Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Book Details
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
Hardcover, 336 Pages
2011, Ace Hardcover
ISBN: 0441020313
Series: Book 11 of Sookie Stackhouse

Synopsis
With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...

Review
Dead Reckoning offers up some good twists, an interesting mystery and a heart-breaking moment or two, but fails to conjure the level of excitement early Sookie Stackhouse novels offered in excess. Better than the previous novel, Dead in the Family, fans will rejoice that the series is beginning to head in the right direction again. But as the series winds down to its conclusion, is Sookie really on the path to reader's ultimate satisfaction?

I used to like Sookie with Eric, but over the last few books their relationship has become less sexy and more annoyingly angst-ridden. In Dead Reckoning, Sookie spends a decent amount of time coming to terms with the fact that Eric has secrets. Um, duh? At this stage in the series, I'm becoming a little sick of Sookie's naivety. Married to Eric, ending up naked with Bill, a naked Alcide in her bed, and she's still no closer to understanding men, nor finding the happily ever everyone around her seems to be experiencing. While I've always wanted Sookie with Eric, Sam has always been a close second. Unfortunately, he comes off gratingly judgmental in his own sort of quiet way in Dead Reckoning.

Most secondary characters make their small cameos in this book - Jason, Tara, Andy, etc. It's nice to see what's been going on with them, but most didn't have any bearing on the plot of the book. Those who did do something plot-worthy - like Amelia - pop in, do their thing, and then pop right back out. If feels as though there is a large disconnect between Sookie and most of the other characters.

Sookie's fairy heritage is explained in more detail and finally starts making a lot more sense. Unfortunately, it also hints towards a huge plot happening that will annoy the heck out of me. The cluviel dor makes me very wary of things to come.

While Sookie and Eric took care of the Victor situation, all I could think was, poor Pam. Pam becomes a majorly sympathetic character in Dead Reckoning and I was very happy we finally got a glimpse under her strong exterior, although it was painful to read.

As Dead Reckoning is counting down to the end of the series (only two more books are planned), I expect both the action and emotion to start heading to unforeseen levels. Dead Reckoning just isn't as gripping as I thought it should be. It's a good book and easily the best of the last four or five books, but I was expecting more. I think it's safe to say that any necessary groundwork has been laid, any needed back story has been told, and it's more than time to start getting to the point of where this journey has been leading.

Rating

Links

Charlaine Harris's
Website