Charlaine Harris has a wonderful imagination and creates a fun world of various supernatural creatures. In most of the books, I've really enjoyed learning about all the different Supes. However, with this book, I kept yearning for her to put the focus back on the vampires. The most recent books seem to follow the same pattern: there's some sort of supernatural war, people drop like flies, and Sookie's love life is on the rocks. Although, fairly predictable, this was thoroughly enjoyable and helped me escape reality for a bit. And truthfully, that's why I enjoy these books. They are a guilty pleasure and just a lot of fun to lose yourself in. I loved the development with Eric and Sookie's relationship. But most surprising for me, I found myself liking Vampire Bill! For the entire series I kept wishing for him to "meet the sun" and now I am suddenly looking forward to seeing him in the next book. This has been an exhausting week, so I may have to re-edit to give it a better review. I can't believe I'll have to wait almost a year to find out what happens next! ( )

Wow, this book overwhelmed me. A lot of fairies in here, more blood, more Eric and Sookie. And for the first time, I started to pity Bill. Cliche (and corny) as it may sound, maybe it's true that first love never dies. Bill is boring but he's still gallant and it's plain to see he really loves Sookie. Inspite of all that, I still love Eric.It's clear to see Eric wasn't really good at expressing his feelings, not just because he's a thousand-year-old vampire, but simply because he's a guy. I can see he's a practical man, manipulative, but still dependable. I loved their moments together when he showed his vulnerable side. I'm sure this is not the end of the series and I'm hoping there'll be more of him in the next, and that maybe Charlaine Harris would take their relationship to the next level because for now, they're on a bumpy ride. They didn't really talk about their status although Eric claims Sookie as his, and his alone.Harris still has to explore on Sookie's nephew Hunter, who's also a telepath. I can't help but notice the discrepancies in the book about the family ties. Because if Niall is Claudine and Claude's grandfather, and he's Sookie's great-grandfather, wouldn't Claudine and Claude be Sookie's aunt and uncle? In here she calls them cousins, the same way she refers to Hunter as her cousin.This book was quite grim and bloody, still has a lot of mysteries but I was able to sense the culprit in the second half of the book. Again, I admire the writing style on how the other books connected with this one, new characters don't linger for long, it's either they die or they go away and in here it's a bit of both.All of the characters in this book have developed. Sam reacted badly on Sookie and Eric's "marriage" and I think that's just the supe vs vampire talking. I liked it he's a good friend who's really concerned about her. The little town of Bon Temps is not a sleepy old town, but one that's always brewing with inrigue, prospering people, and humans coexisting with vampires, shifters, and weres.The storyline was solid, the story flow was good up to the climax 'til the falling action (I hope this doesn't sound like a book report). When Niall reassured Sookie that "the vampire loves her" I think he referred to Eric because he didn't acknowledge Bill. Again, I hope the next book has more of Eric and Sookie developing a steady relationship, with mysteries on the side. ( )

I'll admit, I was a little disappointed with this book. First, not much happens in the first 2/3 of the book, 2 deaths and that's about it. A lot was stuffed into the last third, and it was pretty intense. So many people die, and the introduction of the faeries into the series is over - what was the point? I would love for them to stay in the story, but Harris has sealed them off which I find highly disappointing. I agree with others that the novel was a tad rushed. Harris usually explains developments a lot more than she did here, but now everything seems to be a blip and "oh well". Also Sookie is not as strong of a character anymore; she's confused, she dwells too much, in all honesty she's becoming more like the Sookie portrayed by Anna Paquin in True Blood, which is not a good thing, at all.
I really hope Harris does a lot better with the next book, I love this series too much for it to just fizzle out into mediocre fantasy/vampire literature. ( )

I have waited the release of this book for months that it kills me to say this, but I am a bit disappointed in a way. There was so many flybys and a lot of scene got left out. There was also so many new characters but there wasn't enough time, that it came out under developed. But even with that little glitch right there I still love the book. On a positive note, I am glad for so many parts of this book. Of course the 2nd Great Revelation which was the coming out of the Weres was the first. Then there's the sorta-kinda-hitched situation of Sookie and Eric and the sex scene that was due since Definitely Dead and a glimpse of Eric's human life. My favorite Chapter is 10, although Sookie had one of her worst morning she get to have one of the great nights. Is it me or does everything Eric do is so agreeable. Even the negative traits seems to look like a great compliment on his personality. I love everything about Eric. We also got a more clearer picture on how Sookie's fae lineage are more dangerous than her connection with the other supe community. It's a shame that Crystal got murdered by 2 extremely creepy fae, who happens to murder Sokkie's parents as well instead of the ignorant member of FOTS, that would have stir up a more thicker plot in my opinion. I am so mad at Arlene I hope she rots in prison with her current boyfriend, but then again my heart goes out to her 2 kids.And last but not the least, I have also developed a newly profound respect for Bill Compton, Thank god I thought his character will now forever be left in the background. It's not because he was willing to die to fight for Sookie but because it showed how much he really still loves her. I can smell a repeat love triangle which makes everything so exciting. I can't help but worry on the new Eric in this book I hope he's not turning soft on our Sookie here, that is the biggest and most noteable trait he has and the one that I absolutely love. Being stiff and straight forward (to name a few) marks that huge difference in character between him and Bill. It's bittersweet how all this characters love each other but has to fight hard in every book to stay alive and continue being a part of each other's lives. Naill, Claudine and Claude would be miss, I hope the portal doesnt' really close in the way that I think it would and that somewhere in the future books they would resurface again. I hope to read more about Hunter and more irritating exploit of the FOTS people and probably less horrifying physical damages for Sookie....And now I'm back on waiting till October. ( )

The scattered book 8 set up for this one nicely & much was resolved. This book was more on track, as usual & about the same caliber. It should be read in order. It's a soap opera, so you need the background to appreciate how our heroine works through her various difficulties. All in all, more fun reading candy. ( )