From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8) Reviews

• from dead to worse

  
  By A1HM4GGGNKZ37B on 2008-05-07
  Let me start out by saying how much I love the Southern Vampire Mysteries. I was super excited for this book, yet I feel very let down after finishing. But I'll start with the positives. The characters were great. Bon Temps was great. I love immersing myself into Sookie's little corner of the world so much that I've read most books in this series at least twice. All of the characters were true to themselves; no one did anything out of the ordinary. No, the characters weren't the problem.
  
  The problem with "From Dead to Worse" was the plot, specifically that there wasn't much of one. It seemed like there was a cameo from every character we have come to know. From Alcide & Sam to Amelia & Eric, they all came back to tie up some loose ends. There was no pacing or buildup to anything special, which brings me to another point. Isn't this series called the Southern Vampire MYSTERIES? Where was the mystery? Charlaine Harris is at her best when she writes mysteries as evidenced by her other series, so this book just seemed meandering & lost.
  
  There were several plot lines that all seemed to get the same page amount as the other. There was no big story here. First, we start with a revelation about Sookie's family & her ties to the fairy world. Then, we move to the Shreveport werewolves who are having loyalty problems with their pack. That storyline is tied up in roughly 70 or so pages, & we turn the page to the vampires. Again, 70 or so pages are spent with Eric & Bill before we are thrust into the lives of Jason & Crystal. Finally, we end with Amelia & Bob.
  
  I am upset with "From Dead to Worse" only because I love this series so much. I realize that many fans will feel differently, but I have tried to be as objective as possible. If this were my first book in the series, I would have put it down halfway through. I'll still continue to buy the new books in hardback, but I really hope that the next Sookie book has a little more bite.
  
  

• More like a series of vignettes than a novel to me, but I enjoyed the various parts (3.5 stars)

  
  By A3AVJCB1ZD6ZY5 on 2008-05-10
  I honestly am such a fan of Charlaine Harris that I'd go just about anywhere she'd take me. "From Dead to Worse" wasn't quite all over the map, but there wasn't as much of a central them in this book as there was in her usual entries in this series.
  
  We went from weddings, to family revelations, to were-wars--and there was so much more. While the varying parts were interesting and many did tie together, there wasn't the overall unity in this book I have expected from the series.
  
  The beginning chapter where Sookie served as the bridesmaid for Halleigh's wedding was a spinoff from Ms. Harris' short story in an anthology collection, "My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding." I'm wondering if the rest isn't bits and pieces that have just needed resolving for some time.
  
  I think you will see some answers to some interesting questions you've had as readers all along--like where did Sookie get her gift, what makes her different? And there are a few other surprises in store.
  
  Interesting, in part, not as cohesive and riveting as her usual offerings are in a whole. "From Dead to Worse" is still very much worth the read if you are a die-hard Sookie fan like I am, but this is honestly the first of the series I can't simply rave about.
  
  Rebecca Kyle, May 2008
  
  

• Louisiana Blues

  
  By A1I2O9Y3X3HXLS on 2008-08-07
  From Dead to Worse (2008) is the eighth fantasy novel in the Southern Vampire series, following All Together Dead. In the previous volume, Sookie Stackhouse finally realized what was going on and organized an evacuation party from the human workers. Cecile set off the fire alarm and other humans started downstairs.
  
  Sookie managed to get Erik Northman up and the two of them got Pam into her coffin and then pushed it out the window. Sookie told the EMTs how to handle the vampires and then acted as a spotter for the rescue teams. Then she found Andre buried under some rubble.
  
  In this novel, just about everybody in town is present for the double wedding of Portia Bellefleur to Glen Vick and Halleigh Robinson to Andy Bellefleur. The ceremony has been scheduled after dark so that the vampires can attend. The Weres are represented by Calvin Norris and Tanya Grissom. Sookie is not very pleased to see Tanya again.
  
  Sookie was invited as a guest, but both Sam Merlotte and herself are working the bar since the intended bartender was injured in an auto accident. Then one of Halleigh's bridesmaids is taken to the hospital and Sookie is asked to fill in for her. Sookie rushes upstairs and changes out of her barmaid outfit.
  
  The bridesmaid dress is a little tight and the shoes are a half size too small. Luckily she won't have to rush around while wearing them. Getting downstairs to the garden is going to be the worst part.
  
  The wedding goes well and the two couples are married without any mishaps (except for the missing bartender and bridesmaid). The photographer takes pictures of Halleigh's bridesmaids first so that Sookie can get back to work. She quickly changes clothes and her toes sigh with relief.
  
  As Sookie is handing out drinks, she meets an oriental vampire who says that he is called Jonathan since his real name is not pronounceable by most people. She notices a Nevada driver license in his billfold as he leaves a tip. He bows to her and she bows back.
  
  Sookie also notices an older man at the edge of the woods. He sees her looking at him and steps forward as he gazes back at her. When he comes forward, all the vampires look his way simultaneously, bow slightly, and then go back their ongoing conversations. The man looks withered, but beautiful.
  
  Sam asks Sookie about Tanya Grissom as they work the bar. Sam has gotten the impression that Sookie doesn't like Tanya. Of course, he is correct; Sookie had some bad experiences with Tanya when she was hired by the Van Pelt family. But Sookie knows that Sam likes Tanya and doesn't feel quite right about spreading her prejudices to her boss.
  
  When Sookie gets home, Amelia Broadway is waiting at the kitchen table to hear about the wedding. She is living with Sookie, but is not really a member of the local social circle and was not invited to the wedding. Amelia also has something else to discuss with Sookie. Her father -- a rich contractor in New Orleans -- wishes to visit Amelia and wants to meet Sookie.
  
  In this story, Copley Carmichael tries to act as like a good old boy, but Amelia's father is obviously used to being a local power broker. Amelia loves the old man, but is also afraid of him. She just can't say no to him.
  
  Eric calls Sookie and asks her to go out with him for a dinner meeting. It is not a date, for Eric intends to escort her to the meeting and then wait outside until she is done. Sookie finds that the lovely, but withered, man is waiting for her. She soon finds out that he is a Fairy prince and also her great-grandfather.
  
  Amelia's witch mentor shows up at the house to speak with her errant student. Amelia has been avoiding Octavia Fant since Bob Jessup was turned into a cat during some exotic sex with Amelia. Of course, Amelia is really not eager to face Octavia and admit that she still hasn't been able to reverse the transformation.
  
  Alcide Herveaux calls Sookie to ask for a favor. One his fellow Weres has been murdered and he would like Amelia to perform an ectoplasmic reconstruction of the killing. Octavia goes along to help Amelia with the spell.
  
  This tale soon has Sookie facing attempts to murder her. On two separate occasions, an unknown Were tries to kill her and no one knows why. Alcide believes that Patrick Furnan -- the new packmaster -- is responsible for the murders and murder attempts.
  
  Sookie blames these troubles on Hurricane Katrina. All Louisiana has been disrupted by the storm. The vampire hierarchy in the state has been greatly weakened and even the werewolves are having problems.
  
  Then there are Sookie's personal problems. Jason is having troubles with his wife Crystal and is not handling it well; Tanya is not helping the situation. Arlene is still hanging around with the local Fellowship of the Sun group and now hates Sookie. Bill Compton is still professing love for her and Eric is still trying to find out what happened when he lost his memory.
  
  The story has some depressing times and moments of pure terror, with occasional flashes of joy. It is just one thing after another in the life of Sookie Stackhouse. Enjoy!
  
  Highly recommended for Harris fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of telepathic disabilities, preternatural creatures, and tangled romance.
  
  -Arthur W. Jordin
  
  

• A rustle in the wind reminds us a fairy is near. -Author Unknown

  
  By A37E6RW5BUX4U0 on 2008-05-13
  Sookie Stackhouse, telepath and friend to supernatural's everywhere, has several situations exploding all around her. Her boyfriend Quinn is MIA, the Were community is at odds as is the Vampire community, her bother's marriage seems to be off to a rocky start, and Sookie seems to be front and center when it all comes to a head.
  
  With attempts on her life and the deaths of some of her friends, Sookie's world is getting more and more dangerous. Yet in the midst of all the danger, Sookie finds some unexpected happy surprises.
  
  I loved this book with a capital L! So much is going on with the supernatural folk that Sookie associates with; it's non stop action from cover to cover. Some of things I have been dying to see happen, finally do. While chaos surrounds Sookie, she starts putting some order in her life, and she and Eric, her former Vamp lover, almost have a REAL conversation. *gasp*
  
  This is a book that has Sookie going through a lot of changes and making all sorts of discoveries in her life. I was all consumed in this book from page one and when I reached the last page I debated on whether or not to start reading it all over again. Had it not been for my impatiently waiting sister, I would have.
  
  Charlaine Harris is a fabulous author, no question. Her style of writing is so engaging, so descriptive and entertaining; it takes only about a page of reading before I feel like I have been transplanted to Bon Temps, Louisiana. I have been counting down the days till this books release, greedy to get my hands on it, and I was not disappointed in the least; she always delivers. The last two pages have me already eagerly anticipating the next in the series...and hoping she inherits a little vampire speed while writing so I don't have to wait so long!
  
  Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse)
  Living Dead in Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 2)
  Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)
  Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)
  Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)
  Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)
  All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)
  
  Cherise Everhard, May 2008
  
  
  

• Bye-bye, Blake!

  
  By A16V7NW9TL7NUW on 2008-05-06
  Marvelous, as always! I can't wait for the next book! Sookie, Bill, Sam & the gang are incredible stand-alone characters, and they just keep evolving. Harris has a way of pulling the reader in with incredible detail, mood and tone. (Haven't caught the previous Southern Vampire books yet? Don't worry...you'll be just as entertained.)
  
  I'm a reader who's given (the once revered but now complacent) author Laurell K. Hamilton lots of my hard-earned money, only to receive simplistic, transparent plots, no character development and the cheesiest sex scenes ever in return. So if you, too, are seeking something more challenging and hear the words "vampire" and "series" in the same sentence, you cringe. But this is a leap of faith you'll be glad you took.
  
  Charlaine Harris is an author who respects her readers. The supporting characters in this series don't remain droll extensions of Sookie, desperately seeking out her affections (because without her existence, their loins would simply combust spontaneously! *eye roll*).
  
  No, Harris' readers are smarter, and she knows it. This book's pace is perfect - although I couldn't put it down and sped through it. It doesn't feel rushed, and Harris leaves plenty of room for interpretation. The author gives us character development - Bill, Sam, Eric, even Pam would be great characters on their own. Harris uses actual events (Hurricane Katrina) and instances (Anne Rice's effect on Louisiana tourism) to help pull us in.
  
  Thank you, Ms. Harris, for honoring us with The Southern Vampire Mysteries. The series continues to take us on a wild, bumpy ride with plenty of gasps and sobs in between.
  
  If you're looking for relief from the hilariously-cheesy poorly-written sex camp that the "Anita Blake Vampire Hunter" series has become, please follow my lead and give The Southern Vampire Mysteries a go.
  
  "From Dead to Worse" is another great "Southern" ride.
  
  
• From Dead to Worse
  By A27992GJRRJKUK on 2008-05-07
  No question, From Dead to Worse is a bridge book in the Southern Vampire series. I am one fan who thinks that is just peachy keen fine. I thought this was an excellent book, very engaging, by which I mean I read it all in one sitting, no stopping. While it's true that this book is episodic in nature, my feeling is that going along with the characters on these episodes is high entertainment. As I get older, I find it becomes harder to concentrate, and that Charlaine Harris continues to hold my attention eight books into this series is just wonderful. The truth is, if you are going to read this series, you need to start with the first book. Read them in order, and don't start with this one, because you need to know all the back story to fully appreciate how far the characters have come. (And can I just say: Sookie needs a vacation! Ms. Harris, send her off to a beautiful island where she can relax, forget her cares for a while, sip some rum punch on nice beach, and maybe go limbo-ing with some nice fella who doesn't want anything more than the pleasure of her company.)
  
  I think this book is for the fans who have fallen in love with these characters. We've spent the last year since the release of All Together Dead wondering what was going to happen next, and musing about the paths the characters would take. From Dead to Worse tells us some great stories, fills in some of the personal details we've all been aching to know, and sets the stage for what will be I hope many more books to come. I think From Dead to Worse was fabulous. Brava, Ms. Harris!
  
  
• 3 1/2 Stars
  By A11GIIHZ6Y7UU1 on 2008-05-06
  I love Charlaine Harris' writing. I'd probably enjoy reading the ingredients off a box of cereal if she wrote it. That said, I found "From Dead to Worse" not up to the standard of the other novels in the series. It struck me a bit as a way to clean up the series and position it for future novels. We met just about every character introduced to date, and either found a way to get rid of them or firm up their position in the series. I was left with the feeling that the number of characters was becoming unwieldy and Ms. Harris used this novel to rectify the situation. She's left us in a good position for follow on novels, so by all means read it. I'll just be waiting for paperback versions rather than paying right away for the first hardcover off the press.
  
  ****SPOILER ALERT****
  
  It seems out of character for Sookie to have dumped Quinn the way she did, but it does get him out of the picture and leave her open for a Bill/Eric/Alcide/Sam conflict. I doubt we'll be seeing much more of Jason or the werepanthers (no big loss). The introduction of a greatgrandfather and a telepathic nephew was a little open-ended for my taste, but I still enjoy everything Ms. Harris writes.
  
  
• entertaining original fantasy
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2008-05-06
  The bomb explosion at the vampire summit in Rhodes, Louisiana scared, Sookie Stackhouse, telepathic extraordinaire and waitress at a diner owned by a shapeshifter., She prays she will have a respite from problems in the supernatural world. She does not expect any because so many vampires and other species died or are missing including her were-tiger boyfriend Quinn..
  
  Unfortunately the last thing Sookie knows is that a crisis begets a worse crisis. During the were contest for Packmaster, Alcide's father was killed and Furnan consolidated his reign. Now people loyal to Alcide are dying and he thinks Furnan is responsible. When Furnan's wife is kidnapped, he blames Alcidede. Sookie tries to arbitrate a peace.
  
  The New Orleans vampire queen Sophie is in desperate straits as Katrina destroyed much of her power base in New Orleans, the bomb destroyed the vestige of her support and she is helpless while she is regenerating new legs. The city is ripe for a takeover from the king of Las Vegas but not everyone is happy with the new power structure. It is up to Sookie and her blood bonded vamire Eric Northman the vampire to prevent more deaths including the new ruler.
  
  The heroine prefers to keep to herself but tries to help the supernatural community while the humans reject her due to her telepathy prowess. She will do anything to save those she cares about while her animosity towards Bill the vampire who betrayed her remains strong. Action-packed yet character driven, FROM DEAD TO WORSE is Charlaine Harris at her world-building best with this entertaining original story.
  
  Harriet Klausner
  
  
  
• Great New Sookie Stackhouse!
  By A12T8Z1T2YZYZ0 on 2008-05-07
  Charlaine Harris's From Dead To Worse is a wonderful new offering in the Southern Vampire series.
  
  Sookie is recovering from the the monumental events of the last novel and trying to go about her life. Unfortunately for Sook, fortunately for us, life is not simple. She meets new people who change her life, makes important decisions (its wonderful to see Sook standing up for herself and making decisions prior to being forced into them - evidence of this character's progression and maturation), adjusting to changes and accepting herself and her abilities.
  
  This novel details some very important events that occur in the life of the Louisianna Supernatural community. Despite that fact, this novel is more character driven (in my view) than any of the other previous installments. This makes no change in my deep enjoyment of the series and I feel that in fact, its nice to see more introspection.
  
  The only real issue I had with this book has to do with the Sook-Erik blood bond and the effect on Sookie. I wish there had been a little bit more development of this idea.
  
  
• Big Disappointment
  By A2W9MX4JKLUQIJ on 2008-05-09
  Let me start off by saying that I love the Southern Vampire series...have come to know and love my favorite characters...let's go Eric! And have been looking forward to May since i first got hooked on the books last year.
  
  Up until this latest installment in the Sookie saga, i really thought that Charlaine Harris was growing as a novelist. With each book, prior to From Dead To Worse, i felt that the story line got better and better, Charlaine's style of writing grew less insipid, the character development was increasingly exciting, you felt like the author was growing with her heroine. Then you get a clunker like From Dead To Worse and wonder what the heck happened?!
  
  From Dead To Worse is pretty much the theme of this book...it starts off dead and it gets worse. No story line, no mystery, wasted time spent re-describing what's happened in prior books, which honestly could have been handled in a brief preface, wars with no real meaning other then to get a character from one place to the next, and no growth for Sookie. No lessons. No becoming a stronger/better person from what she's been through. No nothing. It was as if the author used this book as a throw-a-way so she could ready herself for the next chapter in Sookie's life (No Pun Intended). The whole book was just filler that got characters from one role to another with no real story line. IMHO this whole book would have done better as a blog.
  
  Throughout most of the book i found myself bored, frustrated, and really disappointed. You can do better Charlaine Harris.
  My advice to readers is to buy the book 2nd hand or check it out from the library.
  
  
• Very Disappointed
  By A2RA0NS69WEXYH on 2008-05-14
  I waited with baited breath for this book to come out. I found it overshadowed completely by a foul-mood Sookie. There were no humorous come backs or statements by her... just blah.
  
  All the characters seemed out of sorts. "Eric" did not sound/seem like Eric until almost the end. I don't know why it seems the author wants us to like bill again. I felt the Quinn storyline was rushed with a capital R.
  
  I hope this book is merely a bridge --- tying up loose ends and introducing characters to make the NEXT book as fabulous as (some)of the others were. The pattern seems to be one phenomenal, 2 OK, then back to phenomenal. 1, 4 & 7 are by far my faves.
  
  Hoping this was just a burp.
  
  
  
• So many storylines, so little time...
  By A1T17LMQABMBN5 on 2008-05-16
  Sookie Stackhouse has a lot on her plate. The Were community is planning to "come out of the closet," to expose themselves to the public in the same way the vampires had done some years ago. In the meantime, someone is trying to kill Sookie, and that someone could be a Were. Sookie suspects that the pack leader is the culprit, and when Maria-Star, werewolf Alcide's girlfriend, turns out dead, Alcide declares war. The vampires are also in the brink of something big. Sophie-Ann suffered some major injuries during the big fire that burned or killed most of the vampires during a summit (All Together Dead), and the Las Vegas vampires want to take over the state of Louisiana. The main vampires in the story -- Eric, Bill, Pam, etc. -- are fine, burns and other injuries all cured. Will Eric allow the new vampires to take over? More issues abound. Amelia's boyfriend, Bob, is still a cat; Quinn is MIA; Alcide may become the new pack leader; Sam is getting tired of Were and vampire politics; Bill loves Sookie, and he is letting her know in no uncertain terms that he loves her and wants her back, but he will let the decision to her; Eric has his own romantic agenda with Sookie; Sookie's cousin, Hadley, had secrets that Sookie now discovers; and Sookie discovers she has a great-grandfather, but not the jolly, take-his-grandchild-out-for-fishing type. And speaking of family, her brother Jason does something mean and unspeakable. Oh, and a new witch befriends Sookie. Through all this, Sookie manages to put on her uniform and wait tables at Merlott's.
  
  Does it sound like there's too much going on in this novel? Well, that's because there is indeed a lot going on. I'm sure I've forgotten to mention a few things. Harris starts out a plot, then moves on to something else. Then, a hundred or so pages later, she goes back to the previous plot, and so much had gone on since then that I'd almost forgotten about that storyline. This novel, like the previous three, feels crammed in. There is simply too much going on in just 359 pages. It feels like there are about five novels in one. (I'm sure I have mentioned this in my reviews of the previous two or three installments.) I was exhausted when I finished this book, trying to remember everything. The highlights for me were the ones centered on Eric and Bill, which were so little that I had to roll my eyes with dismay. Nothing much changes with the aforementioned storylines outside of a twist regarding Eric and his memory. Bill -- my favorite character, followed by Eric -- is still apologizing to Sookie, and she's still a pain about it all, which annoys me. I wish Harris would resolve that issue already. (Again, I think I mentioned this in All Together Dead already.) Perhaps Bill will never be Sookie's lover again, but perhaps they could get past this remorseful/outraged issue and become friends. If not, then just have Bill move to Silicone Valley and become the undead version of Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. I love him, but I don't see the point of having him make brief appearances in the books if the author is not going to use the character in any real way. In spite of it all, I enjoyed From Dead to Worse. To be fair, it is a little more organized than the previous two novels. And it appears that Sookie is doing a lot of soul-searching in this one. It also appears that there might be, just might be, a turning point in her relationship with Bill, one based on friendship in future books (at least I hope so! We need to get out of that hallway already). And I also like the last page, where the novel ends with a poignant note. I will continue to read the series because I am hopelessly hooked and because I adore the characters and the story's small southern town charm too much to let go, but I am hoping that there will be a good, compelling plot instead of five or six little ones jumping back and forth. To date, Dead to the World remains the best Sookie Stackhouse book for me. If you're a devoted fan, you won't be able to keep yourself from giving this one a whirl. (On a side note, I've noticed that the series title has changed from "Southern Vampire Mysteries" to "a Sookie Stackhouse novel." The hardback copy is also larger.)
  
  
• Transition book for Sookie
  By ARHCCHFXK4EC2 on 2008-05-07
  From Dead to Worse is a bit disappointing in that it is definitely a transitional book in the Sookie series, with most of the action either wrapping up loose ends from previous plot points or settling the various characters into position to move forward in future novels. That said, it was absolutely an appropriate point in the series for Ms. Harris to "clean house" a bit; the series was becoming a bit unwieldy with the many characters Sookie had become entwined with and the drama they brought with them into her life. I'm excited to see that the new developments in Sookie's life that occur in From Dead to Worse are directly related Sookie herself, not any of the supernatural creatures she is involved with. I think this is a promising, and I'm looking forward to reading what happens in the next book.
  
  
• A little dull among a dazzling series
  By A2S55OHT5QP003 on 2008-05-07
  I am a die hard fan of this series. I have been avidly looking forward to this book since the release of the last Sookie (which was incredible), but unfortunetly, From Dead to Worse missed the mark with this one.
  
  Am I glad I bought the book? Certainly. Her writing is excellent and it is always a pleasure to catch up with the characters ... but Sookie seemed a little too numb in this book. Events were happening -- you can't claim there isn't action, but Sookie reacted so numbly to everything that it dulled the excitement of the action development. It felt like one of those "in-between the series" books authors release in an anthology or on holidays. It didn't have full plot development. I'm sorry to say that I was disappointed.
  
  Will I anxiously await the next book in the series and buy it in hardbook the first day it is released? Without a doubt YES. I love this series, and I believe that "From Dead to Worse" was just average among a series filled with gems. I looking forward to the next one dazzling me again.
  
  
• luke warm
  By A3PLY46T22M4JV on 2008-05-09
  I am usually pretty hesitant to post other than stellar reviews for authors with amazing talent. Charlaine Harris is one of those authors that has proven to me time and time again her ability to keep me, as a reader, thoroughly wrapped inside a fictional world and entertained past not just the first book, but in every book following... until now.
  
  From Dead to Worse was not terrible. But it was not great either. I felt like the book was full of an assortment of anthologies Harris had dug out of the dusty closet, and thrown together haphazardly as an attempt at a full book to meet a deadline. As anthologies go; the stories did their purpose of moving the story ahead chronologically for the reader... however, as a full book I was left disappointed with a "filler" book-- something I hadn't expect from an author as talented as Harris.
  
  As other readers have commented, loose ends were tied; but I know for myself, with one particular character I was greatly disappointed how she brought the relationship to an end. I felt that at least two of the books were wasted building this great relationship up-- making us consistently wait for something tangible to occur; only to be decimated within a few pages. Whether or not I thought this character and Sookie were meant to be is inconsequential; the way that Harris ended their relationship, however, was completely utterly wasteful to me and did not do the character justice in the least bit.
  
  The introduction of Hunter to the series was the highlight that brought on the third star-- a definite redeeming factor.
  
  Any true Sookie fan will read this book. You probably won't hate it but it won't be your top choice of her books. You may find yourself understandably unhappy you paid more than $10 for a book you probably won't pick up again. All this said, From Dead to Worse is still a must-read simply for the information set-ups for the next book. Try the library.
  
  Hopefully Harris is done with filler books.
  
  
• Weaker than previous books, but questions are answered
  By ACEA95FQS1AVP on 2008-08-05
  I have really enjoyed every book in this series, including this one. So, I was surprised to find so many negative or mediocre reviews for it on Amazon. At least until I read those reviews. Many of them make valid points in their assessment, though I disagree with their conclusion. The plot for this book wasn't as dramatic or fulfilling as previous entries (figuring out a werewolf takeover in wake of the vampire meltdown wasn't a mystery). So, I could see how some fans would find the book lacking. A lot of characters do pop up seemingly just to tie up loose ends. However, I found these points actually made the book very good for me. It's nice to have some questions answered without 50 more rising to take their place.
  
  Not every book in a series needs to have a "save the world" plotline, with the heroine knee-deep in a conspiracy, and making life or death decisions. Sookie is not the kick-butt heroine that Anita Blake is. She's better - an independent, spirited woman doing her best in a world that is much bigger than she is, and she knows it. I liked seeing the domestic side of her life along with the paranormal chaos. The problems with her brother and his new wife; her ties to the werewolf pack and the trouble it causes; the issues with her new roommate, and the friendships she has, all make her seem more real. She has a life; she attends weddings; she pays bills. She steps in to help her friends, be they were or human. I also LOVED the revelation concerning her family history, and the surprise at the end. The next book will no doubt be another action-oriented mystery, but this one provides a nice transition from the vampire attack to whatever may be next.
  
  Certainly, if this were the first book in the series it would be a disappointment. But, eight books in it doesn't hurt to have a middle book that ties some things together and doesn't put the heroine in mortal danger every other chapter. I find that Rachel Morgan and Anita Blake have gotten to the point where the heroines have no lives anymore. They jump from one crisis to the next, and even their allies are a danger to them. I can't help but wonder how those heroines find the will to keep going when the authors give them so little to live for? Sookie's life may not be perfect, but there is a lot of happiness in it that helps her (and me) get through.
  
  I do admit I was somewhat disappointed in how her relationship with Quinn was so casually tied up, but overall I found the book a real page turner. Highly recommended.
  
  I also recommend the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is a lot like Sookie - a real person with real problems who also has to deal with paranormal issues.Moon Called (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 1), Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 2), Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3).
  
  
• a tormenting delight
  By A33UZDO4KB4S0H on 2008-05-07
  Finally the book was released!!!! I found it so engaging I wanted to read it straight through, but then it would be over so quickly, so I tormented myself by stopping to actually sleep. For a few hours anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I felt there was a flow to the events, not a 'tying up of loose ends' as others stated but rather a evolution. Life changes all the time, why would we expect less from life in Bon Temps? I thought the twist regarding the Were conflict was very clever. (trying not to add too many details since the book just came out!) I was actually left more interested in the next book in the series (HINT HINT Charlaine!!) because of the events which occurred in this book. Also, the writing is so off beat and engaging and LOL. I certainly hope the series gets made!
  
  
• Rare Dud from a Dazzling Author
  By A14GWLP353K2NA on 2008-05-09
  I just adore the Southern Vampire series--have read each book at least five or six times, because each book is always such a dependable, funny, interesting read. But this new offering is a disappointment. First off, a number of characters with real potential are just killed off. One, in particular, is a character I thought could be mined for a number of books and this character is killed--offstage, no less. A romantic break-up is handled so offhandedly and coldheartedly by our wonderful heroine that it just doesn't ring true. This is a paint by the numbers book, although Ms. Harris has demonstrated time and time again that she is anything but a routine writer. Too bad--hope number 9 reverses this.
  
  
• Disappointed
  By A3AXZ08UR6TCEC on 2008-05-14
  I've been a *huge* Sookie Stackhouse fan, recommending the books to all my friends and family and looking forward to the latest installment with bated breath.
  Boy, was I disappointed. It's starting to feel like Harris is just dragging things out to keep us hooked instead of actually resolving anything. And the things she does resolve, she resolves so quickly and easily, you're like, really? This is it?
  Overall, I'm sure Harris fans are going to be very disappointed with this latest one and as for me, I'll give her one more chance. But if book #9 doesn't start moving things forward, I'm walking away with my hands up.
  
  
• A Visit With Sookie
  By A265NE6H6LYX87 on 2008-05-17
  I love the Southern Vampire Mysteries series and I waited anxiously for From Dead to Worse to come out. While it's not a particularly strong entry in the series, it did tie up a few loose ends and kept me familiar with all my friends from Bon Temps, Louisiana. From the first few pages, I felt a comfortable feeling as I reaquainted myself with Sookie and her friends, wondering where her romance with Quinn was headed and if she'd finally connect with Eric.
  
  The problem with this novel is that the action seemed to come in spurts, and much of it was unrelated. I was excited to meet Sookie's great-grandfather, yet a bit let down that he seemed to be a secondary character who wasn't very forthcoming or engaging. The murder that occurs early on is rapidly solved; the Were showdown is equally fast, though thrilling while it's occurring. Eric does indeed show up, yet so does Bill, Sam, Calvin, and a whole host of regular characters, with the addition of even more. If this seems scattered, it is. The novel as a whole lacks focus, and while it's still fun to read, it never seemed to be leading up to anything.
  
  I love Ms. Harris's writing and I adore Sookie and her abilities, her friends, ex-lovers, and the crazy way she gets herself involved in the supernatural world. While I enjoyed this novel, it was mostly for the fact that I love the series and the characters, and not for anything special or riveting from the storyline. Still, it was engaging and fun, and I can recommend it as a pleasant way to spend time. I, along with the rest of the Southern Vampire Mysteries fans, will be eagerly looking forward to our next excursion into Sookie's always fascinating life.
  
  
• As Exciting As My Grocery List
  By ATN4J5VS8Q0YM on 2008-05-26
  While I've loved all the other books in this series, regardless of the characters decisions, I really disliked this book to the point that it actually makes me grumpy to think about it. It just seemed like a filler novel to keep readers on the hook till Ms. Harris can actually come up with the next storyline. And I couldn't help thinking, It took them a year to drag this out? And now I have to wait another year to see if it's even worth sticking with this series??!
  
  A lot of really boring humdrum, daily live takes place for Sookie, none of which is worth really knowing about. A few notable things happen, very minor characters are summarily killed of in convenient manners, and that's pretty much it. Oh, except that Quinn, a very important character thats been built up hugely for the past THREE YEARS is poutilly written off in a few sentences as Sookie stomps her foot like a tantrumish child.
  Really, it wasn't worth the money which is disappointing when the previous book was so thrilling.
  
  
  
  
• Don't buy the hardback..
  By ATF0AXQRMC2CF on 2008-05-10
  It is not worth the price.
  As many other reviewers have said - this feels like a 'filler' book that meanders through many various plot points that appear to clean up some of the loose threads from the last book and perhaps point the reader towards some up coming events that will call on Sookie to do more than paint her nails and cook for company.
  The plot points lack substance and there is no build-up, no tension that actually makes me care what is happening to the characters. I agree with one of the other reviewers - it feels like all the old characters are given cameos. Any of the major events in this book could have carried better plots, better tension and more climatic resolution and been a better stand alone book. The revelations are big - but they are not given any context that causes even the characters to do more than shrug at the outcomes.
  I'm not sure that Harris - like Evanovich(who also has let her readers down) - can hold this long of a series together. If she has a direction that she is leading her readers in - she had best make that crystal clear in the next installment. Until then, I will wait until her books show up at the library.
  
  
• Disappointed
  By A1C1KNVC88A9YH on 2008-05-10
  I really enjoyed reading the other books in this series - I love the sarcastic humor and the engaging characters. This latest release however, was a disappointment. I read it all in one sitting and when I was done I felt like there was nothing to talk about - not a whole lot happened with Sookie. I was disappointed that Quinn was taken out of the story so abruptly and I wished there was more dialog with Sookie and Bill and Eric. My least favorite of her books so far.
  
  
• The art of the connecting novel or scraping the bugs off the windshield
  By A3B49395B2J85K on 2008-05-14
  As others have said FDTW reads very much like a connecting novel in the Southern Vampire series. Seems Ms. Harris felt the need to engage in a little spring cleaning.
  
  We revisit and reassert Sookie's feelings on nearly every character from past books.
  We clear up a large number of insignificant but still niggling plot lines from past novels.
  We see the sudden arrival of a whole flock (or shall I say kiss?) of new characters while saying goodbye to just as many.
  
  I can almost see Harris sitting in the metaphysical attic of her mind going through her list of characters and packing them into boxes labeled "kill off" "love interest" "sent packing" "good" "evil" ect.. Everyone seems to leave this novel well labeled.
  
  There was also a great deal of action in this novel. More than once I found myself glancing to see how many pages were left and surprised at how much was left to read. FDTW covers a tremendous amount of territory, opening as many windows as it closes doors. You get a strong sense of "out with the old and in with the new", and I think it's safe to say a new phase in the Southern Vampire series is starting.
  
  Unfortunately, because of this chaotic milieu FDTW fails to stand very well on its own as a novel. There is no central plot line to the book, and indeed there is very little mystery to this installment of the Southern Vampire Mysteries. Each 2-3 chapters focus on a different topic leaving the whole thing to read more like a series of vignettes than one cohesive story. Beyond this the only other point that I found exceptionally irksome was Harris' continued propensity to slip in major plot points seemingly out of the blue without any foreshadowing. We see this a couple of times in FDTW in certain Stackhouse family revelations.
  
  So to sum up- As an addition to the Souther Vamp series I would probably give this book 4.5 stars since it is anything but stagnant and Sookie and all the characters of Bon Temps are still in character and very lovable. As a piece of fiction and a free standing novel however it was rather a mess -2.5 stars. So 3.5 and for love of Sookie I rounded up.
  
  For fans of the series I suggest you buy it, absorb it, try to love it in all its chaos, and get excited about what we can expect to see from these surprises next year.
  
  
• Another change of direction
  By A12L31UZ9HH4GR on 2008-05-17
  This review has *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS* *SPOILERS*
  
  No matter what situations Harris puts her lead character in, Sookie's "voice" is always true and convincing, so I can't complain about that. What I think I *can* complain a bit about is the way Harris seems to be constandly re-thinking the direction of these books. For instance, the second (or maybe third?) book ends with Sookie getting regular doses of vampire blood, exhibiting supra-human levels of strength and speed and starting to glow a bit (to her "supe"-sensitive eyes anyway). Clearly the original intent was for the next book to address this, but in the event Harris changed her mind and basically negated that storyline, making for a jarring transition. Similarly, the last book before this, took Sookie out into the wider vampire world with only perfunctory nods to Bon Temps. Either Harris felt it didn't work, or got negative feedback, because this book is an almost complete negation of that, placing Sookie firmly back in Bon Temps and putting her cares as a financially struggling waitress back front and center. All of the wider-world events started in the previous book affect Sookie only as they reach into Bon Temps. This is particularly apparent with the offscreen death of Queen Sophie, and the very unsatisfying way the vampire war plays out with Sookie and her front-porch being on the very periphry of events.
  
  Harris continues her trend of sabotaging love interests she feels aren't working out, this time sacking Quinn. I never liked Quinn, but the events that culminated in his being dumped seemed particularly arbitrary to me. Arbitrary as well, was Harris throwing Sam back into the romantic mix, with no thoughts from Sookie as to how he had previously taken up with the Menead who almost killed her. I thought as well that her remarks to him about why she wanted to stay involved in the vampire world were a bit weak. I've said in previous reviews and will say again here: For Sookie to stay involved with the vampires, she needs some actual vampire friends. Not lovers and ex-lovers like Eric & Bill, but some vampires she actually enjoys hanging out with. Bubba is too flaky [as an aside, I note that Harris apparently received some legal advice after the last book to the effect that it was OK to explicitly say that he was Elvis, something she had never done by name until this book], and apparently Pam is on another wavelength. You would think that after mixing for this long, if Sookie hasn't found any vampires she could hang around and play cards with, the scene isn't for her.
  
  
• Not her best
  By A1TSJV3WN0AEG4 on 2008-05-18
  I was so excited when I saw she had a new book coming out in May of 2008 and pre-ordered it and waited for what seemed like forever for it to get here. I was very disappointed with this book, and I have read them all. This book had no plot. It just kept randomly jumping from here to there, with nothing to tie it all together.I kept waiting for it to get better and that never happened. There was no suspense at all in this book. One little squirmish with the were's and that was it. No romance like all her previous books. I just didn't see where it was going. I love the Sookie Stackhouse series and have been pleased with all of them until now. Don't waste your money.
  
  
• Best Vampire Series
  By A3QAUTC3CMKUJV on 2008-05-07
  Im a horrible reviewer so I'll leave that to others except to say this is well written, intelligent, FUNNY, witty, great dialogue, all the characters are rich detailed and well rounded. You grow to love them all. Sookie is the ultimate hero and is a character who has developed over the series which some (Anita Blake) never did. The only downside is that the next book doesn't come out till 2009 Im dying for that one.
  
  
• Feels like a "bridge" book
  By A34FV0GJ45R105 on 2008-05-12
  I have followed this series since the first book and I have to say, it is on my automatic buy list.
  
  This book, while enjoyable, felt more like a book to bridge into the next book, not like a complete book within itself. Several elements are thrown in and some interesting things happen but the book feels somehow disjointed.
  
  If you love the series, definitely read this for the revelations that happen. Just don't be surprised if it isn't your favorite in the series as things don't seem to move forward much, despite said revelations.
  
  
• The middle act
  By A357NWYIYE4OUQ on 2008-05-12
  I did enjoy this book, though I'll admit to skipping around because I lost interest in some of the issues/characters... then I came back to them when I felt like it.
  
  The book really felt like the set up of a 2nd act in a three act play. Or an info dump for the next novel. I did however get a big kick out of the new family in her life and the poor cat.
  
  This book is for the Sookie fan not the casual reader. Start with the earlier books if you're unsure then work your way to this one. Can't wait for the next one (no pressure there).
  
  
• Yay! Sookie's back!
  By ATYNE57BK1C37 on 2008-05-14
  I was disappointed with the All Together Dead, but From Dead to Worse brought back the Sookie I've come to love. It's hard to give a synopsis of the story without giving spoilers. Sookie is back in her home town of Bon Temps trying to get her life back to some semblance of normal after the events at the vampire conference. Normal isn't an easy thing for Sookie anymore, and before too long she's dragged into a conflict with the weres and then the vampires, not to mention the grief her brother causes.
  
  This book isn't for someone that is unfamiliar with the series. It ties up a lot of old plot points, as well as bringing in new material for the series to continue. Sookie is back to being the poor but well-bred southern gal we came to know from the first of the series, yet she grows in this book. She finally gives herself permission to take care of her needs even if that is being selfish. The story moves quickly from one problem to the next rather than having one big story arc. I can forgive this for one volume. I much preferred having a lot of different plot points resolved. It was sort of like a week or two in the life of Sookie Stackhouse. Rather than being driven by a single plot or mystery this book involved more of a character driven story. It's Sookie really coming to terms with her involvement in the supernatural community and realizing for all of the danger it involves, she is happier now.
  
  

• Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16)
• The Outlaw Demon Wails (Rachel Morgan, Book 6)
• All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)
• Undead and Unworthy (Queen Betsy, Book 7)
• An Ice Cold Grave (Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 3)