Dead To The World
Charlaine Harris Books
“I just hope to not be beaten up. I don’t want to go to the hospital. I don’t want to see a doctor. So my resolution is to stay out of trouble .” These were the New Year’s resolution of our favorite barmaid.
Sookie Stackhouse and the rest of the gang are back in the fourth book in the series, DEAD TO THE WORLD . And I am also back for another round of ‘chat’ regarding our favorite series!
Do I hear cheers and clapping hands? None? I just let out a big sigh on that. Anyway, bring out your book copies and your favorite tea or coffee, and let’s discuss this fourth book in the very enthralling SOOKIE STACKHOUSE NOVELS .
After several weeks from the last adventure (a.k.a rescuing the two-timing vampire of a boyfriend), Sookie is finishing her shift at Merlotte’s , the local bar in small town Bon Temps, Louisiana . New Year celebrations were also being held at the bar. Sookie, along with her co-workers, prefer to wait tables than go out partying. She needs the money after all.
After a long night, they split up after exchanging their New Year’s resolutions. And I have to agree with Sookie here – her resolution is to not get beaten up. After three books and several beatings later, Sookie finally has grown tired of shedding blood every time she is thrown in the midst of one of those vampire/supernatural related troubles.
All seems well after her last “adventure”. All that Sookie is concerned about is earning enough money to cover all her financial problems. On her way home after that shift, she was taken aback to see a half naked man running along one of Bon Temps dark country roads.
Much to her surprise, and a little consternation, she finds that the running man was no other than Eric Northman , vampire sheriff of Area 5, excellent businessman and vampire-lover wannabe.
It was a night like no other. But what else is new in the life of Sookie Stackhouse? She later learned that Eric’s memory has been erased. He has no idea of who he is or how his memory was removed. Sookie then called Pam , her gal/vamp-pal and Eric’s second in command to come and get the “amnesiac” Eric.
The plan was so easy. Get Eric back to his vampire buddies and then get some sleep herself. She was bone-tired from work and making Eric a bit comfortable. But the simple plan was waylaid when her brother Jason, made a deal on her behalf with the vampires.
Apparently, Eric’s memory was erased by a group of witches who came in Shreveport to take over Eric’s business holdings and him. It seems that the head witch Hallow , has taken a strong liking to the tall, handsome Viking vampire. And in a true Eric fashion, he arrogantly refused all of the witch’s demands thus the memory loss.
In came the deal, in exchange for Sookie keeping Eric safe in her house, she will be paid $35,000 for her services. Since she needed the money, she agreed to her brother’s deal with the vampires. It was a very clear business proposal. JUST KEEP ERIC SAFE . Sookie thought it would be ok.
It would not be as easy if Eric was in his right mind since he was trying constantly from the time Sookie met him to get her into bed with him. But this “new” Eric seemed more devastatingly charming than his old self. So what is a girl to do? I don’t blame you Sookie.
She did not take advantage of course; she just let things go in its natural course. Finding herself in the arms of the person or vampire she would not normally turn to for comfort. Good thing he doesn’t remember. She also found herself to be sort of feeling something for this Eric.
Hurt from Bill’s betrayal , she reasoned that it was only natural to turn to the arms nearest to her. And besides this Eric was not so hard to be with. Eric became so caring of Sookie that she herself partly wished that this Eric would stay, even if she missed the old one.
To top that, Jason has gone missing, the witch coven was starting to make their presence known in Bon Temps, a new friend named Claudine is introduced and she happens to be a fairy, Alcide is back in the picture, Bill is also back and so many more things to look out for! Will Sookie be “beaten up” again since she is thrown yet again into one of those “vampire business dealings”?
If I said that CLUB DEAD was my favorite in the series, I guess I have to eat my words now. DEAD TO THE WORLD has surpassed CLUB DEAD in my list of fave books. It is a lot funnier and action filled. It has more Eric. I love this Eric even though he is not himself.
I love how CHARLAINE HARRIS is continuing to develop her characters throughout the series. More love interests for Sookie Stackhouse which means more reasons for us, her avid readers, to continue following this series.
At least I am happy to see that Sookie was not hurt this time. And in our supernatural countdown we can now add Wiccan witches, were-panthers and fairies to the growing list of “supes” that are being introduced. Let’s see – so far we have vampires, shifters, Weres, maenads, dwarfs, goblins…did I miss anything?
In this book, you will not only get thrilled by the growing relationship between Sookie and Eric. The element of mystery is also present in the form of Jason’s mysterious disappearance. While I was reading the book, I was mentally ticking down possible suspects to Jason’s kidnapping and I guess the suspect was not in my list. Imagine my reaction when I found out who it was.
Plus the Witch War or the fight to eradicate these bad witches and regain Eric’s lost memory is so detailed that it will keep you awake at night with nightmares. Just kidding! It will at least give you goose bumps. Hehehehe. That scene itself was nicely written and paced. No feeling that you are missing anything here.
I just love opening a new book in this series because every time that I do that, I am transported to a world of make believe where supernaturals run with the unsuspecting humans. CHARLAINE HARRIS is fast proving herself to be a master caster in this aspect.
No boring moments, as usual. A fun read for sure. Well. My cup is empty now, so I guess I’ll catch you again another time, another book. Having fun yet? I hope you are. One thing is definite right now, CHARLAINE HARRIS novels are here to stay, so get comfortable as we still have a long way to go!
Dead To The World
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