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Dresden Files Boxset: Storm Front / Fool Moon / Grave Peril
The first three novels in the New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series are now available in one deluxe boxed set. Includes a bonus poster featuring original artwork by Charles McGrath!
This boxed set includes: Storm Front; Fool Moon; Grave Peril.
1066 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2009
18 people are currently reading
981 people want to read
About the author
Jim Butcher
202 books51.3k followersJim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 7, 2026
The first book was easily the strongest for me. The magic system is interesting, and there are some solid characters and side characters that help carry the story. The overall plot can be uneven and tends to wander from book to book, which makes the quality feel inconsistent.
These books are easy to read and do not require much mental effort, which can be a plus depending on what you are looking for. There are some unnecessary sexual moments that come off as cringey at times, though they are not constant. The humor lands occasionally but is not a major strength.
I have heard the series improves as it goes on, so I may continue reading. Overall, this is a decent sci-fantasy mystery series and worth checking out if you enjoy that genre, even if it is not consistently great.
These books are easy to read and do not require much mental effort, which can be a plus depending on what you are looking for. There are some unnecessary sexual moments that come off as cringey at times, though they are not constant. The humor lands occasionally but is not a major strength.
I have heard the series improves as it goes on, so I may continue reading. Overall, this is a decent sci-fantasy mystery series and worth checking out if you enjoy that genre, even if it is not consistently great.
May 7, 2015
If Raymond Chandler had written about wizards, vampires and fairies, the result might have been something like the Dresden Files series.
And "Jim Butcher Boxed Set" opens on a high note with the gritty urban fantasies "Storm Front," "Fool Moon" and "Grave Peril" -- the first three books in his wizard-PI series. These aren't quite Jim Butcher at his best, but these novels are still a great introduction to his likable wizard hero and a complex new universe full of vampires (in three flavors!), werewolves and monstrous ghosts.
Business has been slow for Harry Dresden, the wizard PI, so he's eager when two new cases come at once: a missing husband who may be involved in magic, and a couple slain in the middle of sex -- their hearts exploded from their chests. Talk about a heart attack. As he tries to investigate both cases at once, he finds himself suspended between a vampire madam and a gentlemanly Mafia don.
Unfortunately, it seems the White Council of wizards also believes that he did it, due to a terrible event in Harry's past. With his proximity to some nasty magics, Harry faces execution in just a few days if he can't prove himself innocent. And as he unravels an increasingly dark web of drugs, demons and sorcery, Harry discovers that he is the next intended victim...
"Fool Moon" gets Harry involved in a series of mystery killings -- the victims were torn apart by an animal, and a canine paw print is the only clue. Smells like werewolf spirit. Unfortunately, investigating this crime brings him into contact with Johnny Marcone's mob -- and even thrown in jail after Murphy goes postal on him.
But Harry has some unusual allies in a gang of teenage werewolves and a mysterious wild woman who wants to save her fiancee. Unfortunately, Harry's quest to stop the murders brings him between a deadly cursed werewolf and a government conspiracy. And getting rid of this problem might not be so easy, even with werewolves on his side.
"Grave Peril" is all over Chicago. Harry and Knight of the Cross Michael Carpenter (gasp!) are working hard to exorcise a sudden surge of violent ghosts. And a particularly evil spirit called the Nightmare -- summoned by an enemy of Harry's -- is targeting people near him. Oh yeah, and he's been "invited" to a vampire ball and his amoral fairy godmother (no, really) wants an old debt repaid.
But the situation becomes far more grim when Harry discovers that it's not just one enemy but many that are conspiring against him -- evil ghosts, malevolent vampires, and the Leanansidhe. Cornered on every side and with a bunch of innocent people threatened (including a newborn), Harry is faced with a terrible choice. And he might lose the person he loves best.
Jim Butcher's got the hard-boiled noir thing down, even in modern Chicago -- dark rainy streets, femme fatales (some vampires), and literally fiery climaxes to Harry's adventures. These aren't Butcher's most polished books, but his snappy writing and very expansive fantasy world (four kinds of werewolves! Three kinds of vampires!) keep it entertaining.
His writing strikes a nice balance between stripped-down Chanderlian prose, and detailed horror-fantasy (such as a mad ghost smothering babies in a hospital nursery -- cue creepy lullaby). But Butcher knows how to inject some dark humor and action, such as Harry turning up at a vampire ball dressed as a... vampire. A cheesy one, that is. Not to mention some nicely snappy dialogue ("Subtle and quick to anger?" "Not so subtle").
Harry Dresden himself is a great lead character -- he's wry, amusing and a little offbeat, but with some dark personal history that tends to haunt him at the wrong times. While the human characters seem a bit flat at first, the supporting cast is a colourful bunch -- feisty cop Murphy, the pervy skull-spirit Bob, Toot Toot the fairy, the calmly amoral Leanansidhe, and the lovable incubus Thomas Raith.
"Jim Butcher Boxed Set" collects the first three books of the Dresden Files series -- not Butcher's best, but definitely a nice triple dose of noiry urban fantasy.
And "Jim Butcher Boxed Set" opens on a high note with the gritty urban fantasies "Storm Front," "Fool Moon" and "Grave Peril" -- the first three books in his wizard-PI series. These aren't quite Jim Butcher at his best, but these novels are still a great introduction to his likable wizard hero and a complex new universe full of vampires (in three flavors!), werewolves and monstrous ghosts.
Business has been slow for Harry Dresden, the wizard PI, so he's eager when two new cases come at once: a missing husband who may be involved in magic, and a couple slain in the middle of sex -- their hearts exploded from their chests. Talk about a heart attack. As he tries to investigate both cases at once, he finds himself suspended between a vampire madam and a gentlemanly Mafia don.
Unfortunately, it seems the White Council of wizards also believes that he did it, due to a terrible event in Harry's past. With his proximity to some nasty magics, Harry faces execution in just a few days if he can't prove himself innocent. And as he unravels an increasingly dark web of drugs, demons and sorcery, Harry discovers that he is the next intended victim...
"Fool Moon" gets Harry involved in a series of mystery killings -- the victims were torn apart by an animal, and a canine paw print is the only clue. Smells like werewolf spirit. Unfortunately, investigating this crime brings him into contact with Johnny Marcone's mob -- and even thrown in jail after Murphy goes postal on him.
But Harry has some unusual allies in a gang of teenage werewolves and a mysterious wild woman who wants to save her fiancee. Unfortunately, Harry's quest to stop the murders brings him between a deadly cursed werewolf and a government conspiracy. And getting rid of this problem might not be so easy, even with werewolves on his side.
"Grave Peril" is all over Chicago. Harry and Knight of the Cross Michael Carpenter (gasp!) are working hard to exorcise a sudden surge of violent ghosts. And a particularly evil spirit called the Nightmare -- summoned by an enemy of Harry's -- is targeting people near him. Oh yeah, and he's been "invited" to a vampire ball and his amoral fairy godmother (no, really) wants an old debt repaid.
But the situation becomes far more grim when Harry discovers that it's not just one enemy but many that are conspiring against him -- evil ghosts, malevolent vampires, and the Leanansidhe. Cornered on every side and with a bunch of innocent people threatened (including a newborn), Harry is faced with a terrible choice. And he might lose the person he loves best.
Jim Butcher's got the hard-boiled noir thing down, even in modern Chicago -- dark rainy streets, femme fatales (some vampires), and literally fiery climaxes to Harry's adventures. These aren't Butcher's most polished books, but his snappy writing and very expansive fantasy world (four kinds of werewolves! Three kinds of vampires!) keep it entertaining.
His writing strikes a nice balance between stripped-down Chanderlian prose, and detailed horror-fantasy (such as a mad ghost smothering babies in a hospital nursery -- cue creepy lullaby). But Butcher knows how to inject some dark humor and action, such as Harry turning up at a vampire ball dressed as a... vampire. A cheesy one, that is. Not to mention some nicely snappy dialogue ("Subtle and quick to anger?" "Not so subtle").
Harry Dresden himself is a great lead character -- he's wry, amusing and a little offbeat, but with some dark personal history that tends to haunt him at the wrong times. While the human characters seem a bit flat at first, the supporting cast is a colourful bunch -- feisty cop Murphy, the pervy skull-spirit Bob, Toot Toot the fairy, the calmly amoral Leanansidhe, and the lovable incubus Thomas Raith.
"Jim Butcher Boxed Set" collects the first three books of the Dresden Files series -- not Butcher's best, but definitely a nice triple dose of noiry urban fantasy.
October 31, 2019
Storm Front surprisingly combines mystery and fantasy together and keeps readers intrigued and engaged. There are constant surprises throughout the novel that spark conflicts and leaving cliffhangers that keep readers wondering what will happen next. Storm Front, by Jim Butcher, takes place in Chicago. Henry Dresden, a wizard detective, is on a case trying to find someone practicing dark magic and murdering the innocent. This novel is thrilling. Definitely a great read for those in search of a mystery novel. From the beginning, readers can tell that odd events are happening and things just don’t add up. Harry Dresden is eventually brought into a strange case by the wife of a husband who is missing. Harry continually uncovers clues and details that lead him deeper into the case. He searches many different locations suggested by the wife. When searching one of the locations, he finds evidence of someone practicing dark magic. This finding reveals important information and starts to connect the dots in the case. There are many mysterious findings continually revealed throughout the book. These findings enable readers to connect the dots - making it seem as if it’s your own investigation.Storm Front does an amazing job of tying fantasy and mystery together. Mysteries and conflicts are constantly revealed keeping the reader intrigued and engaged. The novel draws readers into the next chapter with a cliff-hanger. Storm Front deeply immerses readers making it seem as if it’s your own investigation. This novel was a great read and would recommend it for teens who love critical thinking and mystery. In summary, Storm Front will not let you down. It has plot twists that make readers want to flip (or scroll) to then next page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2020
Finished Storm Front (book 1) on 2020-Aug-29.
Finished Fool Moon (book 2) on 2020-Sep-??.
Finished Grave Peril (book 3) on 2020-Oct-9.
Interesting, enjoyable, but some editing roughness, the first 50 pages of these three books have too much repetition, including nearly if not actual word for word description and background.
I've read very little urban fantasy, but came to this because several people recommended the Harry Dresden series for being enjoyable, quick to read, pulpy urban fantasy to get started with.
I've given some latitude for the writing in that Butcher has continued to write these series for a excited audience and he has expressed disappointment or regret about his earlier works (I believe it was in regards to the first ten books in the series) when asked about which books he favoured or recommends to people new to his writing during an online interview earlier in 2020.
Finished Fool Moon (book 2) on 2020-Sep-??.
Finished Grave Peril (book 3) on 2020-Oct-9.
Interesting, enjoyable, but some editing roughness, the first 50 pages of these three books have too much repetition, including nearly if not actual word for word description and background.
I've read very little urban fantasy, but came to this because several people recommended the Harry Dresden series for being enjoyable, quick to read, pulpy urban fantasy to get started with.
I've given some latitude for the writing in that Butcher has continued to write these series for a excited audience and he has expressed disappointment or regret about his earlier works (I believe it was in regards to the first ten books in the series) when asked about which books he favoured or recommends to people new to his writing during an online interview earlier in 2020.
April 2, 2017
I give it 4 stars because I loved it enough to continue. I think this is a great book for anyone that gets a little overwhelmed in the "syfy fantasy" section at the book store and has picked a book from that section once or twice that was far to advanced in the land of nerds only a experienced one will be able to finish it ( even though I can read the words I have no idea what is happening). Dresden files is funny, easy read, fun magic, and witty dialogue. I enjoyed it mostly for its major scenes. I tend to have a handicap of reading the words on a page and unless something exciting is happening at that moment I start thinking about other things like how many calories are in a roll of sushi. so I'd find myself ending a page not knowing where the hell the story was even though the words entered my brains archives. what I got was ultimately a good read and I will continue the series.
April 1, 2015
I enjoy re-reading the first few Dresden Files books because they don't take over all my free time and keep me up til Stupid In The Morning like the later ones do. Harry has a habit of describing female characters by how much make-up they're wearing, which gets really annoying, and insists on telling you at least twice a book that a) he decorates his home in textures, not colours and b) that's he's really chivalrous and can't resist a damsel in distress. It's cool, Harry, we get it! But there's still some good dialogue and I enjoy the characters and they're definitely worth grinning and bearing for the rest of the series.
July 4, 2011
Storm Front: Not bad, for popcorn. A little bit clumsy, a little bit cliche, but reasonably good fun.
Fool Moon: I'd hoped the second installment would be a bit less amateurish than the first, but oh well. Still managed to be reasonably entertaining.
Grave Peril: Ditto, except the clumsy shows more the more it goes on. (Especially the AYKB.) Still some good moments, but they're seeming more forumulaic.
Fool Moon: I'd hoped the second installment would be a bit less amateurish than the first, but oh well. Still managed to be reasonably entertaining.
Grave Peril: Ditto, except the clumsy shows more the more it goes on. (Especially the AYKB.) Still some good moments, but they're seeming more forumulaic.
August 19, 2019
Basic Plot: A modern-day, real-life wizard with a private investigator's license deals with supernatural threats in the city of Chicago.
I've reviewed the books individually, so no major details here. This is the beginning of the series, and a good place to start for those interested in the concept. I would definitely recommend giving the series a few books to really get the feel for it and let the major plot get rolling.
I've reviewed the books individually, so no major details here. This is the beginning of the series, and a good place to start for those interested in the concept. I would definitely recommend giving the series a few books to really get the feel for it and let the major plot get rolling.
April 23, 2009
This'll be a general review for the entire series so far (1-11). I read them all on my iphone in about three weeks, because that's the kind of books they are. Quick reads, totally enjoyable, entire without literary merit. Noir modern wizard detective fluff. If you like that sort of thing, I fully recommend them.
February 18, 2023
Harry Dresden is a lonely wizard trying to do the right thing in a world full of monsters. Butcher wraps pragmatic philosophy in humour, mystery, and fantasy. The weakest thing is the protagonists social skills.
November 5, 2017
loved it!
January 22, 2018
all three stars for the character of Harry and the sometimes-lost pastiche Noir voice. Great fun.
June 1, 2018
Fun reads. Story development has the same feel for all 3 but good easy reads
December 15, 2018
Great read - I followed through with all the Dresden books through # 11. If there are more, I will continue. Also watched the TV series wishing they had continued with another few seasons.
July 18, 2020
A great start to an excellent series that takes magic in popular culture out of the castle and into the bustling streets of Chicago.
Read
January 6, 2022Liked the mix of magic and tech. Good story telling
June 17, 2022
Pretty damn good
February 17, 2025
Great, urban fantasy. It will be classic in genre soon enough if it is not already.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews