Dead Reckoning

If youre reading this review then you have read the previous ten books. Yes, thats right. This is now the 11th Sookie Stackhouse novel. Crazy to think about. But that tells you something about the appeal of the character that Charlaine Harris has created. It is a world that intrigues me and that I want to keep coming back to. Why? Because the world itself is a really interesting one that infuses so much of our myths into reality. Thats pretty powerful and feeds something deep in us - after all wouldnt it be nice if our world were more magical? As for this book. How to write about it without giving away spoilers? Suffice it to say that Victor, the vampire in charge of Louisiana, is making things difficult for Eric, for Pam and even for Sam. The Pam part is perhaps the saddest. The book deals with how our protagonists come to terms with Victor and the conclusion will not leave you disappointed. Or maybe it will. It depends what youre coming in with when youre reading this book. If you watch True Blood then you know how the plot has been so fractured that we have just too many story lines (Please kill off some of the characters already so we can get a tighter story already. Except Jessica. I love Jessica). Well in the book the story is still tight since we only focus on Sookie. Thats good. Up to a point. Sookie is starting to get less . . . open minded than she used to be. Some of her comments about fairies are bordering on bigotry (re: children). This makes me like Sookie less, btw. Still, the book is a quick read. And it doesnt try to be deep. It just tries to be a good story. For me, it succeeds. Now if only Sookie could return to how she was in the earlier books . . .

I completely enjoyed this newest installment of the Sookie Stackhouse Series. I would rate the book 4 1/2 stars. I admittedly love this series and have waited for a new installment each year with anticipation. While I definitely would not say that this is the best book in the series, this newest book did not disappoint! The book felt like a visit with some old friends for me as I have grown to appreciate the characters both in the book and on the HBO series. Most of the characters that readers have come to know that live in Sookies world had a presence in the book. Some characters were not in this book as much as I would have liked to see (Jason and Bill), but I know they may play a more pivotal role in the next book. Of course this book is no great piece of literature, but I was completely entertained while I was reading it which was my goal. I would recommend this book to fans of the series.

In last years Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris took her once quirky characters on a journey to a place much darker than theyd been before. She managed to court some controversy with the younger sibling of Eric Northman, since that character was based on the real-life Alexei Romanov, who died during the Russian Revolution. Many fans hoped for redemption for the series and the author when Dead Reckoning was released, but I am unsure whether either was redeemed. The book starts with the normal dramatic intro that has become the norm for the first chapter in every book in the series. This time, the intro was in the form of a firebomb at Merlottes while Sookie was working. Of course, Sookie, being the unlucky girl that she is, happened to manage to catch her apron on fire and singe her hair some. Unfortunately, this incident transformed Sookie into a more vain version of herself. While shes commented on her looks in the past, she was actually mourning and whining about the loss of a little bit of her hair. I adore Sookie normally, but this Sookie just seemed to be different from the character that Ive loved throughout the other 10 books. The book took a disturbing turn when it began to hint at a possible sexual or romantic relationship between Sookie and her fae relatives. It bugged me as a person who doesnt enjoy pro-incest plotlines or `shipping, but more importantly, it bugged me as a southerner reading about a southern character. Playing into a stereotype that people have about this region seemed to go beyond Harriss normal light-hearted attitude towards the South. Sams attitude towards the fae was also a bit discouraging. Hes been more sympathetic towards people who have been more blatantly hostile. It seemed like he wanted to keep Sookie from developing more fae-like qualities. His ability to make the situation more hostile and upsetting towards Sookie and then go off to his date, without even trying to help make things better, made me wonder if hes really the good guy that Ive always thought he was. I was also caught off-guard by Sookie describing Jason as being happy. I know that his marriage to Crystal was unhappy, but it hasnt been that long (in the books universe) since Crystal and his unborn child died. It seemed like maybe he should still have some level of grief over that. It seems like he moved on too quickly, even for someone as flighty and self-absorbed as Jason can sometimes be. I dont remember Amelia being so anti-vampire in previous books, especially anti-Eric. I know that she had previously mentioned that she would help Sookie resolve the blood-bond, but shed never seemed to look at vampires as being as scummy as she seemed to this time around. Her character changed from being one of my favorite more minor characters to being one of my least favorite. Oddly, the character I came to like most from the book was Bill. He seemed to be more friendly and more caring than any of the other characters, with the exception of the newly-emotional Pam. It was weird to see the blood thirsty and pun-filled Pam turn into a more depressed character. I liked both shifts, though, since they seemed to fit with the story that was being told. I am worried about what Ms. Harris plans to do with the Sookie and Eric relationship. It seemed, in some parts, like she was trying to prepare the reader for the unraveling of the relationship. Honestly, I hope that that doesnt happen. There is one possible (pro-Eric/Sookie) outcome that I think could happen, but I doubt that the author will go that route. Style-wise, the book seemed to lack clear enough cuts within its chapters to distinguish a change of time. In one line it will be afternoon and the very next line will be describing something hours later, in a different location, and that has very little to do with the previous line. It made the continuity of the story a little been choppy. It seemed like the book was written to tie up unresolved issues and sub-plots that had been lingering for a few books. Unfortunately, they were being tied up too quickly and lack a level of quality that readers may have come to expect from the older books in the series. The choppy dialogue and narrative seems to be more of an outline of the book or an unfinished draft than a full-fledged book. Too many of the kinks are still present throughout the whole story.

Dead Reckoning is full of what one has come to expect from a Sookie Stackhouse Novel: non-stop action and mystery, unique Southern charm, and lines that will cause you to burst out in laughter. But more than that, this latest chapter in the series shows us a maturing Sookie who is finally growing into the woman weve seen her become. Its a great relief and joy to see Sookie finally have such deep contemplation about the circumstances and choices in her life. Its also nice to see her frankly address issues with those closest to her. This story is full of goodies for everyone. Lots of Pam and Eric, Bubba puts in an appearance, and even Sam and Bill get plenty of page time. Some (long-running) conflicts are finally resolved, but other (perhaps more interesting) storylines are introduced. Were left with no certain answers, yet with a sense of that being an okay state. I am looking forward to book 12, but thankfully the next 364 days wont be torture. I closed this book a very happy and content fan. I feel like this Sookie weve finally seen emerge is a strong woman who has come into her own and will make her own happiness no matter what life throws at her. In short, this volume lives up to, and even exceeds, the potential of this unique, charming and well-crafted series. I highly recommend devouring it as quickly as you can get your hands on a copy! p.s. If youre interested in finding a new, similar series, Charlaine Harris (and I) recommend the Mercy Thompson Novels (start with

...for the end that is, and right now I could not tell you where that is going to be. While this book wraps up a few loose ends I am left with more questions than answers. I dont know what it is about Sookie that irritates me in this book, maybe it is the fact that she is never satisfied and doesnt know what she wants, she seems a little on the bipolar side. I felt trapped in Sookies anxiety riddled brain and found myself wanting out. I love Erics character and I love Bills character but at this point I am seriously wishing a faerie prince would step out of a portal and carry her away just so she could have some closure. Sookie just needs to accept the fact that even though she wants more than anything to just be human shes not...plain and simple. She hasnt embraced who she is and accepted it yet...So...if you are a fan then I think this is a must read, but if you are a fan, try to resist the urge to beat your head against the wall because you have to wait another year to see if she can figure this out.

Ive read every book, from the very first until this one (& I still & will continue to own them) but unfortunately, Im going to have to abandon this series. I will admit that the hit TV series; True Blood, is what lead me here. But it was CHs writing that kept me jonesing for more. I couldnt get enough of my favorite character, Eric & his wise crack ways. & then when he hooked up with Sookie? Wearing that itty bitty RED bikini? Yeah, total hotness right there! But as time went on, it seems as if CH was slowly giving up. It really shows in her writing. This book is only slightly better than the last few. But even that isnt enough to keep me satisfied. This feels like bad sex, when you know its bad. Its time to move on & thats what I intend to do. With the previous book, I told myself that if the next one (which is this book) sucks, yet again, Im not bothering to read anymore. I dont care if Sookie wants to grow old & have kids, hell, she shouldve stopped chasing Bill & Eric & settled with Alcide. But no...now its too late. After several books feeding into that whole Eric/Sookie mix only for CH to break it down, sever the bond, & claim there is another side to Eric that we havent seen before (another Bill? yeah right! Im not buying that crap)? BLAH! It makes no sense & to be brutally honest, the plot is half a climax. In fact, the writing in this particular book had me literally yawning throughout almost the entire book. I havent been that bored since I tried to read the Twilight series (only because EVERYONE praised that series, claiming it was a MUST READ! what a crock of pooh! not to mention a waste of money! which, btw, I DONT recommend! when I wanted to go to sleep, it worked perfectly. a few chapters into it & I was ready for dreamland.) SORRY for going so off track, lol! But yes it brought back memories. To finally end my review, I simply must say its not even worth a read. Dont waste your money. Use it towards another set of series (NOT Twilight).

I understand the criticisms about continuity of the other reviewers, but I guess I am a more casual reader of the series, and didnt really notice them. I thought this story was more of the same, and the out of character actions of Sookie and those around her seem a natural result of the extreme circumstances that they are caught up in, a kind of personal growth, though Sookie rightly questions if this growth is for the good. I appreciated the author tying up a number of the series loose ends and sub-plots with this one, and the horror aspects seemed to grow organically from the seeds planted in previous series installments. I thought the uses of Bubba and Vampire Bill particularly clever and memorable, with Bill coming off as the most likable character in the series, and I hope Sookie finds her way back to him before the series ends.

Wow! This was an interesting Sookie story! Ive been wondering how the author will continue this series. The last book seemed to have more subplots than the previous ones, and I thought that the author was getting tired of her characters. This book seems to go back to the roots again. I liked this one more than the previous book. Now about the plot: Someone throws a Molotovs coctail (a firebomb) at Sams bar Merlotte and Sookie witnesses the event. Because Sam Merlotte has revealed that he is a shapeshifter (changes to a dog), suspicion falls immediately on the people who dont like the shape-shifters. But Sookie suspects that this might not be the right track to follow...Sookie and Sam work together to uncover the guilty party and what was the motive for the firebomb attack. But as usual, the author weaves several subplots in her story... Sookies attention is divided. Sookie knows Eric Northman and his child Pam very well, and she realizes that her friend-vampires are plotting to kill their master. She did not want to get involved because she does not like to be involved in vampire politics, but eventually she is drawn into the vampires devious plans. I would give 5 stars to the characters and 4 stars for the plot and the subplots! I just wish these Sookie books would be published twice a year!

This is my first review ever. Had to leave one to contradict some of the not-so-great reviews. Yes, this is a bridge book. By that I mean there are many new transitions beginning in this book and some loose ends starting to be tied up. That happens when a long series is starting to wind down. However, this is still a very good book which I loved. I read hundreds of books a year and yet have never felt the need to leave a review until I saw all of the negative reviews here. We are readers, not writers, and if you want a certain kind of book with a certain kind of outcome, write one. However, otherwise, you as a reader are to read and follow where the writer leads and your personal feelings on where that writer is leading shouldnt cause you to leave negative feedback just because it isnt where you want a book to go or all answers havent been provided in this particular book. She may have a reason for everything shes written and knowing her writing like I do, she has always answered all those questions and in this case, what some have called continuity problems. Remember, this is from Sookies perspective and things may have happend in the past that she is just now finding out about. She doesnt always know everything that has happened in the past between other characters until she is finally told about it, just like you wouldnt know until you were told. This is the second book this month in a series that supposedly great fans have been leaving negative reviews because the book didnt say what they wanted it to and things happened that may not have been explained fully (yet) but because they didnt like what happened or where they were being led, they got angry and dissed the books regardless of the quality of the book/series/writing, etc. I happen to have the opinion that this is for entertainment purposes and I was entertained and the writing was well done; therefore, I believe the books are good. I have enough patience to allow the writers to continue their stories and I will always be open to where they lead. If I dont like something about the direction of the book, then I use my imagination to contemplate other possible scenarios for the book but still eagerly await the actual creator of the storys vision to unfold. What is important to me is did the book take me on a mental adventure; did it relax me and take me to another world; did it entertain; did it further the overall story; was the writing competent/good; and, do I want to continue on the writers journey (and the characters journey) to the full conclusion no matter the possible twists, turns and ultimate ending . . . and I do want to continue Sookies journey no matter what the outcome. Charlaine Harris is a fantastic writer. Ive read every book she has written that I could get my hands on (actually think I have read all published books and short stories shes written) and I may not have loved where the character ended up but I have loved every series and every book/story because of the characters journeys and self-discoveries. She will always be one of my favorite authors. Again, I personally liked this book. It isnt the very best book shes ever written but the book is good, a fast read (for me anyway) and furthers the story, maybe not as far as some would like, but as I previously stated, I am always content to allow the authors of my books to lead me along the trail of their vision/story and Im happy that they invite me along with them and am always sad when the journey ends but they get to decide when and how the journey will end. Thats why I pay them for the privilege of them sharing their creativity, vision, talent and stories which spring forth from their minds. If you value the same things I do about books and Charlaine Harris books in particular, please dont hesitate to read this book because I did enjoy it. If I didnt, just like with Laurell Hamiltons books, I would stop reading them no matter how much I enjoyed the first few books and some aspects of them, the large majority of Ms. Hamiltons books are no longer to my taste because the writing style changed so much, not because the characters were not going in the direction I wanted them to. None of those worries here, Ms. Harris writing style has not changed one iota. Just my $.02 worth!

I love Sookie, I love Eric, I love love love Eric. I have to say Bill does redeem himself in my eyes in this book. He finally puts Sookie and her feelings first and above what he wants. Im not sure I like where the story is going but I think that has more to do with me than Charlaine Harriss writting. The book did feel unfinished almost like its being used as a setup for the next book. Ive read several reviews discussing continuity in the series I dont think that is the case. The reason being is because while we the readers only found out when Sookie did that she was Fey that doesnt mean that Eric didnt know before hand. Even now Eric only gives away information that he chooses to and when he choose to give it. I could see Eric using Terry to keep an eye on Sookie mostly because hes has wanted her since the first book. There are inconsistencies in the series but this isnt one of them.