Dresden Files, and why wizards are still cool

So remember the first time you ever read a story or saw a TV show or movie about Merlin when you were young? Remember thinking, "Wow, this guy is so cool! I wish I could do that stuff!"? I really hope I'm not the only one there. Now remember the first time you saw or read a true gritty crime/detective novel or movie or show? Remember thinking something similar to what you thought about Merlin? Thinking that those detectives had it all together, but were at the same time definitely human. Now take those two and put them together. What do you get? Well I will tell you, The Dresden Files.

What are these books? Well they are detective novels where the detective is a wizard. Now he isn't an all knowing, all seeing, all powerful wizard like Merlin was. He is a lot more human. He has limits, and he gets tired and worn out. He has to pay his bills, and even has to do some pretty crap jobs to make ends meet. There are 13 books in the series, well almost, 13 is out June 2011. The first two are decent, they aren't going to make you raise an eyebrow, or bowl you over though. But they are good for someone who was just starting out when he wrote them. The third one and on is when the meat starts really coming into the books though. The author, Jim Butcher, starts taking 3 and on and linking them together and even building a conspiracy eventually.

The first book is about Harry Dresden, our resident hero, taking on an evil wizard, a warlock to be exact, all the while having a glorified babysitter from the council of wizards watching over him, the police trying to prove or disprove if Harry did the murders this warlock committed, and his paycheck needed so he can pay his bills. Oh, and the warlock might be planning on trying to kill Dresden as well. All this, and Harry by the end of the book is almost running on empty on energy to use his magic, hasn't eaten or slept much, and has to rely almost solely on his crafty brain and wit to allow him to find this killer and stop him. This book is a great start to the series mainly because it gives you a real sense of who Harry Dresden is, and why we are going to like him. It also introduces us into his world. A world that is right beneath, even right in the middle of, the world we know. One full of magic, demons, fairies, and other creatures thought to be fictional.

Essentially here is why you should read these books. If you like detective novels full of wit, humor, and plenty of mystery you will enjoy them. If you like fantasy novels with magic, mystical creatures and occurrences, you will enjoy them. They are essentially clever, well written pieces of literature that has something for almost anyone. Give them a try, I promise you won't be sorry.