A blog about writing, demons, vampires, spirituality and life through the eyes of an Urban Fantasy and Horror author
Showing posts with label Jim Butcher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jim Butcher. Show all posts
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Dresden Revisited
A year and a half ago I wrote a post about my enjoyment of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Now I can say I've worked my way through all the books. I finished "Cold Days" during the holidays. It took me two days and I want more.
Over the course of the books, you really see all the characters grow, and sometimes in not good ways. The events that happen really have effects on them. But the book that really made this evident was "Changes." After what took place, Harry's life, hell, life around the world would not be the same. Harry can't go back to living in his basement apartment with his cat. But you also see how "Changes" really affected those around him like Murphy and Molly. Both were irrevocably scarred from losing Harry and now that he's back, things aren't the same. And I love that.
In a lot of Urban Fantasy series, I see the following: solve mystery/defeat monster of the book/have same relationship argument/gain more power/but don't change as a character. It kind of gets boring. That's one of the reasons I like the Dresden series so much. It shakes things up to the core.
Don't get me wrong, Butcher does have a few writing quirks I don't like. For instance, in some part when Harry goes off on a tangent about something I can see Butcher putting himself in the books. Still, I love the story and that's what matters.
So, which series do you love and why?
Friday, May 27, 2011
The Wizard Dresden
So, I'm currently reader the Dresden Files. I know, I'm behind the times and I'm taking a break from my reading challenge. (I've finished two on the Challenge list so far). However, I'm really liking Jim Butcher's series.
First, I love magic in modern times. So, reading about a kick-ass wizard in modern day is like candy for me, especially chocolate. I really connect with Harry, too. Yes he can be a self-righteous prick, but he tries to do what is best for the people he cares about, even if it may kill him. He is very human to me. Plus, I like stories about character with lots of power fighting high powered adversaries.
His monsters are monsters. Yes, they pretend to be human at times, but in the end they don't understand human emotions and some don't care to even try. Harry noted this about Mab, in Summer Knight. I have a problem with a majority of Urban Fantasy humanizing a lot of supernatural creatures as of late. It good to see some books don't follow that trend.
It reminds me a lot of the early Anita Blake books, which I loved in my teenage years. All in all, if you have not read them I highly suggest these books.
First, I love magic in modern times. So, reading about a kick-ass wizard in modern day is like candy for me, especially chocolate. I really connect with Harry, too. Yes he can be a self-righteous prick, but he tries to do what is best for the people he cares about, even if it may kill him. He is very human to me. Plus, I like stories about character with lots of power fighting high powered adversaries.
His monsters are monsters. Yes, they pretend to be human at times, but in the end they don't understand human emotions and some don't care to even try. Harry noted this about Mab, in Summer Knight. I have a problem with a majority of Urban Fantasy humanizing a lot of supernatural creatures as of late. It good to see some books don't follow that trend.
It reminds me a lot of the early Anita Blake books, which I loved in my teenage years. All in all, if you have not read them I highly suggest these books.
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