Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse 11)- Charlaine Harris
Publisher: UK – Gollancz
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...
I know I’m about a year behind publication on the Sookie
books but that’s mostly because I like to wait for the paperback to come out.
Like many others I haven’t been overly impressed with recent books (All
Together Dead was a series highlight for me that hasn’t been matched since) –
there’s only so much enjoyment I get out of hearing the miniature of Sookie’s
life – her money worries, her cleaning habits and sunbathing schedule. That
said (or written!) there is still enough captivating about the characters that
make me want to know what the latest happenings in Bon Temps are.
With that all in mind, I was pleasantly surprised with Dead
Reckoning. Maybe I was just in the mood to read about Sookie shaving her legs
or getting her haircut, but I was mildly entertained for the duration of the
book. Sookie does seem to have changed since we first met her (only two years
ago in her time, but over ten years for us!). She is more realistic about what
the supernatural world is like, the violence and yes, the blood – but she does
have a habit of bursting into tears a lot. I also wasn’t keen on Sookie
randomly getting naked – I didn’t really see the point of that!
This isn’t a book that I would recommend people new to the
series to start at – most of the plot lines are hold overs from previous books
and only a few are resolved here. There
is a lot happening here – perhaps too much as individual stories can get lost,
are tied up quickly or left unresolved. I guess I miss it when the Sookie books
have definite beginning, middles and ends, but as the series has progressed the
number of characters and plot elements have grown to unwieldy amounts. On this occasion I felt the vampire, fae and
home life stories meshed better with each one having something to say about who
Sookie is now.
Overall, it was a pleasant enough read – I do love Eric and
Pam so any book where they feature more is a plus for me…although I wasn’t so
keen on the reappearance of Bill, or Alcide for that matter. I felt like both
these characters have run out of steam a little. However, Sookie literally does
need to fight men off sticks it seems…I wonder if I can find out her secret…
I know what you mean, Mel :) about being mildly entertained. I'm looking forward to the end of the series though, it's overdue in that regard. Next one, Deadlocked, I reserved from the library for when it's available. There is just no point to buy these books anymore...
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! I agree with you on many of your points. These books are good when you want some good, fun entertainment, with some eye-candy of course ie. Eric =).
ReplyDeleteI still love this series, but I agree that both Bill and Alcide need to hit the road and never come back! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree it was a really nice book, but for me it was like a full big novella lol. It's a good secret I think.
ReplyDeleteEh, I am just gonna read the final book when it comes out ;)
ReplyDeleteA year behind? I think I'm several. I so need to get caught up in my SOOKIE! :)
ReplyDeletePS... Eric is MINE! :D
Yeah, lately, I feel like I really really have to be in the mood for Sookie in order to pick up the book. I have yet to read the latest release because I haven't felt motivated to do so. Mildly entertained is the perfect way to describe the latter books.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, Alcide was completely useless in this book.