Butcher, Jim -- The Dresden Files - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Highlander II · 30th July 2002, 09:57 PM

The Dresden Files

Harry Dresden - the country's only publicly practicing wizard... he's in the book, under "WIZARDS" --

Quote:

Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment

excerpt from "Storm Front"

Chicago's got a reputation (what city doesn't), but maybe there's more than meets the eye... Well, there is if you ask Harry Dresden. He's on retainer w/ the Special Investigations team of the Chicago PD, and they've seen some pretty strange stuff.

Book One of "The Dresden Files" is "Storm Front". Harry is called in to help investigate two unusual murders and finds himself at the business end of some dark magic.

Analise · 9th August 2002, 02:28 AM

innnnteresting, might need to read this.

~ana

Highlander II · 9th August 2002, 11:48 PM

You should

-- or you can order the audiobook, as read by James Marsters, from http://www.mediafans.com --

There is a site here for fans to either learn more about the author or the books, or for those who aren't fans yet, but might be interested. There is also a mailing list, that (if I read correctly) Jim Butcher is a member and regular poster to.

the 4 books, so far, in the series are:

Storm Front
Fool Moon
Grave Peril
Summer Knight

The fourth book hasn't released yet, it's due out either late this month or early next.

Jim Butcher has also posted at the JamesMarsters.com message board about Storm Front and James Marsters reading it for the audiobook.

Man, that's a lot of info. Anything else you want to know about? Story synopses, reviews? Let me know - and I'll do what I can.

Highlander II · 2nd September 2002, 05:36 AM

"Summer Knight" is in bookstores now.

I think the official release date is 3 Sept (or it was 28 Aug - not sure) --

It's a wonderful book - further delving into the life of Harry Dresden --

Once I get back from Gatecon, I might be able to jot down some reviews --

ray gower · 2nd September 2002, 05:34 PM

I've seen these books in the bookshop. Didn't bother with them as the intro suggested something like Dirk Gently, Holistic Detective- i.e. tries to be funny but not succeeding.

Is this the case, or am I missing something?

Highlander II · 3rd September 2002, 11:21 PM

No - that's not the case at all!

Honestly, I'll tell you, when I read a brief description of the first book - Storm Front and saw that the main character's name was "Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden" - I was a little anxious about buying the Audiobook, thinking that this guy had the corniest name ever for a character. But, as I love to listen to James Marsters talk, I bought the audiobook, eagerly awaited it's arrival, tossed in the first CD and was totally hooked w/ the very first paragraph.

And, if it's the character's name throwing you off, don't worry - there's a reason that he's named that, and it makes a bit of sense once you get into the book.

Harry Dresden is a very 'human' character - he's flawed, but has noble traits also. The combination of the two give you a realistic character (in a fantasy world, of course) that you find yourself concerned about as you read. You care about what happens to him, if he's injured, if his magic will work, if he's done something really wrong... and by the end of the first book, you're dying to know what happens to him in the next one --

Here you can find Sample Chapters from Storm Front.

I'm really picky about the books I read. I usually give 'em about 50 - 100 pages (depending on the length of the book), then if there's nothing of interest, I stop and move to a new book.

Storm Front and the others all take place in an 'alternate Chicago'. Harry Dresden is a wizard. Not a stage magician w/ rabbits in his hat and pigeons up his sleeves, he's a wizard. And as a wizard, he is governed by a body known as the White Council, and there are 'laws' of magic that all the wizards must follow.

And, IMO, I think Harry is funny and snarky and so many other things. The books aren't 'funny' and I don't think that was Jim Butcher's intention. The titles, however, are 'pun intended' and once you start reading, you do understand that the titles mean more than just 'naming the book'.

This is probably much more than you wanted, but it is my current obsession, tho, slightly tapered off as I've read all 4 books and the next one isn't due out for quite some time, IIRC. So, I think I'll stop now...

ray gower · 3rd September 2002, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Highlander II
This is probably much more than you wanted, but it is my current obsession, tho, slightly tapered off as I've read all 4 books and the next one isn't due out for quite some time, IIRC. So, I think I'll stop now...

Not at all

Think this is what this forum is about. Learning what we might be facing if we pick up a book.
Your assessment is first rate.

I'll put the books on my list for obtaining. Thanks!

Highlander II · 18th October 2002, 09:25 PM

Storm Front --

Book one of The Dresden Files -

We meet Harry Dresden, wizard, he's the only one in the phone book, oddly enough

, but he enjoys his work, though he's definitely NOT in it for the money. He lives in a humble apartment in the basement of an old rooming house with his very large cat, Mister. And, as wizards have an adverse affect on electronics, he has none - well, none that work anyway - except the telephone, and even that is sporatic.

Sitting in his office, he gets a phone call from a distraught woman whose husband has apparently gone missing and she's considering asking Harry to find him. Then, he gets another call from Det. Karrin Murphy about 2 bodies in a hotel room... and Harry's on the job!

Don't really wanna tell you much more b/c, as it's a murder mystery, much more than this would spoil the story!

However - here's a small snippet:

Quote:

Have you ever been approached by a grim-looking man carrying a naked sword with a blade about ten miles long in his hand, in the middle of the night, beneath the stars on the shores of Lake Michigan? If you have, seek professional help. If you have not, then believe me, it can scare the bejeezus out of you.

If you want to know more -- grab a copy of the book and give it a read! I'm wicked w/ teasers! :evil:

Highlander II · 13th December 2002, 03:52 PM

Fool Moon -- book two of The Dresden Files -

Harry is approached by an on-again/off-again apprentice who is asking about some symbols. He refuses to tell her 'for her own good' and soon realizes that he might have made a mistake...

<insert ominous music>

Harry is now looking for a murderer... one who is very brutal, larger than most men, and leaves paw prints behind...

Grab the book to find out who... or what... the murderer is and how Harry solves the case!

Highlander II · 31st December 2002, 10:49 PM

Grave Peril -- book three of The Dresden Files

Once again, our fave wizard has gotten himself into a tangle or two.

Someone or something's stirred up the spirit world and ghosts are having a party the 'big bad boo' way - keeping Harry on his toes and nose-deep in trouble (what else is new?

)

It's a wild ride for Harry and his friend Michael Carpenter --

How do they get out of this one??

Highlander II · 26th March 2003, 03:56 PM

Book Five of the Dresden Files - Death Masks is due to release in August!

Plus, IIRC, there are 3 more Dresden books on the way after that! Not to mention, Ace just bought Jim Butcher's fantasy series, for which he's already penned 3 novels, so, there's tons of Jim Butcher coming to bookshelves! woohoo!!

Numfar - do the dance of joy! yes, again!

Highlander II · 17th April 2003, 09:12 PM

Next in the Dresden announcements --

Fool Moon will be released on audiobook, read by James Marsters, sometime this year - probably around August / September 2003 (right around DragonCon time) --

WOOHOO!!! More audio! yeah!!

bibliosylph · 4th July 2003, 02:12 AM

well i just finished Storm Front and enjoyed it very much. it's not highbrow literature, which i admit a fondness for, (though not all the time of course!) but smart fun, with a few neat tricks and quirky twists. i am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and also looking forward to hearing the audio book narrated by James Marsters. now that i've read the book, it's easy to imagine how well he'll capture Harry's voice. being able to "hear" the characters as i read is very important to me.

Highlander II · 15th July 2003, 08:27 PM

Even more --- Jim Butcher will be at ShevaCon in Roanoke, VA in February 2004 -- (I'll post a link to the Con's site when they've updated it a bit more) --

ETA: ShevaCon Website

Yes - I'm going to this! It's one of the only Con's I've ever heard of that is anywhere NEAR me (ie: I can drive there w/o needing to stop more than once) -- so, I'm going!

No to mention - JIM BUTCHER! I mean, come on - why not go??

ray gower · 15th July 2003, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Highlander II
No to mention - JIM BUTCHER! I mean, come on - why not go??

Hope he don't prove to be a big disapointment to you

Only author I know personally finds it difficult to string two understandable words together when speaking

31st December 2002, 10:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	Grave Peril Grave Peril -- book three of The Dresden Files Once again, our fave wizard has gotten himself into a tangle or two. Someone or something's stirred up the spirit world and ghosts are having a party the 'big bad boo' way - keeping Harry on his toes and nose-deep in trouble (what else is new? ) It's a wild ride for Harry and his friend Michael Carpenter -- How do they get out of this one??

26th March 2003, 03:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	Announcement -- Book Five of the Dresden Files - Death Masks is due to release in August! Plus, IIRC, there are 3 more Dresden books on the way after that! Not to mention, Ace just bought Jim Butcher's fantasy series, for which he's already penned 3 novels, so, there's tons of Jim Butcher coming to bookshelves! woohoo!! Numfar - do the dance of joy! yes, again!

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9th August 2002, 02:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Analise Blondishness Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 590	innnnteresting, might need to read this. ~ana

9th August 2002, 11:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	You should -- or you can order the audiobook, as read by James Marsters, from http://www.mediafans.com -- There is a site here for fans to either learn more about the author or the books, or for those who aren't fans yet, but might be interested. There is also a mailing list, that (if I read correctly) Jim Butcher is a member and regular poster to. the 4 books, so far, in the series are: Storm Front Fool Moon Grave Peril Summer Knight The fourth book hasn't released yet, it's due out either late this month or early next. Jim Butcher has also posted at the JamesMarsters.com message board about Storm Front and James Marsters reading it for the audiobook. Man, that's a lot of info. Anything else you want to know about? Story synopses, reviews? Let me know - and I'll do what I can.

2nd September 2002, 05:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	"Summer Knight" is in bookstores now. I think the official release date is 3 Sept (or it was 28 Aug - not sure) -- It's a wonderful book - further delving into the life of Harry Dresden -- Once I get back from Gatecon, I might be able to jot down some reviews --

2nd September 2002, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,610	I've seen these books in the bookshop. Didn't bother with them as the intro suggested something like Dirk Gently, Holistic Detective- i.e. tries to be funny but not succeeding. Is this the case, or am I missing something?

3rd September 2002, 11:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	No - that's not the case at all! Honestly, I'll tell you, when I read a brief description of the first book - Storm Front and saw that the main character's name was "Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden" - I was a little anxious about buying the Audiobook, thinking that this guy had the corniest name ever for a character. But, as I love to listen to James Marsters talk, I bought the audiobook, eagerly awaited it's arrival, tossed in the first CD and was totally hooked w/ the very first paragraph. And, if it's the character's name throwing you off, don't worry - there's a reason that he's named that, and it makes a bit of sense once you get into the book. Harry Dresden is a very 'human' character - he's flawed, but has noble traits also. The combination of the two give you a realistic character (in a fantasy world, of course) that you find yourself concerned about as you read. You care about what happens to him, if he's injured, if his magic will work, if he's done something really wrong... and by the end of the first book, you're dying to know what happens to him in the next one -- Here you can find Sample Chapters from Storm Front. I'm really picky about the books I read. I usually give 'em about 50 - 100 pages (depending on the length of the book), then if there's nothing of interest, I stop and move to a new book. Storm Front and the others all take place in an 'alternate Chicago'. Harry Dresden is a wizard. Not a stage magician w/ rabbits in his hat and pigeons up his sleeves, he's a wizard. And as a wizard, he is governed by a body known as the White Council, and there are 'laws' of magic that all the wizards must follow. And, IMO, I think Harry is funny and snarky and so many other things. The books aren't 'funny' and I don't think that was Jim Butcher's intention. The titles, however, are 'pun intended' and once you start reading, you do understand that the titles mean more than just 'naming the book'. This is probably much more than you wanted, but it is my current obsession, tho, slightly tapered off as I've read all 4 books and the next one isn't due out for quite some time, IIRC. So, I think I'll stop now...

13th December 2002, 03:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	*Fool Moon* -- book two of The Dresden Files - Harry is approached by an on-again/off-again apprentice who is asking about some symbols. He refuses to tell her 'for her own good' and soon realizes that he might have made a mistake... <insert ominous music> Harry is now looking for a murderer... one who is very brutal, larger than most men, and leaves paw prints behind... Grab the book to find out who... or what... the murderer is and how Harry solves the case!

17th April 2003, 09:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	Next in the Dresden announcements -- *Fool Moon* will be released on audiobook, read by James Marsters, sometime this year - probably around August / September 2003 (right around DragonCon time) -- WOOHOO!!! More audio! yeah!!

4th July 2003, 02:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
bibliosylph utterly shame-free Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 66	well i just finished Storm Front and enjoyed it very much. it's not highbrow literature, which i admit a fondness for, (though not all the time of course!) but smart fun, with a few neat tricks and quirky twists. i am looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and also looking forward to hearing the audio book narrated by James Marsters. now that i've read the book, it's easy to imagine how well he'll capture Harry's voice. being able to "hear" the characters as i read is very important to me.

15th July 2003, 08:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
Highlander II There can be only one!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,630	Even more --- Jim Butcher will be at ShevaCon in Roanoke, VA in February 2004 -- (I'll post a link to the Con's site when they've updated it a bit more) -- ETA: ShevaCon Website Yes - I'm going to this! It's one of the only Con's I've ever heard of that is anywhere NEAR me (ie: I can drive there w/o needing to stop more than once) -- so, I'm going! No to mention - JIM BUTCHER! I mean, come on - why not go??