I had some problems with the person who compiled this list and they were all confirmed by this choice...I can not believe this series is even on this list. I have probably fifty books on my shelf that are better than these! one for example would be the warded man, also the towerts of sunset Or FOR GODS SAKE WHAT ABOUT THE SWORD OF SHANNARA! this list is garbage. While slightly intertaining this series isnt on the short list of ok enough for mention. This list is supposed to be about the 25 all time best fantasy books...FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A fellow fantasy book lover friend of mine recommended the series to me way back when. I was skeptical because I didn't think I could like the urban fantasy setting. After a while when I couldn't find anymore fantasy books that I liked, I picked up Storm Front and fell in love.

Every time I think of The Dresden Files, I SQUEE like a little girl (even though I'm a dude). Its SOOO GOOD. The first two books are good, they get the story rolling and give some background info. Afterwards (starting in book 3) when most of the characters get introduced, it gets SO MUCH BETTER. Each book is approximately 1 year after the events from the previous so pacing is pretty fast. You see how quickly some characters change.

Sorry I can't write a better review, just take my word for it. It is SOOOO GOOD. I've read the entire series 3 times and read every short story (tie-in to the regular books). Waiting for the 14th book with eager anticipation.

I got to admit I was not impressed Storm Front or Fool Moon but Grave Peril was a LOT better but I Summer Knight was amazing. Once I got to the 4th book I couldn't put the series down.

I never considered myself to be a book person, never even read once in a while. Then I picked up storm front and found myself heading back to the book store as many as two times a week to get the next one, the plot is outstanding and keeps you thinking and there's no end in sight.

Love this series. Great world, great characters...loved each book and every time the next book was better.

Glad to see this on the list even if at the bottom of it, it's my favorite series

I've enjoyed TFLB's (The-Fat-Lazy-Bastard) Song of Ice and Fire AND I've enjoyed the Dresden series. To try to compare them is not even possible from my perspective. I love Butcher's sarcastic main character and he was even able to weave in a fairy godmother from hell. What is not to love about that? I absolutely loved the series. I also saw the TV series then started reading the novels. I would have added Gene Wolfe's Shadow of the Torturer series or Soldiers of the Mist series. Gene Wolfe has it in spades over TFLB's best days. (sarcasm alert) Arya is what 32 years old now and still blind? (sarcasm stop).

I wish I could find more books like these. I was a little disappointed in the first 2 of the series only because I thought the character (Dresden) gave in to his situation to easily. but after that Butcher definatly finds his balance with Dresden. I like the modern day meets fantasy mix. I like that you don't have to wait long for a little action. and I like the way Butcher mixes description with action. some books go page after page setting up till I find myself wanting to skip ahead. Butcher doesn't waste time getting you set up and ready to go for the ride.

Of all books I've read, the Dresden Files is probably the most entertaining of all. Right up there with Martin, Lynch, Rothfuss and Abercrombie. While I immensely enjoyed the Codex Alera series, Dresden is definitely more entertainging.
I'm kinda disappointed that you put him at 25th place, for God's sake Butcher is better than Feist at least.

WHile I do read the Dresden files and find them mildly entertaining, I too do not feel they are top 25 material. The Codex Alera was a marvelous work and has made me a fan of Jim Butcher, but I find the Dresden Files does not grab my attention like George R. R. Martin's, A Song of Ice and Fire or Patrick Rothfuss' The Kingkiller Chronicles. Just my two cents and I hope it helps.

I love these books. If they were not in the fantasy section, I can't say I would call them fantasy though I see why they are considered so. They are not your typical epic fantasy.
They are however light hearted clever, amusing and an easy read. They are good when your brain needs a break from heavier material.

Are these the greatest Fantasy Works? Probably not.

Are they incredibly enjoyable and entertaining? Absolutely.

Not everything has to be the best to be worthwhile. Of the 800 or so books I've read, I find myself thinking and reflecting on these more than most of the superior works I've devoured.

For folks who can't get into them, I do recommend audio book versions. Maybe a passive engagement to this series during a long trip would be an easier way to immerse yourself into Butcher's works. James Masters (Buffy/Angel's "Spike") brings the written novels alive. I've both read and listened to them, and gotten a different experience from each.

Hope this helps.

I am an avid reader, and the TV Series got my curious. I've found the novels to be incredibly enjoyable with a good balance of irony, sarcasm and character development. This is the ultimate underdog series, and I've enjoyed the development of Harry Dresden as the novels have progressed. I also appreciate that he takes abuse and injury along the way, and his character evolves in power and philosophy in subsequent novels. It's pretty easy to blow though these one-a-night if you are a fast reader. It's also enjoyable to relive these in audio book format delivered by James Masters (who played Spike on Buffy the Vampires Slayer and Angel) in a solid, rich American Accent.

I have been reading typical fantasy for years (Tolkien, Jordan, Martin, etc..) and wasn't sure if I could do the whole Wizard PI thing but I'm glad I did.

These books are great!! and if you think the first couple of books are not great then skip ahead to future books (it is not necessary to read the books in order but probably a good idea) the story evolves tremendously getting better later in the series though I liked the first books. Dresden is so much more than a Wizard PI he's a unsung hero you really start to feel for.

y guys have got to be kidding me..iv been reading fantasy stories for the last 12 years(im 19 yrs old,and im a prolific reader),and iv never come across someone as good as jim butcher.i admit his plot is predictable,wev seen characters like these before,etc,etc..but guys the skill and imagination and the sheer simplicity with which he writes is superb ..he even replaced tolkien as my top writer,which is no mean feat..give him some credit,books are easy to read,much harder to write, and he plans to write 20 with the same characters,which is something..

I *LOVE* this series, but how can you include the Dresden Files and not include Glen Cook's Garrett PI series? Cook does gritty like nobody else.

I agree that the Codex of Alera books are actually better than the Dresden books. Butcher definitely has talent to be able to juggle the two, but this is a bit high of a ranking

I can see why these books are in here, they are the token piece of "fantasy meets modern society."

And really, Butcher is is a splendid author, and the series really isn't bad. Mystery, Politics, and a taste of the old Badass come together in one character.

Nonetheless, is it top-25 material? Eh, well... no. There, I said it. Not really. IMO, they aren't even as good as his Codex Alera.

So yes, definitely a good read, but it deserves the "honorable mentions" slot.

I honestly tried to get into these books, several times. My friends like them. However, I tried Mike Carey's Felix Castor series (exorcist in London, succubi, demonic possession, interesting methods of exorcism) and found it to be vastly superior. Not saying that the Dresden Files are bad, but if you couldn't get into them, you might like the Felix Castor series.

I tried (and failed) to read the first book. Aside from the names he attributes to some things that grate in my head line nails on a chalk board (Nevernever for one). I got past it and attempted to continue reading. Then some of the concepts started to chip away at my motivation.

But after reading your comments below I will make another attempt at picking up Storm Front from its dusty perch next to Forest Mage and attempt to finish the first 2 books and pick up the third.

Totally agree with Jason: the first two books are not very good in terms of writing quality and plot development. The main characters are interesting enough, but the story is predictable, and we've seen so many vampire/detective-type supernatural stuff that we know what to expect even if we have a wizard-detective pair at work. The low point must have been a paragraph with the old "with great power come great resposibilities" routine.

I don't know how I got the courage to buy the third book, but I'm glad I did, because it's much much... MUCH better!

Read the first two books to follow the series from the start, but prepare to be unimpressed...

Storm Front and Fool Moon are Butcher's first novels. They are very formulaic and not all that good. If I hadn't had a friend loan me the first 5, I never would have continued. He finds his voice in book 3 and never looks back. Witty, fast paced, and even gets a bit dark. Fantastic series with the added bonus of witnessing the growth of an author.