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Sookie Stackhouse #1-8
Sookie Stackhouse 8 Volume Set
A nice boxed set of softcover books. Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is no typical Southern belle. She can read minds. And she's got a thing for vampires. Which, in a town like Bon Temps, Louisiana, means she'll have to watch her back-and neck... This boxed set includes: Dead Until Dark Living Dead in Dallas Club Dead Dead to the World Dead as a Doornail Definitely Dead All Together Dead From Dead to Worse
2500 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
634 people are currently reading
2347 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
338 books36.8k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews
June 25, 2010
I feel like I just ate 5 pounds of twinkies and chased them down with potato chips and sweet tea. My stomach hurts, but I'm happy. Yeah, this is junk food. It's chopped full of sugar (sex), salt (hot vampires and werewolves), and preservatives (poorly written summary), and even though you know it's bad for you, you can't stop reading it.
I first got hooked on True Blood, the show. TB is way more polished, classy, blah blah blah. The Sookie books are pure pulp, and yet if there were another one (I've already read 9 & 10), I'd devour it starting right now. Charlaine, if you're reading this, hurry up and get Book 11 out, please.
Differences from the TV series? The books are told entirely from Sookie's POV, so other characters aren't as fleshed out as they are in the series. Also, Sookie isn't quite so skinny. She's more of size 10 (sometimes 8) then a solid size 6. The TV series covers one book with a whole season. So, they had already made the first season before many of the later books had come out, which leads to varying backstories for some of the lead characters. There are more plot differences than similarities, but the characters are mostly represented on TV much as they come across in the books. The good thing about the show being so different from the books is that it doesn't ruin the series to read the books.
I first got hooked on True Blood, the show. TB is way more polished, classy, blah blah blah. The Sookie books are pure pulp, and yet if there were another one (I've already read 9 & 10), I'd devour it starting right now. Charlaine, if you're reading this, hurry up and get Book 11 out, please.
Differences from the TV series? The books are told entirely from Sookie's POV, so other characters aren't as fleshed out as they are in the series. Also, Sookie isn't quite so skinny. She's more of size 10 (sometimes 8) then a solid size 6. The TV series covers one book with a whole season. So, they had already made the first season before many of the later books had come out, which leads to varying backstories for some of the lead characters. There are more plot differences than similarities, but the characters are mostly represented on TV much as they come across in the books. The good thing about the show being so different from the books is that it doesn't ruin the series to read the books.
May 2, 2010
What a series! Can you say addictive?
I was a fan of this series from book one, and it gets better with each book.
Sookie is a great lead character, and Bill and Eric are something to read for alone. If you have yet to read book one and are not sure if you should buy the series, I can honestly say, after one book you'll be hooked. You'll be right back at the store for book two. So if you can get a good price on this box set, buy it.
If your worried it's another Twilight phenomenon, it's so not. Yes, Sookie and Bella had similarities, but the series are not the same. Not to mention how Adult the True Blood series are compared to Twilight in general. The books are 18+ and the show is very much 18+++!!!
I'm looking forward to Dead in the Family so much. As much as I want to say I'm not addicted to this series, I am.
So that being said, get this series if you can. You will not regret it. Get it for a gift for a friend, or for yourself, you won't be sorry!
I was a fan of this series from book one, and it gets better with each book.
Sookie is a great lead character, and Bill and Eric are something to read for alone. If you have yet to read book one and are not sure if you should buy the series, I can honestly say, after one book you'll be hooked. You'll be right back at the store for book two. So if you can get a good price on this box set, buy it.
If your worried it's another Twilight phenomenon, it's so not. Yes, Sookie and Bella had similarities, but the series are not the same. Not to mention how Adult the True Blood series are compared to Twilight in general. The books are 18+ and the show is very much 18+++!!!
I'm looking forward to Dead in the Family so much. As much as I want to say I'm not addicted to this series, I am.
So that being said, get this series if you can. You will not regret it. Get it for a gift for a friend, or for yourself, you won't be sorry!
July 20, 2018
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April 20, 2016
Vampire Porn .. but who cares?!
Ok.. so as a disappointed review says .. it's like Vampire Porn. And it is in parts. And the tv series actually has a lot more that isn't in the book. More characters, more storyline, more sex and more plot. The books are written from Sookie's perspective so that's going to happen. But.. I still love the books. There is a lot more too them than Mills & Boon books and they are well written.
So as for whether it will put you off the tv series. Well I guess that depends on your reasoning for liking the series in the first place. And if you like reading a broad range of writing styles and stories and like reading books that don't tax you mentally or create in depth characters then you will love these books.
I read a wide range of books and I love both books that are complex and take weeks to read properly and books that are just plain tasty and take you away from reality for awhile. This is the later. And as the books go on (I'm on no.3) they just get tastier and tastier. I can't wait to see what Alan Ball does with the rest!!!! Even if it is different.
PS - having now finished the box set I can still say I love it. It is like watching a '18' rated soap opera .. but I still love it. And wish there were loads more.
Ok.. so as a disappointed review says .. it's like Vampire Porn. And it is in parts. And the tv series actually has a lot more that isn't in the book. More characters, more storyline, more sex and more plot. The books are written from Sookie's perspective so that's going to happen. But.. I still love the books. There is a lot more too them than Mills & Boon books and they are well written.
So as for whether it will put you off the tv series. Well I guess that depends on your reasoning for liking the series in the first place. And if you like reading a broad range of writing styles and stories and like reading books that don't tax you mentally or create in depth characters then you will love these books.
I read a wide range of books and I love both books that are complex and take weeks to read properly and books that are just plain tasty and take you away from reality for awhile. This is the later. And as the books go on (I'm on no.3) they just get tastier and tastier. I can't wait to see what Alan Ball does with the rest!!!! Even if it is different.
PS - having now finished the box set I can still say I love it. It is like watching a '18' rated soap opera .. but I still love it. And wish there were loads more.
May 14, 2017
Great vampire series, fully with magical creatures and a nice, relatable lead character. Could be both hot and scary at the same time. Also, it was fast paced and funny, as well as action packed and interesting.
March 21, 2021
Reviews left on each individual book's page.
October 29, 2010
So I could list all these books separately, but they were so handy in the 8 pack on the kindle. It was so fun not to have to hunt around (read: wait at all) for the next book I have to review them this way.
Now as for the books themselves, I had so much fun reading them, it's like eating the crunchy Cheetos and drinking sugary Coke for my brain with the occasional doughnut. Only I never got sick of it, sometimes I feel like I have to take a break from the eye rolling (thank you Twilight), but I never felt like that with these books. Maybe because they are written for adults. Which also means there is sex, so be warned. However, the sex isn't THE major plot point like a romance novel, which would have been tedious.
I thought the first book was the weakest, so if you are just starting, hang in there Charlaine Harris really hits her stride by the third book. From then on I couldn't put them down.
I could write a longer review about how I really don't care if everyone thinks vampires are overdone and how I think amnesia is always a fun plot twist, but I need to go hunt down books 9 and 10...
Now as for the books themselves, I had so much fun reading them, it's like eating the crunchy Cheetos and drinking sugary Coke for my brain with the occasional doughnut. Only I never got sick of it, sometimes I feel like I have to take a break from the eye rolling (thank you Twilight), but I never felt like that with these books. Maybe because they are written for adults. Which also means there is sex, so be warned. However, the sex isn't THE major plot point like a romance novel, which would have been tedious.
I thought the first book was the weakest, so if you are just starting, hang in there Charlaine Harris really hits her stride by the third book. From then on I couldn't put them down.
I could write a longer review about how I really don't care if everyone thinks vampires are overdone and how I think amnesia is always a fun plot twist, but I need to go hunt down books 9 and 10...
December 12, 2010
Definitely a guilty pleasure, this series. The most ridiculous plots, but so entertaining that I've now read nearly all of them. My favourite scene in the series is when she went to a vampire conference and ended up scooting down the side of a pyramid hotel in a coffin to escape from a bomb blast. And that isn't even the climax of the story! The sex scenes are less cringeworthy as the series goes on, and less time is spent explaining what everyone is wearing, which is a good thing.
I prefer the ones where Sookie must leave town for her adventure, because there are so many supes and nosy neighbours that for her to get in trouble at home means the first half of the book is spent getting rid of anyone who'd normally help her. When she travels, the plot gets going much quicker. Bill is still the dullest vampire in the world, and businesses still have the worst names (Tara's Togs for upmarket labels?). But if you want vampire romps in small-town America, you can't do better than getting to know Sookie Stackhouse.
I prefer the ones where Sookie must leave town for her adventure, because there are so many supes and nosy neighbours that for her to get in trouble at home means the first half of the book is spent getting rid of anyone who'd normally help her. When she travels, the plot gets going much quicker. Bill is still the dullest vampire in the world, and businesses still have the worst names (Tara's Togs for upmarket labels?). But if you want vampire romps in small-town America, you can't do better than getting to know Sookie Stackhouse.
January 20, 2011
Chris - So, before Halloween 2010, I started reading through the Sookie Stackhouse books because of my enjoyment of the True Blood TV series.
I have to say that I've enjoyed them quite a bit. The first book is very similar to the first season of True Blood, and there are elements of book 2 and book 3 in season 2 and season 3, but there are many differences.
One of the main differences with the books is that everything is from Sookie's perspective in her narritive, so if she doesn't witness something, you don't know about it. (Saves you from pages upon pages of Jason having drawn out/odd adventures with others.)
Because of that the other characters are not as fleshed out, but they still get plenty of time over the course of the books.
I've just finished book 10, and now have to wait until May 2011 when the next book will be released.
Overall, fun reading that I recommend.
(And I'm hoping they use a good bit of book 4 in the next season of True Blood. ; )
I have to say that I've enjoyed them quite a bit. The first book is very similar to the first season of True Blood, and there are elements of book 2 and book 3 in season 2 and season 3, but there are many differences.
One of the main differences with the books is that everything is from Sookie's perspective in her narritive, so if she doesn't witness something, you don't know about it. (Saves you from pages upon pages of Jason having drawn out/odd adventures with others.)
Because of that the other characters are not as fleshed out, but they still get plenty of time over the course of the books.
I've just finished book 10, and now have to wait until May 2011 when the next book will be released.
Overall, fun reading that I recommend.
(And I'm hoping they use a good bit of book 4 in the next season of True Blood. ; )
August 11, 2010
Finished 'em all in a month! Not the best writing ever, but there's something relaxing about descriptions of a seemingly ordinary person living her daily life (visiting the library, waitressing, housecleaning), especially juxtaposed with fight scenes and hot vampire love. I also like hearing about the small town lifestyle in the deep south. Sookie Stackhouse is a great character, and just when you think the storylines are simple, the male characters seem to represent different aspects of typical romantic relationships...haven't we all dated the guy who we're embarassed to be seen with, or who it turns out we shouldn't ever have trusted? Maybe, just maybe, there's more to these books than meets the eye...
Anyway, excellent beach read.
My favorite is book #4!!
Anyway, excellent beach read.
My favorite is book #4!!
September 5, 2010
This series was very addicting to read. With every book I finished I couldn't wait to start the next one! I read all the books before I watched an episode of the TV show... Gotta say, I liked the books better. I just couldn't get into the show at all. I watched the first 3 episodes and couldn't stand to watch any more. I would have given this series 5 stars, but as the series went on it seemed to go a little downhill. Loved the first 4 books... I only finished the series because I wanted to know what happened to all of my favorite characters.
August 16, 2010
I learned a whole bunch about vampires. Although I have to say that they should have a disclaimer about the Hadley death in one of the books, because I am all "did I just finally kill most of my brain? when did she die?" Only to find out it was in a short story or something. So whatever, I have enjoyed these eight books. Especially that one scene with Sookie and Eric. Oh my! Taking a Sookie break for a bit. But I will be back.
June 29, 2015
this is the rating for books number 4-8.
There are some serious things missing:
Eric. Eric. Eric. Eric. Eric. And Eric.
The first 3 books were just too good, I feel betrayed.
Maybe I just need a Sookiepause and will enjoy the following books after a little while.
There are some serious things missing:
Eric. Eric. Eric. Eric. Eric. And Eric.
The first 3 books were just too good, I feel betrayed.
Maybe I just need a Sookiepause and will enjoy the following books after a little while.
August 15, 2010
I loved this series! A vampire series that actually follows the vampire code" and best of all, no sparkling!
April 14, 2020
I’ve read and re-read this series many times. It has become a great read that spans many books, perfect for those times you want something different and entertaining. Just be warned: the books are hard to put down! And are BETTER than True Blood TV series. They are definitely recommended (both books and show) for mind-bending stories and characters that you can’t stop wanting to see into their lives. My only wish was to have the series continue. Regardless, Charlene has mm
May 20, 2020
Awesomeness
Hard to wrap my mind around writing a review for the first 8 books in just one review... but, wow! What a rollercoaster! So exciting, lots of interesting plots in the same book, but they often have a way of coming together in the end. Excellent storytelling. I have not watched the tv show, so I had no preconceived notions or ideas about the characters beforehand. Absolutely love this series.
Hard to wrap my mind around writing a review for the first 8 books in just one review... but, wow! What a rollercoaster! So exciting, lots of interesting plots in the same book, but they often have a way of coming together in the end. Excellent storytelling. I have not watched the tv show, so I had no preconceived notions or ideas about the characters beforehand. Absolutely love this series.
March 8, 2024
So started as a 5/5 stars, burned through the books. Stay up late, 1 book every day, consider calling into work, binge read them. They dropped into 4 stars for a few books where there just seemed to be no innovation or shaking things up. And then dropped off a cliff into 2.5 stars all of a sudden, I feel like under the negative feedback, instead of perking up for the final few books, there was panic or total indifference.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2018
I originally found out about this book series by watching the HBO Series True Blood ...
That said ... The books ARE WAY BETTER! I actually had to stop watching the show because they strayed so far from the well written books.
Loved it! The Books are WAY better than the Show True Blood! Each book gets better and better!
On to the Next!
That said ... The books ARE WAY BETTER! I actually had to stop watching the show because they strayed so far from the well written books.
Loved it! The Books are WAY better than the Show True Blood! Each book gets better and better!
On to the Next!
May 23, 2019
Basic Premise: A psychic waitress in Louisiana deals with relationship issues and the vampires, werewolves, and other shifters who cross her path.
I've reviewed these books individually, so I'm not going to do that again here. Some of the books are better than others, but all had something to enjoy.
I've reviewed these books individually, so I'm not going to do that again here. Some of the books are better than others, but all had something to enjoy.
August 15, 2020
I loved the series, but the books are a hall always better, in my opinion.
I really enjoyed reading these books. I had a hard putting them down. Much better than televised series. You get swept into a world where everything is possible. Vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, fairies, etc.
I really enjoyed reading these books. I had a hard putting them down. Much better than televised series. You get swept into a world where everything is possible. Vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, fairies, etc.
October 27, 2020
FANTASTIC READ!
I SAW THE TV SERIES FIRST AND FELL IN LOVE. I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS BASED ON BOOKS. SO I WAS REALLY SURPRISED. I HAVE READ THE FIRST EIGHT BOOKS. THE STORY IS EVEN BETTER THEN THE SHOW. THE STORY IS WONDERFUL. I LOVE HOW EVERY THING FITS TOGETHER. I WII BE READING MORE FROM THIS AWESOME AUTHOR.
I SAW THE TV SERIES FIRST AND FELL IN LOVE. I DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS BASED ON BOOKS. SO I WAS REALLY SURPRISED. I HAVE READ THE FIRST EIGHT BOOKS. THE STORY IS EVEN BETTER THEN THE SHOW. THE STORY IS WONDERFUL. I LOVE HOW EVERY THING FITS TOGETHER. I WII BE READING MORE FROM THIS AWESOME AUTHOR.
December 17, 2021
Binge reading Sookie
I've read the first six books before, but the long gaps between them made it easier to forget details. This set let me have a good recollection of events as they affected past and present. So it also meant that I enjoyed books 7 & 8 more. Definitely worthwhile for the Charlaine Harris fan!
I've read the first six books before, but the long gaps between them made it easier to forget details. This set let me have a good recollection of events as they affected past and present. So it also meant that I enjoyed books 7 & 8 more. Definitely worthwhile for the Charlaine Harris fan!
January 5, 2024
Trublood
Eight full length novels and revised to eliminate typos? Sookie survives it all. I would read the first two books and then start on the ten short stories? Miss Harris likes to introduce side characters in the short stories and then add them to the main books. Sookie is a well drawn character with southern roots.
Eight full length novels and revised to eliminate typos? Sookie survives it all. I would read the first two books and then start on the ten short stories? Miss Harris likes to introduce side characters in the short stories and then add them to the main books. Sookie is a well drawn character with southern roots.
October 6, 2017
Enjoyable set of books, do not expect anything wise from it thought. Around fifth book it gets a bit old. Yet still, you have lots of supernatural beings, a strong-minded female protagonist, and romance! You will probably like it if you love vampires. Go Sookie!
December 9, 2017
Binge reading the books back to back is a lot of fun
I read the books several years ago. Then watched the show. It was nice to revisit Skokie and read the books back to back comparing book plot to the tv shows and how the development of the character's changed.
I read the books several years ago. Then watched the show. It was nice to revisit Skokie and read the books back to back comparing book plot to the tv shows and how the development of the character's changed.
September 19, 2018
I loved these books, each one kept my interests from the very start. If u have watched true blood u are going to want to read these. They are so different from the show. I liked how the show didnt use the books. Cant waite to read more from this author.
January 11, 2020
Excellent!!
I feel in love with the show and when I've found out about the books I just had to try. I couldn't put it down. Great story telling. Somethings are different from the show which made it refreshing and absolutely perfect!
I feel in love with the show and when I've found out about the books I just had to try. I couldn't put it down. Great story telling. Somethings are different from the show which made it refreshing and absolutely perfect!
May 17, 2021
Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood franchise
TrueGood book for anyone familiar with Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood franchise. Different but the same at the same time. Enjoyable and good stories
TrueGood book for anyone familiar with Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood franchise. Different but the same at the same time. Enjoyable and good stories
May 15, 2017
These books range from some of the best Sookie novels to the beginning of the decline in quality. The first four books are 5 star reads, and I highly recommend.
June 23, 2017
Amusing, magical, quick summer reads. By the 8th installment I was so done, though. Became too soap-opera-y and the stories seemed to recycle story lines. Good start, fun, but then end it already. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 431 reviews