tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
A rowdy romp through urban fantasy, Charlaine Harris pulls the reader into the story almost immediately. Sookie Stackhouse, the protagonist, is a thought-provoking heroine. The story contains many twists and turns that kept me on my toes (and on the end of my seat) until the very end. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a distinct distraction.
carleyreis's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
mangoes4jace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
opheliapo's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this book because, at present, my 'currently reading' list is full of dense, very interesting, but dense books, and I wanted some good old fashioned trash. Oh, boy did I get what I asked for.
It's essentially Twilight written by a southerner with no tendencies toward Mormonism. No PG13 'I wanna marry you shiny man and raise an equally shiny child betrothed to a wolf person' shenanigans. The mystery aspect was also fun.
I think my enjoyment for this book, however, came quite considerably from the fact that I have already seen some of the television show the series is based on 'True Blood'. The character's are always so much clearer when they've been depicted by real actors, and Charlaine Harris' character descriptions are just vague enough not to take away from that.
On a soggier note, sone of Harris's phrasing throws me off a little. I imagine it's a matter of upbringing, but the way she describes some things doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I wish I'd highlighted an example but I honestly didn't think to at the time.
Also, her blocking is poor and she often gets ahead of herself. Near the end of the book, for example, Sookie is sitting on the bog, staring at her muddled face in the mirror, thinking about how ugly she is. Then, out of nowhere, she 'leans back into her bed'. I'm not expecting to receive every detail of the protagonist's piss plight, but a quick joining sentence to let me know she'd returned to the hospital room would be excellent. Both of these things happen infuriatingly often.
On the whole, a fun read, and I look forward to continuing the series.
It's essentially Twilight written by a southerner with no tendencies toward Mormonism. No PG13 'I wanna marry you shiny man and raise an equally shiny child betrothed to a wolf person' shenanigans. The mystery aspect was also fun.
I think my enjoyment for this book, however, came quite considerably from the fact that I have already seen some of the television show the series is based on 'True Blood'. The character's are always so much clearer when they've been depicted by real actors, and Charlaine Harris' character descriptions are just vague enough not to take away from that.
On a soggier note, sone of Harris's phrasing throws me off a little. I imagine it's a matter of upbringing, but the way she describes some things doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I wish I'd highlighted an example but I honestly didn't think to at the time.
Also, her blocking is poor and she often gets ahead of herself. Near the end of the book, for example, Sookie is sitting on the bog, staring at her muddled face in the mirror, thinking about how ugly she is. Then, out of nowhere, she 'leans back into her bed'. I'm not expecting to receive every detail of the protagonist's piss plight, but a quick joining sentence to let me know she'd returned to the hospital room would be excellent. Both of these things happen infuriatingly often.
On the whole, a fun read, and I look forward to continuing the series.
cats_coffee_chaos's review against another edition
5.0
Check out this review and more at Disorderly Daydreams blog!
#1 in the Sookie Stackhouse Series.
I'm doing a cozy re-read of the Sookie books and have never wrote reviews for them before so I will this time around.
Sookie Stackhouse, barmaid, sister, granddaughter, finds herself wrapped up in a murder mystery involving vampires, a serial killer, and other surprises. When women her brother Jason has slept with start ending up dead, the local law enforcement beings putting a case together against him. Sookie tries to do a little investigating of her own but only finds out more questions, how dangerous vampires are, and that she herself may have been an intended target. Along the way, she finds love, secures friendships, and discovers secrets of those closest to her.
The Sookie books are probably one of my all time favorite series and I love listening to them on audiobook because Johanna Parker kills it as Sookie. Sookie is a hard working, honest southern gal, who is quick witted, intelligent, and a little bit unusual. She gets her first boyfriend in her 20s and begins navigating the confusing world of dating.. even more confusing when her boyfriend is a vampire who is attempting to "mainstream", or live amongst humans. This book is a good mix of romance, mystery, murder, and urban fantasy. All the characters were created well and written to have very distinct personalities and traits.
I gave this book 5 out of 5. If you like urban fantasy and have not yet read this, check it out! I listen to these books often and will continue to do so for a long, long time.
#1 in the Sookie Stackhouse Series.
I'm doing a cozy re-read of the Sookie books and have never wrote reviews for them before so I will this time around.
Sookie Stackhouse, barmaid, sister, granddaughter, finds herself wrapped up in a murder mystery involving vampires, a serial killer, and other surprises. When women her brother Jason has slept with start ending up dead, the local law enforcement beings putting a case together against him. Sookie tries to do a little investigating of her own but only finds out more questions, how dangerous vampires are, and that she herself may have been an intended target. Along the way, she finds love, secures friendships, and discovers secrets of those closest to her.
The Sookie books are probably one of my all time favorite series and I love listening to them on audiobook because Johanna Parker kills it as Sookie. Sookie is a hard working, honest southern gal, who is quick witted, intelligent, and a little bit unusual. She gets her first boyfriend in her 20s and begins navigating the confusing world of dating.. even more confusing when her boyfriend is a vampire who is attempting to "mainstream", or live amongst humans. This book is a good mix of romance, mystery, murder, and urban fantasy. All the characters were created well and written to have very distinct personalities and traits.
I gave this book 5 out of 5. If you like urban fantasy and have not yet read this, check it out! I listen to these books often and will continue to do so for a long, long time.
kspears's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
beaverla's review
dark
funny
mysterious
- 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? Yes
3.25
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual content, Alcohol, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Torture, and Body horror
nesskempton's review against another edition
2.0
Yet another of those popular books that you pick up out of curiousity. Boy, did I feel like I was reading a crappy romance novel. Lots of sex and not so much story. Done and done.