A Touch Of Dead - by Charlaine Harris
Review by D Michelle
A Touch Of Dead - by Charlaine Harris. I actually bought this thinking it was another in the True Blood series. Who can keep up with how many have been written and without going back to the books. Who knows what you've read, they all meld into one another after a while and only the highlights make for good landmarks. This is a collection of 5 short stories centred around Miss Stackhouse. It would appear that Charlaine Harris is like me in the fact that once something is written, it'll never get thrown away. The difference here is that the books that these stories fit into have been written and the stories actually are relevant to one story or another so they won't fit anywhere else. So instead of adapting for another story, later on, or just going against the grain and throwing them out with a big sigh, it seems that another option arose. "Let's make a separate book with them!" - what a great idea... except that it's not a great idea. The stories were left out of the books in the first place and I think that was the right decision. I finished the book because I don't like leaving them unfinished (OCD) but I didn't enjoy the stories really. They seem contrived and 'trying too hard' (especially the last one). I must say that I've read every one of the Sookie Stackhouse vampire books and I think the series has run its course. The stories are becoming 'samey' and not even Charlaine Harris's talent is enough to keep me reading many more of them. One more to go... Published 19/08/2010 Publisher Gollancz ISBN 9780575094444 |
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Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris.
Review by Louise
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris. This is the 6th book in the Sookie Stackhouse novels, the series of books from which the popular TV series is based off "Tru Blood". After reading the previous books in the series, the characters are well established by now. Although the books are nothing really like the series on TV, I thought this particular installment was pretty "same old same old" in plot. Sookie's telepathic services are in demand again by the vampires, particulary the Queen of Louisiana. Also, Sookie is being targeted by some unknown force that's out to kill her. If it wasnt for the fact that i have read the other 6th books in the series, I must admit, I probably would have tossed it aside. It also seemed that there was a book missing between the last and this one, as the death of her cousin Hadley was mentioned but not elaborated on that much, and most of the book took place in New Orleans rather than the usual setting of Bon Temps. However, with a little perseverance, i read on. I DID find the sexual chemistry between Sookie and her new "squeeze" quite exciting as he wasnt a vamp for a change! Towards the end of the book it was quite difficult to predict what was going to happen, but surprisingly it picked right up and left things open for book 7 in the series to be a page turner, especially when it comes to her relationship with vampire Bill. So my faith was restored. In summary i found Charlaine had adopted the style of Stephen King, where not much happens throughout and then everything comes to a climax at the end. Fans of Charlaine Harris shouldnt let this book stop them from reading on in the series. Roll on the next! Published 09/07/2009 Publisher Gollancz ISBN 9780575091047 |
Altogether Dead by Charlaine Harris
Review by Louise
Reaching book N0 7 in the Sookie Stackhouse novels, I was beginning to think I had O.D’d a bit on these as I had read one after the other without a break reading any other books. There are a number of different designs to this series of books but my favourite are the ones i have with the front showing Sookie's lips and nose, you never see her eyes until the last book of the season I've noticed. Maybe, something poignant is revealed in the last book??!! Who knows until i get there! The first ten chapters or so personally were hard work for me, there were a lot of names and new characters to remember as Sookie went to a Vampire convention. A lot of groundwork was being laid to get to know these characters and I felt like it was a bit monotonous and slow. The information and building of the story kind of went in a blurr for me. A lot of emphasis was spent on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina too which I think was the Authors way of paying homage to the victims of this natural disaster. But after Chapter 11 all was forgiven when the book was changed into a supernatural disaster movie with intrigue, excitement, confusion and “will they – won’t they” scenarios! Once again, the jury is still out on Eric and Sookie, even though new man Quinn is a strong contender. It would have been one of the best books in the series yet if the first half was cut out and the last half was all there was, but you couldn’t have had one without the other. To sum up, if you can battle through the slow parts then the climax is well worth it!Published 20/10/2011 Publisher Gollancz ISBN 9780575117082 |
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