Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
For those unfamiliar, the Sookie books are more correctly known as The Southern Vampire Mysteries, written by Charlaine Harris. The books are the inspiration for HBO's awesome, awesome vampire dramedy series, True Blood. No, the books aren't as gritty as the series. Plus, Alan Ball, the creator of True Blood, takes liberties with characters and plot lines. However, the books are the perfect fare for urban fantasy/romance fans or English majors who like having guilty pleasures. Though, come to think of it, those two sets of people aren't mutually exclusive.
Anyway...
[If you watch True Blood but do not read the books and do not want to know what may happen in True Blood, DO NOT READ the next part. In other words, SPOILERS AHEAD.]
In this 10th Sookie Stackhouse novel, Sookie and her supernatural friends have emerged from the Fae War not entirely victorious. Many of her friends have been lost, including Sookie's fairy cousin/godmother, Claudine. Sookie herself is recovering from severe injuries, not the least of which was the big bite taken out of her side by one of her fairy captors. Nevertheless, Sookie finds a supportive shoulder in her boyfriend, Eric. (wheee!) However, the relative peace of their relationship is threatened by ever-growing complexity of vampire politics, not to mention the arrival of Eric's maker and with a severely disturbed "brother" in tow.
[End of SPOILER]
By the way, I think Charlaine Harris is one of my most reviewed authors here because I have read almost all the books in two of her series. Hey, if Alan Ball calls the Southern Vampire Mysteries "popcorn for smart people," who am I to argue? Anyway, my other reviews of the Sookie Stackhouse books are here, here, and here. A lot of them, like this one, I borrowed from fellow Harris fan, Ning.
I do like Charlaine Harris. She's like ice-cold Coke on an extremely hot summer day--goes down easy and quickly. Refreshing, too, if you've read a lot of heavy reads prior. Nevertheless, I'm starting to get this feeling that this series is shaping up like a vampire itself--just goes on and on and on.
The Sookie books can, like a vampire, too, suck you into its world. But when you get back to self-awareness, you wonder-- again like some vampires with existentialist complexes do--when will it all end? Not that I don't enjoy the Sookie books. I do, I do. But everything is starting to seem drawn out more. And when that happens, a story, a thread, loses its integrity.
Or maybe I'm just reacting because the book doesn't really move the Southern Vampire narrative along. It seems like an exposition on vampire history and more vampire politics which, by the way, doesn't strike the proper note with me.
Vampire politics? Who knew they could be so organized? Not that they lack intellect, but that level of organization kind of takes away the mystique from the vampire figure. Harris' vampires cut up the whole of the United States into different regions, over and above the kingdoms that they have, and rule according to a strict set of rules bounded by hierarchy and geography. What happened to the primal, sexy, solitary beast that we were all attracted to? Now they sound like fat politicians.
What I'd like to see more of, though, if more books come from this series, is Hunter, Sookie's nephew, and possibly a greater role for him to play. I'm iffy about Sookie's growing cold-bloodedness. It could lead to greater depth in her character, or it could just fizzle out. I'm hoping for the first one, of course.
Having said all this, will I stop reading more Southern Vampire Mysteries? Of course not!
You expect me to give up popcorn?
Comments
I agree with you, less politics, more story. But they are very enjoyable quick reads. I only wish I could borrow books 9 and 10 as I've only gotten up to book 8 - I wait for paperbacks on eBay since I can't bring myself to buy them at discounted bookstore prices with my really tiny book-buying budget. When I do eventually get an e-reader, this series will probably be first on there, apart from the classics, so that I can free up much needed shelf space.
I love the Sookie series. I definitely agree with you that there needs to be more Hunter in the series. I can't wait for more of the series, but also I feel like it eventually needs to end.
btw, noticed you guys were talking about e-readers, i got one months back and its a complete space saver, but to be quite honest, i miss the novelty of turning a page, the scent of the paper and simply just seeing a stack of books piled on my bedside.
cheers.
@aloi - A bit belated, but thanks!
@cialina - You're welcome! Yes, all good things must come to an end.
@C+A - Hi! I went to your blog and wanted to post a comment, but wasn't sure where the comments section was. Anyway, glad to meet you, and, yes, I'm liking the show better now than the books.:)