On Friday, I received a much anticipated package from Barnes and Noble: a box containing Charlaine Harris' next Sookie Stackhouse book, From Dead to Worse. I spent all weekend - with breaks, of course - reading it and Harris did not disappoint.
I don't know how to classify the Sookie series. At first glance, they seem to be paranormal romances, especially the first few books. But as the series has matured, so has it's heroine, the telepathic barmaid, Sookie (in fact, there wasn't so much as a steamy kiss in this book!). No longer is her fate dependent upon the men in her life. Now, she makes her own fate and makes decisions in the fates of others.
In From Dead to Worse, Sookie is brought into the messy political spheres of the were community and the vampire world. Both of her exes, Bill and Eric, play prominent roles and keep up the romantic suspense. And that's all the real romance there is. Her boyfriend, Quinn, has mysteriously gone missing but Sookie is not alone, thanks to her new roommate, Amelia and the cat, Bob. In the end, however, Sookie will once again feel betrayed by someone she loves and her brother, Jason, will cause even more heartache. But for the first time, Sookie discovers new relatives who give her hope and support. Slowly, she is coming into her own and though I love a happy ending, Ms. Harris always provides us with enough real life to keep us grounded - which keeps me from bemoaning my own non-happily-ever-after situation.
This was the perfect book for my weekend. I can't wait until HBO finishes the series True Blood, which will bring these characters to the little screen. However, I am weary - Anna Paquin is not my idea of the perfect Sookie Stackhouse but I'm trying to stay hopeful.
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