Dead Reckoning

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.

The title of my review says it all basically. I wont get into the meat and bones of the story except to say that in many ways I was very disappointed with a number of things, the main one being the relationship between Sookie and Eric. There is a reason so so so many fans of these books adore Eric and want his relationship with Sookie to thrive: its because for some reason they just work. I think their chemistry in some weird way has even superceded Harris writing. Maybe its the effect of True blood, but there is just something about these two characters as individuals that makes their coming together seem natural and more iportantly, right. This is why I was disppointed with Dead Reckoning. In many ways it was a good book, and I dont agree with others that the ending was necessarily so terrible, because I thought the introduction of the cluviel dor was a great set up for the next book, along with Erics chosen wife, the Queen of Oklahoma. However, the relationship between Sookie and Eric, or lack thereof, just completely sucked the zest and life out of the other credible, interesting plot developments. Harris seemed at pains to make their union into a sad, sloppy and vacant shadow of its former self. Where, as other reviewers have noted, was the joy, the bantering, the flirtation, the interest, in one another? Instead of celebrating her relationship with Eric, Sookie seemed intent on mourning it. She really does take excellent care of her house, always washing clothes, wiping counters, cleaning attics, mopping, sweeping, disinfecting, but with regards to her relationship with Eric she was a complete failure. How is it possible to have a sucessful union when you barely see each other?! It seemed in this book that Sookie spent more time telling Eric to get off her property, than actually attempting to spend meaningful time with him. Instead, she went out of her way to engage Sam and Bill, but really couldnt be bothered to have meaningful in-depth contact with her husband. I personally felt that Harris let her fans down with this, and the one sex scene that Sookie and Eric have in the book was laughably bad, cheap and tacky. As even Sookie herself realizes and Eric confirms, it was the height of hypocrisy for her to act all high and mighty after the vampire slaying at Fangtasia. I mean, come on Harris, when something stinks to high heaven, maybe it is best to just cut it out. Sookie planned the killing! She was the master mind behind the whole thing! I certainly understand and sympathise with her discomfort at such grotesque scenes, she is after all human, but to somehow use this event to suggest that she no longer fits in with Erics clan or is above such ends justifies the means violence seems disingenous and ridiculous. If Harris was looking for some event to herald a downward turning point (as Sookie calls it) in their relationship, she should have picked a better incident. Sookie should have stayed to celebrate with Eric, instead of hightailing it out of the club with Bill, to return to her domesticated front. I dont blame Eric for biting harshly into her neck, although as another reviewer noted this is not consistent with his characterization, because Sookies attempts to distance herself from the events at Fangtasia would infuriate the dead too! Again, Harris is all too willing to let this minor act signify the doom and gloom on this couple and it just seemed all too cut and dry. I was hoping, when I first read that Erics maker had contracted him to someone else, that the next book after Reckoning would be filled with intrigue, fun and excitement. In my imagination, Sookie would be full of jealous intent, she would fight for her man, as cliched as it sounds, and there would be more murderous plots around. Now, Im not so sure. Taking DR for what its worth, Sookie will probably call time on the relationship with Eric in the first two chapters, she will continue to be morose and lackadaisical with respect to him. She will be filled with moral indignation and fatigue at vampire politics and will seek the easy way out. Ah well! Obviously I am a big Sookie/Eric fan, and the seeming coming to an end of them is bitter indeed, moreso because I do think that it is forced and lacks credibility. I am still a fan of the books though, despite my misgivings, and I do look forward to seeing what her decision will be with the cluviel dor, and hopefully her great-uncle Dermot will play a larger role. There is something interesting about him that I cant put my finger on. Hopefully Harris will develop these strands. Rest in peace, Eric and Sookie.

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.

I am truly disappointed in this entry in the Sookie Stackhouse collection. One major plot point is answered, but in an unsatisfactory way. The tone of the book was morose. Sookie is practically comatose in her behavior and attitude, not the firecracker weve come to know and love. The author seems to be showing that she is resigned to being a doormat for other supes; but she walks through this book with little emotion, even when big things happen. For some reason, the same person keeps on trying to **Spoiler Alert** kill her in a half dozen ways throughout the book. This does not forward the story at all. Gang of thugs here, gang of thugs there, even one of her multiple escapes which is supposed to be exciting is very disjointed and bizarre. Charlaine Harriss usual style is to have a one or possibly two major incidents when someone is out to get Sookie with minor incidents to back up and question motives. This one is very overt and feels like the author made no attempt to integrate these incidents into what was going on. We know the attacker, we know what and why they are doing it, where is the mystery? I was astounded that a major, major thing between Sookie and Eric is treated as an afterthought. Something that would, in the other books, have created all kinds of feelings and expression fall flat at a pancake. Weve been building it up about for 10 books, but oh well, lets talk about it lamely over a coke and a True Blood and be interrupted within a few lines. They could have been discussing whose turn it was to take out the garbage. **Spolier Alert End** I couldnt find one happy moment in this book. Not one. Sad and dreary is the order of the day.

Once again, Sookie Stackhouse, our favorite telepathic barmaid at Merlottes in Bon Temps, Louisiana has managed to land herself right in the middle of a dangerous situation. When someone attempts to firebomb Merlottes, Sookie isnt so sure the target is Sam. Business has been slumping, possibly due to the less than successful coming out of the two-natured, but even Sam doesnt have nearly as many enemies as Sookie does. And while things have been quiet with the fairies after most of them returned to their world, those that remain are definitely up to something. And that includes her cousin Claude. She just hasnt figured out exactly what theyre planning. With Victor looking for any excuse to take Eric out of the picture, things between the two of them have been strained. Still not one hundred percent sure of her feelings for Eric due to the blood bond they share, Sookie is trying to figure out if what they have is real. And when Eric refuses to reveal a secret hes been keeping, something even Pam thinks she should know about, shes ready to take drastic action. As if all this wasnt bad enough, when she finds out something shocking about her grandmother Adele, she doesnt know how much more she can take. From having her job at risk due to the slowdown at Merlottes, to knowing her enemies are just looking for another shot at her, to living with Victors threat around every corner, to questioning her relationship with Eric, to sharing her home, and sometimes her bed, with two faeries, Sookie realizes she is going to have to make a few changes. *** Dead Reckoning is the fast-paced, wickedly entertaining and truly tormenting eleventh installment in the Southern Vampire series. This story grabs right from the start with the attack on Merlottes. And it just keeps going. Right up to the second to last page. As with every book in the series, trouble manages to find Sookie no matter what she does. This time she suspects it comes in the form of an old enemy that has returned. A few of the loose ends from Dead in the Family are tied up and the story comes to a close without a cliffhanger. Although this doesnt make the ending any less torturous. Many questions still remain about the fate of Sookie and Erics relationship and the true motivations of Claude and Dermot. And a whole slew of new questions are added to the list. In Dead Reckoning the cast of characters is smaller, with the focus placed back on Sookie, though some of our favorite and not-so-favorite characters do make an appearance. And although it continues down a bloody path, its a much less dark one than some of its predecessors. Author Charlaine Harris continues to captivate readers with her addictive series that is always humorous, often violent, positively steamy at times, and unbelievably tormenting for readers as they await each books release. Whats not to like in a series filled with sexy but lethal vampires, swoon-worthy and fiery tempered weres, drop-dead gorgeous but devious and plotting faeires and a damsel that is always in distress, whether she wants to be or not?

Except to say this is the 11th book in Charlaine Harris ever popular Sookie Stackhouse series, I will skip the synopsis. If you have not read Books 1-9, stop reading this review, click back on your browser or run to your nearest bookstore and buy

I havent read the books or watched the show in forever and Ive figured out that I definitely misremembered this series. Specifically, I figured out that I basically like most of the characters in this series EXCEPT for Sookie. The first several books in the series are funny and Sookies quirks and naivete are endearing. She has moments of clear intelligence, and she is certainly resourceful, but by book 11, her immaturity, lack of education, lack of culture, constant doubting, and in general podunk nature are just frustrating and infuriating. I was one of those people who was super disappointed by the way the book series ended but after re-reading its clear that Sookie isnt savvy enough to be in a relationship with anyone like Bill, Eric, or Quinn. Her telepathy is obviously unbelievably useful to most of the supes in the series, but without her telepathy, I dont know what value she would bring to the table. She continues to be damaged on a very deep emotional level because of how she grew up. This makes her constantly question her self-worth and her worth as a partner in all relationships shes in. She can never make sense of her own feelings and always puts everything in a context that makes sense only to her. I doubt Ill invest time reading the last two books in the series. Its more of the same, and I know how it ends. But at least I can say that I feel better about Ms. Harriss choice to end the series the way she did. Sookies absurd decisions are perfectly in keeping with a character who ultimately never really matures or comes into her own. This review of the final book in the series really says it all https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RSEMKE1TKKSI7/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B009NY43NY

I finally had the opportunity to read the Sookie Stackhouse novel Dead Reckoning which was panned by Entertainment Weekly. I am a fan of the series, have been since I discovered the series when only the first two books were published. It pains me to say the last several books havent been all that fantastic. I had mentally prepared myself for an unsatisfying new read. I can know say that Dead Reckoning wasnt bad. It was no where bad enough for all the criticism that I have read regarding it. However, it also was not near the best books in the series. The problem I think boils down to a mishmash of plots. There are so many plots that none of them get the full attention they deserve. It made me wonder if the author realized how many plots she had left to be resolved with only a couple more books left to complete the series. I do NOT feel like, as others suggested, that she `phoned this one in. We have the Sandra Pelt plotline (Debbies equally crazy sister)...resolved far too quickly for such a `threat. We see some more of little Hunters life as he prepares to start school. If Hunter is never brought up again, the readers can believe he is in a decent place. I for one HOPE he is brought up again, he really adds something nice to Sookies life. We see Erics political situation take a sharp change. I actually really liked this bit of the story including the fact that we get a nice visit from Bubba who helps resolve this plotline. The action sequences are also top-notch in this book, by the way. Fans have been told for awhile that Ms. Harris has always known Sookies fate. She has always intended for her to have a Happily Ever After. We have two books now to get her to that place. She is with Eric in this book. They arent in a happy place but they are definitely together. She could end up with Eric, but I just dont think so. If she does, it is probably due to fan pressure. I love Eric, he is one of my favorites but I just dont think things will work out between them. I also feel like the `twist in Dead Reckoning, Erics big secret, may be what Harris uses to separate them. This really felt contrived to me, but we will see how it plays out. I thought maybe she would end up with Alcide; I really liked him when they dated, but this book seems to sniff that possibility as well. Bill? He is certainly portrayed in a more positive light in Dead Reckoning. My bet is on Sam. I think that I would be happy to have them together, they are best friends. I think book Sam is a great guy. (FYI, True Blood Sam freaks me out). Oh yeah...I forgot the fairies. I blame the downward trend in the Sookie storytelling (and most plot inconsistencies) on the fairies. Their world is too erratic...the rules are muddy and flexible. I just dont like the addition of fairies in this world. I feel like the item Sookie finds passed down from the fairies is really going to end up being a big part to the end of the series. That is fine and good, but I just havent found a fairy that I care about. You never really know if you should trust them. Even the `good ones can turn on you in a second. So overall, I read this book very quickly. It was never dull in my opinion. I loved visiting with all these characters again. The action was excellent except for maybe the all too brief conclusion of the Pelt storyline. I just wish the book was tied together better. Too many plots equal too many weaknesses in those threads. I do remain hopefully to a happy ending for not only Sookie, but her fans as well.

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 begin by saying I am a die-hard Sookie Stackhouse fan. Every year, I preorder my book as early as Amazon will allow and usually read the book in its entirety before the release day is complete. I loved the first seven books in the series, but since have felt the books seriously lacking in plot, character development, and excitement. This book was an extreme disappointment. When I finally sat down and made time for this read, I kept hoping something drastic would happen by the end, but nothing ever really came from the drama. This book seemed extremely dark, and honestly, if the rest of the books are going to be like this, then I might be done with the entire series. A quick review of the happenings will follow so if you have yet to read the book stop here. There will be SPOILERS! The book begins with a firebombing at Merlottes. The worst that happens is Sookies hair is burnt, but of course Eric makes a big deal over seemingly nothing and there is tension between Eric and Pam. This tension continues throughout the rest of the book, and near the end you discover Erics maker, Appius Livius Ocella, made a legal arrangement to wed him to the Queen of Oklahoma. Even though Eric should no longer have to follow this after Ocellas death in book 10, it seems to appear that the contract is binding and he will be forced to leave Sookie. In the meantime, the plot seems to center around Dermot and Claude staying at Sookies house, the mess from the attic, her cheating grandma, and a scene with Bill, just to keep all readers happy. Throw in the violent and crazy Sandra Pelt, and you just have a mish mash of small stories, all seemingly going nowhere. I had hoped after the last book that Harris was setting us up for another large and crazy storyline, something similar to Dead to the World or All Together Dead, but she just did not deliver. One can only hope that the last two books in the series will be far better and more exciting that what we are reading now.