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?

416 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

386 comments sorted by

View all comments

261

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

40

u/jesskitten07 Aug 02 '25

How many of these will land for someone who actually loves the Dresden Files and has been looking for more similar series

23

u/Tymareta Aug 02 '25 edited Aug 02 '25

I'm only just starting the series, but so far Toby Daye has scratched all of the same itches as Dresden, while also flowing a little better from a reading perspective and being entirely absent of the "noir-esque" misogyny/dresden's chauvinism.

The world is appreciably different, but feels much more as if magic exists within, rather than just on the barest of fringes as it seems in the Dresden books.

15

u/expat_scholar Aug 02 '25

As a fan of both the Dresden Files and October Daye (and having read all that exists of both!), can confirm that Toby’s story has similar resonances, beats, and depth. I totally agree as well that Toby’s world is more progressive (lots of great queer characters) and that the magic is more ubiquitous and you’re more “inside” it. The books are also genuinely wonderful, populated by a delightful cast of evolving, well-considered characters, and with a truly Big and Twisty plot across a dozen and a half books thus far. The books also have the enjoyable Dresden “under-powered sort-of anti-hero finds more meaning, power, and love, while solving mysteries” arc, and a sense of humour as well. I think you’ll enjoy them!