Jim Butcher

The Dresden Files — (2000-2009) Jim Butcher is also producing a set of graphic novels for The Dresden Files. Publisher: Harry Dresden — Wizard. Lost items found. Paranormal investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, 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 of them don't play too 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 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.

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Backup — (2008) Publisher: Let's get something clear right up front. I'm not Harry Dresden. Harry's a wizard. A genuine, honest-to-goodness wizard. He's Gandalf on crack and an IV of Red Bull, with a big leather coat and a .44 revolver in his pocket. He'll spit in the eye of gods and demons alike if he thinks it needs to be done, and to hell with the consequences--and yet somehow my little brother manages to remain a decent human being. I'll be damned if I know how. But then, I'll be damned regardless. My name is Thomas Raith, and I'm a monster. So begins "Backup," a twelve thousand word novelette set in Jim Butcher s ultra-popular Dresden Files series. This time Harry's in trouble he knows nothing about, and it's up to his big brother Thomas to track him down and solve those little life-threatening difficulties without his little brother even noticing.

The Dresden Files

There are nine books in The Dresden Files (thus far) with more on the way.  I have read every one of them, would give each of them 3 stars, and would recommend them to anyone who enjoys this type of fantasy.

The books center on the life of Harry Blackstone Dresden who lives in modern times in Chicago, Illinois.  He is also a professional wizard/investigator. The first book, Storm Front, introduces us to the main character, several on-going supporting characters, and the basic premises of the books (e.g., how to use magic to investigate the wrongdoings of supernatural critters that exist, but not in the publics’ consciousness).

Jim Butcher’s writing leaves a little something to be desired. As the series develops, he increasingly relies on coincidence and other cheap plot devices to keep his story moving. He also glosses over inconsistencies in his universe whenever they become inconvenient for him to explain.

That said, his character development is excellent. His stories are original and engaging. And, Jim Butcher writes with the joy of a true fantasy geek. You can tell from reading his stories that he really enjoys this stuff and is not just writing for a pay check. Mr. Butcher is the only author I have been able to read more than eight books in a single series ( I am usually disgusted after book five of any series with most authors, see Terry Goodkind).

This is not great writing, but it is a hell of a lot of fun. —W.D.   Comments

Stormfront: Surprisingly good beginning

Stormfront is good. And as first books go, this was darned good. I doubt that Jim Butcher would try to pass himself off as a keen turner of phrases, and much that is here has been seen before (and presented better). For example, part of the magic in the book is predicated on knowing another entity's true name. Ursula K. LeGuin wasn't the first fantasy author to use that idea, but she used it so uniquely that anyone following her example should tiptoe and do their best to avoid any comparison. (Christopher Paolini could use a bit of that advice. He does not tiptoe; He TRODS.)

I honestly expected to dislike Stormfront but I bought it on a whim and — surprise! — I enjoyed it.

There were characters I'd seen before and "Magics" I'd seen before, but Butcher did something innovative with all of this. He made Henry Dresden, a wizard who lived in Chicago and advertised himself in the yellow pages, REAL.

OK — sure, Henry was a gumshoe, and much of the book read like a nod to a noir detective story, but Stormfront is a detective story merged with the sci-fi/fantasy genre. And while the clichés flew as frequently as burps after a beer bong, I really didn't mind.

Teethed on Tolkien, and fouled on his imitators, I hold the bar high. Fantasy needs to make sense, on every level, before I will give it a pass. Stormfront, for the most part, works. —Todd   Comments
adapted from a review originally published 5/2007

Small Favor

How does a pragmatic Chicago wizard take on one of the most powerful Fallen angels? It is this question which drives the action-packed Small Favor, the continuing adventures of Harry Dresden, modern wizard, and his host of friends as they take on the evil forces of Nicodemus and his wife Tessa. Forced by Queen Mab to fulfill one of the favors he owes her, Dresden comes up against the very creatures that have nearly killed him before, namely, the Fallen. Meantime, Titania, Queen of Summer, has ordered a hit on Harry, and her agents keep showing up at the most inopportune times.

Harry is a sardonic character, usually shooting his mouth off when he is in danger. But it seems to work for him as he escapes one trap after another. Although the marketing people have called The Dresden Files a fantasy/mystery blend this particular novel is less mystery and more of a spy novel. Harry is a rough amalgam of James Bond and Jason Bourne, with a bit of Jack Ryan thrown in. He is loyal to his friends, deadly to his enemies, and for one reason or another, always in trouble with someone.

Small Favor is enjoyable. There are few plot twists, and even though this is the eleventh novel of the Dresden Files, as someone who had never read any Jim Butcher before, it was relatively easy for me to pick up. The story moves from action to action, with only a few pauses for introspection, rest, and even a little romance. Perhaps the most difficult part of reading a series so well-established was the references to past occurrences, and the introduction of characters whose background had been established in previous books. However, to recreate the backgrounds of some of the characters (Harry’s brother Thomas and his situation is still something of a mystery to me) would have unnecessarily slowed down the story. So as reader, I just picked up what I could, and enjoyed the story’s action otherwise.

Butcher’s writing is straightforward. He doesn’t delve into linguistic flourishes, or spend overmuch time on the setting. He doesn’t have to, as it is relatively easy for a reader to imagine a modern city like Chicago, whether or not we have actually been there. This is a novel that is read for entertainment purposes, something best read on the plane, the train, or a rainy afternoon.

Of particular interest to me, as a religious person, was Butcher’s integration of the Catholic faith into the story. Two of his characters are Knights of the Cross, who carry swords designed to fight evil, but whereas other writers of urban fantasy often use this as an opportunity to denigrate faith and elevate reason, Butcher instead gives faith a fair shake. Harry respects the Knight of the Cross (one of them is a good friend) and although he doesn’t understand their beliefs, he respects them. This is rare in the paranormal/urban fantasy subgenre, where such characters either end up being evil, stupid, or an object of ridicule. Not in Small Favor, and my respect for Butcher as writer rose, especially when at a critical moment in which Harry finds himself wrestling with the issue of a good God allowing bad things to happen, Butcher doesn’t have his character simply write God off as a masochist. It’s nice to see faith having real power in a paranormal/urban fantasy novel.

I recommend this novel as one the best of the few paranormal/urban fantasy novels I have read. It’s right up there with Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere in creativity, even if its quality is a little lower. Butcher writes an entertaining tale, easily picked up and enjoyed. If you’re looking for an easy, sit-on-the-couch-and-eat-chips book for a Sunday afternoon, Jim Butcher's Small Favor is a good way to go. —J.O.   Comments
FanLit thanks John Ottinger III from Grasping for the Wind for contributing this guest review.