Jody 's Reviews > Storm Front

“My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call. I’m in the book.”

Well, that was fun as hell! I have read some great books this year, but I believe this was one of the best as far as entertainment level. I was glued to this book from the opening chapter to the final page. The mix of detective work and magic were well done. It had an old style investigative feel to it as the story is solely told from Harry’s point of view. The reader gets his internal monologue along with his conversations and interactions with other characters. So, he is telling the story just as much as living it.

Harry is quite adept and getting himself into trouble. Whether it be with dark wizards, demons, vampires, or even the Chicago PD. He seems to always be in the wrong place at the right time. Or in his case, I guess it would be the right place at the wrong time. Since he is actually looking for the bad guys or things.

“Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that there isn’t an invisible demon about to eat your face.”

The side characters were also well done. My favorite has to be Bob the skull. He and Harry’s conversations were comedic gold. I can see Bob causing major trouble in future books if Harry doesn’t keep him on a tight leash. I doubt that will happen, and I can’t wait to see what kind of difficulty he creates for Harry.

There is no shortage of action, and Harry tends to take as much punishment as deal it out. This along with the detective work gave the story a really good pace. There is always something going on and that really helped me stay engaged the entire book. I seriously read this book in 2 days. I never do that. But I made time for this book, because I just couldn’t wait to read what happened next.

"A man’s magic demonstrates what sort of person he is, what is held most deeply inside of him. There is no truer gauge of a man’s character than the way in which he employs his strength, his power.”

All in all this was one of the best urban fantasy books I’ve read. Not that I have read a ton in this genre, but I don’t see how it can get much better. Apparently it does though, because I have been told by numerous people the series keeps improving. I don’t plan on waiting to find out, and intend to begin book 2 later today. If you’re in need of a detective story with magic, humor, action, and good pace, look no further. This one checks all the boxes.

Actual Rating: 4 stars ****