Breaking Bad - Ozymandias - Percy B Shelley

OZYMANDIAS

PERCY B SHELLEY

I MET a Traveler from an antique land, 
Who said, "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone 
Stand in the desart. Near them, on the sand, 
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, 
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, 
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read, 
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, 
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed: 
And on the pedestal these words appear: 
"My name is OZYMANDIAS, King of Kings." 
Look on my works ye Mighty, and despair! 
No thing beside remains. Round the decay 
Of that Colossal Wreck, boundless and bare, 
The lone and level sands stretch far away.

First published in 1818

The poem above was used to launch the second half of season 5 of Breaking Bad - one of the oddest, most compelling and addictive TV series. The internet is already rife with speculation as to what it all means. Me? I just can't wait for the remaining episodes to air!

Also posted on Culturally Fixated. 

The Secret Circle - Book 3

Book Three - The Power

In So Deadly A Battle...


United at last with Diana, the mistress of her coven, Cassie must first sacrifice her love for Adam to save the Secret Circle and the town of New Salem from the evil powers of the witch Faye.


Threatened by the possibility of her destruction in a final battle between good and evil, Cassie must hope that her supernatural gifts are strong enough to obliterate the powers of evil.


If victorious, Cassie will win more than she ever dreamed. But if she and Diana fail, the Power will go to those who seek only to destroy.


Can Anyone Triumph?

By far the best book in the trilogy; so naturally it has THE WORST BLURB of the trilogy. 

* * * * *

SPOILERS

* * * * *
 

This book picks at the exact same point the second book ended. Faye has just devastated the group...for the second time by revealing that Cassie and Adam are madly in love and hiding it behind Diana's back. You know...because she's Adam's ACTUAL girlfriend. 

While the Coven are initially sceptical; they soon realise that Faye is telling the truth. Faye continues - revealing the Cassie stole the magical skull - all the while twisting the truth further and further to make it appear that Cassie had been deliberately using and working against her fellow practitioners. 


Adam however insists on having his say. Between them, Cassie and Adam manage to explain what had really happened. The coven are confused and hurt but after Diana magnanimously forgives the duplicitous duo; all the poison leeches out of the gathering. 

Furious at her failure to crush Cassie; Faye becomes increasingly vicious. On the one hand, she insists on being recognised as the Coven leader. On the other, she distances herself from the group so thoroughly that even her allies begins to recognise how pernicious an influence she has become. 


Cassie tells the group of Black John's most recent visit to the Cove - finally providing the group with the explanation to their parents death. For those in the group who still have both parents; it's sobering. For those who lost a parent in the fight for good - particularly Nick who lost both - it offers respite. Although he is alone in the world, he knows now with certainty that his parents were decent upstanding witches - who gave their lives to try and protect the town from evil. 


Black John finally reveals himself to the group at Cassie's grandmothers funeral. It transpires that he has taken over the role of principal at their high school. His goal - it appears - is to destroy the coven. 
Portia (from book one) and her witch-hunting brothers move into the area and the school environment rapidly changes. No long are the Coven on top - indeed they are now openly despised. Black John uses his power to create an anti-witch environment, while appearing to only be improving discipline. He even manages to bring back the stocks by claiming them as culturally and historically significant.


Cassie - whose mother has had a complete breakdown - moves in with Diana, who continues to offer friendship and support. Nick asks her out, and to everyone's surprise Cassie accepts. She finds in Nick not a soul mate but a kindred spirit. 


To the surprise of the Coven (but not the reader), Faye is seduced by the dark side...sorry...Black John. For all of her attitude and posturing, I was surprised to find that she was basically working as his secretary. Anyway, the Coven decide to ask previous generations about the last time Black John was in town. While initially reluctant; the surviving Elders eventually tell the younger witches that the only way to fight Black John is to find the original Master Tools - hidden in the past by the original coven to prevent Black John from achieving his full magical potential. 

They also advise the girls to hold a ceremony - one designed to bring Faye back into the fold and bind the members together. In the end; there are two rituals - one for all the girls and one for just Diana and Cassie. 


Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that the ritual has worked. Faye gleefully tells Cassie the truth about Black John - that the last time he was in the Cove he seduced her mother. That her arrival precipitated everything that has happened since. That she is in fact (drum roll please) Black John's daughter. 


(OK, just to let you know - this brings us about halfway through the book. A LOT happens in this rather slender book!)


The next section is very detailed and involved, so I'm just going to highlight the results. Cassie, Diana and Adam set out to learn as much as they can from their Book of Shadows in preparation for the inevitable showdown with Voldemort...sorry again... Black John. 

Long story short - using their combined knowledge Cassie taps into the power of her dreams and manages to locate the Master Tools. With Faye still on the outs with the Coven and having betrayed the club at least once, Diana once again ascends to the position of leader - albeit temporarily. 


Individually and collectively, the Coven are attached by agents of Black John. It transpires that he had manipulated witch hunters in the past - using the fear and paranoia they created in the witch community to cause the move to the Cove in the first place. Recognising a winning formula when he sees one, Black John is now using the pushy Portia and her friends to try and find the location of the Master Tools. Time and again, the Coven work together to protect themselves - despite being a member short - though it is rapidly becoming obvious that they are being betrayed by someone within the inner circle. 


After one such attack, Adam rescues Cassie in dramatic fashion and she realises that she has to break up with Nick. She has no intention of hurting Diana but she can't be with anyone other than Adam. They remain too powerfully drawn to one another. Nick is surprisingly understanding about the whole thing. If nothing else, Cassie has forced him to face up to the fact that he is not alone in the world. Not anymore. 


After one particularly sensitive piece of information is leaked, Cassie, Adam and Diana realise who the traitor is. Worse - they realise that there is a good chance that it is this person who was likely responsible for the deaths throughout the books. 


Determined to keep *this* information secret, the circle fall apart...in public at least - continuing to gather as much intel as possible. Black John is preparing a hurricane - one that will isolate the Cove from the mainland and wipe out huge numbers of the population. Taking a huge risk, Cassie forges a reluctant truce with an outsider - hoping to save as many lives as she can.

Ultimately; the Cover are able to cleanse and purify the unwitting traitor but Faye still seems to have abandoned them. As it is an emergency, it is the ideal time to nominate a new leader. Before anyone can react, Diana nominates Cassie - who is stunned. The group unanimously agree. Before she can think, Cassie is about to lead the club against her father.  


Black John has had centuries to prepare for this day. He sets the scene and Cassie feels helpless against him alone, even with the Master Tools. Her Coven join her - despite the risks and it is only by working together that they could possibly be able to defeat him. One by one the club use the knowledge they have collected throughout the series to bind him forever...but they can still feel his strength - diminished but not gone. In the end, wild unpredictable Faye steps up and joins her family and her friends. Black John is - for now and all future generations - defeated. 

Cassie instantly checks on her mother who has finally regained her senses. The Coven remain determined for her to lead though she recognises that she'd be better with Diana for stability...and Faye for her passion. She will only stay on the Cove if they form a triumvirate and work together. 

Finally, Diana points out that Cassie and Adam are soul mates and that it would be useless to deny it any further. Cassie and he are finally allowed to be together and she sees a glimpse of their future together - not just in this life but in an infinite number of futures. 

In the end, she realises that she is truly home. 

OK, I know I've made it sound a little 'aw, bless' there at the end but it's actually very engrossing and I really enjoyed reading the series. 

Just as well really. I borrowed the Vampire Diaries from a mate and I can't get into it at all.  

The Secret Circle

The Secret Circle - Book 1 - The Initiation

The Secret Circle - Book 2 - The Captive

The Secret Circle - Book 3 - The Power

* * * * *
Review Table of Contents

* * * * *

Full Table of Contents 

The Secret Circle - Book 2 - The Captive

Book Two - The Captive

CAN THE SECRET CIRCLE SURVIVE...  

Lured into the most popular in-crowd imaginable, Cassie is intoxicated by her new found strength, a power as addictive as it is perilous.


Caught between two members' consuming desires to use the coven's mysterious force, Cassie turns to one of their boyfriends, Adam ... and falls captive to her own dangerous love.


Bewitched by the promise of love through magic, Cassie captures Adam's heart and upsets the delicate balance of power, unleashing a storm of fury no one anticipates.


...OR WILL THE DARK STRUGGLE OF GOOD, EVIL AND TORMENTED LOVE CONSUME THEM ALL?

* * * * *

SPOILERS

* * * * *

That's a bit better really isn't it? Alas; it has nothing to do with the book - clearly a blurb written by someone who hasn't read it yet!!

This - the middle book - suffers by more than a little. After a great lead in; it tries to dance that fine line between keeping the readers interest going for another book, without giving too much of the game away. There is also a slight information overload - we are clearly being given info to set up for the big finale.

It just about manages to maintain momentum but despite the info dump it really doesn't feel like an awful lot happens till the final chapter. 

* * * * *

Faye knows that Adam and Cassie are soul mates having seen them get all smoochy on the Beach. The star crossed lover are desperate not to act on it and betray Diane - to the extent of swearing a blood oath. Faye blackmails Cassie into stealing the dark artifact that Adam brought back to the circle. 

Course, as soon as this deed is done - Faye naturally holds this act over Cassie's head and basically turns her into a slave...a captive as it were. This culminates in Faye overthrowing Diane as the leader of the Circle. 

Diane is crushed by what she sees as Cassie's betrayal. Cassie - caught between a rock and a hard place - begins to think that she is destined to be a dark witch - no matter what she tries she can't follow her heart.  Instead she is forced to watch as everything she has started to care about crumbles around her.


Things quickly spiral when Cassie finds another murdered student. While Kori had her neck broken; Jeffrey was hung. Additionally, when she returns to the local cemetery to retrieve a lost crystal; she find that all of the Circle teenagers lost a parents - or both - on the same day. Curious, she digs a little deeper and discovers that with the exception of herself - all the teenagers were born within a few weeks of each. Cassie can't quite put the pieces together but she realised that something is clearly afoot. 


Meanwhile, the power crazed Faye is using the Circle to explore darker and darker magicks. They are responsible for releasing a big bad oogily boogily. When the school principal is found crushed; his replacement immediately begins to try and curb the Circle's power. Cassie begins to see the pattern.  Faye has indeed brought Black John back to New Salem. The methods used to commit the murders correspond with ways in which witches were put to death.

He wastes no time in attacking the Circle - and specifically Cassie's mother and home. After a vicious attack; Cassie's grand mother is left mortally wounded. She quickly tries to prepare Cassie for what is likely to happen next.

Black John was one of the original founders of New Salem. He is powerful beyond the description of it, surviving throughout time. The last time he had any serious influence was in the 70's. He found the witches and manipulated them into pairing up - breaking up soul mates with his magicks. 

His goal was to create a new circle - more powerful than at any point in history. Through his actions; all the children were conceived within the same time frame - explaining all the birthdays being so close together.  


In 1976; those parents with great courage decided to tackle the evil that was Black John. He crushed them - killing all those that stood against him. The surviving parents - inherently weaker than their deceased partners - abandoned magic altogether, hid their book of shadows and resolved not to tell their children anything. 

Cassie's grandmother tries to impart one last essential piece of the puzzle but loses her fight and passes away. Sickened by what has taken place; Cassie tells Faye that she will not follow her any more. Faye - furious as losing one of her stooges - decides to tell Diane about Cassie and Adam.

Find out what happens in next week's exciting instalment...

 

The Secret Circle

The Secret Circle - Book 1 - The Initiation

The Secret Circle - Book 2 - The Captive

The Secret Circle - Book 3 - The Power

The Secret Circle - Book 1 - The Initiation

As a teenager I was a huge fan of L.J. Smith. My best friend and I worked our way through the Night World* series with great glee! Every book was read a dozen times and we've been waiting for the final one in the series for over a decade now!!

With the The Secret Circle due to be shown on UK televisions soon; I thought that now was as good a time as any to acquaint myself with the books - especially as I totally missed the boat on the Vampire Diaries (which have now been lent to me and will be on my Christmas reading list!).

The afore mentioned bestie has also been recommending them for (several!) years; so it was great to finally be able to text her and say that I'd be giving them a go!

Book One - The Initiation

Seduced by the Secret Circle - a coven of young witches whose power has controlled New Salem for three hundred years - Cassie falls hopelessly in love with the leader's boyfriend and fall prey to dark powers...

Hmm. The most vague blurb in the world doesn't really set the scene or the tone for the first book in the trilogy.

* * * * *

SPOILERS

* * * * *

The Set Up

Cassie is a shy girl who has never quite found her voice socially speaking. She and her mum have a happy and fulfilling life in California - far far away from New Salem and her grandmother. 

While on holiday, Cassie's world is rocked by two events.

Firstly - she rescues a boy on a beach from really committed bullies. (There's an interesting little exchange between Cassie and Portia - one of the bullies...which is followed up in later books.)

Secondly - she is told by her mother that they have to uproot their entire lives in order to look after her ailing grandparent.

Cassie is dreading starting over at a new school; though she does briefly ponder trying to set herself up as a new person - starting from scratch and all. She is surprised to find that her grandmother is approachable and interesting  - if slightly odd. The two bond over gardening - specifically herbs.  Cassie's mother on the other hand definitely struggles with the transition.

However; Cassie's worst fears start to be realised when she begins at the local secondary school. For some reason that she can't fathom; she is quickly ostracised by teachers and pupils alike when they discover where she lives. Her new home has character and is the oldest, weirdest one on the oldest weirdest street in town - Crowhaven Road. As far as Cassie is concerned she has hit rock bottom.

Cassie - it transpires - was wrong.

An unfortunately run in with the sarcastic, beautiful and vicious Faye isolates her from the rest of the inhabitants of Crowhaven Road - a clique known in the school as the Circle, who weld surprising power. Unexpected things start to happen to her - cruel pranks that the staff (faculty - I love that word) refuse to acknowledge or deal with. 

It's quite likely that this story would have a sad and tragic ending if Diane - the ethereal, beautiful and kind leader of the Circle - hadn't taken an interest in Cassie. Before she knows it; Cassie is catapulted into a new friendlier world. After tragedy strikes a potential initiate into the group; Cassie is offered a place in the Circle.

Once in, Cassie discovers that the Circle is involved in more than just pranks - each of the twelve are witches. She learns that she has more to embrace than just her familial roots. 

Oh and the boy...the boy from the beach? Yeah, he's Diane's long term boyfriend.

Things are about to get a leetle bit complicated.

The Review

I really enjoyed this book. The language was very easy to read, in terms of pacing, phrasing and structure, without ever becoming overtly simplistic, monotonous or patronising. 

I also liked that nothing was totally spelled out for you. The interactions with Portia at the beginning of the book were dramatic and full of portent. I was a little disappointed that this wasn't revisited until I realised that it was clearly a set up for later books. The lack of resolution strangely filled me with a certain degree of confidence that - whatever lies ahead - I wouldn't feel condescended by a tidy, neat, wrapped in bow ending.

Except when it came to the identity of the boy. It was not at all surprising that he was taken. If anything; I kinda thought that Cassie was a bit of an idiot not to have figured it out herself. Still; as the emotional leverage, it wasn't too bad.

Given that it's a book about witchcraft; there are very little demonstations of power. Rather it's the implications and hints; little nuances - such as the herb craft and stone lore that leads you to suppose that they are particularly informed about the craft. With regards to their fear factor; this is best demonstrated by their school friends and teachers who have clearly learned that it's best to leave well enough alone. 

All in all - a pretty solid introduction. I read it in under 4 hours, so immediately started on the second! Review up soon!

Score:

6/10

Trailer for the upcoming TV Series

What do you think? Will you be watching?

(*Please note - Night World fans - as of the 12th October 2011, LJ Smith has announced on her fan forum that she has completed Strange Fate which has now entered the editing stage. Fingers crossed!)

The Secret Circle

The Secret Circle - Book 1 - The Initiation

The Secret Circle - Book 2 - The Captive

The Secret Circle - Book 3 - The Power

Blood-A-Thon Book 11 - Dead Reckoning

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

I'm going to keep this short. Mostly because the book is a bit feeble. And I'm planning a rant for the review.

Dermot and Claude are still living with Sookie and she  finds that she seems to be developing more fairy tendencies via proximity. She also discovers that his grandmother has left her a diary, outlining the sources of her telepathy. It turns out that Mr Cataliades is responsible. He had 'vetted' Adele's children and grandchildren (and clearly great-grandchildren if Hunter is any indication) and passed a 'gift' onto them.

On a related note, Sookie finds out that Terry has been spying on her for the fairies.

Pam forces Eric to reveal a secret to Sookie. Ocella had arranged a marriage with a vampire queen for Eric. Despite Ocella dying and his marriage to Sookie, Eric may be forced to go through with it. He hadn't wanted to tell Sookie because of all her trauma but mostly because he still doesn't get what the point of a relationship is.

He ain't alone in that. Sookie has been reaching out to Amelia in New Orleans; seeking a way to challenge the blood tie. Amelia has found something that might work. In her usual impetuous manner, she insists on trying right away. Sookie agrees and instantly knows that the spell has worked. Unlike Eric, Sookie realises that she's behaved in a high handed manner and reaches out to Eric. Though their relationship has been damaged and this now opens her up to other vampires. However, they affirm their love and decide to tackle the future together. While still being partially livid with each other.

Despite being all happy ever after in the last book, Bill reveals that he still loves Sookie. His actual girlfriend overhears - which he intended - again. And dumps his ass. Again.

Merlott's get firebombed & Sookie thinks that she sees a shadow in the background. The police think that it's related to his being a were, but Sam reveals to Sookie that business was being affected prior to that anyway. Sookie discovers that Victor has opened a bar close by. He is challenging Eric's holdings and decided to include Sam as Sookie works for him. Sookie and Eric know that they must take him out. They plot and plan and as per usual there is a big show down at the end of the book. It's bloody and violent and nasty.

Victor wins and kills them all. Just kidding. Eric and Pam lead their vampires to a glorious victory. That could spell doom for them in the next book.

*****

I think I might have to do the Family Guy 'It's a Trap' opening here. I've totally run out of steam, I'm tired, my feet hurt and I need a coffee (wow, how much like an OAP do I sound?!?!). It'd probably be a bit easier if the book didn't read like Charlaine Harris feels the same way I do.

It's becoming more and more obvious that there was no over-riding arc; no plan from the start. Characters are up and down, hot and cold, often within the space of a single paragraph. It's especially obvious with Bill. He went from the epic good guy, to evil bastard, to moapy cling-on, to happy ever after with the blast from the past to moapy cling-on again. After reaching a sort of point of natural resolution in the last book, he promptly changes his mind - tells Sookie within Judith hearing (deja vu much) and goes back to being a total drip about the whole thing. Could someone please just stake him and have it take? Please? For me?

The fairy stuff and origin of Sookie's telepathy was actually fascinating, but goes back to the whole absolutely no plan argument. I'm fairly certain that Mr Cataliades was there at the hotel. I'm also fairly certain that he'd have been in real trouble if Sookie hadn't warned him. At no point during the earlier books has he ever appeared to recognise Sookie or indeed give a crap about her. So it's a nice idea, but I'm not buying into it.
I feel the same way about Dermot and Claude. They seem to be in it, but mostly to move the plot along. I'm also not entirely clear on why Sookie keeps them about given that she can't trust them. They will kill for her, but they'll probably also kill her if the wind blows this way.

Eric being forced into marriage was actually pretty interesting. It's clear that this is going to be the main story for book 12. However, telling Sookie just because Pam forces him into it is pretty low. At what point is he actually going to respect her enough to just trust her? Mind you, that blade goes in both directions. Sookie and Amelia removed the blood bond without ever thinking for a second that Eric might notice. At least Sookie did her best to rectify the situation and finally came to terms with the fact that she cares about Eric. She, herself...with no supernatural aids. I hated Eric for being such a dick about it though. Drinking from Sookie is such a violent makes him a knob, but at least he has never pretended not to be.

Amelia. Oh dear saints, why? Just WHY? Why on earth was this wreck of a 2D character ever dreamed up? In this book, she goes from stupid, annoying and thoughtless to a disingenuous danger to Sookie. Her big mouth has been the source of much complication pretty much from her first appearance, but in this book she seems to go out of her way to cause trouble for Sookie. Her blabbering to every person than she meets about Sookie's whereabouts, emotional state, romantic situation is just so very very wrong. Thankfully Sookie has finally developed some spirit and I did actually whoop aloud when she basically tells Amelia she's a bad friend and to get stuffed. About bloody time.

Sam? Alcide? Still about, still sniffing after Sookie, despite her making it clear that she isn't interested.  Seriously, I'm sure that Harris intends to make them honourable and loyal, but really, they are becoming the wettest drips in creation. Self respect man, they need to look into it.

I've read there are only two more books in the series, so I'll read till the end, but I'm losing hope. At this point, it could be a Dallas dream sequence and that would be less disappointing than what I'm imagining.

Score 2/10

Blood-A-Thon Reviews

Book 1  - 2001 Dead Until Dark

Book 2  - 2002 Living Dead in Dallas

Book 3  - 2003 Club Dead

Book 4  - 2004 Dead to the World
Book 5  - 2005 Dead As A Doornail
Book 6  - 2006 Definately Dead
Book 7  - 2007 All Together Dead
Book 8  - 2008 From Dead To Worse
Book 9  - 2009 Dead and Gone
Book 10 - 2010 Dead in the Family
Book 11 - 2011 Dead Reckoning

Blood-A-Thon Book 10 - Dead in the family

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

If this were an episode of Friends, it would be described as 'the ones with the families'.  Actually that sounds a bit like a mafia story...which also fits.

Sookie is slowly recovering from her torture at the hands of evil fairies Lochlan and Neave (grrr). Eric and she are finally involved in a proper relationship, though her experiences have had a lasting impact in how she reacts to the world. She has lost some of her trust in people and become far more pragmatic (with hints of cold practicality and a flavour of self pity).
Her cousin Claude - one of the last remaining fairies on this plane- has decided to move in with her, ostensibly to protect her, despite having treated her with something approaching contempt thus far. Despite his newly protective air; he is keeping many secrets from Sookie, particularly in relation to the fairies hiding in the forest behind her house.

Sookie seems to have finally mended her relationship with Jason, who seems to be in a stable relationship with Michele - a far more sold sort than his usual type. She is also spending time with her cousin Hunter, teaching him about his telepathy, babysitting him at her house.

Bill is very ill and does not seem to be recovering from his encounter with L & N in the previous book. Discovering that only the blood of another created by his sire will cure him; Sookie becomes the rescuer rather than the victim for a time - somewhat forcing him to accept the cure. She is also rather pleased to discover that Bill has long had repressed feeling for his blood-sibling Judith - who had herself been turned by Lorena due to her resemblance to Bill's wife in life. It looks as though the pair will finally able to be friends; both happy with their chosen loves.
Our intrepid heroine has finally admitted to being in love with Eric, though she still blames the blood bond for it. In one of her rare decent scenes, Amelia points out that Sookie is still hiding behind excuses. Either she loves him or she wants out of the bond. Sookie takes it on board but decides to become completely and utterly focused on sex with Eric rather than face up to her feelings for him - though there are a few rather sweet moments between the two of them.

Claude

In a way it's almost a relief when Eric's maker - Ocella - and sibling-by-blood Alexei (a Romanov. No, really, an actual heir to the Romanov destiny) - who is completely bonkers after watching the brutal murders of his entire family during the Bolshevik Revolution - drop by for an unexpected visit. Ocella is hoping that Eric can help him restore sanity to the young vampire. Sookie is disgusted by the clearly sexual relationship between sire and damaged youth; and decides pretty early on that Ocella will have to be destroyed - an idea which Eric rationally accepts but cannot bear to think on.
In other vampiric news; Eric's new King has sent a manager - Victor - to monitor operations. Seeing the threat that he poses to Eric, Sookie decides that he too will have to die; though she is quite uncomfortable with the idea of cold-blooded murder (Ocella being a paedophile clearly outweighs that concern for her).

The weres are convinced that the governement is monitoring them - particularly when there is talk of a registration system, to keep track and possible restrict them. Sam and Calvin struggle to retain their social position after 'coming out'. For no good reason whatsoever, Alcide also shows up, primarily to express his distaste as Sookie's relationship status. Oh yeah, there is also a dead were found on Sookie's property. Sookie does her best to prevent the weres from tearing themselves apart, but the only ultimate point of interest is that, once again, she doesn't really approve of Sam's new girlfriend - Alcide's bloodthirsty second in command.

A fairy - Coleman - has been stalking Sookie - determined to kill her for her part in Claudine's death. Claudine had been carrying his child and he has gone a bit mad. Seeing Sookie with Hunter changes his mind - no one that good with children deserves to die yadda yadda.

Ultimately, the disparate stories converge at Sookie's house. Alexei has been indiscriminately killing and Eric is forced to put him down. Coleman kills Ocella while on the hunt for Sookie and is promptly killed by Eric, ever the knight in shining albeit bloodstained armour. It turns out that Dermot - the fairy who could be Jason's twin - has been wandering around Sookie's house. He had been bewitched to be evil. Now that the bad fairies are dead; he is struggling to come to terms with his past. Sookie and Claude break the spell and decide to keep him about to help him and he promptly moves into the Stackhouse homestead.

*****

Jason

What a mess!
While I enjoyed aspects of the story, this book doesn't seem to fit with the series as a whole. Characters behaved very oddly given their past behaviour and I couldn't see any reason for Alcide to be brought back. It was good to have some resolution with Bill and Jason. Hopefully both shall remain happy with their respective partners...but I doubt it.

It was lovely having Hunter hanging around - especially as it returned the focus to the telepathy, even if just for a few conversations. I've always enjoyed the story best when Sookie explores the limits of her abilities, or utilises her telephathy just when everyone around her has forgotten all about it! He's also just a fun little kid, difficult not to warm too!

It also annoyed me that everyone from Pam to Ocella warned Sookie that her relationship with Eric was doomed. It seemed a very unnecessary add on. Her life has been so traumatic so far - why would any reader assume it would all be smooth sailing? For those of us who've been waiting for the two of them to gettogether, it was a bit of a kick in the teeth. We don't even get a book to enjoy the pairing before it becomes quite clear that Harris is unwilling for the two to stay together.
At this point, I'm guessing that Sam is to be her ultimate partner - there is just no other explanation for his ongoing presence.

Pam continues to be woefully underused. She gets all the best lines. I for one want to see her take centre stage at some point before the series ends.

Amelia is gone. BEST BOOK EVER for that alone.

Tara and Hadleigh are both pregnant. So, in the last book two expectant supernaturals are both killed and in this one two humans seem to be ensured of carrying to term. Hmmm...coinkidink? I think not.

Ultimately, not a great book, but at least it answered more questions than it raised.

Sore 5/10

Blood-A-Thon Reviews

Book 1  - 2001 Dead Until Dark

Book 2  - 2002 Living Dead in Dallas

Book 3  - 2003 Club Dead

Book 4  - 2004 Dead to the World
Book 5  - 2005 Dead As A Doornail
Book 6  - 2006 Definately Dead
Book 7  - 2007 All Together Dead
Book 8  - 2008 From Dead To Worse
Book 9  - 2009 Dead and Gone
Book 10 - 2010 Dead in the Family
Book 11 - 2011 Dead Reckoning

Blood-A-Thon Book 9 - Dead and Gone

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

After the vampire's mostly successful outing; the were's have decided to reveal their community also. On television and IRL. Sam changes into a friendly dog at his bar and after a few moments of shock; it seems like everyone is taking it pretty calmly.
Except for his long time waitress and Sookie's former friend Arlene. 

Never a gal afraid to take up an idea for a man; she has been slowly transforming herself into a grade A bigot in the later books to keep up with her Fellowship of the Sun boyfriend. She seems to be annoyed in three equal parts - firstly that Sam has lied to her; then that he's a 'freak' who can turn into animals and finally that the rest of the town seems to be taking it so calmly! (Nothing worse than getting all worked up then realising that no one else cares, is there?) She very loudly quits and walks out; while poochy Sam hams it up - feigning great sadness in his doggy state, winning over more hearts and minds.


While Sam is seemingly accepted; his mother is not so lucky. Her unaware husband and younger children (only the first born shifter inherits the were genes) had no idea of her monthly nocturnal activities. In fact, her husband utterly panics and shoots her. Sam has to go and check up on her; leaving Sookie running the bar. 

Eric is still not entirely sure what to make of his political situation. Among his greatest concerns is that his new King will see Sookie's great value and try to take her away, to serve as an unwilling slave. His high handed solution involves tricking Sookie into delivering a ceremonial knife to him. Hey Presto! They are now bonded in marriage - albeit a vampiric one that no other group recognises. While he swears that he is only doing this to protect Sookie; it certainly puts a cramp on their newly resumed relationship.

Great grandfather Niall briefly drops by to tell Sookie that she needs to be extra careful. Turns out he's at war with another faction of fairies - ones who hate humans - but particularly those who have some supernatural blood, believing that they are diluting the fairy species. They want Niall to block off the access to the fairy world. As much as he loves his great-granddaughter, the mere act of meeting her has placed her at risk. Which sort of pisses her off a bit.  

The FBI arrive to discuss Sookie's telepathy, which was partially exposed when she and Barry hunted for survivors in the wreckage of the hotel in a previous book. While they are there; Sookie is shocked and horrified to see her sister in law crucified outside Merlotte's - killed in an agonising way. Just to add to the emotional punch; Crystal was still pregnant at the time. Once more, Jason is briefly a suspect, though he is cleared somewhat quicker than usual when the FBI decide that it's more likely a hate crime against were's. 

Arlene calls Sookie ostensibly to make amends; arranging a meet up at her trailer. She even promises that Sookie can see her kids. More suspicious than usual; Sookie uses her ability from a bit of a distance and discovers that Arlene is setting her up to be murdered! Friends like those eh? She calls the FBI who arrive in the nick of time, saving her and arresting Arlene and some of her bigoted FoS friends. Sookie also discovers that while they were quite happy to kill her in the same blood thirsty and horrible manner as Crystal; they hadn't actually committed the original crime.  

Sookie and Claudine

Turns out two evil fairies - Lochlan and Neave (Neave? NEAVE? NEAVE?!?! *HEAD EXPLODES IN RAGE!!!*) - were responsible for Crystal's Crucifixion (she was originally injured by a gay were-panther who had fallen in love with Jason. *GROAN*) as she was pregnant with partially fae genes. They kidnap Sookie, torture her to the point of utter despair and long before they are close to being finished with her, she wishes for death. Ultimately Bill and Niall rescue her and bring her to Eric at the supernatural hospital. Bill is very badly injured in the process but honoured to have served Sookie. Eric provides his wife with more of his blood, concerned that they are reaching a threshold that should not be crossed. Sookie tells him that she begged for him but he never came to find her. They are both a bit heartbroken over it. He promises to explain all once the battle of fae is over.


Niall and Claudine - Sookie's fairy godmother - reveal to her that Lochlan and Neave (AAARRRGGGHHHH!) actually killed her parents. They are water fae who caused the pair to drown, assisted by a part-fae who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jason. This is one of the reasons that Niall is so indifferent to the rakish Jason. Claudine also casually reveals that she is pregnant with a full blood fairy - a matter of great joy for her people. She keeps Sookie company - knitting an item of baby clothes -  for a bit before the baddies arrive. 

The battle is short and bloody. Sookie had done some homework and manages to injure the main baddie by hitting him with lemon juice in a squirt gun - almost as bad for fairies as iron. While Sookie manages to survive, her fairy godmother Claudine and her were bodyguard Tray Dawson (who was dating Amelia) are less fortunate. Bill and Eric together bring down the big bad. 

Sookie lives, but knows that she will never be the same again. She and Eric are at a cross-roads. Bill (unfortunately) will survive. Niall - horrified at what his people have done - decides to close access to the fairy world after all. 

A bleak ending.  

*****

Bit of a disappointment this one. In an effort to keep the suspense built up; the author utterly failed to deliver any of the story lines that I actually care about - such as Eric or the fairy lineage - instead focusing on disperate strands I really don't - the were's and Jason. Don't get me wrong; as support staff, j'adore le Jason, but not as much as this book seems to cater to.

The whole gay were-panther thing was both sad and awful in equal parts. Yes, it's a tragedy that he felt so alienated from his people because of his orientation. But I'm so sick of the whole agressive gay stereotype. As if he ever believed for a second that a hound dog like Jason would switch his sexual preferences beacause his wife was dead? It's just stupid. Really left me with a nasty taste in my mouth. 

I was impressed with how Jason took the whole 'we have family and they don't want to know you' reveal. He handled it in a more mature way than I expected to be honest. 


The whole fairy resolution seemed to come out of nowhere a bit. It was interesting, but felt like a distraction from the Eric and Sookie storyline. Like the whole drowning parents thing. I don't know if the author had this in mind from the start, but somehow, I doubt it. 


Not one but two characters die while carrying a child. Crystal's death was truely shocking, but Claudine's had a little less impact. It was bad enough that she died, but to have her all sprogged up - rather than pull on my heart strings, it annoyed me. I hate feeling manipulated into grief. Sort of ruins the effect for me.

Neave? Don't even get me started. Why bother use Irish names if you aren't even going to spell them properly? I'm disgusted. Grrrr. 


And why was Bill the one to rescue Sookie? Where the hell was Eric? You know, the guy who married her?!? 


Still, I can't deny that I was hooked from start to finish. I couldn't put it down, especially once Sookie was kidnapped. Looking forward to the next book. There had better be some answers!!


Score 6/10

Blood-A-Thon Reviews

Book 1  - 2001 Dead Until Dark

Book 2  - 2002 Living Dead in Dallas

Book 3  - 2003 Club Dead

Book 4  - 2004 Dead to the World
Book 5  - 2005 Dead As A Doornail
Book 6  - 2006 Definately Dead
Book 7  - 2007 All Together Dead
Book 8  - 2008 From Dead To Worse
Book 9  - 2009 Dead and Gone
Book 10 - 2010 Dead in the Family
Book 11 - 2011 Dead Reckoning

Blood-A-Thon Book 8 - From Dead To Worse

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

Sookie is back in Bon Temps; slowly coming to terms with the terrible events of the last book. She would like to be getting close and cuddly with Quinn, but he disappeared off the map a few weeks earlier. Amelia (the most annoying witch that has ever been created in the whole entire world of fiction) is still unfortunately living…with Sookie and Bob the cat. She is also sort of dating Pam which leads to all sorts of wonderful possibilities that Pam would kill her in a violent, painful and gruesome fashion. Alas, these come to nowt. While visiting; Amelia’s far-less-annoying-and-possibly-evil father informs Sookie that she is an aunt. Instead of pining for Quinn, she resolves to get in touch with Hadley’s ex-husband, Remy and her child. 

Rather unexpectedly; Sookie is asked to step in as a bridesmaid for Andy Bellefleur’s wedding after an unexpected illness. She would fit the dress, but wasn’t close enough to either to warrant an actual invitation. No matter how close to the supernatural world she becomes, it seems that her abilities will always make her an outsider in Bon Temps.

Eric arranges to take her out; then dumps her with a stranger at a posh restaurant. Turns out he’s Sookie’s great-grandfather, Niall! After longing for children for many years; her beloved grandmother Adele had an affair with a half fairy, resulting in who children (one who fathered Sookie; the other who brought Hadley into the world). Though her grandfather is dead, his full blood fairy father isn’t. Niall is the person responsible for sending Claudine (who turns out to a cousin) to keep Sookie safe. Though he claims to love her and want a relationship; it’s worth noting that he has NO INTEREST whatsoever in Jason. Hmmm, power will out huh?

Sookie is dragged into yet another Shreveport werewolf conflict after several of the female pack members are killed. After Katrina; turns out that it wasn’t just vampires displaced with no where to go. Homeless weres have turned their sights to Shreveport due to the conflicted pack – killing weaker but valuable members to set Alcide against Packmaster Furnan and vice versa, hoping they would wipe each other out before realising the external source. Amelia does another ectoplasmic reconstruction but it doesn’t actual reveal anything of interest. (Given that every time she appears someone makes reference to her being a wonderful witch; she rarely ever does anything useful. Grumble mumble) It’s Sookie who uses her abilities to identify one of the culprits. After a brief and brutal war with the invaders; Alcide emerges as the new pack leader. All hail the king…and all that.

Eric is having a strange effect on Sookie. Through their blood bond, she now feels his emotions, vaguely knows his location and craves him – feeling happiest when he is near her. This is driving her crazy. She’s convinced that it’s only the blood making her react thus, though is aware that she still has feelings for him from when he stayed with her as an amnesiac in book 4.

With Queen Sophie-Anne at her weakest, the King of Nevada (Felipe de Castro) begins a bloody campaign to take control of Louisiana and Arkansas. Sophie-Anne is killed, along with all her sheriffs and many of her vampiric children and supporters. Except for Eric, naturally.

Aside from being one of the primary characters in the series; he is responsible for the largest track of land in Sophie Anne’s kingdom, is older than most, has forged good working relationships with the local supernatural’s, is blood bonded to a telepath and has proven to negotiate the modern world efficiently.

Eric  had left Fangtasia to see to Sookie’s safety – so was well out of the way when the fighting began there. Pam continues to demonstrate her role as the second-in-command every vampire would want – protecting all inside Fangtasia and taking out as many of the invading King’s men as possible. Arriving at Sookie’s house, Felipe’s first in command (Victor) offers Eric (and Bill who showed up to assist Sookie should she need it) the option of surrender. Eric will retain his area, sheriff status and all ‘beneath’ him will be allowed to live – including Sookie. Eric considers for a moment then sensibly decides not to continue demonstrating loyalty to a deceased monarch and accepts the terms presented.  He takes Sookie into her bedroom once he knows that they are definitely safe and takes a moment to adjust to his new status. There, the memories of their time together come flooding back. He can’t believe how contented he had been with Sookie.

With the King, to Sookie’s surprise, is Quinn. His mother many years before had been brutally raped and as a result lost some of her faculties. As a were-tiger she is particularly dangerous when in an unstable state. A few months earlier she had escaped from her (were-aware) care home. In order to find and rescue her, Quinn had become the prisoner of the King. Sookie totally understands that his family will always come first for him – as it should – and gently breaks off their relationship.

Onto the ‘b’ strand – Jason and Crystal had married a few books ago after discovering that she was pregnant. As her brother’s representative, Jason chooses that Sookie should be the one to deliver punishment when it is found that the pregnant were-panther had been unfaithful. She is forced to break the claw (hand in human form) of her friend Calvin Harris. Disgusted with Crystal, the whole Hotshot community but most especially with Jason, Sookie realises that she needs to break ties with him for a bit.

As for the ‘z’ story. Amelia turns Bob back into a person with the help of her mentor, Octavia. He’s pretty pissed at her. Octavia could have done it sooner but wanted to continue to hang out with Sookie and Amelia. As punishment for her deception, Amelia invites Octavia to live with them. Sookie feels totally manipulated but Amelia doesn’t have the attention span or ability to stop gazing at her own navel for long enough to notice or care.

At work, Sam stages an intervention with Eric, hoping to restore Sookie to her usual sunny disposition – absent since Jason used her so callously. Eric – still not sure where he stands with her – only seems to wind her up further. Then King Felipe shows up and Sookie is delighted to escape the pair of them.  Her connection with Eric kicks in as she drives away, resulting in waves of panic she realises are coming from Eric so reluctantly she returns to Merlottes. Almost by accident, Sookie saves Eric and the King from one of Sophie Anne’s most devoted and murderous offspring. The King expresses eloquently that he now owes her one.

Niall – determined to prove his usefulness to Sookie has tracked down Hadley’s ex. She visits, hoping to extend her small family circle and realises that she is not the only member of her family to possess telepathy. She promises Remy that she will be there for her young nephew Hunter, happily chatting to her mentally.

*****

Parts of this book were really well done. The whole insider/outsider was quite well explored. Sookie is welcomed with nearly open arms to all those communities that aren’t actually her own. Her presence in Bon Temp is no longer as strained as in earlier books, but she isn’t seen as one of ‘them’ either. Meanwhile, her interactions with those communities in Hotshot and Shreveport are making her more and more aware that she doesn’t ‘belong’ there either.

I’m glad that Quinn is out of the picture though I literally winced when his mother and sister showed up to ask her why she’d broken up with him. Ouch. I’m also pleased that Eric and Sookie have decided to give their whole thing a proper shot (collective well D'oh woman!). Bill on the other hand – showing up to announce that he loves her and dumped the girlfriend he’s been rubbing her nose in. Grr. Just annoys.

But nothing is as bad as Amelia. WHY IS SHE HERE!!!! Please let her get lost in the next book. Please!!

Score  5/10

Blood-A-Thon Reviews

Book 1  - 2001 Dead Until Dark

Book 2  - 2002 Living Dead in Dallas

Book 3  - 2003 Club Dead

Book 4  - 2004 Dead to the World
Book 5  - 2005 Dead As A Doornail
Book 6  - 2006 Definately Dead
Book 7  - 2007 All Together Dead
Book 8  - 2008 From Dead To Worse
Book 9  - 2009 Dead and Gone
Book 10 - 2010 Dead in the Family
Book 11 - 2011 Dead Reckoning

Blood-A-Thon Book 7 - All Together Dead

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

Sookie has once again agreed to assist Eric and the Queen of Louisiana. This is despite warnings from her fairy godmother – Claudine - who worries that Sookie will be linked permanently to the vampires and their politics. She is still seeing Quinn, but not as often as she would like.

Sookie and co are flown out to attend a summit in Rhodes (OK – so the books are somewhat silly, but I do love this whole Anubis airlines thing. It’s the little details that make this world so enjoyable), leaving the annoying Amelia at home. Vampires from all around the country are flocking in to witness the trial of Queen Sophie Anne; accused of killing her husband (the King of Arkansas). The Queen – only a few years earlier one of the most powerful vampires in the country – is not only facing a trial has also been hit by hurricane Katrina – decimating her power base, numbers and financial wealth. Those still loyal to her dead king are determined to see her meet the sun. Sookie knows that Sophie Anne is innocent – at least of that crime – so feels that she has to help. Also, any refusal could lead to rather nasty reprisals. 

Bill is also in attendance. His ultra-special super-secret project was to compile a database of vamps across the continent. This is deemed especially valuable as he included as many as he could track down – even those who wished to remain anonymous. Naturally it is only to be sold and used by vamps. Every time he interacts with Sookie he does the sad and repentant thing. Thankfully she doesn’t appear to be buying.  Barry the bellhop – the only other telepath Sookie has ever encountered is also there, working for Stan (the head of the vampire clan that Sookie assisted in Club Dead). Naturally Eric is also on site. Aware now of the time that he and Sookie spent together; he is struggling with his emerging feelings for her.

Requiring every advantage, the Queen plans to use Sookie to listen into the minds of the humans attending various vampires. Naturally, Barry is providing the same service for his vampires. Sookie puts her gift to good use – identifying those who are loyal from those who are not. She even manages to resolve one of the Queen’s most pressing issues by suggesting that Sophie raise one of her ‘children’ Andre – who is bound to her by genuine affection and telepathy – and bond herself to him in a genuine love match, rather than have to tactically marry again.

Barry the telepath

A day or so into the summit, the Queen’s chief accuser and almost her entire entourage are brutally murdered. While the Queen magnanimously offers asylum to the sole remainder of the Arkansas vampires; they are lead to believe that she is tricking them and try to stick it to her at the trial. Like an idiot, Sookie leaps up and uses logic (I know – I hadn’t realised that existed in their world either up to this point!) to prove that the Queen was sincere in her efforts to save them and that she can’t have killed the King. Her word carries through and Sophie Anne is allowed both kingdoms. Just as the Arkansas vampire prepares to reveal who it was that talked him into betraying her; an arrow is thrown into his heart.

(Side note – later on; Sookie realises that the Queen had used her telepathy to send one of her most loyal minions to kill the Arkansas vampires while she had an alibi. Proper #headsmack moment there for Sookie)

Andre hauls Sookie off to an empty corridor and demands that she take some of his blood. She is too valuable to his Queen and he is determined to control her. Eric shows up in the nick of time and offers himself as a more palatable alternative – arguing that Sookie has already proven herself a loyal friend to the vampires. Also, she’s had his blood before. Reluctantly Sookie agrees to the exchange – realising that she is now much more powerfully bonded to Eric; that she can feel herself changing and will now never be totally free of him. And just as the whole thing is done; Quinn happens by. Ain’t it always the way?!

As though a bunch of self-cantered egotistical and violent vampires weren’t enough to worry about; the Fellowship of the Sun has increased the violence and frequency of their attacks. So many powerful vampires in one place would be an irresistible target for them. Barry and Sookie realise together that there is something terribly wrong. Putting their heads together (geddit?) they realise that multiple bombs have been placed around the hotel; set to explode when the vampires are tucked up in their coffins. Actually beds in some cases, but why ruin a perfectly good stereotype!?!

Together they manage to warn some of the more powerful vampires early – Sookie ensuring that Eric, Pam and Bill are safe, while Barry does the same with his entourage – before the explosions take place. The Queen loses her legs, but retains her life. Sookie watches coldly as Quinn stakes Andre to protect her in the future.  

* * * * *

So much better than the last book; the final few chapters are so gripping they are stay-up-past-bedtime-to-finish worthy. The real world touches – aftermath of Katrina; musical cultural reference points and so one – are back and these ground the book in a way the series has been lacking for some time.

The second point I was so grateful to see reemerge was the focus on supernatural shenanigans, horrible happenings and terrible terrifyings; rather than on Sookie’s love life. Yes, there are still some ‘golly gee – all the boys seems to fancy me’ moments, but this isn’t what the book is about. Sookie saves Bill – not out of any deep angst ridden drama – but because she’s a decent person (for the most part) and they are friends/have history together. It's good to sort of like her again.

It’s was also really interesting to return to the telepathic aspect. Sookie is still learning how to control her gift/curse. She still doesn’t know what it all means; and her control isn’t as tight as it could be. Though she has better focus that him; her interactions with Barry demonstrate that while he has been growing in relation to his abilities; she hasn’t progressed as much. Hopefully this angle will continue in future books.

Quinn –  despite his oh so dark and moody past (didn’t have room in the review) - seems a bit too good to be true for me. Sure, Sookie likes him, but not the way she likes the dead dudes. In the long run – I think he’ll turn out like Alcide – a nice distraction, but not a proper player. Hmmm, Sam; Alcide and Quinn – I’m thinking that the occasionally furry are just not destined to be with Miss Stackhouse!!

As for Eric? They are becoming more and more tightly bound to one another. Initially it was Sookie who resisted; but in this book we finally see that Eric is starting to wonder if he is too involved with her. He is aware of the changes that are taken place in both of them – though more pragmatic than Sookie – he would rather be bonded to her than dead. His move to protect her from Andre is at once territorial and opportunistic; though it rapidly becomes clear that he is indeed protecting her from greater dangers.

Score 6/10

Blood-A-Thon Reviews

Book 1  - 2001 Dead Until Dark

Book 2  - 2002 Living Dead in Dallas

Book 3  - 2003 Club Dead

Book 4  - 2004 Dead to the World
Book 5  - 2005 Dead As A Doornail
Book 6  - 2006 Definately Dead
Book 7  - 2007 All Together Dead
Book 8  - 2008 From Dead To Worse
Book 9  - 2009 Dead and Gone
Book 10 - 2010 Dead in the Family
Book 11 - 2011 Dead Reckoning