Throwback Review – Storm Front by Jim Butcher –

Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #1
on April 1st, 2000
Genres: Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy
Goodreads

Harry Dresden -- Wizard

Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

Storm Front was released way back in 2000 and to be 100% honest I had no idea the series existed until my coworker, who overheard me gushing about books, brought Storm Front in for me to read. And you know what? I seriously dug it! I loved the plot, the characters and the world. I didn’t know what I was expecting going in but once I finished I was pleasantly surprised.  The story starts with Harry, a wizard PI (yes that’s right) receiving more work than one kick ass wizard can chew. Right off the back I knew I was going to like Harry. He was sarcastic, realistic, and above all else he was funny as all hell! I get bored with the typical “I’m powerful and amazing and I fear nothing” magical folks; or even the “I don’t know how powerful I am! But I can save the world” ones. Harry was the type of character that new he was talented but also knew that there were certain things even he couldn’t survive and I LOVED this!

Throughout the book we’re introduced to a slew of characters that have the same traits. Police Lieutenant Murphy, who is gorgeous but fierce and doesn’t take shit from anyone. Bob, a wind spirit who inhabits a skull and has a sex drive to rival a frat house. Susan, a quick witted journalist willing to go the extra mile for a juicy story….if you know what I mean. All part of a plot that twisted and turned and through curve balls at Harry and me! How refreshing to read a story where I assumed so much but didn’t get confirmation until the very end! I already have the second book in my hands and am crazy excited to get to it! I wonder what demons, vampires, dark wizards, and fae he’ll face in his next adventure.