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

Blood-A-Thon Book 6 - Definately Dead

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

This book begins with a giant leap forward in time, which is kind of frustrating.*

At some point between Dead as a Doornail and this book, Sookie has heard that her cousin Hadley had died. She had left the family long before the series started and run a little wild, becoming involved with the Queen of Louisiana and eventually turning into a vampire herself. Leaving all her earthly possessions to Sookie (she'd fallen out with Jason years earlier and obviously still held a grudge), Sookie has been in contact with the Queen's lawyer and arranged to clear her cousins apartment.

Before she heads off, Quinn - who had worked as the umpire at the Streveport were leadership contest - comes calling. He's interested in Sookie and as he seems way less complicated than either of her last beaus, she agrees to go out with him. They head to Streveport for a date and are jumped by some newly turned werewolves. Quinn is able to take care of them, but Sookie is shaken, with no idea who has it in for her...now.

The Queen is to be married to the King of Arkansas - strictly a business arrangement -  but would like the opportunity to speak with one of Hadley's living relatives so insists on setting a meeting up with Sookie after she clears her new belongings.

The apartment has been placed in stasis by the instantly annoying Amelia - a very big headed witch and Hadley's former landlady. 

Once the spell is lifted, the two are attacked by a newly turned vampire who had been stuck in a sort of magical limbo under the spell. 

At the hospital, Bill and Eric both stop in to check up on Sookie. Eric orders Bill to tell her the truth about their past. Reluctantly, Bill confesses that the Queen had sent him to Bon Temps specifically to seduce her. Once Hadley had met the Queen, she had bragged about her gifted cousin. The queen wanted to know more and so he was sent. While he maintains that he actually fell in love with her, Sookie is skeptical, heartbroken and furious.

Sookie had already been summoned to meet the Queen the following night. She goes - though is secretly still livid at how she has been betrayed by her first love. While chatting, she mentions that Amelia is going to do an 'ectoplamic reconstruction' of Hadley's last night. The Queen, as though on a whim, decides to attend with her entourage. Her ulterior motive is to catch one more glimpse at the woman she truly loved, and to ask Sookie to search for an engagement gift Hadley stole and hid. If the King discovers that it is missing, he will use it as an excuse to steal Louisiana from the Queen. 


Quinn happens to be in town - he runs a company that organises supernatural events - and he and Sookie try for another date. Once again they are attacked by were's and this time are taken captive. There is a completely daft walk through a forest with Quinn as a tiger. It's hilarious in its surreality, but that's about it. Sookie's captors turn out to be the Pelt's. Turns out, Debbie was the sane and rational member of the family. Eric shows up - just in time once more - and Sookie is able to negotiate a sort of peace settlement with the totally psychotic Pelt family. 

The Queen and Bill...plotting...

Sookie and Quinn attend the 'marriage' together. Sookie is able to slip the Queen her stolen braclet (having found it in a coffee tin - the most obvious place ever! Why would a vampire have coffee in their apartment?!?). The King decides to attack regardless and the party quickly turns into a blood bath, with the Queen's side ultimately victorious. 

Sookie returns to Hadley's apartment, finding that Amelia has turned her beau into a cat and needs to get out of Dodge. In the most foolish decision in a series of books that lets face it, features more of those than the average, Sookie decides to bring the two dimensional Amelia and Bob the man turned cat home with her.

*****

Right. 

I'm getting a little sick of all these books now. I can't wait to finish this Blood-A-Thon and read something different. I'm thinking something historical.

So maybe you should bare this is mind when I say that this is one of the MOST STUPID BOOKS I'VE EVER READ! While the other books in the series were not necessarily the most intellectually stimulating, they had a humour and a nuance that is totally missing here. 

*There is a short story 'One word answer' in the anthology Bite that fills the gap here between this book and the last. Well thanks so much for not bothering to point that out to the reader Miss 'If-You-Like-My-Books-You'll-Obviously-Read-My-Short-Stoies' Harris. I'm disgusted that the reader was left confused, wondering if they'd miss a chapter somewhere or other just because the author was too arrogant for a 4 line summary.

Aside from that there is way too much going on in this book and none of it seems to be linked. All these disperate threads, with no logical connection. There are too many men and while Quinn seems nice, its instantly obvious that there is going to be a catch. I've never been a Bill fan, but sticking the whole 'seducer of innocent virgins' in is just weird. It seems totally out of character for him.  It makes him weak, a bit pathetic and his previous actions ridiculous.

The resolution with the Pelt family is just as daft. Having spent much of the book trying to kill her, Sookie is happy to trust them on their word that they won't come after her again. Puhlease. No one is that naive. 

Score 1/10

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 5 - Dead As A Doornail

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

Book 5 - The Filler Book

The one where very little actually happens.

Jason becomes a were-panther. Sookie tries to be there for him as much as possible.  He finds it weird, but is coping with it in the main.

Sam gets shot. In fact he's the third shape shifter in the area to be attacked and it seems as though someone is literally gunning for the shape shifters. Once again, Jason is the prime suspect as he was turned against his will, though this time at least the police aren't involved.

Sookie is sent by Sam to ask Eric for a favour. He needs a bartender and doesn't want to risk another shifter. Still frustrated by his lack of memories regarding his time staying with Sookie, Eric agrees but decides that Sam will owe him one. He sends the debonair Charles Twining, a one eyed vampire. 

Meanwhile, Bill has started dating again - an uptight upper class and superior woman as different from Sookie as could be. Naturally the ONLY place he ever seems to want to take her is Merlottes. Because he is a giant asshole.

The werewolves are chosing their new leader. Alcide tricks Sookie into attending, mostly so that she can influences the wolves for his father. Though she does ensure that the contest is a fair one, his pop is killed and Sookie is furious that Alcide chooses to use her in this manner. It seems like her relationship with the Streveport weres has soured for the time being.

Sookie is attacked at home, in fact her house is near burned down with her inside. Only the intervention of her fairy godmother saves her from certain destruction.  It seems that a member of the Fellowship of the Sun was responsible.

So there's an awful lot of blah blah blah but ultimately - the shape shifters are being shot at by a stripper who lost her career after an attack. 

Except for Sam. He was shot by Charles Twining who was sent by his master-vampire to destroy Sookie to pay back Eric for an old debt. He knew that Sam (via Sookie) would have to ask Eric for a replacement. He is also responsible for burning down Sookie's house. 

On a totally different front, Tara is now being passed around the vampire set, with the vampires getting more and more violent. Sookie asks Eric to intervene. He agrees but only if Sookie tells him about their time together - though naturally it turns out that he would have had to deal with the nasty vicious vampire at some point regardless. He's delighted to hear about their sexcapades, pretty indifferent to his part in the murder of Debbie Pelt and pretty horrified to hear that he was willing to give up his power base for Sookie's love.

*****

A pretty meh offering to be honest. Maybe I was expecting too much after the last book. There is as much toing and froing as ever, but very little in terms of story line progression. A few strangers die, a few new characters pop in and then out again, yet Sookie is left at the end of the book where she was at the beginning.

It's probably fair to say that this was a bit necessary. I get the impression that there were lots of little set up's for future books, but all in all, not a stellar read.

Score

3/10

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 4 - Dead to the World

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

*****SPOILERS*****

A mere three weeks have passed since the events of Club Dead. Sookie is driving close to home and happens across an amnesiac and terrified Eric. Despite wanting to keep her distance from all things vampiric, she agrees to keep him on after talking to a scared and scary Pam (Eric's right hand woman). Jason - in a rare on the ball moment - negotiates a settlement with the vampires for keeping Eric safe and hidden.  

Witches have come to Bon Temps and they are after the vampires financial base. These witches comprise of shape shifters who are taking vampire blood to enhance their physical and magical abilities.

The next morning, Jason is missing. Despite the whole town coming together and searching for Jason, Sookie is convinced that the witches have taken him. She calls in as many of her supernatural contacts as possible, including Alcide and the werewolves of Shreveport, several local witches - who want nothing to do with the interlopers - and the vampires. Under Pam's leadership, the disparate and often rival groups agree to work together to oust the new coven.

While all of this is happening, Eric re-develops feelings for Sookie. He has no memories of his past, but is more sensitive, considerate and protective - interested in his relationships rather than in his power base. Despite knowing that she would never be able to have a relationship with the fully-capable Eric; Sookie can't resist this new baggage-less Eric. They sort of fall in love. It's very sweet. A sort of raunchy sweet, but still. 

Pam - not the Alice in Wonderland look

Pam and co organise an attack. It's bloody, gory and in the end, team Sookie is victorious, though there are a number of losses. One good thing, Alcide sees the real Debbie Pelt and adjures her - rendering her non-exsistant to him in the future. Yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds, but it's all described very dramatically and you buy into it (though with the same reservations that Sookie has) - it was also really great to see Alcide step up and be a man about the whole thing.

Hallow - the leader of the witches - is the only one left alive. She lifts her spell and Eric is returned to his usual charming self - with no memory of his time with Sookie. Though just before she manages that, Debbie attacks Sookie in her house (that woman needs to look into a better security system - it's like everyone can just walk in!). Eric takes a bullet for Sookie, who shoots Debbie, then he disposes of the body. One final night together then in the morning, Eric's memories are restored.

Sookie is left alone, devastated that the witches were not actually responsible for Jason's abduction, battle weary and crushed that Eric doesn't remember any of their time together. 

Debbie. Her nice side.

Finally she turns to the ever reliable Sam, who reveals that Jason's most recent squeeze Crystal is from the small town of Hotshot - an inbred tribe of were-panthers. They discover that Jason is being held by Crystal's spurned lover. He has been trying to turn Jason in the belief that Crystal would lose interest if he joined the furry brigade.

*****

My favourite book so far - this almost wipes the nasty aftertaste of Living Dead in Dallas and the rape scene abominably glossed over in Club Dead.

As always the plot darts to and fro. Each book so far has followed almost identical three plot stories A, B and C, but with such good camouflage that this reader really doesn't mind at all. 

Jason is much more present in this book than in almost any other since book 1 - rather, his presence is felt due to its absence. It's great to have Sookie focus on the family stuff rather than be totally obsessed with the supernatural. 


The whole amnesia storyline allows for Eric and Sookie to take that next (inevitable) step forward. Rather than feeling horned in, it seems sort of lovely that Eric is able to provide solace during Sookie's time of need. Though it was always obvious that Eric was going to have his memories retrieved, the sheer absence of any contact after those memories returned was a bit heartbreaking. 

I was a bit disappointed that Debbie was disposed of. Though, to be honest, had she stuck around for another book, I'd probably be complaining about that. Fussy? Moi?

The icing on the cake? An almost total absence of Bill. Thankfully. At this point I just don't know why Harris keeps him around. Sure he SAYS he loves Sookie, every now and again he manages to save Sookie (before Eric does) but ugh, what a plonker.

Score - 8/10 


* see previous note re rating system

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