First person, ugh. (Let it not be said that I only discriminate against female first person POV!) At least the MC of Harry Dresden is rather likable.
Similes are a bit strange, but... not so bad. Pretty quick read ultimately. Serious regret though that I wasted all this time waiting for a digital copy from the library when the audiobook version is narrated by James Marsters. <3
As for the story, I had to look up when it was written (circa 2000 apparently) because some of the references were really throwing me. For example, an automatic pencil = a mechanical pencil? So ubiquitous these days that we just call them pencils. Things like telephone directories and film canisters. Rolodexes (?!) and... stereos? What do we call those things nowadays? I think I've been strictly playing music off my computer for the last 5 or 6 years at least. We do have one of those plug-in your iPod speaker systems somewhere in the house but even that doesn't get much use these days. Wow, time, and technology, flies...
Anyway, the plot was pretty solid and had me hooked. It is more of a mystery plotline than a magical fantasy one, so I had to make up a new tag for it. The humor was 50-50 for me. Something about the way it was written in text (gotta watch the use of punctuation when you're trying to convey a sense of dry humor) came off too abrupt and frat-boy humor-style sometimes. Other times it was hilarious. So YMMV. Example:
"...I thought the base for a love potion was supposed to be champagne."
"Champagne, tequila, what's the difference, so long as it'll lower her inhibitions?" Bob said.
"Uh. I'm thinking it's going to get us a, um, sleazier result."
And I was legitimately confused by these two bits:
-- "I coughed. 'Ah, yes. Ms. Randall--' / 'Miss,' she said, cutting in. 'Miss Randall. I'm not occupied. At the moment.' / 'Miss Randall,' I amended..." Let's discuss. Is not Ms. and Miss the same? What is the difference? I don't understand; is this a convention of the English language that I have somehow not ever encountered before neither in my life nor in any (of the numerous) text that I've ever read?
-- "Kids. You gotta love them. I adore children. A little salt, a squeeze of lemon - perfect." Is it a cannibal joke?! I... I... don't know what to say. It's totally random in context of the story which just makes me more confused... @_@
And finally, this bit, which is written quite early on in the story, and I think nicely sums up both what the series is about (disclaimer: haven't read it yet, so I'm assuming...) and the state of magical "realism" stories at the turn of the new millennium. What an interesting literary era to be living through...
"Science, the largest religion of the twentieth century, had become somewhat tarnished by images of exploding space shuttles, crack babies, and a generation of complacent Americans who had allowed the television to raise their children. People were looking for something - I think they just didn't know what. And even though they were once again starting to open their eyes to the world of magic and the arcane that had been with them all the while, they still thought I must be some kind of joke."
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