Insomnia...
Nov. 7th, 2009 02:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ariadnemSo, I said like a month or so ago that I'd read the nine published books from the Southern Vampire Mysteries a.k.a the story base for True Blood; and I also said I was going to write about them. I never write about books I read, well, never more than a couple of lines, but you see what happens when you just don't wanna go to bed at due time and stay late?
Oh yes, I needed some light reading, believe me.
So, this is what happens:
First, a few things to start with:
o I can totally picture the book characters with the faces of the TV ones.
o I’ve found myself drawn into the stories and have enjoyed them big time.
o I’ve rolled my eyes over some sex scenes. I’ve found some of them dull and non creative, others non necessary; most of the ones btw Sookie and Eric, really yummy.
o I’ve liked how the names of all the books have the word “dead” in them.
o The stories are very entertaining.
o Yes, they’re not written in a Nobel Prize kind of way, but that’s what I think makes the books so appealing: anybody can read them and relate to the way the characters speak.
Now, as for what I think of the books…well…you’ll have to read under the cut.
1-Dead Until Dark
Summary
I was surprised at the changes btw the two versions of this series. (TV & Book for that matter). For instance, there wasn’t a mention of Tara on this book, which I actually thanked. I’ve come to like TVTara, but I don’t know, the omission of the character in the book was just fine. Didn’t miss her.
I liked BookBill a lot. I saw a very sexy man written here and I really liked that. TVBill is also fun, but I don’t know, I felt more drawn into BookBill.
Gran was really nicely written as well, and losing her was heartbreaking, more so than in the TV.
Eric and Pam are amazing! I have truly enjoyed these two characters and well, I can’t help but see them as they’re on the TV series. The Long Shadow story was also changed, but I liked that it was Eric who killed it instead of Bill, which led me to realise that Jessica is only a TV character, and a good one, I have to say.
Anyways, Bill running for a position within the area was also a nice move. It kinda showed me a different aspect of him. As I’ve said, I like TVBill, but there are so many things about him that haven’t been said, that this turn in the books was really nice to read; I know he did it more out of jealousy than care for Sookie, but well, he kept her by his side for the whole book.
BookBill was my favourite character here.
What I didn’t like much was that there wasn’t much Lafayette around. I admit it, it’s all because of Neslan Ellis and his portray of TVLafayette, who is a very interesting character.
All in all, I liked this book. Reading the first person narrator is always boring, but Sookie was really interesting for me and I believe that helped a lot to my decision of keep on reading the nine books.
2-Living Dead in Dallas
Summary
They began killing BookLafayette *cries* Thank goddess it’s only happened in the books for now, and I couldn’t help but imagine him instead of Ms Janette *sniff* same position and everything…and that wasn’t that nice.
What I found astonishing was the sex party plotline, really. It was really fun to picture everybody in Bon Temps just like in the TV program :P
The maenad’s attack was something I liked, and that fact that it was a message to Eric was really great. I don’t know why, but I do like the Eric/Sookie ´pairing way more than I like the Bill/Sookie pairing. They’re growing on me, big time. The draining was also fun, especially when Eric, Pam and Chow express their desire to taste her again, in spite of the poison and everything. Also, Pam is one of my fave characters. I know TVPam is pictured as an older “woman” than BookPam is, but both of them shared the sarcasm and the incredibly features that make her so appealing.
Now, the whole Dallas storyline was changed. I was like WTF? I mean, I knew beforehand that Godric wasn’t Eric’s maker, but I didn’t think he’d been pictured as a child molester and murderer…dunno, that was a big shock simply because I loved TVGodric so much!
The rest of them, Stan himself, Farrell…were like there to help with the Godric storyline, but had they been omitted in the book, that wouldn’t have made any difference. However, when Stan recovered Farrell, I had a different POV of him. I mean, he proved to be honourable, I liked the punishment he gave Isabel and I really hoped he’d killed Hugo.
Also, Luna was a character that I’d expected to find later in the books, but she wasn’t and well, that was a bit disappointing. And I mean it because you don’t use characters out of the blue, give them some important part and then forget them. Well…it was done here, so why complaining?
When Sookie was invited to the sex party and Eric came along with her, I laughed my ass off. I mean, I’d just seen that image over at a community, one in which Eric is wearing pink thighs and everything and I just couldn’t stop laughing. I mean, imagine Viking Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) wearing pink and blueish thighs and pretending to be gay. Though it was quite a turn on to imagine him pretending to be Sookie’s date on top of his car, and imagining Bill’s face when he came on in them was priceless.
Laffayete’s death was surprising, not only by the way in which it happened, but also by the people who did it. This maenad storyline made more sense than the one used on TV. This was more like the style of maenad I’ve read about in mythology. I just hope they’d used this instead of the long, almost endless plot they created for the show.
Also, on TVManead, I think they mixed a lot of things, for instance, the bull wasn’t a symbol of Bachus, the white bull for that matter was a symbol of Poseidon and of Crete. I don’t know…it was a mixture of so many things that I really liked the Bookmanead better.
3-Club Dead
Summary
I have to admit that I liked this book a lot.
Bill working on his program got me to be all weary. I mean, he’s so secretive here, and then he expects Sookie to just trust him unconditionally when he’s nothing but a box of secrets with her, and that’s not fair. Or at least that’s what I think. But well, he had ulterior motives and secrets to hide, so it makes sense as well.
Have I said that I love Bubba? (I think I even dreamt of him last night :P ) I love that he refers to her as Miss Sookie and that he not only tries to protect her all the time, but also that he keeps on telling her she shouldn’t be seeing anyone else but Bill.
I like that they show more of Eric as a sheriff. He cares for Bill’s well being, and yet he respects, as much as he can, the other king’s territory. He’d never do anything to make his queen look bad, but at the same time, he’ll do anything to protect those under his guardship.
Now, vamps and werewolves don’t like each other, and yet, they keep a hold at each other’s throats. Alcide was a nice werewolf to meet during the book, and I can’t wait to see the TVAlcide, (btw, I’ve been wondering a lot who’s going to portray him). This was nice. It’s like the supes are this hugemongous family and they just don’t like each other.
I liked the descriptions of Club Dead. It was like a club for the supes would look, though to my astonishment, supes believe that any woman on their woman is due to be with them, and I’m saying this because of Jerry Falcon. The king, Russell, he wasn’t that impressive, but well, king is king, and you have to bow to him. Debbie Pelt was such a bitch! Of course I didn’t like her, but as a character she was quite interesting and I’m so looking forward to see who’s going to be her on TV.
As usual, Eric is in disguise under another king’s territory, and he’s there to help Sookie. Again, he didn’t forget Bill, but Sookie was a priority for him as well. When she gets injured, he’s the one to help her, while Alcide turns into a wolf and just goes after Steve, which got me like WTF man! You’re with her, protect her! But well, there was Eric to save the day. One thing about Sookie’s injury and recovery was the moment when Eric gave her his blood. I’m sorry, but when the authoress wrote about his moaning and the wetness in Sookie’s back..I could only imagine it being blood…I mean, if they cry blood, any other fluids in their bodies should be blood too, right? (On a second thought, ew….)
Anyways, Eric has shown he cares about Sookie. He didn’t need to protect her and yet he did while at the same time caring about Bill who is under his order and protection in Area Five. Now, I love how he always points put things at Sookie, things like Alcide leaving her alone while she got staked. Also, he even plays an interest to one of the young vampires in the household. (He loves acting gay :P but I love that, he’ll do anything for Sookie).
Now, Lorena. The bitch. She was actually trying to harm Bill, while I understand that, she’s SO different from TVLorena. Not that I like her better, but TVLorena had more layers to peel and get to know. It could be because BookLorena is just there for a few pages that.
Eric was epic in helping her get away with Bill and everything was fine, until the “rape” scene. Sorry, but I had my reserves regarding this since I simply can’t read/watch/hear about anything even close to the actual moment, and I have to say that I could stomach the way in which it was written, plus, it wasn’t that violent. Though I did want to kick some Debbie Pelt’s ass.
And then, Eric to the rescue, the trunk, the gas station and at her place. (I really like Eric). I like the kind of conversations they have, like the one about the driveway and the fact that Eric took care of that. It’s like he knows she doesn’t make enough money and yet at the same time, he acknowledges she’s gone through a lot of danger for them. Fixing those little things for her is like giving her an extra bonus payment.
Eric pulled over and killed the engine. "Yes," he said. "There is something wrong with that. And why the hell don't you get your driveway fixed?"
The string of tension that had stretched between us popped. I was out of the car in a New York minute, and he was, too. We faced each other across the roof of the Lincoln, though not much of me showed. I charged around it until I was right in front of him.
"Because I can't afford it, that's why! I don't have any money! And you all keep asking me to take time off from my job to do stuff for you! I can't! I can't do it anymore!" I shrieked. "I quit!"
Did I say I like BookEric? (XD Of course I have, duh!) Well, things like this make me laugh a lot and have made me like him more than BookBill (who I totally liked in the first two books):
"My Sookie hid a corpse?"
"I don't think you can be too sure about that possessive pronoun."
"Where did you learn that term, Northman?"
"I took 'English as a Second Language' at a community college in the seventies."
And I have to admit it too; I love how she rescinds her invitation into her house to the two of them: Eric and Bill. I think it gave it a fresh ending. It was unexpected; it was clever and didn’t put any vampire above the other, though I thought she wasn’t going to make Eric go away.
It was a nice book, very entertaining, the new characters like Alcide and Debbie were nicely presented, and I liked Eric’s and Sookie’s sneakiness when tricking the King of Mississippi.
4-Dead to The World
Summary
OK, this was by far the most bizarre book and the one I enjoyed reading the most. First, I love that Eric loses his memory. It’s that vulnerability in his shield what makes him so attractive to me. I mean, he cares for those close to him (Pam, Clancy) and Sookie’s growing on him. So, when he shows up on her way to her house (and the explanation for this given in further books) I was like “Ohhh…right”. I have to admit it; it made complete sense to me.
Eric lost his memory, yes, but his instincts remained intact. He knew he was a vampire, but was a very obedient person; it was like he was examining everything in order to learn again, and once learnt, he was always ready to protect Sookie and those around her.
I like Jason’s wit. I mean, in a way he tried to protect Sookie at least financially. I’m not sure he knew how dangerous a vampire could be, but with the bargain over Sookie getting paid for taking care of Eric, he assured she got things she needed, plus, he spoke to them with such certainty, that Pam and Chow could only bargain a little (and Sookie got all the money anyways).
The part of the witches…mmm…that’s something that’s still a bit troublesome for me, but of course, there are witches of all kind out there, so, at the end of the day, this makes sense as well. The thing is that the Wiccan inclusion in the books got me thinking a lot. If I understand the Wiccans principles well, you just don’t harm others, but well, I think it was clever how Holly’s (Sookie’s coworker at Merlotte’s) involvement happened, and the fact that the evil Wiccan was a Were as well.
I got sad that Chow was killed during the war *cries* I liked reading him every time he showed up.
Pam was epic! I really liked that she was in charge while Eric was gone, and how she managed to maintain everything under control during those “weeks”. Fangtasia kept on functioning perfectly and yet at the same time, she was concerned about Eric, allowing him to stay with Sookie in order to keep him save and away from the witches.
I wished I’d read more about Pam killing Hallow, Seriously. There should be more Pam in both the books and the TV series.
I didn’t like much the werepanther story line was a bit weird to me. I mean, I know that it’s important for Jason to become more sensitive about the supe world, but it was way too weird that he’d been kept hidden at Hotshot and that no one had suspected anything. If my knowledge of big cats is still working fine, the smell of him would’ve made him known, especially to someone like Calvin Norris, whose character I kinda liked (though I admit I’ve come to like him more as the story progress). Anyways, Jason indeed is going to become a panther, and well, I think it’s just perfect for him. For now, at least.
Debbie Pelt. I hated and liked that bitch all the same. She’s a pain, yes. She’s a psychopath, yes, and Alcide is definitely an idiot for being with her, but I have to admit that the character was well developed. She plays with everybody. They believe in her, they warn and threaten her, and then she’s back to being the one who wants Sookie out of her way. Too bad for her, Eric was still at Sookie’s and took the bullet for her, though I cheered for Sookie when she shot her. This one was one of those deaths you can’t help but enjoy and regret at the same time.
Now to the main points of the story (IMHO)
The Witch War: I think it’s a mixture of boredom and excitement. The way the witches were gathered, their thoughts (courtesy of Sookie), they were so disorganized that it wasn’t a big surprise that they were defeated. The main witch was powerful yes, but her power also relied on the others helping her, and their motifs were so different and the scene per sei was so weird…but then I liked how they fought. Eric tried to save Sookie, Chow died *insert cry*, Pam was just fierce, and I just loved that (yes, I’m a big Pam fan, though I can´t help it and keep on picturing BookPam as TVPam).
Now, the fact that Hallow lusted after Eric…that made me laugh and nodded in agreement. The way he is written, who wouldn’t? Seriously. Too bad Hallow took the wrong approach with him :P
Evil witches/were were defeated, and there was this scene (hope my memory is correct) Eric goes looking after Sookie, thinking she was abandoning him. The while scene made me cringe in excitement, I admit it. It made me think that either Eric would be back to being “Eric” the next night (which actually happened) or that he’d remained being the Eric that’d lived with Sookie during most of the book. Well…he lost all memories of that time, which I think was what made Sookie run away, anyways. (I’m sure I’ll talk more about this later on).
Sookie’s and Eric’s romance: I loved how it was developed. Sookie being Sookie, cared for him and looked after him. It was unexpected for her especially since she was well aware of who Eric was and could very well differentiate “her” Eric from “regular” Eric. Ms. Harris took her time making them feel comfortable and the way she created those unique moments between them, in which they’d just talk, or snuggle or just sat by the fireplace, those are the kinds of things Sookie would’ve fallen for, and well, she did. That Eric had said he’d leave everything for her was something that came from his heart, and I really liked that. This was the unmasked Eric only Sookie got to know, and it was so real to her, that she couldn’t help but accept it as the truth. These two together were really nice. Their first time together was epic! Both the shower and the bed were great. And his biting her in her inner thigh was very well done. Too bad Sookie decides to keep everything to herself after Eric recovers his memory, but loses those moments with her. *sniff* The sexual affair became love…not colourful and romantic like those novels you read the cover and put back in the shelf, but the kind that keeps you hooked.
Hotshot: Not my kind of thing since inbred communities give me the creeps, but I think the authoress managed to create a place that was believable. Calvin Norris and his family ended up growing on me (not Crystal, though.) I got goose bumps all the time, I tell you. I liked Calvin’s personality in general. That he wanted to help Jason, and that he actually did it, won him brownie points with me :D
All in all, this is one of the books I enjoyed the most.
5-Dead as a Doornail
Summary
This whole book was a surprise after the other, especially with the two main storylines.
First, the sniper one. I seriously thought at first that it had to do with Debbie Pelt’s and everything but then, the shifters were the one targeted. I felt sorry for Sam and Calvin Norris, and I liked Tray Dawson inclusion into the story. That these two were injured put Sookie in great danger, since they’re the closest to “guards” of her (though she’d be mad at me if she’d heard me say this).
That Sweet was the sniper and her hatred for all supes...I found it...forced into the story.
Claude and Claudine. *insert thoughtful hum* I think Claude is a big egotistical bastard at times, but well, being the beauty he’s portrayed in the books, it’s not that surprising. Now, Claudine as a godmother is pretty lame, at least at the beginning. She could do better, though she’s useful at times. Both of them were rather...useless (IMHO).
Charlie, the pirate. This was definitely a surprise, not only for the readers, but I believe that even for the characters (Eric, Sookie and Sam). That he had a connection with Long Shadow’s maker and that it came back to taunt Eric’s ass (yum) was well thought, but it wasn’t enough. His reasoning to do things was poorly presented (IMHO, again). He managed to make himself believable: he even set Sookie’s house on fire and set someone else up as the culprit.
Alcide’s dad’s death. I really don’t know what to think of this. I know after Alcide starts being shown as this character without actual character (you get me, right?). I mean, taking Sookie to his dad’s trial to become the next pack leader was really stupid. Yes, she discovered the plot against him, but it caused them greatly. She lost him as a friend (almost) and his dad ended up dead. That he then decided to turn his back on her made me want to kick him, and then I realised that this wasn’t the Alcide I got to know in book 3. I thought he was going to evolve, like Eric has in the stories, but no. Nada. Too bad, Ms. Harris could’ve created an amazing character out of him.
I wasn’t impressed by Quinn. I know a lot of people like him, but I just don’t. He’s from E(E)E, and yet...it’s not like the big deal. That Sookie is at first impressed by him, I get it. He seems powerful and commanding, but no...he didn’t leave a good impression in me. I liked Book 1 Bill better. He was at least...charming.
Tara’s issue with the vamps, when Franklin pass her over to that Mickey vamp...I think it was insulting. Maybe the reason behind this part was to show Sookie what she had with the vamps she knew, (I mean, Eric hasn’t abused her, nor has Bill or Pam). Eric tricked Sookie into telling him about them having had sex (he can’t remember shit of the time they’d spent together) and I have to admit that it left me wondering about Eric’s POV in the whole lost memory situation. He helped Sookie and Tara anyway, but Sookie was quite clever in the way she tricked Mickey to leave them both.
I really don’t have much to say about this book. To me, it was like a filler in the series. It was so light and so...forced (yes, I’m using this word again). There was little character and plot development, the narrative became dull at times and well, at others time it was nice, but not good enough.
6-Definitely Dead
Summary
I believe that after book 4, this is the other one I’ve liked the most.
Let’s see...Sookie’s relationship with Quinn...I’m still trying to figure out how this came to happen. Don’t get me wrong, she’s perfectly entitled to fuck whoever she wishes, but he’s got the worse pick up lines ever, he calls her “babe”. Can’t he be any tackier?!!!!!!! (And please, I know some women out there might like that, I will never understand why, but still…COME ON, WOMEN!!!!) And Sookie…it was like Ms. Harris has changed the character completely whenever she was with him. Her image of wanting to be independent was totally lost when she got involved with him, and though I kinda enjoy her sexual ramblings when it comes to Eric and even to Bill, I couldn’t take it with Quinn and I’d truly liked the character of Sookie despite the inconsistencies in its development.
To me, Quinn’s the epitome of everything that’s macho and that should be avoided. AAHHH!!!!!! There are things about him, manly things, like his powerful presence whenever he takes part in an event, such things I like. How people admire his power when fighting, but when it comes to her…yack! Now, he does nothing to protect her and he believes that just because he’s a weretiger, then he can go and threatened everyone. Hell! He goes to pick a fight on Alcide at a Wolf’s club! Hellouuu!!!!!
Anyways, he’s a tiger and could barely protect her. I felt sorry for Sookie, she as supposed to be on a nice date and well, it turned out to be a date from hell.
I don’t know...I know he’s respected in the supe world and all that, but it’s just...the character should’ve never got involved with Sookie. Even their intimate moments were my roll-eye-or-else-throw-up moments. Eww.
Now, Hadley’s & the Queen’s storyline. First things first, I liked BookQueen. She’s got a commanding presence and she knows exactly what she’s doing and why. That she fell in love with Hadley wasn’t a surprise; the latter seemed to love her truthfully as well. She knew about vampire politics and she knew how to conduct herself in the vampire world. But she got a big flaw: Hadley. In that aspect, this plot line was well thought.
Sookie going to New Orleans and experience this new world of vampire politics was like an eye opener to her, I believe. On one hand, she got to know a big city, was impressed by it and of course, by the opulence of the Queen’s court and she got to know, first hand, the extent of power amongst vampires. Andre is a cunning bastard, the vampire twins are simply killing machines and the plot behind Hadley’s death was enough to set up this part of the book.
The battle was great, I admit to enjoying it like hell! What I’d give to see TVEric’s fighting.
I liked how at the end of the day, Sookie could help the Queen outsmart her King husband and finally kill him. I loved the image of Eric’s battle cry when he engaged the battle. And how the whole state of Louisiana owes Sookie more than they’d like.
There’s one thing that didn’t make a lot of sense to me and that’s the were turned vampire. That sounded so Underworld, and it wass just my head screaming that species don’t mix like that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about mating and sex; it’s just that that’ll be like having a dog turned cat and hating it...that particularly thing wasn’t to my liking. Plus, weres and vampires hate each other, no wonder poor Jake was so miserable.
I loved Amelia. She can’t shut her mouth, loves to experiment with magic, and is vivacious. I believe Sookie needed that kind of friendship; someone not from her beloved Bon Temps that could help her accept herself more easily, and I believe Amelia did that to her; since to Amelia, she was just Sookie, not “Crazy Sookie”. Now, I liked the spells. I don’t remember the name, but the one that allows you to see what happened at a certain time, the ectoplasmatic whatever, that one was like WOW, and well, I’d never heard of anything like (not that I should’ve, granted) but still, that was clever. Bob the cat was simply hilarious. I couldn’t imagine that happening to someone in real life...though it’d be fun XD
I never expected the scene of how Bill told Sookie of the Queen’s plans. Eric was there, silently nailing the final piece that’d put Bill into a coffin in Sookie’s heart. This part hurts. Eric might’ve acted thinking of Sookie, but boy, no matter what, it sucks to know that the one you trusted the most betrayed you. I got to sympathise with Sookie; that’s what happens when you read about broken hearts while yours is being ripped to pieces.
I liked Rasul, disliked the albine vampire and thought Hadley to be smart only at times...other than that, she was just sickly in love.
The Pelts...this was another thing that was a bit off to me; it was like the authoress needed Sookie to spend some time with the tiger. Sandra Pelt was a bitch and the way she pretty much hunted them down was fine, Quinn swimming through the swamp was fine (tigers do love water :D ); and here comes the funny part: it is Eric the one who comes to her rescue.
Bill...starting in this book...he’s just pathetic.
7-All Together Dead
Summary
I didn’t expect the Katrina incident to be part of the story, but I think it was properly handled. I’d think it’s a delicate topic, and that’s why I say this.
Now, I understand Sookie and how she was feeling, and how reluctant she’d been to have any contact with Bill. So, the summit at Rhodes was like a nice thing to do, though not exactly what you should’ve done if you’re recovering from betrayal. IMHO.
Let’s see if my memory works out correctly (after all I read the 9 books in a week and I got them all mixed up at times):
Quinn was there. Again, as the E(E)E coordinator, he’s perfectly fine. Why is it that I can’t stop but imagine Quinn as Raze from Underworld? Powerful and commanding when he’s acting as the E(E)E boss, dunno…it makes me think of the Lycan and his size and his don’t-mess-with-me face (and I actually like Raze, go figure). Haven’t found the purpose of a character like Quinn yet; and his attachment to Sookie and all the mumble jumble is so not like a tiger that I can’t stop thinking…mmmm Plus, his macho attitude towards Sookie simply pisses me off.
“Quinn, my honey” (???? WTF???!!!!! When did Sookie start to act like this? No, really. )
He laughed, and Quinn’s eyes flickered. “The weretiger is regaining consciousness,” Eric said. “Do you love him?”
“Don’t know yet.”
“Did you love me?”
Oh Eric…you and your questions, but yes, I concur with this one.
Quinn’s past was a big deal to Sookie, and the fact that she found out from others and not him was unnerving. Yes, I think she deserved a lot better. And still…all that past that was so human and so not like a tiger. Even his mum’s behaviour…not like a tigress at all. (Sorry, I’m a tigers fan; love them, know them, never miss an Animal Planet about them).
The Queen. Her vulnerability not only came from the fact that she was in a frail position because of Arkansas’ death. I imagine that having seen her beloved New Orleans destroyed to the point it got, must have been devastating to her. It was weird to me that the Queen had been called to trial, but after reading all the bureaucracy Ms. Harris has included in this story, it shouldn’t have been that surprising to me. Arkansas was dead (yay!) and she had to testify, and for that, of course, she needed Sookie.
The whole Oracle thing…weird, but effective. It’s like the vamps need someone who’s actually more powerful than them to actually make them obey. One thing about these vamps is that they respect the one who holds more power than them.
I liked that Sookie could get glimpses of vamp’s minds and that the Queen wasn’t in the same terrible position she was in when she first arrived there. One problem solved, check!
Now…Andre is a cunning bastard, oh yes, I’ve said it; but he couldn’t beat Eric :P The fact that he wanted to force Sookie into a blood bond…that pissed me off. And yes, I enjoyed greatly reading how Eric got in the middle of it all, and the third exchange of blood was nice, I liked it. But of course, Sookie hated it; and she was right, she was forced, but well, she had it coming, she was right in the middle of vampires and the Queen had always wanted her ability. Which leads me to ask: What’d you have done? Who would you have chosen? Andre or Eric? I’d totally go for Eric.
Eric being a priest made me laugh. I get that it comes as part of a longer thread, but still, there are sometimes some things that just make so little sense that I can’t stop myself and laugh. What I do like about this mixture of things Ms. Harris has created, is that she doesn’t leave loose ends. Whatever she doesn’t close in one book, she does in another one; like the knife thing.
Again, Sookie saves the day, gets acquainted with the Britlingen (who I found too farfetched, but ended up putting up with), and then the bombing happened. I jumped on my seat when she went looking for Pam and Eric. Sorry, these two are by far my most favourite characters in both the books and the TV series and it meant a lot to me that she thought of them first. No Quinn, no Bill, not even herself; Pam and Eric :D And of course, that proved (plotwise, I mean) how deeply connected she’s with the two of them. After all, she didn’t try to save one over the other, she cared for the two of them and she looked after “her vamps”. They two owe her big time. And I totally fell in love with Sookie (no more judging her for liking Quinn thanks to this).
The part with Barry…I liked the fact that they helped others, and that Barry had finally accepted his telepathy and all that, but I always found his friendship with Sookie a little conditioned to his fears and tantrums. I really couldn’t understand how they parted and why in that way (that proves that sometimes language can be a barrier and that I can’t get subtle things all the time *blush* though I totally got that Barry was “uncomfortable” with Sookie) but well, people were saved and major damage prevented.
Quinn got injured and well, he had his sister with him. Too bad it was him who killed Andre, but at least that allowed Sookie to return to her beloved Bon Temps just to hear the news about Tara and JB’s wedding.
8-From Dead to Worse
Summary
It seems like things are normal for Sookie now, though Quinn’s silence was a surprise to me. I mean, he was all “babe this” and “babe that” that it shocked me. And the Bellefleur weddings didn’t help her mood, of course. I’m glad she was “requested” to be maid of honour even if it’d been a last minute thing. That should’ve taught them a lesson, but well, at least with time Andy learns to trust Sookie more and his wife is nice enough with her.
The later development in the book, when it’s Quinn who pretty much sells her and Louisiana to Nevada...ggrrrr...I wanted a tiger rug in my home (not literally, you get me, right?) Another low blow for Sookie, and no, I don’t think she deserved it, even when she was foolish enough to even like Quinn.
Anyways, I liked how she kicks him out of his life. Sorry, I don’t like Quinn, he hurt her, he sold her to the enemy and he wanted her to take him back? The nerve! And his sister? *snorts* She’s one of those characters you don’t like from the very beginning.
I really felt sorry for Sophie-Anne. Just imagining the pain of losing her legs, and Andre...it really hurt just to think of her. I believed she deserved a better death, but well, it had to be ugly and not honourable I guess. The thing is, if the TVQueen died in this way, I’d be thrilled; I truly dislike her, while BookQueen is great. Well, both her and Louisiana were weak and endangered, and there weren’t many options as to what to do with them.
The Sherrifs’ chain sounded to me like a good system to keep in touch. They knew of their vulnerability as a state, and yet Nevada took over. But of course, nobody acted more properly, and yet it’s understandable. The Queen’s the one with the power to actually have organised them, and yet she’s too weak, Andre wasn’t there, and the whole state was at another’s mercy. Creepy, I know.
I don’t think Sookie actually knows how important she is to the supe community. Eric, Bill and Frannie are at her place when the vampires come. The takeover is actually...lame. I mean, they killed the other sherrifs but they wanted Eric for a reason, and Eric is pragmatical over everything else and so he surrenders to Nevada. What’s funny is that it was in that strained situation that he actually remembered what happened with him and Sookie when he lost his memory in Book 4. It was as if the whole being at Sookie’s, in her room, the shotgun, the tension, everything had triggered her memory. I can only imagine Sookie’s horror at that.
“Sitting here on your bed, smelling your scent,” he said in a voice so low I had to strain to hear it.
“Sookie . . . I remember everything.”
“Oh, hell,” I said, and went in the bathroom and shut the door. I brushed my hair and my teeth and scrubbed my face, but I had to come out. I was being as cowardly as Quinn if I didn’t face the vampire. Eric started talking the minute I emerged. “I can’t believe I—”
"Yeah, yeah, I know, loved a mere human, made all those promises, was as sweet as pie and wanted to stay with me forever,” I muttered. Surely there was a shortcut we could take through this scene.
“I can’t believe I felt something so strongly and was so happy for the first time in hundreds of years,” Eric said with some dignity. “Give me some credit for that, too.”
The feud between the wolves. I would’ve loved to read more of this, you know? I mean, there are so many possibilities with the wolves! And Alcide could’ve been so marvellously worked. The whole Debbie Pelt incident made Alcide look so weak in my eyes, though I was really happy when he got involved with Maria Star. However, she was murdered, and that part I didn’t like. I mean, Sookie is no longer interested in him, and he’d finally found a full were to be his companion; he should’ve had that chance, but no.
I felt sorry for Patrick Furnan and his family.
Now, there was this battle between the wolves and how come was Sookie right in the middle? The woman really has a magnet for dangerous situations. Then again, she wasn’t all alone, and Sam was with her during this battle. Sam turned into a lion and I can’t say I wasn’t happy. It’s good that he can turn into a “dog”, but lions are huge and powerful and that was just nice. Good old Sam protected Sookie, the werebitch was killed and Alcide defeated Patrick and is now the new pack leader. So far, so good with the story.
Now, the attackers were like three renegade wolves looking for a place for themselves, but of course wanted the pack for themselves. Huge mistake. Wolves don’t let others take that which is theirs.
The fairy thing...This thing sounded a little too...necessary in the story, but not exactly presented in a believable way (again, just MHO). I don’t know...it’s like meddling with Sookie’s memory of her Gran, the way in which Niall came to her, the story per se, it was too much. Now regarding the fairy scent and what they do to vamps I loved this exchange btw Sookie and Eric:
Niall had been able to mask the fairy odor from Eric in the restaurant, but I saw from the flare of Eric’s nostrils that the intoxicating scent clung to me. Eric’s eyes closed in ecstasy, and he actually licked his lips. I felt like a T‐bone just out of reach of a hungry dog.
“Snap out of it,” I said. I wasn’t in the mood.
With a huge effort, Eric reined himself in. “When you smell like that,” he said, “I just want to fuck you and bite you and rub myself all over you.”
*claps*
Octavia comes to be part of their lives. Tanya is still bothering Sookie, and Sandra Pelt is behind this. Oh yes, the Sandra Pelt from the previous book.
Victor Madden...he’s a bastard, I tell you. He enjoyed telling Eric about the Queen’s and the other sheriffs’ deaths. And yet, I still can’t actually figure him out.
Hunter. I think this child is going to be a huge part of Sookie’s life in the future. On one hand he’s a telepath just like she is, and he’s started to have problems because of that. It was cute that he’s Hadley’s son, and I really hope to read of him.
Sookie saves Felipe De Castro’s life! I didn’t see this one coming, believe me. Well, that could gain her some “protection”, but still…we haven’t seen much of this King. ( I still like Mississippi better).
9-Dead and Gone
Summary
The weres revelation was something I wasn’t really expecting. That Sam shifted in front of everyone was a little bit awkward to me. Yes, it must’ve been a sight, both Sam and Tray, but I think it was just weird. What I’d love to see, and my imagination did a great job here, was Arlene. Though I love Terry and his ever understanding being. Anyways, Sam has to go away, his family is suffering the consequences of the revelation, and he’s MIA from Bon Temps for most of the book.
Arlene...she’s a character I grew to like and then I completely hated her. She became this FotS religious fanatic and she forgot that Sookie was her friend and of course, she decided to take it against her. She even tries to lure Sookie into a trap! I’m glad Sookie wasn’t stupid enough to fall for that. At least the FBI agents were of some help, which leads me to what I said before, no loose ends. She had Sookie and Barry help in Rhodes in book seven and now that’s come to bite Sookie in the ass and yet they’re the ones who save her from Arlene’s fanatic boyfriend.
Crystal, Jason’s wife was a reason to almost cry. I mean, her “crucifixion” was painful for everybody who knew her and the mental picture you get of the scene is really horrific. The fact that it was Jason’s friend who did that was also a blow, and it saddened me how the authoress handle this particular part since basically Mel (a guy) was in love with Jason and he hurt Crystal. Yes, the fairies did the final killing, but the thing is, I wish she’d done it differently. I’ll admit that I understood Calvin’s position. I mean, Hotshot is an inbred community, they need kids and Mel wouldn’t produce them. I wonder if they’d ever heard of in-vitro? Anyways...
Once again, Eric is a manipulative bastard (whom Sookie would have to thank some day, I hope) and he tricks her yet again. Now she doesn’t have to suck a bullet out of her chest, but she has to present him with the wedding ceremonial knife he used to marry Russell Edington. Funny thing about Sookie is that although she considers herself independent and gets mad at Eric at all times, she actually trusts him. This leads to her being pretty much Eric’s wife before the vampire world.
In this book, Eric tells Sookie about his maker and his human life, which I believe brings them closer. I can’t picture Eric telling all that to someone else. Now, the fact that they come to an understanding regarding their feelings is nice enough. Oh yes, I’m 100% team Sookie/Eric, and I’ve liked the development of their relationship.
The fairy war: I was surprised by everything that happened with the fairies. I’ve liked that she didn’t make them this supernatural beings that nobody else can touch. They’re real, and powerful, and Breandan, Lochlan and Neave proved they could be really nasty. It saddened me that pregnant Claudine was killed, but at least Niall is powerful enough to do something about those three along with Bill’s help.
Of course, like everybody else I’m intrigued as to what happened with Eric while Sookie was kidnapped; you’ll see, Lochland and Neave take her to another world and they torture her. She screams for Eric, calls him and I’m sure that through the bond he must’ve felt her. Unless he was KO because of her pain, I don’t understand why it wasn’t him the one coming to help her.
Tray was really stupid by accepting something from someone he didn’t even know, that was pretty stupid, and the goddess knows what’s going to happen with Sookie now that Tray’s dead and the fact that he was Amelia’s boyfriend.
Clancy died too, and he wasn’t really a Sookie’s fan,
but he was damn loyal to Eric, which is something that I’ve liked along the books: vamps are loyal to those who deserve it.
Dermot is still on the earth, and well, Jason is keen to him.
I think this is the first book she leaves with so many cliffhangers. I’ve never been one to wait for books, but I’m actually waiting for book 10. However, just like the third Season of True Blood, is way too far.
There are a couple of excerpts and quotes from the last pages that I liked:
“If you were irreparable . . . no, I would have let him rot.”
“Why?” I asked. “He actually came to rescue me. Why get mad at him? Where were you?” Rage bubbled up my throat.
Eric flinched almost a half inch, a big reaction from a vampire his age. He looked away. I could not believe I was saying these things.
“It’s not like you were obliged to come find me,” I said, “but I hoped the whole time—I hoped you would come, I prayed you would come, I thought over and over you might hear me. . . .”
“You’re killing me,” he said. “You’re killing me.” He shuddered beside me, as if he could scarcely endure my words. “I’ll explain,” he said in a muted voice. “I will. You will understand. But now, we don’t have enough time. Are you healing yet?”
**
“If I live through this,” Clancy said, “I’ll ask you to release me from my vow, Eric, and I’ll seek another master. I find the idea of dying in the defense of a human woman to be disgusting, no matter what her connection to you is.”
“If you die,” Eric said, “you’ll die because I, your sheriff, ordered you into battle. The reason is not pertinent.”
Clancy nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
“But I will release you, if you should live.”
“Thank you, Eric.”
**
“Clancy lives on in Bill,” Eric told the other two.
They received this news in a silence that seemed respectful to me.
“As you live on in Sookie,” Pam said very quietly.
**
“The vampire is not a bad man, and he loves you,” Niall said.
Credits: Wikipedia. I really didn’t want to think of the summaries myself.
Oh yes, I needed some light reading, believe me.
So, this is what happens:
First, a few things to start with:
o I can totally picture the book characters with the faces of the TV ones.
o I’ve found myself drawn into the stories and have enjoyed them big time.
o I’ve rolled my eyes over some sex scenes. I’ve found some of them dull and non creative, others non necessary; most of the ones btw Sookie and Eric, really yummy.
o I’ve liked how the names of all the books have the word “dead” in them.
o The stories are very entertaining.
o Yes, they’re not written in a Nobel Prize kind of way, but that’s what I think makes the books so appealing: anybody can read them and relate to the way the characters speak.
Now, as for what I think of the books…well…you’ll have to read under the cut.
1-Dead Until Dark
Summary
I was surprised at the changes btw the two versions of this series. (TV & Book for that matter). For instance, there wasn’t a mention of Tara on this book, which I actually thanked. I’ve come to like TVTara, but I don’t know, the omission of the character in the book was just fine. Didn’t miss her.
I liked BookBill a lot. I saw a very sexy man written here and I really liked that. TVBill is also fun, but I don’t know, I felt more drawn into BookBill.
Gran was really nicely written as well, and losing her was heartbreaking, more so than in the TV.
Eric and Pam are amazing! I have truly enjoyed these two characters and well, I can’t help but see them as they’re on the TV series. The Long Shadow story was also changed, but I liked that it was Eric who killed it instead of Bill, which led me to realise that Jessica is only a TV character, and a good one, I have to say.
Anyways, Bill running for a position within the area was also a nice move. It kinda showed me a different aspect of him. As I’ve said, I like TVBill, but there are so many things about him that haven’t been said, that this turn in the books was really nice to read; I know he did it more out of jealousy than care for Sookie, but well, he kept her by his side for the whole book.
BookBill was my favourite character here.
What I didn’t like much was that there wasn’t much Lafayette around. I admit it, it’s all because of Neslan Ellis and his portray of TVLafayette, who is a very interesting character.
All in all, I liked this book. Reading the first person narrator is always boring, but Sookie was really interesting for me and I believe that helped a lot to my decision of keep on reading the nine books.
2-Living Dead in Dallas
Summary
They began killing BookLafayette *cries* Thank goddess it’s only happened in the books for now, and I couldn’t help but imagine him instead of Ms Janette *sniff* same position and everything…and that wasn’t that nice.
What I found astonishing was the sex party plotline, really. It was really fun to picture everybody in Bon Temps just like in the TV program :P
The maenad’s attack was something I liked, and that fact that it was a message to Eric was really great. I don’t know why, but I do like the Eric/Sookie ´pairing way more than I like the Bill/Sookie pairing. They’re growing on me, big time. The draining was also fun, especially when Eric, Pam and Chow express their desire to taste her again, in spite of the poison and everything. Also, Pam is one of my fave characters. I know TVPam is pictured as an older “woman” than BookPam is, but both of them shared the sarcasm and the incredibly features that make her so appealing.
Now, the whole Dallas storyline was changed. I was like WTF? I mean, I knew beforehand that Godric wasn’t Eric’s maker, but I didn’t think he’d been pictured as a child molester and murderer…dunno, that was a big shock simply because I loved TVGodric so much!
The rest of them, Stan himself, Farrell…were like there to help with the Godric storyline, but had they been omitted in the book, that wouldn’t have made any difference. However, when Stan recovered Farrell, I had a different POV of him. I mean, he proved to be honourable, I liked the punishment he gave Isabel and I really hoped he’d killed Hugo.
Also, Luna was a character that I’d expected to find later in the books, but she wasn’t and well, that was a bit disappointing. And I mean it because you don’t use characters out of the blue, give them some important part and then forget them. Well…it was done here, so why complaining?
When Sookie was invited to the sex party and Eric came along with her, I laughed my ass off. I mean, I’d just seen that image over at a community, one in which Eric is wearing pink thighs and everything and I just couldn’t stop laughing. I mean, imagine Viking Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) wearing pink and blueish thighs and pretending to be gay. Though it was quite a turn on to imagine him pretending to be Sookie’s date on top of his car, and imagining Bill’s face when he came on in them was priceless.
Laffayete’s death was surprising, not only by the way in which it happened, but also by the people who did it. This maenad storyline made more sense than the one used on TV. This was more like the style of maenad I’ve read about in mythology. I just hope they’d used this instead of the long, almost endless plot they created for the show.
Also, on TVManead, I think they mixed a lot of things, for instance, the bull wasn’t a symbol of Bachus, the white bull for that matter was a symbol of Poseidon and of Crete. I don’t know…it was a mixture of so many things that I really liked the Bookmanead better.
3-Club Dead
Summary
I have to admit that I liked this book a lot.
Bill working on his program got me to be all weary. I mean, he’s so secretive here, and then he expects Sookie to just trust him unconditionally when he’s nothing but a box of secrets with her, and that’s not fair. Or at least that’s what I think. But well, he had ulterior motives and secrets to hide, so it makes sense as well.
Have I said that I love Bubba? (I think I even dreamt of him last night :P ) I love that he refers to her as Miss Sookie and that he not only tries to protect her all the time, but also that he keeps on telling her she shouldn’t be seeing anyone else but Bill.
I like that they show more of Eric as a sheriff. He cares for Bill’s well being, and yet he respects, as much as he can, the other king’s territory. He’d never do anything to make his queen look bad, but at the same time, he’ll do anything to protect those under his guardship.
Now, vamps and werewolves don’t like each other, and yet, they keep a hold at each other’s throats. Alcide was a nice werewolf to meet during the book, and I can’t wait to see the TVAlcide, (btw, I’ve been wondering a lot who’s going to portray him). This was nice. It’s like the supes are this hugemongous family and they just don’t like each other.
I liked the descriptions of Club Dead. It was like a club for the supes would look, though to my astonishment, supes believe that any woman on their woman is due to be with them, and I’m saying this because of Jerry Falcon. The king, Russell, he wasn’t that impressive, but well, king is king, and you have to bow to him. Debbie Pelt was such a bitch! Of course I didn’t like her, but as a character she was quite interesting and I’m so looking forward to see who’s going to be her on TV.
As usual, Eric is in disguise under another king’s territory, and he’s there to help Sookie. Again, he didn’t forget Bill, but Sookie was a priority for him as well. When she gets injured, he’s the one to help her, while Alcide turns into a wolf and just goes after Steve, which got me like WTF man! You’re with her, protect her! But well, there was Eric to save the day. One thing about Sookie’s injury and recovery was the moment when Eric gave her his blood. I’m sorry, but when the authoress wrote about his moaning and the wetness in Sookie’s back..I could only imagine it being blood…I mean, if they cry blood, any other fluids in their bodies should be blood too, right? (On a second thought, ew….)
Anyways, Eric has shown he cares about Sookie. He didn’t need to protect her and yet he did while at the same time caring about Bill who is under his order and protection in Area Five. Now, I love how he always points put things at Sookie, things like Alcide leaving her alone while she got staked. Also, he even plays an interest to one of the young vampires in the household. (He loves acting gay :P but I love that, he’ll do anything for Sookie).
Now, Lorena. The bitch. She was actually trying to harm Bill, while I understand that, she’s SO different from TVLorena. Not that I like her better, but TVLorena had more layers to peel and get to know. It could be because BookLorena is just there for a few pages that.
Eric was epic in helping her get away with Bill and everything was fine, until the “rape” scene. Sorry, but I had my reserves regarding this since I simply can’t read/watch/hear about anything even close to the actual moment, and I have to say that I could stomach the way in which it was written, plus, it wasn’t that violent. Though I did want to kick some Debbie Pelt’s ass.
And then, Eric to the rescue, the trunk, the gas station and at her place. (I really like Eric). I like the kind of conversations they have, like the one about the driveway and the fact that Eric took care of that. It’s like he knows she doesn’t make enough money and yet at the same time, he acknowledges she’s gone through a lot of danger for them. Fixing those little things for her is like giving her an extra bonus payment.
Eric pulled over and killed the engine. "Yes," he said. "There is something wrong with that. And why the hell don't you get your driveway fixed?"
The string of tension that had stretched between us popped. I was out of the car in a New York minute, and he was, too. We faced each other across the roof of the Lincoln, though not much of me showed. I charged around it until I was right in front of him.
"Because I can't afford it, that's why! I don't have any money! And you all keep asking me to take time off from my job to do stuff for you! I can't! I can't do it anymore!" I shrieked. "I quit!"
Did I say I like BookEric? (XD Of course I have, duh!) Well, things like this make me laugh a lot and have made me like him more than BookBill (who I totally liked in the first two books):
"My Sookie hid a corpse?"
"I don't think you can be too sure about that possessive pronoun."
"Where did you learn that term, Northman?"
"I took 'English as a Second Language' at a community college in the seventies."
And I have to admit it too; I love how she rescinds her invitation into her house to the two of them: Eric and Bill. I think it gave it a fresh ending. It was unexpected; it was clever and didn’t put any vampire above the other, though I thought she wasn’t going to make Eric go away.
It was a nice book, very entertaining, the new characters like Alcide and Debbie were nicely presented, and I liked Eric’s and Sookie’s sneakiness when tricking the King of Mississippi.
4-Dead to The World
Summary
OK, this was by far the most bizarre book and the one I enjoyed reading the most. First, I love that Eric loses his memory. It’s that vulnerability in his shield what makes him so attractive to me. I mean, he cares for those close to him (Pam, Clancy) and Sookie’s growing on him. So, when he shows up on her way to her house (and the explanation for this given in further books) I was like “Ohhh…right”. I have to admit it; it made complete sense to me.
Eric lost his memory, yes, but his instincts remained intact. He knew he was a vampire, but was a very obedient person; it was like he was examining everything in order to learn again, and once learnt, he was always ready to protect Sookie and those around her.
I like Jason’s wit. I mean, in a way he tried to protect Sookie at least financially. I’m not sure he knew how dangerous a vampire could be, but with the bargain over Sookie getting paid for taking care of Eric, he assured she got things she needed, plus, he spoke to them with such certainty, that Pam and Chow could only bargain a little (and Sookie got all the money anyways).
The part of the witches…mmm…that’s something that’s still a bit troublesome for me, but of course, there are witches of all kind out there, so, at the end of the day, this makes sense as well. The thing is that the Wiccan inclusion in the books got me thinking a lot. If I understand the Wiccans principles well, you just don’t harm others, but well, I think it was clever how Holly’s (Sookie’s coworker at Merlotte’s) involvement happened, and the fact that the evil Wiccan was a Were as well.
I got sad that Chow was killed during the war *cries* I liked reading him every time he showed up.
Pam was epic! I really liked that she was in charge while Eric was gone, and how she managed to maintain everything under control during those “weeks”. Fangtasia kept on functioning perfectly and yet at the same time, she was concerned about Eric, allowing him to stay with Sookie in order to keep him save and away from the witches.
I wished I’d read more about Pam killing Hallow, Seriously. There should be more Pam in both the books and the TV series.
I didn’t like much the werepanther story line was a bit weird to me. I mean, I know that it’s important for Jason to become more sensitive about the supe world, but it was way too weird that he’d been kept hidden at Hotshot and that no one had suspected anything. If my knowledge of big cats is still working fine, the smell of him would’ve made him known, especially to someone like Calvin Norris, whose character I kinda liked (though I admit I’ve come to like him more as the story progress). Anyways, Jason indeed is going to become a panther, and well, I think it’s just perfect for him. For now, at least.
Debbie Pelt. I hated and liked that bitch all the same. She’s a pain, yes. She’s a psychopath, yes, and Alcide is definitely an idiot for being with her, but I have to admit that the character was well developed. She plays with everybody. They believe in her, they warn and threaten her, and then she’s back to being the one who wants Sookie out of her way. Too bad for her, Eric was still at Sookie’s and took the bullet for her, though I cheered for Sookie when she shot her. This one was one of those deaths you can’t help but enjoy and regret at the same time.
Now to the main points of the story (IMHO)
The Witch War: I think it’s a mixture of boredom and excitement. The way the witches were gathered, their thoughts (courtesy of Sookie), they were so disorganized that it wasn’t a big surprise that they were defeated. The main witch was powerful yes, but her power also relied on the others helping her, and their motifs were so different and the scene per sei was so weird…but then I liked how they fought. Eric tried to save Sookie, Chow died *insert cry*, Pam was just fierce, and I just loved that (yes, I’m a big Pam fan, though I can´t help it and keep on picturing BookPam as TVPam).
Now, the fact that Hallow lusted after Eric…that made me laugh and nodded in agreement. The way he is written, who wouldn’t? Seriously. Too bad Hallow took the wrong approach with him :P
Evil witches/were were defeated, and there was this scene (hope my memory is correct) Eric goes looking after Sookie, thinking she was abandoning him. The while scene made me cringe in excitement, I admit it. It made me think that either Eric would be back to being “Eric” the next night (which actually happened) or that he’d remained being the Eric that’d lived with Sookie during most of the book. Well…he lost all memories of that time, which I think was what made Sookie run away, anyways. (I’m sure I’ll talk more about this later on).
Sookie’s and Eric’s romance: I loved how it was developed. Sookie being Sookie, cared for him and looked after him. It was unexpected for her especially since she was well aware of who Eric was and could very well differentiate “her” Eric from “regular” Eric. Ms. Harris took her time making them feel comfortable and the way she created those unique moments between them, in which they’d just talk, or snuggle or just sat by the fireplace, those are the kinds of things Sookie would’ve fallen for, and well, she did. That Eric had said he’d leave everything for her was something that came from his heart, and I really liked that. This was the unmasked Eric only Sookie got to know, and it was so real to her, that she couldn’t help but accept it as the truth. These two together were really nice. Their first time together was epic! Both the shower and the bed were great. And his biting her in her inner thigh was very well done. Too bad Sookie decides to keep everything to herself after Eric recovers his memory, but loses those moments with her. *sniff* The sexual affair became love…not colourful and romantic like those novels you read the cover and put back in the shelf, but the kind that keeps you hooked.
Hotshot: Not my kind of thing since inbred communities give me the creeps, but I think the authoress managed to create a place that was believable. Calvin Norris and his family ended up growing on me (not Crystal, though.) I got goose bumps all the time, I tell you. I liked Calvin’s personality in general. That he wanted to help Jason, and that he actually did it, won him brownie points with me :D
All in all, this is one of the books I enjoyed the most.
5-Dead as a Doornail
Summary
This whole book was a surprise after the other, especially with the two main storylines.
First, the sniper one. I seriously thought at first that it had to do with Debbie Pelt’s and everything but then, the shifters were the one targeted. I felt sorry for Sam and Calvin Norris, and I liked Tray Dawson inclusion into the story. That these two were injured put Sookie in great danger, since they’re the closest to “guards” of her (though she’d be mad at me if she’d heard me say this).
That Sweet was the sniper and her hatred for all supes...I found it...forced into the story.
Claude and Claudine. *insert thoughtful hum* I think Claude is a big egotistical bastard at times, but well, being the beauty he’s portrayed in the books, it’s not that surprising. Now, Claudine as a godmother is pretty lame, at least at the beginning. She could do better, though she’s useful at times. Both of them were rather...useless (IMHO).
Charlie, the pirate. This was definitely a surprise, not only for the readers, but I believe that even for the characters (Eric, Sookie and Sam). That he had a connection with Long Shadow’s maker and that it came back to taunt Eric’s ass (yum) was well thought, but it wasn’t enough. His reasoning to do things was poorly presented (IMHO, again). He managed to make himself believable: he even set Sookie’s house on fire and set someone else up as the culprit.
Alcide’s dad’s death. I really don’t know what to think of this. I know after Alcide starts being shown as this character without actual character (you get me, right?). I mean, taking Sookie to his dad’s trial to become the next pack leader was really stupid. Yes, she discovered the plot against him, but it caused them greatly. She lost him as a friend (almost) and his dad ended up dead. That he then decided to turn his back on her made me want to kick him, and then I realised that this wasn’t the Alcide I got to know in book 3. I thought he was going to evolve, like Eric has in the stories, but no. Nada. Too bad, Ms. Harris could’ve created an amazing character out of him.
I wasn’t impressed by Quinn. I know a lot of people like him, but I just don’t. He’s from E(E)E, and yet...it’s not like the big deal. That Sookie is at first impressed by him, I get it. He seems powerful and commanding, but no...he didn’t leave a good impression in me. I liked Book 1 Bill better. He was at least...charming.
Tara’s issue with the vamps, when Franklin pass her over to that Mickey vamp...I think it was insulting. Maybe the reason behind this part was to show Sookie what she had with the vamps she knew, (I mean, Eric hasn’t abused her, nor has Bill or Pam). Eric tricked Sookie into telling him about them having had sex (he can’t remember shit of the time they’d spent together) and I have to admit that it left me wondering about Eric’s POV in the whole lost memory situation. He helped Sookie and Tara anyway, but Sookie was quite clever in the way she tricked Mickey to leave them both.
I really don’t have much to say about this book. To me, it was like a filler in the series. It was so light and so...forced (yes, I’m using this word again). There was little character and plot development, the narrative became dull at times and well, at others time it was nice, but not good enough.
6-Definitely Dead
Summary
I believe that after book 4, this is the other one I’ve liked the most.
Let’s see...Sookie’s relationship with Quinn...I’m still trying to figure out how this came to happen. Don’t get me wrong, she’s perfectly entitled to fuck whoever she wishes, but he’s got the worse pick up lines ever, he calls her “babe”. Can’t he be any tackier?!!!!!!! (And please, I know some women out there might like that, I will never understand why, but still…COME ON, WOMEN!!!!) And Sookie…it was like Ms. Harris has changed the character completely whenever she was with him. Her image of wanting to be independent was totally lost when she got involved with him, and though I kinda enjoy her sexual ramblings when it comes to Eric and even to Bill, I couldn’t take it with Quinn and I’d truly liked the character of Sookie despite the inconsistencies in its development.
To me, Quinn’s the epitome of everything that’s macho and that should be avoided. AAHHH!!!!!! There are things about him, manly things, like his powerful presence whenever he takes part in an event, such things I like. How people admire his power when fighting, but when it comes to her…yack! Now, he does nothing to protect her and he believes that just because he’s a weretiger, then he can go and threatened everyone. Hell! He goes to pick a fight on Alcide at a Wolf’s club! Hellouuu!!!!!
Anyways, he’s a tiger and could barely protect her. I felt sorry for Sookie, she as supposed to be on a nice date and well, it turned out to be a date from hell.
I don’t know...I know he’s respected in the supe world and all that, but it’s just...the character should’ve never got involved with Sookie. Even their intimate moments were my roll-eye-or-else-throw-up moments. Eww.
Now, Hadley’s & the Queen’s storyline. First things first, I liked BookQueen. She’s got a commanding presence and she knows exactly what she’s doing and why. That she fell in love with Hadley wasn’t a surprise; the latter seemed to love her truthfully as well. She knew about vampire politics and she knew how to conduct herself in the vampire world. But she got a big flaw: Hadley. In that aspect, this plot line was well thought.
Sookie going to New Orleans and experience this new world of vampire politics was like an eye opener to her, I believe. On one hand, she got to know a big city, was impressed by it and of course, by the opulence of the Queen’s court and she got to know, first hand, the extent of power amongst vampires. Andre is a cunning bastard, the vampire twins are simply killing machines and the plot behind Hadley’s death was enough to set up this part of the book.
The battle was great, I admit to enjoying it like hell! What I’d give to see TVEric’s fighting.
I liked how at the end of the day, Sookie could help the Queen outsmart her King husband and finally kill him. I loved the image of Eric’s battle cry when he engaged the battle. And how the whole state of Louisiana owes Sookie more than they’d like.
There’s one thing that didn’t make a lot of sense to me and that’s the were turned vampire. That sounded so Underworld, and it wass just my head screaming that species don’t mix like that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about mating and sex; it’s just that that’ll be like having a dog turned cat and hating it...that particularly thing wasn’t to my liking. Plus, weres and vampires hate each other, no wonder poor Jake was so miserable.
I loved Amelia. She can’t shut her mouth, loves to experiment with magic, and is vivacious. I believe Sookie needed that kind of friendship; someone not from her beloved Bon Temps that could help her accept herself more easily, and I believe Amelia did that to her; since to Amelia, she was just Sookie, not “Crazy Sookie”. Now, I liked the spells. I don’t remember the name, but the one that allows you to see what happened at a certain time, the ectoplasmatic whatever, that one was like WOW, and well, I’d never heard of anything like (not that I should’ve, granted) but still, that was clever. Bob the cat was simply hilarious. I couldn’t imagine that happening to someone in real life...though it’d be fun XD
I never expected the scene of how Bill told Sookie of the Queen’s plans. Eric was there, silently nailing the final piece that’d put Bill into a coffin in Sookie’s heart. This part hurts. Eric might’ve acted thinking of Sookie, but boy, no matter what, it sucks to know that the one you trusted the most betrayed you. I got to sympathise with Sookie; that’s what happens when you read about broken hearts while yours is being ripped to pieces.
I liked Rasul, disliked the albine vampire and thought Hadley to be smart only at times...other than that, she was just sickly in love.
The Pelts...this was another thing that was a bit off to me; it was like the authoress needed Sookie to spend some time with the tiger. Sandra Pelt was a bitch and the way she pretty much hunted them down was fine, Quinn swimming through the swamp was fine (tigers do love water :D ); and here comes the funny part: it is Eric the one who comes to her rescue.
Bill...starting in this book...he’s just pathetic.
7-All Together Dead
Summary
I didn’t expect the Katrina incident to be part of the story, but I think it was properly handled. I’d think it’s a delicate topic, and that’s why I say this.
Now, I understand Sookie and how she was feeling, and how reluctant she’d been to have any contact with Bill. So, the summit at Rhodes was like a nice thing to do, though not exactly what you should’ve done if you’re recovering from betrayal. IMHO.
Let’s see if my memory works out correctly (after all I read the 9 books in a week and I got them all mixed up at times):
Quinn was there. Again, as the E(E)E coordinator, he’s perfectly fine. Why is it that I can’t stop but imagine Quinn as Raze from Underworld? Powerful and commanding when he’s acting as the E(E)E boss, dunno…it makes me think of the Lycan and his size and his don’t-mess-with-me face (and I actually like Raze, go figure). Haven’t found the purpose of a character like Quinn yet; and his attachment to Sookie and all the mumble jumble is so not like a tiger that I can’t stop thinking…mmmm Plus, his macho attitude towards Sookie simply pisses me off.
“Quinn, my honey” (???? WTF???!!!!! When did Sookie start to act like this? No, really. )
He laughed, and Quinn’s eyes flickered. “The weretiger is regaining consciousness,” Eric said. “Do you love him?”
“Don’t know yet.”
“Did you love me?”
Oh Eric…you and your questions, but yes, I concur with this one.
Quinn’s past was a big deal to Sookie, and the fact that she found out from others and not him was unnerving. Yes, I think she deserved a lot better. And still…all that past that was so human and so not like a tiger. Even his mum’s behaviour…not like a tigress at all. (Sorry, I’m a tigers fan; love them, know them, never miss an Animal Planet about them).
The Queen. Her vulnerability not only came from the fact that she was in a frail position because of Arkansas’ death. I imagine that having seen her beloved New Orleans destroyed to the point it got, must have been devastating to her. It was weird to me that the Queen had been called to trial, but after reading all the bureaucracy Ms. Harris has included in this story, it shouldn’t have been that surprising to me. Arkansas was dead (yay!) and she had to testify, and for that, of course, she needed Sookie.
The whole Oracle thing…weird, but effective. It’s like the vamps need someone who’s actually more powerful than them to actually make them obey. One thing about these vamps is that they respect the one who holds more power than them.
I liked that Sookie could get glimpses of vamp’s minds and that the Queen wasn’t in the same terrible position she was in when she first arrived there. One problem solved, check!
Now…Andre is a cunning bastard, oh yes, I’ve said it; but he couldn’t beat Eric :P The fact that he wanted to force Sookie into a blood bond…that pissed me off. And yes, I enjoyed greatly reading how Eric got in the middle of it all, and the third exchange of blood was nice, I liked it. But of course, Sookie hated it; and she was right, she was forced, but well, she had it coming, she was right in the middle of vampires and the Queen had always wanted her ability. Which leads me to ask: What’d you have done? Who would you have chosen? Andre or Eric? I’d totally go for Eric.
Eric being a priest made me laugh. I get that it comes as part of a longer thread, but still, there are sometimes some things that just make so little sense that I can’t stop myself and laugh. What I do like about this mixture of things Ms. Harris has created, is that she doesn’t leave loose ends. Whatever she doesn’t close in one book, she does in another one; like the knife thing.
Again, Sookie saves the day, gets acquainted with the Britlingen (who I found too farfetched, but ended up putting up with), and then the bombing happened. I jumped on my seat when she went looking for Pam and Eric. Sorry, these two are by far my most favourite characters in both the books and the TV series and it meant a lot to me that she thought of them first. No Quinn, no Bill, not even herself; Pam and Eric :D And of course, that proved (plotwise, I mean) how deeply connected she’s with the two of them. After all, she didn’t try to save one over the other, she cared for the two of them and she looked after “her vamps”. They two owe her big time. And I totally fell in love with Sookie (no more judging her for liking Quinn thanks to this).
The part with Barry…I liked the fact that they helped others, and that Barry had finally accepted his telepathy and all that, but I always found his friendship with Sookie a little conditioned to his fears and tantrums. I really couldn’t understand how they parted and why in that way (that proves that sometimes language can be a barrier and that I can’t get subtle things all the time *blush* though I totally got that Barry was “uncomfortable” with Sookie) but well, people were saved and major damage prevented.
Quinn got injured and well, he had his sister with him. Too bad it was him who killed Andre, but at least that allowed Sookie to return to her beloved Bon Temps just to hear the news about Tara and JB’s wedding.
8-From Dead to Worse
Summary
It seems like things are normal for Sookie now, though Quinn’s silence was a surprise to me. I mean, he was all “babe this” and “babe that” that it shocked me. And the Bellefleur weddings didn’t help her mood, of course. I’m glad she was “requested” to be maid of honour even if it’d been a last minute thing. That should’ve taught them a lesson, but well, at least with time Andy learns to trust Sookie more and his wife is nice enough with her.
The later development in the book, when it’s Quinn who pretty much sells her and Louisiana to Nevada...ggrrrr...I wanted a tiger rug in my home (not literally, you get me, right?) Another low blow for Sookie, and no, I don’t think she deserved it, even when she was foolish enough to even like Quinn.
Anyways, I liked how she kicks him out of his life. Sorry, I don’t like Quinn, he hurt her, he sold her to the enemy and he wanted her to take him back? The nerve! And his sister? *snorts* She’s one of those characters you don’t like from the very beginning.
I really felt sorry for Sophie-Anne. Just imagining the pain of losing her legs, and Andre...it really hurt just to think of her. I believed she deserved a better death, but well, it had to be ugly and not honourable I guess. The thing is, if the TVQueen died in this way, I’d be thrilled; I truly dislike her, while BookQueen is great. Well, both her and Louisiana were weak and endangered, and there weren’t many options as to what to do with them.
The Sherrifs’ chain sounded to me like a good system to keep in touch. They knew of their vulnerability as a state, and yet Nevada took over. But of course, nobody acted more properly, and yet it’s understandable. The Queen’s the one with the power to actually have organised them, and yet she’s too weak, Andre wasn’t there, and the whole state was at another’s mercy. Creepy, I know.
I don’t think Sookie actually knows how important she is to the supe community. Eric, Bill and Frannie are at her place when the vampires come. The takeover is actually...lame. I mean, they killed the other sherrifs but they wanted Eric for a reason, and Eric is pragmatical over everything else and so he surrenders to Nevada. What’s funny is that it was in that strained situation that he actually remembered what happened with him and Sookie when he lost his memory in Book 4. It was as if the whole being at Sookie’s, in her room, the shotgun, the tension, everything had triggered her memory. I can only imagine Sookie’s horror at that.
“Sitting here on your bed, smelling your scent,” he said in a voice so low I had to strain to hear it.
“Sookie . . . I remember everything.”
“Oh, hell,” I said, and went in the bathroom and shut the door. I brushed my hair and my teeth and scrubbed my face, but I had to come out. I was being as cowardly as Quinn if I didn’t face the vampire. Eric started talking the minute I emerged. “I can’t believe I—”
"Yeah, yeah, I know, loved a mere human, made all those promises, was as sweet as pie and wanted to stay with me forever,” I muttered. Surely there was a shortcut we could take through this scene.
“I can’t believe I felt something so strongly and was so happy for the first time in hundreds of years,” Eric said with some dignity. “Give me some credit for that, too.”
The feud between the wolves. I would’ve loved to read more of this, you know? I mean, there are so many possibilities with the wolves! And Alcide could’ve been so marvellously worked. The whole Debbie Pelt incident made Alcide look so weak in my eyes, though I was really happy when he got involved with Maria Star. However, she was murdered, and that part I didn’t like. I mean, Sookie is no longer interested in him, and he’d finally found a full were to be his companion; he should’ve had that chance, but no.
I felt sorry for Patrick Furnan and his family.
Now, there was this battle between the wolves and how come was Sookie right in the middle? The woman really has a magnet for dangerous situations. Then again, she wasn’t all alone, and Sam was with her during this battle. Sam turned into a lion and I can’t say I wasn’t happy. It’s good that he can turn into a “dog”, but lions are huge and powerful and that was just nice. Good old Sam protected Sookie, the werebitch was killed and Alcide defeated Patrick and is now the new pack leader. So far, so good with the story.
Now, the attackers were like three renegade wolves looking for a place for themselves, but of course wanted the pack for themselves. Huge mistake. Wolves don’t let others take that which is theirs.
The fairy thing...This thing sounded a little too...necessary in the story, but not exactly presented in a believable way (again, just MHO). I don’t know...it’s like meddling with Sookie’s memory of her Gran, the way in which Niall came to her, the story per se, it was too much. Now regarding the fairy scent and what they do to vamps I loved this exchange btw Sookie and Eric:
Niall had been able to mask the fairy odor from Eric in the restaurant, but I saw from the flare of Eric’s nostrils that the intoxicating scent clung to me. Eric’s eyes closed in ecstasy, and he actually licked his lips. I felt like a T‐bone just out of reach of a hungry dog.
“Snap out of it,” I said. I wasn’t in the mood.
With a huge effort, Eric reined himself in. “When you smell like that,” he said, “I just want to fuck you and bite you and rub myself all over you.”
*claps*
Octavia comes to be part of their lives. Tanya is still bothering Sookie, and Sandra Pelt is behind this. Oh yes, the Sandra Pelt from the previous book.
Victor Madden...he’s a bastard, I tell you. He enjoyed telling Eric about the Queen’s and the other sheriffs’ deaths. And yet, I still can’t actually figure him out.
Hunter. I think this child is going to be a huge part of Sookie’s life in the future. On one hand he’s a telepath just like she is, and he’s started to have problems because of that. It was cute that he’s Hadley’s son, and I really hope to read of him.
Sookie saves Felipe De Castro’s life! I didn’t see this one coming, believe me. Well, that could gain her some “protection”, but still…we haven’t seen much of this King. ( I still like Mississippi better).
9-Dead and Gone
Summary
The weres revelation was something I wasn’t really expecting. That Sam shifted in front of everyone was a little bit awkward to me. Yes, it must’ve been a sight, both Sam and Tray, but I think it was just weird. What I’d love to see, and my imagination did a great job here, was Arlene. Though I love Terry and his ever understanding being. Anyways, Sam has to go away, his family is suffering the consequences of the revelation, and he’s MIA from Bon Temps for most of the book.
Arlene...she’s a character I grew to like and then I completely hated her. She became this FotS religious fanatic and she forgot that Sookie was her friend and of course, she decided to take it against her. She even tries to lure Sookie into a trap! I’m glad Sookie wasn’t stupid enough to fall for that. At least the FBI agents were of some help, which leads me to what I said before, no loose ends. She had Sookie and Barry help in Rhodes in book seven and now that’s come to bite Sookie in the ass and yet they’re the ones who save her from Arlene’s fanatic boyfriend.
Crystal, Jason’s wife was a reason to almost cry. I mean, her “crucifixion” was painful for everybody who knew her and the mental picture you get of the scene is really horrific. The fact that it was Jason’s friend who did that was also a blow, and it saddened me how the authoress handle this particular part since basically Mel (a guy) was in love with Jason and he hurt Crystal. Yes, the fairies did the final killing, but the thing is, I wish she’d done it differently. I’ll admit that I understood Calvin’s position. I mean, Hotshot is an inbred community, they need kids and Mel wouldn’t produce them. I wonder if they’d ever heard of in-vitro? Anyways...
Once again, Eric is a manipulative bastard (whom Sookie would have to thank some day, I hope) and he tricks her yet again. Now she doesn’t have to suck a bullet out of her chest, but she has to present him with the wedding ceremonial knife he used to marry Russell Edington. Funny thing about Sookie is that although she considers herself independent and gets mad at Eric at all times, she actually trusts him. This leads to her being pretty much Eric’s wife before the vampire world.
In this book, Eric tells Sookie about his maker and his human life, which I believe brings them closer. I can’t picture Eric telling all that to someone else. Now, the fact that they come to an understanding regarding their feelings is nice enough. Oh yes, I’m 100% team Sookie/Eric, and I’ve liked the development of their relationship.
The fairy war: I was surprised by everything that happened with the fairies. I’ve liked that she didn’t make them this supernatural beings that nobody else can touch. They’re real, and powerful, and Breandan, Lochlan and Neave proved they could be really nasty. It saddened me that pregnant Claudine was killed, but at least Niall is powerful enough to do something about those three along with Bill’s help.
Of course, like everybody else I’m intrigued as to what happened with Eric while Sookie was kidnapped; you’ll see, Lochland and Neave take her to another world and they torture her. She screams for Eric, calls him and I’m sure that through the bond he must’ve felt her. Unless he was KO because of her pain, I don’t understand why it wasn’t him the one coming to help her.
Tray was really stupid by accepting something from someone he didn’t even know, that was pretty stupid, and the goddess knows what’s going to happen with Sookie now that Tray’s dead and the fact that he was Amelia’s boyfriend.
Clancy died too, and he wasn’t really a Sookie’s fan,
but he was damn loyal to Eric, which is something that I’ve liked along the books: vamps are loyal to those who deserve it.
Dermot is still on the earth, and well, Jason is keen to him.
I think this is the first book she leaves with so many cliffhangers. I’ve never been one to wait for books, but I’m actually waiting for book 10. However, just like the third Season of True Blood, is way too far.
There are a couple of excerpts and quotes from the last pages that I liked:
“If you were irreparable . . . no, I would have let him rot.”
“Why?” I asked. “He actually came to rescue me. Why get mad at him? Where were you?” Rage bubbled up my throat.
Eric flinched almost a half inch, a big reaction from a vampire his age. He looked away. I could not believe I was saying these things.
“It’s not like you were obliged to come find me,” I said, “but I hoped the whole time—I hoped you would come, I prayed you would come, I thought over and over you might hear me. . . .”
“You’re killing me,” he said. “You’re killing me.” He shuddered beside me, as if he could scarcely endure my words. “I’ll explain,” he said in a muted voice. “I will. You will understand. But now, we don’t have enough time. Are you healing yet?”
**
“If I live through this,” Clancy said, “I’ll ask you to release me from my vow, Eric, and I’ll seek another master. I find the idea of dying in the defense of a human woman to be disgusting, no matter what her connection to you is.”
“If you die,” Eric said, “you’ll die because I, your sheriff, ordered you into battle. The reason is not pertinent.”
Clancy nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
“But I will release you, if you should live.”
“Thank you, Eric.”
**
“Clancy lives on in Bill,” Eric told the other two.
They received this news in a silence that seemed respectful to me.
“As you live on in Sookie,” Pam said very quietly.
**
“The vampire is not a bad man, and he loves you,” Niall said.
Credits: Wikipedia. I really didn’t want to think of the summaries myself.
