A review by colin_s
Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Quote:
“I'm pretty sure lurking in a dark alley to mug me with your apology isn't the usual way to go about saying you're sorry. But I didn't read that Mars-Venus book, so who knows.”
Setting:
Summer Knight is set a few months after the events of Grave Peril. We are still in the fictional Chicago where faeries are real, but don't call them that.
Plot:
With the events of the last book causing a war in the wizarding world, the council of wizards gives Dresden a trial to prove he isn't a traitor. He must now somehow solve a murder with little evidence all while trying to keep those around him safe as well.
Writing:
I enjoyed the writing in the last novel, but this one really felt like true form Butcher I remember. The start had weight, impact and a purpose. Once the action started it never let up long enough to catch your breath and I found myself not wanting to put it down.
Characters:
Most characters are back for this book, with deeper dives into who they are, several even start to feel more real after we learn more about them. No longer are they just set pieces to keep a story moving along. Dresden himself goes through a lot this novel and has clearly grown alot from his past adventures as well.
Pros:
Very compelling story
Continues to build on existing world
Cons:
The bad guy is obvious
Ending once again leaves alot open ended
Recommendation:
If you read to this book, you likely don't need much to convince you to continue this now that you are three books in. But if you do, this book tackles what happened in the last book and expands it, not diminishing what happened. The events of this book I know go on to impact others down the line and I definitely recommend you continue at this point.
“I'm pretty sure lurking in a dark alley to mug me with your apology isn't the usual way to go about saying you're sorry. But I didn't read that Mars-Venus book, so who knows.”
Setting:
Summer Knight is set a few months after the events of Grave Peril. We are still in the fictional Chicago where faeries are real, but don't call them that.
Plot:
With the events of the last book causing a war in the wizarding world, the council of wizards gives Dresden a trial to prove he isn't a traitor. He must now somehow solve a murder with little evidence all while trying to keep those around him safe as well.
Writing:
I enjoyed the writing in the last novel, but this one really felt like true form Butcher I remember. The start had weight, impact and a purpose. Once the action started it never let up long enough to catch your breath and I found myself not wanting to put it down.
Characters:
Most characters are back for this book, with deeper dives into who they are, several even start to feel more real after we learn more about them. No longer are they just set pieces to keep a story moving along. Dresden himself goes through a lot this novel and has clearly grown alot from his past adventures as well.
Pros:
Very compelling story
Continues to build on existing world
Cons:
The bad guy is obvious
Ending once again leaves alot open ended
Recommendation:
If you read to this book, you likely don't need much to convince you to continue this now that you are three books in. But if you do, this book tackles what happened in the last book and expands it, not diminishing what happened. The events of this book I know go on to impact others down the line and I definitely recommend you continue at this point.