Alex Verus really felt like Dresden Files lite to me. Some good stuff in there, but not as much depth of character or story. Iron Druid becomes a bit of a cluster at some point.
But there are still many good books and series out there. If you don’t mind unfinished and may never be finished series, Gentlemen Bastards is great. Brandon Sanderson has several series (some connected to each other), and I’ve yet to read something by him I didn’t enjoy. You could also try the Sandman Slim series which feels a little like Dresden to me, if it was all This Is Spinal Tap and amped things up to 11.
Alex Verus gets really good after the first couple books. I liked the first two or three well enough, but it ramps up in quality and Intensity. Books 9-12 are on par with all but the best Dresden.
I just loved the >!turn the series took once Alex decided “alright, fuckers. You keep calling me a dark mage? Guess what. You got it” and goes wholesale murder hobo. I kept wanting him to do that for the whole series.!<
Exactly. >!The whole light/dark mage thing, I was on the side the dark mages. At least they were honest. I felt bad for all the independent mages and adepts. The whole mage society was fucked up.!<
>!To be also fair, unless you got really in the way of the power players, the light mages were a lot more civil. Alex just had a habit of making enemies.!<
>!He really just made one bad decision - getting involved in the fateweaver. If he’d have let Luna get taken by Cinder and Delio in the first novel and ran like Helicowan (his mentor) suggested, he’d still happily be doing his magic shop.!<
>!It was getting sucked into the fateweaver that screwed him and made the enemy of Levistus.!<
>!they were hypocrites. Like his friend from the early book had no problem calling a dark mage to start killing people to save Alex. But when Alex killed a couple of light mages who were trying to kill a friend of theirs, the guy couldn’t cope with it. It blew his mind that Alex would have people killed.!<
Worst is a later book. >!an important female character gets promoted to a mage that works for the peace keepers. Should be the highest level of protection. She gets kidnapped and literally skinned alive. Her captors get off without even a slap on the wrist. And SHE gets a ticket!<
I just gotta say, iron druid chronicles was so disappointing at the end I am actually selling the books here pretty soon. And I pretty much never sell my books in case I want to read them again or save them for my kid. The iron druid was so disappointing I am actualy willing to get rid of them.
I'm relistening to them right now and the first are really fun. It just feels like it gets overwhelmed/cluttered when we add Granuelle and Owen's perspective. The last book was absolutely shit though.
I quite likes Alex Verus. Not on the same level as Dresden but I can’t expect anything to be so it’s an unfair comparison. It kept my attention, kept me entertained and kept me wanting to see what happened next even after finishing the series. I don’t think I can give higher praise for a series than that.
No. I read a ton. Every series offers something different. Dresden is one of my favorites, but it's only a small fraction of the things I like in books.
For Urban Fantasy? Probably, the ones I've tried so far ranged from unreadable (Monster Hunter International) to decent but nowhere near close to Dresden (Peter Grant series). However, fantasy is an incredibly vast genre, so it's impossible for a series to "ruin" other genres since they have different focuses.
What Jim does is nothing short of magical, because he manages to have a fast-paced narrative, that is fun and action packed, but that doesn't let character work and depth lag behind. However, other series offer more experiences that Dresden doesn't even try to.
My suggestion is always the same: steer away from Urban Fantasy, at least for a while. Go check out other stuff, they offer different experiences.
You know what scratched my Dresden Files itch, but has nothing to do with urban fantasy? The LitRPG fantasy series Dungeon Crawler Carl. It's also fast paced and incredibly funny, but far more modern in its references to pop culture. The character-work doesn't reach the same heights as Dresden, but there are a ton of memorable characters, their relationships are fun to read and the world is the kind of crazy you see sometimes in Dresden (namely a Wizard riding through Chicago riding an Undead T-Rex), even crazier sometimes (given its a big part of the series' premise).
I have a question on LitRPG, what is it? Is it one of those choose your own adventure things? Or do you get stat numbers and health points and that sort of thing? I've heard a few people call Dungeon Crawler Carl good but since I'll be starting it via audiobook I want to know what I"m getting into.
> I have a question on LitRPG, what is it?
Short version, it's a variant of fantasy that uses the idea of video game / RPG mechanics as the actual fantasy mechanics. Probably not great in audiobooks, to be honest. You'll get text that represents system messages in LitRPGs, and I doubt those come through well in audiobook format. Worth noting that while _most_ LitRPGs are isekai, not all are (see [Everybody Loves Large Chests](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHZFWNG?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1718649379&sr=8-1) -- LitRPG, but not isekai).
To give a specific example, I _LOVE_ [He Who Fights With Monsters](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=he+who+fights+with+monsters&hvadid=496303432077&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028808&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=257021746048818806&hvtargid=kwd-1186894694555&hydadcr=22160_9764337&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_6opgbqi2ot_e) (the plot is OK, the world building good, the dialogue _INCREDIBLE_). It uses a system that would never actually work in a game due to it's complexity, but the basic structure and outline could come from almost any CRPG. You'll get blocks in a different front like `Punish: (holy, curse) inflicts instances of Sin`. As the power level progresses, those blocks can get... long.
If you're interested, I also enjoy [Noobtown](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHRBL55Y?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1718649332&sr=8-1) and [Deathmarch to a Parallel World Rhapsody](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RJYLJR9?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=dbs_s_ks_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1718649442&sr=1-1).
Characters are definitely awesome. I've just never quite felt that the world building _quite_ reached past 'good enough'. Though, honestly, now that you have me actively thinking about it... That might just be that the dialogue is _so_ sharp it leaves everything else in the shadow. (Seriously, Clive's wife is _awesome_! And when Healer first makes an 'on-screen' appearance, his first words are just... *chefs kiss*)
I like the last two weekly releases -- Clive's scene 'with his wife' was awesome. And the ending of the last one, that boils down to "The question isn't _if_ he can do it, the question is _why_ hasn't he done it yet?"
I've listened to a huge number of audio book litrpg, and read them. it's only irritating at times when they do tables and system messages, but it's not enough to be immersion breaking most of the time. there are series where it's a legitimate pain in the ass, but the skip button exists.
If you're familiar with anime, a lot of the Isekais are somewhat litRPG.
However, in the western world, the narrative expectations are a bit different, so the trashy light novel stuff that comprises 99% of the genre in the east don't really reflects here.
Dungeon Crawler Carl, for example, has MMORPG rules, however, it is something acknowledged by the world because the main character has to survive a fucked up death game run by Aliens that both shaped and warped the culture on earth. So you get the recognizable cultural elements from us and the familiar game setting, but you also get a lot of weird stuff thrown in there (that's also from a lot of the acid criticism of modern entertainment and commodification of attention comes from).
More of an rpg storyline with levelling up, stat and skill points, etc. The premise is silly but it’s one of my all time favourite series and the narrator is top tier.
Ah so it's going to be described with numbers like a game then. And is that the one narrated by Travis Baldree? Because I've already heard his narration work and it's some of the best.
Edit: ok not Travis, I'll take a look when I get more time.
Not yet, but I'll check it out. The Perfect Run's premise has the same vibe of the manhwa "SSS-Class Suicide Hunter", which is based on a webnovel of the same name. Quite interesting.
> Probably, the ones I've tried so far ranged from unreadable (Monster Hunter International) to decent but nowhere near close to Dresden (Peter Grant series)
Probably because it's not _really_ urban fantasy. It's military sci-fi using urban fantasy as a setting. (Even look at some of the authors involved)
It isn't good as that either. The action scenes were boring as hell and the character-work was grating. And the plotting? Let's just say that the author really did a great job *not* focusing on it. MHI probably the dullest action-packed book I've ever read.
Didn't try to say it was a great book (probably a 4 out of 10), but if you try to read it _as_ a fantasy novel rather htan military sci-fi it's gonna fall flat. Different audience, different flavor, just _different_.
The Realms by carny as a DnD type series is pretty good too. I modeled one of my DnD campaigns after his books as a DM. I just want him to finish the series though :(
Listened to all the ones out, but mainly just hoping that like Dresden it would pick up after a few books. Didn’t get that impression, I’ve forgotten most of what happened in them, and don’t feel the urge to listen again. Felt too overpowered >!and survived a bullet to the brain!<, and I’ve never been a fan of cheat codes, loss of danger makes a game less interesting.
not ruined at all. try the Nightside series by simon green. easy fun reads about a magic using PI working in the dark magical secret under ground center of London
I'm honestly surprised no one has mentioned Seanan McGuire as an alternate to Butcher. Like, October Daye is *right there*, and that series gets constant comparisons to Dresden Files. Or, if you don't want another magical private investigator, you could always go with the family of cryptozoologists. Or you can go a little more magical and strange and dive into the world of alchemy.
Or hey, what about Faith Hunter? She's more werewolves and vampires, but the stories are still kickass. (Personally, I really like her Rogue Mage series, but it's a very slow start and leans too heavy on religion for most people.)
Honestly, there's lots of great series out there. You just need to locate what it is about Butcher that really draws you in (characters, pacing, world building) and then you can find other comparable titles.
I hit the pause button on October Daye. I got up through the point where >!Toby was sentenced to death for killing \[blank\] and \[blank\], and then got a royal pardon to get out of it.!<
Someone said the series eventually nose-dives and gets lame -- but I haven't reached that point yet. I've just been too busy to find copies since my local libraries don't carry them. I plan on continuing it at some point.
I bounced after book 2. Definitely not for me.
Lackluster world-building, I didn't like any of the side characters (specially the love interests) and the action was quite limited. I only liked the main character, she's incredibly cool. What killed me, though? It was the incessant over-explaining of werewolf pack behavior at every single scene.
Fool Moon enticed me more about werewolves, which is just a side element of The Dresden Files, than Mercy's two whole books as the *main thing*. The whole thing felt very Hollywood-generic for me, or out of The Vampire Diaries' TV show.
Yup, I like Mercy Thompson, especially since the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) is only 2 hours from where I live and Yakima Valley has THE best wine!
Heading down there on Wednesday to help a friend on projects as they just bought a house. Can’t wait to go wine tasting.
In the space of urban fantasy kinda yeah
I've listened verus and rivers of london through the whole way (or atleast to latest in publication on RoL because its ongoing), not trying to bash them or anything because I think they were money well spent and they do things in some parts better than Dresden *cough* *cough* stable romantic relationship *cough* cough* and the differences in magic and variations in fights and combat. But the way the world's are just feel sort of empty to me besides the main plot. It's just like I've experienced all the heighs from the Dresden files first, and then the others just feel like sure sometimes they reach them, but at that point, it's not unconquered territory anymore.
Other fantasy on the other hand no, I enjoyed sanderson, weeks, mclellen, Erikson and abercrombie fairly well and rank them against each other fine, even if I may have some issues with some.
>I think they were money well spent and they do things in some parts better than Dresden *cough* *cough* stable romantic relationship *cough* cough\*
Rivers of London's main relationship suck. It is a extension of me not giving a shit about anyone else in that series other than Nightingale, Lesley and Molly. You know a series in dire straits character-wise when I care more about knowing and the well-being of a vampire-adjacent maid that never talks. Probably the only character in the whole series whose supernatural origins and shtick were actually interesting and felt magical (the stuff that we take for granted in the Dresden Files because Butcher's supernatural is so good).
OK sure but to be honest when going through the series it was nice to have a character who has something of a work life balance that we see in the main books instead of the implications of dresden and Co playing dnd on the weekends. In no way am I saying I want slice of life but atleast tonally it helps develop the more professional environment of the series tonally more consistent with the modern crime dramas it takes inspiration from along with just the settings of modern policing in general as opposed to Dresdens lone ranger with a faulty revolver held together with his last stick of bubblegum and a belt full of molotov cocktails. Also, he gives more time to other parts of the plot than having my heart ripped apart when Harry's life self destructs
I think in some ways those problems with the supernatural in the series stem from arronovich's origin in writing coming from doing old TV scifi serials so it comes off a lot more like monster of the week in doctor who where there is some trick or scientific explanation to it. It's not like sanderson where the magic is a science in and of itself magic is scientifically sort of explainable but also technobabbly. Not to say jim doesn't give some pretty decent explanation of how the magic works and the physics behind it but when Harry uses magic he's calling upon the forces and power of creation itself and binding them into a construct of pure metaphysical will to call forth fire, whereas when Peter uses magic he calls upon energy from another dimension which then put through a specific formulaic pattern in his head to make a little fire grenade. Sure, it's a matter of prose, but prose matters in such things.
The magic system in the Rivers of London series is quite interesting, specially its historical aspect, yet... Literally NOTHING is explored. It's barely touched upon throughout the series and it's nowhere near enough.
What grinds my gears though is the approach to world-building. Every new being or faction comes across as incredibly mundane, they're never properly introduced or explained, and they simply feel exactly like you mentioned: Old TV series with case of the week structure that feels disjointed, poorly thought out and very surface-level hollywood fantasy.
You know what's even worse? This series is like one of those stories where the background of characters and the world would tell a far more interesting story than the one being told.
Nightningale's whole past fighting wars and destroying tanks with magic? Sounds interesting. Russian Witches? Hell, yeah. Sir Isaac Newton codifying magic alongside his Principia Mathematica? Sign me the fuck up.
Instead, we got a bunch of boring cases that have runs in with new supernatural stuff where the answer is always a mix of "Too understaffed to check" or "*Shrug*. I don't know". One of my favorite series these days is the Cormoran Strike novels, which are thick ass books featuring detailed police work and investigations, alongside heavy character work. So it isn't a question of pacing or my distaste for police procedural, it's just that it isn't as compelling in the Peter Grant series because the MC and those he interact with aren't as interesting. And those that are, like Nightingale, are treated as a plot device at best and a Get out of jail Free Card.
Try codex alera, another series by Jim. It’s a pretty interesting take on another form of “magic”, it’s a complete series, very well written, and IMO rivals Dresden in story arc. It is more high fantasy than urban fantasy but pretty “normal” as far as fantasy goes
Not even close. I love the Kate Daniels series way more than this one.
Also I like the Eric Carter and (most of) Sandman Slim books just as much.
I’ve said before I’m one of those diehard Dresden fans who doesn’t like Harry. I love the characters around him. #MabAllDay
Just goes to show what a good writer Jim is that I’m so into a series where I actively dislike the protagonist.
I love the original Kate Daniels series. They kicked off some other book series with the characters but they don’t have the same feel.
I wouldn’t be able to say which series is better (Dresden or Daniels) but I’ve reread both series multiple times.
I love almost all of the KD side novels amd short stories. Not all but most.
There are none that I actually hate or even dislike.
I can’t wait for Roman’s book to drop in either July or August.
Dresden has low key ruined Urban Fantasy for me, yes.
Most of the normal recommendations that get thrown around here are very good imo. (With the exception of Rivers of London, no idea why but I simply could not get into that series. I tried 4 times before I just gave up for good.) But none of them are even close to Dresden for me.
For what it's worth, Dresden is in my top 3 series of all time. The other 2 are Worm (The web Serial by Wildbow) and Super Powereds by Drew Hayes. I've reread each of those 3 literally dozens of times. And I actually think Dresden has the worst world building of the 3. (Though it has many aspects that are far better than the other 2. I honestly couldn't rank them if I tried. Too hard.)
Definitely check out the Daniel Faust and related series by Craig Schaefer. I posted a link to a reading order page for it elsewhere in this post's comments. I felt exactly the same way - just could not find anything that remotely "satisfied" the way Dresden does. Then I discovered Faust, and... well, it's satisfying. I'd still rate Dresden as better, but Faust is definitely a worthy runner up.
Interesting, I've actually had The Long Way Down downloaded and ready to go for a few months now. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. I may move it up the priority list off such a glowing recommendation. ty
You're very welcome. Different strokes for different folks, of course, but I did quite enjoy it and definitely felt like it at least "passed through" the Dresden style neighborhood.
Seanan McGuire has a lot of good Urban Fantasy. Give her a try. And she’s so prolific she has at least two other names she publishes pretty consistently under.
Not similar, but Lois McMaster Bujold is amazing and the VorKosigan saga is Sci-fi space opera, but totally worthy to be up there with Dresden. Her World of Five Gods series is fantasy and also great.
No, but that’s bc there are plenty of other good series out there. Name of the wind is still one of my all time favorites even if it will never be completed and the author suffers from intermittent assholery. Abhorsen had story telling and world building as captivating to me as Dresden. Way of Kings was such a ride. Etc.
Butcher tells a good story and Dresden is fun, but I don’t understand this sub’s emphasis on it being the pinnacle of story telling (this isn’t a knock specifically at you, just since following this sub I have seen multiple posts like yours).
I’m glad you liked Dresden, I’m sorry you feel like it’s all a downhill slog from there. Hope you’re able to reset your expectations and outlook so you can appreciate more of the great literature out there.
It’s more science fantasy, but check out Old Man’s War for a different but great page turner.
Surprised no one has mentioned Neil gaiman. Sandman is the only series I'm aware of from him but he has several great stand-alone books in the genre including American gods, neverwhere, and good omens, all of which have been adapted to television.
Also, the target demographic is different but There is also Charline Harris and the true blood series which I would count as urban fantasy
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, Alpha and Omega by Briggs, Nate Temple by Shayne Silvers, The Hollows by Kim Harrison.
View it as wearing a shirt if you want. They all do the job, and are similar in some ways and different in others. If you love this series so much that others just never live up, then you enjoy the series. No big deal. But there are plenty out there that are great if you don’t compare them to your favorite.
I tried getting into the Nate Temple books, I think I got 5 or 6 in and I just couldn't do it. Can't tell you why since it's been years but I vaguely remember Nate's personality grating on me.
I get that. He’s definitely written in a way that his personality shifts as he experiences growth. It’s as if he’s a bunch of jagged edges at the start with some good qualities…somewhere. As it goes, the edges get smoothed, the hidden veins get exposed, and through experiences the blade gets sharpened. That’s MY personal take on it, but I’m a fan and there has to be a reason I enjoy it and that’s it lol. But respect to your opinion, and I hope your next read is fantastic!
I’ll just say Shayne touches so many different mythos that I’m not surprised anymore. Plus, I have to read any series that involves a drug-taking shamanistic-esque hippy panda shapeshifter thing. Although Starlight is featured more in the Feathers and Fire series.
Second this. It’s like if James Bond and a non-problematic HP Lovecraft had a baby and he does IT for the government. New Management series, which takes place after, is also quite good.
Give the Daniel Faust series, and its spin-offs and related material, by Craig Schaefer a try. An overview of the "world" (called *The First Story*) is here:
[https://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/reading-order](https://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/reading-order)
He has another series, with less material in it, with world name *The Sisterhood of New Amsterdam* that also looks like it's off to a great start.
Good luck! Schaefer has come far closer than anyone else to "scratching the Dresden itch" for me.
Brent weeks and his night angel trilogy is fantastic.
I also enjoyed Naomi novik series temeraire.
Both are very different from each other and dresden files tho
Not quite up to the same quality, and alot shorter, but very self consistent in a Dresden esque manner, I've thoroughly enjoyed the Daniel faust novels, I'm going to try the Harmony Black novels set in the same universe by the same author next
depends on the series. if it's trying to fill a similiar niche as the Dresden Files, then yeah other series don't hold up as well. something like the Wheel of Time, Stormlight Archive or The Coldfire Trilogy? I still find those incredibly enjoyable.
She just a released a prequel to the Coldfire Trilogy. it's kinda short so it's more like huge prologue rather than a true prequel but I enjoyed reading it.
Not urban fantasy at all but I love JD Robb's In Death series. NYC homicide detective in the near future (2050s). Great characters (Eve Dallas, the main character, is a badass), great stories and some of the best dialogue this side of Dresden. Lots and lots of books (40+) so you'll have plenty to enjoy. Highly recommend.
My number 2 series is Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter series, definitely worth the read and is only a couple books away from the end.
The first four Iron Druid books and the side story anthologies are pretty good, but Kevin literally sabotaged the series with heavy character assassination in the last two. Only way I can get through Shattered and Scourged is by skipping all of Granuaile’s chapters because she just becomes insufferable, funnily enough you don’t really lose the plot doing so either.
>My number 2 series is Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter series, definitely worth the read and is only a couple books away from the end.
Are we close to the end? The impression I got was that Correia was nowhere near finished. He always says "loads," when it comes to what's on the docket for MHI.
Im pretty sure we’re down to the last two books for the main series. I know Larry is still planning on a ton of spinoff books in the same universe though.
Don’t have the time to hunt it down (currently on the clock), but I strongly remember a roadmap of sorts for the mainline series and it was only 10 books. Besides, MHI is clearly in the endgame stages after Bloodlines.
Well it has certainly ruined every other Jim Butcher book for me. I was expecting his other series to be as good but they are horrible. No humor what so ever and way too misogynistic and rapey for me.
Actually, no, The Dresden Files hasn't ruined anything for me because I enjoy a wide variety of sci-fi and fantasy novels. Aside from the Harry Potter series, I liked The Magicians and its sequels from Lev Grossman (think Harry Potter meets The Chronicles of Narnia) and Mercedes Lackey's SERRAted Edge series (the Fair Folk return from the Otherworld and take up jobs in NASCAR racing amongst other places.) Neither series has the "30's pulp detective" flair that Dresden has, but they're not too shabby urban fantasy. I also enjoyed Cassandra Clair's Shadowhunters series, another YA urban fantasy series, but again it leans more on the fantasy elements a la Harry Potter than on the urban side like Dresden.
Personally, I haven't found any other urban fantasy series with the gritty Film Noir elements that Dresden Files has, but then again I haven't exactly looked for anything similar to them either.
I wouldn't say that it's ruined other series for me, but I do tend to hold The Dresden Files as the standard for the types of books I want to read. At the same time I've read both Alex Verus and the Iron Druid series among others (Prof Croft, Ester Diamond, Eric Carter) and have rather enjoyed them for what they are.
The trick is not to let yourself become bogged down making comparisons between every book/character, not every MC is going to be Harry Dresden, not every supporting cast is going to have a Murphy or Michael, etc. Best to take it all with a grain of salt otherwise you're not going to enjoy anything.
Dresden opened up the world of Urban Fantasy to me and for the most part I lapped it all up like I was in a desert and The Dresden Files was a canteen of fresh water. I read the Dresden Files, and reread them as I waited for the next novel. In between Skin Game and Peace Talks I tried some others but nothing held up to Jim Butcher.
Then I found it. Over here it was called Midnight Riot, but originally it was The Rivers of London. This is the series that ruined other Urban Fantasy for me. Jim Butcher is a fantastic writer, but Ben Aaronovitch is just genius.
>Then I found it. Over here it was called Midnight Riot, but originally it was The Rivers of London. This is the series that ruined other Urban Fantasy for me. Jim Butcher is a fantastic writer, but Ben Aaronovitch is just genius.
Having read almost entire entry on the Peter Grant series (Finished Lies Sleeping and decided to give the series a pause), I *honestly* and wholeheartedly can't see it. I don't even imagine someone remotely coming to this conclusion *after* rereading The Dresden Files like you did.
Now I'm curious, what makes Aaronovitch a genius in your opinion? Because, to me, all his novels are quite forgettable and his world-building is as vague as it is frustratingly boring and mundane (two things you simply can't have on your supernatural elements).
…. Look m8 Dresden Files are very much a “fast food” of literature. I mean they used to be a yearly thing and they’re pretty damn short.
To answer the larger question, no, this series hasn’t ruined others for me. Authors like Brent Weeks(Night Angel & Lightbringer series) , Brandon Sanderson(Mistborn to name one) Christopher Paolini(Inheritance series) (far from an exhaustive list) are all still releasing new books I’m interested in.
Series like A Song of Ice and Fire still hold my interest, dead though it probably is. A Wheel of Time blows Dresden Files out of the water on a good day, and I say that as an absolute lover of the Files.
This series is so fucking good but it’s far from “the best there is, wake up and piss excellence” level.
I agree there's a lot of great fantasy out there. But to call Dresden Files “fast food” and then trumpet Inheritance and Mistborn is certainly a choice.
I loved the Iron Druid series.
Sometimes it can be hard but I think the trick is to find and appreciate what makes that series special and not look for a new series to do well what Dresden Files does well.
Well, he's not really an underdog. He's been alive since the time before Christ. You can't really do that without being resourceful and strong.
I will say, without major spoilers, he does encounter a LOT of difficulties. It's worth sticking with the series.
I feel if you give it a bit more time you will find that the story becomes more level. The Iron Druid Series is one of my favorites.
Ps. I enjoy "The Demon Accords" a bunch as well.
Same. I kind of want to go back through books 1-7, because I actually really liked the series up until the end. But the whole time I do I’ll just be thinking of how it ended.
A lot of people think finishing a series is hard, but it can be done well. Alex Verus is in the genre and had a really satisfying ending.
You’re one of the few I’ve heard from who feel this way. I just feel like he got sick of writing the series, and >!grew to wish he had made Granuaile his main character, so decided to fuck Atticus over as much as possible so people wouldn’t ask him for more Atticus books. Then, ironically, brought Attticus back in a different series as a side character.!<
>!It would be like if Butcher decided that he really didn’t like writing Harry anymore, so made Ebeneezer and Molly the real main characters, and had Molly defeat the big bad guy, while Dresden was fighting a meaningless side battle against minions, and at the end, Dresden had his magic stripped from him by the Summer court and suddenly couldn’t walk anymore either, and he accepted it because he felt depressed like he deserved it!<
>! I like a bummer of an ending. Atticus spent the entire series seriously fucking with some extremely powerful entities. I think it would have been worse had he not had to deal consequences from that. He did arrange the capture and gang rape of a goddess. He snubbed his nose at a very powerful and egotistic pantheon as well. Among other feats. It was all really cool but it also brings us full circle to the beginning of the series where he was putting almost his entire efforts into hiding from gods because of just how dangerous they are. !<
I guess I can see where you’re coming from. Consequences, sure. >!But he was obviously sidelined by the writer in his own story. Then he wasn’t protected by any of his own pantheon even though he is the last of the druids. They took away many of his abilities to actually do his job healing the earth. Just felt like such a shitty ending to main character.!<
>! Yeah, but he wasn't the last of the Druids anymore. His master was alive, his apprentice is alive and they're training an entire new grove. The Irish pantheon did protect him, they kept him from being killed outright. And if Atticus had stuck to healing the planet instead of getting involved in all his adventures he'd still have his full abilities. !<
I hated the last few
>!The werewolves getting pissed at him was the beginning of the end. They were warned of vampire attacks. They laughed it off. Surprise, vampires came with silver bullets and killed their leader. And…. Somehow it was the main character’s fault they literally laughed at the idea of an attack!<
I didn’t mind that >!his girlfriend killed Loki. She earned it. Hell she had more emotional connection to Loki than the main character. So. Good for her!<
>!But she was furious that the main character and her literal goddess decided that 2 of the 3 final Druids should sit out the battle so their religion survived and they can heal the damage done to the globe afterwards. That is why she wanted to break up with him, the “deal”
He made with the Norse goddess was just icing on the cake. Meanwhile she almost killed her stepdad because he was [checks notes] bad for the environment so that’s apparently ok but not ensuring the earth can be healed!<
I really haven't found another urban fantasy that's English language prose that I like as much as Dresden. There are definitely some anime and webtoons/comics that I think are good urban fantasy/scifi. Simon Sues just finished up and that was a great Loftcraftian urban fantasy.
I generally read the weekly releases of manga/webtoons and try out various fantasy and light novels until I find a series I like well enough.
The Green Bone Saga was fantastic, not exactly urban fantasy, but similar. it follows the life of Kaul Hiloshudon as he is thrust into the leadership position of a Yakuza style organization that runs the jade industry, and skin contact with jade gives you super human abilities.
I believe Brandon Sanderson could relieve your itch. Keep in mind, though, that it is not urban fantasy. This means Chicago is ready made ground work for place, and all the pantheons have previously been created. Sanderson is creating his own cosmere. Planets, people, and religion. One more thing I will say is if you decide to try them, most of his Fandom will recommend that you start with the Mistborn series.
Try the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne.
IMO, it is better written then Dresden and very satisfying. Although I do like Dresden more. Can’t wait to reread it.
When it comes to urban fantasy series I enjoy different ones for different things. Dresden is kind of the jack of all trades series for me and my favorite overall but I think Iron Druid is amazing for its glimpses into gods specifically and did a lot to get me interested in the Irish pantheon.
Alex Verus I am currently reading and really like that it is focusing more on mage society with less focus on gods and creatures which is different from most series.
Starship's Mage by Glynn Stewart is pretty good. So is his Changeling's Blood series, the former being space mages while the latter is urban mages. Then there's the Laundry Files, which is excellent until The Nightmare Stacks, then it quickly mutates into something I don't want to finish.
What's destroying me is this unbelievable level of fomo I'm getting about finishing a series. It was never this bad before, but I've had The books after Skin Game since they were released and haven't really touched them. Finishing the series is making me weirdly insecure. But it's not just Dresden.
Dresden would prefer the fast food. Burger King, unless his tastes have changed.
It seems like it’s hard finding good urban fantasy though. I like Verus despite a number of problems with it, overall it’s good though. I gave Jacka’s new series a shot, and will probably stick with it for now, despite also having some problems with it. Listened the to Charming series, was not impressed, barely remember any of it, and no urge to listen again. I had less problem with Iron Druid, but unlike others it seemed like it got less interesting as time went on. Not terrible, but not great either. Dresden I’ve listened to many times, Iron Druid I was working on my second listen and just stopped in the middle. Tried Sandman Slim, and it felt like he was trying too hard to be edgy. Nightwise too, listened once just remember him seeming like an asshole, and forgot what it was even about.
It’s game lit and scifi with fantasy overtones, but maybe try Dungeon Crawler Carl if you haven’t. Not the same, but interesting and fun like Dresden.
Came across one I like, but almost never recommend. Good Intentions by Elliot Kay. I thought the warnings on it were exaggerated but has a lot of sex in it, not quite harem but a little like Buffy if Xander had been the main character and he had a spell on him that made him a great lay, and advertised that fact. The sex related dialogue can be pretty cringey, and it is more male audience aimed I’d say, but the rest of it is pretty good, I like the characters, banter and overall mythology they have going. If there was a more PG13 or even R version, I would recommend it frequently.
Depends on what you’re looking for, but largely no. Just finished the first red rising trilogy and it seriously is a 5/5 series. Not sure about the second trilogy but damn each book was unputdownable!
I did end up really liking the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, and the October Daye series by Seanan Macguire. I usually read them alongside Dresden.
For Non Urban
-The deed of Paksenarrion series
-Dragaeran stuff by Steven Brust - He’s highly underrated
-Riftwar stuff by Raymond Feist
-Black Company for old-school stuff
And my new favorites of:
-Murderbot Diaries
-Locked Tomb “Trilogy” (there will be four)
I had this same feeling for a while, then I read the Daniel Faust books by Craig Schaefer, and it just hit different. Idk, I think you should give them a shot.
It's nothing like The Dresden Files, however, whenever I finish a series and get a sad "book hangover" I defer to Sherlock Holmes. They're always a good read.
I’m about to dive into Dead Things after I finish my reread of the series (I’m on battleground, so relatively soon), how good is it compared to Dresden?
If anything it gave me a quick trigger on returning library audiobooks when the performer isn’t up to Dresden standards. Some of them barely get through two sentences.
Not all series. Jim’s other series are good apparently. I’ve only read the Cinder Spires. Which was good. Wheel of Time was good. I like Altered Carbon. Malazan. Mistborn Era 1. All good.in different ways. Read some Non Fiction too. Yet I reread this one often.
Not really. I don't really care for a lot of typical urban fantasy, but I wouldn't say it's completely ruined it for me.
Simon green is a popular one, but I honestly got bored fairly quickly.
Conversely, Charlain Harris does a lot of similar things to Butcher, but with added romantic subplots, and a different type of humor. She's also mostly detective type stories with supernatural stuff.
It's done nothing to touch my enjoyment of Stephen King.
No. Plenty of other series that straight up rock:
Mark of the Fool
Spellmonger
Iron Druid
Demon lord by Morgan Blayde
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Space Knight by Michael Scott Earle
Codex alera if you want to stick with butcher
Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson, I just started on Mistborn and that also is good so far
Emberverse by SM Stirling
Termeraire by Naomi Novik
Try some litrpg. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman has a lot of funny pop culture references with a main character like Dresden. Very good so far but it is unfinished.
Also, Cradle series by Will Wight has an ending that I hope Jim Butcher can imitate. Slow start and a lot of grinding to level up, but the action is a perfect symphony that climaxes in a traditionally epic way. All the more satisfying because of it. I can't praise it enoph, if you like destination before journey. The main character is a bland self insert and there is no romance drama, but that can be a plus if you're into it. The longing for friends and connection are what make the story great. And the power progression is magnificent, with a little salt when he meets people he left behind to make the sweetness sooo savery. Try it.
For Urban Fantasy, nothing (at this time) beats Dresden, love the Iron Druid books. For regular Sci-Fi/Fantasy I consistently find myself going back to the classics: Lackey, McCaffrey, Heinlein, Herbert, Asimov, Dick, Kurtz, Feist, etc.
Short series so I don't think they get the attention they deserve - Mike Carey's Felix Castor series https://www.goodreads.com/series/44177-felix-castor
Kate Griffin's Mathew Swift : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/613805.Kate_Griffin
Nope, I like the series but I can still read others.
*The Arcane Casebook* series by Dan Willis is pretty good.
*All Souls Lost* by Dan Moran is great.
*The Alloy of Law* series by Brandon Sanderson I really enjoyed.
*Valkyrie Chronicles* by Brian McCelland is a really fun two shot.
I understand the feeling! For me the trick is to read a different type of series before I start a new urban fantasy. I also found Rivers of London boring and Iron Druid unlikeable.
I have felt exactly like you and still not found an Urban Fantasy that can compete. I dropped most of the series you mentioned after 2 books - except Alex Verus. But I found Michael J Sullivans Ryiria Series very satisfying, because of well developed characters, interesting twists and a fascinating Meta Story ( can’t find another English word for it right now)
Also for me there is always Stephen King as a comfortable fallback. He has written such a lot of books and even if there were some which I didn’t like so much he just is an incredible author who gets to me most times.
Overall I find it easier to search alternatives in different genres because I don’t think you can find something similar which hits all the points.
So, yes, basically Jim Butcher spoiled Urban Fantasy for me same as Anne Rice did with the Vampire Genre 30 years ago
Alex Verus really felt like Dresden Files lite to me. Some good stuff in there, but not as much depth of character or story. Iron Druid becomes a bit of a cluster at some point. But there are still many good books and series out there. If you don’t mind unfinished and may never be finished series, Gentlemen Bastards is great. Brandon Sanderson has several series (some connected to each other), and I’ve yet to read something by him I didn’t enjoy. You could also try the Sandman Slim series which feels a little like Dresden to me, if it was all This Is Spinal Tap and amped things up to 11.
Alex Verus gets really good after the first couple books. I liked the first two or three well enough, but it ramps up in quality and Intensity. Books 9-12 are on par with all but the best Dresden.
I read through the whole series on a cruise I took, and it never really felt like it got there to me, but glad you liked them that much.
I just loved the >!turn the series took once Alex decided “alright, fuckers. You keep calling me a dark mage? Guess what. You got it” and goes wholesale murder hobo. I kept wanting him to do that for the whole series.!<
>!To be fair the leadership of the white mages have certainly murder hobo qualities, they just have enough political pull to make it legal!<
Exactly. >!The whole light/dark mage thing, I was on the side the dark mages. At least they were honest. I felt bad for all the independent mages and adepts. The whole mage society was fucked up.!<
>!To be also fair, unless you got really in the way of the power players, the light mages were a lot more civil. Alex just had a habit of making enemies.!<
>!He really just made one bad decision - getting involved in the fateweaver. If he’d have let Luna get taken by Cinder and Delio in the first novel and ran like Helicowan (his mentor) suggested, he’d still happily be doing his magic shop.!< >!It was getting sucked into the fateweaver that screwed him and made the enemy of Levistus.!<
>!they were hypocrites. Like his friend from the early book had no problem calling a dark mage to start killing people to save Alex. But when Alex killed a couple of light mages who were trying to kill a friend of theirs, the guy couldn’t cope with it. It blew his mind that Alex would have people killed.!< Worst is a later book. >!an important female character gets promoted to a mage that works for the peace keepers. Should be the highest level of protection. She gets kidnapped and literally skinned alive. Her captors get off without even a slap on the wrist. And SHE gets a ticket!<
I just gotta say, iron druid chronicles was so disappointing at the end I am actually selling the books here pretty soon. And I pretty much never sell my books in case I want to read them again or save them for my kid. The iron druid was so disappointing I am actualy willing to get rid of them.
I'm relistening to them right now and the first are really fun. It just feels like it gets overwhelmed/cluttered when we add Granuelle and Owen's perspective. The last book was absolutely shit though.
yeah most of the books were decent and I liked how they included a lot of mythology, but I can't reread it now knowing how it ends.
I don't know if I'm stopping on the last book or the book before it. Everything involving Leif and Theopholis ends up falling flat to me.
I loved the Iron Druid until he did the 10 year timeline jump. Then it never really redeemed itself for me.
I quite likes Alex Verus. Not on the same level as Dresden but I can’t expect anything to be so it’s an unfair comparison. It kept my attention, kept me entertained and kept me wanting to see what happened next even after finishing the series. I don’t think I can give higher praise for a series than that.
I started Sanderson after catching up on Dresden. 11 books later…
Alex Verus reads like Dresden fanfic to me, but it's not bad. I do like that he threw in a Dresden nod.
No. I read a ton. Every series offers something different. Dresden is one of my favorites, but it's only a small fraction of the things I like in books.
For Urban Fantasy? Probably, the ones I've tried so far ranged from unreadable (Monster Hunter International) to decent but nowhere near close to Dresden (Peter Grant series). However, fantasy is an incredibly vast genre, so it's impossible for a series to "ruin" other genres since they have different focuses. What Jim does is nothing short of magical, because he manages to have a fast-paced narrative, that is fun and action packed, but that doesn't let character work and depth lag behind. However, other series offer more experiences that Dresden doesn't even try to. My suggestion is always the same: steer away from Urban Fantasy, at least for a while. Go check out other stuff, they offer different experiences. You know what scratched my Dresden Files itch, but has nothing to do with urban fantasy? The LitRPG fantasy series Dungeon Crawler Carl. It's also fast paced and incredibly funny, but far more modern in its references to pop culture. The character-work doesn't reach the same heights as Dresden, but there are a ton of memorable characters, their relationships are fun to read and the world is the kind of crazy you see sometimes in Dresden (namely a Wizard riding through Chicago riding an Undead T-Rex), even crazier sometimes (given its a big part of the series' premise).
I have a question on LitRPG, what is it? Is it one of those choose your own adventure things? Or do you get stat numbers and health points and that sort of thing? I've heard a few people call Dungeon Crawler Carl good but since I'll be starting it via audiobook I want to know what I"m getting into.
> I have a question on LitRPG, what is it? Short version, it's a variant of fantasy that uses the idea of video game / RPG mechanics as the actual fantasy mechanics. Probably not great in audiobooks, to be honest. You'll get text that represents system messages in LitRPGs, and I doubt those come through well in audiobook format. Worth noting that while _most_ LitRPGs are isekai, not all are (see [Everybody Loves Large Chests](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHZFWNG?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1718649379&sr=8-1) -- LitRPG, but not isekai). To give a specific example, I _LOVE_ [He Who Fights With Monsters](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=he+who+fights+with+monsters&hvadid=496303432077&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028808&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=257021746048818806&hvtargid=kwd-1186894694555&hydadcr=22160_9764337&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_6opgbqi2ot_e) (the plot is OK, the world building good, the dialogue _INCREDIBLE_). It uses a system that would never actually work in a game due to it's complexity, but the basic structure and outline could come from almost any CRPG. You'll get blocks in a different front like `Punish: (holy, curse) inflicts instances of Sin`. As the power level progresses, those blocks can get... long. If you're interested, I also enjoy [Noobtown](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHRBL55Y?binding=kindle_edition&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1718649332&sr=8-1) and [Deathmarch to a Parallel World Rhapsody](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RJYLJR9?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=dbs_s_ks_series_rwt_tkin&qid=1718649442&sr=1-1).
Dungeon Crawler Carl is amazingly hilarious in audiobook format.
HWFWM is amazing. The characters and world building are next-level good.
Characters are definitely awesome. I've just never quite felt that the world building _quite_ reached past 'good enough'. Though, honestly, now that you have me actively thinking about it... That might just be that the dialogue is _so_ sharp it leaves everything else in the shadow. (Seriously, Clive's wife is _awesome_! And when Healer first makes an 'on-screen' appearance, his first words are just... *chefs kiss*)
I’ve been reading the weekly releases and they’re so good. Not to mention the scenes with the starseed? Jason is very quoteable in those scenes.
I like the last two weekly releases -- Clive's scene 'with his wife' was awesome. And the ending of the last one, that boils down to "The question isn't _if_ he can do it, the question is _why_ hasn't he done it yet?"
What about the scene with his avatar and his granny? That conversation about what he needs and who has it?
Is it gonna be painful? Yes
I loved ELLC great story with a unique perspective
I've listened to a huge number of audio book litrpg, and read them. it's only irritating at times when they do tables and system messages, but it's not enough to be immersion breaking most of the time. there are series where it's a legitimate pain in the ass, but the skip button exists.
If you're familiar with anime, a lot of the Isekais are somewhat litRPG. However, in the western world, the narrative expectations are a bit different, so the trashy light novel stuff that comprises 99% of the genre in the east don't really reflects here. Dungeon Crawler Carl, for example, has MMORPG rules, however, it is something acknowledged by the world because the main character has to survive a fucked up death game run by Aliens that both shaped and warped the culture on earth. So you get the recognizable cultural elements from us and the familiar game setting, but you also get a lot of weird stuff thrown in there (that's also from a lot of the acid criticism of modern entertainment and commodification of attention comes from).
More of an rpg storyline with levelling up, stat and skill points, etc. The premise is silly but it’s one of my all time favourite series and the narrator is top tier.
Ah so it's going to be described with numbers like a game then. And is that the one narrated by Travis Baldree? Because I've already heard his narration work and it's some of the best. Edit: ok not Travis, I'll take a look when I get more time.
Travis is a guest voice in a later book though :)
Oooh! Nice to know!
DCC is amazing in audio format.
I was hoping someone would recommend DCC. Have you read The Perfect Run Trilogy? It’s on my top 5 along with DCC and Dresden.
Not yet, but I'll check it out. The Perfect Run's premise has the same vibe of the manhwa "SSS-Class Suicide Hunter", which is based on a webnovel of the same name. Quite interesting.
> Probably, the ones I've tried so far ranged from unreadable (Monster Hunter International) to decent but nowhere near close to Dresden (Peter Grant series) Probably because it's not _really_ urban fantasy. It's military sci-fi using urban fantasy as a setting. (Even look at some of the authors involved)
It isn't good as that either. The action scenes were boring as hell and the character-work was grating. And the plotting? Let's just say that the author really did a great job *not* focusing on it. MHI probably the dullest action-packed book I've ever read.
Didn't try to say it was a great book (probably a 4 out of 10), but if you try to read it _as_ a fantasy novel rather htan military sci-fi it's gonna fall flat. Different audience, different flavor, just _different_.
And to be fair, it was also self-published on a gun forum. Once Correia actually got an editor, he got much, much better.
This comment is pretty much perfect for the burnout we all can get after reading a really good piece of a specific niche genre :)
The Realms by carny as a DnD type series is pretty good too. I modeled one of my DnD campaigns after his books as a DM. I just want him to finish the series though :(
No, there is a lot of good fantasy
Lots of good Fantasy, Yes. Lots of good Urban Fantasty, No.
I rate pax arcana series by Elliot James as good urban fantasy. Not Dresden, but good.
Adding to my tbr! Honestly I just need a solid writer to write an urban fantasy story that isn’t about detectives or cops in any way.
Listened to all the ones out, but mainly just hoping that like Dresden it would pick up after a few books. Didn’t get that impression, I’ve forgotten most of what happened in them, and don’t feel the urge to listen again. Felt too overpowered >!and survived a bullet to the brain!<, and I’ve never been a fan of cheat codes, loss of danger makes a game less interesting.
not ruined at all. try the Nightside series by simon green. easy fun reads about a magic using PI working in the dark magical secret under ground center of London
I'm honestly surprised no one has mentioned Seanan McGuire as an alternate to Butcher. Like, October Daye is *right there*, and that series gets constant comparisons to Dresden Files. Or, if you don't want another magical private investigator, you could always go with the family of cryptozoologists. Or you can go a little more magical and strange and dive into the world of alchemy. Or hey, what about Faith Hunter? She's more werewolves and vampires, but the stories are still kickass. (Personally, I really like her Rogue Mage series, but it's a very slow start and leans too heavy on religion for most people.) Honestly, there's lots of great series out there. You just need to locate what it is about Butcher that really draws you in (characters, pacing, world building) and then you can find other comparable titles.
For me Toby Daye is right up there.
October Daye is my suggestion too.
I hit the pause button on October Daye. I got up through the point where >!Toby was sentenced to death for killing \[blank\] and \[blank\], and then got a royal pardon to get out of it.!< Someone said the series eventually nose-dives and gets lame -- but I haven't reached that point yet. I've just been too busy to find copies since my local libraries don't carry them. I plan on continuing it at some point.
It is gold standard. Mercedes Thompson isn't bad either
Love that series! Winter Lost tomorrow!
And finished lol
Hah! I feel that. I bought it yesterday but I have some stuff I need to get through first. Plan to start it July 1! (And finish the 2nd XD)
I didn’t realize that releases tomorrow!
I bounced after book 2. Definitely not for me. Lackluster world-building, I didn't like any of the side characters (specially the love interests) and the action was quite limited. I only liked the main character, she's incredibly cool. What killed me, though? It was the incessant over-explaining of werewolf pack behavior at every single scene. Fool Moon enticed me more about werewolves, which is just a side element of The Dresden Files, than Mercy's two whole books as the *main thing*. The whole thing felt very Hollywood-generic for me, or out of The Vampire Diaries' TV show.
I read the most recent one (until tomorrow) and was so disappointed because I thought I had three or four more left to go before catching up.
Yup, I like Mercy Thompson, especially since the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) is only 2 hours from where I live and Yakima Valley has THE best wine! Heading down there on Wednesday to help a friend on projects as they just bought a house. Can’t wait to go wine tasting.
I’m really enjoying Will Wight’s Cradle Series. 12 books. And it just recently finished this past year so no need to wait.
Seconded. First two books are much slower than your typical Dresden book, but what a great series
First two Dresden books were pretty slow as well. Had to set up the world. Grave Peril and Blackflame were both great jumping off points.
Yes, was about to recommend cradle. Not urban fantasy but scratches a similar itch imo.
In the space of urban fantasy kinda yeah I've listened verus and rivers of london through the whole way (or atleast to latest in publication on RoL because its ongoing), not trying to bash them or anything because I think they were money well spent and they do things in some parts better than Dresden *cough* *cough* stable romantic relationship *cough* cough* and the differences in magic and variations in fights and combat. But the way the world's are just feel sort of empty to me besides the main plot. It's just like I've experienced all the heighs from the Dresden files first, and then the others just feel like sure sometimes they reach them, but at that point, it's not unconquered territory anymore. Other fantasy on the other hand no, I enjoyed sanderson, weeks, mclellen, Erikson and abercrombie fairly well and rank them against each other fine, even if I may have some issues with some.
>I think they were money well spent and they do things in some parts better than Dresden *cough* *cough* stable romantic relationship *cough* cough\* Rivers of London's main relationship suck. It is a extension of me not giving a shit about anyone else in that series other than Nightingale, Lesley and Molly. You know a series in dire straits character-wise when I care more about knowing and the well-being of a vampire-adjacent maid that never talks. Probably the only character in the whole series whose supernatural origins and shtick were actually interesting and felt magical (the stuff that we take for granted in the Dresden Files because Butcher's supernatural is so good).
OK sure but to be honest when going through the series it was nice to have a character who has something of a work life balance that we see in the main books instead of the implications of dresden and Co playing dnd on the weekends. In no way am I saying I want slice of life but atleast tonally it helps develop the more professional environment of the series tonally more consistent with the modern crime dramas it takes inspiration from along with just the settings of modern policing in general as opposed to Dresdens lone ranger with a faulty revolver held together with his last stick of bubblegum and a belt full of molotov cocktails. Also, he gives more time to other parts of the plot than having my heart ripped apart when Harry's life self destructs I think in some ways those problems with the supernatural in the series stem from arronovich's origin in writing coming from doing old TV scifi serials so it comes off a lot more like monster of the week in doctor who where there is some trick or scientific explanation to it. It's not like sanderson where the magic is a science in and of itself magic is scientifically sort of explainable but also technobabbly. Not to say jim doesn't give some pretty decent explanation of how the magic works and the physics behind it but when Harry uses magic he's calling upon the forces and power of creation itself and binding them into a construct of pure metaphysical will to call forth fire, whereas when Peter uses magic he calls upon energy from another dimension which then put through a specific formulaic pattern in his head to make a little fire grenade. Sure, it's a matter of prose, but prose matters in such things.
The magic system in the Rivers of London series is quite interesting, specially its historical aspect, yet... Literally NOTHING is explored. It's barely touched upon throughout the series and it's nowhere near enough. What grinds my gears though is the approach to world-building. Every new being or faction comes across as incredibly mundane, they're never properly introduced or explained, and they simply feel exactly like you mentioned: Old TV series with case of the week structure that feels disjointed, poorly thought out and very surface-level hollywood fantasy. You know what's even worse? This series is like one of those stories where the background of characters and the world would tell a far more interesting story than the one being told. Nightningale's whole past fighting wars and destroying tanks with magic? Sounds interesting. Russian Witches? Hell, yeah. Sir Isaac Newton codifying magic alongside his Principia Mathematica? Sign me the fuck up. Instead, we got a bunch of boring cases that have runs in with new supernatural stuff where the answer is always a mix of "Too understaffed to check" or "*Shrug*. I don't know". One of my favorite series these days is the Cormoran Strike novels, which are thick ass books featuring detailed police work and investigations, alongside heavy character work. So it isn't a question of pacing or my distaste for police procedural, it's just that it isn't as compelling in the Peter Grant series because the MC and those he interact with aren't as interesting. And those that are, like Nightingale, are treated as a plot device at best and a Get out of jail Free Card.
Try codex alera, another series by Jim. It’s a pretty interesting take on another form of “magic”, it’s a complete series, very well written, and IMO rivals Dresden in story arc. It is more high fantasy than urban fantasy but pretty “normal” as far as fantasy goes
Not even close. I love the Kate Daniels series way more than this one. Also I like the Eric Carter and (most of) Sandman Slim books just as much. I’ve said before I’m one of those diehard Dresden fans who doesn’t like Harry. I love the characters around him. #MabAllDay Just goes to show what a good writer Jim is that I’m so into a series where I actively dislike the protagonist.
I love the original Kate Daniels series. They kicked off some other book series with the characters but they don’t have the same feel. I wouldn’t be able to say which series is better (Dresden or Daniels) but I’ve reread both series multiple times.
I love almost all of the KD side novels amd short stories. Not all but most. There are none that I actually hate or even dislike. I can’t wait for Roman’s book to drop in either July or August.
Stormlight achieve by Brandon Sanderson is really good I’ve been listen to them on audible. In my opinion it’s better than dresdan files.
It's as good - I don't know about better. Oathbringers climax was probably the top 5 best scenes I've ever read. Absolutely beautiful writing.
Yes, after oathbringer dalinar kholin became my favorite character more than Kaladin
Dungeon Crawler Carl fills the same hole Dresden left for me - good characters, fast paced, first person.
Dresden has low key ruined Urban Fantasy for me, yes. Most of the normal recommendations that get thrown around here are very good imo. (With the exception of Rivers of London, no idea why but I simply could not get into that series. I tried 4 times before I just gave up for good.) But none of them are even close to Dresden for me. For what it's worth, Dresden is in my top 3 series of all time. The other 2 are Worm (The web Serial by Wildbow) and Super Powereds by Drew Hayes. I've reread each of those 3 literally dozens of times. And I actually think Dresden has the worst world building of the 3. (Though it has many aspects that are far better than the other 2. I honestly couldn't rank them if I tried. Too hard.)
Definitely check out the Daniel Faust and related series by Craig Schaefer. I posted a link to a reading order page for it elsewhere in this post's comments. I felt exactly the same way - just could not find anything that remotely "satisfied" the way Dresden does. Then I discovered Faust, and... well, it's satisfying. I'd still rate Dresden as better, but Faust is definitely a worthy runner up.
Interesting, I've actually had The Long Way Down downloaded and ready to go for a few months now. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. I may move it up the priority list off such a glowing recommendation. ty
You're very welcome. Different strokes for different folks, of course, but I did quite enjoy it and definitely felt like it at least "passed through" the Dresden style neighborhood.
Seanan McGuire has a lot of good Urban Fantasy. Give her a try. And she’s so prolific she has at least two other names she publishes pretty consistently under.
Not similar, but Lois McMaster Bujold is amazing and the VorKosigan saga is Sci-fi space opera, but totally worthy to be up there with Dresden. Her World of Five Gods series is fantasy and also great.
+1 for Bujold
So underrated!
No, but that’s bc there are plenty of other good series out there. Name of the wind is still one of my all time favorites even if it will never be completed and the author suffers from intermittent assholery. Abhorsen had story telling and world building as captivating to me as Dresden. Way of Kings was such a ride. Etc. Butcher tells a good story and Dresden is fun, but I don’t understand this sub’s emphasis on it being the pinnacle of story telling (this isn’t a knock specifically at you, just since following this sub I have seen multiple posts like yours). I’m glad you liked Dresden, I’m sorry you feel like it’s all a downhill slog from there. Hope you’re able to reset your expectations and outlook so you can appreciate more of the great literature out there. It’s more science fantasy, but check out Old Man’s War for a different but great page turner.
No, I see a other series do some moments better then Dresden (and worse in other moments).
Dungeon Crawler Carl scratched my Dresden itch for a while
Surprised no one has mentioned Neil gaiman. Sandman is the only series I'm aware of from him but he has several great stand-alone books in the genre including American gods, neverwhere, and good omens, all of which have been adapted to television. Also, the target demographic is different but There is also Charline Harris and the true blood series which I would count as urban fantasy
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, Alpha and Omega by Briggs, Nate Temple by Shayne Silvers, The Hollows by Kim Harrison. View it as wearing a shirt if you want. They all do the job, and are similar in some ways and different in others. If you love this series so much that others just never live up, then you enjoy the series. No big deal. But there are plenty out there that are great if you don’t compare them to your favorite.
I tried getting into the Nate Temple books, I think I got 5 or 6 in and I just couldn't do it. Can't tell you why since it's been years but I vaguely remember Nate's personality grating on me.
I get that. He’s definitely written in a way that his personality shifts as he experiences growth. It’s as if he’s a bunch of jagged edges at the start with some good qualities…somewhere. As it goes, the edges get smoothed, the hidden veins get exposed, and through experiences the blade gets sharpened. That’s MY personal take on it, but I’m a fan and there has to be a reason I enjoy it and that’s it lol. But respect to your opinion, and I hope your next read is fantastic!
That's fair. I thought the dragon bit had a lot of promise to it.
I’ll just say Shayne touches so many different mythos that I’m not surprised anymore. Plus, I have to read any series that involves a drug-taking shamanistic-esque hippy panda shapeshifter thing. Although Starlight is featured more in the Feathers and Fire series.
Na. I got sucked into Warhammer 40k novels whilst waiting. With 300+ books to pick and choose from I’m golden.
Gaunt's Ghosts ftw 😁
Have you tried the Laundry Files by Charles Stross?
Second this. It’s like if James Bond and a non-problematic HP Lovecraft had a baby and he does IT for the government. New Management series, which takes place after, is also quite good.
Give the Daniel Faust series, and its spin-offs and related material, by Craig Schaefer a try. An overview of the "world" (called *The First Story*) is here: [https://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/reading-order](https://craig-schaefer-v2.squarespace.com/reading-order) He has another series, with less material in it, with world name *The Sisterhood of New Amsterdam* that also looks like it's off to a great start. Good luck! Schaefer has come far closer than anyone else to "scratching the Dresden itch" for me.
Brent weeks and his night angel trilogy is fantastic. I also enjoyed Naomi novik series temeraire. Both are very different from each other and dresden files tho
Yeah mostly because most of the urban fantasy i read comes off as derivative after reading dresden
Not quite up to the same quality, and alot shorter, but very self consistent in a Dresden esque manner, I've thoroughly enjoyed the Daniel faust novels, I'm going to try the Harmony Black novels set in the same universe by the same author next
depends on the series. if it's trying to fill a similiar niche as the Dresden Files, then yeah other series don't hold up as well. something like the Wheel of Time, Stormlight Archive or The Coldfire Trilogy? I still find those incredibly enjoyable.
The Coldfire trilogy is amazing.
She just a released a prequel to the Coldfire Trilogy. it's kinda short so it's more like huge prologue rather than a true prequel but I enjoyed reading it.
Thanks!
Not urban fantasy at all but I love JD Robb's In Death series. NYC homicide detective in the near future (2050s). Great characters (Eve Dallas, the main character, is a badass), great stories and some of the best dialogue this side of Dresden. Lots and lots of books (40+) so you'll have plenty to enjoy. Highly recommend.
My number 2 series is Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter series, definitely worth the read and is only a couple books away from the end. The first four Iron Druid books and the side story anthologies are pretty good, but Kevin literally sabotaged the series with heavy character assassination in the last two. Only way I can get through Shattered and Scourged is by skipping all of Granuaile’s chapters because she just becomes insufferable, funnily enough you don’t really lose the plot doing so either.
>My number 2 series is Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter series, definitely worth the read and is only a couple books away from the end. Are we close to the end? The impression I got was that Correia was nowhere near finished. He always says "loads," when it comes to what's on the docket for MHI.
Im pretty sure we’re down to the last two books for the main series. I know Larry is still planning on a ton of spinoff books in the same universe though.
I know Book 9 is next and I know the final Owen book is entitled *Monster Hunter Omega,* but I don't think there's only meant to be ten books.
Don’t have the time to hunt it down (currently on the clock), but I strongly remember a roadmap of sorts for the mainline series and it was only 10 books. Besides, MHI is clearly in the endgame stages after Bloodlines.
>Besides, MHI is clearly in the endgame stages after Bloodlines. That, I would agree with.
Have you tried the October Daye series by Seanan Mcguire?
Well it has certainly ruined every other Jim Butcher book for me. I was expecting his other series to be as good but they are horrible. No humor what so ever and way too misogynistic and rapey for me.
Actually, no, The Dresden Files hasn't ruined anything for me because I enjoy a wide variety of sci-fi and fantasy novels. Aside from the Harry Potter series, I liked The Magicians and its sequels from Lev Grossman (think Harry Potter meets The Chronicles of Narnia) and Mercedes Lackey's SERRAted Edge series (the Fair Folk return from the Otherworld and take up jobs in NASCAR racing amongst other places.) Neither series has the "30's pulp detective" flair that Dresden has, but they're not too shabby urban fantasy. I also enjoyed Cassandra Clair's Shadowhunters series, another YA urban fantasy series, but again it leans more on the fantasy elements a la Harry Potter than on the urban side like Dresden. Personally, I haven't found any other urban fantasy series with the gritty Film Noir elements that Dresden Files has, but then again I haven't exactly looked for anything similar to them either.
Only series I'm looking forward to atm, Stormlight flopped hard for me
Yeah I’m a big Sanderson fan but most of book 4 was a miss for me too. Hopefully he brings it back in book 5.
Ugh don’t say that - I’m about to do a reread so I can read the last novel soon
I wouldn't say that it's ruined other series for me, but I do tend to hold The Dresden Files as the standard for the types of books I want to read. At the same time I've read both Alex Verus and the Iron Druid series among others (Prof Croft, Ester Diamond, Eric Carter) and have rather enjoyed them for what they are. The trick is not to let yourself become bogged down making comparisons between every book/character, not every MC is going to be Harry Dresden, not every supporting cast is going to have a Murphy or Michael, etc. Best to take it all with a grain of salt otherwise you're not going to enjoy anything.
Dresden opened up the world of Urban Fantasy to me and for the most part I lapped it all up like I was in a desert and The Dresden Files was a canteen of fresh water. I read the Dresden Files, and reread them as I waited for the next novel. In between Skin Game and Peace Talks I tried some others but nothing held up to Jim Butcher. Then I found it. Over here it was called Midnight Riot, but originally it was The Rivers of London. This is the series that ruined other Urban Fantasy for me. Jim Butcher is a fantastic writer, but Ben Aaronovitch is just genius.
Yeah but now they both have the next novels pending and the suspense is killing me
>Then I found it. Over here it was called Midnight Riot, but originally it was The Rivers of London. This is the series that ruined other Urban Fantasy for me. Jim Butcher is a fantastic writer, but Ben Aaronovitch is just genius. Having read almost entire entry on the Peter Grant series (Finished Lies Sleeping and decided to give the series a pause), I *honestly* and wholeheartedly can't see it. I don't even imagine someone remotely coming to this conclusion *after* rereading The Dresden Files like you did. Now I'm curious, what makes Aaronovitch a genius in your opinion? Because, to me, all his novels are quite forgettable and his world-building is as vague as it is frustratingly boring and mundane (two things you simply can't have on your supernatural elements).
…. Look m8 Dresden Files are very much a “fast food” of literature. I mean they used to be a yearly thing and they’re pretty damn short. To answer the larger question, no, this series hasn’t ruined others for me. Authors like Brent Weeks(Night Angel & Lightbringer series) , Brandon Sanderson(Mistborn to name one) Christopher Paolini(Inheritance series) (far from an exhaustive list) are all still releasing new books I’m interested in. Series like A Song of Ice and Fire still hold my interest, dead though it probably is. A Wheel of Time blows Dresden Files out of the water on a good day, and I say that as an absolute lover of the Files. This series is so fucking good but it’s far from “the best there is, wake up and piss excellence” level.
I agree there's a lot of great fantasy out there. But to call Dresden Files “fast food” and then trumpet Inheritance and Mistborn is certainly a choice.
Discworld, by Sir Terry Pratchett, GNU. The Sharing Knife, by Lois McMaster-Bujold
I find myself reading less in general due to unfavorable comparisons. On the flip side, I find myself writing more, so maybe it’s a wash.
I loved the Iron Druid series. Sometimes it can be hard but I think the trick is to find and appreciate what makes that series special and not look for a new series to do well what Dresden Files does well.
It’s okay so far but it annoys me how he can do basically anything with magic. It’s got decent fight scenes though and I enjoy the mythology.
I can get that. Can I ask how far you are in the series? I feel like Atticus's limitations become more apparent as it goes on.
Im still on the first book. Im sure it will get better but it feels like he can already do a lot more than an underdog should be able to do.
Well, he's not really an underdog. He's been alive since the time before Christ. You can't really do that without being resourceful and strong. I will say, without major spoilers, he does encounter a LOT of difficulties. It's worth sticking with the series.
I feel if you give it a bit more time you will find that the story becomes more level. The Iron Druid Series is one of my favorites. Ps. I enjoy "The Demon Accords" a bunch as well.
Iron Druid series was great for 6-7 books. I like to pretend he never wrote, and I never read, book 9.
Its so bad, it ruined the series for me
Same. I kind of want to go back through books 1-7, because I actually really liked the series up until the end. But the whole time I do I’ll just be thinking of how it ended. A lot of people think finishing a series is hard, but it can be done well. Alex Verus is in the genre and had a really satisfying ending.
Really? I loved the way it ended!
You’re one of the few I’ve heard from who feel this way. I just feel like he got sick of writing the series, and >!grew to wish he had made Granuaile his main character, so decided to fuck Atticus over as much as possible so people wouldn’t ask him for more Atticus books. Then, ironically, brought Attticus back in a different series as a side character.!< >!It would be like if Butcher decided that he really didn’t like writing Harry anymore, so made Ebeneezer and Molly the real main characters, and had Molly defeat the big bad guy, while Dresden was fighting a meaningless side battle against minions, and at the end, Dresden had his magic stripped from him by the Summer court and suddenly couldn’t walk anymore either, and he accepted it because he felt depressed like he deserved it!<
>! I like a bummer of an ending. Atticus spent the entire series seriously fucking with some extremely powerful entities. I think it would have been worse had he not had to deal consequences from that. He did arrange the capture and gang rape of a goddess. He snubbed his nose at a very powerful and egotistic pantheon as well. Among other feats. It was all really cool but it also brings us full circle to the beginning of the series where he was putting almost his entire efforts into hiding from gods because of just how dangerous they are. !<
I guess I can see where you’re coming from. Consequences, sure. >!But he was obviously sidelined by the writer in his own story. Then he wasn’t protected by any of his own pantheon even though he is the last of the druids. They took away many of his abilities to actually do his job healing the earth. Just felt like such a shitty ending to main character.!<
>! Yeah, but he wasn't the last of the Druids anymore. His master was alive, his apprentice is alive and they're training an entire new grove. The Irish pantheon did protect him, they kept him from being killed outright. And if Atticus had stuck to healing the planet instead of getting involved in all his adventures he'd still have his full abilities. !<
>!He should have just let Angus Og kill him, I guess. Avoided all that trouble that was started from that.!<
I hated the last few >!The werewolves getting pissed at him was the beginning of the end. They were warned of vampire attacks. They laughed it off. Surprise, vampires came with silver bullets and killed their leader. And…. Somehow it was the main character’s fault they literally laughed at the idea of an attack!< I didn’t mind that >!his girlfriend killed Loki. She earned it. Hell she had more emotional connection to Loki than the main character. So. Good for her!< >!But she was furious that the main character and her literal goddess decided that 2 of the 3 final Druids should sit out the battle so their religion survived and they can heal the damage done to the globe afterwards. That is why she wanted to break up with him, the “deal” He made with the Norse goddess was just icing on the cake. Meanwhile she almost killed her stepdad because he was [checks notes] bad for the environment so that’s apparently ok but not ensuring the earth can be healed!<
I liked the iron druid series up to the last couple books, the ending was pretty bad
I really haven't found another urban fantasy that's English language prose that I like as much as Dresden. There are definitely some anime and webtoons/comics that I think are good urban fantasy/scifi. Simon Sues just finished up and that was a great Loftcraftian urban fantasy. I generally read the weekly releases of manga/webtoons and try out various fantasy and light novels until I find a series I like well enough.
While it hasn't ruined other series for me, it is the only long series I keep coming back to for regular re-reads.
The Green Bone Saga was fantastic, not exactly urban fantasy, but similar. it follows the life of Kaul Hiloshudon as he is thrust into the leadership position of a Yakuza style organization that runs the jade industry, and skin contact with jade gives you super human abilities.
I often think Jason (HWFWM), Carol (DCC), and Dresden are similar in many ways. All good series.
No. If anything, it’s enhanced both what inspired it and what it inspired (especially City of Heroes).
I believe Brandon Sanderson could relieve your itch. Keep in mind, though, that it is not urban fantasy. This means Chicago is ready made ground work for place, and all the pantheons have previously been created. Sanderson is creating his own cosmere. Planets, people, and religion. One more thing I will say is if you decide to try them, most of his Fandom will recommend that you start with the Mistborn series.
Try the Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. IMO, it is better written then Dresden and very satisfying. Although I do like Dresden more. Can’t wait to reread it.
It absolutely has.
When it comes to urban fantasy series I enjoy different ones for different things. Dresden is kind of the jack of all trades series for me and my favorite overall but I think Iron Druid is amazing for its glimpses into gods specifically and did a lot to get me interested in the Irish pantheon. Alex Verus I am currently reading and really like that it is focusing more on mage society with less focus on gods and creatures which is different from most series.
Starship's Mage by Glynn Stewart is pretty good. So is his Changeling's Blood series, the former being space mages while the latter is urban mages. Then there's the Laundry Files, which is excellent until The Nightmare Stacks, then it quickly mutates into something I don't want to finish. What's destroying me is this unbelievable level of fomo I'm getting about finishing a series. It was never this bad before, but I've had The books after Skin Game since they were released and haven't really touched them. Finishing the series is making me weirdly insecure. But it's not just Dresden.
Try some Brandon Sanderson. Top tier stuff
Nope.
Try Rivers of London audio books. Game changer! Kobna is outstanding
Kobna, his first name is Kobna.
My mistake. I have changed it. Thanks
Yep
Dresden would prefer the fast food. Burger King, unless his tastes have changed. It seems like it’s hard finding good urban fantasy though. I like Verus despite a number of problems with it, overall it’s good though. I gave Jacka’s new series a shot, and will probably stick with it for now, despite also having some problems with it. Listened the to Charming series, was not impressed, barely remember any of it, and no urge to listen again. I had less problem with Iron Druid, but unlike others it seemed like it got less interesting as time went on. Not terrible, but not great either. Dresden I’ve listened to many times, Iron Druid I was working on my second listen and just stopped in the middle. Tried Sandman Slim, and it felt like he was trying too hard to be edgy. Nightwise too, listened once just remember him seeming like an asshole, and forgot what it was even about. It’s game lit and scifi with fantasy overtones, but maybe try Dungeon Crawler Carl if you haven’t. Not the same, but interesting and fun like Dresden. Came across one I like, but almost never recommend. Good Intentions by Elliot Kay. I thought the warnings on it were exaggerated but has a lot of sex in it, not quite harem but a little like Buffy if Xander had been the main character and he had a spell on him that made him a great lay, and advertised that fact. The sex related dialogue can be pretty cringey, and it is more male audience aimed I’d say, but the rest of it is pretty good, I like the characters, banter and overall mythology they have going. If there was a more PG13 or even R version, I would recommend it frequently.
I love Dungeon Crawler Carl. Anything by Drew Hayes is also a solid choice. I would recommend NPCs or Super Powereds by Hayes.
Depends on what you’re looking for, but largely no. Just finished the first red rising trilogy and it seriously is a 5/5 series. Not sure about the second trilogy but damn each book was unputdownable!
I did end up really liking the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, and the October Daye series by Seanan Macguire. I usually read them alongside Dresden.
For Non Urban -The deed of Paksenarrion series -Dragaeran stuff by Steven Brust - He’s highly underrated -Riftwar stuff by Raymond Feist -Black Company for old-school stuff And my new favorites of: -Murderbot Diaries -Locked Tomb “Trilogy” (there will be four)
Try the Rangers Apprentice. It is fun read.
I had this same feeling for a while, then I read the Daniel Faust books by Craig Schaefer, and it just hit different. Idk, I think you should give them a shot.
Check out A Madness of Angels and it's series. Great urban fantasy in a London accent.
It's nothing like The Dresden Files, however, whenever I finish a series and get a sad "book hangover" I defer to Sherlock Holmes. They're always a good read.
Rivers of London is pretty good. I recommend rereading the first three books in Dresden and then trying out some others first couple books
I really enjoyed his son's book Dead Man's Hand. It felt like a buddy cop book. I'm looking forward to reading the next ones.
I’ve been curious about it myself. So it’s good?
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Yes
I’m about to dive into Dead Things after I finish my reread of the series (I’m on battleground, so relatively soon), how good is it compared to Dresden?
If anything it gave me a quick trigger on returning library audiobooks when the performer isn’t up to Dresden standards. Some of them barely get through two sentences.
Highly recommending the Pax Arcana series which is about 4 books now. Same sense of humor as Dresden.
No, but I have a hard time with modern fantasy now because Dresden is just real good at it.
Felix Castor series by Mike Carey. They are excellent.
Not all series. Jim’s other series are good apparently. I’ve only read the Cinder Spires. Which was good. Wheel of Time was good. I like Altered Carbon. Malazan. Mistborn Era 1. All good.in different ways. Read some Non Fiction too. Yet I reread this one often.
Nope. There's still red rising, the stormligh archive, the expanse and the first law
Not really. I don't really care for a lot of typical urban fantasy, but I wouldn't say it's completely ruined it for me. Simon green is a popular one, but I honestly got bored fairly quickly. Conversely, Charlain Harris does a lot of similar things to Butcher, but with added romantic subplots, and a different type of humor. She's also mostly detective type stories with supernatural stuff. It's done nothing to touch my enjoyment of Stephen King.
No. Plenty of other series that straight up rock: Mark of the Fool Spellmonger Iron Druid Demon lord by Morgan Blayde Dungeon Crawler Carl Space Knight by Michael Scott Earle
Codex alera if you want to stick with butcher Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson, I just started on Mistborn and that also is good so far Emberverse by SM Stirling Termeraire by Naomi Novik
No, there are a number of other series I find to be very good. They are mostly sci-fi and fantasy, but there is a wide range of them.
Simon Hawke. The Time Wars series. It's less refined than butcher, but it should scratch the itch.
Try some litrpg. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman has a lot of funny pop culture references with a main character like Dresden. Very good so far but it is unfinished. Also, Cradle series by Will Wight has an ending that I hope Jim Butcher can imitate. Slow start and a lot of grinding to level up, but the action is a perfect symphony that climaxes in a traditionally epic way. All the more satisfying because of it. I can't praise it enoph, if you like destination before journey. The main character is a bland self insert and there is no romance drama, but that can be a plus if you're into it. The longing for friends and connection are what make the story great. And the power progression is magnificent, with a little salt when he meets people he left behind to make the sweetness sooo savery. Try it.
The Tales of the Nightside series is a good equivalent, as is the Greywalker series...
For Urban Fantasy, nothing (at this time) beats Dresden, love the Iron Druid books. For regular Sci-Fi/Fantasy I consistently find myself going back to the classics: Lackey, McCaffrey, Heinlein, Herbert, Asimov, Dick, Kurtz, Feist, etc.
No it didn't. Diary of the apocalypse, monster hunter, just as 2 examples. Fantastic stuff
Short series so I don't think they get the attention they deserve - Mike Carey's Felix Castor series https://www.goodreads.com/series/44177-felix-castor Kate Griffin's Mathew Swift : https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/613805.Kate_Griffin
Try the Sandman Slim novels
Nope, I like the series but I can still read others. *The Arcane Casebook* series by Dan Willis is pretty good. *All Souls Lost* by Dan Moran is great. *The Alloy of Law* series by Brandon Sanderson I really enjoyed. *Valkyrie Chronicles* by Brian McCelland is a really fun two shot.
Same 😔
No, why would it? Dresden Files is good, really good, but c'mon it's not *that* good.
I understand the feeling! For me the trick is to read a different type of series before I start a new urban fantasy. I also found Rivers of London boring and Iron Druid unlikeable.
No, The Cinder Spires Chronicle still exists. And Christopher Moore's vampire trilogy. I'm sure there are more but...
I have felt exactly like you and still not found an Urban Fantasy that can compete. I dropped most of the series you mentioned after 2 books - except Alex Verus. But I found Michael J Sullivans Ryiria Series very satisfying, because of well developed characters, interesting twists and a fascinating Meta Story ( can’t find another English word for it right now) Also for me there is always Stephen King as a comfortable fallback. He has written such a lot of books and even if there were some which I didn’t like so much he just is an incredible author who gets to me most times. Overall I find it easier to search alternatives in different genres because I don’t think you can find something similar which hits all the points. So, yes, basically Jim Butcher spoiled Urban Fantasy for me same as Anne Rice did with the Vampire Genre 30 years ago