[JPK]

I've got my hands on copies of both the first Dresden book and the first Codex Alera book recently, and haven't read anything by Butcher yet. Which would you guys recommend I tackle first? I eagerly await your suggestions.

[amphibian]

The love for Jim Butcher is strong here and I can't tell you how much happiness you are going to get from both series in the future.

I personally love the Dresden series more, but as a first book, I think the Codex Alera is a better start. It's a bit more "figured out" to me.

[Vengeance]

I think that Butcher started off writing Dresden then once he became established he wrote the Codex. So his writing is a little bit more established in the codex then it was in the first Dresden. I would read Dresden first then read the codex. That way you can see his writing progression.

[Slow Ben]

Dresden!!!!


Codex is a good, solid series. But Dresdencrack just gets friggin amazing.

[Stalker]

My advice would be to get the Codex because it has an ending. It is a good series to get used to Butcher, and how awesome he is. Then you can read through all the Dresden books so that when the newest is released in July?, you won't have to wait to continue the series.

[Mentalist]

Dresden.

I've only read Alera 1 so far (2 has been sitting on a shelf for over a year now), and as far as first impressions go, Alera's nowhere as good as Storm front, imho.

[Slow Ben]

Briar King, on 05 February 2011 - 08:27 PM, said:

I say Alera but that is only because Ive yet to read a Dresden. Alera is the shit though....

Get your ass off this computer and go start Storm Front......NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[Silencer]

OK, I can't speak for the Codex, though I'm sure it's good, but my god. Dresden. I've just been on holiday on a boat. With nothing to do. So I went and obtained the entire Dresden Files series as thus far released in audiobook format (my first audiobooks, too, and a damn sight better presented than any of the others I have even thought about listening to so far, heh) because getting the books themselves would have taken too long...er...anyway, bit sidetracked, but suffice it to say, I did so because of the rep the Dresdencrack has here on the forums.

I am now, officially, completely hooked. And I listened to them all in the space of about two weeks. In successsion. No breaks. Loved. Every. Single. Second. I still have 'Changes' to go (just loaded that onto my iPod, am going to listen to it over the next 12 hours on my way home) and I am upset. Because I'm not going to have any more Dresden for a few months. Though I appreciate the loss of other members who have been waiting for Ghost Story since Changes released (hell, a couple of months is probably going to kill me, let alone any longer, lol), but hey, it's called 'Dresdencrack' for a fricken' reason, so I shall put my plight above everyone else's.

Seriously, I wasn't really keen on reading them, but figured I should due to the following here, and had the spare time, and holy crap, I am so glad I did. O.o
If Codex Alera is as good/better (seriously, is better even feasible?) I would be seriously surprised, and probably would never recover from the mental trauma of reading something so awesome. XD

Just thought I'd take this brief interlude in-between the books to, well, gush, seeing as I haven't had a chance to just yet, but as this thread was handy and I figure my opinion might just be on-topic, before I head back into the awesome and don't emerge until I'm done. I obviously haven't read enough non-Malazan fiction (seeing as since Malaz took over my life I haven't read *much* else, and what I have has been mediocre) because this stuff is...wow.

/back to the Dresdencrack.

[Tsundoku]

Briar King, on 06 February 2011 - 12:14 AM, said:

Slow Ben, on 05 February 2011 - 08:52 PM, said:

Briar King, on 05 February 2011 - 08:27 PM, said:

I say Alera but that is only because Ive yet to read a Dresden. Alera is the shit though....

Get your ass off this computer and go start Storm Front......NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

I def will get to it. I use to really like the show when it was on SyFy but I guess the ratings werent that great. I think it was only 11 epi...

The TV series was utter shite compared to the books. So if you liked the show you'll love the books even more.

[JPK]

wow, the responses for this have been rather down the middle. 3 for Furies of Calderon and 4 for Storm Front. I think I'm going to go for Furies for the time being for two reasons. I like that it has and ending (way too many unfinished series going on right now), and I think it would be a good idea to wait until after tCG to start something I'm not going to be able to put down. Thanks for the recommendations and I do plan on reading both series.

[Paran]

Do both, it works. The thing is, they're good for a break from the other, and all are self-contained. Enjoy!

[dktorode]

I alternated between them and its great....dresden can get a bit repetitive with certain explanations if you knock them off all in a row.
It is addictive so you will end up wanting your immediate fix.

[QuickTidal]

I can't choose. I've read both series completely (up to and including Dresden CHANGES) and IO really can't say. Both are different beasts though. Dresden reads a certain way and ALERA reads in a different way, but both are wholly good in their own ways.

I started with Dresden and went on to Alera....but I know people who are the reverse...so who knows.

Both REALLY good though.

[Obdigore]

QuickTidal, on 05 July 2011 - 05:58 PM, said:

Both REALLY good though.

This. It does not matter which you read first, so long as you read them.

[champ]

Obdigore, on 05 July 2011 - 06:00 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 05 July 2011 - 05:58 PM, said:

Both REALLY good though.

This. It does not matter which you read first, so long as you read them.

They cannot be separated in pace and this is why Butcher is such a quality author, it doesn't matter which series you read... you will be on the end of your seat no matter which story/book you chose!

Champ needs delicious fix... yessssss my precious....

[Tuberski]

I abandoned the first Codex book. Waiting until tomorrow to get ghost story.

[polishgenius]

I've still yet to finish Alera; I enjoy it, but it's nowhere near the upper echelons of fantasy for me. It's just a little bit too hectic, plus the main character irritates me.


Dresdencrack on the other hand is up there with my favourite fantasy series. It's just ridiculously awesome.

[polishgenius]

I've just got the last book to go.

Tavi irritates me because

Spoiler

he's a massive Gary Stu- I mean one of the worst I've read. Using his intelligence over his powers is great but he's basically become Batman, John Constantine and The Doctor all rolled into one, he doesn't need furycrafting because he's basically an unstoppable force of nature anyway.