I read this book in a one-day marathon session and having read some opinions around the internet, I think I got something different from it. I haven't decided if it's one of the better ones of the series, but I will say I think I see what Harris intended with this book. It's my understanding that this series will only go 2 more books and I feel this was a clearing of the decks before the final lead-up. One of the criticisms I saw was that Harris wasn't true to the character. I don't think that's true. If anything, I think she's returning Sookie to where she began. Once she got heavily involved with all of the supernatural beings, she became more and more like them and less like a human (even though she isn't completely one herself). I won't spoil how she returns closer to her roots, but I think she just might and I think this could be a good thing even though, yes, I'm disappointed with what it might take to accomplish that, one of the reasons people might be most pissed off. (Can I get more vague? lol) In a way I think Harris might be smart in that she may be avoiding going the way of authors and series characters like those of Laurell K Hamilton and leaning more towards Jim Butcher who did some deck clearing of his own with his last book, "Changes." A good book, I think, although it would've been nice to see more of mouthy/sarcastic Pam, but that was understandable. I can't wait to see how this series ends!