Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Dead to the World: Sookie Stackhouse Series 4


Teaser: Still fuming from Bill's betrayal, Sookie is back in Bon Temps drowning her anger in her job. She thinks that she may just be granted a period of peace when Bill announces that he is leaving for an extended research trip to Peru. Unfortunately, Sookie's life is never boring. One night while driving home after her shift, she spots Eric, scared and barely clothed, running down the road. When she reaches him, she doesn't find the tough sheriff that she knows but an innocent, charming Northman. Someone has wiped all of his memories leaving him in a highly vulnerable state.

Short Thought: This one was my favorite in the series so far. What can I say, Eric over Bill any time!

Expanded Thoughts: Okay, I think I have to say that this is the best novel of the series so far. The setting is finally back in Bon Temps. (The town with which everyone is starting to fall in love.) We are also treated to learn more about the Fangtasia gang. In the other novels, Bill shielded Sookie from Eric and his gang, so it was nice to have her really see how they were.

Many have said that this novel 'kicks it up a notch,' I agree totally. (BAM!) Why do I think that? Well, the most obvious is that Sookie isn't some scared little belle anymore. Bill isn't there to treat her like an innocent child. She begins to show her Independence and her strength. Also, Sookie is being relied on for help. Not just for her telepathic powers, but Pam and Co are really hoping that Sookie can help to bring Eric back to normal. It is one of the times when the Vampires' super-duper abilities are useless.

[Spoilers]

What else makes me love it? There is tons of 'genuine' Sookie and Eric mush. There has constantly been tension, and I have been hoping for three novels for this 'forbidden' pairing to truly happen. (Can you tell Eric is my favorite?) It finally did, if even for a brief period. When Eric loses his memories, he also loses all of his greed, darkness, and boundaries. He becomes a simple, honest man. (No, really, Eric, simple, and honest in the same sentence.) And though it is no secret that I despise those mushy intimate scenes (granny entertainment), I didn't mind them in this one so much. For those of you that do like them, I will just say that you will get your money's worth and more.

[End of Spoilers]

All that being aside, the story was the best yet. My only complaint about it is that it was too short. It could have had an extra 100 pages and been a masterpiece, but it was still great and entertaining. Ah, bah! Enough of this, if you are hooked on Sookie, this is a volume in the series that you can't miss! (Especially, if you have a thing for blonde vikings!)

Additional Notes: This is the 4th book in the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris. (This series is also known as the Southern Vampire Mysteries.)

Additional Notes: This novel contains violence, coarse language, and scenes depicting sexual situations.

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