Dresden Files, anyone?
Any sci-fi/fantasy fanatic like me has (hopefully) heard of this series. Written by Jim Butcher, it is set in modern-day Chicago, where all the stereotypical (as well as the lesser-known) fantastical beings exist (i.e. vampires, werewolves, sorcerers, demons, necromancers, fairies, etc.), but no one but a select few who are directly involved with them know that they do. However, that doesn't mean people aren't being effected or influenced by them within their daily lives. That's where Harry Dresden comes in. Whenever something "goes bump in the night", he's called up, either as a consultant by the Chicago Police, or as a private investigator to those with enough money or are in serious trouble. Not only is Harry an expert (more or less) on the supernatural, he is also a full-fledged wizard that can kick a** and take names, though only when he has to. He has devoted his life and magic to the common good, though he could sometimes fall into a gray area. No matter what, though, his intentions are always good, and he's willing to risk his life and health to save others (he's saved the world quite a few times in the series), though that wont stop him from complaining a bit.
I appreciate the series mostly for how it's written. Butcher writes it in the first person perspective of Harry, which ends up giving it some hilarious and insightful inner dialogue. His interactions with other characters are also priceless. As one character said, he's "diplomatically challenged and belongs in a home for the tactless". We still love Harry, anyway, despite his cynical and sarcastic sense of humor and poor social skills.
This is definitely a series for the more mature (in age, not personality). It's not that bad for a young-adult series, and I've only ran into one sex scene so far (considering I've read six of the books, that's fairly impressive). There is nothing described in gross detail ever, and even the nastiest jokes and references are implied almost elegantly. Butcher does a good job at getting the messages across by using more mature word-choice for implying things, rather than vomiting out-right crudeness at the reader like some writers, and never even makes a big deal out of his suggestive references. The overall fact is, there are very few of these in this series, but they are still in there, which is my point. Since I'm the one making this recommendation, I felt responsible to let all of you know, for the sake of our younger, possibly more innocent guild members. There is also other things the story touches on that requires some emotional maturity before reading: death, betrayal, relationships, drama, hardship, torture, etc. So, yeah, disclaimer over.
Anyway, that's my whole spiel. I'm not finished with the series, and neither is Jim Butcher, which is a good thing, because I love it, and I really don't want it to end (though, as we all know, all good things must do so eventually). I hope someone reads this and gets hooked just like I am, because it's totally worth it. I just got my other friend onto it, and now she's farther ahead than I am (I'm a slow, non-committal reader ). So, those who start it, come back later and let me know what you think. Those who already have read it, let's chat/RP about it!!! To those who just aren't interested, all I can say is this: Don't knock it until you've tried it.
And by the way, the TV show they based on it was HORRIBLE compared to the books. On it's own, it was okay, but there was a reason it was canceled after the first season. You can watch the entire thing on youtube if you want to see for yourself. On the other hand, the graphic novels are awesome. =D Jim Butcher writes them himself. If you're not sure about the series, try reading one of those, because it's basically a very good sample of what the actual books are like.
Alright, I'm done, now. lol. Entire rant over.
