Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher (Audiobook) (Rating 4 Wine Glasses)

From Goodreads: Harry Dresden–Wizard

Lost items found. Paranormal investigations.

Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates.

No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, 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 too 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 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.

Bought from Audible

What I Loved: Dresden is a very complicated hero with all the traits that go along with that: sarcasm, quirkiness, brains, not a whole lot of brawn, and lives for his work. In other words, the kind of guy who gets into tough situations but wouldn’t choose to be there if he could avoid it. He has a strong sense of right/wrong though so he is kind of screwed. This story drew me in immediately and did not let me go. I like how everything was connected but got presented to Dresden in small doses. So the case was laid out for you in a subtle way and really I didn’t figure it out till about halfway through. Even then, I was slightly wrong in who the “Big” Bad was in the end. My favorite scene was in his office after the love potion was accidentally drank. I won’t give anything away but I laughed so hard I almost cried. Go Bob Go!

What I Liked: Morgan the thorn in Dresden’s side. Every time he popped up, told Dresden he was going to kill him from breaking a rule, and then had to disappear again was brilliant. I somehow think he will be in the series more as they are perfect counterparts of each other. Both doing the right thing but not liking the other one for it. Bob his ghost sidekick which I thought pretty much stole any scene that he was part of. The pacing and style were very well done. The book just flowed well from beginning to end.

Complaints: None

Audiobook Specific Review: James Marsters did a fantastic job reading this book and I think was perfect for the voice of Dresden. He did really well with the other voices too. Pacing and pitch were done really well and required no rewinds.

Why I gave it a 4: I wasn’t sure what to expect other than I have two friends, Loa and Linda, that love Jim Butcher. I was not disappointed at all and will be continuing the series (probably in audio format).

Who I would recommend it too: Fantasy fans but also Old Fashioned detective fans (think Sam Spade) who don’t mind a supernatural twist.

Authors website: http://www.jim-butcher.com/

Other Books in this series:
Storm Front
Fool Moon
Grave Peril
Summer Knight
Death Masks
Blood Rites
Dead Beat
Proven Guilty
White Night
Small Favor
Turn Coat
Changes
Side Jobs
Ghost Story

Challenges: