Shannan and I love, LOVE this series. It is fun, never boring, filled with entertaining mysteries and is often quite humorous…and other things I am too prudish to write.

The book starts off with a very morose Sookie, but who can blame her after being tortured, physically and mentally? Slowly, and thankfully, Sookie does return to her Sookie self. Just in time really, because all her friends are having family issues and Sookie being Sookie, she is there to help. Oh, and there is a mystery of the new corpse on her land.

Why I like Sookie in this book:
· She says crapanola, which I will probably use very often now.
· She loves Eric and tells him.
· Despite the company, she always offers tea or coke. She could never let Gran think she wasn’t hospitable.
· She is faithful to her family and friends 100%.
· Gradually (and with lots of Sookie spunk) overcomes her emotional and physical scars from the last book.
· Did I mention that she said (more than once mind you) that she loves Eric?
· She doesn’t play nice with bullies, i.e. FBI Agent Lattesta.
· She shows forgiveness (think Dermot.)
· She still babbles when nervous.
· She gives Eric special smiles.
· She eats Little Debbie’s, shouldn’t all heroines?

Why I like Eric in this book:
· He is honorable, for a vamp anyway.
· He loves Sookie and tells her.
· Concerned about the safety and well being of those in his territory.
· Tough and decisive, yet vulnerable when it comes to Sookie.
· His helplessness at the end of the book, shows his vulnerability.
· His house rule, no shoes.
· He calls Sookie, “my lover.” Cheesy, I know. Normally, I would hate this.
· He drives a corvette. Okay, so I really don’t like this. I think it is a trashy car, but it really fits the bill though.
· Did I mention that he tells Sookie he loves her?

Here are some things that I noticed in the book, in no particular order. Jason seems to have majorly matured since the last book, he even gives Pam some blood. Wonder what this will mean in the next book? Talking about blood exchange, there was none going on between Sookie and Eric, hmmm. The whole Alexei thing was creepy, due to his age. CH did explain it well, but I still found it gross. I also found the were political “thing” in congress and Eric’s explanation of vampire territory in the US boring. I can only think this is a set-up for the next book or so. Oh, and I am not sure what to think about Bill and his “sibling.” Finally, finally Sookie address the big question, immortality!

My only question, who was the vampire smelled in Sookie’s woods, and if it was Bill what does that mean? Has he been spying on her?

Overall, I think I expected too much from this book. I mean I really liked it. It was just not the best one in the series (think book 4.) There was not enough Eric/Sookie time, the political stuff was boring, and honestly the plot was a little yawn-ish.

I give this book 4 STACKS

Stacy – who now has to wait another whole year for the next book!

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