URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Dresden Files Short Story Compendium: Side Jobs - Jim Butcher

Release Date: 14/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

Harry is the best and technically the 'only' at what he does, being the lone professional wizard PI in the Chicago phonebook. So when the Chicago PD has cases that transcend mortal capabilities, they come to him for answers. For the 'everyday' world is actually full of strange and magical things - and most of them don't play well with humans. Yet despite his precautions, Harry tends to stumble from crisis to drama in his dealings with the supernatural world - call it an occupational hazard. Here, he unfailingly manages to get on the wrong side of werewolf, fae and vampires alike. And that's where his own rather special powers come into play ...These bite-sized stories are tremendously entertaining and will leave you itching to explore more of Harry Dresden's world. And as well as eight short stories, this collection will include an all-new Dresden Files novella.


REVIEW:

It’ll come as no surprise that I’m a huge fan of the Dresden files. So when I had the opportunity to read this newly released title that brings together the short stories by Jim Butcher I couldn’t resist it. The writing is, as usual, a top quality produce and when adding the extra layers to the world of Harry it also gives the reader the chance to have an extra few adventures just to dip into when you’re on a short journey or even feeling a little down. It’s cleverly done, it has great prose and with the wait for the next title (Ghost Story) feeling like its stretching into infinity at the moment, it’s a wonderful addition to any fans collection.

The only downside to this title is the same as with the paperback release of changes in that there is a huge difference in book size as well as a change to the US cover art style and whilst they are rereleasing all the titles in this new look, it will be quite expensive for fans to have to replace their collection. Other than that the only suggestion I’d like to make would be for the UK publisher to release the previous books in various hardback compendiums as they do get read multiple times a year and would make a wonderful addition.