Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris, The Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 9

After a year long wait, the much anticipated ninth book of Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Mysteries, Dead and Gone, has finally hit bookstores.

Harris left us with quite a few loose ends in the final chapters of her eighth book, From Dead to Worse, including Sookie's newly revealed fairy relatives, the dramatic takeover of the Louisiana Vampire Community, her new found telepathic nephew, Sookie's estranged relationship with her brother, and of course, Sookie's romantic relationships with Quinn, Bill, and Eric. With so many questions at hand, the first third of the book was filled with lots of answers, as well as more questions.

First we witness the big reveal of the Shapeshifting Community to the Human World. Inspired by how well things have proceeded for the Vampires after they went public, the Shifters are excited to come out of the Supernatural closet. While most people seem to take on this new knowledge fairly well, there are still several issues that arise. For example, does the Olympic Champion Swimmer get to keep his gold medal after we find out his father was a wereseal? What do you do when the Principal of your children's school turns out to be a Werewolf? And unlike Vampires, Shifters aren't dead, but living, breathing people who simply have another face, do they get to stay in the category with humans or become their own race? While all these questions are being debated at length by the media, some issues have hit Sookie closer to home. Her boss and good friend, Sam Merlotte, a true Shapeshifter, finds out his father shot his mother after she admitted to her were side, causing Sam to make an emergency trip home, leaving Sookie in charge of his bar. And then there is the issue of the body of a Wereanimal who Sookie knows, that turns up mutilated in the parking lot of Merlotte's.

As is the case in all of these books, Sookie's problems never come in small amounts. On top of everything else, her Great Grandfather Niall, Prince of the Fairies, turns up with some rather scary news of his own. The Fae World's arguments are heating up more than ever, and with an all out war on the rise, Sookie has become the main target of her Great Grandfather's enemies. Calling in on favors owed to her from the Vampire Community and the Were Pack, Sookie tries to arrange for protection for herself from the dangerous fairies, as she finally admits she is well out of her league. After several attempts on her person and her protectors, Sookie once again finds herself embedded deeply in a life threatening position not of her doing. In this thrilling addition to Sookie's adventures, there is mystery and danger surrounding Sookie everyday. The action is nonstop and there's always someone (or something) lurking around the corner.

For the readers dying to see more happen in Sookie's love life, you will not be disappointed. In the last book Eric finally remembered all his time he spent with Sookie in Dead to the World, when he had his memory loss, but we never found out what would come of this. This topic is finally discussed between Sookie and Eric. In addition, Eric makes an impressive gesture to Sookie early on in the novel, one that could have several meanings. We also finally get to hear a little about Eric's past human life, including how he was changed into a vampire. Quinn shows up again, upset with Sookie for leaving him, causing a confrontation between him and the Vampires. And of course Bill is still around constantly protecting her from a distance, once again attempting to win Sookie's heart, or at least her forgiveness.

I am an avid fan of this series and of Charlaine Harris in general. I read the last installment the day it came out and have waited for the release of this book ever since. After all my waiting, I was not disappointed! My questions from the last book were answered, and while this book leaves us with new ones, I feel great about the book! If you are currently a fan of this series, you will love this newest book! And if you aren't already reading The Southern Vampire Mysteries, see where it all began with Dead Until Dark. You won't be disappointed!