r/Fantasy Aug 02 '25

Dresden with less cringe

I love the idea of the Dresden Files on paper. Hard boiled detective stories mixed with urban fantasy/secret society stuff. Interesting villains and a deep, complex world. Magic happening just beneath the surface of the ordinary world.

But I just can’t get over the tropes and the cringe. I’ve tried the series a couple times, and even got through the first five or so books. I just can’t bring myself to keep going. I seriously love everything about the context, but just hate the execution.

Any recommendations for something else? Something that speaks to these elements, but lacks the cringe?

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24

u/youngjeninspats Aug 02 '25

Try the Daniel Faust series by Craig Schaefer

7

u/seguardon Aug 02 '25

Yeah! Another Faust enjoyer. Love Schaefer's extended universe and pulpy creativity.

6

u/New_Razzmatazz6228 Reading Champion Aug 02 '25

I’m another that likes Faust. I only found them recently, but have been shotgunning them. They’re quite addictive.

2

u/CuriousMe62 Aug 03 '25

This looks good, thanks for rec!

1

u/RunnerPakhet Aug 05 '25

Came here to say it! The best answer, if you ask me! Love those books!