# Would you recommend the Dresden Files (novels) series? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-recommend-the-dresden-files-novels-series/548572 "2010-07-30T12:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-recommend-the-dresden-files-novels-series/548572/61 "2011-07-22T18:41:15Z")
Yeah, that’s one of the reasons I dislike the first couple books. He’s kind of an assy young kid in those. Later on, as he forms relationships and develops character, he rounds out pretty well. One of the reasons I consider book 4 to be where it starts getting good is because [spoiler]he finally clues Murphy in on the supernatural deal. From there she starts trusting him, and although they still quarrel from time to time the suspicion and antagonism is gone. They make an incredible partnership as the books continue. It’s also the point at which he realizes that he can’t do everything himself, he can’t necessarily protect people through ignorance, and he _has_ to trust someone, which is a major turning point for the character.[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-recommend-the-dresden-files-novels-series/548572/62 "2011-07-22T18:52:25Z")
I like them a lot. Similar to the popcorn analogy, I always thought of them like potato chips: not exactly full of nutrition but god damn if I don’t want to open the next bag as soon as I’ve finished the current one. The first one was ok, but the second one I had to stop listening halfway through and start over when I realized I hadn’t been paying attention. I only stayed with it further than that because of exactly what Dopers have been saying in this thread “It really picks up after #3”. Totally true. Though I’m super disappointed about this next one, the narration will not be done by James Marsters! How could they??? ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-recommend-the-dresden-files-novels-series/548572/63 "2011-07-22T18:57:41Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > I have to mention that #6, **Blood Rites** , has a great example of an opening line hook. “The building was on fire and it wasn’t my fault.” > > In the first few paragraphs, he’s running down a dark hall in a burning building, trying not to drop a box of puppies. Something behind him is throwing globs of burning tar at him. At the bottom of the first page, he starts to slip. I dare you not to turn the page. It wasn’t tar. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-recommend-the-dresden-files-novels-series/548572/64 "2011-07-22T19:20:15Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > like the first season of Babylon 5 it’s just not where the awesome is. Dude. This was like the worst possible analogy you could have used. I’m one of the few people in the world with taste discerning enough to realize that Babylon 5 is a steaming pile of feces from start to finish. But that’s another thread… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-recommend-the-dresden-files-novels-series/548572/65 "2011-07-22T19:24:43Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Dude. This was like the worst possible analogy you could have used. I’m one of the few people in the world with taste discerning enough to realize that Babylon 5 is a steaming pile of feces from start to finish. But that’s another thread… 😃 Eh, de gustibus. I learned a while back not to care if people don’t like stuff I like and vice versa. Still, it’s a generally true thing. There’s very few really good TV or book series that start off excellent and continue being excellent. They either start off excellent and then peter out as the writers realize their interesting concepts weren’t sustainable, or else they start off weak, then get better as the writers figure out what they’re doing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-recommend-the-dresden-files-novels-series/548572.md?page=3)