Thoughts:

Each and every Sookie Stackhouse book is a treat. I've never read one that I haven't liked, or that hasn't stuck in my mind. In fact, my strong opinion is that Sookie books are the Dark Chocolate of the book world!

This was the book of character! The reader is getting a better look into Eric's head, and while twisted—he still makes me sigh wistfully. Theres more back story on Pam, who I've always been mildly amused by, after this book I love Pam. I want some more Pam time. Harris handles Sookie and Bills “falling out” great, while I admit if Bill got axed off I wouldn't blink. Sookie's brother got hitched, and there could be some future drama and pain in store for Sookie if our womanizer isn't faithful. Amelia, Sookie's roommate, is very interesting. She doesn't get a lot of page time, as the story takes place elsewhere. So lets just say there is a lot of characters here and they make a lot of progress.

The relationship between Quinn and Sookie was GREAT! Those two have chemistry and Quinn had a lot more depth then I gave him credit for. The background history on him was fun. The only thing I didn't like is that the relationship is continuously held back by Eric drama. Don't get me wrong I love Eric, but we know that it's not what Sookie needs and it just wouldn't work out. Even with Eric drama things did move along as nicely as they could.

This book is a huge turning point in the Sookie universe after quite a few vampires don't make it out of this book alive. The mystery that surrounds the book was pretty fun and intense. It was slightly annoying that Sookie could solve one of the minor mysteries on a hunch, but not the major one—which the reader could spot a mile away by all of the blatant hints. Maybe not one of the strongest Sookie mysteries.

For Sookie herself it's a turning point. She's done stuff that at the beginning of the series she would have thought awful. The loss of some of Sookie's innocence is interesting to follow, even as she can still be angry by the vampires moral code. This book highlights points to Sookie that vampires are not human and by the end of this book Sookie no longer wants anything to do with them.

Bottom Line:

While this is not the strongest mystery in the Sookie series this book is a major turning point in the series. Sookie is seeing the changes that have happened in her life since she associated with vampires. Her relationship with Eric, Quinn, and Bill. How the vampires are going to cope with the loses and how the areas are going to be taken care of is a huge cliff hanger. At last, Sookie's final decision that she no longer wants to deal with vampires. So bring on book 8!

Sexual Content:

A very steamy scene in the first part of the book.