The Dresden Files

I recently started listening to Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series. My friend at work suggested the first one, and once I started into it, I realized I'd heard of them before. I had a friend several years ago who was a big fan of the books. I very much enjoyed the first one, and the fact that it was narrated by James Marsters. Incidentally, I was a few seasons into Buffy The Vampire Slayer before I discovered that James Marsters was not, in fact, British. So I was excited at the prospect of hearing his real voice narrating these books.

As I said, I liked the first one. The second one, too. The stories are fun, there's some decent humor, and plenty of tension--even though you know that everything should turn out fine in the end. The series consists of 13 books so far, and it's not finished yet.

Now, however, I'm listening to the third book. I like the story arc of this one as well. Unfortunately, I've discovered something that has begun to really get on my nerves, and that is: The character of Harry Dresden exlaims "Hell's bells!" ALL. THE. DAMN. TIME. Once I noticed it, it got under my skin, and now it's almost to the point where it's making me cringe every time I hear it. I don't know if it's a writing crutch of Butcher's, or what the reason for it could be, but it's overused to the point of absurdity. Stephenie Meyer had a similar problem in the Twilight books: "His eyes tightened." Edward's eyes were tightening so often it's a wonder they didn't get stuck that way. And once the overuse of a phrase registers, it's impossible to overlook it. Sort of like when a friend pointed out how hyperactive Emma Watson's eyebrows were in the first few Harry Potter movies. Completely impossible to not see it every time after that.

I do wonder whether it makes a difference that I'm listening to these books and not reading them; that hearing the phrase over and over makes more of an impact than just reading it would. I suspect it might. Also, while I do enjoy Marsters's narration overall, he's one of the more mistake-prone readers I've come across. Twice during my listening at work tonight, he said the phrase, "wrecking havoc." You don't wreck havoc. You  WREAK havoc. I presume that unless Butcher had a shitty editor, "wreak" is what is actually on the page. I know this makes me sound anal, but it's just a small irritant. It takes me out of the story a tiny bit each time.

So do I recommend these books? Sure. They're fun, if you like wizardy, supernatural stories. Are they formulaic? Yep. As good as Harry Potter? Not even close. In fact, I'd recommend Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant series over these--it's funnier and it's got STELLAR narration. But The Dresden Files are thoroughly entertaining, and enjoyable enough that I'm anxious to see how book 3 ends. Not a full-throated endorsement, maybe, but hey...I can't absolutely love everything!