Club Dead

The Sookie Stackhouse series kicks into high gear with the third novel.  Inserting a third potential mate for Sookie in the form of Werewolf Alcide and some shady character deficiencies to Vampire Bill really put the relationship and romance in question, adding a nice backdrop to the non-stop action and danger Sookie finds herself in Jackson.

These books have already been in the variety of "can't put down" but Club Dead truly keeps the reader glued to the page.  The best i've read yet.  Can't wait to dive in deeper as this series really gains some steam.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Living Dead in Dallas

Continuing the fun that started in Dead Until Dark, with some nicely added twists and characters that should set up some great future installments. Having watched True Blood season 2 before reading this, i'd have to say i was a little bored following one story line, but the books really bring Sookie's personality front and center.

4 stars out of 5

Dead Until Dark

Every bit as funny, frightening and sexy as the show True Blood, which is based on this series. I enjoy the mashing of genres and the authenticity of the characters and their actions. Goes to places the TV show doesn't, in a way that is equally enjoyable. A rare occurrence where each medium explores the same content but uses their diverse techniques to bring out the best of what's at its core. A delicious treat that's none too serious, but riveting and engaging.

4 stars out of 5

New Moon

i actually didn't read this in French, but i wonder if that would have made it more interesting. These Twilight books are great. Great, because it gives hope to any hack writer out there, that with a good publicist and shitty writing, you can still make it in the book industry. This one was worse than the first one. A third act that had little to nothing to do with the first two acts, an inconsistent and annoying set of characters, and writing that seems devoid of any edits, revisions, or a thesaurus. Why did i waste my time, again. Here's to pop culture and hysteria!

2 stars out of 5

Twilight

Teen romance melodrama, yet still quite a page turner. The literary equivalent of Degrassi Jr. High (wait--i don't mean to demean Degrassi in that way), what with it's teen lens that finds so much drama in a cafeteria setting. Still, Bella's POV narrative is somewhat engaging, and whisks along at a brisk pace, you'd almost think that Meyer was once a teenage girl.

The whole vampire genre never really interested me, but i like the suspense in figuring out what rules apply in this version. i still don't quite understand what Bella sees in a jerk like Edward (how's that for inviting the wrath of the Palefaced Lovers) but then again, i never did understand why teenage girls go for jocks (i mean, jerks--sorry, typo).

i don't need to recommend this to anyone who's ever thought to read it. Just the fact that you're thinking about it, probably means you will given the mass hysteria around it. i also would not recommend it to people who haven't read it, because it really won't satisfy anyone who's not really interested.

i can see the reasons why it's been such a great seller. It has a trash romance quality that Fabio could sell, and a reading level that definitely makes it a guilty pleasure easily consumed. i just don't feel inclined to read on based on what i got out of it.

3 1/2 stars out of 5