The Dresden Files (recent thoughts)
Dec. 24th, 2013 08:46 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tari_rooIn the space of the last month or so I've read three more books in the Dresden series: Dead Beat, Proven Guilty and White Night. I thought I was about half way through the series, but upon checking have confirmed that I am more than half way, which is both exciting and sad. Sad because it means I approach the inevitable conclusion of catching up with everyone else and waiting patiently for the next book. (I hate waiting, but I should be used to it by now, I guess).
I'll detail proper reviews of the books at some point *ponders lack of conviction of these type of goals* but I've been ruminating on the Dresden series as a whole and my overall impression.At present, I want to pack Harry in some cottonwool and pop him into my pocket to keep him safe. *pats pocket* Poor Harry. Right from the get go he's been whumped emotionally and physically and it sure as hell isn't abating, despite his abilities improving and things changing. As a devout whumper and fan of h/c I like all the hurt, even if at times I roll my eyes when Harry gets caught and tortured.... again. I still love it though. *hugs Harry*
On the narrative, writing side, Jim Butcher has certainly hit his stride by now and while I still at times dislike the First Person POV, its less jarring than at first. My current bugbear at present (probably due to reading three books so close together) is the repetition of introductions and explanations each book. I don't know many people who pick up books mid-series (I know I don't) but that's not to say there aren't a few odd ducks who like to leap into books mid-series, but personally, as a reader I find it irritating when the Blue Beetle, or Murphy, or Mac, or Thomas is described for the umpteenth time. *shrugs* little things I know. However, I must admit to have developed a fondness for Harry's perspective. I tend to dislike unreliable narrators and while Harry is not unreliable per say, I like following along through his thinking and emotions. It works, it suits the genre, but has definitely shaped my impression of Harry favorably *thumbs up*
The mythos behind it all is wonderful and I heartily enjoy the worldbuilding and the longer story arcs at present. I like the odd relationship Murphy and Harry have and I am still rooting for them to get together, no matter how disastrous either of them think it will be. I'll be standing up on my chair cheering when it happens. (I also don't want it to happen, because then Murphy will be fair game for a) death b) vampire bite or c) something else horrible - romance is always doomed) In fact I like so many of the characters, their fullness and roundness, the shades of grey and dark sides, the back and forth of trust and suspicion.
However, I am not a fan of shadowy backroom politics and looming menaces and 'Black Councils' etc. I find the constant tension draining normally in stories with a lot of intrigue and politics *points at Academ's Fury* Anyhoo, so far so good with Dresden and the long story arc is intriguing more than frustrating... so far.
On the whole, I am delighted to have started down this Dresden road, this path of whump and woe and supernatural detectiveness. So thanks to you who recc'd and said go for it. *throws flowers*
I'll detail proper reviews of the books at some point *ponders lack of conviction of these type of goals* but I've been ruminating on the Dresden series as a whole and my overall impression.At present, I want to pack Harry in some cottonwool and pop him into my pocket to keep him safe. *pats pocket* Poor Harry. Right from the get go he's been whumped emotionally and physically and it sure as hell isn't abating, despite his abilities improving and things changing. As a devout whumper and fan of h/c I like all the hurt, even if at times I roll my eyes when Harry gets caught and tortured.... again. I still love it though. *hugs Harry*
On the narrative, writing side, Jim Butcher has certainly hit his stride by now and while I still at times dislike the First Person POV, its less jarring than at first. My current bugbear at present (probably due to reading three books so close together) is the repetition of introductions and explanations each book. I don't know many people who pick up books mid-series (I know I don't) but that's not to say there aren't a few odd ducks who like to leap into books mid-series, but personally, as a reader I find it irritating when the Blue Beetle, or Murphy, or Mac, or Thomas is described for the umpteenth time. *shrugs* little things I know. However, I must admit to have developed a fondness for Harry's perspective. I tend to dislike unreliable narrators and while Harry is not unreliable per say, I like following along through his thinking and emotions. It works, it suits the genre, but has definitely shaped my impression of Harry favorably *thumbs up*
The mythos behind it all is wonderful and I heartily enjoy the worldbuilding and the longer story arcs at present. I like the odd relationship Murphy and Harry have and I am still rooting for them to get together, no matter how disastrous either of them think it will be. I'll be standing up on my chair cheering when it happens. (I also don't want it to happen, because then Murphy will be fair game for a) death b) vampire bite or c) something else horrible - romance is always doomed) In fact I like so many of the characters, their fullness and roundness, the shades of grey and dark sides, the back and forth of trust and suspicion.
However, I am not a fan of shadowy backroom politics and looming menaces and 'Black Councils' etc. I find the constant tension draining normally in stories with a lot of intrigue and politics *points at Academ's Fury* Anyhoo, so far so good with Dresden and the long story arc is intriguing more than frustrating... so far.
On the whole, I am delighted to have started down this Dresden road, this path of whump and woe and supernatural detectiveness. So thanks to you who recc'd and said go for it. *throws flowers*
