MelanieM Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I'm just finishing the last book in the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher, and I've read all of his Harry Dresden series published to date. I love him. I love his style. I love how he grows his characters. I love how the books continue to be engaging -- in many ways even getting better! -- as you progress through a series, rather than falling to pot as all too often happens with other authors. I love how he portrays magic. I love how he doesn't use loads of bad language or steamy sex to get a point across. Basically, I've become a huge fan who has now run out of his books to read. So, if you are a fan of the Codex Alera or Harry Dresden books, what else do you like? Or even if you haven't read these books but they sound like your cup of tea, what else do you like? Help me find a new author/series to dive into! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Maybe F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack series 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Q Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 If you like the Codex Alera-type epic fantasy, you can't go wrong picking up a Brandon Sanderson novel. I'd say Mistborn, or perhaps Warbreaker. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 In the Dresden vein: authors: Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs (unsure about sex but it doesn't stand out in my memory), Kelley Armstrong, Ilona Andrews (FUN!), Charlaine Harris (maybe), Carrie Vaughn. These are all supernatural character series. I don't have a problem with sex, language, or violence, but none of these stand out as extreme. You should absolutely avoid Laurell K Hamilton books. Her first 5 or 6 were very good but then she later turns into just pornography - and poorly written porn at that. :glare: In the Codex Alera fantasy type: John Flanagan: Ranger's Apprentice series, Tamora Pierce: Alanna series (may be not a good mesh, but still good fantasy), Robin McKinley: Hero & Crown, Blue Sword (in same world, stand-alone books but I'd do Hero & Crown first), Barb & JC Hendee: Dhampir (first book in series - kind of a tie in with both types: supernatural and more adventure/fantasy). You may want to read reviews of books watching for any issues you want to avoid. Butcher has a collection of short stories that just came out - most previously published in other anthologies - about Dresden. It was enjoyable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasharowan Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Mercedes Lackey, Tanya Huff, Patricia Briggs, Trudi Canavan, Tamora Pierce (YA), John Flanagan (YA), Brandon Mull (YA) are all like the Alera series Tanya Huff, Patricia Briggs, C. E. Murphy are closer to the Dresden series. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 Thank you all so much for the recommendations! I'm very excited to start reserving things at my (awesome) local library. :D Dana, it's so funny you mention Laurell K Hamilton. My husband has heard me go on and on about how much I enjoyed the first few books in her Anita Blake series and how disappointing it was to watch them turn into bad pornography! Speaking of, it's not that I have an issue with sexual content (I don't, if it's well written) but rather than I can't keep from rolling my eyes to the back of my head when it's gratuitous and seems largely irrelevant to the main story. More story, more character development, and less heaving bosums and throbbing man parts, ya know? (Did you read any of the Merideth Gentry books? To say it's smut that is extremely poorly written is a huge understatement.) Oh, and I quite enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. However, I think her books went downhill after the first few, which is unfortunate. But by that point I was invested in the characters, so that counted for enough to keep me reading. Again, thanks everyone! I'm really looking forward to checking some of these out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCMom Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 (edited) I've heard that Mike Carey's Felix Castor novels are very like Dresden Files except way darker. Mercedes Lackey writes lots of urban fantasy, often with the expected romance stuff, but it is usually very light. Edited to say - hey I guess you know this already, lol... Based on your criteria, I would skip Charlaine Harris, Anita Blake, Sherilynn Kenyon and Laurell Hamilton; they are basically bodice rippers with a vampire, Greek god or Fae thrown in...;) Books sorta like Jim Butcher's... Simon R. Green's stuff (more scifi; less urban fantasy) Alan Dean Foster's Taken trilogy (scifi) Jack McDevitt's Alex Benedict series (also scifi) And maybe try Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere - definitely urban fantasy and far better writing than any of the others listed. After that you you will have to move towards cyber punk! lol hth, Georgia Edited November 19, 2010 by Georgia in NC typo and cross posting 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 Ok Georgia, what exactly is cyber punk? Thanks for the recs! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Dana, it's so funny you mention Laurell K Hamilton. My husband has heard me go on and on about how much I enjoyed the first few books in her Anita Blake series and how disappointing it was to watch them turn into bad pornography! Speaking of, it's not that I have an issue with sexual content (I don't, if it's well written) but rather than I can't keep from rolling my eyes to the back of my head when it's gratuitous and seems largely irrelevant to the main story. More story, more character development, and less heaving bosums and throbbing man parts, ya know? (Did you read any of the Merideth Gentry books? To say it's smut that is extremely poorly written is a huge understatement.) I did read the first few Gentry books but was able to stop with them after the third or fourth. I still get drawn into the Blake books. :glare: Luckily I read fast. Read the recent one and in some ways Hamilton is getting back into stories. It actually had some semblance of a plot and things did happen other than just sex. I also think the first sex scene wasn't until at least 40 or 50 pages into the book, so that's quite an improvement over the middle books. For fun, you can read some of the Amazon reviews of Hamilton's later books. Many people are really ticked off at how she changed. I figure she has used the books instead of getting actual therapy. And the first few really were good. Sigh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCMom Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Ok Georgia, what exactly is cyber punk? Thanks for the recs! :D Cyberpunk, high tech and low life...lol Georgia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Nobody - the answer is noboby is as good. Really. The Dresden series spoiled me for the whole genre. Patricia Briggs is really good with her mythology and world building. George RR Martin has a great epic storyline, but he starts to drag after a few books. Melville is what I am currently reading while I await the next Butcher book. :D 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 I actually have my last Harry Dresdin book on my night stand right now! (it's actually the fourth book, I accidentally read them out of order:glare:) So I was tickled to see this thread. Thank you all for your suggestions, I need some fluffy, holiday reading to combat the nutty family members. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 I did read the first few Gentry books but was able to stop with them after the third or fourth. I still get drawn into the Blake books. :glare: Luckily I read fast. Read the recent one and in some ways Hamilton is getting back into stories. It actually had some semblance of a plot and things did happen other than just sex. I also think the first sex scene wasn't until at least 40 or 50 pages into the book, so that's quite an improvement over the middle books. For fun, you can read some of the Amazon reviews of Hamilton's later books. Many people are really ticked off at how she changed. I figure she has used the books instead of getting actual therapy. And the first few really were good. Sigh. Yeah, I've not completely given up on the Anita Blake books yet. Sadly. Like you, I'm a fast reader, so I figure it's not too much of my life wasted on the chance that she'll go back to more story and less... whatever that is she's writing in the middle books. Oh well, I guess it's like the odd potato chip in a reasonably well balanced diet... it won't kill me. :lol: Cyberpunk, high tech and low life...lol Cool! Thanks. :D Georgia Nobody - the answer is noboby is as good. Really. The Dresden series spoiled me for the whole genre. Patricia Briggs is really good with her mythology and world building. George RR Martin has a great epic storyline, but he starts to drag after a few books. Melville is what I am currently reading while I await the next Butcher book. :D Sigh. I know... I really don't hold out that much hope that I'll find a character I like better. I mean, I even have a bit of a crush. :lol: It really is a brilliant series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Simon R. Green PN Elrod Patricia Briggs Kim Harrison Glen Cook Those are form just the top of my head. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted October 13, 2011 Author Share Posted October 13, 2011 I just read the latest Harry Dresden book, which reminded me of just how much I love this series, which reminded me of really, really needing something else to love that much, which reminded me of this thread! :D Any other suggestions are welcome. And anyone else that wants to discuss how great the Dresden books are, please do jump in! ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 Have you tried Patricia Briggs? Her werewolf/shapeshifter series is prety good. She does a great job of world building and her mythology is consistent and interesting. The Name of the Wind is another terrific story - I love that guy's world building and story telling. - not looking them up right now, just listing. The trilogy isn't finished yet and I'm afraid he might seriously ruin it it, but the first book stands alone as a great story. If you might be interested in a bit more sci-fi flavor The Bright of the Sky is the first book in a wonderful trilogy. I lost a week's sleep reading them but again, the characters and the world are well developed and the author has a unique story line. Otherwise, I've started reading Tolstoy now because I just can't commit myself to another modern author like I have to Butcher. I'm on his mailing list. It is kind of sad to wait for new books like this. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 The Name of the Wind is another terrific story - I love that guy's world building and story telling. - not looking them up right now, just listing. The trilogy isn't finished yet and I'm afraid he might seriously ruin it it, but the first book stands alone as a great story. 2nd book in this series is out. My husband enjoyed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted October 14, 2011 Share Posted October 14, 2011 Ok, don't flog me, but I read the first Dresden Files book & thought it was ok, but nothing super special. Maybe I need to try a few more? (I'm not really a 'series' type of reader, though.) I did read the first 3 books of a series that is not quite like what you're looking for, but I think you may really like it -- the Vlad Taltos books by Steven Brust. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Brust (The article says there are 13 books in the series & the author plans to write 19 total.) You might want to try the first one or two & see if you like them. I really enjoyed the writing style & wry humor in them. Even though I'm not a 'series' reader, I do plan to read more of this series. From the wikipedia entry: "The Vlad Taltos series is set on what is apparently another planet, in an Empire mostly inhabited and ruled by the Dragaerans , who are humanoid but have such differences as greatly extended lifespans and heights averaging about 7 feet. Referred to as " elfs " by some humans, they refer to themselves as "human". The Dragaeran Empire controls the majority of the landmass known to it on the planet, and does not greatly concern itself with the rest. Vlad Taltos is one of the human minority (known by Dragaerans as "Easterners"), which exists as a lower class in the Empire. Vlad also practices the human art of witchcraft; " táltos " is Hungarian for a kind of supernatural person in folklore. Though human, he is a citizen of the Empire because his social-climbing father bought a title in one of the less reputable of the 17 Dragaeran Great Houses. The only Great House that sells memberships this way is, not coincidentally, also the one that maintains a criminal organization. Vlad proves surprisingly successful in this organization. Despite being a human and a criminal, he has a number of high-ranking Dragaeran friends, and often gets caught up in important events. Brust has written thirteen novels in the series, which is proposed to run to nineteen novels — one named for each of the Great Houses, one named for Vlad himself, and a final novel which Brust has said will be titled The Final Contract . The first three novels resemble private-eye detective stories , perhaps the closest being Robert B. Parker 's Spenser series . The later novels are more varied than the first three. Though they read like fantasy, there are science-fictional explanations for some things." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tazzie101 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I love Jim Butcher's books. Actually read every one twice....o geez I really liked reading C. E. Murphy, J. R. Ward, Kelly Armstrong (more for young readers) Kami Garcia That's my input hope u enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Jim Butcher's Dresden Files were the start of my love affair with the Paranormal genre. Devon Monk's Allie Beckstrom series Jeanne Stein's Anna Strong series Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series Marc Del Franco's Connor Grey series Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series Seanan McGuire's October Daye series Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series Kevin Herne's Iron Druid series Patricia Brigg's Mercy Thompson series Christina Henry's Black Wings series Marjoie Liu's Hunter Kiss series Jenna Black's Nikki Glass series Richard Kadrey's Sandman Slim series For straight up fantasy, my recent favorite was Peter V. Brett's Demon Cycle series But if you love Jim Butcher's humor and characters, try David Eddings Belgariad and Mallorean series 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Thank you all so much for the recommendations! I'm very excited to start reserving things at my (awesome) local library. :D Dana, it's so funny you mention Laurell K Hamilton. My husband has heard me go on and on about how much I enjoyed the first few books in her Anita Blake series and how disappointing it was to watch them turn into bad pornography! Speaking of, it's not that I have an issue with sexual content (I don't, if it's well written) but rather than I can't keep from rolling my eyes to the back of my head when it's gratuitous and seems largely irrelevant to the main story. More story, more character development, and less heaving bosums and throbbing man parts, ya know? (Did you read any of the Merideth Gentry books? To say it's smut that is extremely poorly written is a huge understatement.) Oh, and I quite enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. However, I think her books went downhill after the first few, which is unfortunate. But by that point I was invested in the characters, so that counted for enough to keep me reading. Again, thanks everyone! I'm really looking forward to checking some of these out. I have discovered there is a fine line between paranormal and porn too, lol Some I enjoy enough to read anyway and skip the porn sections, Alpha Pack for example. And Aisling Grey's Dragon books. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Oh, I have a few others! The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews- awesome, based upon shapeshifters The Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole is one often favorites. The humor is great as well, and you fall in love with some of the characters. The Midnight Breed series by Laura Adrian is decent as well. I also really liked the Psi-Changling series by Nalini Singh... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JoRob Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Benedict Jacka is a British author, best known for his Alex Verus series. His Alex is the closest match to Dresden that I have found. The series is only four books. BUT takes place in London! I was hooked after the first one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenNC Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Second the recommendation for the Kevin Hearne Iron Druid series. I think it is the closest I've come to the Harry Dresden books. I haven't read the Codex, so can't comment on that one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kouten07 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I too have just finished Skin Games and am a fan looking for a similar author and series. Some of my favorite UF (some fantasy) authors-series (though not exactly like Dresden) that are excellent and definitely worth reading, are Faith Hunter's: Jane Yellowrock series Patricia Briggs: Mercedes Thompson, Alpha and Omega... all of her series! Illona Andrews: Kate Daniels, Edge, and InnKeeper Chronicles series Kim Harrison: Rachel Morgan series Diana Rowland: Kara Gillian series JR Rain: Vampire For Hire series Jeaniene Frost: Night Huntress series I know there are more that I could recommend, but can't remember the rest without checking my favs list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 In the Dresden vein: authors: Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs (unsure about sex but it doesn't stand out in my memory), Kelley Armstrong, Ilona Andrews (FUN!), Charlaine Harris (maybe), Carrie Vaughn. These are all supernatural character series. I don't have a problem with sex, language, or violence, but none of these stand out as extreme. You should absolutely avoid Laurell K Hamilton books. Her first 5 or 6 were very good but then she later turns into just pornography - and poorly written porn at that. :glare: In the Codex Alera fantasy type: John Flanagan: Ranger's Apprentice series, Tamora Pierce: Alanna series (may be not a good mesh, but still good fantasy), Robin McKinley: Hero & Crown, Blue Sword (in same world, stand-alone books but I'd do Hero & Crown first), Barb & JC Hendee: Dhampir (first book in series - kind of a tie in with both types: supernatural and more adventure/fantasy). You may want to read reviews of books watching for any issues you want to avoid. Butcher has a collection of short stories that just came out - most previously published in other anthologies - about Dresden. It was enjoyable. I second (or third....maybe fifth?) the Kim Harrison recommendation. I LOVE her Rachel Morgan/Hollows series. Great books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Tharp Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Try Diana Rowland, both the Demon and Zombie series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Oh, and I quite enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. However, I think her books went downhill after the first few, which is unfortunate. But by that point I was invested in the characters, so that counted for enough to keep me reading. I liked the first several Sookie books, too, but I never even got around to reading the last couple. I liked her Harper Connelly series even more, though. I've also been enjoying the Mortal Instruments series (YA) and the prequel trilogy, The Infernal Devices, both by Cassandra Clare. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 I love it when this thread comes back around! There are so many wonderful suggestions here, and always something new I haven't read yet. I'm actually reading the newest Dresden book right now. Yay! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greghi2000 Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 Hey guys, i was searching for some books to read, i just recently finished reading Codex Alera ( btw i absolutely loved) and now i am in the crisis where i dont know what book to read, i like everything abut Jim Butcher how he writes etc etc, My question for you guys is: are there any books, possibly fantasy that have relationships, possibly a bit of sex in them and also have some character development, Codex Alera is a perfect example, also im absolutely bitchy about the books i read beacuse they have to be written in the 2000s and also have to be more than 5 books in a series. Please please please tell me some good books. Ps im new to this website so idk if im supposed to ask boks on this thread or no lol Let me know -Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutheart Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 If you don't mind a bit of porn: Karen Marie Moning's Fever series If you're interested in fairy tale retellings: Robin McKinley "Beauty" "Spindle's End" "Rose Daughter" Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles R.C. Lewis "Stitching Snow" Orson Scott Card's Pathfinders series is another that improves with each book. Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmingMomma Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 The Magic Kingdom of Landover series by Terry Brooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I like Codex Alera a whole lot. I am meh-ish on Harry Dresden. I liked the earlier books, but I didn't finish the most recent one, it just lost its grip on me. Recently I have really like the Mistborn books by Brian Sanderson. I have also really liked the detective novels by jussi adler-olsen. My older sister likes Laurel K Hamilton a huge amount, but doesn't think I would like her. She likes Jussi Adler-Olsen, but also likes other foreign crime novels I am not interested in. She has tried some Terry Pratchett. My sister also likes Steven Brust and recommends him for me, I have liked the books I have read by him. I think they are great. They are not total favorites to me, but they are really solid good books. My sister likes him a huge amount and she does have good taste in books. I also liked Deeds of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. I like her other series too, that is more with space ships, but there is something really special about Deeds of Paksenarrion. They are YA, but I like Septimus Heap, too. A lot. It is a really good series. Then there is Robin Hobb..... I have to be very careful about reading her, and don't automatically read all her books. Why? B/c I get so, so, so sucked into them and they have a powerful emotional impact on me, not always with positive emotions, sometimes with sad emotions. I mostly have read the Rain Wilds and Liveship Traders series. I have read Tawny man in the past -- it is heavy emotional going for me, though, and I do not think I can go back to that series while I have, you know, children to take care of and be emotionally involved with. It just has that effect. But ----- I do think she is excellent. Maybe Anne Rice, too. I do not get into all her series so much, but she has some really good books. They are a little too much for me at times, but I think they have similarities with Jim Butcher, too, if you have not read her before. I read some of the Mayfair Witch series a while ago and they got a little creepy for me, but remind me of Harry Dresden in their way. I think Cry to Heaven and Feast of All Saints are great stand-alones by her. I like the earlier Vampire Chronicles books very much. I have also just talked to someone who also really liked Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin. It is a good book, not so much like his other books (that I do also like). I also was totally amazed by Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, and Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. I do also like the Nursery Crime series by Jasper Fforde. I don't quite get the Tuesday Morning series by him. But I think they are all tries, even if maybe they are not totally similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutheart Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 If you liked "Skin Game", try "Greenthieves" by Alan Dean Foster or Harry Harrison's "Deathworld" and Stainless Steel Rat books. Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rutheart Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 This is a little off-topic, but does anyone else think that his wife, Shannon, was a ghostwriter for the Codex Alera? She quit her engineering job in 2003 and started writing. In an interview, she said the first book only took 13 days to write, with no mention of what it was about. Codex Alera starts coming out in 2004. Ruth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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