“My gran had always told me that a woman--any woman worth her salt--could do whatever she had to.” Sookie and Bill have called it quits on their on-again, off-again relationship, but that doesn't mean Sookie's life has gotten any easier. Bill still lives nearby; plus, Sookie finds a memory-wiped Eric on the road one day as she's driving home from work. Apparently, a coven of witches led by Hallow tried to extort money from Eric and took his memory. Also, Jason, Sookie's brother, is missing. Can Sookie defeat the witches, retrieve Eric's memory AND find her brother?These books are pure guilty pleasure, like eating cotton candy at the fair or ice cream on a hot day. They aren't very substantial, ground-breaking or earth-shattering, but they are fun. Reading about Sookie's life, hearing the humorous way she faces the most extraordinary circumstances are what make these books so much fun. Oh, and the deliciously, devilish Eric, with his offbeat personality!That said, while I did enjoy myself with this book, I found there were a few things that bugged me. First off, a good part of this book is spent with an amnesiac Eric. That does lend itself to some nice scenes with Eric and Sookie, but it also veers off to creepy-ville when they are exploring their, ahem, relationship. Is Eric REALLY consenting when he's not fully Eric? What does that say about Sookie, if she is ready to have "relations" with Eric in this state? I can't help but draw parallels to date rape and having sex while drunk - can you REALLY consent when you aren't yourself? While it's cool again to see the Eric/Sookie dynamic, it's not really Eric and Sookie - it's memory-wiped Eric and Sookie. And memory-wiped Eric really isn't Eric. (In fact, he reminded me way too much of Bill, but that could have been the narrator slipping into "Bill's voice" for these parts.)The second thing that bugged me was something you see all too often in series: the addition of new paranormal elements. This can be a good thing, when done well, with plenty of foreshadowing. Unfortunately, most of the time, it comes off feeling like the author ran out of things to do with her already established world. And that's kinda how I felt here. Harris couldn't think of new things to do with weres and vampires and skinchangers so she added witches and faeries. Yes, faeries. Gah.Lastly, I'm noticing more and more how harsh Sookie can be to other women. She holds them to really strict standards and often has no problems jumping in critiquing a woman's actions or appearance. We are by no means at Anita Blake level of misogyny, but it's enough to be a little disturbing.A lot of this review has been about what is WRONG with the book, but that is just because I can't add much to the many GOOD things I've already said about this book and series. It's a delightfully fluffy series, not too serious, but still able to treat the darker subjects with appropriate sobriety. Sookie's voice, upbeat and lighthearted, independent, brave and eager to act to save other's lives, is a warm welcome in such a dark and dismal genre filled with Dark and Broody Misfits. And the Eric and Sookie dynamic is very fascinating when you don't think about the potential rapey aspect.This series isn't for everyone, but I continue to enjoy myself. I think, though, it's best to read a book or two between other more substantial books than to read the entire series in one go. I found I've liked this book better than the previous two, and I think it's because I gave Sookie some time to breath. I'm definitely going to pick up book 5 in the future - after a bit of a break.
2.5 StarsFirst off, I would like to thank both Kelly and Stepheny for allowing me to intrude upon their buddy-read. I do not believe it necessary to reiterate how much distaste I feel for Sookie Stackhouse. If you care to know my explicit feelings in this matter, I go into rather intense detail in my review here.I will merely say I find her moronic and tedious, for purposes of this review. After reading this, the fourth book in the series, I think I have figured out what it is exactly that I cannot stand about Harris’s writing style. I am a person who views language as an art form. I believe that while there are several words that may be substituted in the place of each other that there is generally one word which flows best. I believe that words have a reactive feeling within us and that (although English is certainly not the most elegant of the languages) a writer has a responsibility to their readers to attempt to make that language resonate in their stories. To choose words which do not smash and jar the reader in opposition to the emotions you are trying to invoke in a particular scene. (Of course, like almost anything, there are exceptions to this.)I really don’t think Harris would agree with me. In my opinion, she sacrifices much in way of style and language art for substance in this series. And, to me, it shows. There are many choices she makes, language-wise, that simply do not jive with me. Let me make an example: The *bleh* mouthfeel (a word I find in contradiction to the very thing it’s expressing) of the word ‘Love’ is like a circle, perfectly rotating; it is a soft word that feels balanced on the tongue. Love. If love were a letter it would be an “O”. The word “Lover”, on the other hand, is like a “Q”, a circle with a stop in it; that feels jarring to my mouth (and also when my brain speaks it when reading). I abhor the term “Lover” (and “Baby”, for that matter). Both of these endearments are overused in this story. I have much more positive feelings about the show based on this series than I do the book series it is based on, and as a reader that upsets me. It’s no well-hidden secret that I have fond feelings for ‘Eric Northman’. Dead to the World begins with Eric having amnesia and behaving very docile and un-Eric-like. And while I adore the smart-mouthed asshole persona, I admit to having a soft spot for memory-washed Eric. He makes me wonder what Eric, the human Viking, must have been like. There are several different stories happening simultaneously in this book. Jason, Sookie’s lady-killer brother, goes missing; Sookie is put on Eric-Watch and a group of evil witches is trying to take over Shevreport. For a book with so much potential plot there is far too much uninteresting bullshit within these pages. As I said, there is a lot of meat to this story (and I’m curious how it would have read if I hadn’t known what was likely to happen going in) but Harris concentrated far too much on the fat. Had this been trimmed down I believe it would have been more interesting, if not more artistically pleasing to me. Also, that cover is not pleasant AT ALL. That image of Eric almost killed all sploosh-factor a couple times. One final note (as my review is now reaching lengthy proportions): I loathed the amount of Bill-thought/talk within this book. For one, Bill was not present. For second, at the end of the last book Bill raped Sookie. The fact that this incident is glossed over in a way that minimises the act is DEEPLY unsettling to me.
What do You think about Dead To The World (2005)?
Dead to the World is the fourth installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I actually read this a year or more back but re-read it last night again and realized I like it more than 4 stars. Eric is my favorite character to start with, but during this book I love the new Eric also. He seemed so venerable and lost. It was Eric from a simpler time, without all the death and pain. He was reborn and cute as hell. lol! And I think Eric truly felt something for Sookie. What could have been! But, then Eric wouldn't be the Eric that we've come to love. And I do like the original Eric a lot. As for the story line outside of Sookies romance life, Sookie doesn't have it easy. Her brother goes missing, she's being hated to the point where the answer comes to death and to save Eric from losing his memory permanently, she has to go up against very powerful witches, that ends up in a battle for lives. Dead to the World was very exciting and suspenseful read. The romance was great and the plot was well put together. I really enjoyed this book. I'm not looking forward to Dead in the Family(due out in May?)If you haven't read this series yet, or have only watched the show, I highly recommend you read the books. The show may be good but the books are great. You don't know what your missing!
—Natasha
Definitely my favorite installment♥ I know I rated almost all of them 5 stars, but that was my first UF, so u have to excuse me;p
—Alkyoni
Ahhh, Eric...::swoon::One of the best of the series, especially in terms of character development. Sookie makes a very telling New Year's Resolution: to avoid getting beat up. And not half an hour later she's picking up a stray amnesiac vampire. The chemistry between Eric and Sookie is wonderful. Pam in her take-charge mode is hilarious. The Were community is more complicated than ever. And Sookie's knowledge of Supes is growing every day. Charlaine Harris knows how to craft witty and interesting characters, with natural dialogue and distinct personalities.But really. It's a book about Eric. Isn't that enough?
—The Flooze
