Storm Front

The Dresden Files: 1

ISBN: 0-451-45781-1 Order from: Amazon.com

A flawed but promising offering in the magical mystery sub-genre, this somewhat self-conscious novel has magic, humor, fighting and mystery.

Reviewed by David on May 21, 2000

Genre: Fantasy (Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, Demons, Magic)

Synopsis: Harry Dresden is a practicing wizard. A rare, and mostly disbelieved profession, it's irreplaceable when dealing with the occasional crime committed with seemengly supernatural means. Reluctantly used by the police, Harry becomes involved in investigation of a series of brutal slayings.

Dealing with the denizens most of us never encounter, from vampires disguised as prostitutes to elusive and non-too-bright fairies, to efficient mafiosi and officious magicians, Harry has to get to the bottom of the deadly spree—before his checking account or his lease on life runs out.

Full Review: The setting will be familiar to the fans of Tanya Huff's Blood Noun and Nancy Collins's Sonja Blue series; the Dresden Files are set in our universe, with most people unaware of the supernatural beings walking our streets.

Perhaps even closer in style, if not in setting, are the hard-boiled fantasy mysteries of Glen Cook (Garrett Files) and Laurell Hamilton (Anita Blake), to the latter of which this novel bears a strong resemblance.

While enjoyable, this novel suffers from self-conscious humor, and a roughness in the style which may be attributed to the first novel. In addition, the premise, while not common, has been used before, and requires more invention. The romantic subplot is pleasant but unexceptional.

Exciting at times, this novel sets up a foundation of series which will hopefully build on its strengths and avoid its weaknesses.

Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 4.5; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-451-45781-1 Order from: Amazon.com