Storm Front by Jim Butcher

The first book in the Dresden Files series (ten books and counting so far) is a refreshing wind for the urban fantasy genre and this reader. One of the cannon examples of urban fantasy, a blending of mystery and paranormal in a modern setting often with a touch of romance, Storm Front is slanted more toward suspense than romance.

Harry isn’t another supernaturally endowed, kick-ass female heroine, taking on the world of evil and the world of men at the same time. Harry is a somewhat-awkward, technologically challenged wizard who only has his training and his will power working for him, and the mysterious “Doom of Damocles” (two strikes, one more and you’re out), a black wizard killing by magic, and a supernatural version of a patrol officer (who thinks he’s the killer) all working against him. As soon as Dresden figures out the black wizard is using spring storms to fuel his magic he also hears that he’s the next target. The next rumble of thunder could be bringing his death.

Storm Front is suspenseful, the use of the storms as both plot point and for tension is excellent. Dresden is a charming hero, who gets by by the skin of his teeth and sheer luck, not by out magicking (or out sexing) the bad guys. The romance angle is lightly handled, the humor organic and the story will keep pages turning. This book is a great start for men or women who want to test out the urban fantasy waters.