I wasn't expecting much from Storm Front. I owned the book for a while, but continued to put off reading it. I see now what a mistake that was. This book was a fast paced, easy read that I just could not put down. Wizards and potions and mystery and humor, it was like Harry Potter but with the possibility of someone having sex. I'm so glad I gave this one a try and can't wait to get started on the rest of the series. ( )

Harry Dresden is a blue-collar wizard. He fights the forces of evil, but he still has to pay his bills. Dresden is working with the Chicago PD to stop of murderous wizard, before that wizard finds Dresden. Fans of the series will enjoy meeting familiar characters for the first time: Police Detective Murphy, Toot-toot (a pizza-loving faerie), Morgan (White Council's executioner), and Bob the Skull. ( )

Perfectly enjoyable urban fantasy fiction.I will definitely read the rest of this series as I get a chance. ( )

It was a fun read, but I'm a bit turned off by the angst that the hero, Harry, carries around. He has his reasons, but I prefer a more upbeat character. He seems a bit too resigned to a crappy world. This might be relieved in the next book, so I plan to read it shortly. There is a LOT of potential here for a great series & so many others have told me they like it. I've seen bits of the TV series, which was good.The setting & plot were good. It's our world with a slight twist - magic exists, but not generally believed in by most. I could almost feel it is possible. I read that Butcher got his start trying to write something similar to [a:Laurell K. Hamilton|9550|Laurell K. Hamilton|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1202585980p2/9550.jpg]'s Anita Blake, a series that we both seem to like. His take has a lot less sex & romance (at least in this book) & more of a tough detective aspect. He is a tough, down-at-the-heels detective, much like Sam Spade. He doesn't have the way with the women or the ego to go with it, though. Maybe that's my turn-off (a slight one). I think he should feel better about himself.I thought Butcher did a masterful job of painting the world & Harry, especially our glimpses into Harry's past life. He doesn't dwell on it too much, but teases with glimpses. I can see this as part of the series plot line since Harry doesn't know much about his parents. His mother died at his birth & while his father told him a lot, there is probably a lot he doesn't know plus, he died when Harry was fairly young, so there is a lot he wouldn't have said.The paranormal critters include a neat take on a vampire, fairies & a very tough demon. In this first book, we're given a look at how a good education can come in handy as well as some of the supernatural politics. We also get a glimpse of a world other than ours that intersects at odd times.All in all, an enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to the next one, but I don't HAVE to read it immediately. While it's obvious the story can continue, there are a few dangling threads I want to learn more about, there wasn't any horrible cliff hanger. I appreciate that. ( )

Entertaining and well paced, the first Harry Dresden book has its own spin on urban fantasy, a refreshing take in that it's not fallen into paranormal romance cliches. Wizard as PI works really well. Naturally there are differences when compared to the TV show but nothing off-putting in either direction. Worth following. ( )