Dead Reckoning

I have been an avid reader of the Sookie Stackhouse books for about 5 years now. I was late to the game and caught up with everyone right before True Blood came to TV. I fell in love with the first 8 books, but lately it seems that Mrs. Harris is just filling the books with whatever she can. I have read books 9 and 10; and will continue to read any of the books that she puts out in this series, but I cant seem to get as excited about a new book as I used to. In the 11th installment of Sookie, we see a person from her past come back, even though I had really forgotten about the Pelts, I actually had to skim through a few books to get updated on the back story there. I liked that Mrs. Harris brought back Amelia and Bob, but I was not in the least bit happy about them figuring out how to break the bond between Sookie and Eric. And dont even get me started on the whole Eric being arranged for with the Queen of Oklahoma!! I swear, Sookie just cant catch a break with the vamps in this series!!! Maybe she should actually give a were a shot! The conflict with Victor was brought into this book, but I felt the demise of Victor and his crew was too fast and way too neat. I mean really, I understand that the scene couldnt last for that long, but it wasnt even a full chapter; or so it seemed to me. I was left wondering about a lot of things through out the book, and I feel that a few things could have been cleared up in this book; like really, what was up with Claude and Dermot? I understand that Mrs. Harris needs to leave some things up in the air so that she can continue the series, but still, some things could have been either cleared up as I said earlier, or answered altogether. I felt that the book just really dragged on way too much.

When the first few Sookie books were published, I loved the series. Then it seemed like the point became to get another out as soon as possible. Like many others, I was hooked so I kept buying them. I must say, this was a bit better than the last few. Sookie seems to be growing up a bit. Do you think its about time to wrap up this series and try something new? I love Sookie, and want to see some resolution to her never-ending series of ill-fated loves. It would be interesting to see a series about her cousins son growing up and going to school for the first time. Why not pursue that realm for while? Yes, I realize that the sex scenes would have to be curtailed, but it would be fun to see what happens as he grows. It was definitely worth reading. Can we finish the story and move on?

When I read C.H., I often find myself exhausted from Sookies adventures. I appreciate the crazy ride you go on and yet she takes you back to earth with cleaning the kitchen. I love love C.H. and I love this series. I can only briefly describe the excitement when I realized it was May 3. I arrived home from work, giddy, because I knew this book was on my Kindle. I read it until it was finished and found myself set up for the next book. Once again, I will have to wait a year to find out what happens next. Regardless of sequence, history, etc., this is a necessary chapter in Sookies adventures and if you need your fix, you better come and get it. The reason for my title? I seriously think someone told her to balance out Sookies life happenings with Sookies adventure and I felt that pull in her writing. Who ever told her that piece of advice needs to not do so in the future. I found myself looking for the counter balance of adventure and it made me crazy. Maybe I am.... C.H. needs to let herself write. Die hards will go along with adventure no matter how tired it may make our brains. So yeah, when you wait a year for a book, you expect it to be the moon and stars, but I think just like several books in this series, you have to let this one take you to the next. What do I hope for? Not Sam as the MAN in her life. BORING. Do I hope that she finds her ultimate romance with a vampire - YES. Do I hope that shell one day has to become one? Why not? But I am not writing this book and either way, it all turns out as Sookies life and I am a happy spectator. C.H. opened my eyes to a lot of fantastic reading. If you are into the series, you have to read this book. VERY important stuff happens.

This wasnt one of the best books in the series by far, but if you can just sit back and enjoy reading about characters you love and love to hate then it will be worth your while. Its hard not to compare this book to the others but we do and it does come up short. I found this book sad. Sad because Sookies changing. Loosing what I fell in love with her in the first place, her good outlook on life, but I guess after nearly being killed lots of times its bound to happen. I do love Eric, always have but things have to change and who knows what will happen in the next couple of books. I mean Sookie could end up alone and we dont want that. I will purchase all the next Sookie books without even thinking twice about it.

Quite frankly, this is one of the saddest installments of the Southern Vampire Mysteries. I dont mean the emotional impact of the plot upon my personal psyche so much as I mean the whole book just makes me sad. There was a time when each of these stories held me excitement over what was going to happen next. It seemed like although the stories were certainly a dirty little pleasure, they were so engrossing I couldnt put them down. These days (whereas these days seem to coincide with books written after the HBO series started), the books are much more like pale shadows of what had come before. Originally, the Southern Vampire Mysteries were just that; mysteries in the south with vampires. The author would dab a touch of romance and sexual tension for flavor, but ultimately whether the characters were vampires or simply Scooby-do, it was still a mystery. The more recent books however have taken on a new tone altogether. The books that have been released since Ms. Harris creation reached the little screen, have been more like a collection of random Sookie thoughts punctuated by mostly mundane happenings. While this book seemed to have a little more (very subtle) structure under the story than the last, there were still far too many pages dedicated to the trifles of getting ready to go somewhere after a shower. I think that many Sookie fans would agree that Ms. Harris has veered too far from the original format of the book. In fact, the biggest mystery in this book seemed to be, `will people enjoy the baby shower for Tara,... puke. As if to add insult to injury poor Tara didnt even have so much as a line during the entire affair. Dead Before Dark, was an excellent example of a mystery ex: girls were dying and nobody seemed to know who the murderer was - only to be revealed at the end as a trusted friend (ominous music). Here, there is the spark of mystery: some unknown assailant firebombs Merlots and nobody knows who it is - until about fifty pages later when the person is arrested and the ending of the book is telegraphed worse than acting by a professional wrestler in a b grade movie. Sookie as a character has also begun to stagnate a bit and that is really unfortunate. She started out as a sheltered and socially damaged young woman. Through the first few books she learns to control her telepathy and through this new control see her disability in a new light, even drawing strength from it. She also comes into her own as a woman and begins the difficulty of navigating her first relationship. Throughout all this, she not only has to learn how to deal with the violence of the vampire world around her, but also what it means to become a murderer herself. Unfortunately, after that the character starts to become somewhat stagnant and the author tries (albeit successfully for awhile) to hide that fact with love triangles. By the point in the storyline weve reached, Sookie should be past trying to simply deal with violence. Shes seen more blood and death than most cops do in a thirty year career and should be a bit more calloused than she is (especially after the fairy war). On a positive note, it was interesting to find the genesis of Sookies telepathy and to have the social structure of the fae fleshed out a bit more. I also like that Sookie seemed to be so much stronger now that she had been living with other fairies. Perhaps its time that she transmute into some sort of vampire (due to blood consumption) fairy hybrid and have Eric looking to her for protection for once. Whatever happens, for Gods sake, at least make the plot mysterious otherwise change the name to Southern Vampire Aftershower Decsionmaking.

Sandra Pelt is back again, threatening Sookie. Eric and Sookie are Vampire Married. Sam is having financial problems with the bar. Cousin Hunter is going to start school soon. Tara is having twins. Bill is...well... just Bill. Pam is in love but miserable. Regent Vampire, Victor is causing everyone grief. Amelia comes to help Sookie but causes Sookie some trouble. Fae relatives Dermot and Claude move into Sookies house but shes not trusting them. Alcide wakes up in Sookies bed. Thats the basic synopsis of this the eleventh book in the Sookie Stackhouse Series, Dead Reckoning, by Charlaine Harris. I have been a faithful follower of the series and I look forward to each new book. The past few books have just not been as interesting to me as this series was in the beginning but I will continue to the series end, book thirteen. I have always enjoyed Sookies que sera sera attitude and her ability to be one of those heroines who doesnt fold at the sign of trouble. I have been Team Eric since book four or maybe earlier. Dead Reckoning is not my favorite in the series but I do see Sookie heading in a different direction. Harris is indicating that Sookie has had about enough of the paranormals and longs for a life away from them or at least all the violence that accompanies them. The Fangtasia vampires are less romantic than previous portrayals, especially Eric who for all his declarations of love doesnt act like it. For the die-hard romantic in me, the romance in this installment just did not grab me. We get more background about Gran and Sookies Fae Grandfather. Harris is moving the story along. The story hints at changes to come. I really cant recommend this read to those who have not started this series from the beginning. There are many characters brought forth from the previous books. If you are new, then do start with book 1, Dead Until Dark

I just finished Book 11 on my kindle and I enjoyed it, but as some have stated, the whole Eric/Niall thing didnt make sense to me and I was kind of disappointed that Bill is barely around anymore. It was obvious when the blood bond was broken, someone from Sookies past or her best-friend in the series may be who she ends up with. I agree with others, who are confused on some flashbacks that some of the story lines are not consistent. I kind of feel that after 11 books and jumping through hoops, if Sookie ends up with who I think, Ill be a bit bummed because then the show and books are mis-leading! I was also annoyed that another Queen was bestowed upon Eric, how convenient and frustrating at the same time...which if we know Eric from the book and show he is greedy and all about status, so for me Im bummed because the Eric I know would pick the Queen over Sookie and if that ends any differently then Erics whole character will be changed. All in all, I enjoyed it, but Im sick of the break ups, and Im disappointed Bill is merely just a neighbor now, nothing more.

Welll...This is a solid, liked it but more like my version of 3.5 stars. If it wasnt for the fact that there MIGHT be a huge plot inconsistency in this book, I might have even given it 5 stars but Im trying to figure out if something might actually be a well placed lie by CH or not but Im not so sure yet. However, overall I really enjoyed this installment once the ball got rolling (the 1st 50% was a bit boring for me) & I do believe this was indeed a huge turning point for not just Sookie & Eric but Sookie herself. The end scene with Eric was like..BAM! She has some very big thinking to do about what she wants for herself, what she is willing to accept about her life & the people she surrounds herself with. I dont have many doubts that Eric/Sookie are going wind up together. OK maayaybe a little doubt bc CH likes to play her audience...but... really? It wouldnt make sense to have it be anyone else 11 books in & a few shorts as well. I found this installment to signify their next big bump in the road, the next trial & tribulation for their relationship & watch how they get through it. In this book, for the 1st time Sookie was more upfront. Discussing the future, aging, babies etc.. she has grown & continues to. It does look like there is a setup for a breakup in the next book but with a possible reconciliation in the last book thanks to the magical cluviel dor. Who knows for sure though! **Semi-spoilers** There were a lot of typical SVM hi-jinks & humor in this book. Sookies naked jaunt into Bills house & her rambling inner monologue... Irrelevant! was hilarious. I even liked Bill. A lot. Although, thats not surprising bc CH was turning him into Eric to a degree. Not kidding. CH is definitely recycling her Eric material into the new Bill. His quote as to why he loves Sookie complete with a comment about her chest (so un-Bill like) is practically verbatim Eric to Sookie in DTTW. Thats right...go check it out! And his move...Is it Christmas? Are you my early present? was also classic Eric. Its a little tedious CHs manipulation of the audience but whatever. It is what it is. I suppose if you are going to finish this ride be prepared for the tactics that come with it. Sookie was back to herself but in better form than ever in many ways. Aside from her own homicidal tendencies, she is growing, more mature & in control. Or trying to be at least. She is taking a much larger stand for herself in what she will tolerate from the people in her life whereas in the past, she almost assumed their feelings & was able to be manipulated more. I like her relationship with Eric a lot. Warts & all. I found her insecurities & misgivings well founded as well as his own anger, resentment & fear. I really enjoy seeing them having to go through a ton of crap to work it out. Like a real relationship. I also loved the scene with Eric & Sookie after the bond broke. Not the sex scene mind you bc that was whatever - it was one page of throwing it in but it did, to me show their huge relief that Sookie does in fact love Eric tremendously as he does her. More than that, I love their bit of dialog afterward. However, the scene that blew me away was at the end when she freaked out amongst the assassination ruin in which she had the majority hand in rallying & plotting. When Eric took her blood after rightly calling her a hypocrite & didnt take the pain out of it. HOLY COW. I know this will be a much debated scene & very controversial but I thought it was just SPOT ON. So good. So dark. So very deep. It was awesome. Well for me anyway. I mean here Sooks has been complaining the last 2 books how she wants Victor to die (by her own hands even). Shes the one that rallies Eric & co. Its her plan they go with & then at the end....bc she hates what she sees in herself & not only that but, was a part of & had the largest hand in plotting, she projects onto Eric & co. bc its easiest to do that. Him letting her feel the pain was his way (to me anyway) of saying deal with it! Face it. This is life with me/a vamp Sookie & Im not going to sugarcoat it for you. Accept it & accept me. You partake in this life, these are the realities that come with it. Were alive. Isnt that what you wanted most? I dont know what CH is going to have her do but I find this turning point really compelling. She scares herself. The lengths shes willing to go to for those she loves & to survive & the macabre situations she finds herself in as a result. I thought it was a very clever, deep scene. The CD fairy love token is a bit of a cop out but I will wait to see how CH wields it. Oh wait.. we have a potion which will amazingly come in SO handy! Er...well see. The potential Fairy plot is quite devious. It seems as if CH is foreshadowing someone playing dress up in Eric or someone elses skin to potentially get Sooks up the duff? IDK but all the material is there & man...those Fairies are sneaky. Funnily enough, I felt the worst for Sookie in regard to Amelia. Not that Amelias meddlesome betrayal was a surprise to me, I figured it was only a matter of time but she really went all out. Sookie is a character with a rare handful of people she can trust & not even that. She is quite often, alone. And that theme featured a lot in this installment. With Erics new day man being a lone wolf, Eric asking her to move in with him bc the thought of her being alone & feeling her fear made him crazy. Her really feeling the isolation in this installment esp. when she kicks everyone out of her home. Poor Sookie Sookie. Overall, this place which Sookie is in, yet another crossroads deciding who she can trust, turn to, what will happen to her relationship & what will that mean for her future? This is all great meaty stuff. And now for my biggest issue..the potential plot inconsistency.Its the conversation between Sookie, Claude & Dermont about Eric & Niall being in cahoots. It sooo doesnt stack. I am investigating that one & wont bog down the review with it but in fairness I will change my rating if it turns out that its not a plot inconsistency.

I probably shouldnt review yet because Im sooo disappointed and upset with this book. I always felt that this series should have been left to be written and wrapped up in 10 books rather than given the extra 3 to the series so that it would go out on a high note. This book confirms that for me. I felt for most of the first half that it was a rehash of the other books. Like nothing was happening. I think I was spoiled rotten by the first 6-8 books which were so brilliant and innovative. The second half was more exciting but I really disliked the twists Charlaine has added. Too many characters were out of character - even the sex was out of character! I cannot say more without adding spoilers and its too soon after the release of the book to add spoilers to reviews (IMO). I really dislike how Sookie is changing. Where is the strong, witty Sookie I love? This new whiny victimized Sookie is a bit too much like TV-Sookie for my liking. Very disappointing. I will most likely read the next book when it comes out next year but I doubt Ill be pre-ordering. That said, the book is still okay and some of our favourite characters like Bubba and Bill are in it a lot. OT - So is Claude- I hope they find someone handsome to play Claude on TB- Claudine wasnt exactly stunning.

Great follow-up to previous books in the series - well worth the read. Just finished up the whole series and found that I wish the story would continue! Great quick reads and each book in series kept my interest and made me want for the next book.