DRESDEN FILES - BEFORE YOU READ!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- My thoughts on what you need to know before reading the Dresden Files. An experimental video meant to evolve the Why You Should Read videos.
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Bit of a twist on the Why You Should Read videos. I wanted to change the approach and see if I liked it better taking in the possible negatives as well. Just stay with me while I tweak the formula :P
it is much better this way
So now you have some free time... ha-ha-ha. Now you know how much of a sadistic wrighter Jim is to his fans, and you only need to wait two months for the next one. As a fun comedy change of pace, I suggest Fred the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes six books of funny short stories that links some paranormal friends together, thease books are light harted fun. thay give you a strong counterpoint for just how wide Urban comedy fantasy is right now and truely force you to realise how Soul Fire burns in the hart of all readers of the Dresden Files.
Giving a more balanced perspective; positives and negatives included, does definitely work better as you are letting people know whether it is right for them instead of just pitching it to everybody. One series that could do with a video like this is Discworld as it is such a vast series with so many jumping on points that are actually better than just starting at the beginning
Really enjoyed this daniel, would like to see a before you should read on the larger book sets you recommend. I feel a lot of people myself included dont want to buy into and read 4+ books if the pay off isnt really worth it. Also thanks again, your recommendations have me reading Scott lynch and Mark Lawrence's work and i couldn't be happier.
I really liked this approach more than "Why You Should Read". Even just the title makes it feel like it's about contextualizing the series rather than making a pitch.
Also, I don't know if you've read it yet but I'd like to hear your thoughts on "The Magicians Trilogy" by Lev Grossman. It seems to be *very* love or hate. I don't understand why it hasn't blown up despite getting maybe the best fantasy TV adaptation I've ever seen.
As an atheist that grew up with Narnia I think it's a better response to Lewis than "His Dark Materials". I found Pullman's anti-church allegory just as obnoxious as Lewis' apologetics.
I know you have problems with Lewis, and I think you said in a video that you liked "His Dark Materials", so I'm really interested in what you think here.
Love your videos,
Rock on
“Are you always a smartass?”
“No, sometimes I’m asleep”
👆🏼This shit is what you should expect😂
Oh Hell yea. I love Harry's snark.
Literally read this exact line last night. "I'm a stunt double"
yet there is also ''I mutter off color limericks in my sleep''
"I either had to spit or swallow. I swallowed. No comments, please!"
Alright, i am buying this
"The building was on fire and it wasn't my fault". Love me some Dresden Files
Best opening line of a book I've ever seen.
@@paulschumacher4308 While that one is my favorite, the mental/narrative peel out in Changes is my pick for best opening line.
@@alkorkrus5152 Changes is a close second, for me. Jim Butcher really knows how to grab our attention.
I had to stop reading for 5 minutes to get my laughing under control after that line.
*Lite spoilers, but one of my favorite quips*
"Holy shit. Hell hounds"
"Harry, you know I don't like it when you swear"
"You're right, sorry. Holy shit! Heck hounds!"
These books are so great.
AaronArcade lol, just heard this part at the start of the grave peril audiobook. Trying to refresh them before July...and another book October, gotta do it.
This is probably one of favorite lines in the entire series. It brings a nice joke into a stressful part of the book
@@emilyecclestone8592 The half with the mansion is stressful lol, but it sets the tone to how messed up the vamps are. Changes is my favorite book.
Kinkaid aquarium nuff said
My favorite quips:
'don't disturb the wizard when he is wizardering'
And
'don't you touch the literal fist of God!'
From dresden and from Mouse I love:
"I live with a Wizard. I cheat!"
I think Daniel is wasting his potential by not becoming a animation/drawing channel his art skills are mind blowing in this video.
ahahah!!!!! word/.
completely agree, did all audio except short stories
Try the audiobooks James Marsters is freaking brilliant on this series...
The only criticism i have of this video is that he didn't mention the fantastic audio books. I'd hazard a guess these would open up the content for an even wider audience.
@John Hoskins I totally agree. James is amazing and he simply IS Dresden. I will say that while I did not like that John Glover did Ghost Stories, i did find that as a narrator, his disappeared more than James does. I fell so into the story that it felt more like my own mind reading it then someone else. (took a few chapters to get there..) James is Dresden telling you the story though, so i will always prefer that.
I just recently finished listening to Storm Front and am looking forward to the series. I did have a question regarding Marsters' performance. Do the lip smacks and heavy sighs that don't seem to match the dialogue go away or become easier to ignore? I really struggled with being irritated by them. I enjoyed the rest of his narration, pacing ,and voices but it almost seemed like he'd never worked with a studio mic prior to this reading.
@@JohnC-ts9wf he gets MUCH better. book 3 is where he really hits his stride but the second book is better than the first. (remember, this was 10 years ago. audio book recording has gotten better over the years over all)
@@JohnC-ts9wf Harmony answered this, but I will add. I believe Storm Front was one of the first books Marsters narrated. He gets INFINITELY better as the books go on.
By the time you get to book 5-6, he is just fantastic. By the time you get to Changes... wow... he will make you cry the way he narrates one scene in particular. I lose it every time...
In my mind, Marsters is Harry Dresden's voice. Keep in mind, he is not just narrating. He is acting the story out.
When things go bump in the night, Dresden is the one who bumps back.
hmm, that sounds nice read in John Hurt's cadence.
Arrynek01 and sometimes he humps back
Perfect.
Blowing up buildings is not what I would call a bump.
I represent the BPRD and I have a cease and desist order right here.
I’m so happy more people are falling in love with a series I have loved for ten years or so. Can’t wait till July!
I was introduced to Dresden 7 years ago by my boyfriend at the the time. I fell in love with the book, and am marrying that same boyfriend in July🤷 a good book can do anything😂
When I first picked up the series White Night was the newest book and only available in hardcover. Seems that came out in 2007. So I've been reading this for almost 13 years. I've read every book at least twice, some I've read 3 times. I've read all the short stories. Only thing I'm missing is the comics as I just never got around to it. I'm so excited we get 2 books this year.
SAME!!
Dresden Files is easily in my top 3 list of series. I was introduced to the series by a picture of a zombie dinosaur and made an offhand remark, someone overheard it and recommended the series and OMG. It has been a wonderful journey I only wish I had started sooner. I want everybody I come across to read it and share my enthusiasm.
One thing that wasn't mentioned in this video is the pop culture references littered all over the place. It really brings the story to life when Harry makes a yoda joke or has to remind you that yes, he has a fairy godmother.
I'm not very literate but seeing what Jim Butcher has put together and the universe he's made, the depth of writing he's achieved. It inspires me to want to write and make my own world.
I love this series.
Have you read 'October Daye'?
It is a supernatural PI like the dresden files but with very different themes :)
@ServentForAnubis I know I'm asking 3 years later but I'd love to know what is your top 3 or even top 5 or 10? Because clearly you have good tastes :D
I am german and I was always confused with the „dresden files“ because there is a city in Germany called Dresden. I always thought the story takes place there until I realized that the protagonist is called Dresden.
I thought that too, not sure if it's too on the nose to have a hot-headed, fire-loving protagonist called Dresden
Well I think they are somewhat related. Dresden the main character has a pretty big affinity to fire magic, while Dresden the city was famously firebombed in WW2 I think that's the reference.
Yeah, his last name is after actual city of Dresden - the series overall story is inspired by tv show Babylon 5 author ikes, and there's a speech there about World War 2 which Butcher was listening to while coming up with Harry's name , and he liked Dresden a lot
Nathan Literoy ah that’s cool! I didn’t know that!
Me too and I am from Dresden...
Once you've read the Dresden Files, here's something to try.
Read them again, but backwards.
You don't have to do this by any means, but it is nice to see Harry's life get progressively easier...
R C If the spurs fit...
If you read the Dresden Files backwards it's about a wizard shrugging off mystical influences, treating his body better, and building a shocking number of buildings through the power of fire; all the while distressing himself.
The first 3-4 minutes of this make it sound like Dresden Files is like a much better-written version of Supernatural with a wizard detective instead of demon-hunting brothers
Supernatural definitely took inspiration
Yes, I would say that it could be described that way but its a lot more than that too.
IMHO The Dresden Files is what every Urban Fantasy TV series wants to be but never achieves.
I have found (at least among my female friends) that there is a pretty big overlap between Supernatural and Dresden fandom.
EXACTLY!! I was a huge Supernatural fan. Dresden Files is everything I wanted out of Supernatural and so much more!!!
Dresden, as well as Jim Butcher’s other series are my favorite books. I tend to be a slow reader, and I usually have to slowly pick up momentum as a read; read for an hour, stop, come back later, keep going, repeat. Never been a problem with Dresden. It keeps me engaged in a book the way no other series can. I pick up a Dresden book and CAN’T put it down until I get to the end. Then I hit the next one. No matter how many times I reread, it keeps me locked in the whole way.
thats dope
"Unicorns, very dangerous... you go first." I swear, the obscure references in these books are what I live for!
I was a lover of Buffy and now love The Dresden Files (almost) as much. I am also blessed to be reading Peace Talks now & can only say it is a true badass culmination of what what has come before. Another insight I've come to: Harry Dresden is to Chi-Town as Philip Marlowe is to The City of Angels. That's all I can say now.
I highly recommend the series on audible. James Marsters does a fantastic job. He is Harry Dresden.
Frank Salo
I completely agree!!!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Those got me through some long drives (45 minutes - 1 hour, each way) when I used to work at a job a couple cities away.
I started the series at the start of this quarantine and I just finished skin game last night. July can't come soon enough.
Do you read the short stories collections yet?
@John Hoskins I can't imagine the long wait between Skin Game and Peace Talks. That's just brutal
@@patrimcauthon478 I haven't read the short stories yet. That's next on my list.
@@t3hj4nk, I can't remember if every short story is in the two collections. I think the one about a certain polka lover's first full day at his new job isn't collected, and it's great. Almost positive the Goodman Grey story isn't collected yet. I think my favorite short story is actually the one from Marcone's perspective, Even Hand.
@@steventhrasher3608 Day One is included in Brief Cases.
I started reading Death Masks this afternoon about 2. I literally can’t stop thinking about what’s going to happen. I love how things are brought back up. Minor spoiler ahead
I love how the vampire war is going on in the background and it’s coming to a head now with the duel between Harry and Duke of the Red Court. It’s just so amazing and I love every second of it.
For the Za-lord!
Great review! I can't wait for Dresden to be a as common as a little furry foot with a ring.
Pizzzaa
I finished Storm Front yesterday. I was burned out of reading a ton of high fantasy and was looking for an urban fantasy/scifi setting. I loved the first book and find Dresden to be a very likeable protagonist. You are right about the length, it took me 2 days to finish the first book.
Yeah, I mostly stopped reading epic fantasy some time ago because I got tired of it. Urban fantasy generally is not as epic in scope, books are shorter and have definitive endings, and situations are closer to our point of view.
I started and finished this series in 14 days last month. I just couldn’t put the books down. Now my wife is listening to the audio books so that she can catch up before Peace Talks is released in July.
I'm exhausted just reading your first sentence. I get so into these when I read, the best I can do is 3-4 a week and I'm mentally exhausted.
My husband has read all of the books many many times, through the years.
Knowing that I’m not a sit down and read a book kinda girl, he introduced me to the audiobooks. I LOVE THEM!!!
We listened to them in the car, while out and about.
Once we finished the series, I started them all over again on my own.
Because of the virus and staying at home soooooooo much, i was afraid I’d become a couch potato.
Thankfully having Harry, Murphy, Michael, etc. to listen to, that has Not happened.
I’ve happily tackled many home projects and lots of yard work!!!
🙂🙂🙂
I average a book every two days...
I’m extremely thankful that Jim Butcher created such an awesome book series, and hope there will be many more !!!!!!!!
I think one of my favorite tidbits of this series is the fact Butcher crafted it sarcastically (the story of him and his writing professor is hilarious) which makes how he has evolved the series even more impressive.
Well, I'm convinced. Once I finish Wheel of Time (almost at the end of Knife of Dreams T^T), looks like I'll be jumping into Dresden Files.
Strong recommendation. I liked it in my first read but wasn't super engrossed till about the 4th book. At that point I bought all of them at once and read them all in a week. It's a good story that constantly gets better, is great by the fourth and just keeps improving. Singlehandedly my favorite fantasy series.
It'll be a gear grinder, for sure. One thing about Dresden is he gets his ass kicked a LOT. He's not a super-powerful wizard who pulls off a slam dunk in every book and usually wins by the skin of his teeth, or gets a draw instead of anything decisive. Very little Deus ex Narrativa.
Oh, Butcher writes SO much better than Jordan LOL
@@teleriferchnyfain I can only assume you're being sarcastic.
Andrew Halverson why no I’m not Sorry 😐
I'm currently going back and forth between Wheel of Time and Dresden Files. Finishing up The Shadow Rising this weekend and then I'll be reading Blood Rites. It's my first time going through both series and I couldn't be enjoying them more. Seeing you say Dresden only gets better gets me so excited!
Waiting on the library for Blood Rites myself!
I still do not understand all of the hate for Blood Rites. I like the book and enjoy all of the character growth and new central characters it provides. Fool Moon is by far the weakest of the series, imo.
I did the same thing! Dresden is the perfect foil for wheel of time
@@lathspell87 Its biggest problem is the main case isn't super exciting. The villains and people Dresden are trying to protect are all to one degree or another pretty bland, with one exception, which I think anyone who is decently far into the series could guess. The merits of the book come from the events surrounding the case, which are quite compelling and lead to quite a bit of character development from Harry.
@@demonicgrub1025 I can appreciate that, and I can appreciate the fact that some people consider it one of the weaker books. However, I don't think it comes close to something that should make someone put the entire series down. That the particular sentiment I don't understand.
I read the first three dresden books years ago. I kept telling myself I'd pick them up again because I remember how much I enjoy them. Your videos really make me want to pick them up again!
Dude! Finally someone gets these books. I have been waiting for Peace Talks for what seems like eons and no matter how hard I try to Pace myself I KNOW I will gobble it down in a couple of days. I love these characters.
Daniel, have you read the Short Stories, (Side Jobs & Brief Cases)?
They fill in the gaps quite nicely.
I can't recommend this enough. They completely fill in any gaps on side characters and show more of Dresden than the worst week of his year
Brief cases has the best bob tale.
Given he references Bigfoot, I'm pretty sure he has.
I liked Strange Brew. It actually got me into the novels.
@@nicademous6396 oh thats really cool its one of my biggest gripes with the series itself
Hi there from Russia, I reread the series for the third time in 10 years and am still thrilled, absolutely in love with it
Can’t wait to read the new Dresden files book. Want to see how Mouse is doing!
Yes, Mouse and Bob!!!!
Yep I just want to see the sisters meet. I think that will be fantastic.
The world building you describe reminds me of the “Mercyverse” which consists of two series in the same world, Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs. I hope you take a look at those someday especially if you follow the chronological order of the series (they kind of intertwine)
Dresden Files even better. Huge fan of Mercy Thompson, just Dresden funnier and more epic
Yes, but Mercy lacks the glaring misogyny of Dresden. Jim Butcher couldn't write a female character respectfully if his life depended on it. @@hwilcox
That was great. Loved the animation. However I have to mention the fact that Harry doesn’t actually wear a hat. I know he does so in just about every book cover, on the other hand he doesn’t actually do it in the novels. He even says so to Susane and Leah in changes.
I will always imagine him with the hat. A hat is such a cliche detective thing, that it just has to be
It has even been comered on in the books themself. Harry thinking to himself: Maybe i should get a hat? 🤔😄
Please Mr Butcher give Harry a hat, black with silver trim and magic ;)
This video popped up in my recommendations. Have to say I am glad it did. I had no idea anybody on youtube reviewed books. I have been a fan of the Dresden files for years and it has been absolute torture waiting for the next book. I think your overall view of this series is spot on. There is just something about this series that gets under your skin and you gotta have more of it. I think I will go browse your channel now to see what else you got.
Love the format of this video. I stopped reading Dresden Files on Grave Peril, but continued on your recommendation. I finished Dead Beat last week and loved it! I just sent this video to my brother because I’m trying to convince him to read this series. Great video, Daniel!
Grave Peril is sadly one of the weakest books.
You are 100% on point when you mention that he references things 4-5 books ago that he laid the groundwork for. On my second read through I found a line that made me break down in tears because he took that line and MADE IT A BOOK TITLE! I also love that it feels no one, and I mean NO ONE, has script immortality. With the people and things that have fallen on both sides, it makes me scared to read every new page because someone could suddenly not be there.
This video is amazing and I am glad it aligns with my thinking. I will now use this video everywhere to explain to people why I love the series.
bro, that editing!
I almost did not realise the camera wasn't even on
We haven't seen his face. What happened to the Daniel Greene without a torso?
@@deanryanmartin He completed his transformation, he has become ONE with the books
@@maximilianogranifo9650 Lol
This is the best review of the series I've heard or read. This is splitting hairs, but you mentioned the level of grim/darkness of the series then warned that there would be tears especially in the latter part of the series. I think the tears are related to your next point in your video that readers become very emotionally invested in the characters. One of the common criticisms of The Dresden File series is that the stories jump around too much. What these critics miss is that this is due to one of Harry's character flaws, or rather weaknesses. He can't say no to helping someone. He even states this multiple times throughout the series. That's also what makes these stories so great is wondering how he's going to resolve everything by the end of the book. So glad TH-cam recommended this. Hubs and I have both the books and the audiobooks. I am currently going through the audiobooks now in anticipation of the two coming out later this year. This will be my third time going through the series. Also, James Marsters, IS Harry Dresden.
Tears, yes, but also so much hilarity. Bob is hilarious. Harry is hilarious. Toot toot is HILARIOUS! Yes, it can switch from light to dark in a single Bigfoot/Queen Mab/skin walker heartbeat but there is hardly a character I haven’t liked or just plain loved or loved to hate! I think this series has been HIGHLY underrated but making it into a really good series on Netflix or Amazon would require more time and money than even Jeff Bezos would willingly give up. I could still wish they would try. PARKOUR!!!!
I am from Germany...and i love " Die dunklen Fälle des Harry Dresden"...nice Video and Greetings
Hells Bells, I love these books. The World is very colorful. It just pulls me in.
I appreciate you explaining the content rating, always good to know. Also I enjoyed the drawings!
I've never read these books before but I love supernatural fiction, so this sounds right up my alley. Definitely will check it out.
Dresden files is my favorite series! Jim Butcher is the best and every character can have their own book. Perfection ❤️
Agree with you fully here. I'm neck deep in my third re-read of the series in preparation for Peace Talks/Battleground.
The only thing that I have as a criticism (other than what you stated), is that through the first 7 or 8 books (I'm currently re-reading Proven Guilty), there's a very formula feel to the early series. Intro/Given a Case/Introduction of Side Plot/Realize side plot and main plot are interconnected/Resolve original main plot/resolve side plot/Outro.
Most of the books in the first half of the series follow this pattern, sometimes irritatingly so...but the momentum definitely propels it forward nicely and keeps you hooked. There are some nice recurring threads and early setups in the early part of the series that pay off later and makes the journey very worth it.
You can re-read the series more than once and get some entirely different takes on things once you know future outcomes and see some very subtle foreshadowing by Butcher. Also, he's a master at using the first person perspective to really weave the narrative . Arguably the best 'first person perspective' author I've ever read.
The formulaic nature of the early books is due to the fact that at the start the series was conceived as a fusion of dark fantasy and hardboiled pulp detective novels. Dresden's narration patter and view through the lens of the male gaze, which Daniel singles out as a legitimate criticism in the video, are both also well-worn tropes of the hardboiled genre that Butcher leaned heavily on early as he developed his style. All of this became increasingly de-emphasized as Butcher improved his writing (and as Harry grew as a person and wizard) and fleshed out the world of Dresden, eventually landing in almost pure epic urban fantasy with only light noir window dressing to maintain some tonal consistency.
Great video timing considering my ebook compendium for Dresden Files just came through from the library.
Me: watches video. Finishes video. Picks kindle up, proceeds to download all of the Dresden files. Starts reading 🍿
Best 200 hours you ever spent, wasn't it?!?!?! 🤣
And one year later, what are your thoughts?
I have been taking my time with them because I want them to last but my God I love this world and I would marry Harry in a heartbeat 😂
I started reading Dresden Files because of your reviews and just finished the first book! Absolutely loved it and can't wait to continue the series. It's been years since I read fantasy and have been looking to get back into the genre
If you loved the first book then you'll certainly love the series. I believe this was his first book published so semi-understandably he gets better and better as he goes. And that's not to say the first couple books are bad....just that the second half of these books are amazing.
Love this series! I'm on the third book. Grave Peril. Staying with it to the end. Great video👍
I've tried to pitch this series to others and never really could find the words. Now I'll just send them this video, cause it is spot on. Thanks Daniel!
Marcone forced to meet at Burger King! Favorite book!
Thank you so much for this video. Haven’t been able to find a series review that was spoiler free.
About to watch, but this timing is perfect. Just got my Storm Front ebook from the library yesterday and trying to decide if I want to start another in progress series.
Jim seems to have gotten out of his slump and we probably should expect a new Dresden book ever year, year and a half.
This series is close to an end as well. you wont have to wait many more years for a final book.
@@dbillau He had a whole lot of RL stuff going on during those 5 years (divorce, dog died, engaged, remarried, house building and moving) so I'm personally willing to give him a lot more leeway than say, GRRM or Rothfuss. He's also in the middle of another series called 'The Cinder Spires' so expect him to alternate. Dresden, Cinder Spires, Dresden, etc. That's what he did before.
@@Book_of_Grudges Wasn't he still releasing a Dresden book every year, while putting out Codex Alera books?
Personable Person yeah, I guess that’s true. For some reason I was thinking he was releasing a book a year but I guess I was I misremembered. And Codex Alera tended to be a little longer than most Dresden books too, now that I think about it.
Hi Daniel!! Just wanted to thanks you for hooking me up into Dresden Files. I have finished all the series till book 12 during quarantine. I wish I could continue but the series isn't translated in my language (Spanish). I'll have to wait if the it's come up...
(this is series in which I have laughed so much that I have to stop for a moment). Again thank you soo much
Maybe try reading in English? It's been a long time since translations came out as I've looked up, so publishers might not continue with the series.
During the first 3 minutes of this video, I was sure you were describing The Iron Druid Chronicles. These two series seem very similar except the Iron Druid is, well, a druid not a detective. Sounds very interesting.
Fantastic video! I’m on book 4 of Dresden currently and I’m loving it so far. I keep seeing people say that book 2 is considered the worst in the series and if that’s the case I’m in for a wild ride. I loved Fool Moon and each book seems to get better and better. My grandmother loves the Dresden novels as well! And she’s got great taste in novels so that’s how I knew they’d be worth reading. Besides your previous videos on Dresden and your interview with JB. SO glad I got into this series.
"It gets sort of Zen after awhile," Butters said brightly. "Life is a journey. Time is a river. The door is a jar." BEST DAMN LINE IN THE WHOLE SERIES
@ 11:00 (Jedi) Knight of the Cross Waldo Butters.
and his werewolf girlfriends...
(GO TEAM BUTTERS!)
@@NorthForkFisherman Whoa hold on there did you just hide the girlfriend(s) while just low-key spoiling the crowning moment of Skin Game in the first line of your comment? The werewolf girlfriend(s) are small potatoes compared to Butters's upgrade.
@@survivordave Can't call that a spoiler this late in the game. And let's face it...he EARNED that. And I think it was a long overdue recognition of the character's strength.
It's always the little guys that surprise the hell out of you.
I felt so much joy when I read this!
A good friend of mine got me into Dresden Files 10 years ago....became one of my favorite series to revisit when I get in a reading slump 🙂
the fact that you gave harry a hat in your drawing cracks me up
You got me into this series, so I thank you for that! I already ordered 7 books and they're on the way over, thanks for introducing us to the Magical World of Harry Dresden, Daniel!
im so glad daniel posts so often, what else would i do. also finished book 2 of WoT last night, book 3 won't come fast enough!!!
This came at the perfect time! I just picked up Storm Front today after first hearing about it when I found your channel a few weeks ago. Looking forward to the wild ride ahead.
Also, love your content man, been catching up with a bunch of your old videos, I've also put Dark Tower, Wheel of Time and Cosmere on my read list. Keep up the good work man 😊
I can totally relate to reading several books in this series in a week! :)
Absolutely love the Dresden Files books! Been half-way through the series and excited to see where it continues to go! ^^
So glad to have my bias confirmed haha. This is hands down my favorite piece of fiction, in any media!
You are the reason I even started this trek into the world of the Dresden Files. In May I will be reading Death Masks (and possibly more). I currently like the narrative, but haven’t got to the love part...yet. I’ll let you know, but I also trust you. Thank you.
Great timing on this for me. I just started Storm Front a couple days ago, and it sounds like I've stumbled onto a really good series. Awesome, and thank you for the spoiler-free breakdown!
I just finished the first book last night and immediately started Fool Moon! I think I’m really gonna love this series!
Forgot the most amazing fight scenes. Great and smart villains and barely any reliance on "plot armor". Every instance where the characters don't go for the kill has a reason for why it is, that's what I like about it a lot.
The magic system is consistent while also having the wonder of a soft magic system. I also like the fact that human weapons are just as dangerous as magic is.
Always carry a pocket full of nails. Never know when it'll come in handy
Half way through the second Dresden Files audiobooks thanks to your videos on it, as well as a couple of other youtubers. I’m absolutely loving it so far!
I’ve listened to the whole Light Bringer series as well as Third Law (and a couple of other Joe Abercrombie audiobooks) in the last couple of months and Dresden files is my favourite so far. I’m seriously loving it.
Also I would like to point out, I'm actually reading the first book and stopped to write this when I thought of it: As you said, it's definitely starting from a place of very pulpy noir fiction, and you can definitely tell.
What I'd like to point out is that in regards to people referring to how aggressively the male gaze is used and what not, I think it's important to remember that from the perspective of film noir detective fiction part of the tropes and standard style of writing involved, is that the protagonist generally describes exactly what they're seeing and thinking when they walk into a room or they meet someone. If I were to guess this comes from the general background of being mystery fiction. This *especially* applies in the first person view.
That's not necessarily an argument for inherently including a lot of sexualization in your novel by default, however I think if your protagonist is implied to be a person who cares about sex and romance it would almost be *dishonest* not to? That's just my take on it, anyways.
I'm an old-school card-carrying original NOW member feminist of the bra-burning variety. These darlings who can't handle those typical noir detectives (who seem all hardcore & womanizers but ARE NOT ) just make me want to tear my eyes out.
I loved Bogey, and I ADORE Dresden LOL
I dunno 🤷 it was a bit much for me tho, whether it was because of 1st person or what you just explained, I couldnt keep reading it but a lot of fans dont mind it tho
@@Peecamarke It backs off a whole lot later in the series when it leans away from its detectivey roots. If that's your only issue I'd warrant you give it another chance, maybe skip to some of the later titles and read summaries of the rest. It's not for everybody though so I totally understand if you don't.
@@ziodice6166 thanks for the advice! 👍🏿
Book one. Frogg demon. Naked Dresden. Love potion drugged human woman and a tiny circle they sit in. And he gets an erection. What was that you said about a "noir" and "first person perspective"?
It wouldn't be dishonest not to put so much emphasis on a man being sexually attracted to women. I would argue that he is described as "not having much time for this sort of thing" and it was apparently never his focus. It is, factually, out of character and placed there for no other reason than a fantasy. Anyway in the first book every, no matter how insignificant, female character is described as breathtakingly beautiful and after a while it feels like watching someone jrk off. It's ok you people love the book. I wish I didn't have the audiobook because I can't set it on fire. But please, don't try to defend it. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to mention the cupid's bow on the lips of every woman and the way the breasts of a corpse make a beautiful line when also writing a crime scene so disgusting that it makes the main hero puke. This is simply bad writing the book would be better for it being cut out. Harry Dresden is a creep and this character is normalising a hypersexual idea of masculinity that is so unrealistic, it's worrysome.
Jim Butcher rocks, just waiting for 'Battle Ground' to arrive! Read almost all of the Dresden 'shorts' too. Can't get enough. If you like Dresden then try out the Simon R. Greene 'Nightside' series with detective John Taylor and also the Richard Kadre 'Sandman Slim' series. You will not regret it!
I sat down at Barnes&Noble with a coffee and Cold Days at about 3:pm then I heard the anoucment on the PA "it's now 9:45 and B&N will be closeing in 15 mins." and I never took a single sip of coffee!!!!
I'm just a couple of chapters into the first book, due to you suggesting it so often. So this video came out at the perfect time for me!
And be warned. If you read this series be prepared for a solid punch in the feels on a regular basis.
Well, now I know what I'm gonna read this weekend. Thanks Daniel! 😊
Have you read the short-stories? The Bigfoot is a "pretty cool guy" in there.
I started this series on audiobook on monday. Currently on book 2 and I'm absolutely loving it.
Listened to the Stormfront audiobook not long ago. It was a fairly good book, not sure if I'll continue, but if I do I'll certainly be sticking to the audiobook. James Marsters IS Harry Dresden. They could not have found a better narrator for this series.
Stormfront is by far the weakest!
Oh, you'll love it then. FIrst few books are of pretty poor quality (both sound quality, editing and direction are not good), also Marsters learns on the job more and more, and he's fantastic in later books. Common advice among Dresden fans for a new readers who finished reading the series to relisten to it because Marsters brings a lot to the table.
The series picks up rather quickly. I'd say that book 2 still suffers some of the early kinks of book 1, but the supernatural threat is more interesting and is used in a more imaginative manner.
Two things
1. Thanks for this. I was on the fence regarding the Dresden Files, even after your recent reviews, but this video really gave me that final nudge I needed to move forward with the series.
2. Are the drawing animations you? Because if so, please do more of those in the future to help make your point, it was the right break up of levity and focus needed to keep my attention drawn to the video instead of just listening in the background.
I don't think there's any series besides the wheel of time or stormlight that daniel has ever been THIS addicted to before XD
I'm a huge fan of the supernatural series so this is right up my alley can't wait to start reading!
you know Jim Butcher also wrote the Codex Alera. just saying...
How good is that? I might catch up to Dresden by May end and would need a new series to start.
It is not as dark as Dresden. But man it has incredible Battles...
@@killjoy004 In term of high fantasy, it is one of my personal favorite. I actually read it before the Dresden files and fell in love with Jim's excellent writing there. That was the first time I felt that rush to always keep reading thanks to the fast pacing of his writing. Most of the characters are well developed across the series (albeit not quite to the level of the Dresden files) and the world is very interesting, taking a lot of inspiration from Roman culture. Final good point: the series is finished and you can get all of them ! ;-)
@@tomdeboerio3639 My only dislike of Codex Alera is towards the end. I don't like swarm-type enemies at all (even if Jim Butcher still kept the strategy and cunning aspects of large scale war).
Also, it's one of the few books where I wish there was more romance. Kitai and Tavi were really cool.
@@LightningRaven42 I completely hear that ! The last book lost a little of its "smart" with the escalation of power. On my side, I was already so in love with the characters that it didn't matter too much since I wanted to know more. I think my personal favorites however are the ones with the First Aleran (T3 and T4 if I remember correctly - T3 especially with the bridge defense). The introduction of that level of strategy was really surprising and amazing !
Thank you for covering this book series. It's one of my favorite series and I enjoy hearing your thoughts on it. And you pretty much nail it on the head, is that while there are some average books in the series what makes up for it is the characters. If I could describe any set of books as "Roller coaster" it would be The Dresden files.
I also heartily recommend the Cinder Spires book that's out, especially if you like cats.
Seriously, best cats ever.
I finally bugged Daniel into starting that one on the last livestream. It's a little longer than the average dresden book though, and he's reading a bunch of other books too, so who knows when we'll hear about it again.
I just finished Storm Front today, actually. It combined my two favorite things in stories: the supernatural and a mystery style plot. I cannot wait to read more (actually I already started the next. . .)
He didn't give Molly the One Woman Rave.........
Sad day
Your illustrations in this video make it one of my favorite videos on your channel!
PS: Daniel, I warned you that when you got to the end of the current run of books, you would have some sympathy for Mab. (not too much, she still scares the hell out of me). Was I right?
As a random voice from the internet, you're right. It's like being terrified of a rainstorm. It's a force of nature, but has purpose
I was recommended The Dresden files some years ago while switching up genres. I happen to love Fiction and Sci-Fi so I wasn't opposed to giving these books a go. For no explainable reason I stated off with Cold Days (I think the reason was they didn't have all of the books on hand) and I was blown away. I've finally, years later, decided to start from the beginning. I am now reading Storm Front and was quite surprised that Dresden came into the picture as a wizard. It's been a slow read so far but I feel starting from the beginning is going to be worth getting to Dead Beat, Cold Days etc, again! Great video for people trying to decide if they want to dive into Dresden because so many people put the books down before they get into gut of the series.
Side bar: I don't think any avid reader truly gets the satisfaction of a show/movie after reading the books.
Found your channel with the Jim Butcher interview a short while ago and have really been enjoying your content. You and I also share two series that we hold in very high regard those being the Wheel of Time and Dresden Files. On that note, while more horror than fantasy, another series that I've held very dear is the Necroscope series by Brian Lumley. If you haven't checked them out, I cannot recommend them highly enough.
I just happened to bump into a guy I used to work in construction with at my local library back in '05 or so. He recommended the series to me and I'm so glad he did.
I've read every book in the series - some of them 2 or 3 times, and I'll probably reread the series again before getting the newest arrivals.
(I'm also rereading Wheel of Time now, so I should probably finish that first, ha.)
Anyway, great overview of what D.F. is about. I highly recommend them to any fans of magic/ supernatural/ fairytale with a twist type stories.
I am on my fourth book. I started only five days ago. Haha.
Bought the first 12 in 2 sets of 6 books. Pretty sure I got through those in about 3 weeks. They really do read quickly. Got into this series based on your recommendation and I absolutely love it.
Will you be proceeding with your art career on this channel?
This would make the channel at least 13% cooler.
I'm officially adding this to my TBR ❤️
Wow I didnt realize the male gaze issue was such a common criticism I assumed I was like one of a few who doesn't like it. It was just a bit too much for me tho, once I realized I was trying to convince myself to keep reading (after the 10th book) I finally made the decision that writing with a male gaze this strong just wasnt for me whether its due to the pov or the writing style I dunno but hes got enough fans that dont mind it so...
I have to say, the male gaze thing has always seemed a glaring point of anachronistic character in Harry, but not in the books or the plots. He never fails to suffer for it, and the women around him regularly lambaste his chauvinisms. I had always thought it a way to bring up those issues while still appealing to an audience base which includes the vastly immature. That allows for modern commentary on many age old mythology tropes. Maybe I'm too generous, but that proto-male perspective seems necessary for the noirish feel, especially when blending with such a different genre.
I mean, I totally get that highlighting the male gaze as predjudicial thinking is passe and overdone as social commentary -- it gets boring inevitably, especially when we should have long-past learned such things -- but that's not this. This is all character study in its male narration. The tropes of the feminist narrative seem well established here and only the inevitable social conflicts seem touched upon, the root ideals of equality and human dignity seem firmly fixed. I think you may be mistaking a character voice for absence of thought in the writing. And I don't see it as a fair criticism.
@@willcool713 I don't think that this is necessary for noir at all. It feels a bit blunt and cheap. It fits into the tone and style of the book. I didnt take issue with it, but i am also not terribly enjoying it nor the series as a whole either.
Yeah sometimes the way Harry described Molly makes me want to throw up.
Thankfully I watched the TV show first so the books were a pleasant surprise. If they ever remade it though...Nathan Fillion would be an interesting pick. He could pull off the dry wit, quiet rage, and generally be a resolute trouble maker.
"Thanks to denial, im immortal!"- Fry
Highly appreciated this review since I had no idea what this series was about. I have heard of it and have ALWAYS been a huge James Marsters fan and I am now convinced I need to download this series asap on Audible 😄 Thank you!! 👍👏👏👏
"If you have heard of mythical creature it exist here". So Menninkäinen, Näkki and Iku-Turso etc. from Finnish mythology can be found from this series? Cool! /S
Maybe, the key points are "somewhere" and "in some shape".
While the idea is that folklore is true, Dresden does not interact with everything and sometimes what is described in folklore is based on a limited or flawed understanding.
Take for example Näkki. I'd assume based on similar spelling that it is a version of the swedish näcken, and there are probably tens of different versions of this being. Butcher then tries to combine the versions and add his own awesome in order to fit it into the world. I see two possibilities for näcken, one is a White Court vampire and the other more likely possibility would be a fae probably winter fae.
@@TDjerf You can in fact find a Näcken in the Dresden short story "A Fistfull of Warlocks" Don't know if it's the same thing you're talking about though.
@@Book_of_Grudges Oh yeah! The horse thingy, no it's not really näcken as described in swedish folklore ( but with fae leanings shapeshiftig it might be) näcken is usually a beautiful young boy at some stream playing music and luring girls ( and sometimes boys) to him to drown her.
I think we saw something similar one of the first times we interacted with Maeve, only it was female.
@@TDjerf since a pooka is a horse that does the same thing, maybe he combined them.
@@TDjerf Ok, you got me interested to do some research. Apparently in some regional Germanic versions they 'sometimes' appeared as horses. Also there a scandinavian creature called a bäckahäst that does the same thing but it's a horse so it looks like he combined the two. Also related to what you said before, Jenny Greenteeth is considered to be like the british version of a näcken, so maybe they're all the same creature with different shapeshifting preferences?
Daniel, I LOVE your interpretation of this. I just finish The Wheel of Time and am debating to start the dark tower vs this one. After extensivngly watching your reviews, I’m going with this one. I am a high school Sped teacher who has ADD, dislexia, a processing disorder, and has suffered through anxiety and depression. So FEEL you brother. You are so good at what you do. Therapy is life changing, meds are necessary for a period of time, love and light is what you bring. I appreciate and laugh with you and agree (usually) 100% with your perspective. Ok, this may be a lot. Your healthy mental state of addresssing support systems is game changing. Good for you. Nothing is easy. Cheers brother ☺️🙏🏻🎉👌🏻🔥