Book Review: Stormfront

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Stormfront     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jim Butcher
Class/Genre:   Fantasy   Mystery   Magic
Series: Dresden Files # 1
Roc, May 2000, $6.99, 322 pp.

On Harry Dresden’s Earth, beings such as fairies, trolls, and vampires roam the planet. Wizards also exist, as Harry knows first hand, being such a creature. Harry has listed himself in the yellow pages as the only in the open practicing wizard in the country. Harry has even helped the Chicago police on a case or two though most officers reject the arcane.

Harry is in good standing with the White Council that governs wizards because he once killed someone in self-defense yet survived. He is under the Doom of Damocles and if he breaks any more rules, he will be executed. any of This makes his present situation a bit touchy. He is working a case involving the use of deadly magic that requires Harry to reconstruct the original spell in order to identify the murderer. If his watchdog catches him, he will be obliterated. Feeling he has no choice, Harry soon finds himself on the abyss by the dark magic he encounters.

Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and Tanya Huff will love this new fantasy series set in a world where preternatural creatures live and magic is a form of science. Harry is a remarkable character that risks everything to travel down the path he feels is right, especially since a wrong turn is fatal. With more novels like this gem, Jim Butcher will not need magic to become a household name.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner