Dresden Files Books newbie Discussion

[rol7805]

I really enjoyed the show, and just recently began the series. I'm starting the third one now. They're very light reading that I tear through quickly. I kind of consider them my literary candy. The series is a lot of fun. I've never read much detective noir but what I know of it Butcher captures the essence well.

[Tansy]

I've just ordered books 2 and 3 so I'm trusting you guys here

[Connavar]

Three totaly new Harry Dresden fans in a row nice see im not alone in chrons discovering this series.

Literary candy for sure its one of few fantasy books i usually finish in 24/7 reading session.

Light reading i would say only because of the pace. These kind of books urban fantasy or Noir books cant have uber slow pace. It must be lean,sparse and to the point.


What do you guys think about Bob ? I found him so fun and interesting. When he is serious he sounds like the spirit of an old wizard with his huge knowledge and when he is playing he is so funny

[Tansy]

I love Bob

He knows a lot more than he lets on as well I knew when he asked Harry to make a love potion he knew exactly who would drink it and when

[Highlander II]

There are theories running around some Dresden communities that Marcone may *not* be human, but we won't know for sure until Jim tells us. =)

Bob - gotta love Bob. From what Jim's told us, Bob was a 'thumb the nose' at his writing instructor in college who told him not to have 'talking heads' in the story (essentially a random character put in place to dole out expositional dumps). Bob was his way of skirting that rule, but filling a huge space where he would've been left with Harry having to muse to himself about rules of magic. It's far more fun to have Harry be sort of the 'slightly-below-average' student w/ lots of power and not so much book learnin'.

As for the 'light reading' - only on the first trip through! Granted, my last trip through all the books, I was taking notes like crazy, but the rereads aren't nearly as fast, esp'ly if you've read further on in the series, b/c you start picking up things. *eg*

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by Highlander II

Bob - gotta love Bob. From what Jim's told us, Bob was a 'thumb the nose' at his writing instructor in college who told him not to have 'talking heads' in the story (essentially a random character put in place to dole out expositional dumps). Bob was his way of skirting that rule, but filling a huge space where he would've been left with Harry having to muse to himself about rules of magic. It's far more fun to have Harry be sort of the 'slightly-below-average' student w/ lots of power and not so much book learnin'.

Thats very smart of JB.

I like that Harry needs Bob for many things, he knows alot more than Harry. Also it would not half as fun reading Harry talk to himself about that kind of knowledge and learn things on randomly or too fast and become too competent. Which he isnt when he needs Bob for certain things.

The bonus is Bob has all his fun when he is in the lab with Harry. His fetish for trashy romance novels and his drive to go out and be sex crazed is so funny

I hope like the second book Harry makes potions for his "missions" with Bob again that was interesting. Made it more interesting to read Harry in magic battles

[Highlander II]

The thing about potions - they're really useful, but they're expensive, slow and costly. That last referring to the magical energy required to make the potion work.

They're a lot of fun in the books though. =)

And Bob is the best 'talking head' ever. The cool part is that he was given personality and has more to do than just spout info.

[catseyekitty]

*huggles Bob* I love everything about the guy.... not many people could imagine living in a skull with a mind full of knowledge and skill have a sense of humor. Not to mention the name....Bob is a real kicker. I hear the name and I want to laugh...there's only two names in the world that have that power. Bob and Pepito. But more important, the bits of personality reveal a lighter side to intellects.... oh, and the whole mixup with the love potion due to Bob was priceless...

[Tansy]

Reading Fool Moon now and loving it, I think old Harry is growing on me

Have Grave Peril to read next

[Ice fyre]

I'm perhaps a bit ahead here I've read first five books, and enjotyed em all. Harry is a great charicter who grows roots and deepens as the novels progress. I love his sense of humour (in a later book he attends a high council of magic wearing a toweling bathrobe....."what... it gets cold down in my lab!" I skipped on by accident and have read book seven so am going to have to get on and read the others!

[Highlander II]

One of the things I really love about the Dresden Files is the mix of the noir genre and the fantasy world w/ a tweak of comedy to make it all come together.

[Connavar]

The comedy is nice for this kind of fantasy.

In Grave Peril i had a big grin and was chuckling like a fool that my family wondered what the heck he is reading thats so funny. It was because of the costume he showed up in the masquerade ball

[Highlander II]

Oh yes - his costume is priceless!

There are lots of great moments in the stories. And Harry has some good zinging one-liners too!

[Tansy]

Read Grave Pewril as well last night - was up till 3.30 am, well lying in bed. Suffered for it this morning. The more of these I read the more I like them

[Highlander II]

I have that problem too-- you just can't put them down once you get started on 'em!