Storm Front

The Dresden Files, Book 1

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 8 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. I'm a wizard. I work out of an office in midtown Chicago. As far as I know, I'm the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country. You can find me in the yellow pages, under Wizards. Believe it or not, I'm the only one there.

With rent past due and a decent meal becoming an issue of some importance, Harry needs work, and soon. A call from a distraught wife, and another from Lt. Murphy of the Chicago PD Special Investigation Unit makes Harry believe things are looking up, but they are about to get worse, much worse. Someone is harnessing immense supernatural forces to commit a series of grisly murders. Someone has violated the first law of magic: Thou Shalt Not Kill. Tracking that someone takes Harry into the dangerous underbelly of Chicago, from mobsters to vampires, while he himself is under suspicion of the crimes.

©2000 Jim Butcher (P)2002 Buzzy Multimedia

Starts slow but picks up

the voice was hard to get used to but his voice fits what I picture Dresden's voice being like. The story started slow but had me hooked by half way and I'm looking forward to listening to the other books.

CONTEXT is everything

Jim Butcher has created a wonderful cadre of characters especially Harry Dresden, Wizard. Storm Front, being the first book in the series, introduces Harry and sort of sets the overall tone of this book as something akin to a 1940’s detective story (although the stories are actually set in contemporary times).

Harry is chivalrous, many times to his detriment, as it almost always lands him in deeper and more dire circumstances. In the later novels, Harry’s deeper layers and scars are brought to the surface and his psyche is revealed as Jim Butcher continues to reveal the complexities of Harry’s psyche and character depth.

With that said, I have to address the issue of the narration of this book. I believe the original recording was done in the late 1990’s. I believe that most of the books on Audible may be recent recordings. The change in the technology alone in the intervening years is far and away from the technology available in the late 1990’s.

Storm Front is read by James Marsters and we should remember that James is reading a first in a series book. The character development of Harry Dresden is new here, and far from the more in-depth Harry that is found in the later books. Yes, you can hear James breathing more so than in the later books, but his vocal characterization of Harry is phenomenal and continues to grow along with Jim Butcher’s development of Harry Dresden. James also provides rich vocal characterizations for all the characters in this series. It is more like a one-man show than a book narration.

My only real complaint with James Marsters is that he has spoiled me. I now listen to the samples provided because in truth, some of the narrators should not be narrators. Or perhaps they should listen to the complete Dresden File series to “see” how it should be done.

I highly recommend this and all the other Dresden File novels. My suggestion is to listen in order. You will be richly rewarded and NOT disappointed.

Too many reviews…but what the he**!

I have done the first 5 books. I ran out of gas at that point…but I must say, the narrator, James Marsters makes the books! I think Jim Butcher realizes this…and about book 2 or 3 he gives a prologue giving James due credit…well done! Nothing new to add to reviews…but would say Marsters keeps you coming back!

Fun Book

This was Recommended to me by a dear friend. It was well narrated and very interesting. Any lover of fantasy magic and mystery should quite enjoy this one.

distressed wizard

good story. it kept my attention throughout the book . He was an unconventional hero.

Harry Dresden = Top-Flight Wizard

This was quite an entertaining story. Harry Dresden is a real wizard, and you can even find him in the Chicago yellow pages. When Dresden is called by the Chicago P.D. to help in a crime that can only be magical in nature, a rough few days ensue for the wizard. He's threatened by the mob, targeted by a dark wizard, and even has a warrant issued for his arrest by the Chicago P.D., even though he's been helping them solve the case. This is quite an interesting world, filled with magic, demons, and even Bob, Harry's helper spirit (sort of) that lives in a polished human skull. In addition to magical problems, Harry has plenty of real world ones, as well. All of it adds up to an excellent story. James Marsters does a great job with the narration.

I really enjoyed the opener for this series!

What about James Marsters’s performance did you like?

I really loved James Marsters' portrayal of Harry Dresden. Mr.Marsters really brought the character to life for me! The only reason I couldn't give the narration 5 stars was because there was a bit too much "sighing" during the performance. It fits with Harry Dredson's character but the frequency of it actually became a bit distracting. I can gladly say that the problem was corrected in the subsequent audiobooks:) If it was an option, I would only take a half a star off because the overall performance was great!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Of all the wizarding offices, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine. Of course, I am the only wizard-for-hire listed the yellow pages...*sigh* but that's not really the point...

Fun easy "read"

Would you listen to Storm Front again? Why?

Maybe if I was out of other books

What other book might you compare Storm Front to and why?

Anything in this genre

Which scene was your favorite?

don't remember

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

just a fun interesting story

Butcher is a good writer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes,if they are fans of the Dresden Files

What other book might you compare Storm Front to and why?

Butcher is not similar to any other major writer I read.

Which character – as performed by James Marsters – was your favorite?

Harry

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

No idea

Any additional comments?

no

Great Series and Amazing Performance

Where does Storm Front rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Storm Front was the first audio book that I purchased. I chose this based on the amazing reviews given for this book and the reader.

What did you like best about this story?

It is different than most of the fantasy fiction available. It's not overly dark, nor overly romantic; just right.

What about James Marsters’s performance did you like?

What was amazing to me is that I was able to listen to his voice, female or male, and remain lost to the story. He softened his voice enough for the female characters that it didn't sound disturbing. I also really liked how he made Harry's emotions come through in his voice. The sighs and sounds of annoyance in his voice were in keeping with the character's temperament and the story line.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to audiobooks when I'm forcing myself to do housework or other undesirable projects. Nothing helps me to get boring things done like a good book.

Any additional comments?

Excellent performance by the reader. Good book for fiction/fantasy lovers who just like a good, solid book. If you are tired of reading books with too much romance or gore, this is a good series.