Phew! After a few slower volumes this one makes up for it! Briar has reached a new level of terrifying and the quick jumps from groups of characters made it impossible to attempt to stop once I started. The next time someone offers me tea (and I happen to holding a large sword) I am so pulling a "Thorn Thunk!". I'm always amazed at how well Smith is able to juggle humor and creep creep creeeepiness in these. This one in particular made me feel a little hopeless, which is amazing considering whenever you read epics, it's almost always obvious what the outcome is going to be. (Ex: Seriously did ANYONE think Frodo was going to not get rid of that damn ring, I mean come'on!) I hate I am insisting to read this in color, so I will sit here, right on the edge of my rump, until Vol. 9 in beautiful color winds up in my hands.