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

[gmw]

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone. Most instructive and helpful.

[Melon Soda]

Actually, I didn't read the Dresden files in order as I got my first reads from the library and the books are not always available in order. So I can't really say how book 1 is if you were to read it in order since I started off from the middle. But I feel that the first book of any fantasy series tends to be more of an "introductory" book; there have been other series where book 1 was blah for me but I became a fan later after reading book 2 onwards. So it might be worth reading a couple more books before deciding whether or not it's your cup of tea (unless of course it's so blah to you that you couldn't continue reading after a couple of chapters LOL)!

I do plan to go back and re-read the Dresden series in order one day, just so to pick up anything I might have miss from not reading it in order. I'm biased but to me, the Dresden files is definitely worth the read and re-read!

[DuckieTigger]

And you should one of these days re-read them in order. There is a bigger story line at work independent from the (almost) isolated cases in each book. Of course, each case is not that isolated after all as everything will resurface one way or another in a later book. It may take a few books inbetween, but be assured, you will find a lot of flash backs. Sometimes it may only be a certain technique, or a spell, or an item, and sometimes it is a whole character ...

[AlbertaCowboy]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

And you should one of these days re-read them in order. There is a bigger story line at work independent from the (almost) isolated cases in each book. Of course, each case is not that isolated after all as everything will resurface one way or another in a later book. It may take a few books inbetween, but be assured, you will find a lot of flash backs. Sometimes it may only be a certain technique, or a spell, or an item, and sometimes it is a whole character ...

And don't forget the short stories too.
That's always been one of my pet peeves, going back to my Forgotten Realms days. I hated buying an anthology for one author that I liked , so I never bothered. Then I'd have to figure out what the hell happened in the story, because the events are crucial to the plot of the next novel. Grrrrr.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

And don't forget the short stories too. . . .

The nice thing about Jim's Dresden Files short stories is that he tells the reader where the story fits into the Dresdenverse.

[Melon Soda]

I've read all the Dresden books (except the last couple of books), just not in order LOL! Granted, some parts can be sketchy unless you're really good at putting everything together LOL. For side stories I have read Side Jobs only, not the other anthologies. I was wondering if I want to wait for the series to be completed before re-reading it in order, but who knows how long it'll take LOL!

[Toxaris]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

And don't forget the short stories too.
That's always been one of my pet peeves, going back to my Forgotten Realms days. I hated buying an anthology for one author that I liked , so I never bothered. Then I'd have to figure out what the hell happened in the story, because the events are crucial to the plot of the next novel. Grrrrr.

I know what you mean. It is a good thing that the events in the short stories are not crucial to the plot of the novels in this case.
That being said, the short stories are still worth your while though...

[BuyMore]

Originally Posted by Toxaris

I know what you mean. It is a good thing that the events in the short stories are not crucial to the plot of the novels in this case.
That being said, the short stories are still worth your while though...

Absolutely. Especially those that are told from other people's POV.

Besides, some events in the short stories are mentioned in the novels. They may not be crucial to the story, but it's good to know what they're talking about.

[Toxaris]

Anyone familiar with Greg van Eekhout? He apparently writes Urban Fantasy and I must admit that the synopsis of his novel 'California Bones' sounds interesting. It is the first part of a trilogy.

When Daniel Blackland was six, he ingested his first bone fragment, a bit of kraken spine plucked out of the sand during a visit with his demanding, brilliant, and powerful magician father, Sebastian.

When Daniel was twelve, he watched Sebastian die at the hands of the Hierarch of Southern California, devoured for the heightened magic layered deep within his bones.

Now, years later, Daniel is a petty thief with a forged identity. Hiding amid the crowds in Los Angeles--the capital of the Kingdom of Southern California--Daniel is trying to go straight. But his crime-boss uncle has a heist he wants Daniel to perform: break into the Hierarch's storehouse of magical artifacts and retrieve Sebastian's sword, an object of untold power.

For this dangerous mission, Daniel will need a team he can rely on, so he brings in his closest friends from his years in the criminal world. There's Moth, who can take a bullet and heal in mere minutes. Jo Alverado, illusionist. The multitalented Cassandra, Daniel's ex. And, new to them all, the enigmatic, knowledgeable Emma, with her British accent and her own grudge against the powers-that-be. The stakes are high, and the stage is set for a showdown that might just break the magic that protects a long-corrupt regime.

I think I will put it on my reader for tonight.

[AlbertaCowboy]

Originally Posted by Toxaris

I know what you mean. It is a good thing that the events in the short stories are not crucial to the plot of the novels in this case.
That being said, the short stories are still worth your while though...

Originally Posted by BuyMore

Absolutely. Especially those that are told from other people's POV.

Besides, some events in the short stories are mentioned in the novels. They may not be crucial to the story, but it's good to know what they're talking about.

Absolutely. I loved the short stories, especially "The Warrior", but I'd never had got to read them if it weren't for "Side Jobs".

[alansplace]

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by alansplace

At least the next try would be at least as good. Since they would want to trump the last try.

[BuyMore]

Originally Posted by Toxaris

Anyone familiar with Greg van Eekhout? He apparently writes Urban Fantasy and I must admit that the synopsis of his novel 'California Bones' sounds interesting. It is the first part of a trilogy.



I think I will put it on my reader for tonight.

Yeah, I've heard of the book. It sounds interesting indeed, but it's too pricey for me the last time I checked. Do let us know what you think of it after you've read it.

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

Absolutely. I loved the short stories, especially "The Warrior", but I'd never had got to read them if it weren't for "Side Jobs".

Me too; I've only read those in Side Jobs.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by AlbertaCowboy

Absolutely. I loved the short stories, especially "The Warrior", but I'd never had got to read them if it weren't for "Side Jobs".

Originally Posted by BuyMore

. . . Me too; I've only read those in Side Jobs.

Maybe you'd be interested in this one?

[Melon Soda]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Maybe you'd be interested in this one?

Oooh, looking good! Thanks for recommending it, I didn't even know this book exists lol! *goes to check it out*