Showing posts with label Charlaine Harris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlaine Harris. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Sookie Series Reviews Book Seven, Eight and Nine


Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 423 KB
Print Length: 336 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0441014941
Publisher: Ace (March 25, 2008)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B000QCSA3Q
Source: Own Copy


Goodreads Summary:
The seventh installment of Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire saga (after 2006's Definitely Dead) marks a decidedly dramatic turn in the series that features lovable telepathic Louisiana barmaid Sookie Stackhouse. What started out as a relatively lighthearted amalgam of romance, paranormal fantasy, and mystery has gradually evolved into a complex and wildly compelling literary juggernaut comparable to Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake novels.

In All Together Dead, Sookie is trying to put past failed relationships behind her and has a new man in her life: the handsome and mysterious shapeshifter Quinn. But in the wake of the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, and with the entire Louisiana supernatural community still reeling, Sookie is summoned by Sophie-Anne Leclerq (the Queen of Louisiana) to accompany her to a historic regional vampire summit. However, the conference -- where entire power bases could be gained or lost -- is filled with friction and ill will; and when delegates are found brutally murdered, Sookie finds herself in the middle of a conspiracy-ridden power play where the unlikeliest of suspects could be a cold-blooded killer

Review:
While I didn't care as much for the last book , this book redeemed my faith in these books. I really enjoyed the vampire summit we got to see pretty much how the vampire's handled their politics and trials as well as swift justice.

The storyline this time drew me in and held me to the very end, though the ending was a bit of a shock and I have to constantly remind myself the books and tv show is different.

The characters I connected with much more with this book, Bill didn't see much of him in this book, and he keeps trying to hard to redeem himself with Sookie and its just not working. One scene I love well there was two one at the beginning with Pam and Sookie and their heart to heart and the other is with Eric and Sookie during the summit. I just want to scream at Sookie he does love you. I actually liked Queen Sophie in this book.

Only thing that does drive me a bit nuts is the repetition of the back-story other than that this is my now my second favorite book in this series.

Top 3 favorites in this series so far:
Dead To The World
All Together Dead
Club Dead



Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 394 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Ace; 1 edition (May 14, 2008)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B0010SKUG0
Source:Own Copy


Goodreads Summary;
Sookie Stackhouse has a lot on her mind. Not only is telepathic Louisiana cocktail waitress still reeling from Hurricane Katrina tragedies and the explosion at the vampire summit; she's also understandably preoccupied with the devilish disappearance of Quinn, her main squeeze. Reviewers have praised Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series as "deliciously fiendish [and] increasingly riotous"; to that praise we would add "addictively alluring."

Review:
It's really hard to find things to say when reviewing a series all at once so some of my reviews might be short and sweet that being said. I have to rate this book in my top 5 favorite of the series. The story-line progressed pretty quickly and I like always enjoyed the characters but there was just a couple moments I may not have cared for as much.

Potential Spoiler Beware;
Like I said I may not have thought Quinn was suited for Sookie, I didn't care for how she just broke up with him the way she did. I can completely understand why but I did feel she was being a bit selfish. Another part was I do like Jason but man I didn't care for him when it came down to the punishment. He should have done it not Sookie and Arlene boy am I really beginning to if I haven't already despise her.

One thing I can say I am surprised just how fast of reads these books are, I don't find myself skipping any parts even though I may not care for how the story is going.




Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 387 KB
Print Length: 312 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0441017150
Publisher: Ace; First edition (May 5, 2009)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B0024CEY22
Source: Own Copy


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

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

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

Review:
I am sitting here trying to think what to write for this review, I keep thinking just how much more can Sookie take before she actually has her happy ending. Where do I start? The Fae's or Fairy's was a bit hard to read so much world building into this book.

This book left me a bit sad, without giving too much away as to why, just didn't expect some parts to happen. But then when there is war things like this does. One one bright note Bubba is back even for just a brief moment, I loved it- He is truly one of my favorite characters in this series.

Bill redeemed himself big time in this book for me and I was happy to finally see it though he had tried in a couple others this one stood out. Wish could have seen more of Pam, thats another character thats high on my favorite characters in this series list. But what I did enjoy the most Sookie/Eric becoming or so it seems closer together. I just have a feeling it won't last.

Overall these three books had me on a roller coaster of emotions which most of you know by now that is a big thing for me to connect on that level. I can't wait to continue on this journey with the characters of Bon Temps and Sherveport.

Overall Rating:

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Sookie Series Reviews Book Four, Five and Six


Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 465 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0441011675
Publisher: Ace (May 3, 2005)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
Source Own Copy


Goodreads Summary:
When cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse sees a naked man on the side of the road, she doesn't just drive on by. Turns out the poor thing hasn't a clue who he is, but Sookie does. It's Eric the vampire--but now he's a kinder, gentler Eric. And a scared Eric, because whoever took his memory now wants his life.

Review:
I heard many great things about this book about how this is practically everyone's favorite book out of the series and now I can see why. I believe it is now my favorite as well, I know you all are saying you said that for the last book well a girl can change her mind can't she?

Everyone knows how I feel about badass Eric but I loved how we got to see a softer side and it just made me want this couple together even more and made my heart melt a few times. And the shower scene well I can see what everyone has been talking about. Wow that was smoking hot. I am almost tempted to do a reread of this book just for that scene alone.

And finally I loved how the Vamps and Were's came together even if it was briefly to take care of the threat that involved both supernatural worlds. All and all this book was amazing, the action rocked, and though Charlotte doesn't do too steamy she certainly pulled off in this book though a couple times the phrases caused me to giggle.



Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 522 KB
Print Length: 295 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0441012795
Publisher: Ace (April 25, 2006)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
Source Own Copy


Goodreads Summary:
When she is not waitressing or preoccupied with her own amorous adventures, telepath Sookie Stackhouse is tracking down a serial killer of shapeshifters. Her sleuthing is partly altruistic, but she's also trying to save her were-panther brother, Jason, who has become the chief suspect in the crime.

Sookie's got just a month, before the next full moon, to find out who wants her brother dead - and to stop the fiend! Sookie Stackhouse enjoys her life, mostly. She's a great cocktail waitress in a fun bar; she has a love life, albeit a bit complicated, and most people have come to terms with her telepathy. The problem is, Sookie wants a quiet life - but things just seem to happen to her and her friends. Now her brother Jason's eyes are starting to change: he's about to turn into a were-panther for the first time. She can deal with that, but her normal sisterly concern turns to cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population. She afraid not just because Jason's at risk, but because his new were-brethren suspect Jason may be the shooter. Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who's behind the attacks - unless the killer decides to find her first.

Review:
Book 5 we get to meet Quinn and I have to say though I am and always be Team Eric, he isn't that bad of a guy. We have Jason turning into part werepanther so that was interesting and how he coped was a lot better than most of us.

I did like this book it had all the action I love but I have to say I was really disappointed in Alcide, I never expected him to turn like that. I don't want to say too much so I don't give anything away.

What I love about Charlaine's writing though she may have several different situations going on not once am I confused. Another thing is that though you may suspect who or what done what when the answer is revealed it still surprises you.


Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 471 KB
Print Length: 324 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0441014003
Publisher: Ace (May 2, 2006)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
Source: Own Copy


Goodreads Summary:
This entry in Charlaine Harris's genre-blending Southern Vampire series -- an amalgam of mystery, dark fantasy, and paranormal romance -- is easily the most revealing and thematically pivotal volume to date. In the saga's sixth installment, Definitely Dead, telepathic Louisiana barmaid Sookie Stackhouse finds out jaw-dropping information about her first love, 130-something vampire Bill Compton, as well as equally astonishing insights into her own ancestry.

After her only cousin, Hadley, is murdered by one of the undead, Sookie travels to New Orleans to close out the young woman's apartment and collect her things. The unsavory job gets complicated quickly; Hadley was the "honeybun" of the bisexual vampire Queen of Louisiana, the seemingly ageless bloodsucker Sophie-Anne Leclerq. The queen has recently married another powerful sovereign in an attempt to forge a formidable alliance, and tensions in the supernatural community are running high. But when Sookie and her new love interest, a were-tiger named Quinn, are inexplicably kidnapped, the mind-reading waitress must unravel the mysterious circumstances of her cousin's murder before she ends up dead as well


Review:
I am at this point going to say this isn't my favorite book it might be my least favorite so far. There are parts of this book I did like, some I didn't. I really loved hearing more about Hadley and Queen Sophie Anne's relationship as well as we got to see in the past of Queen Sophie Anne and how she came to be a vampire.

One part which brought tears to my eyes when the truth was revealed about Bill and Queen Sophie-Ann, poor Sookie. I was hoping some redemption came for Bill but it just seems to be highly unlikely now.

Honestly as much as I like Quinn, I don't know if I really like him and Sookie together. Lastly I will say while parts I didn't care for I did love the battle at the end and Bill though I still am not sure about redeemed himself a bit in my eyes at the end(I did kind of feel sorry for him).

Overall Rating:

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sookie Series Reviews Book One, Two and Three

To Celebrate the beginning of the new season, I been reading the books so this post will be reviews of Books 1-3.



Mass Market Paperback: 292 pages
Publisher: Ace Books (May 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0441008534
ISBN-13: 978-0441008537
Source- Own Copy

Goodreads Summary:
For years, Charlaine Harris has delighted fans with her mystery series featuring small-town waitress-turned-paranormal sleuth Sookie Stackhouse. Now, we are pleased to offer her first novel in the series in a special hardcover edition.

And with HBO launching an all-new show, True Blood, based on the Southern Vampire novels, the demand for Charlaine Harris and Sookie Stackhouse will be bigger than ever.

Review:
I am a huge fan of the series, True Blood but hadn't read the books. Which is an odd thing for me because usually I would have read the book or books first. So I was worried after watching the tv show would I like the books or vice versa would I hate the show afterwards. I kept putting it off but I had several people one being my niece kept after me saying you really need to read them. So finally I broke down and started to read and let me say I could kick myself for not reading them sooner.

Once I started to read Dead Until Dark, I found myself more than once thinking well that isn't like that in the show. But that being said I really really loved the start to this series. I felt I connected more to the characters more especially Sookie and my love for Eric has grown even deeper. I am also finding that I don't care for Bill as much as I did.

I definitely could see the differences between the show and the books, especially when it came down to the sex scenes where as in the show its all out there for everyone to see, the books had a subtle quality which I enjoyed just as much.

I have to say if you love the show and haven't read the books like I had please do they are incredible.



Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 449 KB
Print Length: 291 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0441009239
Publisher: Ace (March 26, 2002)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B000O76OOA
Source; Own Copy


Amazon Summary:
When a vampire asks cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the vampires must promise to behave and let the humans that are involved to go unharmed. Easier said than done. All it takes is one delicious blond and one small mistake for things to turn deadly.

Review:
This book I was looking forward too because second season of True Blood was my favorite season so far. Especially Sookie's time in Dallas. That being said I knew there would be some differences but just didn't know how much til I started to read and let me say this is book has to be my favorite so far.

I loved the inclusion of other supernaturals in this book but they are more hidden where as the vampires are all about out in the open. I wish they could have incorporated more of the side characters in this book into the series would have made for some interesting TV.

And can I say I just love how in the books Eric and Sookie's relationship is blossoming more, If you haven't guessed by now but I am all for Team Eric. How can you not love that hot viking vampire.

That being said excellent continuation of this series and on I go to book 3 again a must read for True Blood Fans out there.





Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 339 KB
Print Length: 258 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0441010512
Publisher: Ace (April 29, 2003)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B000O76OOK
Source: Own Copy


Goodreads Summary:
Things between cocktail waitress Sookie and her vampire boyfriend Bill seem to be going excellently (apart from the small matter of him being undead) until he leaves town for a while. A long while. Bill's sinister boss Eric has an idea of where to find him, whisking her off to Jackson, Mississippi to mingle with the under-underworld at Club Dead. When she finally catches up with the errant vampire, he is in big trouble and caught in an act of serious betrayal. This raises serious doubts as to whether she should save him or start sharpening a few stakes of her own .

Review:
Okay I know I said book 2 was my favorite well I changed my mind book 3 is now my favorite. I seen some similarities the show used but all in all it was almost a completely different story. One thing I gotta say if I didn't love Eric before I sure do now this book sealed it for me.

There is a couple scenes in this book I wished they would have included in the show, both revolved around Sookie and Eric. I won't say what they were because if you haven't read the books I don't want to give them away but lets just say my heart melted.

Bill you didn't see much of in this book and when he did , he came across as indifferent and I'm not sure what to think other than I hope at some point he redeems himself for me. I do like Bill.

A few final thoughts, one being,It is so hard not to compare the books with the show. But as much as I love Alan Ball's vision of these books, I am finding myself loving the books more.

Second,As most of you know I wasn't a big fan of first person views until just recently and I am certainly glad this is written that way though I wouldn't mind other characters POV's once in awhile.

One final thought,I absolutely love the way Charlaine writes, and she has a new fan who is eager to just keep on reading this series til she ends it. Now I am off to read the 4th book Dead to the World which from what I'm hearing is the best book out of the bunch.




Overall Rating: