In this fast-paced, action-packed
series we are led, by Butcher, and through his protagonist, Harry Dresden on one high-impact investigation after another as we delve deeper and deeper into the tumultuous and mysterious life of this wizard-for-hire. Being the only professional
wizard in the Chicago telephone directory Harry’s life is, understandably, an eccentric one, and Butcher skillfully carries the reader through it, cover-to-cover in what proves to be an exceptionally gripping read. Somewhat akin to ‘the Hollows’ series, by Kim Harrison, the Dresden files are set in the modern world as we know it, with the added twist of a Magic-practicing private investigator. Buffy: the vampire slayer meet’s the Hardy boy’s with a little Dr. Strange thrown in for good measure. The series kicks off with Storm front, in which we find Harry Dresden hired by the CPD’s special investigations department (the place where all the
trouble making, yet morally infallible, cop’s get kicked down to). We find that, despite the often supernatural nature of many of this departments cases, a professional wizard still has very few
friends here. Gradually, however, through the series, as Harry aids the department in more and more cases, with antagonists ranging from crazed blood-hungry werewolves to
dark sorcerers’ and, not surprisingly, killer vampires, he begins to gain respect, if not belief, from the doubters within the force eventually being able to look upon them as uneasy allies if not outright friends. Another source of constant concern and
activity in Harry’s world is the white council, a sort of wizard governing body (think: Jedi high council) set up to monitor all magic-related activity in the world. The White Council has it’s own problems with Harry, owning to some dark event from his confused youth. While a few inside the council are sympathetic towards Harry’s almost perpetual plight, most, including the Merlin himself, think of Harry as little more than a rouge and a trouble-maker that they would be better off not having in their ranks. With all this to worry about, not to mention regularly saving the world, keeping his girlfriend safe and his 30-pound Coke-drinking tabby it’s hardly a surprise Harry can barely pay the bills on time! The series is currently up to seven books with an eighth due in 2008-2009, not to mention a new TV series having recently been aired. Many of us fans are hoping Dresden’s run will be a long one.
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