The genre of “urban fantasy” is an acquired taste. Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files series falls into this catagory as does Simon R. Green’s Nightside series featuring a private eye named John Taylor who has the power to find anyone. Nightside is mystical site in London where the paranormal and the supernatural mix. In this adventure, the editor of Nightside’s The Unnatural Inquirer offers Taylor a million pounds to find a missing person who has a mysterious connection to the Afterlife. If you like macabre fiction and dark humor, you’ll find Simon R. Green’s Nightside series worth looking into.
This completes the March part of Carl V.’s fantasy challenge. To learn more about the fantasy challenge, click here.
I’m glad you liked it as I have the first book in the series on the way. I’m of mixe feelings about Butcher’s Dresden Files series. I have a couple more of them and need to read them before I decide if I’ll get the rest of the series.
I know what you mean about Butcher’s DRESDEN FILES, Jeff. Some of those books seem sloppily written. I think Butcher is churning out too many books and his quality is slipping.
mixed
Have you noticed how many book covers feature people’s backs lately.
Now that you mention it, yes, Patti. This particular cover reminded me of an Edward Gorey cover. Gorey liked to feature backs on his covers, too.
I have the first Dresden book, but after reading so many wildly opposing reviews, of it I’ve let it slip far down the TBR pile. I’m pretty sure I won’t buy another in that series unless I’m wildly enthusiastic about the first one. This does look to be in the same vein, not one I’m particularly interested in at this time.
It seems like Jim Butcher pumps out a new book each month, Rick. I’ve found the DRESDEN FILES series mildly interesting. I pick up the books when I find them selling cheaply at remainder stores but I don’t go out of my way.
Rick, a warning. The first one is not that good but I think he got it right (well, better) with book two.
I’ve read four or five of the DRESDEN FILES books, Jeff. They improve incrementally from book to book. But I still think Butcher should focus on writing better books rather than writing books faster.
I suspect that applies to all writers, doesn’t it?
Some prolific writers had pretty good quality control, Rick. Ed McBain wrote a few stinkers, but most of his output was very good. The same holds for John D. MacDonald.