Summer Knight (Dresden Files Series #4)

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Overview

Private detective/wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden is suckered into tangling in the affairs of Faerie, where the fate of the entire world-and his soul-are at stake.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780451458926
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 9/28/2002
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Pages: 464
  • Sales rank: 39,208
  • Series: Dresden Files Series , #4
  • Product dimensions: 4.38 (w) x 7.60 (h) x 1.01 (d)

Meet the Author

Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher

A martial arts enthusiast whose resume includes a long list of skills rendered obsolete at least two hundred years ago, Jim Butcher turned to writing as a career because anything else probably would have driven him insane. He lives with his wife, his son and a ferocious guard dog.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One

It rained toads the day the White Council came to town.

I got out of the Blue Beetle, my beat-up old Volkswagen bug, and squinted against the midsummer sunlight. Lake Meadow Park lies a bit south of Chicago's Loop, a long sprint from Lake Michigan's shores. Even in heat like we'd had lately, the park would normally be crowded with people. Today it was deserted but for an old lady with a shopping cart and a long coat, tottering around the park. It wasn't yet noon, and my sweats and T-shirt were too hot for the weather.

I squinted around the park for a moment, took a couple of steps onto the grass, and got hit on the head by something damp and squishy.

I flinched and slapped at my hair. Something small fell past my face and onto the ground at my feet. A toad. Not a big one, as toads go—it could easily have sat in the palm of my hand. It wobbled for a few moments upon hitting the ground, then let out a bleary croak and started hopping drunkenly away.

I looked around me and saw other toads on the ground. A lot of them. The sound of their croaking grew louder as I walked further into the park. Even as I watched, several more amphibians plopped out of the sky, as though the Almighty had dropped them down a laundry chute. Toads hopped around everywhere. They didn't carpet the ground, but you couldn't possibly miss them. Every moment or so, you would hear the thump of another one landing. Their croaking sounded vaguely like the speech-chatter of a crowded room.

Weird, huh?' said an eager voice. I looked up to see a short young man with broad shoulders and a confident walk coming toward me. Billy the Werewolf wore sweatpants and a plain dark T-shirt. A year or two ago the outfit would have concealed the forty or fifty extra pounds he'd been carrying. Now they concealed all the muscle he'd traded it in for. He stuck out his hand, smiling. What did I tell you, Harry?'

Billy,' I responded. He crunched down hard as I shook his hand. Or maybe he was just that much stronger. How's the werewolf biz?'

Getting interesting,' he said. We've run into a lot of odd things lately when we've been out patrolling. Like this.' He gestured at the park. Another toad fell from the sky several feet away. That's why we called the wizard.'

Patrolling. Holy vigilantes, Batman. Any of the normals been here?'

No, except for some meteorological guys from the university. They said that they were having tornadoes in Louisiana or something, that the storms must have thrown the toads here.'

I snorted. You'd think it's magic' would be easier to swallow than that.'

Billy grinned. Don't worry. I'm sure someone will come along and declare it a hoax before long.'

Uh-huh.' I turned back to the Beetle and popped the hood to rummage in the forward storage compartment. I came out with a nylon backpack and dragged a couple of small cloth sacks out of it. I threw one to Billy. Grab a couple of toads and pitch them in there for me.'

He caught the bag and frowned. Why?'

So I can make sure they're real.'

Billy lifted his eyebrows. You think they're not?'

I squinted at him. Look, Billy, just do it. I haven't slept, I can't remember the last time I ate a hot meal, and I've got a lot to do before tonight.'

But why wouldn't they be real? They look real.'

I blew out a breath and tried to keep my temper. It had been short lately. They could look real and feel real, but it's possible that they're just constructs. Made out of the material of the Nevernever and animated by magic. I hope they are.'

Why?'

Because all that would mean is that some faerie got bored and played a trick. They do that sometimes.'

Okay. But if they're real?'

If they're real, then it means something is out of whack.'

What kind of out of whack?'

The serious kind. Holes in the fabric of reality.'

And that would be bad?'

I eyed him. Yeah, Billy. That would be bad. It would mean something big was going down.'

But what if—'

My temper flared. I don't have the time or inclination to teach a class today. Shut the hell up.'

He lifted a hand in a pacifying gesture. Okay, man. Whatever.' He fell into step beside me and started picking up toads as we walked across the park. So, uh, it's good to see you, Harry. Me and the gang were wondering if you wanted to come by this weekend, do some socializing.'

I scooped up a toad of my own and eyed him dubiously. Doing what?'

He grinned at me. Playing Arcanos, man. The campaign is getting really fun.'

Role-playing games. I made a monosyllabic sound. The old lady with the shopping cart wandered past us, the wheels of the cart squeaking and wobbling.

Seriously, it's great,' he insisted. We're storming the fortress of Lord Malocchio, except we have to do it in disguise in the dead of night, so that the Council of Truth won't know who the vigilantes who brought him down were. There's spells and demons and dragons and everything. Interested?'

Sounds too much like work.'

Billy let out a snort. Harry, look, I know this whole vampire war thing has you jumpy. And grouchy. But you've been lurking in your basement way too much lately.'

What vampire war?'

Billy rolled his eyes. Word gets around, Harry. I know that the Red Court of the vampires declared war on the wizards after you burned down Bianca's place last fall. I know that they've tried to kill you a couple of times since then. I even know that the wizards' White Council is coming to town sometime soon to figure out what to do.'

I glowered at him. What White Council?'

He sighed. It's not a good time for you to be turning into a hermit, Harry. I mean, look at you. When was the last time you shaved? Had a shower? A haircut? Got out to do your laundry?'

I lifted a hand and scratched at the wiry growth of beard on my face. I've been out. I've been out plenty of times.'

Billy snagged another toad. Like when?'

I went to that football game with you and the Alphas.'

He snorted. Yeah. In January, Dresden. It's June.' Billy glanced up at my face and frowned. People are worried about you. I mean, I know you've been working on some project or something. But this whole unwashed wild man look just isn't you.'

I stooped and grabbed a toad. You don't know what you're talking about.'

I know better than you think,' he said. It's about Susan, right? Something happened to her last fall. Something you're trying to undo. Maybe something the vampires did. That's why she left town.'

I closed my eyes and tried not to crush the toad in my hand. Drop the subject.'

Billy planted his feet and thrust his chin out at me. No, Harry. Dammit, you vanish from the face of the earth, you're hardly showing up at your office, won't answer your phone, don't often answer your door. We're your friends, and we're worried about you.'

I'm fine,' I said.

You're a lousy liar. Word is that the Reds are bringing more muscle into town. That they're offering their groupies full vampirehood if one of them brings you down.'

Hell's bells,' I muttered. My head started to ache.

It isn't a good time for you to be outside by yourself. Even during daylight.'

I don't need a baby-sitter, Billy.'

Harry, I know you better than most. I know you can do stuff that other people can't—but that doesn't make you Superman. Everyone needs help sometimes.'

Not me. Not now.' I stuffed the toad into my sack and picked up another. I don't have time for it.'

Oh, that reminds me.' Billy drew a folded piece of paper out of the pocket of his sweats and read it. You've got an appointment with a client at three.'

I blinked at him. What?'

I dropped by your office and checked your messages. A Ms. Sommerset was trying to reach you, so I called her and set up the appointment for you.'

I felt my temper rising again. You did what?'

His expression turned annoyed. I checked your mail, too. The landlord for the office dropped off your eviction notice. If you don't have him paid off in a week, he's booting you out.'

What the hell gives you the right to go poking around in my office, Billy? Or calling my clients?'

He took a step in front of me, glaring. I had to focus on his nose to avoid the risk of looking at his eyes. Get off the high horse, Harry. I'm your freaking friend. You've been spending all your time hiding in your apartment. You should be happy I'm helping you save your business.'

You're damned right it's my business,' I spat. The shopping cart lady circled past in my peripheral vision, cart wheels squeaking as she walked behind me. Mine. As in none of yours.'

He thrust out his jaw. Fine. How about you just crawl back into your cave until they evict you from that, too?' He spread his hands. Good God, man. I don't need to be a wizard to see when someone's in a downward spiral. You're hurting. You need help.'

I jabbed a finger into his chest. No, Billy. I don't need more help. I don't need to be baby-sitting a bunch of kids who think that because they've learned one trick they're ready to be the Lone Ranger with fangs and a tail. I don't need to be worrying about the vamps targeting the people around me when they can't get to me. I don't need to be second-guessing myself, wondering who else is going to get hurt because I dropped the ball.' I reached down and snatched up a toad, jerking the cloth bag from Billy's hands on the way back up. I don't need you.'

Naturally, the hit went down right then.

It wasn't subtle, as attempted assassinations go. An engine roared and a black compact pickup truck jumped the curb into the park fifty yards away. It jounced and slewed to one side, tires digging up furrows in the sunbaked grass. A pair of men clung to a roll bar in the back of the truck. They were dressed all in black, complete with black sunglasses over black ski masks, and their guns matched—automatic weapons in the mini-Uzi tradition.

Get back!' I shouted. With my right hand, I grabbed at Billy and shoved him behind me. With my left, I shook out the bracelet on my wrist, hung with a row of tiny, medieval-style shields. I lifted my left hand toward the truck and drew in my will, focusing it with the bracelet into a sudden, transparent, shimmering half-globe that spread out between me and the oncoming truck.

The truck ground to a halt. The two gunmen didn't wait for it to settle. With all the fire discipline of an action-movie extra, they pointed their guns more or less at me and emptied their clips in one roaring burst.

Sparks flew from the shield in front of me, and bullets whined and hissed in every direction as they ricocheted. My bracelet grew uncomfortably warm within a second or two, the energy of the shield taxing the focus to its limit. I tried to angle the shield to deflect the shots up into the air as much as possible. God only knew where all those bullets were going—I just hoped that they wouldn't bounce through a nearby car or some other passerby.

The guns clicked empty. With jerky, unprofessional motions, both gunmen began to reload.

Harry!' Billy shouted.

Not now!'

But—'

I lowered the shield and lifted my right hand—the side that projects energy. The silver ring I wore on my index finger had been enchanted to save back a little kinetic energy whenever my arm moved. I hadn't used the ring in months, and it had a whale of a kick to it—one I hardly dared to use on the gunmen. That much force could kill one of them, and that would be basically the same as letting them fill me full of bullets. It would just take a little longer to set in. The White Council did not take kindly to anyone violating the First Law of Magic: Thou Shalt Not Kill. I'd slipped it once on a technicality, but it wouldn't happen again.

I gritted my teeth, focused my shot just to one side of the gunmen, and triggered the ring. Raw force, unseen but tangible, lashed through the air and caught the first gunman with a glancing blow across his upper body. His automatic slammed against his chest, and the impact tore the sunglasses off his head and shredded bits of his clothes even as it flung him back and out of the pickup, to land somewhere on the ground on the other side.

The second gunman got less of the blast. What did hit him struck against his shoulder and head. He held on to his gun but lost the sunglasses, and they took the ski mask with them, revealing him to be a plain-looking boy who couldn't have been old enough to vote. He blinked against the sudden light and then resumed his fumbling reload.

Kids,' I snarled, lifting my shield again. They're sending kids after me. Hell's bells.'

And then something made the hairs on the back of my neck try to lift me off the ground. As the kid with the gun started shooting again, I glanced back over my shoulder.

The old lady with her shopping basket had stopped maybe fifteen feet behind me. I saw now that she wasn't as old as I had thought. I caught a flicker of cool, dark eyes beneath age makeup. Her hands were young and smooth. From the depths of the shopping basket she pulled out a sawed-off shotgun, and swung it toward me.

Bullets from the chattering automatic slammed against my shield, and it was all I could do to hold it in place. If I brought any magic to bear against the third attacker, I would lose my concentration and the shield with it—and inexpert or not, the gunman on the truck was spraying around enough lead that sooner or later he wouldn't miss.

On the other hand, if the disguised assassin got a chance to fire that shotgun from five yards away, no one would bother taking me to the hospital. I'd go straight to the morgue.

Bullets hammered into my shield, and I couldn't do anything but watch the third attacker bring the shotgun to bear. I was screwed, and probably Billy was along with me.

Billy moved. He had already gotten out of his T-shirt, and he had enough muscle to ripple—flat, hard muscle, athlete's muscle, not the carefully sculpted build of weight lifters. He dove forward, toward the woman with the shotgun, and stripped out of his sweatpants on the fly. He was naked beneath.

I felt the surge of magic that Billy used then—sharp, precise, focused. There was no sense of ritual in what he did, no slow gathering of power building to release. He blurred as he moved, and between one breath and the next, Billy-the-Naked was gone and Billy-the-Wolf slammed into the assailant, a dark-furred beast the size of a Great Dane, fangs slashing at the hand that gripped the forward stock of the shotgun.

The woman cried out, jerking her hand back, scarlet blood on her fingers, and swept the gun at Billy like a club. He twisted and caught the blow on his shoulders, a snarl exploding from him. He went after the woman's other hand, faster than I could easily see, and the shotgun tumbled to the ground.

The woman screamed again and drew back her hand.

She wasn't human.

Her hands distended, lengthening, as did her shoulders and her jaw. Her nails became ugly, ragged talons, and she raked them down at Billy, striking him across the jaw, this time eliciting a pained yelp mixed with a snarl. He rolled to one side and came up on his feet, circling in order to force the woman-thing's back to me.

The gunman in the truck clicked on empty again. I dropped the shield and hurled myself forward, diving to grip the shotgun. I came up with it and shouted, Billy, move!'

The wolf darted to one side, and the woman whipped around to face me, her distorted features furious, mouth drooling around tusklike fangs.

I pointed the gun at her belly and pulled the trigger.

The gun roared and bucked, slamming hard against my shoulder. Ten-gauge, maybe, or slug rounds. The woman doubled over, letting out a shriek, and stumbled backward and to the ground. She wasn't down long. She almost bounced back to her feet, scarlet splashed all over her rag of a dress, her face wholly inhuman now. She sprinted past me to the truck and leapt up into the back. The gunman hauled his partner back into the truck with him, and the driver gunned the engine. The truck threw out some turf before it dug in, jounced back onto the street, and whipped away into traffic.

I stared after it for a second, panting. I lowered the shotgun, realizing as I did that I had somehow managed to keep hold of the toad I had picked up in my left hand. It wriggled and struggled in a fashion that suggested I had been close to crushing it, and I tried to ease up on my grip without losing it.

I turned to look for Billy. The wolf paced back over to his discarded sweatpants, shimmered for a second, and became once more the naked young man. There were two long cuts on his face, parallel with his jaw. Blood ran down over his throat in a fine sheet. He carried himself tensely, but it was the only indication he gave of the pain.

You all right?' I asked him.

He nodded and jerked on his pants, his shirt. Yeah. What the hell was that?'

Ghoul,' I told him. Probably one of the LaChaise clan. They're working with the Red Court, and they don't much like me.'

Why don't they like you?'

I've given them headaches a few times.'

Billy lifted a corner of his shirt to hold against the cuts on his face. I didn't expect the claws.'

They're sneaky that way.'

Ghoul, huh. Is it dead?'

I shook my head. They're like cockroaches. They recover from just about anything. Can you walk?'

Yeah.'

Good. Let's get out of here.' We headed toward the Beetle. I picked up the cloth sack of toads on the way and started shaking them back out onto the ground. I put the toad I'd nearly squished down with them, then wiped my hand off on the grass.

Billy squinted at me. Why are you letting them go?'

Because they're real.'

How do you know?'

The one I was holding crapped on my hand.'

I let Billy into the Blue Beetle and got in the other side. I fetched the first aid kit from under my seat and passed it over to him. Billy pressed a cloth against his face, looking out at the toads. So that means things are in a bad way?'

Yeah,' I confirmed, things are in a bad way.' I was silent for a minute, then said, You saved my life.'

He shrugged. He didn't look at me.

So you set up the appointment for three o'clock, right? What was the name? Sommerset?'

He glanced at me and kept the smile from his mouth—but not from his eyes. Yeah.'

I scratched at my beard and nodded. I've been distracted lately. Maybe I should clean up first.'

Might be good,' Billy agreed.

I sighed. I'm an ass sometimes.'

Billy laughed. Sometimes. You're human like the rest of us.'

I started up the Beetle. It wheezed a little, but I coaxed it to life.

Just then something hit my hood with a hard, heavy thump. Then again. Another heavy blow, on the roof.

A feeling of dizziness swept over me, a nausea that came so suddenly and violently that I clutched the steering wheel in a simple effort not to collapse. Distantly, I could hear Billy asking me if I was all right. I wasn't. Power moved and stirred in the air outside—hectic disruption, the forces of magic, usually moving in smooth and quiet patterns, suddenly cast into tumult, disruptive, maddening chaos.

I tried to push the sensations away from me, and labored to open my eyes. Toads were raining down. Not occasionally plopping, but raining down so thick and hard that they darkened the sky. No gentle laundry-chute drop for these poor things, either. They fell like hailstones, splattering on concrete, on the hood of the Beetle. One of them fell hard enough to send a spiderweb of cracks through my windshield, and I dropped into gear and scooted down the street. After a few hundred yards we got away from the otherworldly rain.

Both of us were breathing too fast. Billy had been right. The rain of toads meant something serious was going on, magically speaking. The White Council was coming to town tonight to discuss the war. I had a client to meet, and the vampires had evidently upped the stakes (no pun intended), striking at me more openly than they had dared to before.

I flipped on the windshield wipers. Amphibian blood left scarlet streaks on the cracked glass.

Good Lord,' Billy breathed.

Yeah.' I said. It never rains, it pours.'

—Reprinted from Summer Knight by Jim Butcher by permission of Roc, a member of Penguin Putnam Inc. Copyright © 2002, Jim Butcher. All rights reserved. This excerpt, or any parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

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Average Rating 4.5
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  • Posted July 15, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    So much fun!

    The previous book in the series, Grave Peril, was the kind of book a fan reads just to find out what's happening next with the characters, so it was with some caution that I picked up my copy of Summer Knight. I was, honestly, afraid that the momentum and pure fun Butcher whipped up in the first two Harry Dresden books was destined to only make for a slow, disappointing slide.

    And I was very wrong, thankfully.

    In Summer Knight Butcher hits that perfect stride between adventure, mystery, a touch of romance and plenty of humor that was off in Grave Peril. It opens with Dresden, nearly mad and driven to his own destruction over the tragedy that befell his girlfriend Susan in the last book, investigating a literal rain of toads at a Chicago park. While there Dresden barely escapes a hit, aided by a werewolf buddy, and returns home to meet a would-be client. Only the client turns out to be none other than the Winter Queen of the Fairies, who has bought his debt to his fairie godmother and in return wants three favors from him.

    The first, which he is told he has full permission to decline, is to seek out the true killer of the knight of the Summer court, clearing the Winter Queen's name. But while still considering whether he'll take the task or not Dresden meets with the White Council, part of which is trying to blame him for starting the war between wizards and the Red Court of vampires. The Winter Queen, the Council finds, is willing to give the wizards aid in their fight against the vampires, if Dresden completes a task for them. Conveniently enough the White Council, less friendly than Harry would like to admit to, demands that he fulfill the Winter Queen's task as he never did have a proper quest to become a full wizard in the first place. The quest will kill two birds with one stone, if it doesn't kill Harry first.

    Only the quest isn't as simple as find the killer, something neither the White Council nor the Winter Queen (or even the Summer Queen) realize is going on, and Harry, the only one who can find the truth, is facing a full on Fairie War as well as a magical imbalance of the seasons that could rip the mortal world apart.

    As always Dresden is in over his head, but is stubborn, sarcastic and determined to do what is right by the people around him, the people who depend on him one way or the other.

    Summer Knight comes together with smoothness and wholeness that Grave Peril lacked. The stakes are just as high, the losses potentially just as bad, but the parts all fit together in a way that makes this addition to the Dresden Files an incredibly satisfying read.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted July 12, 2010

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    I Also Recommend:

    Just keeps getting better!

    My future hubby suggested I take 'Storm Front', the first in the series on a long weekend trip. Well, I haven't stopped yet! In fact I have gotten so into this series that I have passed the future hubby in the series.

    That aside of the four and a half Dresden books I have read 'Summer Knight' in by far my favorite. The characters are fantastic and the plot just keeps you turning pages into the night! Just when you think Dresden can't possibly get himself into anymore trouble the Winter Queen comes into his office with a job for him. As usual this one won't be any easier than his past assignments.

    I don't want to give any more away but this, you just might believe in Fairies once you finish this book in the series!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 7, 2010

    Butcher does it again...

    The leaves of Summer, the snow of Winter. Two seasons at odds with each other. Butcher develops this belief of the Fae to an unbelievably vicious and raw battle. From the introduction of the most creative characters to the development of plots that the only wizard in the yellow pages could handle. From beginning to end it is captivating, tantalizing and holds you white knuckled to the very end. Thanks again Jim, you just need to get them out faster!!!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 9, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Harry Dresden - Wizard (At making pages fly)

    The Harry Dresden series does what very few series manage-surviving the plot hooks that were placed in the original volume being resolved. Describing too much of these items would be spoiler territory, but suffice it to say that there are blatant references in book 1 that are central to the character of Harry's personality that come to a head in this volume, yet the story is continuing to grow, rather than collapsing in on itself, as many do at this point.
    Harry's personality continues to amuse, and inspire. Despite the fact that the character constantly harps on his own flaws (and they are legitimate), one is still left wishing that they could be more like Harry. Inventive, resourceful, clever, and yes, at times a true gentleman, Harry is one of the most believeable supernatural protaganists I have ever run across. Despite his power, and quick-wittedness, he fails as much as he succeeds, making him feel like the "everyman" of wizardry.
    Another thing that often lacks in novels of this type is a cohesive feel to the supernatural. Too often, a series of this type seems to say, "Hey, we should add Bog Witches to the next one!", without knowing how to fit something into their cosmology, or in many cases researching what the accepted lore is. The Dresden series manages to create a overarching feel to the supernatural elements, making it feel like there is a set of rules that one can figure out.
    There are flaws, as with any gem. This book in particular did start to lose me to confusion near the climax a little. I attribute this to the naming of characters in this one (8 main characters with two names each, one of which is a variation off of the other character's), although the sheer weight of characters is getting impressive at this point, which can also be looked at as a benefit.
    All in all, this is an exciting series, and one where I blow through the newest book in short order when I get it. Fun and quick to read, an excellent author.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 13, 2012

    IF YOU LIKE DETEVTIVE NOVELS AND SCI-FI/FANTASY/SUPERNATURAL, THEN YOU WILL ENJOY THIS BOOK!

    So far I have enjoyed all of the Dresden Files series of books!! I will continue to read the rest of this series.

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  • Posted April 16, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Harry Dresden, a wizard private investigator is in trouble yet a

    Harry Dresden, a wizard private investigator is in trouble yet again. Harry is worn out in this book and the white council is meeting to judge him about the war with the Red Court vampires. Harry's faerie debt to his godmother is traded to a fellow faerie. He agrees that the debt will be wiped clean after 3 favors. The first favor is that he must find who actually framed the Winter Faerie Queen.

    How Harry manages to survive in these books I do not know, but each and every one of them are intriguing and I cannot get my fill of them. Harry shows his human side in this book, he has to make some decisions on if he should help his problems or help everyone. I have read books 1-4 so far, and this was by far my favorite. I cannot wait to read the next!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 16, 2012

    Darkshine

    I will bring him to the med den. *Darkshine picks up goldkit and takes the kit to the med den.*

    -darkshine, blazeclans med cat.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 14, 2012

    Sweetspirit now swetstar

    We hav moved to der

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 31, 2012

    About Sapphirenight

    She cannot post here. ~Goldenwillow

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 25, 2012

    GS to sapphire

    Yay!!! Im gonna be reborn!!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 19, 2011

    Amazing!

    Definetly one to remember from the series. Epic story in everyway and enjoyed reading it cover to cover. Its always hard to put down these books but this one really pushed my chapters per hour lol Thanks Jim!

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  • Posted August 19, 2011

    Good fantasy detective read

    Read a while ago and enjoyed.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 23, 2011

    Recommend for Harry Dresden fans.

    Sometimes lost track due to the many characters. Even w/ the desciptions of the characters it was hard to picture them and what was happening.

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  • Posted May 10, 2010

    You won't be disappointed

    So far I have not been disappointed with any of these books. Harry is a great character and his friends and companions are interesting. He definitely gets himself into some wild situations. We follow him as he solves a mystery for the Sidhe.

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  • Posted May 5, 2010

    Great series

    I got the first 3 books in a box set on clearance after christmas at BN and love the series. Dresden is cool and goofy at the same time and its a compelling read. I go thruogh then in 2 days usually.

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  • Posted April 21, 2010

    Jim Butcher = Hidden Genius

    Jim Butcher is crazy! He comes up with some of the weirdest things for Harry to overcome. You have to wonder if Harry is doomed to be the scratching post for the demonic world? Harry gets himself involved with so many different supernatural creatures that it's just nuts. Faeires, werewolves, vampires...Oh my! Mr. Butcher has spun a wonderful world of mystery and fantasy, it's easy to read and flows nicely. I would highly recommend his Dresden series to any SciFi reader.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 13, 2010

    Wow! Can't wait to complete the series.

    I was steered toward Jim Butcher by an associate at Barnes and Noble. I'd been reading fantasy for awhile....Harry Potter, Fablehaven, etc. Jim Butcher is definitely more adult-based, but doesn't veer from the excitement, fantasy, and great characters. You must begin with the 1st book in the series and carry through the entire gamut. Each book builds on the plot from the last one. This is edge of your seat reading. If you enjoy fantasy, you'll love it.

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  • Posted December 28, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Summer Knight, the Dresden Files, Book 4

    This book was fantastic! I absolutely loved this Dresden story! Dresden is put on trial for starting the war with the Red Court. He is made Emmissary by Mab and must find out who murdered the Summer Knight. He is having a real bad time with this because he is really messed up from Susan becoming a vampire and has been looking for a cure. Dresden's first love is back, too. He gets mixed up in all kinds of faerie politics, with ogres and monsters trying to kill him at every turn. At one point, it was all very confusing to me, but by the end of the story, it all started to make sense. If you like magic, wizards and magical creatures, then this book is a must read!

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  • Posted November 11, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    great characters but,

    don't read this if u are looking for an author who does his research..while his characters and plot r very good, his writing is not..he does not know Chicago and his errors regarding science, human nature, physics, etc r atrocious. If u can get past that, Dresden and Bob r worthwhile on their own.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 2, 2009

    Summer Knight - Jim Butcher

    Summer Knight was another rolicking adventure of the hapless Harry Dresden. How he manages to get himself into these situations and then out again is always exciting, humorous, and fun to read. For someone who is not the most graceful person on the planet and who seems to have dramas enough of my own, it is entertaining to read about someone whose ability to find trouble, catastrophe and general mayhem outshines my own.

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