ISBN-13: 9780441016990Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Published: September 2008
292 pgs
Series: Southern Vampire Series, #1
(TV Tie-In Edition)
Sookie Stackhouse works as a cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. She may seem like an ordinary woman from the outside, but actually she has this sort of "disability" in which she is able to read other people's minds. Some people might be thrilled to have this "disability", but not in Sookie's point of view. She thinks it gets into her way of life, and it is definitely not fun to be able to know what your date would think of you, no matter if it is inside or outside the bedrooms. So most of the time, she blocks out the thoughts from the others, and she thinks it is rude to listen in anyway.
And then, out of nowhere Bill Compton walks into her life. Bill is no ordinary man for he is a vampire, and Sookie is very much attracted to him. And what made it even better is, she cannot read his thoughts at all. Shortly after their acquaintance, Bill was mugged by a moneygrubber couple as they want to drain and sell his blood to the black markets since vampire blood is supposed to temporarily relieve symptoms of illness and increase sexual potency. Beforehand, Sookie has sensed something fishy about them in the bar so she followed them and saved Bill along the way. However this has formed a bad blood between Sookie and the couple and the latter are waiting for a chance to get even with her. But they had no chance for a few days later, they were found dead and trapped under the trailer which was believed to be caused by a tornado but Sookie knew better.
Sookie and Bill soon became romantically involved. Then, more murder cases started adding up and initially Bill became the suspect. But the police quickly focused their attention towards Sookie's brother, Jason, after knowing he had contacts with the victims before their death and it is now up to Sookie to find the murderer before she becomes the next victim.Once again, I find myself get sucked into the vampire world and this time around, it is Charlaine Harris' first installment of her Southern Vampire series that had me entranced from the beginning till the end. In Dead Until Dark, Charlaine introduces her readers to her heroine, Sookie Stackhouse and a whole new vampire mythology that feeds off synthetic blood and staying mainstream (to live and fit into the human society). Right from the start, I know I would expect something different and fun from this series and I was glad this book did not disappoint.
Besides the brilliant idea of the vampires feeding on synthetic blood, the characters are all very engaging and what most attracts me is Bill, for he is one complex character so unlike from any other vampires. Aside from his charismatic style, I find he has morals too which I find so downright fascinating and sexy. Sookie Stackhouse is another interesting character that I am drawn to; she is vulnerable and has flaws but still she made a good heroine. I enjoyed reading her intense exchanges with Bill, and even Sam, who is her boss at the bar. As if these tensions are not enough to satisfy my reading hunger, Charlaine Harris threw in a twist that completely took me off-guard. As you can tell, I am now a fan of her Southern Vampire series. I wonder what is in store for the next sequel?
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LOL--as soon as I saw that cover pop up on my reader my heart skipped a beat! :) The second cover is the one that would get me to pick up the book, though. Glad you enjoyed!!
I think you remember how disappointed I was with this book. And it surprises me each time I read a review that praises it.
I think I need to start the next book by looking at it at a different angle. I think I went into the first book thinking it would be a serious, literary book, and it definitely is neither of those things.
I'm really glad you liked it! Hopefully the second will not disappoint. :)
Trish - LOL. If a book has two covers, I'll usually post the one which I read. Frankly speaking, I prefer the other cover too. ;)
Jessica - I'm sorry you are disappointed with this book. But I think the story is quite entertaining... and funnily I like Bill. I've no idea when I'll read the next book though... and hopefully it'd be better! :)
Hi Melody. I've read a lot of good reviews for this book. Have been dying to read it but need to go through all my other unread books. Wonder if you've seen True Blood? Is it anywhere close to how the book is?
I really want to read this! It is definitely sitting in the TBR stack.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Ulat Buku - No, I haven't but I know it is shown on MAX and I've to be a subscriber to be able to catch this series. I hope you'll enjoy this book if you get to it!
Amy - I can't wait to 'hear' your thoughts if you get to it! :)
It seem that you enjoy the book, glad that you did. Great review!
By the way, how come your office server make it difficult for us to chat via email but you have no problem with posting comments here on your blog? Hmmmm????
Julia - Thanks! I did enjoy the book.
Honestly, I've no idea how that happened too... but at least one of them is working, right? ;)
Right, atlease one of them is working LOL -- and OOPsie - hey, sorry if I come across as being rude in my previous comments here. It wasn't meant the way it sounded :) I was really asking the question and curious with wonder LOL
3:46 PM
Julia - It's OK. You know, our server is so unpredictable at times. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. :)
I have heard so much about this series. Glad you likes it. The black cover below is awesome. somehow I think the first cover makes it look like a normal vampire book.
I enjoyed this first book, although not enough to continue the series. Glad you enjoyed it even more!
I love the Sookie Stackhouse series and look forward to Book 9 however I must Say I LOVE TRUE BLOOD and BILL COMPTON! Always have and always will!
http://truebloodnet.com
I love Sookie! I'm 4 or 5 into the series and I'm having lots of fun with it.
I'm glad you liked it. I have it in my TBR pile. I'm looking forward to it.
I loved this book! Great review.
Love those book covers, they definitely have me interested! I've been getting in vampire novels a little bit more lately, so your review is very helpful!
Violet - I enjoyed reading this first installment. And I agree the second cover is better! ;)
Stephanie - I hope the second book will be better and more intense! :D
Anonymous - I love Bill Compton too. He's one extraordinary hero, I must say. :)
Beth - Looks like I've to catch up on this series. I'm seriously behind, hehe.
Kristy - I can't wait to hear your thoughts if you do get to it. :)
Krishna - Thanks! I'm glad you loved this book too!
Kim - The first cover is eye-catching, isn't it? LOL.
I just adore this series (can't wait for May!). I recently re-read the entire series again and loved it just as much as I did the first time :)
Don't really like Bill anymore. Team Eric all the way!
I'm officially the last one left who hasnt read this series! Maybe i'll get some in this summer.
great review :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Great review Melody! I read this one years ago and did follow up on the sequel but never got around to the third book. I may have had a bit of vampire overload at that time :)
I really need to check back with the series though.
Jen - This series must be really good if you re-read them! LOL. I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book soon! ;)
Naida - I feel the same way while reading the first book. But then, it's always better to be late than never, isn't it? ;)
Iliana - Thanks! :) It seems like I can't get enough of vamp books at the moment, hehe.
Great review! Would you mind linking to mine?
http://www.melissas-bookshelf.com/2009/03/review-dead-until-dark.html
Melody, I am glad to see you dive into this wonderful series. It is one of my favorites. I really like Sookie. :-)
Melissa - Thanks for the link, Melissa! :)
Wendy - I regret that I didn't start on this series sooner, but I'm glad I did! It's always better to be late than never, eh? ;)
Must read must read must read! I have True Blood on pre order from the States and it won't be long now yay!
I hope you don't mind: I posted a link to your review on my review post here.