Dead Reckoning

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.

Let me just say that even though the last two had installments left me feeling let down, I was really looking forward to the 11th in the series and hoping it would have a better story and that there would be some advancement. Instead of going forward with Sookies previous issues Miss Harris just brought in new ones. It seems that theres always another enemy of Sookies waiting around the corner. Or another male something or other wanting to bed her. Its getting rather old. She already has a well of backstory and characters to work with. It would be nice to get closure on at least a few things. There are a bunch of issues with continuity as well as editing with this book. There were glaring omissions of words, not to mention there is one point in the book where Sookie tells Bill something and then later she tells him it again in a way that made it seem as it was the first time shes told him. I keep wondering if its hubris or arrogance or just plain laziness as to why there are such obvious problems with the story and structure of Dead Reckoning. The Sookie Stackhouse novels started out to be really fun light-hearted reads, but now they are becoming full of themselves and nothing more than empty calories so to speak. I for one, would like to see an end to the series and hope we do get some advancement and closure when the time comes. That is if I even bother to read any further installments. So sad that something I had enjoyed so much has become such a disappointment.

I thought the book was pretty good. There was a lot of Eric, which I love. We also see some other facets of Pam and Erics personalities/characters. However you can tell Harris is building up to the last 1 or 2 books. My biggest concern now is who Sookie will end up with. After Dead in the Family I really though my wish of Eric and Sookie ending up together would come true. After reading Dead Reckoning Im a little afraid. I feel Harris has been slowing building/setting up the relationship w/Eric since book one. I have to say if Eric and Sookie dont end up together Ill be really mad; it might even ruin the series for me, especially if she ends up with Sam. Harris is only contracted for 2 more books. Unless she extends the series I do not see how she can break Eric and Sookie up, have Sookie recover from heartbreak, have Sookie discover (or rediscover) a new man, and fall in love in the 2 books left in the series. It just would not be believable and that more than anything would ruin the series for me. Harris has so many other things to wrap up before ending the series...Stick with Eric!

Jesus Christ, Shepherd of Judeau, I love Sookie Stackhouse. But... OK, I historically love Sookie because despite some awfully dark things that go on, she has a heart full of sunshine. Although I myself dont lay out in the sun due to cancer, I did like that bit or irony in books past. I know others disagree, but I think this book still contains Sookies sweetness, as well as lots of examples of her being funny and self deprecating. My favorite bits are her cute little side bar comments about completely mundane things-- worrying about planning her friends baby shower or her toenail polish when shes in the middle of being hunted or attacked. That is really why Ive always loved the books. The world around Sookie still seems so normal, despite the supernatural cast and events. Like Id be comfortable walking around her Bon Temps (until someone tried to kill me of course). And except for a few characters (who usually meet an early demise), the vast majority of folks showing up have goodness at the base of their characters. I am not saying they are without flaws--they just all seem incredibly human to me (even the supes). Which is also why I hate True Blood. Each season gets more demented and twisted and the characters are horror shows in their own right. There was a scene this past season that had Sookie laughing demonically in some blood bath or other and thats just not the Sookie I love. Sam is awful, Pam and Eric arent their own unique funny selves and Tara is about the most depressed, loathesome character I have ever seen on television. I keep praying for her death so maybe I could carry on watching just to fill the time. But I digress... What I didnt love in the past couple of books is the very little time given to the relationship with Eric. And Im not big into the romancy novels either. It just seems like a void without their former friendship/attraction/love thing here. I agree with lots of the other reviewers that CH seems to be very sloppy in constructing what is going to be a destined breakup of the two. Its a shame. Sometimes I think authors would do better to let their characters lead them instead of having a preconstructed series of events that has to happen, especially in a series as long as this.

I wont write a synopsis. Others have done that. It would be a matter of dead-horse-beating. I did enjoy this book. I like the world of Bon Temps, and I like visiting once a year. I also freely admit that I fell heavily for Eric Northman the first time I read about him. So, Dead Reckoning. Is it Great Literature? No. Is it intended to be? Also no. Is it a fun read? Yes. Does it tie up some loose ends and then wave others around like banners so we have a reason to read the next book? Of course. Yes, there are some continuity problems. Other people have already beaten this drum, too. Theres no reason to beat it some more. I also didnt like the way Sookie told Bill a piece of Big Plot Point Information at one time and then, at the end of the book, she told him again just as if shed never told him before and he acted as if hed never heard The Big Plot Point Information before. It was jarring.

I love Charlaine Harris and Sookie :) Im sad to sad to say I was not impressed with her latest addition to the series. After reading several reviews about the book and its mediocrity, I have to say I agree. To me the first half of the book was spent updating us as readers on the characters backgrounds and it was redundant. We have read 11 books in the series now, Charlaine. We dont need an update at the beginning of every book. And to make matters worse, the backstory ended up being spotty and inconsistent. On a positive note, Sookies Fae background and her relationship with her family seems like it will be an interesting part of the next book. It would be nice if Sookie could make up her mind about a mate and stick with it. Maybe shell find some Romeo from the Fae world and marry him. I was so excited to read the new Sookie book I pre-ordered it. Now I wish I would have waited for the paperback. I almost felt like Dead Reckoning was thrown together just to get a book out and I ended the story feeling unfulfilled. It seemed like she spent so much time elaborating on what happened during the last few books that she forgot to go in-depth with her plot line for her current book. I certainly hope the next Sookie book will be better!

It really says something when you are in a bookstore and dont even realize a book in one of your favorite series has come out. That is what happened to me, and it is rather sad. Like many other reviewers I felt that this book was a filler book. Sure we found out some interesting things about how Sookie was given her power but the rest of the book was just a little off. SPOILERS!!!! Why in the world did Alcide think it was a good idea to show up to Sookies house? Why was there never any other conversation about the whole situation? That was very odd to me especially because I thought the two of them were at least friends but instead I guess Alcide is no longer going to be a part of the book so that was a simple way to get rid of him but the strings were not tied up at all. Overall it just seems like the book was disjointed and was really not that great of a read. I am upset at the interaction between Eric and Sookie it doesnt make any sense!!! I will continue to read the series but it will not be something I wait for with bated breath like I have done in the past.

I have read this whole series, and the mercy thompson novels, the cat & bones novels, the anita blake novels, and a myriad of others. Charlaine H. is still my fav. It is easy to understand that this is definitely the beginning of the end. Some parts do come off as hastily written and the tying up of loose ends. So, I have that out of the way. The book finally picks up steam at chapter 11. Until that chapter, it is hard to stay interested. You know, the old Sookie dont give up without a fight and dont go down with the ship attitudes. Our girl has become jaded and tired of the good fight, but she does realize that the killing though necessary is still bad so give her that. This storyline really does feel disjointed and these wonderful characters are thrown in as fillers to almost get them out of the way. *Small Spoiler* Sookie goes home to find Alcide in her bed and tells him she doesnt even LIKE him anymore. As a reader, I cannot see that behavior in Alcide, after all he is Alpha. Amelia & Bob(the once cat) are in and out of the story almost like an add-on dismissal. The reference to thenm would have been enough. Sandra Pelt the side issue is just that a side issue, along with Mr. Catiliades, Dermot, Claude you name it they are all here for the reunion. We all waited for this great affair with Eric, and unfortunately, I think this is the true way of life. Eric can offer Sookie everything, but bottom line not himself, which is what she wants. You will have to read the book to get this love story. The fight scene is great,but short, I could almost see it in my mind. I did not like that Pam seems to have developed MORE FEELING. I do think the storyline with Sookie, Eric, & Victor and the big fight is a great storyline, because that whole outcome on all of those threads could be awesome. I thought the book before this one Dead In The Family was a little lacking also; however, I think that Sookie will go on to fight other battles, give great advice, will stay in the supe world where she does belong (because she definitely has a leg in both worlds) AND WILL NOT END UP WITH SAM! I,also, do not think that she will end up with REMY REARING HUNTER (hadleys telepathic son). So, like I said, this is a reunion book tying up loose ends and preparing us for the end of this GLORIOUS SUPERNATURAL RIDE! I have faith that Charlaine H. is every ounce a professional and will end this series on a positive note and will not be influenced by us the readers or the writers of the True Blood Series. After all, she was here first!!!

I have loved this entire series but the last few books, Ive felt like something is missing. Like there is no direction in the last few books. They have left me wanting more and unsure of Sookie and the direction of her and all the Characters in her life, honestly something is missing. I really miss the the Hot and Sizzle. I mean now she has Eric and he is the Hottest vanpire every but, nothing is sizzling between her and him, at least its not coming off the pages. There was such a billed up to her and Eric, then finally when they are together nothing, just nothing is happening. There was more sizzle between her and Bill and other lovers. Even before they finally did get together there was hot exciting sizzle. I am really disappoint. I hope the Author finds her sizzle back for these characters, I miss it. But, even with that said I still love this story line and enjoy reading them. I have read this series more then once and cant wait to find out what direction the Author ends up taking all these wonderful Characters. If you are looking for a great series of books to read, I say read this one, because it is a great fantasy world.

Ive been a Charlaine Harris fan since just before True Blood went on the air, and freely admit that its all Sookies fault that I started plowing through urban fantasies, paranormal romances and mysteries at a rate that would have my formerly literary self (who snottily turned down the chance to review UF for Publishers Weekly in 2006 and wish I hadnt!) horrified and disgusted. Since then, Ive discovered there are several writers in this genre who have their own unique tone and skill, and Ms. Harris is definitely one of them. I always appreciate her attention to mundane detail in the midst of a semi-magical universe ... things like the pollen paw-prints of a cat, or Sookies need to mention that shes putting leftovers in ziploc bags. I often re-read the series in anticipation of the next Sookie novel, and in doing so I usually notice that Club Dead and DTTW are my favorites, that the series as a whole holds up well through From Dead to Worse, and then I start to feel more and more unsatisfied with each successive book. So this year I didnt even read Sookie first. I had other brand-new UF releases that I was more excited about. But when I did, it was a very happy surprise: full of humor and an excellent read. I can even manage to get excited about the Happily Ever After thats so clearly looming in the distance for Sookie. In short, it was a complete pleasure to read about Sookies latest adventures, and I owe Ms. Harris a tip of the hat for handling Sookies newfound fame so well that shes able to return to the lighter tone that we all know and love.