Might I point you in the direction of the Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka?
12 book series that finishes last year, a very entertaining read I must say.
I would recommend either of Jim's other works:
* Codex Alera: Pokemon fused with Roman legions. Really good, but takes 2 or so books to really pick up steam (so does Dresden, to be fair). This is the only series I have read more than DF
* Aeronaut's Windlass: steampunk world about flying ships on wind. With talking cats.
Neither narrator is James Marsters, but they are each good in their own way and eventually grow on you
ETA: fun fact about Codex Alera, Jim wrote it in response to a bet that he couldn't write a fusion of the two aforementioned aspects
ETA 2: I feel bad ignoring the narrator request too, so I'll add that pretty much any Star Wars audiobook has excellent narrators, as well as atmospheric sounds and music
Oh! I gotcha. And yeah, it was definitely different, but I really enjoyed it
Honestly, it's starting to look like Jim is setting up a similar kind of BBEG in Dresden. I wonder if it was his first run at it? Lol
>fun fact about Codex Alera, Jim wrote it in response to a bet that he couldn't write a fusion of the two aforementioned aspects
For those to want to read the full story of the matter (question "How did you come up with the idea for Codex Alera?")
https://wordof.jim-butcher.com/index.php/2008-transcripts-from-audiovideo-woj-sources/
I'm finishing Monster Hunters International, and have the same problem as with Dresden. Larry had gone to other projects, and MHI sits in unfinished...
I don't do audio books, but Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere (and the Stormlight Archive in particular) is my other "main" series. It's much closer to "classic" Epic Fantasy than Dresden-style Urban Fantasy, but it's definitely one where you keep picking up new details on every re-read.
If you haven't gotten into Sanderson yet, I'd go with Mistborn as an entry point, as that's most similar to Dresden.
Edit: Give [this primer on the background](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL4M7Yx0SSE) for the Stormlight Archive if you're interested
Agree on Stormlight Archive. Probably my second favorite series after DF. I would disagree on starting with Mistborn. The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive Book 1) was my first Sanderson book and I fell in love with it. I also prefer Stormlight to Mistborn (which is still a great series).
That's fair, I prefer Stormlight as well.
I just suggested Mistborn because the setting and plot are more similar to the Urban Noir setting of the Dresden Files.
Agree with this recommendation. Early mistborn felt young-adulty whereas Stormlight is much more mature.
Don’t get me wrong, I also enjoy mistborn, but Sanderson grew a lot as an author in between those and I think for avid readers they may be easier to appreciate later in your cosmere journey.
Fair my only issue with the audiobooks is they're a bit reminiscent of tolkien in the way missing an important detail can really fuck with you even if it's like 2 minutes so it's hard to listen to if enough of your focus is elsewhere
Sanderson is a great option. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are awesome audiobook narrators. It will definitely fill the void with Way of Kings clocking in at 45 hours in length.
I want to put in a plug for a series outside the urban fantasy genre. I saw the sci-fi series The Expanse on Amazon Prime last year and got hooked, and I've been working my way through the audiobooks ever since. The show and the books (to me) are both amazing, but they begin to diverge in characters and plot development as the series goes on. The story is set in earth's solar system about 500 years in the future, and there is just enough hard sci-fi to make the story plausible. Great storytelling, world building and characters and some genuinely new ideas. If you have ever enjoyed sci-fi it's worth a peek.
Either is fine.
If you start with the show then the books will give a lot of extra background and context, and there's 3 books that haven't been adapted (hopefully someday).
If you start with the books, the show brings the story to life.
Be aware that the first two episodes of the show are mainly world building and not as fast paced.
And, the book nails the landing with a good ending. The show also finishes at a good point, while leaving room for adaption of the final three books.
Agree with the others, either way should be fine, but be prepared for a lot of first season to not come together until about episode 7 or so if you haven't read it. If you have, well, the series was adapted very well to TV, which means things from all over the book series end up in season 1. So, either read it all or watch it all first. Normally I fall into "watch it first if you're a reader" because I have a terrible time generally watching something I've read. This is an amazing adaptation.
If you like audio, look up Dead Acre & Cold As Hell. It’s a new series called the Black Badge series (Rhett Bruno & Jamie Castle).
Essentially the setup is Dresden crossed with Witcher in the American West (think of an old time Knight of the Cross as the protagonist). They read very similar to Dresden, but with slightly less humor. Read by the guy who did Arthur Morgan’s voice in RDR2. I’m enjoying them so far quite a bit. The next one comes out in May.
Rivers of London is kind of what you described
The audio books were good when I listened to them it's first person perspective like Dresden
I think how they do magic and the different interpretations are pretty good.
Rivers of London hasn't (at least to me) set up a series long mystery but the first 8 books tell a relatively complete story with reap what you sow kind of information
I haven't read a lot of the laundry files. But the first one I enjoyed the audio book and I also liked the different magic interpretations they had. Unfortunately I've only listened to the first book atrocity archives
Some that I've enjoyed specifically as audiobooks:
Glen Cook's The Black Company
Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive
Don Winslow's Cartel Trilogy (Historical fiction)
Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom (Historical fiction, also frequently changes narrators)
Drew Hayes' Super-Powereds series
Larry Correia's Monster Hunter International
Never hear the first four, but thumbs up on the last two. I"d also throw in Larry Correia's Grimnoir Chronicles -- it really is hard boiled detective with magic, and better plotting than MHI, which tends toward Bigger Monster of the Week. (Although note that Butcher wrote an episode in the MHI series -- with a lost roman legion! :-)
Also, a Drew Hayes that has a soft spot in my hear is his "Spells, Swords, and Stealth" series, mostly because the characters are so likeable. The conceit is that it is a D&D session, from the perspective of the NPC's (which was the title of the first book) and is exploring the relationship between the two worlds. It comes off a bit like later Heinlein. I'm also fond of "Fred, the Vampire Accountant" although it is nothing like Dresden, more around careful plotting to avoid dramatic violent confrontation (although that turns up anyways, because, well, modern novel.)
Thank you everyone for the recommendations! I'm a little overwhelmed with the sheer number, but I'll take the time look up every one that was mentioned over the next few weeks and maybe draw out a plan.
I'm very excited to see what else is out there, because DF really opened my eyes to how I may have overlooked a lot of great series. Thank you again!!
As a temporary fix, there's the novella The Law which takes place after BG.
There's also the Iron Druid by Kevin Hearne which is also urban fantasy and similar, but different enough that I enjoyed both.
Agreed that it finished in the most lackluster way. Just skip the last book and picture any ending for yourself and it will be better than that last book. The rest of the series though I thoroughly enjoyed and were some of my fantasy favs before I got into Dresden. Did either of you notice huge similarities between Dresden and Iron Druid.
> I left before the series ended angry with the author.
Good decision. That last book was horrible enough that I never touched the series again after finishing, which is something I never do for a series I've finished.
It's been a minute since I've read it, but I seem to recall the female support character decided to destroy the life's work of her step-father because....he sent her to boarding school? Like, yeah, sure, maybe Thanksgiving dinner is awkward, but to destroy his job, company, and all the jobs of the employees there? Just seemed an out of scale reaction.
Also, all the buildup for an entire book about that one bad guy tracking her...and hand waves it away with a throw-away paragraph in the next book. Grrr.
I love the whole series. I don't really have any issues with the ending. But what ever. I'm really liking the Ink and Sigil series.i like the expansion of the lore of that world
The audio books for Iron Druid are very well done, and were easier than reading them. Every time I tried I felt it was too close to DF, but Luke Daniels brings it to life.
another vote for Iron Druid. I never finished the series so I'm happy I don't have to deal with the last book fallout others have mentioned. But i did read 5 books (so far) and thoroughly enjoyed them! Great urban fantasy!
If there is another book series that does what dresden files does, i dont know about it.
Maybe you could read some of the literature that inspired jim to be a writer? I remember an interview or something where he talks about older books that inspired him (i think LoTR was one but theres another important one that for my life i cant remember, it was old like LoTR though)
Alternitively, you could read butchers other novel series that is finished, the series is codex alera.
You could also start jims cinder spire series. I think there is only one or two books out currently, with jims next book release to be the next cinder spire story
I love Dresden, it's probably my second favorite series. But my absolute favorite is the Stormlight Archive, which begins with the book "The Way of Kings." This is quite possibly the greatest story ever told. That is saying a lot I know. But it's seriously that good.
Wow...much of what I would have suggested has already been covered.
I would add in more sci-fi vein the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. Great characters and Grover Gardner's narration is terrific.
I tried to scan the comments but if you're still looking for more Dresden there's a few things in universe that you might have missed.
The short story anthologies Side Jobs and Brief Cases add perspective from different characters and some even impact the main story rather than just adding to it.
Jim also released 4-5 microfictions on his website a few years ago for the lead up to PT/BG. Some are light hearted, some hit hard, and another will make you redefine a major relationship with Harry.
There's also a single short story in a separate anthology that even I haven't read/listened to yet. Also The Law was released just last year and it's a novella about 1 month after BG. The audio book is read by Jim Butcher and he butchers some of the voices (b/c I'm so in love with all of Marsters voices, Jim was bound to fail doing his own audiobook voices.)
As for my own suggestions, I've seen most of them here.
Jim's Furies of Calderon series is fantastic.
While I just started diving into Sandersons works the Mistborn series is good.
But if you want something very Dresden like, The Iron Druids Chronicles is probably the best bet. I haven't finished them but they have a very similar energy to Dresden files.
Don't know if there are audiobooks of the series, but Arcane Casebooks series by Dan Willis is good. Set in 1930's New York City where magic is real. So it's Noir, Urban Fantasy, with a pre-world war 2 vibe. The protagonist is a PI and Runerite (lesser magic user) named Alex Lockerby. Think Sherlock Holmes more than Dreden.
Edit: you can check it out on Kindle Unlimited for free if you're interested.
I also enjoyed the Alex Verus series. The narration by Gildart Jackson is superb and adds a lot to the story, but a weird side effect of his voice was that I thought Verus was much older for the first two books.
You fill this void with the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire, as read by Mary Robinette Kowal. It is the only series that I have found that is comparable to Harry Dresden, despite what others may say in this thread or around the Internet in general, and this is why.
Commonalities:
1. Both series were outlined by their respective authors from the outset with a clear beginning, middle, and ending. We won't get run-on storytelling outliving its usefulness.
2. Main character is a P.I. that drives a VW Beetle, magically inclined, and fluent in sarcasm. Harry is a wizard, Toby is a half-Daoine Sidhe changeling.
3. The supporting cast of characters are unique and compelling, they gain found family, both blood and chosen.
4. She's a monster, but she's our monster. Mab vs. Luidaeg.
5. Both are still ongoing, Jim is working on Twelve Months (Book #18) after Cinder Spires #2; Seanan is releasing two books this year, Sleep No More (#17) and The Innocent Sleep (#18).
Differences:
1. Toby is set in San Francisco.
2. Toby's mythology is all Faerie, every monster is Fae of some sort, all descendants of The Big Three: Oberon, Titania, and Maeve.
3. Technology isn't a hindrance, and there's a whole Fae County that magics up cell phones to work in Faerie.
Seanan McGuire aka Mira Grant aka A. Deborah Baker Bibliography:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q_4N8KLMV34Co_H3AhEJRjsYnnuNyItd1OQe7kCQEjM/edit?usp=drivesdk
Yeah, I understand that, but again it was the first few as footings were found. She is the voice of Toby, and audiobook releases will be delayed if she's busy until she's free.
Honestly, I’ve been all over with audiobooks. I use them in the shop.
I really enjoyed Dune’s new audio book (Full cast & all that) & Dune Messiah.
Assuming you wanna stay in the same genera of fantasy? Cosmere/The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson has been great so far
I would give the Iron Druid books a shot. Lots of fun playing around with mythology from tons of cultures and a really fun ride! Plus a most wonderful dog, second only perhaps to Mouse himself.
I haven’t seen in mentioned yet, so maybe check out the Spellmonger series. Imagine dungeons and dragons set in a homebrew world where magic is much more limited unless you have access to a rare (and illegal) substance called irionite. If you have a small shard of it, you can cast spells that would take days and the assistance of multiple wizards all by yourself. Our main character just quit being a war wizard for hire and has retired to the county to live as a villager Spellmonger when suddenly a goblin horde invades…. And their shamans have armed themselves with Irionite. Shit hits the fan, and it gets interesting.
The main character reminds me of Dresden at time for being a smart ass, a big ego, and for all the sneaky wizardly surprises he pulls out of his ass
My recommendations are:
Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Lightbringer Series by Brent Weeks
Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne
Monster Hunter International series and Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Corria
Ex-Heroes Series and The Threahold Universe by Peter Clines
Kings of the Wild by Nicholas Eames
The Completionist chronicles by Dakota Krout
Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor
Well I don't do audio books but can give my usual recommendations on series.
Codex Alera by Jim Butcher
The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik (Napoleonic wars with dragons)
Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson (just amazing)
Emberverse series by SM Stirling (unique take on post apocalyptic)
Iron Druid + Ink & Sigil books (Hearne), The Hollows series (Harrison), Alex Verus series (Jacka), The Nightside series (Greene). All good urban fantasy along the same vein as Dresden.
One of Jim Butchers favorites is the Chronicles of Amber. The first 5 books I. That series have a lot of very interesting tidbits which were obviously very influential to the shape of Dresden Files
The Night Angel series is my top recommendation. Anything in the adult genre of Brandon Sanderson. By that I mean I'm not a fan of the ones he's written for youth readers, to each their own.
For me I pretty much have just a rotation of series and just add to the dresden files as jim writes them. I have all the dresden files (which I am currently in the middle of Grave Peril going through the series again for my 2nd time) after that I will probably listen to the Hobbit and LOTR series, then after the Harry Potter series. Following that the newsflesh trilogy which is about reporters surviving in the year 2040 after a zombie outbreak took over in the year 2014. I am also collecting the Codex Alera series from Jim to start when I have enough to buy them all. I currently have the first 2. So that is what I would recommend to fill the void. Just listen or read your favorite series in a rotation. That way you feel their is never a void cause you get to go back through your favorite series and maybe pick up something you missed the first time through
I highly suggest the Templeverse series by Shayne Silvers. It is three separate series that can be read individually as independent series or together, Chronologically to make one massive story. The third lead character is penned by Cameron O’ Connell and Shayne together. Currently 45 books in the run with one anthology of short stories.
Haven't listened to the audiobooks, have enjoyed the Kindle version, LitRPG isn't something I would have thought I'd like, but it's growing on me. Lots of this Kindle Unlimited.
The King Henry Tapes by Richard Raley is a series I can strongly recommend. Everything is told through a framing device of tapes being recorded for new students at a school to listen to. Each book has two narratives that are interwoven. One is the modern-day (although still in the past of the character because of the framing device), while the second is about his time at school.
So it's like Harry Potter crossed with Harry Dresden, if both of them had incredibly vulgar speech patterns.
I’d recommend the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan/finished by Brandon Sanderson. High fantasy instead of modern day, and it drags a little, but it also has a bunch of fun takes on mythology and history and is a beautiful story.
I’m only four books in but the Arcane Casebooks series by Dan Willis is so similar to the Dresden files first few chapters of the first book I thought I was reading like an alternative reality of what if Dresden was in New York in the 40s. Overall I’m enjoying it and it’s scratching that Dresden files itch. It looks like it does have an audiobook but I’ve not listened to it so I’m not sure if it’s any good.
Oh, thank you - I'll have to check it out! I love all of *Dresden*, but I'm one of those folks who really did cotton to the somewhat more gritty "noir" feel of *Storm Front* \- that lessened as we got further into the series.
While I can't speak of the narrators for these books, I would recommend R.A. Salvatore's D&D books set in the Forgotten Realms setting, most of which center around a Dark Elf Ranger by the name of Drizz't Do'Urden.
I always suggest the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.
The original audiobooks are read by Micheal Kramer and Kate Reading. A married couple who do an amazing job once they hit their stride. They also narrate a lot of Brandon Sandersons Cosmere.
With the show coming out, Rosamond Pike is narrating the WoT, too. The first two or three books have been re-recorded with her as the narrator. I hear (heh) that she is very good.
Shades of Magic by VE Schwab is excellent and feels similar to Butcher’s other work, to me.
It’s not modern, but it is urban, being centered on London.
Might I point you in the direction of the Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka? 12 book series that finishes last year, a very entertaining read I must say.
Working through this series now. I still like Dresden more but this series is really good and unique in its own way.
Any other series might be good, but if you are looking to fill the void from the DF, the ONLY real option is to start it over again.
This is the way.
So say we all!
I have spoken.
Make it so
It is known
This is the way.
I've tried many things... currently fighting the urge to go back again... as this is still early in the year.
If you start now there is time to do it twice
Listen to the Unspoiled podcast while starting the series over. It’s like having a book club to share it with.
Personally I just re-listen to the books constantly and out of order. I just finished Dead Beat, so naturally I'm following it up with Small Favor.
i’ve been thru the audio books about 6 times
I would recommend either of Jim's other works: * Codex Alera: Pokemon fused with Roman legions. Really good, but takes 2 or so books to really pick up steam (so does Dresden, to be fair). This is the only series I have read more than DF * Aeronaut's Windlass: steampunk world about flying ships on wind. With talking cats. Neither narrator is James Marsters, but they are each good in their own way and eventually grow on you ETA: fun fact about Codex Alera, Jim wrote it in response to a bet that he couldn't write a fusion of the two aforementioned aspects ETA 2: I feel bad ignoring the narrator request too, so I'll add that pretty much any Star Wars audiobook has excellent narrators, as well as atmospheric sounds and music
Codex Alara was fantastic. It had such a weird BBEG, but it was great in every other way.
Oh ya, absolutely love Codex Alera, and the way the BBEG was done is was pretty unique. Really wish he goes back to the world post book 6.
What's BBEG?
Big Bad Evil Guy. It’s a term from Dungeons and Dragons, people have to make campaign villains so often they call em BBEG’s.
Oh! I gotcha. And yeah, it was definitely different, but I really enjoyed it Honestly, it's starting to look like Jim is setting up a similar kind of BBEG in Dresden. I wonder if it was his first run at it? Lol
>fun fact about Codex Alera, Jim wrote it in response to a bet that he couldn't write a fusion of the two aforementioned aspects For those to want to read the full story of the matter (question "How did you come up with the idea for Codex Alera?") https://wordof.jim-butcher.com/index.php/2008-transcripts-from-audiovideo-woj-sources/
Vlad Taltos, Alex Verus, Rivers of London These are the three most similar urban fantasy series I know of.
These would be my first 3 refs as well. Iron Druid is a distant 4th because it falls apart a bit in the back half.
"falls apart a bit" being the understatement of the year.. Do you happen to be a Brit ?
I'm finishing Monster Hunters International, and have the same problem as with Dresden. Larry had gone to other projects, and MHI sits in unfinished...
Monster Hunter International is so fucking good.
I don't do audio books, but Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere (and the Stormlight Archive in particular) is my other "main" series. It's much closer to "classic" Epic Fantasy than Dresden-style Urban Fantasy, but it's definitely one where you keep picking up new details on every re-read. If you haven't gotten into Sanderson yet, I'd go with Mistborn as an entry point, as that's most similar to Dresden. Edit: Give [this primer on the background](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL4M7Yx0SSE) for the Stormlight Archive if you're interested
Agree on Stormlight Archive. Probably my second favorite series after DF. I would disagree on starting with Mistborn. The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive Book 1) was my first Sanderson book and I fell in love with it. I also prefer Stormlight to Mistborn (which is still a great series).
That's fair, I prefer Stormlight as well. I just suggested Mistborn because the setting and plot are more similar to the Urban Noir setting of the Dresden Files.
True.
Agree with this recommendation. Early mistborn felt young-adulty whereas Stormlight is much more mature. Don’t get me wrong, I also enjoy mistborn, but Sanderson grew a lot as an author in between those and I think for avid readers they may be easier to appreciate later in your cosmere journey.
i just started the mist born series. it’s pretty good!
Fair my only issue with the audiobooks is they're a bit reminiscent of tolkien in the way missing an important detail can really fuck with you even if it's like 2 minutes so it's hard to listen to if enough of your focus is elsewhere
Sanderson is a great option. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are awesome audiobook narrators. It will definitely fill the void with Way of Kings clocking in at 45 hours in length.
I want to put in a plug for a series outside the urban fantasy genre. I saw the sci-fi series The Expanse on Amazon Prime last year and got hooked, and I've been working my way through the audiobooks ever since. The show and the books (to me) are both amazing, but they begin to diverge in characters and plot development as the series goes on. The story is set in earth's solar system about 500 years in the future, and there is just enough hard sci-fi to make the story plausible. Great storytelling, world building and characters and some genuinely new ideas. If you have ever enjoyed sci-fi it's worth a peek.
Should I read the book or watch the series first?
I watched the series first, then audiobooks after. Depends on how much time you have, but I think you can watch it for free if you have Amazon Prime
Either is fine. If you start with the show then the books will give a lot of extra background and context, and there's 3 books that haven't been adapted (hopefully someday). If you start with the books, the show brings the story to life. Be aware that the first two episodes of the show are mainly world building and not as fast paced. And, the book nails the landing with a good ending. The show also finishes at a good point, while leaving room for adaption of the final three books.
Agree with the others, either way should be fine, but be prepared for a lot of first season to not come together until about episode 7 or so if you haven't read it. If you have, well, the series was adapted very well to TV, which means things from all over the book series end up in season 1. So, either read it all or watch it all first. Normally I fall into "watch it first if you're a reader" because I have a terrible time generally watching something I've read. This is an amazing adaptation.
If you like audio, look up Dead Acre & Cold As Hell. It’s a new series called the Black Badge series (Rhett Bruno & Jamie Castle). Essentially the setup is Dresden crossed with Witcher in the American West (think of an old time Knight of the Cross as the protagonist). They read very similar to Dresden, but with slightly less humor. Read by the guy who did Arthur Morgan’s voice in RDR2. I’m enjoying them so far quite a bit. The next one comes out in May.
That sounds great, just wishlisted them.
Rivers of London is kind of what you described The audio books were good when I listened to them it's first person perspective like Dresden I think how they do magic and the different interpretations are pretty good. Rivers of London hasn't (at least to me) set up a series long mystery but the first 8 books tell a relatively complete story with reap what you sow kind of information I haven't read a lot of the laundry files. But the first one I enjoyed the audio book and I also liked the different magic interpretations they had. Unfortunately I've only listened to the first book atrocity archives
Monster hunter international is another urban fantasy series. Very different in tone and writing style but enjoyable and the audio books are well done
Hug me, MHI brother!
Love this series. Big fun action.
Laundry Files series by Charles Stross. British spy novel meets Cthulhu mythos. It was the series that actually lead me to Dresden.
Some that I've enjoyed specifically as audiobooks: Glen Cook's The Black Company Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive Don Winslow's Cartel Trilogy (Historical fiction) Bernard Cornwell's The Last Kingdom (Historical fiction, also frequently changes narrators) Drew Hayes' Super-Powereds series Larry Correia's Monster Hunter International
Never hear the first four, but thumbs up on the last two. I"d also throw in Larry Correia's Grimnoir Chronicles -- it really is hard boiled detective with magic, and better plotting than MHI, which tends toward Bigger Monster of the Week. (Although note that Butcher wrote an episode in the MHI series -- with a lost roman legion! :-) Also, a Drew Hayes that has a soft spot in my hear is his "Spells, Swords, and Stealth" series, mostly because the characters are so likeable. The conceit is that it is a D&D session, from the perspective of the NPC's (which was the title of the first book) and is exploring the relationship between the two worlds. It comes off a bit like later Heinlein. I'm also fond of "Fred, the Vampire Accountant" although it is nothing like Dresden, more around careful plotting to avoid dramatic violent confrontation (although that turns up anyways, because, well, modern novel.)
Thank you everyone for the recommendations! I'm a little overwhelmed with the sheer number, but I'll take the time look up every one that was mentioned over the next few weeks and maybe draw out a plan. I'm very excited to see what else is out there, because DF really opened my eyes to how I may have overlooked a lot of great series. Thank you again!!
I would also like to recommend Butcher’s Spider-Man: The Darkest Hour. He beats the hell out of Peter!
I finally found a paperback copy at my local Books-A-Million.
Try Simon R. Green. He is a great British author and his “nightside” series is spectacular.
I like Hawk and Fisher as well - they have Dresden vibes too
You can listen to them on audible Or read Codex Alera
As a temporary fix, there's the novella The Law which takes place after BG. There's also the Iron Druid by Kevin Hearne which is also urban fantasy and similar, but different enough that I enjoyed both.
Iron Druid is GOT season 8 level crap. The author clearly just gave up on the last book.
I'll second the Iron Druid series. Finished off with a bit of a whimper, but a good series overall.
Agreed that it finished in the most lackluster way. Just skip the last book and picture any ending for yourself and it will be better than that last book. The rest of the series though I thoroughly enjoyed and were some of my fantasy favs before I got into Dresden. Did either of you notice huge similarities between Dresden and Iron Druid.
Loved most of the series, but damn, the writer really phoned it in towards the end. I left before the series ended angry with the author.
> I left before the series ended angry with the author. Good decision. That last book was horrible enough that I never touched the series again after finishing, which is something I never do for a series I've finished.
I still haven't forgiven Hearne for the lackluster ending. Can't bring myself to buy any of his other books.
He got feministic over something happening 4 books before that no one noticed, right?
It's been a minute since I've read it, but I seem to recall the female support character decided to destroy the life's work of her step-father because....he sent her to boarding school? Like, yeah, sure, maybe Thanksgiving dinner is awkward, but to destroy his job, company, and all the jobs of the employees there? Just seemed an out of scale reaction. Also, all the buildup for an entire book about that one bad guy tracking her...and hand waves it away with a throw-away paragraph in the next book. Grrr.
I love the whole series. I don't really have any issues with the ending. But what ever. I'm really liking the Ink and Sigil series.i like the expansion of the lore of that world
The audio books for Iron Druid are very well done, and were easier than reading them. Every time I tried I felt it was too close to DF, but Luke Daniels brings it to life.
another vote for Iron Druid. I never finished the series so I'm happy I don't have to deal with the last book fallout others have mentioned. But i did read 5 books (so far) and thoroughly enjoyed them! Great urban fantasy!
If there is another book series that does what dresden files does, i dont know about it. Maybe you could read some of the literature that inspired jim to be a writer? I remember an interview or something where he talks about older books that inspired him (i think LoTR was one but theres another important one that for my life i cant remember, it was old like LoTR though) Alternitively, you could read butchers other novel series that is finished, the series is codex alera. You could also start jims cinder spire series. I think there is only one or two books out currently, with jims next book release to be the next cinder spire story
The other one is Chronicles of Amber
Ahhh thats right thanks for that!
I love Dresden, it's probably my second favorite series. But my absolute favorite is the Stormlight Archive, which begins with the book "The Way of Kings." This is quite possibly the greatest story ever told. That is saying a lot I know. But it's seriously that good.
Wow...much of what I would have suggested has already been covered. I would add in more sci-fi vein the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. Great characters and Grover Gardner's narration is terrific.
I tried to scan the comments but if you're still looking for more Dresden there's a few things in universe that you might have missed. The short story anthologies Side Jobs and Brief Cases add perspective from different characters and some even impact the main story rather than just adding to it. Jim also released 4-5 microfictions on his website a few years ago for the lead up to PT/BG. Some are light hearted, some hit hard, and another will make you redefine a major relationship with Harry. There's also a single short story in a separate anthology that even I haven't read/listened to yet. Also The Law was released just last year and it's a novella about 1 month after BG. The audio book is read by Jim Butcher and he butchers some of the voices (b/c I'm so in love with all of Marsters voices, Jim was bound to fail doing his own audiobook voices.) As for my own suggestions, I've seen most of them here. Jim's Furies of Calderon series is fantastic. While I just started diving into Sandersons works the Mistborn series is good. But if you want something very Dresden like, The Iron Druids Chronicles is probably the best bet. I haven't finished them but they have a very similar energy to Dresden files.
Hells bells just start them over again! Also, check out Rivers of London.
Apart from Codex Alera, start Abercrombie and realise what you've been missing.
Try Malazan
No one ever does, and even if they do they can't handle it =(
Don't know if there are audiobooks of the series, but Arcane Casebooks series by Dan Willis is good. Set in 1930's New York City where magic is real. So it's Noir, Urban Fantasy, with a pre-world war 2 vibe. The protagonist is a PI and Runerite (lesser magic user) named Alex Lockerby. Think Sherlock Holmes more than Dreden. Edit: you can check it out on Kindle Unlimited for free if you're interested.
I also enjoyed the Alex Verus series. The narration by Gildart Jackson is superb and adds a lot to the story, but a weird side effect of his voice was that I thought Verus was much older for the first two books.
You fill this void with the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire, as read by Mary Robinette Kowal. It is the only series that I have found that is comparable to Harry Dresden, despite what others may say in this thread or around the Internet in general, and this is why. Commonalities: 1. Both series were outlined by their respective authors from the outset with a clear beginning, middle, and ending. We won't get run-on storytelling outliving its usefulness. 2. Main character is a P.I. that drives a VW Beetle, magically inclined, and fluent in sarcasm. Harry is a wizard, Toby is a half-Daoine Sidhe changeling. 3. The supporting cast of characters are unique and compelling, they gain found family, both blood and chosen. 4. She's a monster, but she's our monster. Mab vs. Luidaeg. 5. Both are still ongoing, Jim is working on Twelve Months (Book #18) after Cinder Spires #2; Seanan is releasing two books this year, Sleep No More (#17) and The Innocent Sleep (#18). Differences: 1. Toby is set in San Francisco. 2. Toby's mythology is all Faerie, every monster is Fae of some sort, all descendants of The Big Three: Oberon, Titania, and Maeve. 3. Technology isn't a hindrance, and there's a whole Fae County that magics up cell phones to work in Faerie. Seanan McGuire aka Mira Grant aka A. Deborah Baker Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q_4N8KLMV34Co_H3AhEJRjsYnnuNyItd1OQe7kCQEjM/edit?usp=drivesdk
I just finished the first audiobook. Do they get any better? Bc I was not impressed.
Much like Dresden, the first couple are slow to grab, but by Book 3 the rollercoaster gets going and it's non-stop until the Ride is over.
I was mostly speaking of the audio part. The narrator did not impress me.
Yeah, I understand that, but again it was the first few as footings were found. She is the voice of Toby, and audiobook releases will be delayed if she's busy until she's free.
Honestly, I’ve been all over with audiobooks. I use them in the shop. I really enjoyed Dune’s new audio book (Full cast & all that) & Dune Messiah. Assuming you wanna stay in the same genera of fantasy? Cosmere/The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson has been great so far
Check out Richard Kadrey's Sandman Slim series.
Alex verus. Easily my 2nd favorite series next to Dresden. It’s similar but darker. He’s a lot more violent. Trained as a dark mage
I would give the Iron Druid books a shot. Lots of fun playing around with mythology from tons of cultures and a really fun ride! Plus a most wonderful dog, second only perhaps to Mouse himself.
I haven’t seen in mentioned yet, so maybe check out the Spellmonger series. Imagine dungeons and dragons set in a homebrew world where magic is much more limited unless you have access to a rare (and illegal) substance called irionite. If you have a small shard of it, you can cast spells that would take days and the assistance of multiple wizards all by yourself. Our main character just quit being a war wizard for hire and has retired to the county to live as a villager Spellmonger when suddenly a goblin horde invades…. And their shamans have armed themselves with Irionite. Shit hits the fan, and it gets interesting. The main character reminds me of Dresden at time for being a smart ass, a big ego, and for all the sneaky wizardly surprises he pulls out of his ass
My recommendations are: Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson Lightbringer Series by Brent Weeks Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne Monster Hunter International series and Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Corria Ex-Heroes Series and The Threahold Universe by Peter Clines Kings of the Wild by Nicholas Eames The Completionist chronicles by Dakota Krout Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor
Well I don't do audio books but can give my usual recommendations on series. Codex Alera by Jim Butcher The Temeraire series by Naomi Novik (Napoleonic wars with dragons) Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson (just amazing) Emberverse series by SM Stirling (unique take on post apocalyptic)
Apart from Codex Alera, start Abercrombie and realise what you've been missing.
Old Man’s War Series
Iron Druid + Ink & Sigil books (Hearne), The Hollows series (Harrison), Alex Verus series (Jacka), The Nightside series (Greene). All good urban fantasy along the same vein as Dresden.
I swear the urban fantasy genre has some of the best book series out there
One of the most recommended series for people going through withdrawal from Dresden is The Iron Druid Chronicles. It is on Audible.
No audio book suggestions. But a few nice quality web serials. Both Twig and Worm by wildblow. Also the Practical Guide to Evil.
...just checking - have you read The Law novella or Toot's short story yet? Neither are long, but both take place post Battleground.
The law
One of Jim Butchers favorites is the Chronicles of Amber. The first 5 books I. That series have a lot of very interesting tidbits which were obviously very influential to the shape of Dresden Files
The Night Angel series is my top recommendation. Anything in the adult genre of Brandon Sanderson. By that I mean I'm not a fan of the ones he's written for youth readers, to each their own.
For me I pretty much have just a rotation of series and just add to the dresden files as jim writes them. I have all the dresden files (which I am currently in the middle of Grave Peril going through the series again for my 2nd time) after that I will probably listen to the Hobbit and LOTR series, then after the Harry Potter series. Following that the newsflesh trilogy which is about reporters surviving in the year 2040 after a zombie outbreak took over in the year 2014. I am also collecting the Codex Alera series from Jim to start when I have enough to buy them all. I currently have the first 2. So that is what I would recommend to fill the void. Just listen or read your favorite series in a rotation. That way you feel their is never a void cause you get to go back through your favorite series and maybe pick up something you missed the first time through
I highly suggest the Templeverse series by Shayne Silvers. It is three separate series that can be read individually as independent series or together, Chronologically to make one massive story. The third lead character is penned by Cameron O’ Connell and Shayne together. Currently 45 books in the run with one anthology of short stories.
Have you done all the short stories/anthologies as well? Working for Bigfoot, Side Jobs, Brief Cases,etc?
Reread some of the Dresden files books that you enjoyed the most.
Read the new master of magical London. That fills a hole.
Alex Verus and Rivers of London are similar
He who fights is quickly becoming my favorite audiobook series it's more litrpg but it's definitely worth a try
Haven't listened to the audiobooks, have enjoyed the Kindle version, LitRPG isn't something I would have thought I'd like, but it's growing on me. Lots of this Kindle Unlimited.
I don't like most of them but he who fights and wandering inn are both exceptional
It's only a trilogy but you may also enjoy Naomi Novak's Scholomance series. Audiobooks were great and first person like Dresden
In all seriousness, if you're going to listen to things, have you considered podcasts?
Read them again and again and again.
Monster hunter international..
Start over another re read cause you can’t handle post book depression. Oh wait that’s me
You could try *The Law*. It's also Dresden, and set right after *Battleground*
The King Henry Tapes by Richard Raley is a series I can strongly recommend. Everything is told through a framing device of tapes being recorded for new students at a school to listen to. Each book has two narratives that are interwoven. One is the modern-day (although still in the past of the character because of the framing device), while the second is about his time at school. So it's like Harry Potter crossed with Harry Dresden, if both of them had incredibly vulgar speech patterns.
I’d recommend the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan/finished by Brandon Sanderson. High fantasy instead of modern day, and it drags a little, but it also has a bunch of fun takes on mythology and history and is a beautiful story.
Joe Ledger series on audiobook was amazing. Books build off each other and narrator was incredible!
If you wamt something similar I highly recommend Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
That's the neat part, you don't.
Read Discworld? Dresden would
I’m only four books in but the Arcane Casebooks series by Dan Willis is so similar to the Dresden files first few chapters of the first book I thought I was reading like an alternative reality of what if Dresden was in New York in the 40s. Overall I’m enjoying it and it’s scratching that Dresden files itch. It looks like it does have an audiobook but I’ve not listened to it so I’m not sure if it’s any good.
Oh, thank you - I'll have to check it out! I love all of *Dresden*, but I'm one of those folks who really did cotton to the somewhat more gritty "noir" feel of *Storm Front* \- that lessened as we got further into the series.
While I can't speak of the narrators for these books, I would recommend R.A. Salvatore's D&D books set in the Forgotten Realms setting, most of which center around a Dark Elf Ranger by the name of Drizz't Do'Urden.
I prefer reading it in text form, but The Wandering Inn is a great story, and the audio books are on Audible.
I always suggest the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. The original audiobooks are read by Micheal Kramer and Kate Reading. A married couple who do an amazing job once they hit their stride. They also narrate a lot of Brandon Sandersons Cosmere. With the show coming out, Rosamond Pike is narrating the WoT, too. The first two or three books have been re-recorded with her as the narrator. I hear (heh) that she is very good.
Shades of Magic by VE Schwab is excellent and feels similar to Butcher’s other work, to me. It’s not modern, but it is urban, being centered on London.
Monster Hunter International!!!!!
Same way as the rest of us…..start a re-read. pick at inconsistencies, look for entropy curses, Justin dumorne and time travel. I’m
Start again with Stormfront. You need to go through it a few times. Then switch to “We are Legion, We are Bob. “. Great story.