Let me tell you about a Wizard Named Harry.
Harry has had a Hard Life, Raised by a Evil Uncle as his parents weren’t in the picture.
The Thing about Harry is… Well, the World has it out for him, and everything is against him. With seventeen books, and two short story books, and more to come, you cannot help but get caught up in his tale.
Wait this isn’t the Harry you thought I was going to talk about?
Yeah, I’m talking about Mr. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Written by Jim Butcher, Published by Roc Books, this first person narrative, whilst a great read, thrives in its Audio Book format, narrated by James Masters… who is also a fan of the series.
Onto the first book in this EPIC series.
Storm Front
To begin with, the first two books in this franchise are similar to a TV pilot, where they’re feeling out the world and getting their feet. The book itself is a decent story, don’t get me wrong, but as the series progresses the writing improves tenfold, and you get lost in this world. Additionally with Storm Front, I’ve purchased copies of this book three times, as the first volume has been stolen from me twice, as well as there being comic book adaptations.
That said, I love this series, even if it runs on a scale story format: Throw Down, Big Challenge, Setback, Overcome and Succeed. The Format works, and the story and world created here is great.
How Magic Works
There is a Cost to Magic and Power,
It’s not as simple as "read the most powerful spells and learn the best spells", everything has a price. As a Wizard gets more powerful, there are penalties. The main premise here is: Harry can’t use a computer (don’t ask me how he has a twitter account), he doesn’t have a Mobile Phone, and his Landline service (which would need to still be on a copper based network only works half the time, as it’s interrupted. The only time Harry can enjoy a movie is at a Drive In in his beat up blue Beetle (that isn’t really blue anymore).
All Wizards presently emit an anti-technology field, so the technology we take for granted is a pipe dream for a Wizard (Some Practitioners can use Technology… but they’re weaker on the Magic scale… Or other forces are in work).
With that in mind, there are many references to how to live in a technology filled world as a Practitioner.
With Spellcraft, it’s a matter of intent for ingredients.
With Alchemy, taking an excerpt from the Dresden Wiki:
“The love potion was made in a base of tequila. Three ounces of dark chocolate was added for taste, and a drop of perfume for smell. An ounce of shredded lace (touch), the last sigh at the bottom of the glass jar (hearing) and some candlelight (sight) made the mix take on a rosy golden glow. The ashes of a passionate love letter were added for heart and a fifty dollar bill completed the recipe for the mind. Although a teaspoon of crushed diamond would also do.” 1
Whilst that is a closer look into the writing, "Storm Front" fundamentally changed the landscape of urban fantasy. Its unique blend of crime, mystery, and fantasy paved the way for subsequent series that explored similar themes and character archetypes. Authors such as Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series) and Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson series) cite Butcher as an influence, further illustrating his role in shaping modern fantasy literature.
Additionally, the book's success led to various adaptations, including a short-lived television series in 2007 that sought to bring Dresden's adventures to the small screen. While the show diverged significantly from the source material, it exemplified the interest and investment in Butcher's world and characters, highlighting the transcendent appeal of his storytelling. Although it’s not a great watch when you are a fan of the franchise. It’s not as bad as other TV adaptations, but it is skippable.
Moreover, Harry Dresden himself has become a cultural touchstone within geek culture, with references appearing in gaming (like tabletop RPGs), podcasts, cosplay, and fan fiction. The character embodies traits admired in pop culture heroes: resilience, loyalty, and a fierce sense of justice, appealing to a wide audience and garnering a devoted fan base.
"Storm Front" is not just a compelling entry in the urban fantasy genre but also an influential text that has impacted the narrative structure and character archetypes in popular media.
Jim Butcher’s masterful blend of humor, suspense, and magic creates an inviting and engaging world that invites readers to continue exploring the adventures of Harry Dresden.
This first novel in The Dresden Files sets the stage for a series that has become a cornerstone of contemporary fantasy literature, showcasing the power of creative storytelling to resonate across cultures and mediums.
As the series progresses, readers will see the evolution of Dresden's character and the expansion of Butcher's richly woven universe, making "Storm Front" not just an introduction, but a valuable piece of a larger narrative tapestry.
If you would like to purchase the book, it's available on Kindle here: https://amzn.to/3MvOY3e
Paperback versions of the book appear to be quite pricey, so alternatively a collection of the first five books was released back in 2021 and is far better value, which you can pick up here: https://amzn.to/4g8qWcb
Reference 1 - https://dresdenfiles.fandom.com/wiki/Alchemy
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files Audio Book Narrator: James Masters
Rating:
Storm Front: 7/10
Dresden Files: 9/10
Additional Recommendation: The Audio Books are Great. If you’re on the go I highly recommend them.
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