Let's start this review off by stating outright -- I do not judge these books with the same brand of criticism I generally level at my literature. I read these mostly because they are ridiculous, and this one didn't let me down ("I'm an American" anyone?). But there are a few things that I legitimately like about Harris. The one that was most noticeable this time around was her willingness to put her foot down and be like, "Look, gay men and women deserve equal rights and the rest of you can go fuck off" (although I don't think the phrase "fuck off" has ever been or will ever be uttered by Sookie Stackhouse). It's really refreshing that Harris doesn't dance around it. (There was a confusing relationship between two men, though, that was heavily implied to be gay but not outright stated as such, which was a little weird. Like, if the author is so obviously pro-equal rights, then why employ the heavy-handed allusion?) 
 Deadlocked was also blissfully/sadly free from awkward sex scenes! Sookie is still pretty ridiculous re: sex (um, you are a grown-ass woman, you do not need to use cute euphemisms like "happy place" to refer to your vagina), but we didn't get to experience any of that awkwardness firsthand this time around. 
 I also enjoyed a more thoughtful Sookie in this one. She was still sometimes very slow on the uptake, but in general there was less blundering about into deadly situations. It was a pleasant change of pace. 
 Downsides: the presence of Bill as a sort of hovering friend/potential romantic interest squicks me out. This character has raped Sookie, and Harris just kind of brushes it off like, "Eh, it was just the starvation/bloodlust, he couldn't help himself. Boys will be boys. Let's just move on!" And just, no. I cannot deal with that shit. 
 -- 
 Rating: 3 Cluviel Dors. 
 Favourite Quote: Okay, I have two here -- one that was so strange that I highlighted it, and one that actually made me chuckle because it kind of felt like Harris was poking fun at herself. 
 "I decided I was just hungry enough to treat myself to something special. I went to Dairy Queen and got an Oreo Blizzard." 
 (OH SOOKIE WHAT IS YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU CONSIDER AN OREO BLIZZARD SOMETHING SPECIAL? I mean, they are delicious, don't get me wrong. But not exactly an extravagant treat.) 
 "'We came to wish you a happy day,' Eric said. 'And I suppose, as usual, Bill will want to express his undying love that surpasses my love, as he'll tell you -- and Pam will want to say something sarcastic and nearly painful, while reminding you that she loves you, too.'"