Book Review: Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11) by Charlaine Harris

Summary: 
With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...
 
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Age Group:  Adult
Publisher:  Ace
Source:  Purchased


Review:
Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series is one of my all-time favorite series.  But, something was lacking for me with Dead Reckoning.  The book was a very slow starter.  The day-to-day happenings of Sookie's life, interspersed with moments of intense violence, did not make for an easy read.  I was bored by the first part of the book, and by the time the action started, I was not emotionally invested in the outcome.  Someone wants to kill Sookie---this is the plot of every Sookie book and it's starting to get old.  

My complaint about Dead in the Family was that the book was dark.  And my complaint about Dead Reckoning is that the book felt sad.  Sookie is not the same girl she was at the beginning of the series---how could she be?---and the writing reflects that.  I think that Sookie is having trouble mentally reconciling the fact that her life will never be normal.  She wants to be normal, but she never will be.  She has a unique gift and is a key player in paranormal politics.  But so much has happened since she first met Bill.  She has loved, lost and loved again.  So many people have died...she has been a part of so much violence.  Sookie is forever changed, and I find myself hoping that she could just find love, true love, and run away from the paranormal world as a whole.

Dead Reckoning contained a conclusion to an important story line: Sandra Pelt.  Finally, we are through with the Pelts!  I was so tired of waiting for Sandra to show up and kill Sookie.  I also really liked the cameo by Lily and Jack.  I loved their series and enjoy seeing them make an appearance in the Sookie books.

The relationship between Eric and Pam is strained.  So is, for that matter, the relationship between Eric and Sookie.  Which, for me, was okay.  I still believe that Sookie and Sam will end up together, and have started to emotionally distance myself from Eric (who used to be my favorite character).  What I really want to know is, how many more books will be in this series?  I need to know when the story is going to end!  It feels like it's time for things to come to a close.   


 

3 comments:

  1. One day, I really should try this series.

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  2. Kelli, I thing you might have spoken too soon. I'm sure CH will find a way to hit us with an even more ridiculous Pelt storyline in future books. *sighs*

    Only 3 more books, I heard.

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  3. I love the series, however it seemed to drag forever around nothing. It looks like the author is running out if ideas to make Sookie's life interesting so she is bringing up issues that only try to keep Sookie worried and manless and don't make the book a better read. It was easy to forsee when the book was going to end, mostly because the plot was thin, like she is running out of good material, therefore we, the readers, are punished with 247 pages with marely 4 good chapters to enjoy.

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