Sunday, August 14, 2011

Definitely Dead

Definitely Dead

Charlaine Harris


This is my favorite Sookie book to date. And why is that -- no brooding Bill and annoying Eric. After the previous five books, that was starting to get on my nerves, I liked how book number six has taken a slightly different path with a flavor of other characters added in.

Now if you are keeping score between the television show and the books, book six and season three are almost on the same path. The books help you with what isn’t mentioned on the show, but …. the show has tweaked the storylines to the point that they only “kinda-sort-of” reflect the books. Individually, they are, and good, but when you are trying to do both, you find yourself getting angry and frustrated. Characters that are alive and well in one, have been killed off in the other and vice versa. Main storylines in the books are curiously adapted into another directions with creative license is alive and well, when it comes to this series.

Back to this book, Sookie is at her deceased cousin Hailey’s house to clean out her belongings when the spell that Amelia the landlord and resident witch, had put on the home wears off and an ominous odor takes over. That could only mean one thing here - there is a dead body and dead bodies have a way of leading to bad things when Sookie is involved.

This is the book where you learn a little bit more about the King and Queen of Louisiana and the evil doings that each are involved in. The Debbie Pelt thing is all tied up, Claudine has a major part and Quinn is turning into a character that I am truly enjoying. If you didn’t like Bill prior to this book, you are really going to despise him now. A major revelation as to why he came to Bon Temps in the first place is revealed. This is most definitely a game changer. We also find out why Sookie is so special. Why vampires are drawn to her and why mortal men are distant? I just loved this book. Ties up many loose ends and leaves enough strings dangling that you cannot help but to look forward to the next.

This book seems to be a dividing line for many followers of the series, I for one, loved it, thought it was the best by far, others readers not so much. I suggest that you start at the beginning and form you own opinion without watching the television series first. That would be a disappointment.

3 comments:

KarenJoan said...

I loved this one too. Great review, Nancy.

Unknown said...

I've heard so much about Harris and been meaning to read her books, maybe this will get me going. Nice review.
Mike

DuhBearsFan said...

You're right about the change of pace. I have read all of the novels (plus the short story collection), and sometimes tings seem to get a bit too repetitive. Still, an enjoyable series. Your review is on the money.