"Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana, but she keeps to herself and doesn't date much because of her "disability" to read minds. When she meets Bill, Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's the type of guy she's waited for all of her life, but he has a disability, too--he's a vampire with a bad reputation. When one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next. "
Blurb from Dead Until Dark (Book 1) - From GoodReads
I first heard of this series because of True Blood. Yeah, I'm one of those that got late in the game LOL. At the time I hadn't started my obsession with UF and PNR so it was quite understandable that a couch potato like me learned of the TV show before finding out there was a book series behind it.
After I got addicted to reading everything paranormal, this series kept popping into my radar. I had already seen the show and loved it, because of that I was reluctant to read it. That doesn't make any sense? I'll explain. I HATE reading a book that has become as series/movie after I have already watched the series/movie.
An example was the Dresden File series by Jim Butcher. I had seen some of the TV show's episodes and therefore felt tainted when I started reading book one. It took me forever to finish it, but by the end I got really into it. I feel that I need a blank slate when reading a book series and not being influenced by the TV or the movies.
I finally gave in and bought a box with books 1-8 and even after that it took me a while to start it. I did and I have to say I was done for after that. Book one was a bit shaky, because of the damn comparison with the TV show that kept going through my mind, but after that? Damn, I was in love! I read the 9 Books out so far in a week and I want more and more...
The Sookie Stackhouse series is not deep and does not try to be something that it isn't. It's a fun series, with interesting characters that live in a world like our own, but where Vampires are not only real, but have just "come out of the coffin".
The Sookie in the book is so much better than the TV one. She is strong, loyal, fun, interesting and you can't help but love her and feel for her. She is just great. I loved her sense of humor and her loyalty to her friends. I loved that she sticks up for herself even to powerful vamps that would leave anyone else trembling.
A lot goes on from Book 1 until the latest installment and I don't want to spoil anything, but I have to say that all the books so far are fast paced, fun and full of adventure. There are tons of secondary characters that make the world Sookie lives in very interesting and rich.
In the romance department we have to deal with Bill, Sam, Eric and more... Personally I LOVE Eric and am definitely part of TEAM ERIC hehe. The sex scenes aren't up to erotic standards, but they are there and I have to say that at times, they were very steamy, specially where Eric was concerned ::fans self::
Best Book so far: I have to say it was "Dead to the World" (Book 4) - A lot of a Eric and a lot of fun =)
Most Difficult Book to read: "Dead and Gone" (Book 8) - A lot happens in this book and it has a lot of pain. Some people have told me they were very disappointed with it, I actually enjoyed this book a lot. But it was definitely a hard book, specially having to see Sookie suffer so much.
Worst Book so far: "Touch of Dead" (Book 9 - Short Stories collection) - after finishing book 8 I went on the hunt for anything Sookie and was quite disappointed with this one. A couple stories were fun, but it was montly Blah! for me...
All in all, I LOVED this series. Sookie is no Kate Daniels of Allie Beckstrom. She is not the kick-ass heroine we are used to seeing in Urban Fantasy books. However she does kick-ass in her own way, by being brave, fun and flawed. She is far from perfect and that makes her more real and even more lovable. She makes the wrong choices a lot of the time and can be so irritating, but you can't help but love her anyways.
I recommend this series to any Paranormal fan out there. You won't be disappointed!
Smut Level: 2.5/5 =)
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I feel the same way about book Sookie vs. TV Sookie. I am so glad you enjoyed the series! :) I agree that book 4 is my favorite! Yay! Eric! I disagree on your least favorite though...I enjoyed the fairies in the last book. My least favorite was book 6 Definitely Dead. I was not a big fan of Quinn. Again, I am so happy you enjoyed the series! :D
*edit* I am such an idiot! I didn't see that the last book you put down as least liked was the collection of short stories! :P I haven't read that one yet! I thought you meant Dead and Gone! Oh jeez! Sorry!
@Lily
hehe I did like the fairies =) I just thought the short stories were maybe too short?? LOL I did say I liked a couple of them hehe =)
xoxo
@Lily
LOL you're forgiven hon! hehe =)))
I love the Sookie Stackhouse books. Eric is my favorite from the guys. Book 4 is excellent.
I am so glad you finally got to read the series. I love it too and watch 'True Blood' when its on.
I am Team Eric as well. I want a T-shirt :)
Monica
@Colleen
I totally agree with you! =)
@Monica
Im glad I finally got to read them too!
LOL I'd love a Tshirt too hehe =)
xoxo
Right on about the book vs tv. I hate it when that happens.
My fave book of all is the Eric book. Lol. Book 4 is the best.
I'm glad you like the books. These ia my favorite series.
I can't waiy for Dead in the Family.
Go to CH's website for glimpse if chapter 1.
@Pat
OMG I have read Chap 1 already!
Im dying for the book! =))))
I have this series in my TBR pile & am looking forward to reading them.
Also I just ordered the whole Demonica series!! I've been wanting to get them ever since your Demonica week & since I won an amazon voucher I just had to get them :o) Can't wait for them to arrive!!
I loved the Sookie books too. I actually started reading the books because a friend of mine insisted I take book one home with me. It was our joint birthday party and I was wasted. I woke to being 24 and meeting Eric, didn't have much love for him in book one but like you by book 4 I was a goner, I have been known to say things like "I am so Team Eric!" My boss actually bought me a bottle of TruBlood and a TruBlood teeshirt for Christmas. I do think ASkar makes a hot Eric though!
Ah, I just got into True Blood and I'm loving it so far! I've been wanting to read the books but haven't really felt much of a draw to read them, until now. :D Wonderful review of this series, I must go find that box set now! XD
ARGHHHHH!!!!! You are a total Sookie convert!
I love Eric - you can't beat that shower scene. Bill can suck it, as far as I'm concerned.
It is a fun series - but I think half the brilliance of Charlaine Harris's writing is that she keeps things so funny and sexy, but she also has a lot of deeper meanings. Like the whole 'Light of Day' institute and the politics of vampires 'coming out of the coffin'. It's all an examination of prejudice. I think Ms. Harris is one clever woman.
And I see you're reading the new Eileen Wilks! Damn, my copy hasn't arrived yet and I am desprate for some Rule sexiness!
So many have read this series and rave over it. I have not got it yet so it is on my list to get to some day here. Thanks for the reviews.
I agree book 4 was my Fav and I absolutely love Eric. Although, I still have a thing for Bill. And I don't think Sam is a serious contender. And I didn't like Quinn and Alcide (sp?)
@Sarah
YAY I cant wait to see what you think of the Demonica series! awesome! =)))
@Lily of the Darkness
I agree with you he is the perfect Eric IMHO =)))
@Anna
You soooooo do!!! I hope you love it! =)
@Danielle
You are absolutely right, the series does have nice deeper connotations that make it more interesting!
OMG I LOVE Rule!!! hahahahah
@Melissa
I hope you get to it soon! it really is a must read! =)))
@Sarah
LOL I have a thing for Bill too,but he is extremelly irritating LOL
I didnt like them either hehe =)
I found books 1 and 2 painful to read because like you, I compared it to True Blood. I'm late to the Sookie Stackhouse game also. I read book 3 a couple of months ago and I still wasn't impressed. I won book 4 recently and I hope that the series starts to get better. But right now, I don't see the hype surrounding the series. *ducks and runs for cover*
I'm REALLY looking forward to the Demonica series :o) I'm sure I'm going to love it as much as you do!!
I've got an award for you :o)
http://bookreviewsbysarah.blogspot.com/2010/02/award-time.html
I agree with you for best/ most difficult book so far. I'm really curious where Harris is going with her next book since on her blog she made it sound like the end of book 8 was majorly changed from her original plan. Do you think getting the book of short stories is worth it? I've seen alot of bad/mediocre reviews for it so I've been on the fence about whether I should get it or not.
@Marquetta
LOL no need to run for cover hehe if Book 4 doesnt make you a sookie fan, I dont think anything will hehe and thats ok =)))
@Sarah
Thanks so much for the award hon! =)
@Heather C
Have you read Chapter 1 of the new book?? it got me tingling with excitement for the book LOL
I dont know if its worth it to be quite honest. definitely not hardcover worth it I have to say... It wasnt awful, but it was disppointing =0)
Oh yes another international contest! But Goddamn! I never win.
+5 if you are a Blog Follower (Google friend connect)
g.carrera@email.it
P.S. What aboit Italy? ;)
Yeah I read the first chapter off her website! I can't wait for the new book - the title Dead in the Family opens up alot of interesting possibilities as to where the new book will go!