Dead Ever After - Book Review

Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse #13)
by Charlaine Harris

What is it about:
There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart...

Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough...

What did I think of it:
I did it! I managed to finish the Sookie Stackhouse series.

I will admit: it was a bumpy ride. Sookie wasn't an easy character to love for me, and in book eight I got so angry at her it took me years to continue the series.

Still I enjoyed the series overall. The characters, the mysteries, the world building were all enticing enough to convince me to get reading again, even after my anger at Sookie.

I couldn't help being spoilered about the ending of the series: it was all over the internet when this book came out. But I think Harris worked towards this ending, so even without the spoilers I wouldn't have been surprised. I thought it was a fitting end for this series.

The overall plot of this book isn't the best in the series, but entertaining enough that you won't hear me grumble. And all's well that ends well for one of my favorite characters, so I was happy about that.

All in all a nice ending for an entertaining and mostly enjoyable series.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable UF read.


buy from bookdepository

Deadlocked - Book Review

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12)
by Charlaine Harris

What is it about:
Sookie has a murder investigation on her hands.

A young girl has died at a vampire party - and it looks as though her lover, Eric, might be responsible. Eric swears he didn't do it, the police don't believe him, and even Sookie isn't so sure. Nor is she inclined to take his word for it, not having caught him enjoying the victim's blood minutes before she was killed.

But something strange is going on. Why had Sookie been asked to come to the fateful party a few minutes early - just to catch Eric in the act? And why had the victim spiked her own blood before approaching Eric? Was it simply because she wanted to be irresistible, or was it something more sinister?

Sookie will have to find out ... but it's the worst moment to investigate, as her Fae family are having troubles of their own and Sookie is, inevitably, drawn in. And there is one last complication. The cluviel dor her grandmother left her. It will grant her one wish, which could fulfill Sookie's heart's desire. The only problem is, she still doesn't know what - or who - her heart truly desires ...

What did I think of it:
My attempts to finally finish this series continue.

And this was yet another very enjoyable read that had me firmly engrossed in the lives of Sookie and those around her. Maybe it's that I already know a bit about how this series ends, but to me it seems this book and the previous one are clearly paving the way for that ending. And I must say I'm looking forward to seeing everything falling together. Something I'd never thought would happen after book 8.

Talking about that book. There was one minor grumble in this book: Sookie hears from Quinn and apparently he had something with a were-tigress called 'Tijgerin'...

Yeah...

Tijgerin is the Dutch word for tigress, so... that's like calling your daughter Girl or Woman. Those parents should be kicked in my opinion.

That grumble aside this was a fun and entertaining read. I hope my copy of Dead Ever After arrives soon, so I can find out how everything ties up.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun UF read.


Buy from bookdepository

Dead Reckoning - Book Review

Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11)
by Charlaine Harris

What is it about:
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...

What did I think of it:
Even though Dead in the Family started really slow, I was firmly back in the world and story at the end. So I decided to pick up the next book to see where things were going.

And this book was much better in my opinion. There was action from the start, interesting developments, and I even agreed with Sookie about some things.

There is more revealed about Sookie's family and Sookie's particular talents, and next to some cool action scenes there are developments in Sookie's love life as well. Some things are resolved, but others promise to play a big role in the next book.

All in all I'm enjoying this series again, and I'm planning to finally finish it. I already have Deadlocked on my shelves and I ordered the last book so I can finally read the apparently controversial ending that had so many people in a snit.

Why should you read it:
It's an action-packed and fun UF read.


Buy from bookdepository

Dead in the Family - Book Review

Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse #10)
by Charlaine Harris

What is it about:
It's all about family ...

Sookie Stackhouse is dealing with a whole host of family problems, ranging from her own kin (a non-human fairy and a telepathic second cousin) demanding a place in her life, to her lover Eric's vampire sire, an ancient being who arrives with Eric's 'brother' in tow at a most inopportune moment. And Sookie's tracking down a distant relation of her ailing neighbour (and ex), Vampire Bill Compton.

In addition to the multitude of family issues complicating her life, the werewolf pack of Shreveport has asked Sookie for a special favour, and since Sookie is an obliging young woman, she agrees. But this favour for the wolves has dire results for Sookie, who is still recovering from the trauma of her abduction during the Fairy War.

What did I think of it:
It's been awhile since I read the previous book, but I finally decided to try to continue this series.

And maybe this isn't the best book to pick up after being in a series slum. it was slow.

The previous book had lots of action and heartbreak, so maybe it's not so strange that Sookie is taking things easy, but for me it felt like ages before the story was going somewhere. Still I decided to stick to it and finally stuff started to happen and I was dragged into the world again. At the end of the book I was happy enough about developments that I might just pick up book 11 soon.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable UF read.


Buy from bookdepository

A Touch of Dead - Book Review

A Touch of Dead (Sookie Stackhouse #4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 7.1 & 8.1)
by Charlaine Harris

What is it about:
New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris has re-imagined the supernatural world with her “spunky” (Tampa Tribune) Southern Vampire novels starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Now, for the first time, here is every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written (up to the publication date of this book at least)— together in one volume.

Stories include “Fairy Dust,” “One Word Answer,” “Dracula Night,” “Lucky,” and “Giftwrap.”

What did I think of it:
I have a rocky relationship with this series and especially with Sookie. I don't think I've ever disliked a main character so much as Sookie (OK, I confess: Harry Potter wins from Sookie, hands down), but still I enjoyed the series.

Then Sookie enraged me with her behavior towards one of her lovers, and it took me forever to pick up the next book in the series after that. That book did restore some of my love for the series, but I was still hesitant to continue reading. So I decided to pick up this collection of short stories in hope to find my enthusiasm again.

And this anthology sure did its job.

The stories are short and fun looks into the life of Sookie, and made me remember why I read 9 books in this series so far, and have the next two on my shelves.

My favorite stories were Fairy Dust and Dracula Night. The first gives a bit more background on Claudine and Claude. the second story has Eric, enough said.

I didn't like Giftwrap, but that's probably very personal. If I was Sookie and would ever discover what truly happened, I'd be kicking some serious ass in retaliation.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I think I will pick up book 10 in this series one of these days.

Why should you read it:
If you like the Sookie Stackhouse series, you will like this book.

Grave Surprise - Book Review

Grave Surprise (Harper Connelly #2) by Charlaine Harris

What is it about:
While in Memphis, psychic Harper Connelly senses-and finds-two bodies in a grave. One of a man centuries-dead. The other, a girl, recently deceased. Harper's investigation yields another surprise: the next morning, a third body is found-in the very same grave.

What did I think of it:
A great read. I really like the whole idea of Harper being able to sense and communicate with the dead. The mystery storyline in this book is engaging and suspenseful. The romance storyline on the other hand got a bit too angsty for my tastes, but luckily this story leans more to mystery than romance so the angst didn't take away from my reading pleasure. And apart from the angst Harper is a much more likeable lead character than Harris' Sookie from the Southern Vampire series. So I think I will continue to read this series for the mysteries and hope for less angst in future romantic entanglements.

Why should you read it:
It's a well written mystery and don't you just love that cover?

Bite - Book Review

Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight and Vickie Taylor

What is it about:
The aptly titled Bite is a collection of five vampiric tales of supernatural seduction

I'll tackle them all one by one:

Hamilton's "The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death" is set in time between the novels Blue Moon and Obsidian Butterfly. Vampire hunter Anita Blake, just beginning to come to grips with her recent metaphysical connection with master vampire Jean-Claude, takes a highly unusual case. A runaway teenager with bone cancer wants to become a vampire; but in order for her to change, another vampire must in essence murder a child. Blake agrees to find the rogue bloodsucker and pass judgment as only she knows how.

What did I think of it:
I wasn't impressed with this story. It's just a long conversation between two people. To do Hamilton justice I still decided to read the first book in her Anita Blake series after reading this story and I must say: Hamilton is not a writer for me.


In "One Word Answer" by Harris, everyone's favorite waitress, Sookie Stackhouse, learns that her only cousin has been murdered by one of the undead -- and the vampire Queen of Louisiana has sent her condolences in the form of an unusual gift.

What did I think of it:
I liked this story. It's simple, but clever. I do wonder however if people not familiar with the Sookie Stackhouse series would understand anything about this story.


Davidson's "Biting in Plain Sight" revisits her Undead universe with a touching love story about a benevolent vampire and her human suitor and the tragedy that brings them together.

What did I think of it:
A fun story with cool characters. A good balance between romance and action. I liked this story so much that I decided to give the Undead series a chance and I'm glad I did as it's a great series.


Knight's "Galahad" looks at Arthurian legend with a decided twist -- the knights of the Round Table are actually warrior vampires!

What did I think of it:
This is Voodoo Bride's favourite story. It's got sizzling hot romance and even a decent action storyline as well. The setting is intriguing and original. I've put Knight's books on my wishlist and intend to explore them in the future.


In Taylor's "Blood Lust," a researcher whose groundbreaking formula for synthetic blood was stolen by a maniacal vampire takes vengeance by becoming one of the undead!

What did I think of it:
I didn't much care for this story. The writing didn't appeal to me and the story just couldn't grab my attention.


So, all in all I liked 3 out of 5, not a bad score.

Why should you read this anthology:
It's a perfect way to try out new-to-you authors!

Grave Sight - Book Review

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

What is it about:
Harper Connelly had a lucky escape when she was hit by lightning: she didn't die. But sometimes she wishes she had died, because the lightning strike left her with an unusual talent: she can find dead people - and that's not always comfortable. Harper and her brother Tolliver make their living from finding the dead, for desperate parents, worried friends . . . and police departments who have nowhere else to look. They may not believe in her abilities, but sometimes the proof is just too much for even the most sceptical of police chiefs to deny. But it's not always easy for someone like Harper, for the dead *want* to be found - and too often, finding the body doesn't bring closure; it opens a whole new can of worms.

What did I think of it:
A well written and suspenseful story. Harris makes Harper and her weird gift not only believable, but also very likeable. The clues throughout the story are of the kind that you could solve the mystery yourself, but certainly not so easy that it's a dead giveaway. The characterisation of the other characters is also really good and realistic. All in all I really enjoyed this story and will read more books in this series. I might even go as far as to claim this series might be able to surpass Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, depending on how this series will develop from here on.

Why should you read it:
It's a very original murder mystery.