Book Review: Dead But not Forgotten - Various Authors

 Dead But not Forgotten - Various Authors

Charlaine Harris' smash-hit Sookie Stackhouse series may have reached its conclusion, but the world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, lives on in this all-new collection of 15 stories.  Written by a killer lineup of authors including New York Times best-sellers Rachel Caine, MaryJanice Davidson, Jonathan Maberry and Seanan McGuire, and with introductions read by Charlaine herself, Dead but Not Forgotten puts your favorite characters center stage.

2/5 stars (it was OK)

It is a very interesting idea to have other authors write about these characters.  Although I actually did not like most of the stories.  My favorite stories were "The Real Santa Claus" by Leigh Perry and "Love Story" by Jeanne C. Stein.  The first being about Diantha and takes place several years after the series ends.  It was nice to see where Sookie and Sam were.  Then the second story was about the love affair that Adele had and how she had her children.

Book Review: After Dead: What Came Next in the World of Sookie Stackhouse – Charlaine Harris

After Dead:  What Came Next in the World of Sookie Stackhouse – Charlaine Harris

Dead Ever After maked the end of the Sookie Stackhouse series—novels that garnered millions of fans and spawned the hit HBO television show True Blood.  It also stoked a hunger that will never die…a hunger to know what happened next.

With characters arranged alphabetically—from the Ancient Pythoness to Bethany Zanelli—bestselling author Charlaine Harris takes fans into the future of their favorite residents of Bon Temps and environs.  You’ll learn how Michele and Jason’s marriage fared, what happened to Sookie’s cousin Hunter, and whether Tara and JB’s twins grew up to be solid citizens.

This coda provides the answers to your lingering questions—including details of Sookie’s own happily-ever-after….

2/5 stars (it was OK)

This is an alphabetical listing of every character that survived in the Sookie Stackhouse universe.  I think I would rather have had an actual story months or years later and see where my favorite characters were.  I mean the only characters I really cared about where Sookie, Sam, Eric, Bill, Pam and Jason.  The book is very short and some of the characters I didn't’ even remember.

Book Review: The Sookie Stackhouse Companion – Charlaine Harris

The Sookie Stackhouse Companion – Charlaine Harris

Charlaine Harris has topped the bestseller charts and become a nationwide phenomenon, thanks to the unconventional, and otherworldly life of Sookie Stackhouse.  Now take a closer look at Sookie and her family, friends, enemies, adventures, and-of course-the lovers who set her world on fire…

Visit Bon Temps, the small Louisiana town that Sookie calls home, with a detailed map created by Charlaine herself, and learn the characteristics of the supernaturals who live there: vampires, two-natured, and fae.  Examine all the branches of Sookie’s family tree.  And eavesdrop on the private conversations between rival vampires Eric and Bill.

Also, enjoy the compelling, never-before-published novella “Small-Town Wedding,” in which Sookie accompanies her shape-shifting boss, Sam, to his brother’s wedding in Texas, where happily-ever-after seems very far away…

Exclusive interviews with True Blood creator Alan Ball and author Charlaine Harris- complied from fan questions-will satisfy your craving for all things Sookie, as will trivia questions, recipes (including Caroline Bellefleur’s famous chocolate cake!”, and a concordance to the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

3/5 stars (liked it)

I liked the map of Bon Temps that was included in this book.  It was fun to see the places that have been mentioned in the book and where they are in relation to one another.  The short story “Small-Town Wedding” gave us a peek into Sam’s family life and more of his background.  Sookie and Sam go to Texas to attend Sam’s brother’s wedding but of course things in the supernatural world do not ever go according to plan.  The rest of the book includes a summary of all the books, which I skimmed.  But at the end of each summary it has private conversations between Eric and Bill which I found interesting.  The rest of the book is interviews with Alan Ball and Charlaine Harris and other interesting tidbits.

Book Review: Dead Ever After - Charlaine Harris

Dead Ever After – Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s.  After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed.  But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut.  He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence.  And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail.  Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie.  What passes for justice is more spilled blood.  And what passes for love is never enough…

3/5 stars (liked it)

I have not been too happy with the last couple of books, I feel like the stories have gotten dragged out.  So in a way I was glad that this book concluded Sookie’s story.  Although I thought Charlaine Harris tried too hard to bring back old characters and push away certain characters.  I think maybe Sookie’s story should have ended a couple of books ago.  Overall I think Sookie made the right decision in who she ended up with, although why it took her so long to realize is crazy.  Arlene’s killer is found and I really wasn’t too surprised who was behind it, although seems rather elaborate and eve Sookie points it out.  And as always I love the art on the cover.

Book Review: Deadlocked - Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked - Charlaine Harris

With Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), in town, it’s the worst possible time for a body to show up in Eric Northman’s front yard—especially the body of a woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

3/5 stars (liked it)

Wow I can't believe I have read 12 of these books.  They are still good but I'm not sure what else she can do with these and I think I'm ready to see the end.  I thought this book took a while to take off.  It pretty much starts off with a murder and the killer is not found until almost the end.  I was surprised at who was behind it.  Also the ending just kind of ends and I'm assuming that things will be resolved/answered in the next one.  Pretty much felt like a set up for the next book.