Landscape Genres - Urban Fantasy

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Harry Dresden is a wizard, working out of an office in Chicago, maybe the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country.  His major source of income is consulting for the Special Investigations department of the Chicago Police Department, who investigate any crimes dubbed “unusual”.  The new millennium has brought about a renewal in awareness of the paranormal.  No one in the police department wants to admit it, but supernatural crimes happen.  Solving crimes involving witches, vampires, and demons is dangerous and very often misunderstood.  Harry is a modern wizard with old-fashioned values, and a strict code of honor which causes him some trouble.  He tries to protect the police officer he consults for, but she feels she can take care of herself.  This story is populated with interesting characters, both human and nonhuman.  From the first gruesome crime scene to the ultimate showdown, Storm Front is a wild ride.  Harry will make you laugh, groan, sweat, and sometimes roll your eyes, so buckle up and get ready to be entertained. 

      

Elements of Appeal:

Setting – Harry’s world is not a different place, but rather a different version of the world we know.  Storm Front takes place in Chicago in the present, but the paranormal elements that have always existed, have become more open – vampires run escort services, drugs can help you see the paranormal world, and magic can stop your heart.  The world building is very convincing in its subtlety. 

Story line – Harry is trying very hard to help good triumph over evil, but is conflicted by his worry that something within him is not good.  Good wars against evil in this tale and good triumphs, but not without extreme effort and sacrifice. 

Mood – fast paced, dark, and gritty, but Harry adds his own brand of humor.

Characterization – Harry is definitely battling for good, but sometimes that struggle is internal.  He is not a Knight in shining armor.  He battles evil in human and supernatural form.  John Marcone is a gangster with a merciless soul, but he is at least mortal.  Harry also must overcome acid spitting demons and supernatural scorpions that grow to giant size. 

Style/language – Storm Front is urban fantasy; its language is conversational prose with some jargon, not the more elegant and stylized language of classic fantasy. 

Point of view – Harry tells this story in first person point of view.  We know only what Harry knows, but as he tells the story, he sometimes refers to things he should have seen coming or found out later.

My opinion:  I really enjoyed Storm Front and have since read Fool Moon, which I enjoyed even more.  Storm Front started off a little slow for me, as the author introduced Harry and his world. It took me a few chapters to figure out where it was going. Once the action started, it was non-stop! As I got to know Harry, I discovered he is a complex and likable character.  He's not great at relationships, but always tries to do the right thing, even when no one else understands.   

If you liked Storm Front, you might also like:

Fool Moon by Jim Butcher

This second in the Dresden Files series will not disappoint Harry Dresden fans.  Many of the colorful characters from Storm Front are back including Karrin Murphy, Susan Rodriguez, and Bob, the spirit residing in a skull in Harry’s basement who assists him with potions and knowledge.  

 Box Office Poison by Phillipa Bornikova

The tone of the urban fiction novel is not as gritty as Storm Front, but it also features an irreverent protagonist dealing with supernatural villains and solving crimes.

Moon over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch

This story is also a first person POV urban fantasy.  Peter Grant, the protagonist is a London Constable and apprentice sorcerer solving a crime too bizarre to have been committed by a mere mortal in a strong urban setting and dealing with police procedure.

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch

This is also a Peter Grant tale

Hot Lead, Cold Iron by Ari Marmell

Mick Oberon, private detective in 1930s Chicago and former fae prince, is hired to track down a missing person who was replaced 16 years ago by a changeling.  Mick, like Harry goes after supernatural bad guys in Chicago, while maintaining a sense of humor.