Monday, September 19, 2011

Storm Front by Jim Butcher Read-Along - Part 1

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.
Today is the first day of the group read of Storm Front by Jim Butcher as part of the R.I.P. challenge. This is actually a reread for me, but for whatever reason I never read beyond the first book in this series. The aim is to reread this one and then actually read on. I am not sure if that will actually happen, but we will see what happens. So far I am enjoying the book, so I really don't have a reason to not read on. I think at the time I was just involved with too many series and this one got pushed to the back burner.

The questions this week were done by Jeff, who hasn't followed the norm and started a blog yet. To see all the other participants just visit Carl's blog at Stainless Steel Droppings.

1. What are your first impressions of our main character, Harry Dresden?
This is actually my second time reading this book, so it isn't my first time meeting Harry Dresden. I have to admit that I think I might be appreciating this book more with this read, so hopefully I will actually move on to the second book. Anyway, Harry is interesting. His character is written with humour, which I appreciate. He is struggling to get by in a strange field, but he seems mostly good at what he does. I like that we have all ready been let in on his background, even if there are a few unanswered questions, so we know roughly how he became who he is. I look forward to watching his character develop further.

2.. In the first section of the book we are introduced to a large cast of characters. Some in support of our main character and others who are involved in the multiple investigations with agendas unknown to us. Are there any of the these characters who stood out to you?
Bob. Bob is my favourite character in this book with no exceptions. I mean, a spirit caught in a skull? So, basically a talking skull... Who could dare pick anyone else above that creative idea? Plus, he is entertaining so far. He basically blackmails Harry into making a love potion and the insight into his previous attempts to be 'let out' were very fun! Well, not necessarily in a good way... He is a great character!

3. Did you ever watch the Syfy channel's Dresden Files TV adaption? If so did it effect how you approached the novel? Were there positive and/or negative differences that stood out to you?
I have never seen the show. I always intended to watch it, but never happened.

4. Any thoughts on Jim Butcher's magic system, Harry's Watcher, and/or the White Council?
I think the magic system is interesting. People can know that Harry is a wizard, but they can't know about the White Council. I would think it would be a good thing to know that there is a council keeping the wizards in line. Harry's Watcher, on the other hand, is a bit too closed minded. He assumes because Harry has preformed black magic in the past that he is automatically guilty of the crime that Harry is investigating. It will lead to an interesting story line because suddenly Harry has to catch whoever did this just to clear himself.

5. Lastly, Any guess on were Dresden's multiple plot threads will lead and/or any favorite scenes the first section of the book?
Well, since I have read this book before I am not going to touch the future. Even though I don't really remember this book very well, I could still get lucky and I don't want to spoil the book for anyone. As to favourite scenes, well, I really liked the scene in the sub-basement where we meet Bob. That was fun! I also enjoyed the scene at the lake where Harry catches the fairy. I really like fairies.

I actually read this book back in 2007 for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. You can read my original review here.

10 comments:

  1. I have the first five books and really need to read them. I have friends that tell me they are super good once you get farther into the series.

    Although I was not informed about the talking skull. Now I REALLY need to read these when I get time to have a life again. TALKING SKULL, Butcher, were you a Last Unicorn fan...?

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  2. You know, I could just about have used your post instead of writing my own!

    I did read past the first book. I ended up reading the first three but then stalling. I am really hoping that this readalong kickstarts me again for the series.

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  3. **Renay: First of all, Renay commenting on my blog! I was so happy to see that!

    I loved Bob. I mean, a talking skull and BOB as a name. So fun!

    **Marg: I know. I read yours and it was very similar... I wish I had read on more. I will this time. I am determined!

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  4. Wish I had time to do this read-a-long. I had so much fun reading the few Dresden books that I have read. I think I've read through #3. I watched the SciFi series and really enjoyed it.

    Thanks for letting me know about the cartoon movie based on The Halloween Tree. I did not know about it. Will have to look it up!

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  5. I'm glad you are joining along with us and happy to hear that you are taking to the book even more this time.

    Harry is a really interesting character in large part because of his sense of humor. It provides a really nice balance to his power and self-assured attitude.

    Just finished the second section of the book and really enjoyed it. Now I have to think of some good questions for Week 2!

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  6. I do love this series, but I enjoy it too much on audio to read it in print. Bob is definitely my favorite character too. I wish Harry would listen to him more often. He would stay much safer (and healthier)!

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  7. I like Bob too. He seems to be a popular one. I'm also quite taken by Mister. Seems right that Harry would have a pet with that much personality.

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  8. **Terri: That's too bad you don't have time for it. It is a lot of fun and I am enjoying the book more with this second read-through than I did with the first.

    The Halloween Tree movie is cute. I haven't seen it on in a while, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still play...

    **Carl: Yes, I enjoy the humour of this book, too. I was just reading the second section and there are some particularly humourous happenings!

    **Michelle: I have heard such good things about the audiobooks. I really need to listen to audiobooks, but I haven't got into the habit yet.

    **Elizabeth: I think part of my attraction with Bob is I had mostly forgot about him and I was horrified I would forget such a fun character. I enjoy Mister, too, and a few of the other characters.

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  9. I'm enjoying this book even more the 2nd time around as well. I first read this book as a group read with a Yahoo book group (when I was just beginning to learn about the online world of books) and have found that I don't remember a lot of the book. That's okay because I'm enjoying it so much this time around!

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  10. **Samantha: I am enjoying it a lot more this time around, too. I look forward to refreshing my memory on how it all plays out in the end!

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