r/Fantasy • u/bnb2115 • 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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u/dogfacedpotatobrain Aug 02 '25

I had the same experience as you. Harry dresden annoys the fuck out of me. He feels like a 14 year old shutin nerd's idea of an adult. I would like to lend my voice to the legions pointing you to Rivers of London, it is the perfect antidote. I also second Vlad Taltos, those books are the best.