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

[Lin2412]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

I am not sure what reputation Game of Thrones has concerning length. Each individual book in the Dresden Files is not any longer than other regular novels. There is a lot of them already (15 main books plus extra short stories). Even up to right now it would take much longer to read Dresden than Harry Potter. There is about maybe 7 more regular case files and then a 3 book post apocalyptic finish to the series. So all in all it will take a long time to finish reading, and it is not yet finished writing.

Thank you! This is usually my gripe with unfinished books (looking at Game of Thrones) because it always leaves you hanging (although Megan Whalen Turner's unfinished Queen's Thief is something I truly enjoy because every book always has an air of finality).

I'll take baby steps for Dresden files and temporarily aim for the first book. Thank you for the length comparison with the other books, DuckieTigger.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

My personal sort-of-hope is that GRRM dies really soon now and Brandon Sanderson takes over.

Also -- my general policy is never to do a book the disservice of judging it based on its movie.

Yes, the shows, movies and books are usually all quite different from one another, however, my husband - who has both read and watched TGoT -informed me that the scene in question takes place in both.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Lin2412

Thank you! This is usually my gripe with unfinished books (looking at Game of Thrones) because it always leaves you hanging (although Megan Whalen Turner's unfinished Queen's Thief is something I truly enjoy because every book always has an air of finality).

Yes, the leaving hang part is bad. It may or may not be a problem for Dresden though. Each book in the series is completely finished if it comes to the story that is told. The character development throughout the books is what connects the series together. And of course everything follows a main story line - we just get to see small finished pieces chained together into one loooong story. Sure, there will be open ends after each book, but that is where the next books connect to. Tie open ends and open a lot more. A very complex world (more complex than Harry Potter's world) that gets explained as you go on a need to know basis. And need to know you need all. Jim almost never gives out details that won't play a small or big part later on in the books.

I'll take baby steps for Dresden files and temporarily aim for the first book. Thank you for the length comparison with the other books, DuckieTigger.

Good way to handle it. There is difference in opinion when and if you get hooked. I liked the first book very much already, and others will tell you that it is only mediocre compared to some other books in the series. It truly gets better as it goes on, but that is because it is one big thought-out story, IMO.

Don't let mediocre scare you away - that is only when comparing it to other Jim Butcher books, not to books in general. The only thing that won't change is the writing style and weird sense of humor - you either love it or hate it. I personally hate that I have to wait so long for the next book, so that means I love the series a lot.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Yes, the leaving hang part is bad. It may or may not be a problem for Dresden though. Each book in the series is completely finished if it comes to the story that is told. The character development throughout the books is what connects the series together. And of course everything follows a main story line - we just get to see small finished pieces chained together into one loooong story. Sure, there will be open ends after each book, but that is where the next books connect to. Tie open ends and open a lot more. A very complex world (more complex than Harry Potter's world) that gets explained as you go on a need to know basis. And need to know you need all. Jim almost never gives out details that won't play a small or big part later on in the books.



Good way to handle it. There is difference in opinion when and if you get hooked. I liked the first book very much already, and others will tell you that it is only mediocre compared to some other books in the series. It truly gets better as it goes on, but that is because it is one big thought-out story, IMO.

Don't let mediocre scare you away - that is only when comparing it to other Jim Butcher books, not to books in general. The only thing that won't change is the writing style and weird sense of humor - you either love it or hate it. I personally hate that I have to wait so long for the next book, so that means I love the series a lot.

Great post Duckie!

People usually know before reading book six whether they'll love the series or leave it. Many seem to get hooked either with book 3 or book 4. What I find the most interesting is that many, like myself, who got hooked with Summer Knight - book 4, weren't that thrilled with Grave Peril - book 3.
Also book 2 seems to be universally "tolerated" - I don't remember anyone saying they "love" that one. Unfortunately it has caused a few to prematurely give up (but they can usually be convinced to try again. ). Its an odd duck in the series overall.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Great post Duckie!

People usually know before reading book six whether they'll love the series or leave it. Many seem to get hooked either with book 3 or book 4. What I find the most interesting is that many, like myself, who got hooked with Summer Knight - book 4, weren't that thrilled with Grave Peril - book 3.
Also book 2 seems to be universally "tolerated" - I don't remember anyone saying they "love" that one. Unfortunately it has caused a few to prematurely give up (but they can usually be convinced to try again. ). Its an odd duck in the series overall.

That is interesting. What I love about the books is Harry. If I remember correctly he is prominently featured even before Summer Knight

For me the charm is not what is written (about), but how.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Yes, the shows, movies and books are usually all quite different from one another, however, my husband - who has both read and watched TGoT -informed me that the scene in question takes place in both.

Well, if you know specifically what it is you don't like and verify that it exists in the book as well, then you are judging the book based on the book so you pass.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

That is interesting. What I love about the books is Harry. If I remember correctly he is prominently featured even before Summer Knight

For me the charm is not what is written (about), but how.

Well said.

[alansplace]

[AlbertaCowboy]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Yes, the leaving hang part is bad. It may or may not be a problem for Dresden though. Each book in the series is completely finished if it comes to the story that is told. The character development throughout the books is what connects the series together. And of course everything follows a main story line - we just get to see small finished pieces chained together into one loooong story. Sure, there will be open ends after each book, but that is where the next books connect to. Tie open ends and open a lot more. A very complex world (more complex than Harry Potter's world) that gets explained as you go on a need to know basis. And need to know you need all. Jim almost never gives out details that won't play a small or big part later on in the books.



Good way to handle it. There is difference in opinion when and if you get hooked. I liked the first book very much already, and others will tell you that it is only mediocre compared to some other books in the series. It truly gets better as it goes on, but that is because it is one big thought-out story, IMO.

Don't let mediocre scare you away - that is only when comparing it to other Jim Butcher books, not to books in general. The only thing that won't change is the writing style and weird sense of humor - you either love it or hate it. I personally hate that I have to wait so long for the next book, so that means I love the series a lot.

Excellent post, Duckie.
I was going to respond in much the same fashion, but you've done it for me.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Well said.

I got to think about it a bit. Not exactly sure if you meant all of it to be well said or part of it. The part I imagined you responded to was the part in bold. When I wrote that, I meant it merely concerning The Dresden Files, but it applies in my case also for anything I read. It made me realize that I really really need to get over my fear of being disappointed in the upcoming Aeronaut's Windlass and go ahead and preorder it (when it becomes available). Subject matter is questionable, again, just like it was with Codex Alera. But, experience told me that there is little risk in anything Jim Butcher writes to be disappointed about.

So thank you for reinforcing my desire to preorder Jim's next book, even though my wallet is not going to like you . It probably will be that I get hooked on another series - having to wait on both to finish (Dresden and Cinder Spires). And I doubt I can wait until it is finished - I was lucky that I started Codex Alera only after it was completely finished.

[eschwartz]

Muahahahahaha!

Your wallet is right to fear me -- I did mean all of it.

Oh yeah -- my policy is to wait on these things until I know the series will be finished within the decade I think I will be waiting for that reason alone. (Assuming I can hold out. )

[alansplace]

[red_phoenix]

McCoy!!!

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by red_phoenix

McCoy!!!

[Nyssa]

We may just need to rename the Thread for Butcher himself...


Dresden Files Author Jim Butcher To Release New Steampunk Fantasy Series This Year

Roc Books, a division of Penguin Random House, has announced the acquisition of the Steampunk fantasy series by Jim Butcher, the author of the Dresden Files and Codex Alera novels. Executive Editor Anne Sowards bought World English Rights from Jennifer Jackson at Donald Maass Literary Agency. The first book in the new series, The Cinder Spires: THE AERONAUT'S WINDLASS, will be released in hardcover on September 29, 2015.