Book Review: Dead in the Family - Charlaine Harris

Summary from GoodReads: Sookie Stackhouse has finally settled into a relationship with the Viking vampire Eric, and her errant brother Jason seems to have his life in order, too. But all the other people in Sookie’s life – Eric himself, her former lover Bill, her friend and boss Sam – are having family problems. Eric’s maker shows up with Eric’s ‘brother’ in tow, the ailing Bill can only be healed by a blood sibling, and Sam’s brother’s marriage is about to take place... or will it? The furor raised by the coming out of the two-natured has yet to settle; some people are just not ready to sit down to dinner with a man who turns into a dog. And Sookie herself is still recovering from her last ordeal. She’s definitely improving, physically and mentally, but she’s always going to have some dark moments now. The werewolves tell her that there have been strange and ominous passers-by in the Stackhouse woods; now Sookie is about to come face-to-face with one of her more distant relatives...

My Review: {This book is for adult readers} --Sookie Book #10: Well, this time around I'm not sure where to start. I, unfortunately, was disappointed. I am so devastated. I've loved these books and this one left me completely unsatisfied.

Eric's a mess, Sookie tells everyone EXCEPT Eric that she loves him, Eric reminds her over and over how much he loves her. Enough already!

To me, Jason's life does appear in order in this book and it's very refreshing. He's standing by his sister, he's alright with her vampire boyfriend and he's got a girlfriend that he's happy with. Jason has finally come together. I sure hope he stays this way.

Sookie is lapping up Eric's attention like mad, but still puts on to him that she doesn't know if she loves him or not. But she tells quite a few others that he's her boyfriend and that she loves him.

There's an issue with Bill that comes out and seems to go well. So that was definitely a nice conclusion to a little thing Bill had been doing for more than a few books now. However, he ends up with another issue...and his *sister* showing up. This is another area that's kind of left unclosed in the book.

The ending, again, I was disappointed with. I sure know how I would have ended it. I imagine that it's thought to be a good place to pick up for the next book, but I think it could have been closed a little better and still left a great start for book 11.

As I said, and this is only my opinion, as a HUGE Sookie book fan, this book just didn't do it for me. The awesome sex scenes were lacking, the ending was just OK, Eric was a confused mess...which makes him less hot {lol} and Sookie's really getting on my nerves {almost as much as Bella from Twilight does}.

Sookie and Eric don't need to be confused or driven apart...it's a great potential match up and it's definitely time to put them together. There are so many things that could still happen with the two of them as a couple--and without all the in and out of love drama--there could be 100 more books.

Needless to say, as I was reading this book, while I did finish it up in just a few hours, I did find myself putting it down, doing some things, and then going back to it. I've never managed to do that with any of the other books. I DO still want to read book 11, but I'm not in a huge hurry for it.

Pages: 311

Hardcover

Review copy of this book purchased by me.

Book Review: Dead and Gone - Charlaine Harris

Summary from GoodReads: Except for Sookie Stackhouse, folks in Bon Temps, Louisiana, know little about vamps-and nothing about weres.

Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to reveal their existence to the ordinary world. At first all goes well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found near the bar where Sookie works-and she feels compelled to discover who, human or otherwise, did it.

But there's a far greater danger threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings-older, more powerful, and more secretive than vampires or werewolves-is preparing for war. And Sookie finds herself an all-too human pawn in their battle.

My Review: {This book is for adult readers} --Sookie Book #9: In this book we get another supernatural group making themselves known to the public and Vampire reality television shows.

Once again Sookie finds herself mixed up in some major stuff--more supernatural wars. Wait till you find out all the details. There's even another death at the bar, but it's not what you think. Wait till you figure it out.

Sam takes a vacation due to some interesting circumstances and we get some real background on Eric {not as much as we'd like, but it's nice to get some more}.

Sookie manages to become even more attached to Eric in what she claims to be a trick. Will she ever stop denying that she really wants him? *sigh* She also manages to get caught between two *people* that are fighting over her...but I'd say her treat afterward is more than worth getting a little scratched up for.

This book is full of everything...more conflicts...more wars...more conflicts over her feelings for Eric and the others who have been in and out of her life...loss of family members and friends.

Sneak Peek:

"I'll show up at every classroom open house and teacher conference," she said, now in a voice that was almost frightening in its intensity. "I'll bake brownies. My child will have new clothes. Her shoes will fit. She'll get her shots, and she'll get her braces. We'll start a college fund next week. I'll tell her I love her every damn day. (108)"

Wait till you find out who's becoming a mom.

Another super fast read from Charlaine Harris leaves you not wanting to put the book down and dying for book #10. I wasn't quite satisfied with how the book ended, so I'm really hoping that the start of book 10 makes up for it.

Pages: 312

Hardcover

Review copy of this book purchased by me.

Book Review: From Dead to Worse - Charlaine Harris

Summary from GoodReads: "The supernatural community in Bon Temps, Louisiana, is reeling from two hard blows - the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the man-made horror of the explosion at the vampire summit the month before in the up-north city of Rhodes. Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, yearning for things to get back to normal. But that's just not happening. Too many vampires - some friends, some not - were killed or injured, and her weretiger boyfriend, Quinn, is among the missing." "It's clear that things are changing, whether the Weres and vamps of her corner of Louisiana like it or not. And Sookie - friend of the pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, the leader of the local vampire community - is caught up in the changes." In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death... and, once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood flowing, her world will be forever altered.

My Review: {This book is for adult readers} --Sookie Book #8: Charlaine Harris does not disappoint with the fast pace start of book 8. This actually holds through almost all of the book. Two of our four weddings have taken place and Sookie gets to play a bigger part than expected in one of the remaining ones. Aren't last minute changes a blast?

We finally get to meet Amelia's dad and Sookie has a sort of date with Eric (I bet you'll never guess). This book is also full of: surprise relatives, disappearing boyfriends, strange vampires and witches, vanishing cars, more reconstructions, spell casting, cheating and so much more.

Random thought: Sookie says supper. I say dinner. However, when I was in Indiana, we always called it supper. I moved to Arizona almost nine years ago and no one says supper. Everyone says dinner. So, which is right? Maybe it's a location thing?

Anyway, we have big changes in the book for both Were's and the Vamp's. Sookie even gets to do a little saving of a few people herself.

Now, what I didn't like about this book. Yes, I have to say it, which rarely happens in a Sookie book. I didn't like the ending. Kind of thought it was random and unnecessary. Also, Sookie seems to whine a little too much about this one at seeming to want everyone at her call. Help poor Sookie. I hate that attitude, which is why I hate Bella in Twilight. ;)

Even with that said, this book is a super fast read, flows smoothly and is over before you know it. The ending didn't leave me wanting to jump for book 10, but from reading all the other Sookie books, I know I want to read it. All in all, a good read and definitely worth it to pick it up. The 4 star rating is only due to the ending, the rest of the book was definitely a 5.

Pages: 303

Softcover

Review copy of this book purchased by me.

Book Review: All Together Dead - Charlaine Harris

Summary from GoodReads: Betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse must now not only deal with a possible new man in her life-the oh-so-handsome shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with a long-planned vampire summit. With her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans, the local vampire queen is vulnerable to those hungry for a takeover. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

My Review: {This book is for adult readers} --Sookie Book #7: Meetings...four weddings...wedding showers...arrows...trials & grand balls & summits top the list for this next Sookie adventure. She even managed to have a little fun shopping at Eric's expense {though not for the reasons we all hope for}.

To my amazement, Sookie managed to stay out of trouble and away from dead bodies all the way up to chapter 10 (137), has that ever happened before? And, what? Fang Magazine!

Even though it sounds as most of the book is lacking action, it's smooth, entertaining and a fast read. Another great book with mixes of trouble from Ms. Harris.

However, I'm just wondering, can anyone tell me how you fall for a guy that dresses like a genie?

Pages: 323

Softcover

Review copy of this book purchased by me.