A review by laurenjodi
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
3.0
Dead Reckoning
3 Stars
Unfortunately, this installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series continues in the same vein as the previous book with a confusing mess of disjointed plot threads that never seem to come together.
While the individual story lines (the plan to dispose of Victor, the vampire regent threatening Eric's interests, the newest attempts by the obsessively psychopathic Sandra Pelt to dispose of Sookie, and the continued revelations concerning the faerie branch of her family tree), all have tremendous potential, the are thrown together haphazardly with no coherent flow or connection resulting in a book devoid of any atmosphere, tension or suspense.
In terms of Sookie's love-life, it is clear that Harris is moving in a specific direction with regard to her romantic future. Although the choice is probably the most suitable given Sookie's nature, it results in some very questionable characterization as the author attempts to remove all obstacles to this pairing by undermining Sookie's relationships with previous contenders. Thus, Eric, Bill and Alcide (no Quinn interestingly enough) behave in ways that are exceedingly strange and inconsistent with their previous actions. Eric in particular is transformed from the confident, charming and sexy alpha vampire into a hesitant and insecure shadow of his former self.
Altogether, a rather disappointing addition to the series, but I an invested enough in Sookie and her friends to continue on and find out how it all ends.
3 Stars
Unfortunately, this installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series continues in the same vein as the previous book with a confusing mess of disjointed plot threads that never seem to come together.
While the individual story lines (the plan to dispose of Victor, the vampire regent threatening Eric's interests, the newest attempts by the obsessively psychopathic Sandra Pelt to dispose of Sookie, and the continued revelations concerning the faerie branch of her family tree), all have tremendous potential, the are thrown together haphazardly with no coherent flow or connection resulting in a book devoid of any atmosphere, tension or suspense.
In terms of Sookie's love-life, it is clear that Harris is moving in a specific direction with regard to her romantic future. Although the choice is probably the most suitable given Sookie's nature, it results in some very questionable characterization as the author attempts to remove all obstacles to this pairing by undermining Sookie's relationships with previous contenders. Thus, Eric, Bill and Alcide (no Quinn interestingly enough) behave in ways that are exceedingly strange and inconsistent with their previous actions. Eric in particular is transformed from the confident, charming and sexy alpha vampire into a hesitant and insecure shadow of his former self.
Altogether, a rather disappointing addition to the series, but I an invested enough in Sookie and her friends to continue on and find out how it all ends.