Middling fair following Harry Dresden, modern-times wizard-for-hire in a world reawakening to magic. Good idea, but a lot of irritating tendencies. Especially: Too many damsels--helpless and dangerous alike--inexplicably just waiting on the ol' socially inept--but secretly badass--hero to give them their go. Writing bogs down at times, clunky. First half really spins its wheels. Too much introduction. Last hundred pages really pick up and are quite entertaining, though, as he starts to put everything together. Saves the day on this first novel in the series.