Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris, Book No.12 in the Sookie Stackhouse Trueblood series
9 May 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Charlaine Harris, Deadlocked, Sookie Stackhouse, Trueblood
Just finished reading Deadlocked. No.12 in the Sookie Stackhouse series of books. I have enjoyed this series of books, they’ve been good fun, there’s been plenty of action, romance and paranormals and it’s just felt like a lovely indulgent reading experience. I must say however that No.12 was not my favourite by a long stretch of the imagination.
In this book Sookie and Eric’s relationship takes a bit of a nosedive – not helped by the fact that Sookie finds Eric red handed drinking blood from a woman who not long after appears to be dead on his front lawn. There are as usual a number of threads going on in this story, things taking place in the fey world, Niall returns briefly. Sam and Janalynn are still dating but everything isn’t quite as it should be. Political intrigue and posturing in the vampire world and kidnapping and potential tortures taking place.
I wouldn’t say that this book is bad but just that I didn’t love it. Basically we have a litle bit of this and that in terms of most of the supes involved in the series but there feels like very little in terms of a real story. Sookie has definitely lost her mojo and we don’t see her usual humour bubbling on the surface. There is a lot of reflection about relationships and we seem to be having the way paved for a final decision by Sookie which seems to be fairly clear (to me at least) at this stage.
Having said that, it was a really quick and easy read, but it definitely lulled in the middle and I could have put the book down at that point and probably not had much incentive to pick it back up.
I think what we have here really is a setter-upper type of novel. It feels like this story is being used to tie up loose ends and set us up for the next book.
Hopefully the next one will return to form and bring us back the Sookie we’ve all come to enjoy reading about.
So, I didn’t think this was the best read ever. It doesn’t really feel as though Ms Harris enjoyed writing this one somehow so maybe she’s ready to finally conclude Sookie’s story. It won’t put me off reading the next book however. At the end of the day we’re 12 books down the line here – I think I can definitely forgive this blip and I want to see what the conclusion will bring.
Deadlocked
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris, True Blood (No.11)
22 September 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: Charlaine Harris, Dead Reckoning, Sookie Stackhouse, True Blood
Just finished reading Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris, Book No.11 in the Sookie Stackhouse books. This review may contain spoilers (particularly if you haven’t read the earlier books already).
I do love this series of books, Sookie is such a readable character that I always enjoy spending time in Bon Temps. I won’t say that this is my favourite book of the series but it is very easy to get along with. I think the past couple of novels are starting to move us in a different direction and I wonder whether Charlaine Harris is planning the end of her series. This installment is certainly not fast paced, there are plenty of things going on but it all feels a little more ‘everyday’ if that’s possible in a world with vampires, werewolves, fey and other beings.
To quote amazon: “There’s a reckoning on the way . . . . . . and Sookie has a knack for being in trouble’s way; not least when she witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte’s, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is known to be two-natured, suspicion immediately falls on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but before she can investigate something else – something even more dangerous – comes up. Sookie’s lover Eric Northman and his ‘child’ Pam are plotting something in secret. Whatever it is, they seem determined to keep Sookie out of it; almost as determined as Sookie is to find out what’s going on. She can’t sit on the sidelines when both her work and her love life under threat – but as she’s gradually drawn into their plans Sookie finds the situation is deadlier than she could ever have imagined. “
In terms of relationships, yes, Sookie is with Eric although they spent most of the novel displeased with each other for one reason or another. Eric was tense throughout and was keeping a secret from Sookie, a secret that Pam wanted him to divulge. This lead to all sorts of problems for the three. So, although Eric and Sookie are together they’re not exactly basking in paradise. Actually, I quite like the tension to be honest. But, I wonder. By the end of this novel I can’t help feeling that I’m getting tired of Sookie constantly being at the beck and call of all these other creatures who most of the time treat her like an inconvenience if they can even be bothered to acknowledge her at all that is! She’s constantly in danger and has more enemies than you can shake a stick at (although she does manage to reduce the number slightly in this book). The thing is Ms Harris is quite good at making me like who she wants me to, first Bill, then Alcide, then Eric – maybe we’re going to move on again – perhaps Sam?? Just a silly guess I suppose.
Also, she still has her cluviel dor – which you can’t help thinking is going to play a major role at some point unless it’s a wild red herring.
Anyway, overall a very enjoyable read if a little tamer than some. I hope it’s not too long before the next I’m agog to know how this will ever end.
Rating B+
Dead Reckoning
All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris, No.7 (True Blood)
4 April 2011
Filed under Book Reviews, Challenges for 2011
Tags: All Together Dead, Charlaine Harris
All Together Dead picks up from the last novel. Beware – this will contain spoilers so please do not read if you haven’t already read nos.1-6!!!
The Queen of Louisiana is accused of killing her husband and will stand trial at the Vampire Summit. As the sole witness to the murder, and also being on the payroll of the vampires, Sookie will have to attend the Summit. As will her ex, Bill, and the other complication in her life Eric.
This book is a great addition and moves the story forward and develops it further. The story is much more political this time around and Sookie and Barry the Bellboy (from Dallas with the telepathic skills) band together to help each other out. There is more intrigue and sub plots and sneaky underhanded double-dealing and back stabbing. You also get a bit more of a look into ‘real’ vampire politics as you watch them mete out their own justice to misdemeanours between their own kind – and the kid gloves are off.
Sookie really comes into her own in this book, she shows her intelligence, she stands up for herself and the people she is working for and she really helps humans, vamps and weres. She also starts to realise how very tentative her own situation is once the real extent of her talents is truly revealed.
I found this story different from the rest. Apart from the fact that Sookie if away from her own town and Merlots and the usual cast of characters she is finally thrown into the full world of vampires. Not just a few here and there and a couple of shapeshifters. The Summit is a massive event with very few humans present. It’s truly a new experience for Sookie and to be honest a little scary but she steps up and takes it on board. The final event is very fast moving and dramatic. At the culmination you can’t help feeling that the vampires are greatly indebted to Sookie and it remains to be seen if that will ever be acknowledged.
As I said there’s a lot of politcal intrigue in this book and a lot of characters. The romance elements take a definite backseat, there is a little interaction, but nothing major. Although Sookie came to the Summit as Quinn’s romantic interest I wasn’t really feeling it and it almost feels like a stepping stone as Sookie takes the next step. Personally I think Sookie really likes Eric (and why wouldn’t she??). Although all three of the men are really quite (very) likable – Quinn (loving the name Stripes), Bill (so old fashioned) and Eric (the Viking). I know which I prefer!! (And he’s tall and blond).
At least I don’t have to wait long to see what the next episode will bring and I’ll be moving straight on!
(Very minor criticism – considering events, not to mention their age and knowledge, the vampires have a deplorable lack of self preservation in this novel – at the end of the day they can be killed – and yet they seem to be terribly blase about everything – especially when you consider the number of royalty attending the Summit).
Next book: From Dead to Worse
Rating A
All Together Dead
