I just finished Storm Front, the first book in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I’d give it four out of five stars. It’s not perfect, but it hits hard where it counts.

This book pulls you into a world where magic hides in plain sight. The setting is Chicago, but darker. More haunted. Harry Dresden, the wizard-detective at the center, is broke, stubborn, and funny in a dry kind of way. You want to root for him, even when he’s in over his head.

The plot moves fast. Dead bodies show up. Strange magic’s involved. The deeper Harry digs, the worse things get. But he doesn’t stop. That’s what makes him great. He’s not the smartest guy in the room, but he’s the one who stays when things get ugly.

Butcher’s writing is lean. No wasted words. The magic system is relatively clear, with rules and weight. The world feels real. Like maybe, if you squint, you’d spot a demon down a dark alley.

It’s not flawless. Some lines try too hard. A few characters feel thin. But for a first book? It punches above its weight.

If you like gritty urban fantasy with a noir edge, Storm Front is worth your time. I’m already eyeing book two.