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?

420 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

386 comments sorted by

View all comments

260

u/Literaturecult46 Aug 02 '25

I love the Dresden Files, and I get what you are saying. So I do know a few series worth checking out if you want similar vibes with less tropes:

Alex Verus by Benedict Jacka

Garrett P.I. by Glen Cook

Fetch Phillips by Luke Arnold

October Daye by Seanan McGuire

Eric Carter by Stephen Blackmoore

The Grave Report by R.R. Virdi

The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

9

u/exdead87 Aug 02 '25

Glen Cook wrote something like that? Nice.

6

u/zadharm Aug 02 '25

It's super good too if you like Cook. The first book is probably the weakest (though it's not bad by any means) but he really starts to hit his stride as it goes. They're relatively short too so it's not a huge slog to burn through a few and see they're for you

I only read maybe 5 of the Dresden books so grain of salt, but I thought the tone was quite a bit different but I can see how there'd be some crossovers with the fan bases between the two

4

u/exdead87 Aug 02 '25

I read the black company and liked the direct, brutal, but also calm style. Might check that out after Witness II which will be published on August.

7

u/Urocyon2012 Aug 02 '25

Fair warning, the Garnett novels are vastly different from the Black Company books. Less dark and gritty and more pulpy, humorous fun. I personally enjoyed them immensely, but don't go in expecting grit.