Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris {Review}

Dead Reckoning

(Sookie Stackhouse #11)
by Charlaine Harris

Hardcover, 325 pages
Published May 3rd 2011 by Ace

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...

First Line: The attic had been kept locked until the day after my grandmother died.

My Review: Fact: I'm barely haning on here. I use to adore this series, couldn't wait for a new book to come out and when one did I wasn't able to put "said" book down. Now I am finding Sookie's adventures repetitive, dry and lacking. Even typing that last sentence fills me with greif.

My biggest pet peeve is that there were all these words but nothing really happened, no development.

I would like to think that Charlaine Harris is using the events in Dead Reckoning to give us a wonderful new installment into the series that will leave us unable to put the book down and rekindle our love for Sookie and the other characters in this series. When the next book comes out I will 100% be picking it up to read, maybe with a little bit more reserve than the others in the past.

Do I feel this wasy over this series because I watch True Blood on Hbo and have become acustomed to big over the top action? Maybe?!? But I once had such deep feelings for Sookie way before True Blood aired. Can Charlaine Harris make a come back, I hope so but my feelings off Dead Reckoning lead me to believe it's time to put the Sookie Stackhouse series to bed.

My Rating

Before I close on this entry I would like it to be known that I take nothing away from Charlaine as an author. She is amazing and her talent is few and far between. She has written many books and if I am just now coming across one I don't love ( and I am only one lone reader) I would say she has a good track record!

Until next time...

Happy Reading!

Dead in the Family: Review

Dead in the Family

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #10)

by Charlaine Harris

After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she's angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman. But he's under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side-and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry...

First Line: " I feel bad that I am leaving you like this," Amelia said.

My Review: Disappointed! I feel like I waited forever to read this book and was let down royally by it. The story dragged and never picked up for me. With that being said it will not stop me from reading any other book that is put out in this series. I have faith in Charlaine Harris to make a come back

Rating: 3 stars

311 pages

Until next time...

Happy Reading!

Dead and Gone: Review

Dead and Gone

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #9)

by Charlaine Harris

Synopsis:

For Sookie Stackhouse, the day to day activities of the vampire and were communities in and around Bon Temps, Louisiana, are of vital interest, She's blood-bound to the leader of the vamps, a friend to the local were pack, works for a man who is shifter, and has a brother who is a were-panther…
But for most of the humans in Bon Temps, the vamps are mysterious seductive creatures-and they don't even know about the weres.
Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to follow the lead of the undead and reveal their existence to the ordinary world.
At first it seems to go well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found in the parking lot of the bar where Sookie works. The victim is someone she knows, so she feels compelled to discover who-human or otherwise-did the deed.

But what she doesn't realize is that there is a far greater danger than the killer threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings--older, more powerful and far more secretive than vampires or werewolves-- is preparing for war. And Sookie will find herself an all-too human pawn in their battle…

Just when you think there couldn't possibly be any more drama in Sookie's life and for the town she lives in.... WRONG! Charlaine Harris is fantastic when it comes to writing about these characters, at times you have to remind yourself that these characters are not real! It is so easy to relate and feel for the characters she writes about, and the ones in this book are no different. The cliff hanger left at the end of this book makes you wish time flew by so you could get you hands on the next book in the series! Kudos to Charlaine Harris

I feel compelled to mention that this book is by far more graphic than the others in the series, just don't want to lead any readers to a book that might leave them uneasy, so I will lay this out there.

I am giving Dead and Gone 5 stars and it falls into these reading challenges...

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge
* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge
** I have received nothing for posting this review, this book was picked up from my local library on my own free will! **

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

From Dead to Worse: Review

From Dead to Worse

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #8)

by Charlaine Harris

Synopsis:
New in the "addicting" New York Times bestselling series featuring Sookie Stackhouse.

After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the manmade explosion at the vampire summit, everyone—human and otherwise—is stressed, including Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who is trying to cope with the fact that her boyfriend Quinn has gone missing.

It's clear that things are changing—whether the weres and vamps of her corner of Louisiana like it or not. And Sookie—Friend to the Pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, leader of the local vampire community—is caught up in the changes.

In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death, and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood finished flowing, her world will be forever altered.

This book has tons of action going on and many story lines to follow. I couldn't read this book fast enough, I just kept going and before I knew it I was done with it!

I am giving From Dead to Worse 4 and this book falls into these reading challenges...
*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge
* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

** I have received nothing for posting this review, this book was picked up from my local library on my own free will! **

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

All Together Dead: Review

All Together Dead

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #7)

by Charlaine Harris

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

Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse series just gets better and better with each passing book. Her characters are hot! And yet you have no problem connecting with them, which is one of the most important thing an author needs to do. They need to make you feel something for the characters. Kudos to Charlaine in this book. This book is clever quick witted and overall a great read. Man the choices Sookie has to make, makes my choices seem dull! Okay they are dull! LO!

I am giving All Together Dead 4 stars and it falls into these reading challenges...

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge
* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Definitely Dead: Review

Definitely Dead

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #6)

by Charlaine Harris

"Sookie Stackhouse, the telepathic waitress of Bon Temps, La., is off to (pre-hurricane) New Orleans to close out her dead cousin Hadley's apartment. Hadley's death six weeks earlier had been unexpected, since, as a vampire, she was already dead. Still, she'd led a lively existence as the main squeeze of the Queen of Louisiana, an omnisexual vampire, whose political marriage to the King of Arkansas occurred the night before Hadley's demise. Sookie and Amelia Broadway, Hadley's landlady and a pretty cool witch, immediately discover a mess of trouble left behind in Hadley's closet, and Sookie's soon neck-deep in even more."

Definitely Dead is another good addition to Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series. Just when you think there can't be anymore bad luck in store for Sookie, she wakes up and faces a new day with all new challenges. This book has a lot of the same characters from previous books in the series, but we meet a whole new line of paranormal characters as well. Never a dull moment in Sookie's life, or the reader who is holding tight to this book.

I am giving this book 4 stars and this book falls into these reading challenges...

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge
* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

Hardcover: 324 pages
Publisher: Ace (2007)
Language: English
ASIN: B002P52Q3M

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Dead as a Doornail: Review

Dead as a Doornail

(Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)

by Charlaine Harris

Synopsis:

When Sookie's brother Jason's eyes start to change, she knows he's about to turn into a were-panther for the first time. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population-and Jason's new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now, Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who's behind the attacks, unless the killer decides to find her first.

Man, does Sookie ever just get to stay home and wash her hair, paint her toes or catch up on her tv shows! HA HA HA! Sookie is always on the go since starting to hang out with the supernatural crowd! What's a poor gal to do.

Dead as a Doornail is getting 4 stars ( seeing a trend with this series so far) and belongs to these reading challenges....

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge
* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ace Trade (November 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0441018300
ISBN-13: 978-0441018307

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Dead to the World: Review

Dead to the World

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #4)

by Charlaine Harris

Synopsis:

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.

Ladies, would we not take Eric anyway we could get him, but yowzer, nicer and gentler.... is it too good to be true?

I loved this book because it was nice to see the focus being on a smaller character, Eric. Seeing him and Sookie play out their relationship ( in whatever form it takes) is a nice turn in the story line, clean and fresh!

I am givng Dead to the World 4 stars and it falls into these reading challenges....

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge
* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Ace Trade; Reprint edition (October 6, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0441018289
ISBN-13: 978-0441018284

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Club Dead: Review

Club Dead

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #3)

by Charlaine Harris

From Booklist:

Sookie Stackhouse is having man trouble. Her vampire boyfriend, Bill, has been distant and inattentive lately. Then he announces that he is going on a business trip, which clearly is more than it seems. After a werewolf tries to abduct Sookie at work, Bill's boss, Eric, tells her that Bill fell under the sway of his--Bill's, that is--ex, a sexy vamp named Lorena, and has been kidnapped. Eric wants Sookie's help in getting Bill back, and despite her hurt over Bill's betrayal, Sookie agrees to go to Jackson, Mississippi, to find her wayward lover. Eric has persuaded Alcide, a dashing werewolf, to get Sookie access to Josephine's, aka Club Dead, the local hangout of Jackson's supernatural element. In between dodging kidnappers, the advances of amorous Eric, and her growing feelings for Alcide, Sookie has to find out who kidnapped Bill and figure out a way to rescue him.

Just when you thought there was no room for more supernatural characters in the series, Charlaine Harris proves she can make room! This book has it all if you are into paranormal characters! how come Sookie gets all the dudes, who cares if they are Vampires and now a Werewolf, a hot dude is a hot dude!

Club Dead is getting 4 stars from me and it falls into these reading challenges....

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge
* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

Mass Market Paperback: 258 pages
Publisher: Ace Books (April 29, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0441010512
ISBN-13: 978-0441010516

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Living Dead in Dallas: Review

Living Dead in Dallas

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #2)
by Charlaine Harris

Product Description:

When a vampire asks Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the bloodsuckers must promise to let the humans go unharmed.

I hate to do this, because I love doing my book reviews, but I am so far behind, that I need to get caught up so I am going to make it short and sweet.

Charlaine Harris did it again, this series is awesome and I love that I read this book before the show on HBO got into this story line. It is fun to see how things differ from the show and the book.

I am giving Living Dead in Dallas 4 stars and it falls into these reading challenges...

The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge
* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

Mass Market Paperback: 291 pages
Publisher: Ace Books (March 26, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0441009239
ISBN-13: 978-0441009237

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Dead Until Dark: Review

Dead until Dark

(Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #1)

by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana, but she keeps to herself and doesn't date much because of her "disability" to read minds. When she meets Bill, Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's the type of guy she's waited for all of her life, but he has a disability, too--he's a vampire with a bad reputation. When one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next.

I knew nothing about this series until I started to watch True Blood on HBO. I dragged my tail watching this show because a part of me was unsure what it would be like. I am not, let me say that again, I am NOT a fan of being scared out of my seat by things on tv, movies or books. Once my hubby sat down and watched it with me I was hooked and remain hooked. At this time I still did not know the series on tv was based of a series of novels. Once I found out I ran out and got the books.

I just recently re-read Dead Until Dark because, well.... you can say I am an addict. I love this book! I find Sookie endearing, in spite of her name. The town has a Southern quality that drawls you into it. Really this book has it all... Romance, suspense, & mystery, tie it all together in a nice blood red bow and you have a fast, addicting book.

I am giving Dead Until Dark 4 stars, and it falls into these reading challenges.

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge
* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Pub. Date: May 2001
ISBN-13: 9780441008537
Sales Rank: 278
304pp
Series: Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series, #1

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Shakespeare's Landlord : Review

Shakespeare's Landlord

By Charlaine Harris

Synopsis

When cleaning lady Lily Bard discovers the dead body of her nosy landlord, her plan of starting a quiet new life may end in her death.

Publishers Weekly

While on a late-night job in tiny Shakespeare, Ark., Lily Bard, 31, sees a furtive figure placing large plastic garbage bags in the local park and, untying one, discovers the body of her former landlord. In a quick but anonymous phone call (she is determined to avoid any questioning), she reports it to the police chief. With skill and wry wit, Harris, the author of the Aurora Teagarden series, soon reveals the horrific facts in Lily's background that explain why she is solitary, confrontational, obsessed with self-defenseand why she chooses, despite a first-rate education, to eke out a living as a cleaning woman. Realizing, however, that her fingerprints on the body of the dead man might make her a suspect, Lily subtly and insightfully queries her customers, some of them tenants of the murdered landlord, in the process meticulously evaluating their closets, drawers and motives. The renters are a well-defined lot: a happily promiscuous idler; a sanctimonious and hypocritical reverend; and an aging couple with much to grieve about. As Lily investigates, she develops a wary but cordial relationship with the police chief and forms a warmer tie with her karate instructor. But at the same time, someone has discovered the unspeakable facts about Lily's past and has begun stalking her. Harris's finely tuned, colorful and suspenseful tale, filled with vigorous and unique characters, will leave readers hoping it's the start of a series.

I loved that this book kept me wondering. Normally I am pretty good about figuring out mysteries, remember I think I am going to be cast as the next Murder She Wrote??

I am going to give this book 4 1/2 stars

This book falls into these challenges, see how I am doing.

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge
* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

How are you all doing on your challenges if you are in some?

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

Many Bloody Returns: Review

Many Bloody Returns is a book that is edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P Kelner. It is a book with many mini stories in it by authors such as Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher,Kelly Armstrong and many more!

"You're invited to a celebration of vampires by a baker's dozen of favorite authors. Sink your teeth into 13 all-new, never-before-published stories, each one a fresh and unique take on the concept of what birthday's mean to the undead."

This book was nice because it is a book that has many little stories in it, so it makes it easy to put it down and pick it right back up and not feel lost. Some of the stories I felt were way too short, while others dragged on a bit to long, but over all it was a nice read.

I will give this book 4 stars, for it's convience, lol!

This book falls into these reading challenges:

*The 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge

* Paranormal 999 Challenge Book Challenge

* The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

Until next time...
Happy Reading!

From Dead to Worse: Review

Hot dog, I read this book fast. I finished it in a little under 2 days, and it is 359 pages long. Not bad when you think I am the mommy of 3 small boys ( A.K.A. Punky Monkey's).

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris is the 8th book in the series on Sookie Stackhouse.

" The supernatural community in Bon Temps, Louisiana, is reeling from two hard blows - the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the man-made horror of the explosion at the vampire summit the month before in the up-north city of Rhodes. Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, yearning for things to get back to normal. But that's just not happening. Too many vampires- some friends, some not- were killed or injured, and her weretiger boyfriend, Quinn, is among the missing.

" It's clear that things are changing, whether the Weres and vamps corner of Louisiana like it or not. And Sookie - friend of the pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, the leader of the local vampire community- is caught up in the changes.

" In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death... and, once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood flowing, her world will be forever altered....."

Now that I am done reading this series until the next book comes out in May, I will admit to feeling lost. I have read these books ( all 8 ) of them for the past month and some change. I am having a hard time letting the characters go, they keep running around in my brain, and let me tell you it is making it hard to get into my next book. Of course that has nothing to do with said book, and everything to do with this series!

It is rare to find a series of books that you become hooked on and that stay with you long after the books are done, but this is just the case for me when this series! If you are into books that have you think a little ( or a lot) outside your box, pick them up.

The hit show on HBO; True Blood is loosely based off this series, and of course this show is now off till Summer, what is a girl to do?!?!?

I close with this statement... I AM WEAK!! Wanna know why I am weak? I said I was not going to join in on anymore challenges, but guess what??? I am... stay tuned.

Figure why not, going to be reading anyways.

Until next time....

Happy Reading!

All Together Dead: Review

Next in the Sothern Vampire Series for me to review is All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris.

" Being surrounded by all varieties of undead, changeling, and preternatural beings has gotten to be nothing out of the ordinary for Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Still, even she has her limits. Betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Sookie must now not only deal with a possible new man in her life - the oh-so-handsome shapeshifter Quinn- but also contend with the long- planned vampire summit in Rhodes.

" The summit, which has attracted undead power players from all over the centra U.S., is sure to be a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orlenas. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. With secret alliances and backroom deals the order of the day- an night- Sookie must decide what side she'' stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe."

That is what is written on the back of the book.

This book held more of a mystery to me than the other in the series had, and not has much heated sex scenes. It had you wondering what was going to happen up until the very end, and let me tell you Charlaine Harris, left the story wide open for the next book in the series, From Dead to Worse, which I am leaving you all now to go read.

Until next time...

Happy Reading!

Definitely Dead: Review

Next in the Sothern Vampire Series for me to review is Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris.

" Since Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has so few living relatives, she hates to lose one- even her cousin Hadley, undead consort of the Vampire Queen of New Orleans. Hadley's left everything she has to Sookie, but claimning that inheritance has a high risk factor. Some people don't want her looking too deeply into Hadley's past, or Hadley's possessions. And they're prepared to do anything in their power to stop her. Whoever it is, they're definitely dangerous- and Sookie's life is definitely on the line..."

That is what is written on the back of the book.

The last book review I did in this series was on Dead to the World and while I thought it was good, it didn't live up to the other's in the series. Well, Charlaine is back at full force in this novel. I give this book 4 1/2 stars out 5!

This book has plenty of action and adventure, with a hit of romance and humor. What more could you ask for in a story about Vampires! Sookie Stackhouse leads quite a life!

Until next time....

Happy Reading!

Dead to the World: Review

Last night I finished the 4th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series; Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris.

" Sookie Stackhouse is a small-town cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's pretty. She does her job well. She keeps to herself and has only a few close friends because not everyone appreciates Sookie's gift. She can read minds. Not exactly every man's idea of date bait. Unless the're undead. Vampires and the like can be tough to read- just the kind of guy Sookie's been looking for.

" Maybe that's why, when she comes across a naked vampire on the road home from work, she doesn't just drive by. Turns out he hasn't a clue as to who he is, but Sookie does. It's Eric, still as scary and secy- and dead- as the day she first met him. But now that he has amnesia, Eric is sweet, vulnerable, and in need of Sookie's help- because whoever took his memory now wnats his life. Sookies investigation into why leads straight into a dangerous battle among witches, vampires, and werewolves. But there could be a greater danger to Sookie's heart- because the kinder, gentler Eric is very difficult to resist."

That is what is written in the inside flap of the book.

I give this book 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it was a tad bit slower than the books that came before it. Of course this will not stop me from picking up the next book in the series, Dead as a Doornail.

My addiction to vampires ( the nicer ones) started around the same time as everyone else's...Twilight! Does that ring a bell to anyone, lol??

Than I started watching True Blood on HBO and moved on from the love I had for Edward Cullens, because of Bill Compton. I prefer my vampires to have the look of an older man, not a teeny bopper. HA HA HA!

Than I found out that this series was based off these books, and I ran to the library to put a hold on all of them. Stay tuned for my next reviews and while you are here take my poll at the top of the page!

Happy Reading!