep getting drops of his history throughout. Also, watch out for Mouse, could be your next favorite character unless you hate dogs.
I'll have to keep my eyes peeled 👀
Great review! Perfectly summarizes my feelings towards the Dresden series so far. You may have motivated me to pick them up again. I stopped after Grave Peril, somehow I always found a book or series that piqued my curiosity more. Maybe it is time to return to Chicago :-D
At least it's a low investment time wise right?
@@thefantasynuttwork That's a fact but still I somehow always find another series to continue 😅Still I want to keep going cause I liked all three books I read so far. I ran out of Murderbot novellas so maybe Dresden will fill it's role as a palette cleanser😀
I've just started my Dresden journey too. The first three I enjoyed then I read Summer Knight and was like 'oh, okay, this is where it really begins'. Can't wait go read Death Masks.
I may get caught up to you soon!
Hi 👋 everyone talks about this book series.... I don’t know 🤷♀️ if I want to read this series??? Thank you for review video! Happy reading to you!! 🎥🦋🦋
Thank you!
New subscriber here. I searched for new Dresden content, and your video was the top result!
Now that you've drawn the fandom's attention, there are two things you should know.*
1. We're a passionate bunch, and lots of us love well-mannered pedantry. But there's a subset of us that chooses to be aggressive and condescending. 🙄
2. Every day from this one until your last, you WILL be told to listen to the audiobooks, narrated by James Marsters. This is inevitable. I recommend making it into a meme and inviting people to write it in the comments (for engagement).
*I'm only partway through watching as I comment.
😂😂😂
Welcome, I'm glad to have you! The audio is indeed fantastic
Awesome review man ! I think I'm in the same boat where I am ok so far on the series, not blown away but wasn't expecting it, but excited to see where it goes ( I also too found Harry's view of the female cast did begin to grate a little, but im hoping this gets better as the series goes on) . However I will say prepare for book 4, I read it with a bunch of friends and I havent picked up book 5 since hahah (will do soon though). I've seen that book 4 is like marmite, you either love it or hate it and I was solidly in the hate it camp.
Such a varied experience for each reader, I like that!
This really is a series where you follow along as an author finds his feet. Maybe a few ups and downs, but generally trending steadily upwards, IMO.
So if you come away from the early books with like a general sense of like "hey i overall liked it", chances are pretty decent that a little while down the line you're gna be loving it.
Can't guarantee it, but I recon there's a fairly good chance.
Butcher does by his own admission like to torment his readers via punishing the characters his readers are attatched to, esp Dresden, so be prepared for that :3
All my fav authors hurts my fav characters 😭
The writing gets better as the books advance.
I read the first two books, and all the rest I got on Audio Books.
I listen to those books over and over again.
The Audio is terrific
When reccomending someone to read the series I generally suggest starting at book 4 and going back later to read the first 3. The series really starts taking off around book 4
Oh interesting!!
I can't wait to see how you feel on the rest. This series is really good. The only book I struggled with is Ghost Story.
I'm excited to read more 😃
@@thefantasynuttwork Dead Beat is my Favorite! I am glad you are liking them. I know you got a lot to read ahead of you, but if ya get a chance check out Kildash by Lee Ellis it is another different take on Fantasy but almost plays out like a DnD game would.
The man, the myth, the legend: Jimmy Nutts talking about game of thrones, Berserk, and now the Dresden Files. Life is good!!
Some of my favs
Yeah after Book 5 and 6 things start going wild. Book 7 is when the series really saw success and Jim Butcher started becoming a household name. I wanna reread them someday. I look forward to your thoughts on the later books.
I appreciate it!
Good review, I just finished Grave Peril and I have the same ranking as you, 3, 2, 1
Thanks!!
Glad you got bit by the bug Jimmy. That bite gets infected once you read Death Masks. I just finished and I just can’t wait to continue. The cringy stuff does get less and less. Still there, but Harry definitely grows over time.
Glad to hear it 🙂
Excellent overview. You have about the same reaction everyone has to the first few books which is could have been better, but I'm hooked 🎣
I'm ready to be hooked!
Enjoyed listening to your take on the 1st 3 books.... I just got started on book 6 myself. The negatives you mentioned don't bother me at all, but I guess that's why I don't review with a critical eye. One small nitpick. It's Fool Moon, not Fool's Moon. Keep up the good work Jimmy.
Haha yeah blame Robin Hobb for having me says Fools 😂
The style is mostly consistent but the books vary a lot in plots. You really have to look at the books individually. I have reread from the beginning and found the first book really slow because there is a lot more action as it progresses. Look at the TV series on IMDb. I thought they did a good job. The style is modern where each chapter seems to be an adventure. I cannot see young people today with short attention spans loving older authors like Modessitt who devote a lot of pages to eating a meal. I like the humor because it can get dark and violent. I rate books for originality and he gets an A. Character development gets an A. The reader is going to have lots of surprises. I have 5000 sci fi/fantasy printed books and read a book a day, and this is on my highly recommended list. I would not hand it to kids but since people think it is ok for them to read Harry Potter (ick), I guess kids have strong constitutions for dark and violent. Sorry, I cannot rate his fantasy series as a must read. Like a lot of authors the different series has nothing in common. The good thing about the Dresden series is that he has not destroyed it like some authors (Stasheff) by beating the same old story to death. He has done pretty well with the usual problem of characters getting too powerful. A friend of mine loved it because poor Dresden gets beat up a lot. Not your normal book plot. My favorite part would be the fairies and pizza.
Pizza! Hahah I def will try the tv show!
I've read all of the Dresden books and I love them. I think I read all maybe I'm missing the last one, cant remember. Still I like them a lot but do prefer the older books, maybe 3 to 7 or something like that before it all gets way too big. Anyways great series and happy to know your experience with it
Appreciate that Ivan!
Working on those Beherit mugs, you`ll be the first to know when I'm done
Until the short-lived series on the SciFi channel came along Jim Butcher was a midlist author selling few books each installment. After the series his book sales took off in a big way. He even graduated from Mass market originals to hardcover publication. His expanded success helped lay the foundation for the modern boom in the popularity of fantasy books. The big time arrived when GRRM and Patrick Rothfuss published their most recent novels in 2011 within weeks of each other. Since then, many more authors have built readerships to the continuing delight of readers.
Very cool!
Well you don't seem to hate it so we can remain friends.
Phew! I have averted disaster! 😎
The misogyny does definitely drop off, it never goes completely but it definitely fades into the background. As for caring for his friends, you literally ain't seen nothing yet and I honestly mean that.
That's encouraging
I love these books! They definitely build and get bigger. And Harry's weaker character traits start being worked on and later books where he acknowledges them and tries to not be so cringy.
That's encouraging!
Harry Dresden is the most realize character in all of fantasy. The books build over time into a truly epic world but never loses its small feel. His male gaze lessens as the series goes on but as he is around supernaturally hot women it never goes completely away.
I don't see him becoming my all time favorite but he could definitely climb into high regard for me
I’m currently on Blood Rites and they just keep on getting better and better in my opinion 😁
Love to hear it!
Great review Jimmy! Super excited for your journey through Dresden. I think for sure my least favorite thing about the series is Harry’s overly chivalrous attitude towards women, it just gets old and I’m not a fan. But it’s nevertheless a focus of the series and I can easily look past it. Dresden has some of my favorite characters and moments in fantasy. The series is such a fun ride and also has some really impactful moments. I think you’re going to enjoy your time with these books quite a bit.
I hope that's the case for me!
I love a good noir detective story so I was worried I wouldn't care for it when it became less case focused. However, 1. The books mostly still have a "case". 2. The shift is so gradual and so beautifully done you'll be all in.
I think the gradual shift is the key thing for me. As a fantasy fan I'd be lying to say I didn't want more scope, and as along as it shifts there "naturally" I could see this sneaking up on me for sure. Enjoying the ride 🙌
Yup, the books slowly morph from Cases to Situations to WTF is happening!
I absolutely loved the Dresden Files! I actually read them in between reading Anita Blake Vampire Hunter. It was a trip trying to remember what story I was currently reading 🤣. Of course for me any author who can get my attention with hilarious humor has me hooked for life, King, Koontz, L. Hamilton, Andrezej Sapkowski just to name a few favorites. For the life of me I rarely can get into far away worlds with made up places. I guess no matter how supernatural, funny scary and mysterious (all 4 will together draws my attention) it gets I prefer it to be a place my memory can relate to. Dresden's world certainly opens up with a lot of odd "places" but still entertains to the max. Looking forward to your opinion. Can't wait for new stories I have so many questions!!!
I appreciate it!
I’ve read the first two and enjoyed them, definitely the perfect break from bigger epic series. Looking forward to Grave Peril
I think GP is really good!
The "cases" are there for a long time, The world just expands while still having cases . In later novels there is still an objective in each book (which the cases serve as) while not technically being a case like investigation, although it's Dresden there is always an investigation. the world just grows and I believe you will love later Dresden files books.
PS. I hope you love Dresden long before you get to changes, don't bet on that being the book that will get you to love the series. Changes is a book that just makes you love the series more than you already do.
I hope I find it as amazing as everyone else as I go, don't wanna feel left out 😂
I absolutely love this series.
It's a whole lot of fun
I read the first four years ago and liked it, but my friend who was caught up at the time didn't like where it went. So I stopped as well (and got into reading other stuff). I thought each book got better than the last. I've been meaning to get back into the Files, but, you know, life. 🤷
Life indeed my friend haha
I've always recommend: start with book 3, then later read 1 & 2 as if they were prequels.
Interesting!
Perfect timing as I have also recently started the first three books. I liked the first one, it felt safe but was good inner monologue for a noir setting. I just finished the second one and I was quite disappointed. I am debating on going on to the third one because I didn't like how the second one was treated in it's poor pacing, dragged out tension, characters are very superficial and are less than archetypes to give harry a break from talking to himself.
I think the third is better than the first two so maybe you'll enjoy it
I’ve read 7 of the books so far and Grave Peril is still my favorite. I had a good time with that one.
That's awesome
Ah - Bob, the horny wind demon, best character.
😂
Butcher does such a great job developing side characters in a first person narrative. Harry is cringy at times, but his relationships with the other characters keeps him grounded and is one of my fav things about the series.
I think that's spot on
My thoughts on the first three was just OK too. I read those as breaks between Malazn books so they may have contributed to them being just OK. I hear the series gets much better with book 4.
I just finished 4 and it was much better than the first three
It took 2 years for this to show in my fyp. However Dresden is good what if anything to you think about the Nate Temple series
I'm a huge fan of the Dresden Files series and Jim Butcher. The first three books are the worst of the series for me, but they're still good. But Grave Peril, the 3rd book, in particular really started ramping up the series for me. Mainly because it has the first really huge series plot twist that really changes the trajectory of the main characters. But like many excellent series (book, tv show and movies), I love most of the side characters and the fact that they have their own character arcs and seem to grow outside of the main narrative. It's definitely one of my favorite series of all time.
I'd say I'm the same when it comes to side characters
They get better over time.
Good to know!
Finally, someone who mentions the mass market paper backs are terrible. Hardcovers for books 2-8 are extremely expensive. UK Orbit paperbacks are definitely the way to go.
Yup I'm going UK all the way
Even I felt the ending of Grave peril to be weak. But that ending have immense consequences to the series as a whole. So enjoy, I am at Book 13 and this series is awesome..
I'll keep it in mind 😊
Awesome review
Thank you ☺️
You HAVE to read Jim butchers "The Aeronauts Windlass" if you like cats!! I wish he'd finish the 2nd one like he said he would...
I'll check it out
@@thefantasynuttwork oh man, it's butcher at the top of his game and after he got about 20 dresden books and codex novels written and it's a great story he's making into a trilogy or supposed to and yeah, it's amazing!! I love dresden but compared to that one book of his you'd think you went from reading Dr suess to game of thrones literally... and not like long and drug out as game of thrones is, i just mean the entertainment and value I feel is on that level! And you'd never know by reading the synopsis or plot that it'd even be good let alone end up being one of my all time favorite books!!
(I read everyday still now even so have read many many many many books over 32 years, this one slaps)
Yes they are good
Nior might be the word tour thinking of, instead of grim..or maybe not haha
Unrelated, but any idea of when you’ll read The Name of the Wind?
This fall!
@@thefantasynuttwork Great! I just finished it myself and loved it, excited to see what you think
I just gave my goddaughter the first 7 books in paperback as we have them now in Hardcover and Audio (read by James Marsters).
That's wonderful
Don’t forget to check out the short stories too.
Will do!
I’m on book 9? 8? 10? Not sure. I enjoy them ok. First few are very episodic and Herry is ok. I think they get better, but I can’t binge them. I always need a break. There are some things in these books that get on my nerves, mainly the description of women that harry meets 🙄🙄 I roll my eyes so hard. But like a 3.5-4 star series so far. I loved your thoughts and agree with most of the stuff and especially the quirks of the book.
I finished this comment and you literally brought up what “grinds my gears” 😂
@@niebieskie2 hahaha we are on the same page 🤣
The problem of male gaze doesn’t get better. You just get used to it.
But sometimes it makes sense in world too with the Fae stuff ( you’d see in book 4) but a lot of times is cringy. But like I said you get used to it
I think it kinda does get better in later books, when Harry matures. But it gets real bad in books 6-12, that's for sure.
I am sad to hear that but maybe it'll be slightly less grating in the future
I am going to say that there is not in my opinion 1 book that is overwhelmingly better than the previous. There is just a general trending up.
So is Changes incomparably better than Storm Front?
In my opinion, yes.
Is Changes overwhelmingly better than Small Favor, Turn Coat, or Dead Beat
No, probably not. I do think it is better, and it is my favorite of the series, but a lot of the books before it are also pretty awesome
I like the way that sounds
One important aspect of the Dresden Files is that the world changes, visibly, along the series. Mostly by his actions, but you can see other people influencing the world as it goes along.
One sad, I think, aspect of the series is that the focus shifts from mistery thrillers to political ones (for lack of a better term), even as the stakes get bigger and the battles become greater.
Changes: I don't think is such a better book compared to the others, but it, most logically, changes the entire status quo of the series. It's not so much that it's a wonderful book as much as being an important one.
And Michael is everybody's favorite character. According to Butcher, his biggest problem as a character is that he's too perfect as a person to carry a story by himself. I don't think I agree with him.
Interesting points!
Good review by the way.
Thanks 🙏
Changes definitely got a little ruined for me by the hype but it was a great experience regardless. The books around changes are great too
Good to hear
Michael gets betteras time goes by, as I suspect you've already found out.
Remember as you progress through the series, that plot points don't always rear their ugly heads until much later. Think back about what you didn't/don't like as you go.
Sounds like I'll need to re-read!