41 member(s) found this review helpful.
Light and fluffy and fun, fun, fun! This is the first book in a series that you will enjoy every minute of, unless you just can't deal with your mysteries being tinged with the supernatural.
Charlaine Harris introduces a great cast of characters. As the series progresses, many of the characters introduced here are expanded on. Sookie is a natural detective, with her rare ability to read minds. She is drawn into the newly exposed community of supernaturals. After all, if vampires exist, then it is likely there are werewolves and fairies, and dryads, and all manner of things that go bump in the night.
The books blend the genres. This is a mystery, fantasy, romance, and comedy. The characters are really the stars of the show.
If you like this series, you should read the other Harris books. Also, the "rompiness" of these books is similar to the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich. Another good series in this vein are the Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher. I understand that many of the other vampire series out there are quite different than these light-hearted novels, so if you like the Hamilton series, this might not be your cup of tea.
25 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love paranormal books and was excited when I sat down to read this new series. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it through the 1st chapter or two. I didn't like the style in which it was written because everything was told from Sookie's point of view, characters didn't seem to exist unless they were interacting with her. I'm very disappointed...especially because I know it has such a huge fan base and has actually been turned into a tv-series. I know I'm missing out.
Update: I recently watched the whole season one of "True Blood" and loved it. If it is true to the book, I was right about it being an awesome story. Oh well guess that's just how it goes sometimes.
17 member(s) found this review helpful.
After reading Twilight, I felt the need to purchase this boxed set. Sookie Stackhouse is a likeable character who can read minds and falls for a vampire. I do feel some of the events in her life are taken lightly (i.e. deaths, threats, etc.). Also, it was strange to see that being a vampire within the community was recognized and accomodated in this book. This was definately a quickly paced, fast read and i DO look forward to reading the rest of the series, however I do hope it takes on a less "frilly" feel as it progresses.