Rating: 
Summary: still a great series
Review: I've liked all the books in the series so far, and I think this book is even better than the previous book. The series centers around Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who lives in a small town where everyone knows what she can do, even if no one really wants to think about it that much. In this book, Sookie's ex-boyfriend, a vampire named Bill, has left for Peru. This doesn't mean that Sookie's life is quiet, however. She finds Eric running along a road. He was apparently cursed by a witch and now has amnesia. Sookie has to keep him safe from the witches while she and his people try to get his memory back. Unfortunately, the witches also have shapeshifters in their ranks, so Sookie, the vampires, and the werewolves have to work together if everyone is to survive.Since I've never really liked Bill, I was glad that he was gone for most of this book. Although I missed the old Eric, I loved the relationship that Sookie had with Eric in this book. It was really very sweet, and I even cried a little at the end (not telling you why, though - you'll have to read the book to find out). I love the author's sense of humor, even though there didn't seem to be as many opportunities for it in this book. The book may not have ended with a great big plot cliffhanger, aside from a few things, but it did end in a fairly large character cliffhanger. I can't wait to find out how Sookie deals with her relationships with all the various people in this book. I can't really say much about that without giving parts of the book away, but, if you liked the previous books, this book is a must read. If you haven't read the previous books, there are several recap passages in this book. However, you should probably read the other books first, if you want to fully enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: SUCH a fun series!
Review: I, like many other readers, discovered this series while on hiatus from the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, and was pleased to find such a great mix of mystery, comedy and suspense in this series. These books are much more light hearted than the Anita Blake series and I think that readers can relate to Sookie on a more personal level than they can with Anita. This was my favorite book in the series so far! I loved reading about Sookie and Eric! Bill is pretty boring in my opinion and I loved this change of vamp for Sookie! It was such a fun book to read! I love the series and can't wait for the next one!!!! Keep um' comin'!!!
Rating:
Summary: I love this series!
Review: If you like Mary Janice Davidson's vampire series, you'll love these!
Rating: 
Summary: can't wait for the 5th
Review: It begins where Club Dead left off. Vampire Bill and mind-reader Sookie are still on the outs and he's off to Peru for business. His behavior in the previous book is somewhat explained but - It doesn't appear that she's forgiving him. Eric (Bill's superior) shows up running naked on a deserted road with no memory of who he is (he knows he's a vampire) but he does learn to trust Sookie as she picks him up and brings him back to her house - putting herself at some risk. Witches have stolen his memory as it is quickly discovered and Sookie is given the somewhat dangerous task of watching over Eric as said witches are now looking for him. Thanks to her mercenary brother, Jason, she'll at least be getting paid for it. But Jason goes missing as well, adding to Sookie's worries.
Alcide, the werewolf and his evil little fiance have cameos and Sam, Sookie faithful friend and boss, is there to help and give advice.
Some problems: Sookie is becoming the adored and wanted one by every supernatural male she comes into contact with - though apparently they'll cheat on her. There are some slow parts but the book does keep moving without suspending its own reality. The witches could have had more of a role - been more explored - as it was they were just sort of there for Sookie and gang to have some new supernatural thing to fight. There were a lot of loose ends at the end of the book so I'm really anxious for the next installment (just my problem I guess).
Hopefully Eric keeps his lead role as I really enjoyed him - though I prefer him with all his memory. Just a fun character to read.
This really is a series - the author doesn't do a lot of back storying. Some of the character interaction may not be understood if their relationship began in a previous book. It's better to read them in order (1. Dead Before Dark, 2. Living Dead in Dallas, 3. Club Dead, 4. Dead to the World).
A fun read with intersting characters.
Also recommended: Christopher Moore - Boold Sucking Fiends: A Love Story
Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Series)
Rating:
Summary: More from Sookie's World
Review: Of the many people I am greatful to, Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton are two of the biggies. They have made angsty-vampire-romance a genre that sells.
Never mind that I can't stand their more recent forays into fiction.
Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series is picking up where Guilty Pleasures promised to go many years ago. There is graphic sex (warning if you're letting kids read this!), but it doesn't overwhelm the book. Instead, the plot and the characters overwhelm the book. As it should be.
Although this is the first book in the series to be published in hard back, I don't really think it's a standalone. It's hard for me to believe that someone who doesn't know Sookie's back story could enjoy this book thoroughly and without confusion. But it's a great read, especially if you've read the previous books in the series.
If you're thinking of starting this series, start at the beginning. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Avid Reader & Reviewer
Review: Sookie Stackhouse, the buxom, blonde, barmaid from Bon Temps is back again. Dead to the World begins one week after the ending of Club Dead. To recap, Sookie is being pursed by four men: Bill, the local vampire who is sort of an ex- but not really; Eric the Viking vampire, who is also the Vampire Sheriff of Area 5; Alcide, a werewolf with a vicious ex- who is definitely still in the picture; and lastly, Sam, the loyal collie, owner of Merlotte's and Sookie's boss. The vampires need Sookie for her telepathic abilities. Alcide and Sam just want to get close, but each has different impediments. Sookie herself is still hurt over Bill's betrayal with his maker, the vampire Lorena.
In the past year Sookie has been thrown into some very dicey situations. Dead to the World opens a whole new set of difficulties. Sookie is besieged from all directions and must fight for survival. Her heart and the rest of her body are once again thrust in dangers path. At the close of Dead to the World, Sookie gains a great deal of insight into all the men in her life. Once again Charlaine Harris has created both a witty and entertaining adventure to snare her readers with. Charlaine Harris is the author of three previous Sookie Stackhouse novels; Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, and Club Dead. She is also the author of two popular mystery novel series, the Aurora Tegarden series and the Lily Bard Shakespeare series. (...)
Rating:
Summary: Exciting
Review: The premise of this series is that vampires have "come out" to the world at large, become legal citizens in many countries, and their effect of living in a small community in the American South. The main character is Sookie Stackhouse, who works as a barmaid and who happens to be telepathic. I won't go over the plot except to say that you can read about it from the PW or Booklist descriptions above. I loved this book. It's very exciting, tension filled-a real page turner. I've been a fan from the beginning, and I think this may be my favorite in the series so far. Sookie is still her wonderful self, the plotting is fantastic, and I loved the little bits of information planted here and there about certain characters. (There is a certain duo I am really rooting for, conventions be damned!) I liked Bill very much in the first book, but after #2 and #3, I was ready to see Sookie move on. I found the Eric storyline in this book to be charming, and I am glad to see that Sookie herself seems to have seen it as nothing more than a temporary comfort. Having the field wide open at this point leaves many interesting possibilities for the future! And here's hoping none of them get poor Sookie beaten up again. The only thing that gives me pause is the inevitable comparison to Laurell K. Hamilton. I have bristled at the Anita Blake comparisons since the first Sookie book came out, but even I will admit it may be getting a bit too close for comfort with the introduction of certain characters and plot devices. I've read all the Anita Blakes but the last two, as I just got bored with the lack of plot while Anita becomes ever more tiresome. With that in mind, I must admit that I laughed out loud when Sookie asks Alcide if one becomes a werewolf packmaster by fighting for the title and he replies that no, one gets elected.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Addition to the series
Review: We cover a lot of similar ground in the 4th Southern Vampire Series, but I really enjoyed exploring the Eric character. What the whole series does best, and I hope Ms. Harris can continue to do, is her unique mix of humor, southern personalities, and the supernatural.
We identify with Sookie and root for her, because she's not some super-human, karate kickin', gun totting dominitrix. Though she does have a very super-natrual ability: Sookie Stackhouse can read minds. Which causes all sorts of situations.
The vampire stuff and violence is a good balance. It's a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: "Who Shot J.R." ending LOL
Review: Well I actually got this book about 2 weeks ago couldn't wait for it to come available. I can say that I like this series more so than the {{Anita Blake}} Series by Laurell K. Hamilton, because it's fun, and Sookie deals with regular life things.. like still having to go to work on time, worrying about her bills, dealing with insecurities where it comes to her relationship with Bill and Sookie isn't super tough she is just a woman next door from "Down South" that happens to have this psychic ability and who by way of her boyfriend got involved in the Supernatural community. Book picks up right where it left us to some degree Sookie and Bill are on rocky ground. Eric does have amnesia and Jason is missing throw in some witches and other supernatural creatures and YES it does begin to feel like {{Anita Blake}} this book is mainly about Sookie helping Eric while Bill is out of town in Peru, for those of you out there that like Bill I can't say more than that(without giving away spoilers). Okay so for the wrap up a few good fight scenes, some romance, Debbie returns from {{CLUB DEAD}} and the humor. OH YEA!! Sookie New Year's resolution not to get beaten up so much. I recommend this book at Amazon prices and if you are collecting the series. My comment about "Who Shot J.R." will make more sense once you read the book. By the end of the book MORE people WANT (as in Desire) Sookie which is familiar to {{Anita Blake}} the funny thing is this one actually reminds me a lot of {{Stephanie Plum}} Series by Janet Evanovich, but it still has it's own unique twist and blend. Respectfully Reviewed
Rating:
Summary: What would YOU do if....
Review: You find an enemy, who just so happens to be a vampire, running down the road half-clad in the middle of the night? Well, if you're Sookie Stackhouse, the psychic waitress and heroine of Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire novels, you'd take him in and help him. After all, it's freezing outside and even if you're normally scared spitless of him, you can't leave him there.
Psychic Sookie Stackhouse is one of the last of the Genuinely Decent People.
As Sookie learns, no good deed goes unpunished. She soon discovers that witches, werewolves and vampires are looking for Eric and she doesn't know who to trust. When her philandering brother, Jacon, goes missing, she's seriously out of allies.
For the most part, I enjoyed this novel. I like Sookie. She's your Everywoman's Hero. She doesn't carry a lot of firepower, she doesn't have any particular skills in fighting, but she uses her wits and heart to get her out of the scrapes she gets into.
One bad note is Sookie's love life. From this book, it looks like Harris is setting us up for another LKH style three-way and frankly I've been there done that and not buying anymore of the Anita Blake series. Do I personally want Sookie to settle down? Nope, not really, but I don't want the character of the person I like--the girl who'd risk her own life to save an enemy in need--changed. Sookie is a one-man kind of woman and I don't think that should change.
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