Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4) by Jim Butcher (Start Date: June 21, 2013)

[Gisela, Moderator]

Jayme wrote: "Just want to say I read the first 13 of these books and adore them all."

Then you must read , it's awesome!

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

Thanks, Jayme. Good to know they hold strong though-out the series.

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

Sorry, saw this open on my desktop and realized I hadn't posted my answers! Eep!

Lauren's Questions – Lisa Kay’s Answers – for chapters 25-34

42. Harry tracks Elaine down at O'Hare. It looks like when the going gets tough, Elaine gets going.
Yeah. I don’t like her; haven’t from the beginning.

43. Harry and Elaine pays the Mothers a visit and are confronted by one very UGLY Unicorn. I always thought Unicorns were symbols of purity, innocence and goodness. I wonder what warped world this one came from.
Me, too. Weird. However, ShoSho is right; most fairies are good in most books, too!

44. The Mothers were not what I expected. They actually offer Harry some useful information and advice. How did they match up to your expectations?
Totally surprised by this. I wasn’t expecting them to be so decrepit.

45. The Mothers ask Harry a question: Which is more important, the body or the soul? Harry gives a very insightful answer - for an old person on their death bed approaching the afterlife, the soul is more important but for a young person facing excruciating pain, the body is. What did you think of his explanation and do you agree?
I did. I also thought they were going to overhear him call them “Freaking weirdo faerie biddies.” - and get in trouble for it! LOL! I think my heart stopped when they gave his the Unraveling.

46. So, it turns out that the seemingly sweet Aurora is the villain and that she has kidnapped Lily and turned her to stone. Did you ever suspect her or wonder about the "statues' in her garden?
I didn’t trust her, however much I wanted Harry to get a little kindness and compassion from someone.

47. I knew it, Elaine that B*tch betrayed Harry - AGAIN! Surely Harry has learned his lesson now?
Man-oh-man! Why didn’t Harry listen to us? Alas, I think his chivalry will continue to be his downfall in books to come.

48. Aurora provides a convoluted explanation of her motive for killing the Summer Knight and inciting a war between the courts. Did any of it make sense to you?
I agree with Gisela. She’s a wack-a-doodle. Or a “fairy fruitcake,” as Harry says. LOL! I don’t know why she doesn’t realize there is a yin to every yang and how necessary balance is.

49. Harry understands Elaine's hint about their shared education and manages to break her binding spell. Was this sufficient to redeem Elaine? Should Harry trust her?
Nope!!

50. The Gatekeeper arrives just in time and gives Harry the choice of winning the trial now or continuing on to fight the BIG FIGHT. Was there ever any doubt about Harry's choice? What does this say about his character? What did you think of the Gatekeeper?
I think it says tons about Harry’s character. He is a good guy, through and through. Love the Gatekeeper, too. He comes across good on audio.

51. Harry gathers together his own army of Changelings, Alphas and Pixies (at least, I think they're Pixies - never mind…). They all seem so eager to fight. Why do you think Harry is able to convince/inspire them?
I think there is something special about Harry we’ve yet to discover. Something to do with him having fae blood, maybe?

52. Some interesting events occur during the final battle:

a. Fix avenges Meryl by attacking the Winter Knight.
b. Ace is exposed as the traitor who hired the Tigress (AKA the Ghoul) to kill Harry at the Red Court's behest.
c. Meryl makes her choice between human and fae - and also makes the ultimate sacrifice.
d. Harry unleashes some seriously PO'd Pixies on Aurora.

What do you makes of these points?
I was saddened by Meryl’s death. Love Toot Toot; glad he got the chance to fight.

53. In the aftermath of the battle. Mab offers Harry the Mantle of the Winter Knight. He refuses but she implies that he may yet change his mind. Do you think he will?
I hope not!

54. The Winter Knight is carted off by Mab and Maeve. Is he getting his just reward?
I got the distinct impression, since he was asking for Harry’s help, that things are going to go really bad for him. So, yes, probably.

55. In the end, Fix is the new Summer Knight and Lily is the new Summer Lady. Do you think they will be corrupted by the Fae or remain true to themselves? Can they make a difference?
I hope they can make a dent! I hope they’ll stay “pure of heart.”

56. Elaine offers Harry some advice about Susan. Do you agree with her assessment?
**blows raspberries** I don’t like Elaine, so I’d consider the source. Still, I do think Harry needs to accept Susan’s fate, but at his own pace. I’m glad he got his place cleaned up, food in the pantry, and his car fixed! VERY glad.

57. And of course, the final literary allusion. What’s a story about the Faerie Queen without a William Shakespeare quote: “Lord, what fools these mortals be!” Are we really so foolish?
I think we all have our moments.

[Lauren]

@43 - I don't know. When I think fairy, I think nasty Tinkerbell or the evil fairy from Sleeping Beauty. I can't even think of a good fairy right now.

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

I loved Tink! LOL!

[ShoSho , Moderator]

@Lisa Kay
51.Fae blood? I love this theory,we don't know much about his parents and I bet there some secrets

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

☺

[Gisela, Moderator]

Oh man LK I want to comment so badly on your answers but can't! I'd be giving series spoilers!

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

LOL! That's alright, Gisela. Patience is a virtue. ☺

[Lauren]

Fae blood! That explains a LOT! Maybe his mother was fae, which would explain her knowing Lea.

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

I've thought about it, Lauren, after the last book and this one makes me even more suspicious.