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

[alansplace]

[BuyMore]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Security is really tight.

[Luffy]

I've read only the first book, didn't take to it well. I'm puzzled by its popularity. Well in fact I gave it 3/5 but with retrospection I think I mentally rate Storm Front a 2/5. The magic is clunky, which is intentional, but unimaginative, which wasn't the targeted reaction. The action packed ending felt clumsy. Just my 2 cents, nothing against the fans.

[bizzybody]

The books get better, a lot better.

[Luffy]

Originally Posted by bizzybody

The books get better, a lot better.

Okay. Due to my to be read pile, it's unlikely I'll read TDF this decade.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by bizzybody

The books get better, a lot better.

Yes, the books get better. The problem is if the first book is only meh, then it won't get better for the reader. And that is not the books fault, but reader / book incompatibility. Jim's writing style will not change - and if you don't like it, the other books are just going to be more of the same.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Yes, the books get better. The problem is if the first book is only meh, then it won't get better for the reader. And that is not the books fault, but reader / book incompatibility. Jim's writing style will not change - and if you don't like it, the other books are just going to be more of the same.

Well stated.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Well stated.

Thank you, Alan!

I forgot to mention that I fell in love with the whole series about the same time Harry dealt with the postman in Storm Front. Yeah, I am a sucker. For The Dresden Files and me there is no reader/book incompatibiltiy™.

I should apply for a trademark for reader/book incompatibility™.

[Luffy]

Has anyone read the Iron Druid Chronicles? I found them more to my liking, except for the sixth book.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by Luffy

Has anyone read the Iron Druid Chronicles? I found them more to my liking, except for the sixth book.

I read the first 5 and then gave up on the series. I found myself getting really annoyed by everyone in it. I loved the first three. Then it went downhill for me.

[AlbertaCowboy]

Originally Posted by Luffy

Has anyone read the Iron Druid Chronicles? I found them more to my liking, except for the sixth book.

I HATED the first book. Didn't finish it. I didn't like the dialogue, the characters or the basic plot, for that matter. The premise was cool, but it just died on the operating table for me.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I read the first 5 and then gave up on the series. I found myself getting really annoyed by everyone in it. I loved the first three. Then it went downhill for me.

I was elated to find another Urban Fantasy and dove into Hounded with great expecations but got disgusted with Atticus and his attitudes concerning normal humans almost immediately and abandoned it after a very few chapters. It just goes to illustrate how we all differ concerning our preferences.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by alansplace

I was elated to find another Urban Fantasy and dove into Hounded with great expecations but got disgusted with Atticus and his attitudes concerning normal humans almost immediately and abandoned it after a very few chapters. It just goes to illustrate how we all differ concerning our preferences.

For me, I was hoping that his attitudes were leaving room for growth, but it seemed like every opportunity was wasted,

Spoiler:

and then Hearne killed off one of the few characters that might help him see the bigger picture, and even Granuaile didn't provide any eye-openers

so that was a bust. I'm okay with a series that starts out with a character being an annoying pain in the ass. I'm even okay with a character that stays an annoying pain in the ass, if there's at least some signs of a viable character arc. But I felt like Atticus learned all the wrong lessons.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Luffy

Has anyone read the Iron Druid Chronicles? I found them more to my liking, except for the sixth book.

Oh wow, what a non recommendation of a series. Cut book 6, give up after 5 and cut 4 and 5, cut book 1, and last not least cut series off after a few chapters.

It may show how you guys all differ, but more like when to give up. Lately I must have been lucky with the books I picked to read. Went through Skin Game (of course), Heaven is for Real (before watching the movie have not done yet), Wool (Hugh Howey), Texas Gothic (Rosemary Clement-Moore), and now working on Shift (Hugh Howey, 2nd part after Wool). All of them been great - and Texas Gothic beeing the closest to urban fantasy. Well except, it is in Texas and as far away from urban as possible. But it has witches, magic, ghosts, myth and humor in it. I believe it is only a single book, no series. You should try it, at least the sample or get it from library like me.

[AlbertaCowboy]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

Oh wow, what a non recommendation of a series. Cut book 6, give up after 5 and cut 4 and 5, cut book 1, and last not least cut series off after a few chapters.

It may show how you guys all differ, but more like when to give up. Lately I must have been lucky with the books I picked to read. Went through Skin Game (of course), Heaven is for Real (before watching the movie have not done yet), Wool (Hugh Howey), Texas Gothic (Rosemary Clement-Moore), and now working on Shift (Hugh Howey, 2nd part after Wool). All of them been great - and Texas Gothic beeing the closest to urban fantasy. Well except, it is in Texas and as far away from urban as possible. But it has witches, magic, ghosts, myth and humor in it. I believe it is only a single book, no series. You should try it, at least the sample or get it from library like me.

Yup. Just goes to show how different tastes can be!
For the record, I LOVED Wool! I haven't started Shift yet, it's on my TBR pile.
I just finished Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One" and was blown out of the water. I have to admit (:O) that I enjoyed it even more than "Skin Game", yet I know people who hated it. Diff'rent strokes I suppose!