Dead Reckoning

I have loved all things Sookie, Bon Temps and Trueblood (thank you, Alan Ball) for their creativity, quirkiness and humour. Afterall, where else would you find a hastily turned Bubba roaming the South for cat blood instead of in line at Burger King? ********** Potential Spoilers ********* Our gal, Sookie, is full of questions with a minimal number of answers in Charlaine Harris latest offering about the quiet (?) little Lousiana town of Bon Temps. Sook has felt alone and isolated by her gift of telepathy since she was a child. In this installment she finds out its origins while discovering out some unsettling facts about her beloved Gran. Sookie is growing more savvy about motives of those who orbit around her. Of course, in doing so, she must question everyone (including her own) aim and actions. The answers can often be disconcerting and uncomfortable, especially when Sook tries to reconcile her own actions and deeds. In all fairness to Sookie, she does not try to wiggle out of uncomfortable answers to the her foibles and faults. She owns up to consequences of her impulsive decisions, brash attitudes and actions concerning life and death decisions, and hasty and easy directions of past (and recent) behavior. This is a Sookie in flux. A Sookie who is beginning to grasp and grapple with her own identity and future while taking stock in everyone and everything, vampires, fae, supes and mere mortals. Ms. Harris brilliantly illustrates this by juxtaposing Taras baby shower with the bloody demise of Victor, a death eagerly engineered by Sookie and one she most readily participated with a band of cold hearted blood suckers. To the victors go the spoils much to Sookies chagrin nothing is as easy as it seems. She unwisely breaks the blood bond with Eric when impetuous Amelia discovers the spell to do so without consulting with Eric. Sookie cannot understand all the discord between her vamp friend, Pam and Pams maker Eric. Then it dawns on her, a vampire cannot have two wives, one being vamp and the other being all too human. Eric loves her, but enough to give up an elevated position, riches and even more power? Does she love him enough to be brought over as she is withering (growing older) before his very eyes? If he is not the one for her, then who is? In Number 10, I had thought it would be Remy (Hunters father) or good old standby, Sam. Now I have decided I dont need to know and will simply enjoy the ride for the final two books about our sassy Louisana waitress without second guessing Ms. Harris. As far as continuity problems, unless Gran shows up in the next installment serving sweet tea, I really dont have a problem. Kudos for Charlaine to begin and end the book with Sookie watching Jeopardy. I will take Sookie and her Supes in the Daily Double, Alex... Enjoy the read! Enjoy the journey! Bon Temps everyone!

I have to admit to being a little disappointed in this book. The short story in Deaths Excellent Vacation was more exciting. Parts of it were good and interesting, but it felt more like a piece of a book than a real book. I was exactly 50% through the book before anything grabbed my interest and made me think this is why Im reading this book! At that point my interest was peaked, but I kept feeling like I wanted something more from the book. I love vampire politics and was so looking forward to that in this story, and instead it felt too flat, too straight-forward. I miss the Sophie Anne days. Perhaps part of the problem was that there was no real mystery in this book, which most of the previous Sookie books have had. Also there were large and small continuity problems, which made me wonder if Harris even remembers what she wrote at this point. What bothered me the most perhaps is that the characterization seemed so off to me. Characters were acting in ways that did not ring true to me, almost as if the author decided she needed the character to do something whether the character actually would or not. It really irritated me. The ending also felt very unresolved. Flat is really the only word I can use to describe it. I was waiting for the something big to happen, perhaps a cliff hanger as I got closer to the end, but that big thing never happened. I unfortunately feel that this book suffers from the author trying to set up too much for future books and not giving the reader enough to enjoy in this book. I will say it was better than the last book because at least we did get to see the action first hand, but the book still left me wanting after reading it, which is not a good thing. So why give it four stars after so many negative comments? It is still a Sookie Stackhouse book, and I do still love the world these books are written in. It inspires my imagination. And despite all the flaws, I could not put the book down.

In this newest sookie book she finds trouble of course.I enjoyed this book better than the last.It wasnt as slow and Sookie wasnt in trouble all the time.It actually told what was happening through out her day.The new king has appointed Victor to oversee Erics area.Victor is causing trouble for Eric and Sookies boss Sam by opening up new bars.Sookie is also learning more about her fairy blood and fairy relatives.Bill shows back up in this book as Sookie and Eric have more problems with their relationship.Eric has a secret that he doesnt want Sookie to find out.Pam as honest as she can be tries to tell Sookie.Eventually Pam gets it across to Sookie what the secret is,then the fight really heats up with Sookie and Eric.Sookie has other worries besides Eric she has Sandra Pelt after her, guys trying to kidnapp her, Victor wanting something from her,two fairy relatives living with her wanting something and then the attorney Mr.Cataliadess trying to protect her.Mr. Catalidess shows up and he has some sort of mystery surounding him but he tells Sookie a little bit about her real grandfather who is a fairy.I enjoyed this book I watch the trueblood series and enjoy that,but the book and series are two different stories they do not follow the same storyline.

If I could Id give the book 3.5 stars. It is vastly improved over the last two, especially the last book, which is evident that book was an arc. You can tell Ms. Harris is wrapping things up - although (spoiler) - I think she could have found another way to move Eric out of the picture and I certainly thought it was kind of cruel almost to make Sookie realize she loved him by breaking the blood bond and then throwing the other monkey wrench with the Queen of Oklahoma in there. I think mainly my issue with that was that is was almost Bill-esque (my maker made me do it.) But a better read and I look forward to how she has Sookie and Sam come together. Although Remy may still be in the running, tying it up with Sam, considering how the books started, would fit. I just hope the last book lives up to the series as a whole.

Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse 11) By: Charlaine Harris ISBN: 9780575096523 Published May 28, 2011 by Gollancz, Victor Limited Available Format: Hardcover, Paperback, ebook, Audiobook My Rating: When Merlottes bar is firebombed, suspicion is immediately directed at the anti-shifter movement in the area. But, Sookie is pretty sure the bomber was a shifter, so she and Sam work together to discover the true culprit. In the vamp world, Eric and Pam are plotting to kill Victor, the regent of the area who has been causing them all a great deal of trouble. Toss in a little magic and some fairy business and youre completely wrapped up in Sookies crazy world again. I felt Sookie was a little flat this time. Shes always been so funny and witty, and this time she just felt so stiff and boring. Eric, my favorite vamp, was a little disappointing too. The chemistry between the two was horrible. Sookie and Bill, for the brief time they got to interact, made SO much more sense this time! I was shocked, because I longed for Sookie and Eric to be together all through the beginning of the series. I think the whole bit about the Fae was not hashed out very well and really didnt add anything to the overall story. I believe Harris should have just focused on Victor and Sandra Pelt and worked on bringing the much loved character out better in Sookie and Eric. That being said, Im still a big Southern Vampire fan, and I found lots to love in this book. It was nice to see a softer side to Pam, and my heart broke for her with what she was having to go through. I am intrigued about Erics current predicament, so I expect the next book to be focused on that...and maybe Sookie will end up with someone else...maybe some new character that isnt a vampire! This definitely wasnt my favorite Sookie Stackhouse book, and I do think Harris is running out of steam with the series. I hate to say it, but it might be time for Sookie to ride off into the sunset (or moonset?) with...someone...

Once again, Sookie Stackhouse, our favorite telepathic barmaid at Merlottes in Bon Temps, Louisiana has managed to land herself right in the middle of a dangerous situation. When someone attempts to firebomb Merlottes, Sookie isnt so sure the target is Sam. Business has been slumping, possibly due to the less than successful coming out of the two-natured, but even Sam doesnt have nearly as many enemies as Sookie does. And while things have been quiet with the fairies after most of them returned to their world, those that remain are definitely up to something. And that includes her cousin Claude. She just hasnt figured out exactly what theyre planning. With Victor looking for any excuse to take Eric out of the picture, things between the two of them have been strained. Still not one hundred percent sure of her feelings for Eric due to the blood bond they share, Sookie is trying to figure out if what they have is real. And when Eric refuses to reveal a secret hes been keeping, something even Pam thinks she should know about, shes ready to take drastic action. As if all this wasnt bad enough, when she finds out something shocking about her grandmother Adele, she doesnt know how much more she can take. From having her job at risk due to the slowdown at Merlottes, to knowing her enemies are just looking for another shot at her, to living with Victors threat around every corner, to questioning her relationship with Eric, to sharing her home, and sometimes her bed, with two faeries, Sookie realizes she is going to have to make a few changes. *** Dead Reckoning is the fast-paced, wickedly entertaining and truly tormenting eleventh installment in the Southern Vampire series. This story grabs right from the start with the attack on Merlottes. And it just keeps going. Right up to the second to last page. As with every book in the series, trouble manages to find Sookie no matter what she does. This time she suspects it comes in the form of an old enemy that has returned. A few of the loose ends from Dead in the Family are tied up and the story comes to a close without a cliffhanger. Although this doesnt make the ending any less torturous. Many questions still remain about the fate of Sookie and Erics relationship and the true motivations of Claude and Dermot. And a whole slew of new questions are added to the list. In Dead Reckoning the cast of characters is smaller, with the focus placed back on Sookie, though some of our favorite and not-so-favorite characters do make an appearance. And although it continues down a bloody path, its a much less dark one than some of its predecessors. Author Charlaine Harris continues to captivate readers with her addictive series that is always humorous, often violent, positively steamy at times, and unbelievably tormenting for readers as they await each books release. Whats not to like in a series filled with sexy but lethal vampires, swoon-worthy and fiery tempered weres, drop-dead gorgeous but devious and plotting faeires and a damsel that is always in distress, whether she wants to be or not?

I just finished Book 11 on my kindle and I enjoyed it, but as some have stated, the whole Eric/Niall thing didnt make sense to me and I was kind of disappointed that Bill is barely around anymore. It was obvious when the blood bond was broken, someone from Sookies past or her best-friend in the series may be who she ends up with. I agree with others, who are confused on some flashbacks that some of the story lines are not consistent. I kind of feel that after 11 books and jumping through hoops, if Sookie ends up with who I think, Ill be a bit bummed because then the show and books are mis-leading! I was also annoyed that another Queen was bestowed upon Eric, how convenient and frustrating at the same time...which if we know Eric from the book and show he is greedy and all about status, so for me Im bummed because the Eric I know would pick the Queen over Sookie and if that ends any differently then Erics whole character will be changed. All in all, I enjoyed it, but Im sick of the break ups, and Im disappointed Bill is merely just a neighbor now, nothing more.

While the continuity issues around the Eric/Niall/fae discovery storyline didnt bother me quite as much as other readers (imho, much was left to assumptions each reader can make regarding the duration of Erics and Nialls dealings, what information Eric may have shared w/ Niall regarding Sookie, when all of those events transpired, etc., and it would seem to me that for Niall to trust a vampire like Eric to bring him and Sookie together over dinner would imply that Niall had known Eric for a very long time.), this book felt more like a lead-in to something more than a solid book on its own. Certain things were brought to closure (Sandra Pelt, Alcide, source of Sookies telepathy), but there is much that has been left open-ended, such as Sookies relationship w/ Eric (while theres the promise of Eric to the Queen of Oklahama, it doesnt necessarily mean that it will come to fruition), the state of things w/ Felipe in Nevada given what transpired, why all the fae and the elf(ves?) were gathering, finding out about her history (and her grandmothers letter and gift) only opened up a whole host of new questions. There wasnt the satisfaction of seeing as much progress in the book as in previous books, rather it almost seemed like there were more setbacks for Sookie. Still, a relatively entertaining read, and I hope CH gives us some closure on the issues she raised in this book soon.

I just dont know what people expect I loved this book no one really knows what Charlaine will end with this series I know there is talk but one can always change their mind. That said I still have hope for Sookie and Bill it made me happy, and I loved how the book kept the action going. That Sookie is one tough woman. I may be different from everyone but if she doesnt end up with Bill Sam would be a good choice how should she introduce it if this is the case on the last page of the last book? CH may be taking us all for a ride. I have enjoyed every moment even when things dont go the way I would like, thats just like life. I did notice a few different ways of speaking in the book but I absolutely can not wait for the next I wish she would never quit the series it is so much better and more entertaining than most out there. Simple writing that flows. Great work CH

I wont write a synopsis. Others have done that. It would be a matter of dead-horse-beating. I did enjoy this book. I like the world of Bon Temps, and I like visiting once a year. I also freely admit that I fell heavily for Eric Northman the first time I read about him. So, Dead Reckoning. Is it Great Literature? No. Is it intended to be? Also no. Is it a fun read? Yes. Does it tie up some loose ends and then wave others around like banners so we have a reason to read the next book? Of course. Yes, there are some continuity problems. Other people have already beaten this drum, too. Theres no reason to beat it some more. I also didnt like the way Sookie told Bill a piece of Big Plot Point Information at one time and then, at the end of the book, she told him again just as if shed never told him before and he acted as if hed never heard The Big Plot Point Information before. It was jarring.