Stars: 4.5
Summary: Professionally, Sookie, a mind reader, has a new job. She’s been hired by the vampire queen of Louisiana to attend the vampire summit in order to give the queen an edge by reading all the human minds. The Queen desperately needs that edge since her state has been wreaked by hurricane Katrina and she stands accused of murdering her vampire husband, the King of Arkansas. Personally, Sookie has a history of vampire lovers (who haven’t gotten her out of their systems yet). But she’s currently dating an oddly well-known and respected weretiger, Quinn. Amid the rising death toll, Sookie discovers a few secrets and saves the day. Plus, she gets to fly.
Reaction: Pleasantly surprised! At the suggestion of Michelle, I tried out the first Stackhouse book Dead Until Dark, and it just wasn’t what I was looking for at the time. So I gave up on Sookie for a time. I recently tried again, and I really enjoyed my second round.
I think one of the main reasons for my change in attitude is that I found Sookie to be too passive in the first book. She’d never done much of anything, and then when Bill the vampire came into town she did everything he wanted. However, in All Together Dead, Sookie had more of a spine – and I liked it. She had interesting insights and suggestions, and her quick thinking and bravery saved lives. That’s my kind of heroine. However, she’s still a bit naive and part of the plot is whether and when she figures out what really has happened. I’m definitely going to have to read more Sookie.
Question of the day: I am a fan of the idea of reading minds. I realize it wouldn’t be pleasant all the time, but man would it be handy! Imagine shopping for cars or evaluating boyfriends with that ability… mighty helpful. Or wait – imagine evaluating boyfriends… mighty depressing. So, if you had a choice, would you take the ability?
I’m holding out on teleportation as my superhero power. I don’t want to know what everyone is thinking.
You and Justin! I’m not sure what my preferred superpower would be – incredible intelligence might be handy… flying would be sweet…
I’m glad you enjoyed the second one more than the first. The first was a bit blah. I became hooked on the series around book three and four. I can’t wait for the tenth novel to come out next month!
Dominique is the queen of all things Charlaine Harris 🙂
Nice to know that it wasn’t just me who wasn’t immediately hooked. I think I’ll try to read eight and nine to be ready for the tenth – then I can be excited with you! 🙂
Hmm…I’m not sure if I would. Have you read Patrick Ness’ The Knife of Never Letting Go? It shows a dark side of mind reading that I won’t forget soon!
Anyway…possibly I’m the only person who’s yet to start this series. Some day, some day!
You know, I started The Knife of Never Letting Go, but I was so turned off by the bad spelling and profanity I didn’t make it past page 10. I did think it was an interesting concept, though.
It’s not a slow read – just don’t start with Book One. 🙂
I’d have to agree with Michelle. I’ll take teleportation as my superpower. It would be so great to go wherever you want whenever. No more looking for parking at the Oceanfront or paying ungodly amounts for airfare.
Lol – I can’t argue with that. No more driving long distances to visit the family…
Other candidates: regeneration and mind control. (Can you tell I’ve watched Heroes?) 🙂