Betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse must now not only deal with a possible new man in her life-the oh-so-handsome shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with a long-planned vampire summit. With her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans, the local vampire queen is vulnerable to those hungry for a takeover. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Charlaine Harris does it again!
Comment: Love these books, devoured all of them . . . witty and interesting! The stories never get boring and the characters are always interesting; she blends the main characters with new and exciting ones each time.

I'll be sad to get through the final book; I'll really miss my Sookie Stackhouse fix!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic entry in Sookie's Saga
Comment: I've read all of Ms. Harris's Sookie Stackhouse novels, and am happy (and relieved) to find that each time, she manages to stay true to the characters, while adding a little something new. Sookie has had some crazy experiences, but she always comes through with her spunk and spirit intact, and this rollicking foray into vamp politics is no exception. It's also gratifying to see how Ms. Harris builds on events which happened in previous novels; you may only fully learn the significance of events (big and small) when you read the next book or the one after that.

Case in point, her relationships with her vampire suitors, BIll (her first love) and Eric (more current interest). In the first couple of books, it looked as though Bill and Sookie would remain a couple. That didn't exactly work out, though, and the whys are still being revealed here, in book 7. Now, Bill is regretting his actions (why he initially began dating Sookie, and his subsequent betrayals of her) and trying to get back in her good graces. (If Ms. Harris stays true to everything that has transpired thus far, though, she absolutely won't let Bill win Sookie back. Sookie could eventually forgive him and make peace with their past, but she wouldn't allow Bill to have a hold on her again, nor feel romantic love for him. Sookie learns from her mistakes.)

Eric, on the other hand, looks like the strong contender to win Sookie's heart for good, by this point in the story. Although they have had a rocky relationship thus far (aside from the unexpected happiness they both experienced during Eric's bout of amnesia), it's become clear that love with Eric is by far the better path for Sookie's heart to follow. Eric is strong and smart, and politically powerful, yet he always respects Sookie (not to mention that he's willing to rescue her every time she needs some help). Even before they had a blood bond, they had a bond--an undeniable connection that both of them have taken turns fighting against. This entry in the series rather poignantly delves into Eric's feelings on the matter, and it feels right.

On a platonic note, it's great how Pam and Sookie's relationship has evolved into an actual friendship. It can't be what either of them would ever have expected, but is really a pleasure to see happen. Their mutual acceptance of each other has gradually morphed into genuine fondness, and it feels real and believable, too. In this book, it continues to grow, and hints at things to come with Pam's boss and maker, Eric, and Sookie.

The fact that Ms. Harris manages to explore these relationships amid political intrigue (assassination plots, murder trials, and hate threats), AND show how the whole Louisiana community (both human and supernatural) was affected so deeply by Hurricane Katrina, is truly special. This book is brilliant.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Book! Great Series!
Comment: I love the southern vampire mysteries. Charlaine Harris has created a wonderful cast of characters.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Best of the Southern Vampire Series
Comment: If you're going to read only one of the Sookie Stackhouse novels, I recommend All Together Dead. Charlaine Harris has really outdone herself. A tightly focused and compelling thriller plotline, well drawn supporting characters and a wealth of incredibly imaginative and entertaining detail make this a great read. Sookie is a true heroine: brave, witty, caring and sharp as a tack, totally in her element as a now-professional telepath serving the vampire Queen of Louisiana. Although her relationship with Bill is in the "off again" stage, it's still barely-simmering poignantly on the back burner. I particularly enjoyed how Eric's character has developed, how indeed Sookie (or maybe it's her blood) has the ability to bring out the "human" in her vampires. A satisfying read.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Comment: Continuing Sookie Stackhouse's adventures with such an array of other-worldly creatures is an interesting idea all by itself, but the author has such an incredible imagination that I was more than deeply engrossed. Each time I move to the next book in her series, I find that I can't wait for the book to get here and then I sit down and read it all the way through as soon as it arrives. I can't wait for Book 8!

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