The final volume in the hit Haruhi Suzumiya series concludes the bifurcating timeline adventures that began in the preceding volume. The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya continues to split the story's action into two parts or timelines that eventually reunite in a somewhat confusing manner, though the paradoxes and confusion of time are common themes to Tanigawa's series.

The characters of the Anti-SOS Brigade and their motivations are explored more fully, and the reader gets a more detailed exploration of the world Kyon and the SOS Brigade inhabit - one where all manner of various factions, groups, and even aliens are all interested in the irascible Miss Suzumiya. Of particular enjoyment was the detailing of the relationships between the SOS Brigade's rivals and their own opinions on Haruhi. In both timelines in the novel, Haruhi is noticeably absent and thus the reader gets more time with Koizumi, Asahina, and Kyon (not to mention the Anti-SOS Brigade).

The characters are all prone to extensive monologues on their positions regarding Haruhi or their own philosophies - this is interesting but sometimes the narrative gets bogged down. Also, it is required that the reader is acquainted or has re-read recently the previous novel in the series - The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya - otherwise events and characters are either unclear or unknown. This notwithstanding, the final volume is a fitting conclusion to the series even if it ends, as customary with Tanigawa, with the promise of many more adventures to come. ( )