Dead Reckoning Review

Dead Reckoning 
by Charlaine Harris
From Goodreads:

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...

My Thoughts: Is it weird that I slightly dread the newest Sookie books because I'm afraid that Harris is going to reunite Bill and Sookie?  Because I am an Eric fan, in both the books and the tv show (unlike Mr. Alan Ball who has a serious crush on Bill (Stephen Moyer) and can't understand why most women prefer Eric *rollingmyeyes*).  There's a lot going on in this novel, Sookie's fairy family are living with her, someone's fire bombing Sam's bar, Pam and Eric are fighting, a naked Alcide and of course, Bill the vampire.  Although I will continue reading this series, I'm just not having as much fun as I used to.  And while I was happy to see Amelia back, I was pissed about why she was back and what Sookie did behind Eric's back.  I just don't get her at times.  And that's true for book Sookie and doubly true for tv show Sookie.  Sometimes I just want to slap her, just a little, hard enough to leave a red mark but no real, lasting bruise.  And seriously, the whole nakedness with Bill was très annoying and completely ridiculous, and this is the opinion of someone that actually enjoyed Grease 2 so obviously my standards are pretty low.  Oh, and Hunter and a Pelt sibling were thrown in the mix too.  Like I said, a lot going on, with all the characters being a bit annoying (Eric in the beginning, Sookie towards the end, and Bill just because of his continued existence in the books.  My kingdom for a wooden stake!).  Even Sam was a jerk (yes, he's kind of one on the show, but in the books he's pretty lovable, except obviously to Sookie which is ridiculous because he'd actually be able to give her all the crap that she's always whining about).  So, I'll read the next book, and any after that.  But when it comes to re-reading I have a feeling that only book number 4 is going to get well-worn. 

Dead Reckoning gets a Midnight Book Rating of:

The extra half is for Pam.  Love her, wouldn't mind if she got her own series spin off- book or show!

The Southern Vampire Series or Help! I'm In Love With Vampire Eric!!

I read the first Southern Vampire Series book, Dead Until Dark, by Charlaine Harris about a year ago for my Midnight Book Club. I then bought the second book immediately afterward because. as I may have pointed out before, I have a slight issue of book buying binging. But since my book club had moved on, and I already have lots of books bought but not read, I put it aside... or misplaced, same thing.

I dug out the second book, Dead in Dallas, in preparation for a three week beach vacation. I had already seen the first episode of the TV show True Blood, in fact had seen it before I read the first book, but hadn't continued with the series and canceled HBO when we moved. I had liked the first book, but just as in the show, I couldn't really get into Sookie Stackhouse's head. Vampire Bill was doing nothing for me. Eric was interesting, but not featured much in the first book and not at all in the first tv episode. Then, before vacation, True Blood season 1 came out on dvd, and I got caught up into it, and Alexander Skarsgard. And since the first season was pretty much or less like book 1. My interest was peaked and beginning with Dead in Dallas I suddenly had a reason to read the series- Eric Northman.

While at the beach I bought the 3rd book, but as I had brought 9 books with me, I felt compelled to put it aside until I returned home. Upon my return to my non-beachside town, I found my friend Ame obsessed with the series and the show. She was quick to supply with with books 4-9 (in a completely legal manner, I assure you) and links to the second season of True Blood.

Putting aside the hotness of Alexander Skarsgard, I instead focused on the books. I pretty much flew through them. And finally, Book 4 seemed to love Eric Northman as much as I did! I also began to fall in love with Bon Temps, and with the focus off vampire Bill, I was in my zone. Along the way new characters caught my interest, Alcide, Amelia and Quinn, while some just pissed me off like Arlene. When I finally got to book 9 I was shocked at how short it seemed, but it was still packed with lots of action and danger. Poor Sookie, is there anything in her that hasn't been broken yet? It's a good thing vampire blood has healing properties in it, or Sookie would be a corpse.

With the last book read (Book 10 doesn't come out until May- my birthday month!) I watched the entire second season of True Blood, catching the season finale just a few days ago. And while I'm not crazy about all the vampire Bill love, Eric is being featured more and more, and hopefully will become as key a player as he is in the books. Normally I'm much better at separating books from their movie/tv counterparts, like with Gossip Girl. And I'm trying with the Southern Vampire Books and True Blood, I think I just need a little distance.

Have you read the series? What did you think of Sookie's development throughout the series so far? And most importantly, which vampire is Niall speaking of in the last book? I want it to be Eric, but suspect it's Bill. And honestly, I understand the True Blood love for Bill despite my personal dislike of the character- Stephen Moyer is a fine actor, but my blood belongs to a certain dead, tall, Swede.