When magic and detective fiction collide

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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I finally got around to reading one of my husband's highly recommended books: the first book of the Dresden Files - STORM FRONT by Jim Butcher. We have some overlapping tastes like most of Lackey's and McCaffrey's books (and Harry Potter, go figure), but even though we're both big SF/F fans, we have widely different preferences within spec fic. Well, last night I was browsing through our newly reorganized book collection (with my flashlight since the power had gone out thanks to high winds), and I decided to grab something different.

By the end of the first chapter I was hooked. "Paranoid? Probably. But just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face." The voice is incredible. I really felt sorry for Harry while he's trying to work with a police contact, keep a gangster from sending his thugs after him, figure out who is cooking up the new drug on the streets (to help with point 2), not reveal anything to a sexy reporter, solve a grisly set of murders caused by magic, and not take the rap for it by the police as well as the White Council and a biased Warden. Oh yeah, and not get killed before the Council even meets to put him on trial. What's a nearly broke wizard to do? Keep moving of course. And have a little faith that he's the good guy.

I really liked the combination of magic in a contemporary world with an old fashioned detective sort of novel. I've been reading more mysteries lately, for variety, and this was well done in more than just voice. The mystery kept me guessing but all of Harry's thoughts made sense as he worked out what was going on and how it all connected. I give this book 5 stars.

As for my ROW 80 goals, I haven't been as on track as I'd like.
Writing 100 words every day: Wed, Sun, Mon - no; Thurs, Fri, Sat, Tues - yes
Exercising 10 mins a day: Wed, Thurs, Sun - yes; Fri, Sat, Mon, Tues - no
New book for the week: yes a few times :D

I haven't counted today for yes or no yet, but I'm going to get on that soon. Dresden tied up my morning.

8 comments:

Jenny said...

Ack another person recommending this book! It's on my 'To Read' list. It sounds like I'll have to move it up a few notches.

Anonymous said...

I'll have to check that one out. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Not bad at all. Don't let Dresden suck you in too deep ;)

Yolanda Early said...

I so love Harry Dresden. I have a Jim Butcher omnibus with three novels in it. Good stuff. Glad things are moving along for you, even if not at the pace you'd like.

dolorah said...

I think this is on my TBr pile; I'll have to go check. If not, it will be now.

that was an excellent review. I can't wait to read it now.

.......dhole

Lisa Rose said...

That sounds really good! I'll definitely have to put it on my list. You hit your goals about half way, that's not too bad for a week when you were reading an awesome book :P

Good luck on the rest of the week!

Jaleh D said...

Those who haven't read it yet, I think you'll enjoy it. When I told my husband I loved it, he gave the smart-alecky response of "I told you so." But in this case, he was right. ;D

Anonymous said...

A mixed bag on your progress, but I think it still looks good. My husband enjoyed the Dresden Files, and I think he's read all of them now. He never suggested I read them, though. I don't know why. Maybe I should have picked one up! Best wishes for a great rest of the week!

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