A New Author

I am a reader. I always have been. I might even be what is known in literary circles as a voracious reader.


vo⋅ra⋅cious 
 /vɔˈreɪʃəs, voʊ-, və-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [vaw-rey-shuhs, voh-, vuh-] Show IPA
–adjective
1.
craving or consuming large quantities of food: a voracious appetite.
2.
exceedingly eager or avid: voracious readers; a voracious collector.


Now that I actually read the definition of the word 'voracious', it appears I might just be voracious in every circle and not just those of the literary persuasion. I do love my food.

Anyway, I have recently discovered a new author whose writings I am rapidly coming to enjoy. I'm not sure why it has taken me this long to find him.

Jim Butcher writes fantasy. I guess that is what you would call it. The protagonist in most, if not all, of his books is a gentleman by the name of Harry Dresden. Harry is a wizard. A wizard living in present day Chicago. A Chicago that is home to all sorts of things that go bump in the night. Vampires, ghouls, zombies, witches, etc. They all find their way into the books. As a wizard of the White Council, Harry is hell bent on keeping average folks safe from the denizens of the night. These books chronicle his adventures and let me just say that they are some great reads.


Now for the caveat. I have only read one book so far. I just finished Dead Beat. This particular book tells a story of a past nemesis of Harry's coming back to wreak havoc and cause all sorts of problems. Add to that the fact that this nemesis has in her possession certain items that will ruin Harry's best friend's life and so if Harry doesn't do as his enemy says, his friends life will be destroyed. Throw in some zombies, a half dozen or so necromancers, werewolves, and Harry's vampire half brother, Thomas, and you've got a wild ride.

The book itself is very well written. Characters are fleshed out and you find yourself actually caring about what happens to some of them. The atmosphere is intriguing. Wizardry and other preternatural forces at work in a modern day American city isn't exactly a new concept but Butcher does a great job of putting his own distinctive spin on it.

Dead Beat may have been the first book of Jim Butcher's that I have read but it definitely will not be the last.