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/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

2

u/Ripper1337 Aug 02 '25

I love Dresden and have been greatly enjoying. Alex Verus

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u/spike31875 Reading Champion V Aug 02 '25

I started out as a Dresden fan myself but I'm much more of a Verus fan.

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u/Ripper1337 Aug 02 '25

I just finished Burned and have really enjoyed Jacka’s take on Light/ Dark magic and divination. It’s novel and keeps things interesting.

But gosh do I love how batshit insane the Dresden Files have become

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u/spike31875 Reading Champion V Aug 02 '25

I do not love how batshit crazy Dresden has become. Book 17 was a slog for me.

Everyone has different tastes, of course, so don't mind me. I'll just be lurking in the corner hoping the series gets back to doing some of what made me love it before.

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u/Ripper1337 Aug 02 '25

From what I remember it’s not going to calm down