Book Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Title: Storm Front | Author: Jim Butcher

Series: The Dresden Files #1

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal 

Format: Kindle e-Book 

Date Finished: May 5, 2013

CoffeeNCrackers Rating: 1 Cup of Coffee

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically he is the only at what he does. So, when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they came to him for answers. for the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things and most don't play 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 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 black magic there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start getting interesting. - Goodreads

My Review

A wizard personal investigator. The idea, in my opinion, is very original and organic which is why at the very beginning of the book I really want to like this book. Storm Front is the first installment of the Dresden Files series and I was like, really excited, to read an Urban Fantasy (UF) novel. The story, which is told from the protagonist, Harry Dresden's point of view, starts with an unnatural double murder case which lead to a series of events where Harry involved in "fighting" the black magic and dealing with paranormal creatures i.e vampire, faeries etc.

As I mentioned earlier, the premise is very exciting however my problem with this book is the main character itself. I'm so surprised that I cannot bring myself to like Harry Dresden. He thinks he is a cool person. He thinks he is capable of doing anything and everything. He thinks he is the best wizard on earth. Oh, come on, what with this self proclaimed character? He is not a likable hero for me let alone to be a so called investigator. When this book is supposed to be an investigation book, throughout the story Harry did nothing investigative at all which is kind of stupid and spoiled the mood. All he did is jumping into conclusions, going here and there without any real purpose, and keep on telling readers that everything would be ok because I'm "Harry the All-mighty Dresden" is around. So I was kind of frustrated with this kind of attitude.

I could kill the Shadowman, now, before he knew I was here. I could call down fury and flame on the house and killeveryone in it, not leave one stone upon another. I could reach out and embrace the dark energy in this place, draw it in and use it for whatever I wanted, and the consequences be damned.

But of course...nothing of this happened actually. What really happened is this. This makes me laugh and I kind of agree with Victor.

"Shut up!" Victor snarled."Who is the real wizard here, huh? Who is the one with all the cards and who is the one bleeding on the kitchen floor? You're nothing, Dresden, nothing. You're a loser. And do you know why? Because you're an idiot. 

Reading this book makes me realized that not all popular books are good books. However, I still have faith in this series and would like to give another shot for Jim Butcher or more accurate a second chance for Harry Dresden. I like the premise and in my opinion the series would be much better if it is written from a third person's point of view instead of how it is written now. I don't want to recommend this book to anyone but if you want to try to read something urban fantasy you can grab this one. Who knows you might come with a different conclusion that me.

FOOTNOTE:  This review is linked back to the Saturday Situation, a fun weekly meme co-host by Candace at Candace's Book Blog and Lori at Pure Imagination.