Kyon gets drawn into a complex time travel story, and we learn about more factions opposing the SOS Brigade members. Another fast and fun read and bonus chocolates. ( )

In the seventh volume of the series, the reader finds Haruhi, Kyon, and the other members of the SOAS brigade celebrating the new year, and for once Haruhi is content with the way things are.

After closing the time loop from [b:The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya|7915095|The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (Haruhi Suzumiya, #4)|Nagaru Tanigawa|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1344266636s/7915095.jpg|11203616], Kyon believes he is starting the new year with a blank slate and free of the confusions of time travel. However, one day, the Mikuru from eight days in the future appears in the SOS Brigade's broom closet, saying she was sent back in time by Kyon himself. This is further complicated by messages with obscure instructions from Adult Mikuru, as well as appearances of a rival time traveller and a rival ESPer.

For the established fan of the series, this volume continues the enjoyable adventures of the SOS Brigade though at times the time travelling plots can get confusing. It also gradually sets up the plot elements (notably the rival time traveller and ESPer), who have a greater role to play in books nine and ten. ( )