What do you think?

[Mical]

I'm a big fan of the Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire novels. I've enjoyed reading them from the beginning. What do you think of the developements that have occured in this latest installment? We finally figure out what happened to Quinn, and the so-called betrayal? What about Bill Compton and his bid to reclaim some portion of Sookie's esteem? Discuss!

[Ranata]

I think Bill was full of it!

I loved the bit about Eric: "i remember EVERYTHING sookie!".

all in all, i thought this book lacked punch but I'll continue the series, because, it's sookie i love!

[SingingSparrow]

I agree with you Ranata, it was defifinitely lacking that little something but I have a feeling that the next book will blow us away. I kind of think of the latest book as the calm before the storm because it really sets everything up for Sookie perfectly. There were some twists and turns but Sookies character is now able to go in any direction. The whole love triangle is back into play and the new management will definitely make things quite interesting.

I am sure all her love interests will come back into sookies life once again, making the suspense heighten even more. As for Bill, I think after all his wallowing and sorrow he is finally getting back into Sookies good graces but it will take a big step on his part to ever be trusted again. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[Julia]

I think she was *wrong* to dump Quinn. He's a good man (or whatever) and good for her. I hope he doesn't accept her stupid, non-reasons. She has wanted family for so long, how could she reject a man for loving his family?

I hope Bill keeps trying. He's a good man and loves Sookie dearly, even if he was pointed in her direction by Sophie- Anne.

Sam is also a good man and good for Sookie. He could stay her boos or become more.

I'm eager to see what Sookie and her friends and relations do next!

[Joann]

I can't help but have a soft spot in my heart for Bill. Even though he was following orders to get to know her, I am convinced that he really loves her, and I think he is the only one. Even though Eric (yuck)is making squawking sounds about caring for her, I'm sure his interest would quickly disappear if he had his real interests fulfilled (sex). I'm not a big fan of the weres and shifters either (except for Sam). Alcide and Quinn had too much other stuff going on to properly appreciate Sookie. They treated her like a happy diversion. I think Sookie wouldn't have dropped Quinn if she really loved him. She was a little iffy the whole time and I think she used Quinn's betrayal as an excuse. If she ends up with Sam, that would be ok, since he is sincerely a nice guy, although if he really loved her he would have steped up to the plate by now. I get the feeling he likes those shifter girls better. My money's on Bill.

[Ranata]

Eric has already gotten sex from Sookie and he remembers in this book sooo..why would he still be feeling this way for her if it were only lust?

So I disagree there and Eric has been on her since Book 1. He used her to the same effect that Bill did but at least he was honest about it. He wanted to use her telepathic powers to found out things he otherwise wouldn't have known. Bill was not. He walked in the bar to seduce her and never 'fessed up about anything, not even after she broke up with him in Club Dead. He was boring, he started that vampire database project and completely ignored her and then didn't even have the decency to be honest until Eric made him tell her. Sookie can do so much better.

Quinn...she didn't know Quinn so I don't feel so bad about her dumping him. I'm still not sure why she did so abruptly but oh well. Not rooting for him anyway. Sam...I can see her with Sam or Eric. If Charlaine brings in another person, I'll be okay with that as long as he's awesome.

Sookie wants kids and a family and she couldn't get that with a vamp. A shifter or were, yes, so I see Charlaine going that way but hey, Sookie might turn or have Jason turn her after she's forgiven him some but I doubt it.

[Laura]

As much as I liked Bill, I think he still has to win me back - and Sookie, too. I don't really trust him yet, though I think his regret is genuine. At the same time, I think they might be better off accepting that what they had was wonderful, but it's in the past, now it's time for them both to move on.

There was one quote in the last book that really hit all of this home for me. Sookie was talking about how she wants to come first for someone, even though she knows that could be really selfish. With Bill, the queen came first, even though I believe he did genuinely develop feelings for her once he got to know her. With Eric... well, he was a businessman first and foremost, and only wanted Sookie for her talent at first. He's different now, with the blood tie, but I'm still not really sure of his motives yet because he's so complicated. With Quinn, his family will always come first.

Which leaves us Sam. Sam who has always been looking out for her, who comes to her defense even when it's dangerous, who really has no other motives. Sam, who has always liked her and has never tried to use her for her mind-reading, who has never seen her as strange or been uncomfortable with her ability. Their relationship hasn't been perfect, but he's always been there, and he's a genuinely good man.

And then, like the last poster said, Sookie keeps coming back to how she wants a kids and a family and to be able to make breakfast for a man and watch him do yard work or whatever. Ultimately..... I think Sam's the perfect man for her. I think he's tried to assert himself and his feelings, but Sookie was so wrapped up in Bill at first, and then Alcide, and Eric, and Quinn, and I think Sam has probably gotten the hint that she's not really that interested. So why would he go after her when she keeps turning him down (after kissing him and enjoying it a lot?! GIRL, you CRAZY.) and going after other men?

[Ally]

I would agree with others that this book lacked a bit for me. I am not sure who I want Sookie to end up with...I'm rooting for Eric currently, as they have the quick sarcasm and humor in common, even before the blood bond. I'm not sure if she will resolve the issue of wanting kids and a family, as the people she becomes involved in make that a little difficult. Maybe I'm remembering incorrectly, but isn't it difficult to have shifter or were babies with non-shifter/were? I was thinking she had the possibility of miscarriage in those respects, but maybe I'm confused.

I'm really curious to know how Hunter will tie into Sookie's world...was there a hint that maybe he was like her in having telepathy??

[Kandice]

I think carrying a child is no problem, but the were-gene wont be passed on if only one parent has it. Even if both have it, only one child (the first, I think) will be a were. As far as shifters go, is that different than actual weres, does anyone know?

I LOVE Sookie Stackhouse!!!!
(I'm also rooting for Sam:) )

[Catrina]

Aaahh So, should I keep reading? I really liked the first books. I spoiled myself by reading the reviews to see whether I should continue on. I really like Bill and am slightly heartbroken to hear that he has been sent there...lol

I like Eric and Sam - It sounds like she has lots of "supes" relationships. Does the story get a little out of hand? Should I keep reading the books or enjoy the euphoria that I have from the current Sookie/Bill relationship? ha ha

Is there another book after this last one?

[Kandice]

Definitely keep reading! Of course this series is brain candy, as opposed to literature, but we all need a bit of that. They never fail to entertain.

[Catrina]

Kandice wrote: "Definitely keep reading! Of course this series is brain candy, as opposed to literature, but we all need a bit of that. They never fail to entertain."

Awesome - And yes, I love brain candy. I think I was really just wanting to stay in the world that Bill and Sookie are together. Most likely carried over from the Edward/Bella connection I had in my mind prior to Twilight.

Thanks!

[Eric]

I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books after watching the first 3 seasons of the HBO series TruBlood. I find the books more entertaining than the TV series. My first book is Dead and Worse because it was available from my library. I have just finished the next book Dead and Gone. I liked the latter book a little better. Maybe because I read the two books in succession.

Anyway, yes these books are "brain candy" and generally good campy fun! The romance aspect adds some spice to the mix. The Sookie character is a mixture of contradictions that seems to continue to evolve.