Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana, with telepathic abilities. Over the past couple of years, Sookie has become used to being surrounded by all types of creatures humans used to believe were only myths. Vampires have come out-of-the-closet and humans are still getting used to their undead existence. However, humans do not as yet know about shape shifters, changelings, faeries, or others.
Sookie was betrayed in her not too recent past by her long time vampire love, Bill. Sookie's other vampire lover, Eric, is no longer the man she cared for. Yet Sookie has managed to find herself in another relationship; this time with a shifter (weretiger). The only thing left for Sookie to deal with now is the long-planned vampire summit in Rhodes.
Sophie-Anne Leclerq, the Queen of Louisiana, has been a refugee in Baton Rouge since Katrina hit her home base in New Orleans. At the summit, Sophie-Anne will be on trial for the murder of her husband, Peter (King of Arkansas). Sookie is to attend the trial with the queen, not only because she is the only witness to Peter's death and needs to help clear Sophie of the charges, but also to stand by the queen during negotiations of supplies and read the minds of any surrounding humans for possible treacheries.
Secret alliances and back room deals are happening everywhere. Many are testing Sookie's abilities and intelligence or are planning on ways to own her. The Fellowship of the Sun may have spies within the summit as well. Yet through it all, Sookie is well aware that even more betrayal is going on deep within the shadows. This is one summit that many people (human, vampire, and were) may not walk out of.
**** I have followed this series from the first book and given many great reviews; however, I am a bit disappointed in this installment. Before the summit begins, most of the pages are filled with names and background information for characters who made appearances in (most, if not all) the previous titles. Each of those characters have one or two small, unneeded scenes. The first hundred pages could be totally cut out of the novel and I would not have missed a thing. Once the summit finally begins, the pace picks up and get a bit interesting. From there on the book is a political mystery within a non-human government. All-in-all, wait for the paperback. Hopefully, Sookie's next adventure will be back to par. ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
