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Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1)
Dead Until Dark - Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1
Author: Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She's quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn't get out much. Not because she's not pretty. She is. It's just that, well, Sookie has this sort of "disability." She can read minds. And that doesn't make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780441008537
ISBN-10: 0441008534
Publication Date: 5/1/2001
Pages: 292
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 2427

4.1 stars, based on 2427 ratings
Publisher: Ace
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

lisareinke avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 123 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 43
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.
escapist avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 70 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 19
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.
berries674 avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 92 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 16
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.
reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
Dead Until Dark is a great story! In it, Sookie Stackhouse, a young and eligible barmaid finds herself in the middle of a crime spree. On top of that, Sookie is attracted to unusual men. Her best friend is a wary confidant, and the men in her community are taking more and more interest in her.
Sookie lives with her doting grandmother, and constantly worries about her difficult brother who seems to be tangled in one mess after another. Then Bill shows up. Bill is a vampire. And Sookie's already confusing world becomes more and more complicated in a flash. Before long, Sookie finds herself in danger and not even Bill the vampire can properly protect her.
Charlaine Harris is an amazing author. She crafts familiar characters which are both endearing and a touch surprising. Though the book is primarily a mystery, Harris weaves enough steamy sex and rich romance to entertain lovesick readers. Events unfold quickly and details are vivid and strtong making this a quick and exciting read.
Though I can't recommend it to my students (because of mature content) Charlaine Harris is a fantastic writer and will appeal to so many readers. Dead Until Dark is just the first in a series of books that promises adventure, excitement, mystery, and romance. I can't wait to pick up another.
sapphire80 avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
Cheesy dialogue, moronic female lead (and I despise the name Sookie), juvenile writing, the list goes on and on about why I should hate this book...having said all that, I really liked it. I couldn't put it down. I have high hopes that the writing will get better as the books progress, although I fear "Sookie" will remain my least favorite character EVER! If a reader can get past the negatives, the story itself is interesting and does draw you in. We'll see how the next one reads. I'm also going to watch the HBO series - very curious to see how that coincides with the book?
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nisforneville avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book, the first in the series. I'm a fan of True Blood (the TV show), and I think this is a really good supplement to season one
confuzzledbooks avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 482 more book reviews
Unlike most humans, Sookie Stackhouse can read peoples minds. And having supernatural ability like hers attracts other supernatural beings, like Bill, who is a vampire. Sookie is very attracted to Bill, and he is attracted to her. As their relationship blossoms, deaths begin to surround Sookie and Bill Many think the murderer is a vampire.

I completely understand the magnetic pull to this series. Sookie is an interesting, almost-normal character with an ability she doesnt want. Bill is an awkward, blood-thirsty vampire. Like Bill, I thought his relationship with Sookie was strange. I could not understand why they felt the need for each other, but that feeling wore off as I kept reading and accepted their relationship ... sort of.

This is not a teenage vampire romance. So if you are looking for another Twilight, this may not be for you. There are adult situations and I would recommend no one under 16 read.
abbykt avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 113 more book reviews
This book was an entertaining, eye candy read. I did like that the vampires mixed between the good and bad of mortality. It reminded me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I would be entertained by the others in the series I think.
penmage007 avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Quick read, interesting series concept!
reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Fun, light reading. Like a harlequin romance but with interesting characters and scenarios. The details are different than the tv series and that is interesting too.
reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on
I am officially HOOKED
tlmetz avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
This is one of the series that sucked me back into reading. I really love this series, much better than the HBO series on TV. Sookie is always in some kind of trouble!
purplefrogs avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Started eading this series on the recommendation of a friend. I am so glad that I listend. Fun easy read that kept me from wantng to put the book down. I guess I better hurry up and get the next few books so I can keep going!
reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on
I thought it was alot fo fun. I read most of the other books before reading this one so it was nice to see how it all started out. It's fun to see the differences between the True Blood series and the books as well. If you like the supernatural, who-done-it, sexy type of a book~ this is a good one:)
KellitaJ avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 550 more book reviews
The first story about Sookie Stackhouse, a mindreading waitress whose first love is found in this book. This series now has 9 books to it, and in my opinion, they're about average in story telling and picture painting. I don't care that HBO is making a series, about Sookie: after what was done to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files I don't trust them not to ruin this interesting tale like they did Harry's. I enjoyed the series but will enjoy them more when I read them for the 2nd time in order, now that I have all of the books.
brooklynrussell avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
If you like Vampire novels this one is great. I'm a huge fan of the Twilight Series. This, to me, is kind of the grown up version. More graphic sexual content, language and situations. I love that Charlaine Harris is from Arkansas (so am I) so I understand the souther style of the book. Sookie is hilarious. I can't wait to read the rest of the Sookie Stackhouse series.
solarawynn avatar reviewed Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, Bk 1) on + 724 more book reviews
Liked Sookie from the beginnng,she is unique and will anxiously await the second


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