02 June 2010

REVIEW and Contest: Dead In the Family by Charlaine Harris

Book Title: DEAD IN THE FAMILY:SOOKIE STACKHOUSE BOOK 10

Author Name: Charlaine Harris
ISBN #: 978-0-441-01864-2
Publisher Name: Berkley/Ace
Date Released: May 2010
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Book Format: Print

BACK COVER BLURB:

A Fae War has left the supernatural community of Bon Temps, Louisiana, in chaos – and waitress Sookie Stackhouse mentally and physically drained. And still, the peace and quiet she so desperately craves is hard to come by . . .

Even with the blood of two vampires in her system, Sookie is having trouble healing from the terrible torture she endured at the ands of her great-grandfather's enemies during the brief but deadly Fae War. Worse are the emotional wounds – especially over the loss of her own personal fairy godmother and the near death of her first love.

Sookie is hurt and she's mad. Just about the only bright spot in her life – besides the fact that she is, after all, still alive – is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman, who is under scrutiny by the new vampire king because of their relationship.

As the political implications of the shifters' coming-out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to one particular Were draws her into the dangerous debate. And, unknown to her, though the doors to Faery have been closed, there are still some fae on the human side – and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry.

FIRST LINES:

"I feel bad that I'm leaving you like this," Amelia said. Her eyes were puffy and red. They'd been that way, off and on, ever since Trey Dawson's funeral.

LYNETTE'S TWO CENTS:
Confession Time. There are some books that I read, not because I'm really interested in them, but because I read the rest of the books and I'm curious as to how the story is going to play out. DEAD IN THE FAMILY is one of those books.

I haven't kept up on the HBO mini-series. I have watched the first season and I watched a couple episodes of the second. While despite the Hollywood crap inserted into the first season, True Blood pretty much followed along with the plot of the first book. I didn't feel that with the second season. I actually found myself saying WTF too many times, and stopped watching. I haven't really felt the urge to keep up with the television series since.

However having said that, I wasn't a big fan of the first couple Sookie Stackhouse books, because I couldn't buy into the romance. It wasn't until certain events played out with HE WHO MUST BE STAKED that the books picked up for me. BTW, I was the first person who used He Who Must Be Staked when referring to Bill but the name has seemed to take off and I totally want credit for it!

Despite the quality of writing, I couldn't get into DEAD IN THE FAMILY. It seemed disjointed. The plot threads didn't seem to come together. I'm not buying into Eric and Sookie's relationship. I used to love Eric and loved how he seemed to care more about Sookie's well-being than Bill did. But despite my love for Eric I don't see chemistry between them besides great sex. Also, every time he calls her "Lover" it just makes my skin crawl. And to be honest, it could be because I want Quinn back. I thought Sookie was being a hypocrite for why she dumped Quinn. Frankly, I don't want her to be with any of the vampires and I'm getting tired of waiting around for her to see how she keeps being used by them and others.

This whole book was about people using Sookie and her being too nice to tell people to kiss her butt. Since their have been several books with a similar theme, it's getting old to me.

Sorry. I just want Sookie to move and get away from the craziness and learn to live her own life and I guess that's not something you should be feeling when reading a novel.

WHERE PURCHASED:
Borrowed from my local library.

RATING:
C –


CONTEST:

Several weeks ago I won a copy of the UK version of FIRST book in Sookie Stackhouse series, DEAD UNTIL DARK (not the book I just reviewed) as well as a True Blood Pen.










I'll be giving a commenter to this post the book (has a UK cover) and the HBO mini-series tie-in pen (umm, picture is not of actual pen, if the pen looked like that, I would've kept it - no offense).

The Contest is open to everyone no matter where you live. Of course, I'd prefer if you were a follower of my blog but that's not necessary! I'll pick a winner on Monday, June 7th!



post signature

10 people posted their 2 cents:

LaTessa said...

Hey Lynette, I must say, I pretty much feel the same way do about a couple of series when you said:
"There are some books that I read, not because I'm really interested in them, but because I read the rest of the books and I'm curious as to how the story is going to play out."

So far, I've only read book 1 in this series, and I was not that pulled into it like A LOT of my reading pals are. I was not able to fully jump into it. I liked the story line ok and the characters, butlike you, I was just not 100% into the Sookie/Bill relation really buy in to it.

Since I don't judge a series on the first book, I'm going to read book 2 & possible #3 just to give it a fair shake before I decide whether or not I want to continue on with it. But I read book 1 last year and i've STILL not picked up book 2 yet...

Lynette said...

Honestly to me the series doesn't pick up until that relationship goes though some isses. Then I got into it and now I'm like MEH.

Unknown said...

I'm torn about this book, I have read so many blah reviews stating whata disappointment it was, but then others said it was greata nd that they really enjoyed it.. don't know, will ahve to see for myself it seems :-)

Please enter me Lynette, I'm a follower. Thank you!

stella.elxibris (at) gmail (dot) com

throuthehaze said...

Haven't read this series yet so I would love to win the first book! I am a follower

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

jpetroroy said...

I'd love to enter. Have been wanting to read this!

jpetroroy at gmail dot com

Ruth (Book Focus) said...

Wow, I've heard a lot about Charlaine Harris but haven't read her books - after that review, I don't think I will be reading that particular book, either! :) Thanks for the review, it's always good to hear what doesn't work in a book for someone... and I know I would have just the same reaction if I read a book like that!

I'd still be really interested to read the first Sookie Stackhouse book, though - there's been so much said about it! (Sookie Stackhouse and Twilight - THE two series I haven't got around to reading yet, and probably two of the biggest series around at the mo!)

I'd love to enter for this book though, thanks!

Email: kiwibooklover at gmail dot com

Darlyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Darlyn said...

Hi Lynette!

I've been watching the True Blood series since the 1st season but have not read any of the book yet. Funny isn't it? But a lot of book's reviewers gave excellent reviews on the books, some said it is even better than the series on TV.

I love to enter this and hope I'll be lucky to read the 1st book in the series =)

I'm your newest follower.

darlyn225 AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I totally feel the same way as you, about the second season of the True Blood series and about Dead in the Family ... I couldn't even finish it, and I absolutely LOVED the books before (and also hate He Who Must Be Staked, hehe). The book was such a let down, and both it and the second series of the TV show were B.O.R.I.N.G. I'm pretty disappointed :(

CrystalGB said...

I haven't read any of this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am a follower.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot}com

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