Summer Knight (The Dresden Files, Book 4) by Jim Butcher
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Book Reviews of Summer Knight (The Dresden Files, Book 4)
Book Review: Fair Warning
Summary: 5 Stars
This may be the first Dresden novel you can't follow if you haven't read the prior books. Not that it's inscrutable or that the story is merely an outgrowth of the prior novels. On the contrary, the heart of the story is fresh and vital. But the surrounding context is dependent on information given out in the second and third Dresden novels, and you may be adrift if you can't follow that context. Fair warning.
That said, this is spectacular epic fantasy, with a cast of thousands, a war between magical powers, and the whole human race in the balance. We also learn more about Harry Dresden's past (try to see around the minor inconsistencies), his place in the wizard world, and the pain that drives him. And we see him grow in trust of others, a trait that has been singularly lacking in his character up to this point.
One thing I enjoy about Jim Butcher's writing is his ambition. He doesn't flinch from huge stories that are probably hard to write, and he doesn't fear to hurt characters we have come to love. Too often, in mainstream fantasy, writers play it small and safe. Not Jim Butcher. He takes risks, thrusts himself into the audience's face, and dares us to flinch. And he never falters in his dry, cutting wit.
It might be easy for a celebrity author like Butcher to coast on his success, turning out comfy, predictable pulp like an factory. Too many authors do just that. Yet each Dresden novel continues to impress and challenge me, and I appreciate an author who has that kind of ambition and respect. I've become something of an evangelist for the Dresden Files. Keep reading and see if you don't become one, too.
Book Review: Great fourth book in this excellent and improving series...
Summary: 5 Stars
Imagine Dick Tracy as a wizard. The protagonist of this novel, the fourth book in the Dresden File series is the unapologetically chivalrous yet lovelorn Harry Dresden, the only wizard in the Chicago Yellow Pages. Dresden, a supernatural gumshoe who lives in his rundown Chicago apartment makes for a fun protagonist. While the series is driven more by a blazing plot than by characters, the characters, too, are multifaceted individuals (for the most part) who learn (or not) from real mistakes. And seriously, who doesn't love a polka-playing Medical Examiner?
As the series progresses, this alternate world becomes more complex and intriguing and the series story arc becomes clearer. In this book, Fairie Queen Mab buys up Harry's debt and forces Harry to act as her knight in a conflict between the Winter and Summer Fairie courts. Non-stop action from the first page!
As always, Butcher's neo-noir style narration is spiced liberally with a warm humor that only enhances the non-stop thrills. He is one of my favorite writers.
Great fun. Outstanding writing. Paced for thrills with no slow spots. Darkly urban, contemporary setting. Magical, colorful characters. What's not to like?
The series is best enjoyed by starting with the first novel, Storm Front.
Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)
Book Review: My favorite of the Dresden Files
Summary: 5 Stars
At a nadir from the events in Grave Peril, Summer Knight takes Harry from lowest point and brings his life back together. We learn more about the youth and making of the most interesting Wizard PI ever written.
This is my favorite Dresden File, and I write this as book number eight was recently released.
What makes this one so great? We get to see Harry work as a detective, and are with him as he makes revelation after revelation across the bad hand of conflicting obligations he is dealt. Stuck with satifying a Faerie Queen, the White Council, his friends, himself, and sort of saving the world, Harry Dresden truly gets his act together and steps up to the challenge.
Butcher wrote this believable with rich details to a break-neck narrative pace. I can't forget the touching emotional scenes or the humorous parts. In short, the multi-layered plot and richness of character in this novel is rare in all fiction. Appreciate it.
Summer Knight also gets away from the vampires and more into the supernatural background behind the world of Harry Dresden, which was a big plus for me. Lots of urban fantasy authors seem stuck at one supernatural aspect, but Butcher breaks that mold.
In conclusion, if you like fantasy and don't have this book, buy it! You'll want to read it again. I don't care if you haven't read the rest of the series, buy it anyway. The book is that good.
Book Review: Another winner
Summary: 5 Stars
Can Butcher do no wrong? The man has a real sense of imagination, wonder a fine way of molding a modern hero.A brief overview. This is the fourth book in the Harry Dresden Files, by newcomer Jim Butcher. Harry Dresden is Chicago's only openly practicing wizard. A member of the White Council, a governing body for wizards, he is down on his luck after his girlfriend Susan gets turned to a vampire in the previous novel. Still searching for a cure he has alienated everyone who cares about him, while still trying to dodge hitman hireed by vampires, and trying to keep out of the way of Morgan a warder for the White Council bent on seeing him pay for past deeds.
In order to truly appreciate this novel you must read the first three. In this novel we see the return of some great characters from the first three novels.
Butcher not only continues to shine more light on the modern day wizard (he introduces the White Council and several of it's key members in the first 4 chapters alone), but he dives into the realms of fairie, with his usual flare.
The novel goes from the political infighting of the White Council, to the potentially earth shattering intrigues of the Courts of Fae and a war that cannot afford to be won or lost by either side.
This is the best out of all the books. Well plotted and well written. I cannot wait to read the next one.
Book Review: Hits the spot!
Summary: 5 Stars
Poor Harry! As if anything can get any worse, it does in this installment, Summer Knight. Harry has been wallowing in deep depression and seclusion. He has no money, no food, no nothing. He's about to be evicted and his business is going to the dumps. To make matters worse the Red Court wants his head, and The Wizard Council doesn't mind giving him to vampires so the war (that Harry started) can finally end. Then Queen Mab, Faerie Winter Queen, comes to him for help. Summer Knight has been killed and everybody blames her. She wants Harry to find the killer, retrieve a stolen mantle, and clear her name. It sounds simple enough--at first. But this is Faerie politics, after all, and there is no such thing as smooth sailing when it comes to these folks. Soon our Wizard has to stop a war between the Summer and Winter Courts of the Faerie. If he fails, the victorious in the war will cause catastrophic consequences in the mortal world.Out of all the four books, this is the most satisfying and entertaining. Butcher--plot wise--is at his strongest here. Some characters do return in this round (Toot, Toot, Murphy, The Alphas), which is a good thing. The story ends with a cliff hanger, though. Somethings brought up since Grave Peril are still not resolved. Over all, it's a good read. Butcher is growing stronger in his writing and style.