Book Review-Storm Front

A few weeks ago I attended a Reader's Advisory workshop on paranormal fiction.  (Reader's advisory is what librarians call helping patrons find a good book.)

I enjoy fantasy and science fiction quite a bit, but hadn't read much in the "paranormal" genre, so I thought it would be a good introduction for me.  I also know that a lot of HPL's readers like these books.

We had to read three books: a teen book, a romance, and a fantasy.  You may wonder what the difference between fantasy and paranormal is!  Well, fantasy has magical creatures...like elves.  Paranormal has elements of magic, as well as vampires, witches, etc.  A paranormal fantasy has both.

The book I enjoyed the most was Storm Front by Jim Butcher.  It is the first in the Dresden Files series, featuring Harry Dresden, the only practicing Wizard in Chicago.  Harry specializes in using his wizardry to help normal people find things.  He lives on a shoestring and has the Board of Wizards on his back for something that happened in the past.  He has to be very careful when using his magic because the Board is always aware of what he is up to.  One of his semi-regular jobs is helping the Chicago police with crimes that are unusual.

One morning, a woman calls with an odd request...she needs help finding her husband.  Harry makes an appointment to see her later in the day, then gets a call from the police to look at a crime scene.  He  figures he has just enough time to look at the scene before he needs to be back for his meeting.  When he gets to the crime scene,  however, it is so unusual and presents so many problems that he almost misses the meeting.  Harry's world is about to get VERY complicated!

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So far, there are 13 books in the series:

Storm Front By Butcher, Jim 2000-04 - Roc 9780451457813 Check Our Catalog In this first book in the offbeat Dresden Files, readers are introduced to Harry Dresden, a wizard with a consulting practice in modern-day Chicago. Dresdens profession offers him little money, lots of mockery, the suspicion of his magical colleagues, and plenty of danger. …More

Fool Moon By Butcher, Jim 2000-01 - New American Library 9780451458124 Check Our Catalog Business has been slow for professional wizard Harry Dresden, who hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work, magical or mundane. But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise. …More

Grave Peril By Butcher, Jim 2001-09 - Roc 9780451458445 Check Our Catalog HARRY DRESDEN -- WIZARD Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment Harry Dresden's faced some pretty terrifying foes during his career. Giant scorpions. Oversexed vampires. Psychotic werewolves. It comes with the territory when you're the only professional wizard in the Chicago area phone book. But in all Harry's years of supernatural sleuthing, he's never faced anything like this: the spirit world's gone postal. All over Chicago, ghosts are causing trouble -- and not just of the door-slamming, boo-shouting variety. These ghosts are tormented, violent, and deadly. Someone -- or something -- is purposely stirring them up to wreak unearthly havoc. But why? And why do so many of the victims have ties to Harry? If Harry doesn't figure it out soon, he could wind up a ghost himself.... …More

Summer Knight By Butcher, Jim 2002-09 - Roc 9780451458926 Check Our Catalog Professional wizard Harry Dresden is approached by the Winter Queen of Faerieto find out who murdered the Summer Queen's right-hand man. Soon, Harry findsout that the fate of the entire world rests on his solving this case. …More

Death Masks By Butcher, Jim 2003-08 - Roc 9780451459404 Check Our Catalog Harry Dresden, Chicago's only practicing wizard, is hired by a mysterious priest to find the stolen Shroud of Turin. But first, Harry must deal with the Red Court of Vampires' champion, professional hit men, and the return of his semi-vampire former girlfriend. Original. …More

Blood Rites By Butcher, Jim 2004-08 - Roc 9780451459879 Check Our Catalog A BookPage Notable Title Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, takes on a case as a favor to his friend Thomas--a vampire of dubious integrity--only to become the prime suspect in a series of ghastly murders. Original. …More

Dead Beat By Butcher, Jim 2006-01 - Roc 9780451460912 Check Our Catalog Filled with "kickass adventure and supernatural fireworks," Butcher's latest Dresden Files novel finds paranormal investigator Harry Dresden--Chicago's only professional wizard--going up against a killer vampire. …More

Proven Guilty By Butcher, Jim 2007-02 - Roc 9780451461032 Check Our Catalog The White Council of Wizards has drafted Harry Dresden to look into rumors of black magic in Chicago. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose, but it's all in a day's work for a wizard, his dog, and a talking skull named Bob. Soon to be a major Sci-Fi Channel series produced by Nicholas Cage. …More

White Night By Butcher, Jim 2008-02 - Roc 9780451461551 Check Our Catalog In Butchers latest "New York Times" bestseller, professional wizard Harry Dresden investigates a series of deaths after he uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens not only him, but those closest to him. …More

Small Favor By Butcher, Jim 2009-03 - Roc 9780451462008 Check Our Catalog An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe. She's calling in a small favor he can't refuse--one that will strain his skills and loyalties to their very limits. This "New York Times" bestseller is now in a tall Premium Edition. …More

Turn Coat By Butcher, Jim 2010-03 - Roc 9780451462817 Check Our Catalog A #1 "New York Times" bestseller. The Warden Morgan has been accused of treason against the Wizards of the White Council. He's on the run and needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog. Someone like Harry Dresden. Available in a tall Premium Edition. …More

Changes By Butcher, Jim 2011-03 - Roc 9780451463470 Check Our Catalog Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover--until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Available in a tall Premium Edition. …More

Ghost Story By Butcher, Jim 2011-07 - Roc 9780451463791 Check Our Catalog The eagerly awaited new novel in the #1 "New York Times"-bestselling series. When last seen, the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin. But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has nobody, and no magic to help him. …More