REVIEW: From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris
Dear Ms. Harris:
First I have to admit that I adore this series; I feel very connected to the characters and to the world of the novels. Although I’m not old enough to be Sookie’s mother, I have very protective feelings toward her and wait impatiently for my yearly fix of her continuing saga, cheering her on as she becomes more independent and confident, feeling sharply the bittersweet sacrifices and compromises she so often has to make. And quite honestly, this is one of the few series of books I inhale rather uncritically. However, since this is a review, I have to say that while I am every bit as hooked in emotionally to this series as I was after reading Dead Until Dark, as a crafted work of fiction, From Dead To Worse is not the strongest book in the series.
Recently returned home to Bon Temps from the disastrous vampire convention in Rhodes, Sookie Stackhouse is dealing with the usual combination of human and not-so-human problems. Her boyfriend Quinn has not returned, having been injured badly in the hotel explosion that claimed the lives of numerous vamps and gravely injured the queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne Leclerq. Bill Compton, Sookie’s first love and the vamp who broke her heart, seems intent on trying to prove his love for her. And Eric, who now shares a blood bond with Sookie, is increasingly involved in her life and her emotions, as they are now psychically connected. And a new man enters Sookie’s life in this book (well, two men, really, although one is only four years old – her telepathic nephew, son of Sookie’s deceased cousin Hadley), her great grandfather Niall, an incredibly powerful fairy who wants to be Sookie’s protector.
And Sookie could use some additional protection, because, as she feared, her high profile in Rhodes (using her telepathy to locate living and undead bodies after the hotel explosion) has made her a person of greater interest in the supernatural community. During the course of From Dead to Worse, Sookie acts as a negotiator in an increasingly tense and violent Were conflict, is forced to stand up on her brother’s behalf in a horrific Shifter ceremony, has to fend off several mysterious Were attacks, has to do a favor for roommate Amelia’s shady father, is caught in the middle of a standoff between the vampire king of Las Vegas and the weakened Louisiana vamps, and has to face some difficult choices about one of the men in her life. Although Sookie has been coming more and more into her own as a woman who is neither fully human nor fully something else, she faces more complications stemming from her somewhat marginal attachment to various, sometimes competitive, communities. And, as her great grandfather points out, her humanness makes her somewhat fragile despite her abundant and admirable courage.
One of the things I have always admired about this series is the reminder that bad things can, indeed, happen to good people. Sookie has borne a lot of sorrow in her life, and every gift she gets seems to be accompanied by a bit of pain. Although she is grateful to have more family in her life, for example, the explanation of her fairy heritage forces her to accept something about her grandmother she would never have suspected or expected. Bill’s feelings for her seem genuine (we can see his misery at not being able to win her back), but there is no guarantee that any of these men would not choose their own survival over Sookie (something she is reminded of poignantly in this book). And despite the number of men who find Sookie irresistible (and I agree with those who are tiring of Sookie’s excessive appeal within the supe communities), they each pose almost as much danger to her as they do enhanced protection. In other words, Sookie needs every ounce of collected courage she can muster to negotiate the increasingly complex and unstable supernatural networks of which she is a reluctant but seemingly crucial part.
For me, one of the most powerful aspects of this series has been the bittersweet quality of Sookie’s life choices. Should she choose any of the supes she is attracted to, she will make significant sacrifices. Even Sam, who hovers somewhere between friend and something more territory is far from normal, and with the shifter community now on the brink of going public, that will become even more evident later on. And while Sookie’s network of friendships continues to grow – with both human and otherworldly individuals – so do her responsibilities. For example, the first scene of the novel finds Sookie being begged to stand in as a bridesmaid for Halleigh Robinson at her double wedding with Portia Bellefleur after a similarly sized girl ends up at the hospital. The scene vividly illustrates Sookie’s insider-outsider status among the humans, because she is not close enough to Halleigh to be a “real” bridesmaid,” but she is too honorable a person to refuse the woman’s panicked request. So she suffers in high heels and big hair, posing for pictures and standing in for Halleigh, finally rushing back to change so she can bartend the reception with Sam. Sookie’s unusual position in the community makes her a perpetual outsider, even as she so often finds herself facilitating someone else’s happiness or well-being, whether that be her selfish brother Jason or her roommate Amelia’s elderly witch mentor. That Sookie continues to grow within herself, and that she continues to acquire the tools with which to find her own place in the world, remains a strong thematic thread across the series.
At the same time, though, I am getting the sense with the series that the story is beginning to unfold spontaneously rather than through a pre-planned trajectory. For example, the story behind Sookie’s fairy blood seems like a departure from characterizations developed in the first few books, and I don’t understand how Sookie did not question further how it was all possible. Also, as I mentioned above, it is starting to feel a little strange that virtually every straight supernatural being is drawn to Sookie sexually; I know that she’s attractive, but it is starting to feel contrived. There’s a point at which Sookie senses something in Alcide that did not feel authentic to me, undermining the very serious circumstances under which Sookie makes the discovery. And finally, the past few books have really been paced almost manically, with an incredible amount of action and conflict occurring within each installment, so much so that Sookie’s internal development and the more subtle aspects of character and relationship development are starting to feel secondary, or more specifically, accelerated.
Then there are Sookie’s men. Again, I think there is a fine balance here among these various relationships, a tension that keeps it all interesting. For example, now that Sookie is blood bound to Eric, she is happy whenever he is in the room with her, something that annoys her to no end. And surely this phenomenon will have a significant effect on whatever romantic relationship Sookie is in at the moment, especially if she ever marries. The difficulties of that, assuming she doesn’t end up with Eric, that is, are fascinating to contemplate. However, the abundance of interested men around Sookie threatens to undermine the seriousness of this issue. There is also the competition that exists between Eric and Bill, which, as funny as it often is, sometimes seems to overshadow whatever feelings exist between each male and Sookie, threatening to turn the triangle into a caricatured drama.
I do not mean to imply that the series has become cartoonish, but the sheer number of scraps Sookie survives makes me wonder where the series is headed and whether the more subtle, and in my opinion substantive, insider – outsider dynamic is being eclipsed by drama sufficient to propel the series through however many more books. In other words, I am starting to feel that all the drama is distracting rather than purposeful. Not that the series has to mean something as a whole; Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series is going strong at thirteen books and counting, and Stephanie’s growth has been extremely slow. But I’ve always felt that this series was different – not better or worse, mind you – but different in its sharp and sometimes beautifully nuanced social and cultural commentary. And while I don’t want Sookie to be merely a symbol of those thematic conflicts, I am not sure how easily I would take to the series if I started with this book instead of the first one. And while I cannot foresee ever turning away from the series, stepping away from my emotional investment in the journey these books have taken me on, I have to give From Dead To Worse a B-.
~ Janet
This book can be purchased in mass market paperback from Amazon
or Powells or ebook format.
Janet, this is a series that I initially didn’t care for. It just moved too slow for me in print form. The problem was that I just couldn’t get my northern Ohio self into the southern rhythm of the books and couldn’t hear Sookie’s voice in my head.
But after attending Rt in Daytona, and hearing the charming Charlaine Harris speak, I decided to give the books a try in audio book format. I am sooo glad I did because now I cannot wait for each new audio release. Johanna Parker brings Sookie alive with a small town Louisiana drawl filled with Sookie’s vulnerabilty and strength. I highly recommend the audio books.
As for this particular book (I admit I gave your review only a quick skim to avoid too many spoilers), I’m glad to hear we’ll learn more about Sookie’s fairy heritage. It always bothered me that she didn’t seem very curious about it. And it might explain why so many supernaturals are strangely attracted to her.
And less Quinn? Probably a good idea. I really liked him at first, but found him irritating in the last book.
I don’t know about you, but I’m eager to see how well HBO adapted the characters. Now if they would just get the series on their schedule.
Bev, I tried to avoid any major spoilers, and most of the information I offer can be found in either the first chapter Harris has posted online or the blurb, but some people might find my review spoilerish anyway, because I do have to talk about certain general things in the book to make the review semi-coherent.
I think I fell into this series so hard because by the time I started reading it, the first three books were already published, and I got a big chunk of the story right away. I wonder if I could listen to the audiobooks — maybe I should try them. I’m already worried about Anna Paquin as Sookie, because I picture someone more like Reese Witherspoon in the role (a more innocent screen demeanor, I guess, whereas Paquin is much edgier to me). But I agree with you about Harris; she is one of the few authors I have written to express my appreciation of her books, and she was so gracious in her response. Of course, that doesn’t really matter, but it was a nice bonus, considering how attached I’ve become to these characters and their story.
I hope you’ll review this yourself when and if you read/listen to it. I agonized over the grade for a long time, because while I love every book in this series, and would read this one again in a heartbeat, it wasn’t perfect, IMO.
I wait anxiously for each new book to come out in this series, and whilst I haven’t read this one yet, agree with many of the comments you have made about the drama that has been in the last few books! I look forward to devouring this one when I get my hands on it.
Great review Janet!
I wish I already had the book so I could actually write my opinions too. I really enjoy this series now, but when I first started reading them it was hard for me to immerse myself. I thought Sookie was kind of whiny and a little too goody goody for me (and I hated the name) and I felt Bill was flat and uninteresting. But I really enjoyed the tone of the writing. It almost felt like it flowed along slow and easy.
Even with the interest in her writing style I probably wouldn’t have picked up the next book if I hadn’t been hooked by Eric. At that point I didn’t expect him as a love interest, but he seemed to pop from the book because he was so much more than the other characters. Not in terms of depth or character growth but in terms of sneakiness and self awareness and zest. I thought Sookie only hung out with Bill because she couldn’t read his mind and he wasn’t as scary as the other vampires she met later. But with Eric I found someone who had the potential in further books to turn into the bane of her existance. He just seemed less flat than some of the other characters and I’m glad he did because it made me continue reading. Over the series Sookie has grown on me… maybe it’s because she has become more tarnished.
Wow, totally talked too long there. I’ll stop writing but first I have to ask… On CH’s message boards she has said that we would HATE Jason after this book. Is that true? She also said that one of the men in Sookie’s life betrays her horribly. Did this happen? Did it surprise you or did you see it coming? Thanks for the review!
I love this series, and one of the things I like about the earlier books is their “smallness” – they’re physically small, they’re not ridiculously bloated in their plotting, and they attend to “small” details, like people not having health insurance. (Can you imagine Anita Blake talking about that?) I enjoyed this new one, but as soon as it arrived in the mail last week, and I discovered how big it is, it seemed like a bad sign. I wasn’t totally disappointed, but there is almost too much going on, and the dimensions of what’s going on are getting bigger, in a way that is not totally pleasing. I enjoy a more local focus much more than the cosmic-we-must-save-the-world-from-a-supernatural threat type of paranormal plot, and I fear the series may be headed somewhat in that direction. I disagree though about the fairy heritage seeming unexpected – I’m sure there was a hint before that one of the reasons she may be so (annoyingly) irresistable to the supes was because of a bit of fae blood, and the mysterious interest of Claudine in Sookie’s well-being has a few times (I thought) suggested that something was going to be revealed along those lines.
I agree with the comment about the bittersweet flavour – it’s one of the most appealing characteristics about Sookie (and other Harris heroines, too, I think) that they have their share of pain, and they are sometimes reflective about it, but then they just get on with the work that needs doing. There’s a classic moment in the book when Sookie (as the narrator) makes a comment about smiling because there’s no point in taking out her mood on others. So refreshing to see a character not wallow.
BevQB, for me the setting is a big part of the appeal. As a Canadian, I find the Southern-ness of the books (and Charlaine Harris’ other series, which I also have enjoyed) quite mesmerizingly exotic.
Marg, Fortunately, I don’t really see the flaws in these books until after I’ve finished each. So I go along with all the drama while reading, and only question it stringently when I’m done and in reflection mode. So I think that makes this book a success. I hope you like it, too!
Catherine, I also love Eric. One of my best friends explained that Bill’s appeal to her was in his ordinariness (how many ORDINARY vampires do you see in fiction?). Eric is clearly the opposite of that. So even though Bill has been a rat, I still have a soft spot for him and so in some ways I dread any romantic choice Sookie makes, because these two men are IMO so integral to her life and her character, and I think they both care about her deeply (Sam, too).
As for Jason, yes, I hated him, although I was getting there anyway. As for the second thing, if I understand what she’s referring to, the answer is yes. But I think it’s arguable about who and what he was really betraying and if Sookie got caught in the crossfire. I hope you come back and comment when you’ve finished reading, and we can discuss both of these things in more detail.
Cecelia, oh, yes, the so-called small details are definitely one of my favorite things about this series; Harris seems to be writing about *people* and not characters, and I love that. And when I think about another author writing about vamps, who is basically writing short stories for hardcover prices, I definitely feel like I am getting my money’s worth with Harris (not to mention incredibly accomplished storytelling).
Perhaps I need to clarify that it was the HOW of the fairy blood (and the WHO) that surprised me, not that she had it. We knew the secret would someday be revealed, but I thought the circumstances as Harris explained them required a change in a characterization that had been established in earlier books (and not in the “we never really knew that person” kind of way, but more in a “that doesn’t make sense given the character” way). I’m anxious for more details to fill out that picture, though.
OK, assuming you’re alluding here to the grandmother, I can definitely see your point.
Yup, Cecelia, that’s it.
I can’t wait to read this book.
By the way, TRUE BLOOD premieres on HBO on September 7, 2008. Looking forward to it!
Thanks, Jackie; I’ll be programming my DVR as soon as the show appears on my cable company’s schedule, lol!
Uh, this is being released as hardback, not mass market. And I’m not finding it in ebook format, either. Not yet, at least.
Thanks, Miki, I didn’t even notice the error, but it’s fixed now. I’m assuming that the ebook will show up next week at Fictionwise, since all six previous books are there.
I’m skipping this review for now . . . I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
I hope you come back and comment once you’ve read it, loonigrrl!
I did read the book (and I like it a LOT) and I must disagree with many of your criticims. In particular, I think this book was very well plotted; it answered many questions, resolved several plotlines (e.g., the Shreveport Weres, Bob, and others which I consider spoilers), and opened some promising new ones. In fact, the one thing I was a little unhappy with was that it seemed too plot-driven, with character-development and even lighter moments suffering somewhat as a consequence.
I agree that the Alcide moment seemed a little inauthentic (though he’d always liked her, and was under MUCH stress), but was happy to see that another character who had seemed to be interested in Sookie was actually interested in Amelia.
And Eric refused to play Bill’s “Who Loves Sookie More?” game, which not only removed the “caricatured drama,” but actually enabled him to defend her more effectively.
Overall, I loved the book.
I dunno. I’m also a little worried about the television series. In fact, I’m pretty turned off already. Anna Paquin as Sookie?
Readers are constantly reminded of Sookie’s ample bosom…perhaps, in part, because it’s what people notice first about her, and what helps explain her aversion to being a “dumb blonde”.
From the quick takes I caught on YouTube, Anna is definitely not physically comparable to Sookie, who is pretty, curly blonde and curvy.
Just my humble opinion.
just a nitpicky detail. She wasn’t known for her ability to find “corpses”, she found the “live” people..
I am supposed to get my book today, and woe betide the UPS man if it doesn’t show up..
I agree with many points of the last several books in the series, but these books still get my adrenaline pumping when I am reading them. They aren’t perfect, but they sure are a thrill ride while reading..
Hadas, I loved the “who loves Sookie more?” moment; in fact, I have grown very attached to the triangle of Sookie, Bill, and Eric, and can’t stand the idea of either Eric or Bill being gone from Sookie’s life.
Mina, I hope the series is good, but share your trepidation about the casting of Sookie. I have my fingers and toes crossed, though.
sallahdog, OMG what a stooopid mistake I made! Thanks so much for catching it when I didnt! I think I meshed the vampire dead body thing with the live brain waves thing unconsciously. Anyway, this book is definitely a thrill ride — LOTS of stuff happens, and I’m starting to wish that Sookie could take a nice, relaxing vacation somewhere for a while, lol.
I just recently finished a review of From Dead To Worse, and while I’d probably give it a B+ – I do admit to feeling a little sad at the end — on Sookie’s behalf. As for Bill — I’m still mad at him from several books ago, so it didn’t bother me a bit to see him unhappy.
Overall I enjoyed the book and definitely love the series, I’d just like to see Sookie get a little happiness that lasts a while.
Terrie
I really enjoy the sookie series. Over the past couple of years I’ve enjoyed reading many paranormal series. I have to say that the Sookie series is one of the best. After reading so many series you become use to certain ways authors need to clean up, tie up loose ends, etc. I do agree that this book in particular seems to being this, however, it is still a great read. This book I don’t think was meant to draw the attention of new readers to the series, but rather for the loyal readers. I don’t mind a clean up. I do disagree strongly on you comment that the book is unfolding spontaneously. In fact I think if anything i think the pre-planning has made it’s self obvious. The last 7 books I feel wrapped up one part of sookie’s life. This book has prepared us for the next big chapters of her life. It has laid the ground for more storis. I don’t doubt there’ll be another book…what I’m hoping is that there will be many.
As for Sookie’s appeal to the supe community. We’ll it’s 8 books in. Just like any other soap…you need to keep with this stuff in order to keep the readers interest. Once it stops than what’s the point of reading on. Also, she’s attractive and she’s part fey. So it’s only natrual that so many are attracted to her. On top of that, she’s intelligent and independent. This is to is attractive to most me.
Janet, I just had to pop back in with a quick SQUEE because Audible has FINALLY released the downloadable audio book for From Dead to Worse! List is $24.49 (CDs are $23.09 at Amazon) but member pricing is only $17.14.
Terrie: I totally agree with you about wanting Sookie to have some lasting happiness; it’s one of the strongest reasons I continue to be hooked on the series, I think.
Kelly: I think the stuff about Bill’s ultimately betrayal had been set up way ahead of time, but I’m still not convinced that the origin of Sookie’s fairy blood was, as well. Perhaps it was, but it didn’t feel that way to me, not like the Bill plotline did. But I definitely agree with you that this series is still going strong!
BevQB: Thanks for letting me know; Fictionwise is also offering a 100% micropay rebate on the book now, too. I love audio books, but since I haven’t been commuting as much this year, I have sort of drifted away from them. Have to check out Audible, though.
There is no book (from Dead to worse) available here in the Philippines.
I really loved your reveiws of the Sookie books and I agree with you completely. I have just finished reading the 8 books and I got to read them all in a row. Now unfortunately I have to wait for number 9 but don’t have to wait long. I’m also loving the first series of True Blood which is now being shown in Australia.
I am a 13 year old girl and i love these books so much. i started reading them a few years ago but havent read ‘from dead to worse’ yet as it hasnt come out in England but i am looking forward to it. i really hope Sookie will end up with Sam but i will have to wait and see! i watched True Blood on the computer and it is good but they changed too many things for it to make sense later.
By the way if you have trouble trying to hear Sookies voice, i have to try and picture it and i have a British accent!
I have to admit, I did not love this series when I first started it. However, I quickly fell in love with the hope of Sookie finding true love. Some part of me wonders where the relationship between her and Bill will go. I can’t imagine that it will be nonexistant, he was her first love. My heart aches for that relationship. I am waiting for book #8 to arrive any day, and I am excited to read it. My hope is that Sookie will take some time to find where her heart wants her to go, not just where the queen wants for her. I also feel it necessary to voice my opinion on the HBO series based on these books. I have seen only a few episodes, but I think whomever created this series should be shot!! I despise this show. They could not have done a worse job in casting and don’t even get me started on the cheap, soft-porn feel to the show. I’m sure that the actors involved are fine actors and actresses but thier portrayl is sad and disturbing!
Hi! I just wanted to say that I’m about to read the 8th book of the series and I’m pretty upset about Bill still being part of the scene… I got also really nervous when I discovered that Eric was not getting his memories back yet and moreover Sookie began a kind of relationship with this Quinn-weretiger… Though Charlaine described him as a very handsome -mouthwatering- guy, I imagined him as an older man, bald by nature and in general pretty disgusting. No one can eclipse the image she has created in my mind of Eric, the Viking vampire. I never thought I’d use the adjective “viking” with such enthusiasm and sexual connotation as I now do !!!
Quinn should be played by Vinn Diecel in the tv show.
As far as I am concerned, although Sookie has various tastes in her men, she is not listening to her inner self, the part that knows which one is her true soul mate.
She seems to be looking “out there” for someone to love her “as much as she thought Bill did” and she will try to no end to keep looking until she realizes the fact that the only one for her is Eric and he has been from the start. He seems to personify the kind of being that is perfect for her character and persona, that is,he won’t be bullied or pushed around , he watches over her with patience and shows up in every book at the most inoprtune and delightful moments, and he respects her for who she is, in spite of the way she acts sometimes.
As far as Quinn is concerned, I am glad he’s gone.I wasn’t very much into him anyway.
Hi! I'm about to read the 8th book of the series and I can hardly wait! I allso like to voice my opinion on the HBO series: I think the cast is great! I love Anna as Sookie and Alexander Skarsgård as Erik, But it might be because I did se the series on tv b4 I read the books.
I was reading Charlenes answer to the question about Sookies future and Charlene pointed out that Sookie was never to become a vampire so I cant se a future with one!? or maybe she will become a fairy and can live forever with Erik I hope! (Please excuse my bad spelling).
Im about to start reading the 7th book and i think that Sookie needs to leave Bill alone. Personaly i dont like Eric. He’s too confusing, and he just makes her life more complicated. At first when she met Quinn he freaked me out because he was licking blood off of her leg and they had just met. But now i like him and i think that Sookie should stay with him and leave the vamp guys alone.
i really love blondes like Reese Witherspoon. she is damn pretty.;’;
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