Dead Reckoning

When the first few Sookie books were published, I loved the series. Then it seemed like the point became to get another out as soon as possible. Like many others, I was hooked so I kept buying them. I must say, this was a bit better than the last few. Sookie seems to be growing up a bit. Do you think its about time to wrap up this series and try something new? I love Sookie, and want to see some resolution to her never-ending series of ill-fated loves. It would be interesting to see a series about her cousins son growing up and going to school for the first time. Why not pursue that realm for while? Yes, I realize that the sex scenes would have to be curtailed, but it would be fun to see what happens as he grows. It was definitely worth reading. Can we finish the story and move on?

I am truly disappointed in this entry in the Sookie Stackhouse collection. One major plot point is answered, but in an unsatisfactory way. The tone of the book was morose. Sookie is practically comatose in her behavior and attitude, not the firecracker weve come to know and love. The author seems to be showing that she is resigned to being a doormat for other supes; but she walks through this book with little emotion, even when big things happen. For some reason, the same person keeps on trying to **Spoiler Alert** kill her in a half dozen ways throughout the book. This does not forward the story at all. Gang of thugs here, gang of thugs there, even one of her multiple escapes which is supposed to be exciting is very disjointed and bizarre. Charlaine Harriss usual style is to have a one or possibly two major incidents when someone is out to get Sookie with minor incidents to back up and question motives. This one is very overt and feels like the author made no attempt to integrate these incidents into what was going on. We know the attacker, we know what and why they are doing it, where is the mystery? I was astounded that a major, major thing between Sookie and Eric is treated as an afterthought. Something that would, in the other books, have created all kinds of feelings and expression fall flat at a pancake. Weve been building it up about for 10 books, but oh well, lets talk about it lamely over a coke and a True Blood and be interrupted within a few lines. They could have been discussing whose turn it was to take out the garbage. **Spolier Alert End** I couldnt find one happy moment in this book. Not one. Sad and dreary is the order of the day.

I have been an avid reader of the Sookie Stackhouse books for about 5 years now. I was late to the game and caught up with everyone right before True Blood came to TV. I fell in love with the first 8 books, but lately it seems that Mrs. Harris is just filling the books with whatever she can. I have read books 9 and 10; and will continue to read any of the books that she puts out in this series, but I cant seem to get as excited about a new book as I used to. In the 11th installment of Sookie, we see a person from her past come back, even though I had really forgotten about the Pelts, I actually had to skim through a few books to get updated on the back story there. I liked that Mrs. Harris brought back Amelia and Bob, but I was not in the least bit happy about them figuring out how to break the bond between Sookie and Eric. And dont even get me started on the whole Eric being arranged for with the Queen of Oklahoma!! I swear, Sookie just cant catch a break with the vamps in this series!!! Maybe she should actually give a were a shot! The conflict with Victor was brought into this book, but I felt the demise of Victor and his crew was too fast and way too neat. I mean really, I understand that the scene couldnt last for that long, but it wasnt even a full chapter; or so it seemed to me. I was left wondering about a lot of things through out the book, and I feel that a few things could have been cleared up in this book; like really, what was up with Claude and Dermot? I understand that Mrs. Harris needs to leave some things up in the air so that she can continue the series, but still, some things could have been either cleared up as I said earlier, or answered altogether. I felt that the book just really dragged on way too much.

This 11th entry in the series opens with Sookie cleaning her attic (and yes, its every bit as exciting as it sounds). She does make an interesting find though - something that has the potential to change everything for everybodys favorite telepathic waitress. In addition to the rigors of housework Sookie has to contend with an attack on Merlottes and uncharacteristic tension between Eric and Pam. Theres also the not so little problem of Victor, who seems intent on stirring up trouble for Eric both personally and professionally. With one notable exception, all of Sookies potential beaux are trotted out and the process of elimination seems to be underway, though you cant rule out the possibility that were being fed a red herring...or two. Theres one absolutely ridiculous scene with Alcide that felt awkward at best. In the past weve seen Alcide as self-serving, maybe even a user, but never a gullible moron. Im not sure what the point of that whole exchange was, but it left me cringing with embarrassment - for BOTH of them. Unlike some reviewers I didnt feel that this was a huge departure from the other books in the series, especially the two preceding this one. It wasnt awful, but the storyline seems stuck in limbo, with little forward momentum and it doesnt make for compelling reading. Now that the series is coming to a close I had high hopes that the author would really blow us away with some exciting plot twists, some jaw-dropping storylines that would leave us wondering how the heck we were going to make it until the next installment. Didnt happen. Instead we got some boring fairy machinations, a predictable vampire skirmish and a lot of Sookie contemplating how she really needs to have a meaningful conversation with Eric...but never actually getting around to it. What can I say? Ive followed this series from the beginning and have no intention of stopping now, despite this fairly lackluster installment. Ive invested in these characters and while they may no longer hold that much appeal for me I just have to know how their story ends. Who knows? - maybe the final two will be worth the wait.

I read this book when it first came out. I read it all the way through in one sitting and was definitely disappointed. I have read this series over and over and it did not get boring to me, until this book. After I read this book I started with the first book again. I got all the way back to this book and I could not finish it! I read about 25% and set it aside to pick up later, that was 8 months ago. I have to say I still enjoyed reading this book the first time. The first time I read it, I noticed some blaring issues with the timeline. I know CH has addressed this before and I understand no one is perfect. Particularly when You are writing a 13 book series! So I let it go. I do not feel this is as big of a deal as others. I also noticed what I call, the SHIFT. There is a change in mood and behavior in this book. The characters seem to act very different from what I have come to know. I did not particularly like it but I also think it was done intentionally by CH. I see it as a change that had to happen for the series to move on and for Sookies character to grow from her innocent, immature, and inexperienced self. I expect the next book to be more like the ones before this one once this shift completes itself. I do not agree with the feelings of many of the other readers. I am not angry, I am understanding. I see this as one of those books that had to be written and that the reader may not like. But not every book can be happy-go-lucky with perfect expected endings. I still look forward to the next books in this series and I plan to enjoy them!

I was preatty exiceted that there was going to be a new Sookie Stackhouse book and after I finished it its kind of bitter-sweet. As we all know (whoever reads these books) Sookie is a telepath and her life is interlocked with that of the supernatural (Vampires, Warewolves, Witches, Etc) and her life is at times hectic while trying to balance out her mundane life. In this book you will discover hidden truths behind Sookie and her family, Some realtionships fizzle/friendships to boot and something else waiting in the wings. Will Sookie ever get her HEA? Slight Spoiler One paticular thing bothered me with this book was how Sookie handled a situation when she discovered someone manipulating a situation. I wont say who but this is a character I like and its a female who stuck with her for awhile. She gets on her high house when she discovers it and blows a gasket(even though she has killed in self defense and was calm about it)Im not sure I like where Charline Harris is taking Sookies personal friendships. I had to rant about that. It just bothered me!!! All in all it is a interesting story and I gave it 4 stars. Lets hope at the end of this story it reaches an ending to satisfy the readers and who Sookie will ultimatley be with (I really cant say who given how the storys been going) Have fun Reading!

I found the writing in Book 11 of the series as compelling as always although the storyline was convoluted with logic-less complications & earlier-book character cameos that added nothing. I was annoyed that the redundant explanations regarding Bubba werent edited out. Ditto the cameo character explanations - perhaps theyre acting as word/page-filler? Im not surprised that Ms. Harris is once again killing off her heroines love-interests; in every series shes written, the heroines are chronically unhappy, mildly embittered & constantly betrayed by their love-interests (or quickly & tragically lose the love-interest who they find out had betrayed them in some form before they died/left). I imagine its Ms.Harris way of ensuring her writing is never categorized as Romance of any kind or she just hates happy endings... If youre new to the series - buy any of the first few - dont start with this one. The overall tone of the book is Unhappy, the paranormal qualities are minimal, the action scenes lackluster. If money is tight &/or you have plenty of other books of interest to read - wait for the paperback to be released & hit the used book store. I did not find the book to be a wall-banger while I was reading most of it; Charlaine Harris is an exceptional writer. It was as I finished it that I found the build-up so unsatisfactorily concluded, the redundancy annoying, with the overall feeling that Id been conned into investing my time, imagination & money in a stupid story.

The title of my review says it all basically. I wont get into the meat and bones of the story except to say that in many ways I was very disappointed with a number of things, the main one being the relationship between Sookie and Eric. There is a reason so so so many fans of these books adore Eric and want his relationship with Sookie to thrive: its because for some reason they just work. I think their chemistry in some weird way has even superceded Harris writing. Maybe its the effect of True blood, but there is just something about these two characters as individuals that makes their coming together seem natural and more iportantly, right. This is why I was disppointed with Dead Reckoning. In many ways it was a good book, and I dont agree with others that the ending was necessarily so terrible, because I thought the introduction of the cluviel dor was a great set up for the next book, along with Erics chosen wife, the Queen of Oklahoma. However, the relationship between Sookie and Eric, or lack thereof, just completely sucked the zest and life out of the other credible, interesting plot developments. Harris seemed at pains to make their union into a sad, sloppy and vacant shadow of its former self. Where, as other reviewers have noted, was the joy, the bantering, the flirtation, the interest, in one another? Instead of celebrating her relationship with Eric, Sookie seemed intent on mourning it. She really does take excellent care of her house, always washing clothes, wiping counters, cleaning attics, mopping, sweeping, disinfecting, but with regards to her relationship with Eric she was a complete failure. How is it possible to have a sucessful union when you barely see each other?! It seemed in this book that Sookie spent more time telling Eric to get off her property, than actually attempting to spend meaningful time with him. Instead, she went out of her way to engage Sam and Bill, but really couldnt be bothered to have meaningful in-depth contact with her husband. I personally felt that Harris let her fans down with this, and the one sex scene that Sookie and Eric have in the book was laughably bad, cheap and tacky. As even Sookie herself realizes and Eric confirms, it was the height of hypocrisy for her to act all high and mighty after the vampire slaying at Fangtasia. I mean, come on Harris, when something stinks to high heaven, maybe it is best to just cut it out. Sookie planned the killing! She was the master mind behind the whole thing! I certainly understand and sympathise with her discomfort at such grotesque scenes, she is after all human, but to somehow use this event to suggest that she no longer fits in with Erics clan or is above such ends justifies the means violence seems disingenous and ridiculous. If Harris was looking for some event to herald a downward turning point (as Sookie calls it) in their relationship, she should have picked a better incident. Sookie should have stayed to celebrate with Eric, instead of hightailing it out of the club with Bill, to return to her domesticated front. I dont blame Eric for biting harshly into her neck, although as another reviewer noted this is not consistent with his characterization, because Sookies attempts to distance herself from the events at Fangtasia would infuriate the dead too! Again, Harris is all too willing to let this minor act signify the doom and gloom on this couple and it just seemed all too cut and dry. I was hoping, when I first read that Erics maker had contracted him to someone else, that the next book after Reckoning would be filled with intrigue, fun and excitement. In my imagination, Sookie would be full of jealous intent, she would fight for her man, as cliched as it sounds, and there would be more murderous plots around. Now, Im not so sure. Taking DR for what its worth, Sookie will probably call time on the relationship with Eric in the first two chapters, she will continue to be morose and lackadaisical with respect to him. She will be filled with moral indignation and fatigue at vampire politics and will seek the easy way out. Ah well! Obviously I am a big Sookie/Eric fan, and the seeming coming to an end of them is bitter indeed, moreso because I do think that it is forced and lacks credibility. I am still a fan of the books though, despite my misgivings, and I do look forward to seeing what her decision will be with the cluviel dor, and hopefully her great-uncle Dermot will play a larger role. There is something interesting about him that I cant put my finger on. Hopefully Harris will develop these strands. Rest in peace, Eric and Sookie.

I loved this book! Eric, Pam, Sookie,Bill, Dermot and all Charlaine Harris characters are marvelous! I love Sophies normal life & her supernatural one. There are many answers in this book. Read the entire series!

Ive peppered the reviews here with some commentary and I might link to some below, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to write a review of my own without spoilers, however short: I enjoy listening to the SVM series more than reading because I generally love Parkers acting, however, I both listened to, and read, this one. My response comes after the reread. While I have a lot of issues with this book, I feel that a lot of them can be explained by writing style and property management. This isnt to say I think its a money issue. From what I gather, many readers liked the light-hearted quirkiness of the first books, with many becoming disillusioned by the harder edge of the 8th on. However, since the series was supposed to end with 10, what we were actually seeing was a big dramatic ending that didnt get to resolve itself as planned, as most of it was already published. If you take all this into account -- that the unveiling of Niall and the tragedy of the Fae war was supposed to be the crest of the series action leading to a dramatic end in book 10 (at which point her contract was changed), then not only does all the plotting and balance appear much more expert, but we can understand why the tone of the books have changed irreparably. As much as I like her characters and enjoyed the series up to book 9, once I found out 10 ended as it did because her contract was extended, and Bill was originally supposed to die dramatically and respectfully at the end of book 9, having fully redeemed himself in such a classic way, I had to reorient my expectations for the continuing novels. Unlike (what appears to be) a lot of readers, I fully enjoyed what seemed to be the rise and fall of a well designed, overall dramatic plot, and I wish her original creation had been able to come to light. Building on all of that, I feel like the (300?) pages of DR might have been used more adeptly than they were. I was assuming book 10 was the growing pain hiccup and wed hit he ground running again with 11 -- that it simply meant more partygoers added to the final celebration, sort of like the ending of the redone Return of the Jedi <snort>. Thats unfortunately not the case. I hope its not a reorientation of the series, as that would seem unnecessary. It DOES often read like filler, or a fluffing out, and for those of you who were left gnawing your lips in doubt over DITF, youll likely have a similar reaction to DR ... But weve seen in the past that Harris is capable of packing a lot of interesting and satisfying plot action into two books so theres no reason to expect the series wont still end with a bang. My biggest issue with Dead Reckoning is that the plot and character developments are not expressed firmly. Previously, I havent felt the need to read the numerous Sookie reviews on the internet, but after this novel, I found myself ultimately confused about what characters were thinking, who was feeling what, and what it all meant. (In fact, this was why I read the print version directly after listening to the audio book, to see if it was my lack of attention the first go round.) After spending some time reading reviews, it seems like thats a common reaction, and everyone has a wholly different interpretation of what this book was obviously saying. Im not quite sure what to think, because this could be a tactic, and we could find out that the apparent loose ends and pointless conversations are all quite ingeniously meaningful come next year, but, Im beginning to wonder if the novel, overall, was simply unintentionally unclear. Its up to you if you want to wait. If you found the above helpful, please read some commentary of mine from earlier, both about the plot questions and writing (some contain spoilers): [...] [...] [...] [...]