Book Review: Death's Excellent Vacation edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner

Summary:
New York Times bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Katie MacAlister, Jeaniene Frost-plus Lilith Saintcrow, Jeff Abbott, and more-send postcards from the edge of the paranormal world to fans who devoured Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and Many Bloody Returns.


With an all-new Sookie Stackhouse story and twelve other original tales, editors Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner bring together a stellar collection of tour guides who offer vacations that are frightening, funny, and touching for the fanged, the furry, the demonic, and the grotesque. Learn why it really can be an endless summer-for immortals.
 
Review:
This book was a library impulse-grab.  I saw it on the new releases shelf as I was passing through and grabbed it immediately when I saw that there were a new Sookie Stackhouse (#10.1) and Night Huntress (#4.5) stories included. 


There are thirteen short stories by different authors in this book.  Please be aware that I read only the stories by Charlaine Harris and Jeaniene Frost.  I planned to read the others, but as you all know, I'm no fan of short stories and another book caught my attention in the meantime.  Imagine that!


Charlaine Harris' short story Two Blondes is my favorite Sookie short story yet.  Sookie and Pam are on what Pam calls a short vacation but what is really an errand for Eric.  Is it just me, or does Sookie run a lot of errands for Eric?  The girls get into some trouble, as is expected, and end up auditioning as dancers for a gentlemans' club.  Two Blondes was tons of fun!

Jeaniene Frost's short story occurs after the events of Destined For an Early Grave (Night Huntress #4).  Cat and Bones are on a job as a favor to Uncle Don.  They are protecting a young heiress from supernatural threats, and meet up with Justina along the way.  Justina is recovering from the death of Rodney and being turned into a vampire.  I just love these characters and Frost's world!  

Both of these short stories were great fun; however, they left me wanting more, as all short stories do.  For fans of the series, they are not to be missed!  I would not read these short stories if you have not read the books in order yet, as they do contain spoilers to the previous books. 

Just One Gripe:
The same as all short stories---I just want more!

The Best Thing About This Book:
Getting a sneak peak into the worlds in between novel releases.

Appropriate for a younger audience:
No
Score:
Characters:  5/5
Plot: 3/5
Setting/Imagery: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Total Score:  20/25



8 comments:

  1. I love stories that leaving me wanting more. Great review. Don't ya love when an impulse buy pans out?

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  2. I'm not a fan of short stories - in fact I usually avoid them at all costs but I'm so tempted by this if just for Charlaine Harris.

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  3. I'm not a big fan of short stories either. You don't always get a connection with the characters.

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  4. I saw CHariis on tour this past summer and she was talking about that story. I think I will grab the book at the bookstore and read just that one!

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  5. I have been itching to pick this up from my library ever since you first told me about this book. I think I will have to pick it up soon, if only to read the stories by Harris and Frost...

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  6. Similarly, with a short story I feel cheated. Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
    steph@fangswandsandfairydust.com

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  7. I have to go mark this as a to-read on Good Reads :) Great review.

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  8. i have been dying to get a hold of this sookie stackhouse short storyyy! even more now that I read ur review lol

    - Annie @ BOOKed UP!

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