Gav from NextRead loves to read science fiction, fantasy and crime. He’s here today to talk about his favourite male urban fantasy writers. Take it away Gav…
Being a man and not so much a fan of Paranormal Romance, which seems to be the default when talking about Urban Fantasy, I must admit that it’s a little strange to have a week focused to the Men of Urban Fantasy. Not that’s it’s a bad thing at all to do. It just makes it feel like I’m the abnormal one… 
If I hear the words Urban Fantasy I immediately think Jim Butcher and Harry Dresden and my second thought is Mike Carey and Felix Castor and thirdly I think Neil Gaiman and then it would be Paul Magrs…actually it’s probably Paul then Neil.
But after that I’d move to Charliane Harris, Kate Griffin, Storm Constantine… but only one of those is a big name and she is the most mainstream… and I’m a little shocked that, yes, men are in the minority especially when you consider the merging of Paranormal Romance and what I think of as Urban Fantasy.
So I’m going to do my best to persuade you to give Butcher and Carey a go.
Let’s start with Harry Dresden in his own words:
“My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. I’m a wizard. I work out of an office in midtown Chicago. As far as I know, I’m the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country. You’ll find me in the yellowpages under ‘Wizards.’ Believe or not, I’m the only one their…“
And now with Felix Castor:
“Normally I wear a Tsarist army greatcoat – the kind that sometimes gets called a palette – with pockets sewn in for a tin whistle, my notebook, a dagger and a chalice. Today I’d gone a for a green tuxedo with a fake wilting flower in the buttonhole, pink patent-leather shoes and a painted-on mistache in the style of Groucho Marx.”
To be fair to Felix he’s a bit down on his luck as an exorcist and this is another gig entirely but as an opening paragraph it makes interesting reading.
And if I had to choose one of them to go drinking with I think I’d choose Harry. A wizard has a bit more fire power than an exorcist but in a straight fight I’d say they were a little more equally matched.
But this isn’t a versus match. This is a love in.
The Dresden Files is just about to have its twelfth book published called Changes, which is probably a good title considering how long the series has lasted. The series is episodic and each book seems to take place a year away from the others, though you don’t hear too much about the in between times there are a few tongue in cheek references to how life isn’t always this interesting.
Harry is a private eye but is also hired by Lt. Murphy of the City of Chicago Police Force on those weirder cases that can’t be explained. And these are usually the cause of his troubles. But that’s not his only problem as a Wizard he has certain rules to follow and those are set out by the Wizards Council, who at the start of the series would be more than happy to cut his head off for any infraction of their laws.
Butcher tells a great tale. He keeps the balance between developing the main characters and exploring their relationships with the need to know what happens next in solving the case. They are punchy and fun reads.
As the series progresses all Harry’s cases revolve around him saving people and himself from Fairies, Zombies, Werewolves, Vampires, amongst other things. He also has a wonderful cast of bad guys who are both bad but somehow grey at the same time. And it’s how he deals with them over and over that gives cohesion to the series but is one of its minor weaknesses. It’s lacking that newness at the minute. But I have high hopes for Changes as there has been hints that things are finally coming to a head on several fronts.
If The Dresden Files are episodic and can be read more easily out of sequence, though I wouldn’t suggest it as you miss some interesting revelations, then Felix is most flowing though Felix has cases his backstory is more front and centre and comes strongly into the series. Plus it gives it slightly more focus as the series was planned to end with the sixth and final one – though excitingly the arc might be the only thing that ends and not the series.
In the Castor series the world is turning towards the unknown and the whole world knows it, unlike for Dresden where the wizards, fairies and vampires all manage to keep their wars away from the general public, most of the time at least.
So Castor in London is more out in the open and like Harry, Castor is used by the police. And like Lt Murphy, Gary Coldwood has to stick to the rule book though there isn’t that potential sexual tension in this relationship as there is in the other duo.
Whereas Dresden has big and powerful and eternal enemies Castor has smaller more intermit ones. Mostly the backstory centres around his friend Shavi and his demon possession, in which Castor is both the cause and potential saviour. Castor is more social some how using his network of friends and acquaintances to explore this cases where Dresden’s feel a little bit more like jigsaws all fitting together, Castor’s cases are more like scratchcards getting rubbed off.
Each has their similarities and differences. And both are enjoyable in their own right. They take different approaches to the noir detective story combined with the supernatural though both are first person, feature mostly single main characters with a habit of saving people at the determent of themselves.
I really can’t choose between them. One is no better than the other. I’d say that Dresden is more action packed and bigger and maybe more cinematic where as Castor is more character based and each solves their cases in their own way. Each has their demons to face and each have their own enemies that turn up when least wanted.
And most importantly both are wonderfully strong examples of what male writers and male leads can do in a genre dominated by the ‘gentler’ sex (though I’m kidding on that – I’ve read some of them and they kick ass much more than these guys!)
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16 Comments
I've not read Jim Butcher at all yet. I've kept meaning to! You've convinced me I should. But I don't necessarily need to start at the beginning then..?
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I love Jim Butcher, but what about Charles de Lint? Some would argue he is the father of urban fantasy.
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Harry Dresden sounds more interesting (he is a wizard!).
I have never read any of these (I do lean toward romance a bit, I admit and read more female authors) but now here is something new to try. Thanks.
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I love the Dresden Files. I haven't read any Felix Castor books, but I will! Great post!
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I love the Dresden files I m going to give mike a try too. I'm glad to see more male leads in the urban fantasy/ paranormal genre
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I love both Jim Butcher and Mike Carey. I have read everything but Turn Coat with the Dresden books and I had a friend in the UK ship me all of the Mike Carey books (five are released in the UK and only three in the US).
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I raided my Dad's library and took all his Harry Dresden and Felix Castor books as well as a few by Neil Gaiman. It's funny that even though we read the same genre I think he gravitates more towards the male authors and me towards the female – though we do have a few favorites in common like Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, and Patricia Briggs.
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I've gotten my father interested in reading Jim Butcher, and yet I haven't (so far). I will once my tbr is more reasonable (and my pup is healthy!)
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I got Jim Butcher's first 3 books in the Dresden Files series, still have not been able to read it. But I am pretty excited about starting it soon! ^-^
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Paul – I've only read a couple of the Dresden Files but that was some time ago now. But I'd like to re-read then and complete the series.
Patty – I haven't heard of this author before, so thanks for brining him to my attention. Don't want to miss out!
Ines – As above, I've read couple of Dresden books and I have the first book in the Felix series, which I really want to read and it does sound really good. I tend to lean towards female urban fantasy writers and protags so I should try something new too
Aleksandra – I'm glad you said you 'love' the Dresden Files as that just gives me more inspiration to re-read and finish the series
WonderBunny – I'm glad you enjoyed both series!
Heather – I do read a lot of male authors and protagonists but not as much as women. I think it's because you maybe connect more with the same sex? I've heard lots of great things about Neil Gaiman, so I really should read some of his books!
Melissa – aw, what's wrong with your puppy? I hope it's nothing too serious
It's so great that you have encouraged your dad to read UF. I have tried with my hubby but he loses interest very quickly…
Yummy – I too have books from the series on my shelves, will also read soon… hopefully
THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY AND COMMENTING & THANKS GAV FOR THE POST!
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I love both these authors and am up to book 4 of Castor and 7 or 8 of the Dresden series. Both are excellent but very different. Carey's London is dark and moody, dirty and seedy, and the people are mostly a horrible bunch. Even Fix himself has a lot of faults, but nevertheless you want him to succeed. There is a lot more humour and fun in the Dresden books. You could read a couple of Dresden books in a row, but now a couple of Castor ones. I need to read something lighter and happier after one of those!
I tend to lean towards male urban fantasy writers, but don't mind if the protagonist is male or female.
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I've heard of the Dresden books before but never really thought about reading them until seeing this review. I'd not heard of the Castor series, but as soon as you said "more character based" I thought maybe I should try them as well. I don't mind some action and adventure in my books, but I really lean more towards character driven stories. Thanks for a great review!
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I've read the first Dresden Files book and plan to read the rest this year as part of a challenge. I didn't know much about the Felix Castor books, but it looks like I'll have to look into those as well!
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I love Harry, and Jim Butcher of course. It was one of the first urban fantasy series I got into when I started reading the genre. Another author I love who is a guy, and does romance that can rip the heart out of your chest is Terry Goodkind, except I guess that would be classified fantasy, not urban fantasy.
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Stephen – I so want to read both series, although I did read the first couple of Dresden books but that was some years ago and now can't remember them, so definitely need to re-read them. I tend to lean towards female writers of urban fantasy, but male writer for other genres such as horror.
readinrobin – I also like character based books, so much for interesting.
Amanda – I've read the first couple of Dresden books, but can't remember them as it was a few years ago now, but I really want to read this series, so will have to re-read them at some point. I've also got the first Felix Castor book and that sounds really good
Moonsanity – I really need to read the Dresden Files. Everyone who's commented has said how great it is! Think I need to make it more of a priority!
ThANKS FOR STOPPING BY GUYS AND LEAVING ALL THESE COMMENTS FOR MY GUEST – I'M SURE YOU MADE HIM FEEL VERY WELCOME!
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Wow – thanks for all the comments so far! I go away for one day and you all turn up! Thanks to BCC for standing in for me. She's done a better job at commenting than me but i'll give it a go
Paul: I'd start at the beginning… but Grave Peril is fun if you don't want to start right at the beginning… but after that all the mythology really starts building and some the threads and connections between the characters might be as strong as they are as they aren't really explained.
Patty: Oh I'm sure you could – I was just saying these are the two that come to mind and are the most accessible
Irene – he is fun and more heroic and a good one to read. he does get the girl kinda too… though in book one, The Devil You Know, Mike has a succubus to contend with!
Aleksandra: Thanks! I hope you like!
FSOM: I'd love some more and there are if you look at Simon R Green, and Charles Stross to name a couple more. And David Devereux is another.
WonderBunny: I have not idea when book six is coming – really looking forward to seeing that arc end. I have no idea how mike is going to do it! I hope the US catches up with the series soon. You're not too far behind. I've only caught up over Christmas. I'm very excited by Changes!
Melissa: oh the tar is never going to be healthy – grab one and try it! Hope the puppy feels better soon.
yummy – oh go on! you know you want too!
Stephen: I think Bob adds a lot to Harry's humour and you're right it is more fun but Castor has his moments but more British and restrained!
readinrobin: thanks for reading – there is a lot of connections between Harry and cast and some real emotional ones but action is the king in those books – Castor is always being with trauma – as you do if you're dealing with death so I guess it's a little darker and more emotional. Glad you're going to give it a try.
Amanda:
I didn't really like Fool Moon that much if I'm being 100% honest. It's one of those hard second novels – either that or I'm anti werewolf… but after that he really finds his feet. As mentioned Felix is darker but non less the hero.
Moonsanity: Go for it! Please let us know what you think.
BCC:
I'm chuffed with all the comments – glad so many people want to give them a try.
I do feel very very welcome.
Sorry for the late reply everyone!
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