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.
