#24 of 52 – 52 Books in 52 Weeks
Spoilers follow. Also, I’m going to go ahead and put a fat disclaimer on this thing, which is: take my opinion with a grain of salt–I’m a Twilight fan, see? 
One of the gifts M gave me for my birthday last month was this book. I like reading much-hyped books; it’s why I’ve read things like The Da Vinci Code (meh) and The Catcher in the Rye (blah). Occasionally, I’ll understand the popularity of the book, but sometimes I don’t quite get it. I have mixed feelings about Dead Until Dark.
I found the story tough to get into at first. I kept reading, hoping the story would get better. It did, about halfway in. But I couldn’t decide whether or not I cared about Sookie as a character. I found her kind of charming and funny, but also naive at times. Almost too deer-in-the-headlights about things–like sex, for example. (Speaking of which, I found the first sex scene with Bill to be really, really cheesy. Like romance novel-level cheesy. To be fair, the subsequent sex scenes were better written.) On the other hand, and more importantly, I really liked Sookie’s ability to read minds. I also liked all the scenes with her and her grandmother–but then her grandmother got killed off, so I was really bummed about that. I was also disturbed by Rene, especially toward the end, when it’s revealed just how sick he is and what he did to all his victims (shudder).
oh, and I almost forgot about Bubba! I liked him, as silly and kind of hokey it is to have him as a vampire…it just kind of works in the book, and I thought it was cute.
I don’t know if I like Bill or not. He comes across as annoying, with the whole “Sookie is mine” thing, but Sookie didn’t seem to mind too much. I found myself more interested in the character of Sam, especially once it’s revealed that he is a shapeshifter. Actually, I wanted the book to have more Sam and less Bill.
So, I didn’t dislike the book, but I didn’t love it, either–and I was kind of expecting or hoping I would, since the series is so popular. I might read the rest of the series but not anytime soon. I have, however, queued season one of True Blood on Netflix. It’s always interesting comparing the adaptation to the book.
I love the Sookie books at times and I also dislike them at times. Sookie ends up being a great character later on. Very human and like-able. She’s a bit flakey in the first book. You know who I could not stand…BILL! He was okay, but as the books go on…he is so bland and certain things about him drive me batty. Eric (the viking) is the one I adore. His character is so much more…ooomph, more depth.
Yes, just from reading the first book, I prefer Eric over Bill already too!
I felt pretty much the same way… by the end I was more into it. Bill was pretty meh to me too. even though I am Team Jacob I thought Bill was in no way as hot as Edward! hehe
I agree! I’d even say Jacob is hotter than Bill! lol
I’ve always found Sam and Eric more interesting than Bill. Bill is too flat. He doesn’t seem to evolve in the books. Sookie does change as the books continue. That’s why I’ve stuck with them.
That’s good to hear! (About Sookie.) Bill’s just so…meh.
I love the Sookie books, but the same things that annoyed you annoy me as well. I love Sam and Eric, and don’t really like Bill. My favorite is the fourth one. Witches and werewolves are heavily featured, and I thought that was interesting.
I liked that book the best. I really love Bill, probably because I watched True Blood first, but the books went downhill in interest for me since that one. I do like Eric well enough, but Sam and even Sookie don’t do much for me.
Oh, and that makes a lot of sense if you like Jacob better – I hate Jacob and love Bill! (And Edward.)
BookishlyFab: ooh witches? Now I’m really interested…guess I really should keep reading
Elspeth: Is Bill better in True Blood? I hope so…
I agree Bill is meh. I do like Sookie — especially for her early naivete. She grows as a person and I like seeing that in characters. Eric is my favorite vampire. Sam, there’s just something about him that I love. I started with Dead Until Dark in July, and I’m reading the last one now.
I’m also watching True Blood on Netflix and it is different from the books — but is so well written. Think of True Blood as really well written fanfiction — with lots of lemons (and not just Sookie’s involvement).
I keep hearing that TB is much…spicier than the books, so I’ll keep that in mind!
I almost didn’t read your review because I’m currently forcing myself through the book myself (it is slow to get into!), but I’m glad I did. Gives me some landmarks to look forward to..and Grandma dies? Aww.. that makes me sad. I netflixed the first disc of True Blood, and I’ve heard if you can get past the first episode or two, it’s a great show. People love it, so we’ll see. That said, I’ll stick with the book and finish it one day (I’m reading in on the Kindle App for my iphone. lol).
you’ll be happy to know that bill doesn’tfigure nearly so prominently after about book 3.
and yes, bill is TOTALLY hot in TB. but then so is Sam & Eric. do i really have to pick one?