Showing posts with label Charlaine Harris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charlaine Harris. Show all posts

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Grave Sight by Charliane Harris Book Review

>> Sunday, August 15, 2010

I couldn't sleep last night even though I was tired so I went to my spare room with all the books I have not read and after a few minutes decided on this book. I didn't really want to read another vampire book. Not that I am burned out on vamps but I just wanted something different. I love Charlaine Harris and her writing style appeals to me so I chose a book with a whole new supernatural theme.

Grave Sight is the first book in the Harper Connelley Mysteries. I picked it up and read for hours then I slept a few hours and spent the better part of my Sunday reading. I can't say it was full of action and suspense but it was full intrigue and mystery and just a touch of the supernatural. I like a good mystery and this book delivered.

It was a fun read and a great set up story for some interesting characters in the books to come. Harper Connely is the main character along with her brother Tolliver. They travel around to help people find their missing loved ones. Harper has a unique gift that gives  her the ability to sense dead people and when she finds them she can tell the cause of death. She was stuck by lightning as a child and has had the gift since then and she use it to make a living. She is summoned to a town to find a girl that has been missing and presumed dead. She does her job and leaves when she gets summoned back to the town because they were the last people to talk to a woman who was murdered the day they left. They come back and end up stuck there trying to solve a mystery and that is not in their job description.

As they are drug deeper into this case they discover there is a killer on the loose and that their lives are in danger. I liked the book a lot but I had much of the mystery figured out well before the end of the book. I enjoyed watching it come together in the end and Harris did tie up all the loose ends. I won't spoil it for anyone else but I did know the why and the who for quite some time. Maybe it is because I watch and read a lot of stuff like this. Maybe it was supposed to be predictable but no matter what I did enjoy the book and if I can find more at the library I will read them. I give this book 3.5 out out of five stars.

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Thursday, June 3, 2010

True Blood Season 1 Review

>> Thursday, June 3, 2010

This has been something I have been meaning to review for a long time. I watched True Blood: The Complete First Season (HBO Series) a long time ago and have had some trouble figuring out if i liked it or not. I have to say I did like it. I couldn't get enough of it to tell you the truth. If my hubby didn't want to watch it with me I would have sat down and watched it in just a few days. I could have done with much less detail on Jason's sex life but I really did enjoy the series.

You are not getting anything even close to the book series by Charliane Harris but if you can separate the books from the show it you might love it. I had trouble treating them as separate entities. My husband who has not read the books liked the series a lot. Now I must warn you this is for adults only! There is a lot of sex in the books but the series found a way to add more.

The series has some components of the books and in the first season the characters are pretty close to the books. They don't do all the same things but the plot line has some similarities. The basics are the same as the first book in the series. There is a serial murderer on the loose and Jason is the main suspect. Jason is Sookie Stackhouse's brother and she is the telepathic waitress who steals the show.... well at least in the books she does.

As in the books vampires have recently announced their existence. They feel it is the right move because of the invention of synthetic blood. The vampires are in demand for drug dealers because their blood gives a human a taste of what it is like to be a vampire.

In the television show they explore the inner lives of other characters especially Jason (not that he has a lot of thoughts). They do an excellent job with some of the characters and I really enjoyed the series but I still can't believe some of the changes they made.

They changed the end and they changed who staked a vampire and gave Bill a punishment that did not exist in the book. You will know when you watch it what I am talking about. Over all I think it was very well done but not really like the books.

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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Dead and Gone Book Review

>> Thursday, January 7, 2010


Dead and Gone is the ninth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series.
 Here are the previous Reviews:
Dead Until Dark
Living Dead In Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World

Dead as a Doornail

Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
A Touch of Dead


Again I had a little trouble remembering what came from the books and what came from True Blood. Especially when Eric talked about his origins and Sam went to see his mom who passed shifting to him. I think it is partially because it has been so long since I read the first books.

Just another WARNING that if you have not read the first eight books you may get some spoilers. You do need to read the other books or you won't get a thing that is going on.

This book was so much fun I didn't want it to end. Some of that is because I am a huge fan of Eric Northman and he played his role perfectly in this book. You see a lot of Sam the shape-shifter as the weres have come out of the closet. His step-dad promptly shoots his mother when she changes and Sam has to leave town to help his family. Shortly after he leaves Sookie to manage the bar a were-panther is crucified in the parking lot at Merlot's. Sookie's x-friend quit Arlene quit the bar and is out to get Sookie because of the were news. On top of that Eric tricks Sookie into some sort of wierd vampire marriage to keep her safe from the new vampire regime.

This all happens fairly early in the book but the real excitement is when Nial comes to visit Sookie and lets her know she is in danger because there is a war going on in fairyland and has spilled over into her world. Nial's enemies are after her and she now needs protection. So guess who makes another appearance ...... Bubba! I missed him. On top of that she has Eric and Bill and a few weres and Amelia the witch to protect her.

This book deserves five stars out of five I was very happy with it and the question you are left with at the end just peaks your interest all that much more. I am still rooting for Sookie to be with Eric but Sam comes in a close second for me. I like Eric because she seems to feel really safe with him and he is also as independent as she is. I have really liked him since he lost his memory.

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Thursday, December 31, 2009

A Touch of Dead Short Stories about Sookie Stackhouse

>> Thursday, December 31, 2009


I highly enjoyed this book of short stories. There were five short stories and each one filled in some gaps in my book knowledge. This really is a must read for the fans of the Sookie Stackhouse novels. If you love stories that include fairies and vampires and shape-shifters you will not be disappointed. Wherever Sookie goes there is trouble and it shows up in all these stories.


The stories include"Fairy Dust,""One Word Answer," "Dracula Night," "Lucky," and "Giftwrap."


I loved all the stories if you are a big Eric fan like I am you will love Dracula Night as vampire Eric prepares Fangtasia for a possible appearance of the legendary vampire. He invites Sookie to his big bash and of course there is trouble.


I am not sure on the time line of these stories because it is hard for me to remember which book had what story line and how much was revealed in each. The only thing I know for sure is that the last story takes place between book eight and book nine. If you have read most of the books go ahead and read the short stories if you just picked up the first book hold off a bit.



 This book is short and I heard a lot of people were disappointed with that but I was not. These stories have been published in other books so if you want something longer you may want to seek these books out. I just wanted the Sookie stories so it was a great investment for me. I would give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Charliane Harris and Kim Harrison Book Reviews Comming Soon

>> Wednesday, December 30, 2009

I finished two more books and I just don't want to wait until May for the next Sookie Stackhouse book. I read A Touch of Dead and Dead and Gone over the last few days. I then spent some time looking up when the next book is going to be released and I was tempted to throw a three year old type fit.


I have really enjoyed this series but that is besides the point that they left you with the big question at the end that just begs to be answered. I also can't quite figure out what to call this series because when I read the first one it was called The Southern Vampire Mysteries and now it is the Sookie Stackhouse novels. Not that that is a big deal but it is rather confusing.



I am going to knock out a few more of the Hallows books by Kim Harrison by the end of this week as well. Then the reviews will start rolling in regularly for about a month or two until I go back to work in March. I work full time for about 6-8 weeks then probably part time.

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Friday, November 6, 2009

From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris

>> Friday, November 6, 2009


I missed reading dark novels for fun so much I spent all day yesterday reading. It was chilly outside so I sat in my heated recliner most of the day enjoying the 8th Southern Vampire Mystery or what is now called the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I was not disappointed the time kept slipping away and before I knew it I had read for over 8 hours. I had some distractions and appointments but overall I was just captivated by the book and couldn't put it down.

Warning this review will contain spoilers for those of you who have not read the previous 7 books, I will try not to give away too much of this book but look for my other Charlaine Harris Reviews.

This book was never boring and considering it had been a long while since I had read the last one I was a little worried I may have forgotten too much. Harris does a nice job of helping you remember with small clues added throughout the book. It was nice because in some books they spend a great deal of their words rehashing everything that happened in the last books and I find that boring.

In this book Sookie is having a little trouble coming to terms with some of the major changes she is experiencing in her character. She is loosing sensitivity for the loss of life, especially those who are trying to kill her. She realizes that she is becoming a different person and that she is stuck in a world unknown to humans and can't live a normal life.

As usual Sookie is in danger almost all the way through this book. This was another book with a lot of small plots that didn't tie together for an over all theme. This book never made them seem like they should it was just another strange week in the life of Sookie Stackhouse. She had to intervene in a werewolf war, vampire take over, her crazy brothers marriage and a few other supernatural affairs.

This book was more about Sookie and her relationships.Quin was missing for more than half the book so she had a lot of time to think about things. She started to realize she wanted a man who could protect her and who put her first. I think I enjoyed this book so much because Sookie did a lot of self evaluation in this book. You saw more of her relationships with Amelia her roommate and with Sam her boss. You saw how truly loathsome her brother is. You get a back stage pass as Sookie decides who her friends and family are and who they are not. On top of that you get to see a lion bite off the head of a crazy werewolf and a vampire mowed down with a car and decapitated.

If you didn't get enough drama with that you also get to meet a distant relative of Sookie's who explains her fairy blood. Claudine and her brother show up a few times too. All of Eric's memory return resulting in him acting differently around Sookie and she kind of likes it. Sam is super affectionate toward Sookie and Bill is still trying to win Sookie back.

I am usually big on Eric for Sookie but in this book I was so pretty sure I wanted them all to win except Quin but I have never cared for his character. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars it was a great book but some people will have issues with there not being a great big plot with twists and turns up until the very end.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

>> Thursday, June 4, 2009




All Together Dead is the seventh book in the Southern Vampire Series. Charliane Harris has out done herself this time. This action packed novel was right up my alley with loads of devious plots and tons of romantic tension. Harris takes this book to a new level of entertainment and a new town.

The majority of this book takes place in Rhodes at the massive vampire gathering called the Vampire Senate. Sookie is forced to go because the Queen of Louisiana needs her telepathic abilities. I loved the idea of this book taking place in a convention center it brought back memories of the conventions I attended as a teen. I think she did a great job with the new setting.

Barry the bellboy is back and he is working for the vampires in the same capacity as Sookie, scoping out the humans (or the vamps they work for) who may be up to no good. Sookie and Barry develop a friendship in this book and work together very well when things get rough.

Quinn is still Sookie’s main love interest but they are having trouble making time for each other. I have a hard time with this relationship it really feels flat and boring. I also can’t picture Quinn as sexy. Eric is still in the picture and you can tell that they have feelings for each other. Sookie is forced to drink his blood again to improve her senses and it creates and even deeper bond with Eric. This causes some exciting, tense scenes between Eric and Quinn.

If that is not enough for you there is also the Queens trial, for the murder of her husband, which is anything but typical. Unless you count bow and arrow wielding vampires showing up right in the middle of a trial as normal.We also have murdered vampires, plots against the queen, miscellaneous bombs, and a bunch of lunatics from the People of Faith.

In the end you get loads of dead vampires, and a great set up for more of Sookie’s unusual life with the supernatural. This time you know things will never be normal for Sookie again. I loved this book and I am giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars. It had a little bit of a slow start but I loved the humor in the beginning. There was a bit of interaction between Sookie and her new roommates. This was an unnecessary part of the plot but I rather enjoyed it.

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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Definitely Dead Review

>> Wednesday, June 3, 2009


Definitely Dead is the sixth book in the Southern Vampire Series by Charliane Harris. I have to say it is also my least favorite book of the seven I have read so far. It starts off a little confusing because there is a short story published in another book that I have yet to read. It ties the end of the last book and the beginning of this book together, but that is a secret to readers. That is not all the book seemed poorly organized and filled with material that probably will set up future events.


Sookie travels to new Orleans to collect her dead cousin Hadley’s possessions and also spends some time working for the queen. Hadley’s death and the queens work are mysteriously tied together. The queen is set to marry a King from another state and pool their assets. Things take a deadly turn for he queen and her people and she employs Sookie to help her find what is lost before things get ugly.


Early on you find out that Hadley had become a vampire, in fact she was a favorite of the Queen. Nothing is ever cut and dry in these novels though so shortly after Sookie arrives at her cousins apartment things get crazy.


The landlord is a witch who put a spell on the apartment to keep it smelling fresh, but once it has lifted they find a dead….well sort of dead man in the closet. This discovery launches the investigation into the real events surrounding Hadley’s death.


This book was really good just not what I had come to expect from this series. There were a few boring chapters, but the last half of the book made up for the first half. If you want to see flying vampire heads, witches casting spells, and of course Eric, Bill and Quinn, you won’t want to miss this book.


I am giving this book a 3.5 out of five stars, largely because I am still upset that there was no way I could know about the short story. Also because Harris is a very talented writer and this was not her greatest work.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

Dead to the World Southern Vampire Series Book 4

>> Monday, June 1, 2009


Dead to the World

Southern Vampire Series Book 4

This has to be my favorite book in the series but it very well may be because there is a lot of Eric in it. The book starts off with Sookie angry at Bill and just wishing that she could make it through the New Year with out getting beat up. She just wants to go to work and come home and have a normal life again. Then on her way home from work one evening she finds Eric running toward her half dresses and totally confused. Eric has lost his memory so Sookie brings him home to stay with her. To her surprise this Eric is sweet and she enjoys his company.

This book is just full of surprises a coven of crazy witches has cast a spell on Eric to take his memories and Sookie is sucked into an investigation to find out how to get Erics’ memories back. If that isn’t enough she breaks it off with Bill and her brother goes missing. Sookie is sure all this is going to ruin her plans to not get beat up this year.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, because it was another page turner. I just couldn’t get enough of the story or Eric. There was quite a bit of sex again and of course violence and some language. There is a high possibility that many will be offended by this book and it is not for teens. I loved the book despite what offended me and I couldn’t wait to read what came next.

I just love Eric’s character and I really liked what Harris has done with him after he losses his memory. I love the interaction between Sookie and Eric as friends while he is scared and feeling vulnerable he only trusts Sookie. He doesn’t even trust Pam or his employees as he doesn’t remember them either. There was also a lot of new stuff about witches in this book, not just the crazy witches either. You get to dive deeper into the supernatural world in each of the books in this series and this one was no exception.

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Sunday, May 31, 2009

Club Dead: The Southern Vampire Series Book 3 by Charliane Harris

>> Sunday, May 31, 2009


Club Dead
By Charliane Harris
This is the third book in the Southern Vampire series. In Club Dead Bill is called out of town on some vampire business, but something has gone wrong and he is missing. Eric informs Sookie of his suspicions and it doesn’t take much to convince her to go looking for him. Before you know it Sookie is off to find her lover in Mississippi and is staying with Alcide a werewolf who owes Eric a favor. Sookies’ new werewolf friend can get her into a vampire club that is only open to supernatural creatures and their dates.

When she gets to the club she learns that the vampire King of Mississippi is holding Bill. The next visit to the club Sookie runs into an old enemy who plans to stake a vampire that belongs to the king and she gets hurt instead. The king takes her to his home to save her from her most recent near death experience, where she and Eric start hatching a plan to free Bill.


During all the action in this book Sookies’ love life takes some strange twists and turns. The reason Bill is not where he is supposed to be is because he has been cheating with the woman who made him a vampire. Eric shows an increasing interest in Sookie and starts to express that he actually might care for her. Alcide the new guy is also infatuated with her but he has some issues with a psycho ex-girlfriend. Sookie is hurting and not sure what to do when she finds Bill but does not waver in her search for him.

This book was full of action and for once not too much sex. I fully enjoyed this book and although it is still very adult the sexual aspect didn’t distract me from the plot. I am going to give it 5 out of 5 stars. I absolutely couldn’t wait to find out what happenes next. I really enjoyed the scenes in the vampire club and learning about the other types of supernatural creatures that were introduced in this book. There is so much packed into this book I don’t want to spoil it too much for readers.

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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Living Dead In Dallas By Charlaine Harris

>> Saturday, May 30, 2009


Living Dead inDallas
By Charlaine Harris
This is the second book in the Southern Vampire series now called Sookie Stackhouse novels. Sookies’ association with supernatural creatures is getting her into all sorts of trouble. First she finds the body of Lafayette, a coworker and friend who has been brutally murdered and shoved into Detective Andy Bellefleur’s car.

Then Sookie and Bill are summoned by Eric, on their way there Sookie is attacked by a new mythological creature and poisoned. When they arrive at Erics’ she is near death and the vampires save her life. She is asked to go toDallas to help find a missing vampire with her telepathic skills.

While trying to find the missing vampire she gets herself captured by the Fellowship of the Sun, an anti-vampire cult. The Fellowship acts like they are doing Gods work by disposing of vampires and all humans who associate with them.


There are a lot of plot twists and turns in this book and there is not a boring moment. Sookie is becoming like a detective using her telepathic power to solve human and vampire mysteries. I have to say I couldn’t put this book down, it sucked me in from the first few pages. There is so much going on in this book you just can’t wait until later to find out what happens next.


Over all I think this is an excellent book, it really keeps you wanting more. I am going to give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I went into the book expecting things that I would not like but a fun story and Harris gave me what I wanted. The complaint I have with these books is that I find that the sex takes away from the story instead of adding to it. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars

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Friday, May 29, 2009

Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

>> Friday, May 29, 2009


Dead as a Doornail

By Charlaine Harris

This is the fifth book in the Southern Vampire Series and I was not disappointed. There is someone out there trying to kill shape shifters. Sookie's boss, Sam, is shot and the leader of the were-panthers is nearly killed. Jason was found at the end of the last book as a were-panther and is now enjoying his new life, but considered a prime suspect again in the shootings.


Eric has his memory back but can’t remember anything that happened while he was under the witches curse. He doesn’t remember his relationship with Sookie or the fact that he helped her hide a body. He does know something happened and he doesn’t like being in the dark.


Eric sends his new bartender Charles to tend bar while Sam is hurt and there is yet another cook at Merlots. Sookie reluctantly lets Charles stay at her house. Sookie's kitchen burns up and Claudine, the faerie, appears to save her from the fire. Have I ever mentioned I love Claudine?


Readers learn a lot about the Were culture in this book. You get more up close and personal with Calvin the leader of the were panthers. Alcied asks Sookie to accompany him to a Werewolf funeral and the a battle for new pack leader.

This action filled book was fun to read but I am a little tired of every man that isn’t gay having a thing for Sookie. I like her character she learns to stand up for herself and thinks more about what she really wants for her future in this book. This series is great and this book is no exception.

I give this book four out of five stars. As usual there is offensive material in this book so if you don’t like swearing, sex or violence in your books don’t pick this one up. I am guessing you if you have made it to this book you already have an idea of what is in it.

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Monday, May 18, 2009

Book Review -- Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

>> Monday, May 18, 2009


Dead Until Dark
By Charlaine Harris

This is a fantastic book full of mystery, suspense and romance. The only complaint I have with it is there was too much sex, but the story was intriguing I just couldn’t put it down and have read 6 more books since. I particularly enjoyed the detail Harris uses in describing small town life and how they reacted to the first vampire in town and a possible serial killer.


The development of synthetic blood brings vampires out of hiding and into the human world. Bill is the vampire that comes to live in Bon Temps where he meets Sookie Stackhouse.

Sookie is a waitress at the local bar and she can read minds, not selectively she hears everyone and has a hard time blocking it out. She soon discovers that she can not hear vampire thoughts when she meets Bill.


Shortly after Bon Temps first vampire comes to reside they begin to have a string of murders. Many of the people of the small town don’t believe it is a coincidence that these horrifying incidents started after the arrival of their first undead resident. Then there is also Jason Stackhouse who sleeps with all the women in and near the city and has been with all the women killed.

As Sookie becomes friends with Bill she discovers the world of vampires is dangerous and terrifying at times. On the other hand when she is with Bill her mind is quiet and peaceful.



Harris develops her characters so well in this book, and she keeps the plot fast pace, full of twists and turns, I was addicted by the end of the first chapter. I was never bored I absolutely could not put this book down.



I do have to warn this is not a book for children it is full of explicit sexual scenes, extreme violence and some foul language. I would recommend this book but I also want to again express my complaint….. there was way to much detailed sex in this book. I have read 6 more books in this series and none of them had this much sex.

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