I finished reading Storm Front, by Jim Butcher, the first entry into The Dresden Files series. Frankly, I liked it quite a bit - it’s a solid 4/5.

I don’t like Harry Dresden, as a character, and I don’t think his penchant for somewhat misogynist and self-important ideas of gender are anything less than a little disturbing and rather off-putting. However, I can also recognize that the plot is really good, the characters are interesting - some -, and the mystery aspect of the novel does work really well.

That’s actually something that I struggle with quite a bit. It really bothers me when I figure out the plot before the characters, especially if the characters are supposed to be some sort of detective or smarty-pants individual of any kind. I did figure it out before Harry, but it was really satisfying when I managed to put the pieces together - so much so that it didn’t even bother me that he didn’t. Moreover, I think it’s believable that, considering everything that was happening at the time, he might’ve just not been able to figure it out, realistically; I, as a reader, have the benefit of laying on my couch chilling, while Dresden is underfed, overworked, stressed out of his mind, and sleep-deprived to a subhumanly torturous degree. So, it was fine; or rather, it was great.

I definitely recommend this novel, with the caveat that the main character is not likeable to any meaningful extent. I really don’t like the dude, though I guess I respect his drive. On the upside, I do dislike some other characters even more! Which is good, of course, because it’s awesome when you get to experience strong emotions while reading; writing is art, and art is emotion.

Now, I’m stuck in a limbo: what to read next?

Some strong contenders include volume 16 of Re:ZERO, Fool Moon (#2 of The Dresden Files), and The Starving Saints. There’s a few others I’m considering, but I think that’s gonna be it. I might read a couple of Shadow Slave chapters, too, in the meantime.

I wore shorts today, and ate the same thing I’ve been eating for the past 4 days: beans and rice and tuna. It’s very good, admittedly, if a little bland over time. Tomorrow, I’ll go eat at the mall with my little brother.

By the way, I joined Bookwyrm.