This series is fantastic! Having said that, I will echo the plethora of comments that state that this series really comes into its own in the third book (Grave Peril). Does this mean you should skip the first 2 books? I wouldn't, as the first 2 books are not that bad, they just aren't great like books 3-12+.
Wizards, Necromancers, Vampires, Werewolves, Faeries, Assassins, Demons, Ghouls, Mobsters, Angels, Cops, Ghosts, a Chlorofiend, Fairy-tale characters, and a confused pizza guy all make for an amazing series!
As many others have pointed out this series is trop-a-licious. What starts out as some fairly simply story telling in the first two books turns into a page-turning all-nighter in the third book as new characters are introduced and plot-twists begin to strengthen and take shape. By book 4 not only will you be hooked, but you're going to need a caffeine drip, because the story in book 4 pulls in more characters and a fair amount of plot twists that leaving you grasping for the next book in line... and when you get to Changes (book 12) you get smacked with a 2x4 in the face by Butcher, and get to read short stories (that actually add to the series), until book 13 comes out July 26, 2011!
If you like Urban Fantasy this is a must read series. Lots of magic, lots of action, and a WHOLE lot of sarcasm make this a must read... finish the first two quickly and then get some extra sleep... you're going to need it!
(PS- If you haven't read Butcher's other series, The Codex of Alera, you're also missing out!)
Dresden Series (Storm Front through Changes/Side Jobs)
This series is fantastic! Having said that, I will echo the plethora of comments that state that this series really comes into its own in the third book (Grave Peril). Does this mean you should skip the first 2 books? I wouldn't, as the first 2 books are not that bad, they just aren't great like books 3-12+.
Wizards, Necromancers, Vampires, Werewolves, Faeries, Assassins, Demons, Ghouls, Mobsters, Angels, Cops, Ghosts, a Chlorofiend, Fairy-tale characters, and a confused pizza guy all make for an amazing series!
As many others have pointed out this series is trop-a-licious. What starts out as some fairly simply story telling in the first two books turns into a page-turning all-nighter in the third book as new characters are introduced and plot-twists begin to strengthen and take shape. By book 4 not only will you be hooked, but you're going to need a caffeine drip, because the story in book 4 pulls in more characters and a fair amount of plot twists that leaving you grasping for the next book in line... and when you get to Changes (book 12) you get smacked with a 2x4 in the face by Butcher, and get to read short stories (that actually add to the series), until book 13 comes out July 26, 2011!
If you like Urban Fantasy this is a must read series. Lots of magic, lots of action, and a WHOLE lot of sarcasm make this a must read... finish the first two quickly and then get some extra sleep... you're going to need it!
(PS- If you haven't read Butcher's other series, The Codex of Alera, you're also missing out!)