By Charlaine Harris
Place: Publisher & Year: New York: Ace Books, 2009
Genres: Mystery, fantasy, dark fantasy, contemporary fantasy, faerie tale, paranormal, paranormal mystery, romance, paranormal romance, vampire
Series: Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse); 9
ISBN: 9780441017157
Intended audience: Adult
Number of pages: 312
Setting: Bon Temps, LA
Time period: Contemporary
Plot summary: Werewolves and shifters have finally come out to the rest of the world about their existence, which sparks fear and violence in various parts of the world – including Bon Temps, where a werepanther is found crucified in the parking lot at Merlotte’s. Meanwhile, trouble brews amongst the fae, which has significant repercussions for Sookie.
Appeal factors:
Pacing: As with the rest of the series, this is a fast paced book filled with lots of dialogue and action.
Characterization: The story is told in first person through Sookie. Most of the characters are regulars in the series, although a few new characters are introduced and some older characters meet their endings.
Frame: The story opens with Sookie and her housemates watching a vampire reality TV show. This short scene provides the frame for the book – blood, violence, and strategic planning coming from the vamps with friendship and warmth being shared between the humans.
Story line: An action packed story in which Sookie has to deal with a lethal family feud.
Subject headings:
From Pima County Public Library:
Stackhouse, Sookie (Fictitious character) — Fiction.
Vampires — Louisiana — Fiction.
Werewolves — Louisiana — Fiction.
Occult fiction.
Mystery fiction.
Similar works/ authors: Charlie Huston – Joe Pitt Casebooks, Laurell K. Hamilton, Marjorie Lui, Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Jeaniene Frost, Sherrilyn Kenyon
Personal notes: Still a great series – although Sookie really goes through some serious violence in this book (as opposed to the books where she is merely attacked by vampires or terrorist groups). She’s cutting it pretty close with the vampire blood.
Other: Diversity – telepaths, vampires, shape shifters, werewolves, fairies, witches
Since the series has grown quite long and complex, the author recommends reading the series in order.
Ra's Spiral Path 
Leave a comment