Just finished the Storm Front, and at first I was a little annoyed at the lip smacking and some of the vocal ticks and signs, after about an hour in those became part of the character. I am almost afraid the audio editing is going to clean those out later on in the series.
I say it when we cone across hurdles in the Forrest or on a playground to my daugter. She doesnt know where its from but she now yells it when we have a floor is lava game in the living room or when ever its applicable and it makes me smile and happy to no end. She is 9 now so its gonna be a while until she's aloud to read the books. But she already loves super heroes and vampires so im.shure my fantasy collection one day will be raided by her curiosity and need for good stories.
I'm on book twelve and can't believe how I'm so use to his voice. He gives all the characters a voice that you can literally picture in your head like a movie. You can feel when things get intense or change just by the change in his tone. He does the characters Justice. For example the movie cast away was basically just Tom Hanks but he played the shit out of his role and made the movie well worth watching. James marsters does this for the dresden files :-)
I am enjoying it as well, and trying to focus on the exciting performances, rather than his occasional use of the entirely wrong word. Wreathed for writhed; says ruins instead of runes (but also says ruins for ruins, so...). This is the first time I have heard him not being Spike, and thought he was English.
If they ever do another Dresden Files tv-show or movie, we NEED to have James Marsters in it. Sure he might be a bit too old to play Harry Dresden, but you could always have him play some other role maybe Dresdens father or voice Bob the skull. As long as he´s in it.
I now picture James Marsters as Marcone. I love that you know who is speaking through his various, subtle voices before they are identified, and can’t separate the Dresden Files and James Marsters in my mind. I was totally in love with the books years before discovering the audiobook versions, and now that I often NEED the audiobook version due to health issues, I’m thrilled even more at this pairing. Both men improved in their respective roles appreciably after the first few books, and this series just gets better. Can’t wait for Peace Talks this summer💜
He did indeed get better at it. After book 4 someone sat him down and said, "Look James, its "runes" not "ruins", this is how you pronounce "chitin", and this is "writhed" not "wreathed". He also increased his voice characterizations, and I am enjoying them a great deal.
Huge fan of the books, but I'm not an audiobook guy. And it would drive me mad hearing him repeatedly say "ruins" instead of "runes." Why do so many people mispronounce that word??
Somehow the 2020 books (battle ground and peace talk) are haphazardly edited, there are a couple of places where its clearly another mic and even enother room was used =(
Masters readings of the Dresden Files books are among the greatest audiobook performances I've ever heard. Can't see how they could be better -especially after the first couple.
I love my audible subscription. I will say that James Marsters brings so much life to the Dresden files. Hes one of my favorite narrators for sure. He does it so well. His delivery is perfect. He really captures Dresden's sarcasm and humor perfectly as well as the really intense or sad moments.
Easily, easily the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. I've read a lot of audiobooks that are good, and don;t take anything away from the books. But James's performance actually ELEVATES the Dresden Files and makes them better. It went from a fun series to my favorite all-time series. James IS Dresden.
I tried to read the Dresden files years ago, when they first came out, and just could not get into the series - extremely rare for me. Then I stumbled across Audiobook version, and LOVED them! James' excellent work literally made the series for me. Excellent work.
James Marsters makes me recommend the Dresden Files auidobooks to people over the physical copies (get both) to anyone I think will enjoy the series. He is AMAZING.
When I started listening, it was like listening to Spike narrating a story about vampires. Now his voice is so tied with Dresden that I suspect if I go back to watch Buffy now, it'll be the other way around.
Butcher's original proposed title for the first novel was Semiautomagic, which sums up the series' balance of fantasy and hard-boiled detective fiction. Dresden files read by James Marsters 🖤 is a work of art.
if anyone is curious, not counting Battle grounds and the short stories, Butcher has used the word "Little" 3999 times. averages about 250 times per book
Always read books the traditional way, thinking about getting at least one of his audiobooks. Just to have his voice with me. Maybe his smile is the only thing better than his voice!
Your one of the best audio performers I've ever listened to. Seriously, you got me addicted to the Jim Butcher books. I read a few his books years ago and loved them but YOU brought them to life. Thanks.
I wish he was narrating The Cinder Spires too. :( He really gives the characters life. I couldn't stand listening to the narrator of the new series and not think that he could also be doing it.
I've just started "reading" (listening) to The Dresden Files series for the first time ever. Although the sound editing could be a bit better (apparently, a wide complaint of the first few books), James Marsters totally makes up for that with his amazing narration. I ABSOLUTELY believe him as Harry Dresden. I'm about 4 hours into the first book and loving it!
For those that are in the comments for clarification on the his little reaction at 01:15, he had just a moment prior said "No! This is the good part. Come on stick it in."", but he meant to say "stick it out", which he clarifies at 01:25. I had to listen to it about 10 times and I still wasn't certain. Someone mentioned it waay down into the comments. Considered it bumped lol
I love Dresden files... and it's made 10´000 times better when read by James Marsters. If you like a bit of reality mixed in with fantasy... This series is, I think, the best there is. _(If someone knows of a better series/universe, PLEASE tell me - because I can not fathom it) :)_
I completely agree. Dresden Files is good, but it's made 10000 times better when read by James Marsters. If you love Urban Fantasy, you should check out Kate Daniels series.
Late reply here, but if you love Dresden Files, you will definitely also love Bartimaeus Sequence if you haven't read it already! It's urban fantasy too and just as full of sarcasm as the Files.
Yammo Yammamoto I love this series - James Marsters brings Harry Dresden to life in such a way that I can’t envision anyone else being Harry. Why not check out Drew Hayes? His Super Powereds series is terrific, and I see (hear?) a lot of one of Drew’s characters, Nick Campbell, in Harry Dresden.
"No! This is the good part. Come on stick it in." Is what I believed he said. Took several listens to catch it. Plus after he corrects himself saying "stick it out is what I think I was going to say."
My favourite audiobook narrator, second is a tie between Michael Kramer and Kate reading. I’ve grown attached to the guy that does game of thrones but in the beginning it kind of bugged me
I wonder if james noticed that Seattle and tacoma are cities in Washington and not oregon. Its hard enough reading the mistake in your head, but james marsters has to be into it and pronounce it outloud with confidence.
I think the performance was great from the start, however the recordings were not. You could hear every breath of his, i thought Harry was panting at first. But they did fix it later on luckily
Marsters IS Harry Dresden. He’s absolutely wonderful. I usually read the book first and then listen to the audiobook. Currently about halfway thru Battle Ground. Not looking forward to Marsters reading *that* chapter.
I'm on book 4 and I have to say that I love the stories but am not terribly impressed by James Marsters performance as an audiobook narrator. I'm hoping he improves. He pauses a lot unnecessarily mid sentence. But worst for me is his gum chewing and gross swallowing & other mouth noises. It just really grosses me out! I think he has a fabulous voice for Dresden! It's just overshadowed by the noises that should not be there!
He is a good reader/performer. But the mouth sounds on his recording are quite annoying. If I want to hear the sucking of spit, I'll go to a barn at feeding time.
![Small Favor By Jim Butcher [SPOILER REVIEW] | The Dresden Files](/img/1.gif)
The Dresden Files are fantastic books, but James Marsters is the reason they're my favourite audiobooks. :)
Same here. I probably wouldn't have liked Dresden Files that much if it wasn't for James.
Truth
Just finished the Storm Front, and at first I was a little annoyed at the lip smacking and some of the vocal ticks and signs, after about an hour in those became part of the character. I am almost afraid the audio editing is going to clean those out later on in the series.
James Marsters is the "Voice of Dresden" for me.
Ray Porter is probably the only one who equals him.
Toot Toot approves of this message from the Za-Lord.
I love when he reads for the audio books. He brings life to the characters and pulls you in. You don't even realize time is passing.
I agree. I am in the book 9 now, the White Night and it just keeps getting better and better.
his reading of changes made me cry and curl in a ball for a little till the feels went away jim writes actual people marsters brings them to life
Try Lord of shadows, he's bloody epic there.
I love the way he says "parkour" in the scenes where Harry is vaulting cars. Like it's an obligatory side thought that he has to say.
I legit say Parkour when I do a stupid jump over something. Because it is now stuck in my head
I say it when we cone across hurdles in the Forrest or on a playground to my daugter. She doesnt know where its from but she now yells it when we have a floor is lava game in the living room or when ever its applicable and it makes me smile and happy to no end. She is 9 now so its gonna be a while until she's aloud to read the books. But she already loves super heroes and vampires so im.shure my fantasy collection one day will be raided by her curiosity and need for good stories.
When i first read that book i thought he was shouting it as a spell to give him an extra boost 🤣
LOL I love how I know the EXACT utterance of "Parkour!" that you are talking about hahaha
James Marsters is Harry Dresden.
I'm on book twelve and can't believe how I'm so use to his voice. He gives all the characters a voice that you can literally picture in your head like a movie. You can feel when things get intense or change just by the change in his tone. He does the characters Justice. For example the movie cast away was basically just Tom Hanks but he played the shit out of his role and made the movie well worth watching. James marsters does this for the dresden files :-)
I am enjoying it as well, and trying to focus on the exciting performances, rather than his occasional use of the entirely wrong word. Wreathed for writhed; says ruins instead of runes (but also says ruins for ruins, so...). This is the first time I have heard him not being Spike, and thought he was English.
Like even the female characters he does some good justice and not a lot of males do that
i really enjoy it. You can know whos talking just by the change in his tone
If they ever do another Dresden Files tv-show or movie, we NEED to have James Marsters in it.
Sure he might be a bit too old to play Harry Dresden, but you could always have him play some other role maybe Dresdens father or voice Bob the skull.
As long as he´s in it.
@@Erikjust Bob the skull would be awesome!!
Those particular three lines in "Changes" damn near has me in tears. The guy is very, very good.
I now picture James Marsters as Marcone. I love that you know who is speaking through his various, subtle voices before they are identified, and can’t separate the Dresden Files and James Marsters in my mind. I was totally in love with the books years before discovering the audiobook versions, and now that I often NEED the audiobook version due to health issues, I’m thrilled even more at this pairing. Both men improved in their respective roles appreciably after the first few books, and this series just gets better. Can’t wait for Peace Talks this summer💜
He did indeed get better at it. After book 4 someone sat him down and said, "Look James, its "runes" not "ruins", this is how you pronounce "chitin", and this is "writhed" not "wreathed". He also increased his voice characterizations, and I am enjoying them a great deal.
As much as I love his performance hearing "ruins and sigils" was true suffering.
Huge fan of the books, but I'm not an audiobook guy. And it would drive me mad hearing him repeatedly say "ruins" instead of "runes." Why do so many people mispronounce that word??
Thank you for this clarification! I just finished reading book 4 and was thinking about hopping to audiobooks. Sounds like the perfect time!
Somehow the 2020 books (battle ground and peace talk) are haphazardly edited, there are a couple of places where its clearly another mic and even enother room was used =(
Please tell me he stops with the swallowing & gum chewing at some point soon? I'm currently on book 4.
Masters readings of the Dresden Files books are among the greatest audiobook performances I've ever heard. Can't see how they could be better -especially after the first couple.
I'm sure you've discovered by now that both the books and Marsters' narration do get better after the first two--much better.
When he's ribbing Jim he's totally in Dresden form
Basically ramirez and dresden when he finds ramirez is a virgin lol
Each audiobook in the series just gets better and better with his performance, amazing.
I love my audible subscription. I will say that James Marsters brings so much life to the Dresden files. Hes one of my favorite narrators for sure. He does it so well. His delivery is perfect. He really captures Dresden's sarcasm and humor perfectly as well as the really intense or sad moments.
Easily, easily the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. I've read a lot of audiobooks that are good, and don;t take anything away from the books.
But James's performance actually ELEVATES the Dresden Files and makes them better. It went from a fun series to my favorite all-time series. James IS Dresden.
I tried to read the Dresden files years ago, when they first came out, and just could not get into the series - extremely rare for me. Then I stumbled across Audiobook version, and LOVED them! James' excellent work literally made the series for me. Excellent work.
Ok, I'm convinced. I'll check out the Dresden Files. No clue what I'm getting into, but Marsters sold me.
I can’t read the books without hearing Harry in James Marsters voice.
James Marsters makes me recommend the Dresden Files auidobooks to people over the physical copies (get both) to anyone I think will enjoy the series. He is AMAZING.
I literally listened to the first Dresden Files book today and it was fantastic! James will always be my canon Harry till the day I die.
Seriously, James Marsters is an excellent reader.
I wish half the audio book presenters were even half as good as he is.
He brings the story to life, and make you believe in the different people doing the voices, not just one actor, I love books,
He does such a great job on this series. Love them both - Marsters and Butcher.
When I started listening, it was like listening to Spike narrating a story about vampires. Now his voice is so tied with Dresden that I suspect if I go back to watch Buffy now, it'll be the other way around.
Same...he made an appearance in Supernatural and I was like, hey! It’s Harry Dresden!
It's especially funny when Spike has a black leather trenchcoat on.
Awesome job!! I can't imagine Dresden in any other way than how James brings him to life.
From my experiences James is really the cream of the crop when it comes to Audio Book narrators, there's really no comparison.
Butcher's original proposed title for the first novel was Semiautomagic, which sums up the series' balance of fantasy and hard-boiled detective fiction. Dresden files read by James Marsters 🖤 is a work of art.
if anyone is curious, not counting Battle grounds and the short stories, Butcher has used the word "Little" 3999 times. averages about 250 times per book
James Marsters, Oliver Wyman (monster hunter international), and a few others make my days so much better.
Always read books the traditional way, thinking about getting at least one of his audiobooks. Just to have his voice with me. Maybe his smile is the only thing better than his voice!
Marsden has done an incredible job narrating the books. The depth of the characters, the humor, the terrifying climaxes....he's brilliant.
Your one of the best audio performers I've ever listened to. Seriously, you got me addicted to the Jim Butcher books. I read a few his books years ago and loved them but YOU brought them to life. Thanks.
I remembering first thinking Spike as Dresden are you kidding me. But now I he will forever be the voice of Dresden for me.
Such a fantastic actor.
James Marsters ROCKS!!!
I wish he was narrating The Cinder Spires too. :( He really gives the characters life. I couldn't stand listening to the narrator of the new series and not think that he could also be doing it.
Just got into the Dresden audiobooks and James is certainly a big part of why they are so good.
I've just started "reading" (listening) to The Dresden Files series for the first time ever. Although the sound editing could be a bit better (apparently, a wide complaint of the first few books), James Marsters totally makes up for that with his amazing narration. I ABSOLUTELY believe him as Harry Dresden. I'm about 4 hours into the first book and loving it!
If we ever get another series James Marsters needs to be in it
For those that are in the comments for clarification on the his little reaction at 01:15, he had just a moment prior said "No! This is the good part. Come on stick it in."", but he meant to say "stick it out", which he clarifies at 01:25. I had to listen to it about 10 times and I still wasn't certain. Someone mentioned it waay down into the comments. Considered it bumped lol
James Masters ❤️ James Masters ❤️ James Masters ❤️🙏the voice 😍.my fav character was spike because he played it so well👍👍👍
If they re-tried a TV show, It would be wise of the producers to cast Marsters as Dresden
WTF? Spike is Dresden? Brilliant
My favourite audiobooks :)
Are there any other audiobooks James has read?
Best audiobooks ever
As James is getting older, his Texas accent is coming back. Still attractive.
James Marsters is a god among narrators…alongside Roy Dotrice and Michael Kramer & Kate Reading
I love Dresden files... and it's made 10´000 times better when read by James Marsters.
If you like a bit of reality mixed in with fantasy... This series is, I think, the best there is.
_(If someone knows of a better series/universe, PLEASE tell me - because I can not fathom it) :)_
I completely agree. Dresden Files is good, but it's made 10000 times better when read by James Marsters.
If you love Urban Fantasy, you should check out Kate Daniels series.
Late reply here, but if you love Dresden Files, you will definitely also love Bartimaeus Sequence if you haven't read it already! It's urban fantasy too and just as full of sarcasm as the Files.
Yammo Yammamoto I love this series - James Marsters brings Harry Dresden to life in such a way that I can’t envision anyone else being Harry. Why not check out Drew Hayes? His Super Powereds series is terrific, and I see (hear?) a lot of one of Drew’s characters, Nick Campbell, in Harry Dresden.
what was the ''did I really say that?'' at like 1.10
Same
"No! This is the good part. Come on stick it in." Is what I believed he said. Took several listens to catch it. Plus after he corrects himself saying "stick it out is what I think I was going to say."
I never liked the character Spike much but I must say James Marsters has a LOT of range.
You know. Marsters should play Harry in the movies. He has the voice. And I could see him in a duster
Is that Spike?!
Yepp. He is also my Harry Dresden. (I imagined his face as Harry)
2:01 that camera shot helps in bringing Spike out. Eyes and smile are still there.
I've noticed that almost every book also sneaks the word "audible" into it.
Killer books love Dresden files
i've read the books and listened to the audio books. All i can say is James Marsters for Marcone.
His dresden is good but his portrayal of marcone is EXACTLY how I'd imagine the character to sound.
While we wait for the next book, I invite Dresden fans to enjoy a completely free novel in the Dresden verse, just Google Warlock of Omaha.
The one and only voice of the great wizard Harry Dresden
This is the dude who breathed in harder than a swimmer after every damn sentence and hummed about 1000 times in the first 3 books, right?
He got better. Much much better.
after the 4th book, the books went to a new production studio and the quality of the recordings went WAY up.
This is great!
My favourite audiobook narrator, second is a tie between Michael Kramer and Kate reading. I’ve grown attached to the guy that does game of thrones but in the beginning it kind of bugged me
Same here. James Marsters is my favorite Narrator. I love GOT audiobooks too but sometimes, I still have problems with the Game of Thrones narrator..
He's dead now so there's that.
well so are the books it seems
Kramer and Reading are amazing, they did a great job with Wheel of Time and are doing great jobs with Sanderson's stuff
I wonder if james noticed that Seattle and tacoma are cities in Washington and not oregon. Its hard enough reading the mistake in your head, but james marsters has to be into it and pronounce it outloud with confidence.
For some reason I always visualized James marsters as a bald man. Idk why 🤣
I think the performance was great from the start, however the recordings were not. You could hear every breath of his, i thought Harry was panting at first. But they did fix it later on luckily
I'm still so sad he didn't read ghost stories!
In some ways I like Glover's ghost story, such as Sir Stuart, and out Harry is in Spirit form the sound would be different.
Since this was over a month ago you might already know this but he has done Ghost Story since. You can find it on Audible.
I actually only recently found out 🤗 but thanks for letting me know
what book was it
I enjoy his voice, I just wish he knew how to pronounce more words.
I AGREEEEE!!!!! They are Runes, not Ruins... along w many other examples that don't pop to my mind
Marsters IS Harry Dresden. He’s absolutely wonderful. I usually read the book first and then listen to the audiobook. Currently about halfway thru Battle Ground. Not looking forward to Marsters reading *that* chapter.
Honestly he's only rivaled in my opinion by Tim Gerard Reynolds and Christian Rodska.
I love you. Please pronounce writhing correctly.
What about sigils,lol.
Is... is this Spike? So he's not an immortal.
It is pronounced Rune, not Ruin.
Soto Voce is *not* pronounced Soto Voice.
And so many more.....
I'm on book 4 and I have to say that I love the stories but am not terribly impressed by James Marsters performance as an audiobook narrator. I'm hoping he improves. He pauses a lot unnecessarily mid sentence. But worst for me is his gum chewing and gross swallowing & other mouth noises. It just really grosses me out! I think he has a fabulous voice for Dresden! It's just overshadowed by the noises that should not be there!
You know James is to old to play young Dresden so they’re not allowed to adapt the Dresden Files
He is a good reader/performer.
But the mouth sounds on his recording are quite annoying.
If I want to hear the sucking of spit, I'll go to a barn at feeding time.