Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Dead Until Dark

A fun romp, especially if you’ve seen the show. Don’t expect deep mystery or heavy emotions and you’ll likely be satisfied with this. First-person narrative isn’t usually my bag, but it worked, and made some of the cringier and uncomfortable terminology or biases showing through a little easier to accept, since it was filtered through a character’s mind. Perhaps this was intentional, perhaps it was happy accident - it was written in 2001, after all. My biggest beef with it was some of the dynamics between Sookie and Jason - siblings just don’t call each other “bro” and “sis” where I’m from. Maybe it’s different in the South!

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taraisaducky's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I already knew I loved this series as a show. I was pleasantly surprised to fine the show was very true to the book aside from being set a few years later. (With one Elvis shaped exception) I really enjoyed the tone and pace and the author’s style. I actually listened to this on audiobook and the reader was fab.

Not precisely a spoiler, but I was a little surprised Tara isn’t in it at all. I’m hoping she will be in the next book in the series.

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singalana's review against another edition

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adventurous dark lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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lauraleamariereads's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

“The death of a pet is naturally not in the same category as the death of a family member, I chided myself, but it didn’t seem to affect my misery.” (230)

Why True Blood (the tv show) is better than the Sookie Stackhouse book series (book one comparison):

Tara — why the fuck is Tara not in book one??? Her friendship with Sookie is one of the best parts of this whole series. There is no Sookie without Tara.
Lafayette — he has like 2 or 3 lines in this whole first book? I’m so confused. Again, one of the best side characters in the show and desperately missed in this first book.
Jason — is so misogynistic and cruel towards Sookie in this book. True Blood Jason loves his sister and actually likes spending time with her. I don’t know why he’s such an asshole in this book — way better on screen.
Racism — this book is overtly racist and doesn’t even try to incorporate any inclusivity; True Blood does a much better version of this Deep South confederate story. I did not feel comfortable with the disgusting lack of race equality in this book. Charlaine Harris is a white woman, I understand that — but ANY attempt by her to include Black Americans in this story was completely ignored (other than Lafayette’s quick appearance).

AND — I have been lucky enough to own a dog for many years, and sadly been there for his death. Anyone that tells me I didn’t mourn him like he was a family member is wrong. He stole a piece of my heart and I will always remember him. Smh. *Sookie when her cat dies*

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chamberednautilus's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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