Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1) by Charlaine Harris
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Book Reviews of Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1)
Book Review: Not that great
Summary: 2 Stars
When I started this book, I was very excited. Having read great reviews on Amazon, and having read other authors praise this book for it's creativity and great story line, I was sadly disappointed. Not only was the main character difficult to relate to, incredibly simple and plain, but the author continuously pointed out that Sookie was "un-educated, working class, but not stupid" I think that this point was driven home without having to mention it numerous times throughout the book. Sookie is an all to simplistic character who does little growth and her obsession with Vampires is never really made clear. Additionally, her love for Bill (though it's pretty funny that his name is simply Bill-- not LeStat or something else exotic) is curious at best. Again, it is never explained how their relationship transitioned from friend (well, not really a friend. How about acquaintance?) to more. Her breaking up with him then calling him to bail her out of trouble was tiresome at best.
I would not, and will not recommend this book to anyone to read. Unless you are stranded on a desert island with nothing else to do, do not pick up this book. To compare it to Kim Harrison and her Rachel Morgan series is blasphemy.
Book Review: My Favorite Vampire Series
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who has read AFTER MIDNIGHT or THE VAMPIRE WHO LOVED ME will tell you that I don't like to venture too far over to the dark side and I like my vamps with tongues (and fangs) planted firmly in cheek. So when I first discovered Charlaine Harris's DEAD UNTIL DARK, it was a supernatural match made in heaven. All I had to hear was, "It's a book about a cocktail waitress named Sookie Stackhouse and a Southern vampire named Bill" and I went racing for the bookstore shelves.
Everything about this series feel fresh to me. Unlike so many vampire tales, Charlaine Harris's books aren't set in New Orleans but in the rural backwater town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Bill is the quintessential vampire--tall, dark, handsome...and undead. Since he was "turned" just after the Civil War, he also has a laconic drawl. And in an added advantage, sex with Bill temporarily gives a girl supernatural strength, glowing skin, and fabulous shiny hair like those models in the Pantene commercials.
The books are all written in first person and Sookie Stackhouse is one of the strongest and most likable female characters I've ever met. She looks like the girl we all wanted to be in high school--she's (pardon the pun) stacked and has a shiny mane of long straight blond hair. But she's also the girl we all wanted to be our best friend in high school--she's funny, kind, wry and smarter than almost everyone else around her. And did I mention that she's psychic? That's right--she can read minds. Well, everyone's mind but Bill's and his vampire kin, which is yet another reason why he's so attractive to her.
The books are wonderful adventure/mystery/vampire tales but they're also very sexy, especially when Ms. Harris introduces Bill's sexy and sinister vampire boss Eric, who neatly straddles the line between villain and hero and creates a Ranger/Joe-sized dilemma in the reader's mind. In the third book of the series, CLUB DEAD, we also meet Alcide Herveaux, a biker werewolf, who made me think that I might not mind a little back hair if it was on the right guy (or werewolf).
Alan Ball, the creator of SIX FEET UNDER, has optioned the books to make a television series for HBO. I just wish I could be there when the casting call goes out for Bill, Eric, and Alcide!
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Book Review: Funny, creative sci-fi romantic mystery series!
Summary: 5 Stars
A friend of mine recommended this book to me. When I started reading Dead Until Dark, I was hooked right from the get go. It creatively combines Sci-Fi, comedy, Romance and mystery and makes for a interesting and entertaining read. I am almost finished reading Dead to the World and I can't wait to find out what happens next. I'm very much looking forward to the HBO spin-off to see if what the characters I envisioned from the book turn out like on TV. I love the author's creativity down to the little details! It's a must read!!!Book Review: Good Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I am really enjoying this series. I get so wrapped up in Sookie's life as soon as I finish one book I pick up the other.Book Review: Not as good as I'd hoped
Summary: 3 Stars
I've had a lot of people recommend Charlaine Harris to me over the past few years, and I had the pleasure of seeing her in person and seeing how charming and funny she was then, so I bought the first Sookie book, hoping it would live up to its hype. I won't bother with plot reviews because this late in the game, there are a ton of other reviews up that have that, but honestly, I spent most of the book waiting for it to get as funny and charming as people claimed. I found Bill to be dull as dishwater, and Sookie alternatingly annoying and dim. I stuck with it because there were sections that genuinely entertained me. I most enjoyed Sookie's boss, Sam, and kept hoping Sookie would drop the boring vampire to be with him. I've heard a couple spoilers for later books, so I've bought the second, hoping it gets better. I love ongoing series, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.