Latest Read: Dead Ever After

Latest Read: Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

I know I just put out the May “Latest Reads”, but with the angst and uproar surrounding this book, I felt compelled to share my reaction to the final installment of the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

To start, I have loved these books since the beginning. They were recommended by a friend and the moment I got them I couldn’t put them down. As soon as I caught up with the already published books, I would anxiously await the newest one every May. Did I looooove the egotistical yet charming character of Eric Northman? You betcha! Did I frequently hope Bill would die a painful death? Often. Did I adore Sookie’s best friend, confident, boss/business partner, Sam? Most definitely. Did I anxiously await Pam’s witty yet snide comments and her stunning wardrobe choices? Always. Did I cringe several times at the extended Fairy plot? Oh yes! Well, I could go on, but you get the idea. So how do I feel about this final installment? In truth, I saw the ending coming a mile away and I liked it.

Don’t get me wrong, there were parts I found subpar. I rolled my eyes something fierce when one of the villains (yes, I said one…there are many) was reveled. I gagged a little while reading the sex scene description near the end (not Harris’ best work there). And the changing POV took some adjustment. But there were other things I very much enjoyed. I loved the cameo parade of just about every character ever written into the storyline (with the exception of Bubba…not sure how she left him out). At the close of the series, Sookie came full circle as a human being. She went from a shy, introverted, telepathic oddball to a strong self-assured woman in complete control of her telepathic ability. I also really enjoyed how Harris tied up every loose end possible (very pleased with the closure surrounding Pam). It was a fitting end to a long series. For those who are dissatisfied with the end, would you have preferred Sookie end up as a concubine in Oklahoma? Personally, I much prefer the Sookie that can stand firmly on her own two feet with a whole community behind her come hell or high water.

Lastly, I am utterly appalled by the number of one star reviews and argumentative threads/posts (especially on Goodreads) from people who admittedly have not even read the book. But then again, the book is on the best seller list, so the critical hype has obviously done wonders for marketing! If a person read it and rated it as a one star, that is most definitely the reviewer’s prerogative, but to review a book (any book) without actually reading is shameless and pathetic!

Final Thought:  I say read it and take it for what it is…a book! Thank you, Ms. Harris, for countless hours of entertainment over the years!