I couldn't ever finish this book. It was so unlike the previous installments of the series. It seemed like Mr. Harris was trying too hard to trump the...moreI couldn't ever finish this book. It was so unlike the previous installments of the series. It seemed like Mr. Harris was trying too hard to trump the success of the previous books that it was almost ridiculous.
I tried to re-read it several times and could only make it about halfway. (less)
**spoiler alert** This one made me kinda mad at parts. Why does every book have to revolve around Sookie being beat up, shot, her house burning, her r...more**spoiler alert** This one made me kinda mad at parts. Why does every book have to revolve around Sookie being beat up, shot, her house burning, her relatives getting killed, etc. Can't the trauma just be someone else for once and Sookie have the "supporter" role? It's getting a little old. Every time, before I open a book, I look at the cover. I saw this one and figured, "Okay, lots of flames.. looks like Bill is saving her. So her house probably gets set on fire." So yeah, it does. Granted it isn't completely burned down (and hey, Claudine saved her, hello! Would have enjoyed seeing Claudine carrying Sookie over the flames on the cover!) but it's still just so. much. drama.
I also made a comment to myself after the last one along the lines of, "Hey, why does Sookie apparently get the crap beaten out of her every single book?" Think about that in real life, some chick who gets beaten to a pulp every 3 weeks. That person wouldn't be living as normal, they'd institutionalize her. So it was extremely funny to me that Charlaine Harris made Sookie's New Year's resolution to not get beaten up. You saved yourself this time Mrs. Harris! *shakes fist*
The whole Alcide-proposing-going-steady thing was just kind of meh. The millions of proposals Sookie got for a place to stay was kind of meh. The fact that somehow every guy that is slightly supernatural kisses Sookie out of the heat of the moment is really stupid to me. Really, do you guys walk around and meet hot guys that kiss you? Come on, that's not realistic- unless you're a slut. Which I kind of wonder why no one in Bon Temps doesn't start calling Sookie a slut. I mean, she kind of is one in a way. An attention slut that kisses and leads on a lot of guys. Not to say I don't love Sookie, cuz I do. Just calling it like I see it. She went from XtReMe ViRgIn to supe-slut (hardy-har, get it?).
The story was okay but all the little mini-plots kind of out-shined themselves so it wasn't very climatic. This book would really get about a 3.5 rating with me because I love my Sooks but the story was once again simply "meh". (less)
Absolutely devoured this book. It was so much better than I had expected, it really fired me up to continue the series. It had me longing, it had me a...moreAbsolutely devoured this book. It was so much better than I had expected, it really fired me up to continue the series. It had me longing, it had me angry, it had me over-the-top excited.. This was, to me, just like reading a movie. Usually when I read I don't see words, but I see pictures. Maybe everyone is like that, I'm not sure. Anyway, this sure was one heck of a read.
I loved the Eric direction the story took and the end result of that was bitter-sweet with me. I'd have longed for things to never change except for the fact that Sookie's thoughts were about where my own were. So I gave a sniffling, satisfied sigh at that. It was fantastic while it lasted.
SPOILER ALERT**************
Plus I was just so damn happy she was loving and sleeping with someone other than Bill. God I hated Bill after the last book!! You go girl!!(less)
The first thing I want to note is how sad I was that there weren't more steamy sex scenes like the previous book. Maybe it's the secret pervert in me...moreThe first thing I want to note is how sad I was that there weren't more steamy sex scenes like the previous book. Maybe it's the secret pervert in me but I want details- not just subtle references and then-the-screen-goes-black. I know at the end it gets a little more steamy but I didn't like waiting until the end and getting something mediocre as far as the sex scenes go.
Another thing I noticed was how Bill is just so.. blah. I know the story is coming from Sookie's point of view but he just really seems like he is just randomly there. Integrate Bill more please!
The story starts out with a murder right off the bat, but I completely forgot about that murder as the story progressed to be completely honest. I was so into the Dallas part of the story that I completely forgot about the murder 'at home'. I was wondering, as the Dallas story was winding down, why there were still so many pages left in this book. Then I remembered. It was not a satisfying end result.
Overall I will continue to read this series because I do rather like Sookie but I am just not so impressed by the stories. They aren't bad by any means, just somewhat bland.
After all the hype about these books, I decided it was high time to give them a go. I'd like to start by saying I'd really rather rate about a 3.5 or...moreAfter all the hype about these books, I decided it was high time to give them a go. I'd like to start by saying I'd really rather rate about a 3.5 or a 3.75, alas I cannot.
The first thing I would like to address is how much alike it is to Twilight. Considering Twilight was four years later, I'd say Mrs. Meyer needs a little more imagination of her own. It also has made me lose even more respect for the Twilight series. I'm sure Twilight will continue to rip off this series as I read more of it but for now, this is what I've noticed:
- Main character is a human female that is apparently desirable but never had any lovins'. Unlike Bella (ugh), I think Sookie is a bit better. She tells people things are none of their "fucking business" and she has a lot more character and attitude than Bella. Bella just kind of.. was there. Sookie kicks some ass along the way.
- Main character is human but has some sort of special power. Sookie can read minds, Bella can block people out of her own mind.
- All the boys are suddenly and randomly in love with the main female character. In Sookie's case, it was after Bill came around. In Bella's case, it was when she moved to a new city.
- Female lead has a vampire that loves her and a shape shifter that loves her. At least Sam, in the Sookie books, can change into something other than a werewolf. Stupid, talentless Jacob. ;)
- Female lead is in love with the vampire and trails the shape shifter along for the ride.
I'm sure there were others (and I might edit with them as I remember them later) but for now I will conclude this portion of the review.
To address the murder-mystery part of the book, I knew who the killer was from the first murder. Couldn't tell you how or why, but I did. The entire time I knew it was him and so I wasn't very riveted by the mystery. Isn't to say that I knew why he was the murderer, but I did know it was him. It wasn't a bad little mystery though; it reminded me of the Mrs. Murphey series I so dearly love. They aren't complex and have a nice background storyline to them.
As for the romance in this book, I felt it wasn't really addressed properly. I feel like there should have been a lot more. It was as if they met, had sex and fell in love within a few days. It wasn't passionate, it lacked that luster. I felt like Sookie acted strangely at times and Bill was just kind of there the whole time. He wasn't that sexy to me, but there was that faint tinge of attraction. I really felt like Mrs. Harris should have spent much more time on the romance and made the book a bit longer. I would have been left more satisfied.
Overall I don't see how this inspired an entire HBO series, though maybe it gets more riveting as the series goes on. It wasn't a bad little book though and I will most definitely be reading the rest of them.(less)
This book was randomly picked up at a garage sale and given to me, so I had no idea what to expect. I had never read anything by Anne Stuart before an...moreThis book was randomly picked up at a garage sale and given to me, so I had no idea what to expect. I had never read anything by Anne Stuart before and I was very pleased with what I read.
The things I loved most about this book were the depth of the characters, the somewhat quirky romance theme throughout that was doubled with a secret murder mystery, the firmly tied up ends (major hater of loose-end stories!) and the rich family setting. I will never know what it's like to be physically in that sort of setting so I have no idea if it's realistic or not, but I like to read books like this because it's fun to imagine what it would be like to live this way.
The ending was picture perfect and lovable, although for a chapter or so I was a little worried it would have a terrible ending. This is a light-read book, nothing really in-depth. It's just a fun one to read before bed at nighttime. I was rushed to read it a bit because of the romance, it was very exciting to me. Also a bit detailed if you catch my drift. ;)(less)
I was randomly given this book and decided to give it a chance. My lower rating should not indicate that I did not like it, because I did.
For me it wa...moreI was randomly given this book and decided to give it a chance. My lower rating should not indicate that I did not like it, because I did.
For me it was far too simplistic, predictable and left loose ends I would have preferred to tie up. It was blatantly obvious who was connected to the murders in the very beginning and the "twist" wasn't too very exciting and was also very predictable.
Spoilers ahead in this section somewhat, please do not read further if you have a desire to read in the near future. The death of the female entertainer, in my opinion, was thrown in as a red-herring but never properly explained. The detectives sort of guessed at what happened but there was never any confirmation and it annoyed me immensely. I was waiting up until the last few pages to find out why she was murdered for sure but never had that curiosity fulfilled.
I will probably never read this book again, but that is not to say I won't seek out other books by this author. Although it was predictable it was not unpleasant and his writing style was not horrible. This book just wasn't for me.(less)
To be completely honest, I think I liked the movie better than the book. Well let me take that back; I loved the ending of the book much more than the...moreTo be completely honest, I think I liked the movie better than the book. Well let me take that back; I loved the ending of the book much more than the movie, but I thought the movie was more seductive.
The relationship between Dr. Lecter and Clarice Starling is one that has always puzzled and confused me. It might sound sadistic and strange but I have always been of the opinion that if I had had the attentions of Dr. Lecter I would be so very happy. Yes, even though he is a murderer and a cannibal. I think this book really made me feel even more longing for the affection of a fictitious character. It spoke to me as an underlying love story in a way, and I happily indulged myself in fantasies.
I think that because this book had the power to make me feel attracted to a man who murders and eats his victims, Thomas Harris did an amazing job weaving the tale as he did. I felt almost hypnotized.
While I am sure everyone gets something different out of this book, mine was the romance between the two mentioned above. Without listing spoilers, this is why I much preferred the ending in the book to the ending in the movie.(less)
**spoiler alert** This book blew my mind. I hated that it was the final Poirot book and that he did end up dying in the end. I have had a secret love...more**spoiler alert** This book blew my mind. I hated that it was the final Poirot book and that he did end up dying in the end. I have had a secret love affair with him throughout my readings of Agatha Christie's work and it was so very sad to me. I also don't think him killing someone, even to prevent future crimes, is very Poirot-like. To me, I would have thought he would have tricked someone else into doing it at the very least, not soil his own hands.(less)
I was disappointed in this AC book. The murderer and the motive were so blatantly obvious once you learned all the information you needed that the res...moreI was disappointed in this AC book. The murderer and the motive were so blatantly obvious once you learned all the information you needed that the rest of the book was just filler for me. I did rather enjoy Mr. Rafiel though (and was happy to read Nemesis because of that reason) and a few other characters.
This was definitely one of my least favorites as far as suspense goes, however.(less)
An all-time favorite of mine, this story was so very sad. Without revealing any details, I felt like what was done in the end needed to be done. I wil...moreAn all-time favorite of mine, this story was so very sad. Without revealing any details, I felt like what was done in the end needed to be done. I will read this again and again for years to come. Tear jerker!(less)
This is the very first Agatha Christie book I ever read. It will always remain dear to me as it started my absolute love for her writing. The story st...moreThis is the very first Agatha Christie book I ever read. It will always remain dear to me as it started my absolute love for her writing. The story stumped me, I loved the writing and it was just a breath of fresh air after going on an Anne Rice reading spree prior.(less)
This enters as one of my all-time-favorite books. It was sad to me, the whole thing. I also felt a bit happy at the fact that the girl who was murdere...moreThis enters as one of my all-time-favorite books. It was sad to me, the whole thing. I also felt a bit happy at the fact that the girl who was murdered got murdered at first, which made me feel terrible. The story was good, tricky and very sad. I love it and will read it over and over for years to come.(less)
There is most definitely a reason this book is one (if not arguably the number one) of the best books Agatha Christie has ever written.
To sum it all u...moreThere is most definitely a reason this book is one (if not arguably the number one) of the best books Agatha Christie has ever written.
To sum it all up:
1) The number one best thing about it.. the ENDING! It's a total smack in the face. Unless someone has already spoiled it for you, you're in for a surprise.
2) You feel for the characters. The circumstances at the end are so heart breaking to the reader that you are left feeling that murder was almost the best choice.
3) The conclusion is believable. There were a few clues that I couldn't understand how Poirot came to his conclusion, but for the most part you have a few 'Ah-ha' moments when he reveals his findings. As in, "Ah-ha, I should have noticed that earlier!" At times I felt that some of Christie's books needed a little more explanation because the conclusion was drawn on facts that weren't clearly represented in the writing- but rather explained to you quickly in the end.
This will be one of my all-time favorites in my life. I highly recommend it for people that love murder mysteries that are not so gorey, enjoy a bit of a brain teaser and of course love Poirot!(less)
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