Sunnysidez86

So my friend gives me a book and says I'll like it. Which is normally the case with the exception of the first book of the Dresden files I read called: Storm Front.

I don't just like it.

I loves it.

This series of books dubbed the Dresden files is about an honest to goodness Wizard named Harry Dresden. Harry is a private investiagater in the Chicago area and assists the Chicago PD with some cases that can't be explained by science and also helps out some locals with missing persons and such.

But no love potions.

I think the best way to describe this series is a Harry Potter for adults. Now I haven't read word 1 of any Harry Potter books (but I do enjoy the movies) so I can't really compare but really its what it feels like.

Its enjoyable.

I think what I like most about these books is that the action literally doesn't ever stop. Each chapter is ended on a cliff hanger that really makes you want to keep turning pages until you read the whole thing. The author Jim Butcher does a splendid job of interlacing the pace of the book and at the same time not boring you with overt details. What I also like is that the main character Harry keeps having one bad thing after another happening to him and its a pure delight to see how he manages to save the day. Consequently his actions in saving the day in one book negatively effect what happens to him in books later down the road.

If you want a book to read that isn't long on pages, gets to the point and action and laced with some suprisingly funny dark humor. I would recommend this book to you or anyone above the ages of 16. Not many treats like this come along but I assure you this is money well spent.

Without question this is the game of the year for 2008. For once the critics who review games all heaped upon the high praise for this game and its all backed up by hours of unending *fun* gameplay.

Where do I begin?

If you've played any GTA game in the past you have always played a less than talkitive main character who has no problems (morally) doing things as long as the price is right. Not so this time around. You play Niko Bellic who has a pretty dark past that eventually finds him in his new home town AND he has no problems speaking about how he feels and how he interacts with the environment around him. As with most GTA games you start with nothing and then work your way into the big leagues.

There are the usual standbys....working for various crime organizations both russian, italian and irish and even the rouge government agency who needs dirty work done but quietly. I dont want to ruin the story but needless to say the voice acting and dialogue make you want to listen to each word prior to moving on in your current mission.

Some good things they have done also in terms of adding and subtracting gameplay elements that were strong in the last GTA. No more needing to lift weights or go to the gun range to increase your skill set, nor do you need to dive underwater to find that one hidden package. So they totally nixed some "sim like" elements from the game allowing you to focus on things that actually interest you in the first place.

With those subtractions they did add in a level of happiness for the friends you make and keeping them happy above a certain percentage point unlocks their special ability. Like one guy will drive out to meet you to sell you weapons at a discounted price, another will send a backup squad to help you weed out the bad guys and another will make you bombs that can be placed on cars for remote detenation...etc. Even the girlfriends have bonuses as well.

Mix it in with car races, assination missions, a list of cars to jack, places to go and cars to hit stunt jumps after and even an online multiplayer (of which I haven't touched yet) and episodic content to download for more missions in the fall.........and you have one of the best games of all time.

Talk you junkies!