One of the perks about helping run a magazine such as this is helping to choose the topics at hand (other perks include the excellent health plan via access to our staff witch-doctor [also provides us with our voodoo-zombie minions as a perk-to-the-perk] and the ability to take home up to three paperclips from the office without incurring the wrath of the staff ninja/security guard), and what good is having that power if you can't abuse it in order to review one specific book? This would be that book, Storm Front by Jim Butcher, the first book in the excellent Dresden Files.

I've discussed The Dresden Files before (here, here, here and here), but in the off chance that the Mad-Scientist-like Hypnosis feature hasn't actually been integrated into the site yet and thus you all have yet to be convinced (voluntarily or otherwise) to have read the series, here is yet another attempt to convince you (and I'll try not to use the word "yet" so many times in one particular sentence again).

The book introduces us to Harry Dresden, professional wizard. Strangely, the only person to be listed in the Yellow Pages under "Wizards" in Chicago (I can make reference to the "Yellow Pages" still, right? I know the book came out a decade ago, but people still know what Yellow Pages are, antiquated as they have become?). He works as a magical private investigator, despite enduring much mockery and disbelief amongst the populous, 'cause everyone knows that Magic isn't real.

We're also introduced to several other regular characters -- Lieutenant Murphy, the tiny-but-tough cop who runs the Chicago P.D.'s Special Investigations department. Susan Rodriguez, the reporter for a National Enquirer-esque tabloid who likes to flirt with Harry ('cause she likes him, or 'cause she wants a story? How's he supposed to know that?! He's only a wizard.). Bob, Harry's resident intellect spirit who resides in a skull and has a thing for co-eds. Gentleman Johnny Marcone, Chicago's main purveyor of organized crime. And Morgan, the wizard's version of a cop, who believes Harry to be mixed up in black magic and is just looking for an excuse (any excuse) to use his magic sword and separate Harry's head from the rest of his body (I hate it when that happens!).

The specific plot for this book revolves around Murphy asking Harry to help investigate the murder of two people who had their hearts blown out of their chest, apparently via black magic. He's simultaneously on a case to help locate a woman's missing husband, though he has the impression he's being misled about certain things. Trying to investigate the use of black magic while having a sword effectively hanging over his head is not the only complication, as he also has to deal with determining how much to tell Murphy while still attempting to keep her protected from the worst the supernatural world has to offer. And what does all this have to do with the new drug on the street that supposedly gives users access to occult Sight?

Yes, there is quite a bit going on, which is a running theme for the book series in general. I've discussed before how the books all tend toward Yet Another Thing (YAT)... things just get piled onto Harry with little to no rest between them. It can border on a little ridiculous, though how much of a problem that is depends on your personal preferences. But whatever your preferences, you certainly can't claim that this book (or any in the series) is boring.

So what makes the book (and series) so worthwhile? Helping with the non-boring-ness aspect (that some like to refer to as "action") is the fast-paced writing style. You don't have to think much when reading, you can just go along for the ride. But that's not to say that it is fluff, by any means. There is thought and depth here, which become even more apparently the further into the series you read. Harry himself is a great character, a very complete character, with (usually) good intentions, but some deeply inherent flaws. And a great wit -- can't go wrong with a wizard whose natural reaction in the face of imminent doom is snark.

The overall world is quite well thought out as well -- it's just not the main character. As the books are all written from Harry's perspective, we get his thoughts and explanations about how magic works, how the supernatural world (fairies, vampires, demons, etc.) interact with the mundane world. Everything seems to have a place and it all seems to fit together and make sense -- rarely does some new aspect (a new mythology, or a fairy-tale-esque creature, etc.) feel shoe-horned into the story merely for the sake of the plot. It's really quite impressive.

Having said that, though, it must also be said that this first book, Storm Front, isn't quite as refined as the rest of the series. It makes sense, though... this book was Jim Butcher's debut novel, so he was still feeling his way through the world and the characters. There are a few things he has Harry do which don't really come up later in the series though there are moments where it seems like they should. When re-reading this book after reading (and thoroughly enjoying) the rest of the series, one can tell how this book is a little rough around the edges. There are a few minor plot holes as well that may bug you, depending on how picky you are about such things. They are noticeable, but didn't bother me at all (and I'm usually the first to scoff at such plot holes)(Okay, yes, I'm usually the first to scoff at almost everything, if only because I like the word "scoff", but that's beside the point).

But having said all that, even re-reading this first book adds new levels of appreciation for the series. Each book, particularly in the first part of the series, is a standalone book, with some kind of major case that Harry is involved with. But there are hints of an over-arching plot, or at least connections behind the scenes, which aren't as noticeable when first reading a story, but become apparent upon re-reading. It shows that Butcher has a definitive direction for the series, yet still leaves each book individually readable. That's impressive to me.

As such, I cannot recommend this series enough. And the first book is a perfect place to start (weird how that works). You should read it. Right now. If you are only mildly interested in the series afterwards, I would still recommend reading the next couple of books if you get the chance. They won't take too long, and the books only get better as the series progresses. So give it a try, and you'll quickly realize, as I did, that this adult wizard named Harry is really the only wizard named Harry worth reading.

   -- K. Burtt