Dead to the World

Customer Reviews

Maybe the best Sookie yet

With her vampire ex-boyfriend heading out of town, Sookie Stackhouse looks forward to more peaceful (and lonely) times in small-town Louisianna. But when her brother starts dating a shape-shifter and hunky vampire Sheriff, Eric loses his memory and Sookie finds him running naked near her house, she realizes that the times will be anything but peaceful. With his memory intact, Eric was a jerk but he's sort of sweet without it--and Sookie has a hard time fighting the attraction. Still, she's made a new year's resolution--no more getting beat up. And if she hangs with Eric and the other vampires, she knows she's going to get hurt.

When her brother turns up missing, though, Sookie realizes that she can't just lay low. And with witches trying to take over nearby Shreveport (where Eric is from), it doesn't take long before she's in the middle of the fight of her life. There is one bit of good news. Despite a great figure and good looks, Sookie's mind-reading always scared away the normal males. But as she meets shifters, witches, vampires, and even a fairy, there are plenty of non-human and half-human males who find Sookie just what they are looking for--assuming she can survive long enough to create a relationship.

Author Charlaine Harris mixes up humor, suspense, magic, and a really nice character in Sookie Stackhouse for an especially strong entry into her Southern Vampire series. In a world where amoral vampires and amoral humans wage war for control, Sookie provides an ethical perspective and a bit of balance. Her concern for her missing brother and her ambivalent feelings toward Eric increase reader empathy with Sookie and our stakes in the outcome.

I've enjoyed each of the Southern Vampire novels but DEAD TO THE WORLD may just be the best.

Hmmm...

I am one of the world's largest vampire fans. There isn't a whole lot of vampire films (even bad ones) or books I haven't read. As being from the south, I really enjoyed this series. The first two books were beyond excellent. I found myself as a mother of two staying up to all hours of the night to finish them, but with these last two books I have been slightly disappointed in how the book has been led to almost make Bill non-existant. I found him the strongest lead man in the first two books and now I am finding myself missing him. Although Eric is very appealing, I want Bill back!! I like the monogomy in the first two books and I find Sookie being kinda handed around in the last two. All in all, the book has some high points to its appeal. I just miss my vamp man!!

Give the poor girl a break!

I was going to hold out till this book out came in paperback, so all four in the series would match. My resolution lasted about a month, and I devoured the book yesterday. I've really enjoyed this series, but it's just getting depressing. So my main impression I had as I closed the book was "give poor Sookie a break!"

The first two books were a lot of fun. But the third one made me cry at the end, with the heartbreak that Sookie endures. When I started reading this one, I had hopes, but by the end of the book I was sad again. I don't want to feel sad when I spend $20 on a book and it compells me enough to read it in the space of one day. I enjoy spending time with Sookie in Bon Temps, and the characters that I feel I have grown to know very well in the past four volumes.

But I just want something *good* to happen to Sookie. I want her to find love that will last. (And I had to laugh at the reviewer who called her a "bed-hopping nympho." I didn't realize that sleeping with two guys in 26 years made you a nympho!!) Her self-worth has taken a beating her whole life, I would for once like to see her find someone who respects her and wants her.

Which means, of course, I'll be lining up to get book five, whenever that may be. I just hope it doesn't make me cry.