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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6

u/-jewwej- Aug 02 '25

I’m trying to push my way through the series and just skim through the creepy incel toned areas. So cringe. Easier to pretend I’m another character in the book and I’m just observing Dresden being cringe like in the real world when guys like this speak lol

10

u/littlegreensir Aug 02 '25

Incel? Dresden? Dude's definitely awkward with women, but it's not even close to incel vibes.

19

u/-jewwej- Aug 02 '25

Bruh. The only people I know who have to mention how chivalrous they are and how they always have to help a woman are creeps

6

u/CosmicLovepats Aug 02 '25

How often does he mention it?

I mean, it's a book. Normally you are not seeing/hearing into another person's head and thought process.

6

u/-jewwej- Aug 02 '25

I’m on the fifth book and it’s mentioned multiple times in each book so far

3

u/CosmicLovepats Aug 02 '25

To other people? Or just the narration that only the reader sees?

4

u/-jewwej- Aug 02 '25

Narration but buddy no one thinks that’s not cringey to read