The Jim Butcher Files: Dresden . Codex Alera . Cinder Spires & More

[Pookeysgirl]

Originally Posted by alansplace

May I inquire as to just why you are/were considering skipping Ghost Story?

Here's my answer:

Spoiler:

I was going to skip it because some of the reviews mentioned that the story is told while Harry is a ghost and that he has no powers and his friends are in trouble and don't know that he's still alive. Some reviews mentioned that it wasn't anything like a "regular" Dresden novel. I was worried that I would spend the entire book wishing that Harry was alive to help in his usual way and being disappointed that he's really doing nothing. That's why I thought I would ask the expert...you

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by Pookeysgirl

Here's my answer:

Spoiler:

I was going to skip it because some of the reviews mentioned that the story is told while Harry is a ghost and that he has no powers and his friends are in trouble and don't know that he's still alive. Some reviews mentioned that it wasn't anything like a "regular" Dresden novel. I was worried that I would spend the entire book wishing that Harry was alive to help in his usual way and being disappointed that he's really doing nothing. That's why I thought I would ask the expert...you

Well, I sure don't claim to be an expert, but I am very immersed in this series and have read it twice so far. Here's my response:

Spoiler:

Don't sell Jim Butcher short because of some reviews that are not rah rah! The descriptions are correct, but you know by now just how tenacious Harry can be and he certainly is not 'really doing nothing', OH NO, Harry finds a way, always!

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by mbovenka

I just read the first book ('The Devil You Know'), and I find it somewhat darker than the Dresden Files, but indeed quite similar. Thanks for the tip

Maybe I am more into dark than I think I am as I really didn't see them as dark or scary. I do like my urban fantasy though.

Just finished Unshapely Things by Marco Del Franco last night and it is another in the same vien.

Helen

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

For Dresden file fans you migt like Felix Casto by Mike Carey
From Fantastic Fiction on the first book:


Awards
British Fantasy Society (nominee)


Felix Castor is a freelance exorcist, and London is his stamping ground. At a time when the supernatural world is in upheaval and spilling over into the mundane reality of the living, his skills have never been more in demand. A good exorcist can charge what he likes - and enjoy a hell of a life-style - but there's a risk: sooner or later he's going to take on a spirit that's too strong for him. After a year spent in 'retirement' Castor is reluctantly drawn back to the life he rejected and accepts a seemingly simple exorcism case - just to pay the bills, you understand. Trouble is, the more he discovers about the ghost haunting the archive, the more things don't add up. What should have been a perfectly straightforward exorcism is rapidly turning into the Who Can Kill Castor First Show, with demons, were-beings and ghosts all keen to claim the big prize. But that's OK; Castor knows how to deal with the dead. It's the living who piss him off...


Helen

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Hmm..... That does sound interesting, but also scary as hell.

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

No more scary than the Dresden Files. Very similiar in tone without being (IMO) a ripoff or clone in any way.

Helen

Originally Posted by mbovenka

I just read the first book ('The Devil You Know'), and I find it somewhat darker than the Dresden Files, but indeed quite similar. Thanks for the tip

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Maybe I am more into dark than I think I am as I really didn't see them as dark or scary. I do like my urban fantasy though.

Just finished Unshapely Things by Marco Del Franco last night and it is another in the same vien.

Helen

hmmm....do you mean that this Felix Casto series by Mike Carey isn't urban fantasy? If so, then how would you classify it? In what genre does it seem to fit?

[speakingtohe]

No I meant it was urban fantasy, or that was what I was trying to say.

Perhaps I prefer them slightly on the dark side.

Helen

[Nyssa]

Just finished Proven Guilty! I must say, I knew what would happen with Molly, I'm glad the air is pretty clear all the way around (except for Charity), and I'm really looking forward to finding out whats going to happen next.

[Pookeysgirl]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Well, I sure don't claim to be an expert, but I am very immersed in this series and have read it twice so far (except for only once for Ghost Story). Here's my response:

Spoiler:

Don't sell Jim Butcher short because of some reviews that are not rah rah! The descriptions are correct, but you know by now just how tenacious Harry can be and he certainly is not 'really doing nothing', OH NO, Harry finds a way, always!

You're right, what was I thinking! As soon as the price comes down a bit, I'll get Ghost Story. I've already re-read Storm Front, on to Fool Moon again. They're just as good the second time around.

[JSWolf]

I'm looking for a good sized cover image for Summer Knight that does not have the sifi thing on it. Does someone have such or can someone scan his/her pBook? Thanks.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'm looking for a good sized cover image for Summer Knight that does not have the sifi thing on it. Does someone have such or can someone scan his/her pBook? Thanks.

Does THIS help?

[bizzybody]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'm looking for a good sized cover image for Summer Knight that does not have the sifi thing on it. Does someone have such or can someone scan his/her pBook? Thanks.

Search for Summer Knight at Yahoo or Google then click on Images. There are several to be found.

[alansplace]

From jim-butcher.com, April 1, 2012

Jim’s Next Series!

Just kidding! Hope you had a fun and safe April Fool’s Day!

Back in December, Jim talked about two new series he was auditioning, a high fantasy saga and a steampunk series. However, there was a third simmering on the back burner, and it’s since shoved its way to the fore. We can now announce Jim’s next series: A paranormal romance series, starring Bigfoot!

“The plan was to start writing Cold Days early this year,” Butcher explains, “but as I was finishing the trio of Bigfoot shorts, in which Bigfoot is Harry’s client, I realized there was so much more in his world I wanted to write. It really consumed my brain. The betas are eating it up, so I’m hoping the fans dig it, too.”

Jim credits his wife Shannon, author of over a dozen romantic suspense and paranormal romance novels, with the inspiration for his new direction. “Bigfoot is basically just an alpha male, exaggerated: Big, strong, hairy, and isn’t much for ballet. Makes him a good candidate for romance. ”

While this new series takes place in the same universe as The Dresden Files, it will focus on entirely new characters. However, be on the lookout for the occasional familiar face!

Look for Great North Passion in stores October 2nd, 2012. Its sequel, Land of the Midnight Desire is expected in Fall 2013.

[alansplace]

From jim-butcher.com, April 2, 2012

April Fool!

We hope you enjoyed our little prank yesterday. While the trilogy of “Bigfoot as Harry’s client” short stories is indeed on the horizon, there is no spinoff paranormal romance series in the pipeline. Jim is hard at work on Cold Days! It doesn’t have a release date yet, but you can be certain, we’ll be shouting it from the hilltops as soon as it’s been set!

Take the edge off the wait with the upcoming Bigfoot trio:

“I Was A Teenage Bigfoot” — from Blood Lite 3: Aftertaste, edited by Kevin J. Anderson.
Takes place circa Dead Beat.
Released 5/29/2012.

“Bigfoot on Campus” — from Hex Appeal, edited by P.N. Elrod.
Takes place between Turn Coat and Changes.
Released 6/05/2012.

“B is for Bigfoot” — from Under My Hat: Tales From the Cauldron, edited by Jonathan Strahan.
Takes place between Fool Moon and Grave Peril.
Released 8/28/2012.

There is also a Molly POV short story in “Dangerous Women,” edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Duzois, but its title and release date haven’t been announced yet. The story is set between Ghost Story and Cold Days.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Does THIS help?

I'm looking for a larger good quality image. I've found plenty of images the same size.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by bizzybody

Search for Summer Knight at Yahoo or Google then click on Images. There are several to be found.

I've already tried Google and Bing and got smallish or lousy quality images. That's why I also asked if anyone with the paper edition can scan it. Yahoo's image site is quite poor.

[alansplace]

Here's my cover and one from openlibrary.org.