Adult Review: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Review: Dead to the World
Series: Sookie Stackhouse – Book 4
Author: Charlaine Harris
No of Pages: 321
Release Date: 3 May 2005

Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana. She’s pretty. She does her job well. But she has only a few close friends, because not everyone appreciates Sookie’s gift: she can read minds. That’s not exactly every man's idea of date bait - unless they’re undead; vampires and the like can be tough to read. And that’s just the kind of guy Sookie’s been looking for. Maybe that’s why, when she comes across a naked vampire on the way home from work, she doesn’t just drive on by. He hasn’t got a clue who he is, but Sookie has: Eric looks just as scary and sexy – and dead – as the day she met him. But now he has amnesia, he’s sweet, vulnerable, and in need of Sookie’s help – because whoever took his memory now wants his life.

Sookie’s investigation into what’s going on leads her into a battle between witches vampires and werewolves. But there could be even greater danger – to Sookie’s heart – because the kinder, gentler Eric is very hard to resist.

My Thoughts:

Another dive into the world of Sookie Stackhouse, and now that Bill is out of the way, it’s getting interesting.

Sookie once again is just getting better, taking Eric in after he suffers amnesia to help keep him safe to me is just so good for her and her growth in this society. Sookie still remembers her place in the supernatural society, but she also is starting to come into her own. Things aren’t quite as scary anymore and when Sookie finds out about witches actually existing she doesn’t freak out like she would have in earlier books.

Eric is just getting hotter as far as I’m concerned. Suffering from amnesia at the hands of the witches Eric has forgotten that he is a 1,000 year old Viking vampire that people bow to and cower in fear from as soon as he enters a room. Eric’s tender side in Dead to the World made me fall even more in love with him than before, because it proves that he’s not just an evil overlord, but that he may have a sliver of humanity left.

Eric is a little bit of an odd character for me, I don’t want him to be gentle; I want him to be hard hitting, evil and funny. But in Dead to the World, his tender side was just so perfect; it didn’t even seem like Eric. So although I missed witty Eric, I absolutely loved gentle Eric and although it fits him I can’t see the two sides of him ever reconciling into one being and if I had to choose it would definitely be evil Eric.

Alcide and his wolves also play a major part again in this book and with the addition of Alcide it once again adds more of a plot mover to the story.

I was so glad that Bill barely made an appearance in Dead to the World, as in Club Dead because I really don’t like him. Sookie doesn’t need the distraction that Bill causes and I am hoping that the series continues on this broader path of the extended set of characters.

Dead to the World also introduces witches, which for me wasn’t that big a deal. They seemed more like the hippy Wiccans rather than full blown cackling witches for most of the story. They made for an interesting dilemma for Sookie to deal with though.

Dead to the World was yet another excellent instalment in this fabulous series.

4/5

Bound to Shadows Contest Ends today!

Win a Copy of this Book Here - CONTEST ENDS TODAY! 

Review by Parajunkee

I got my first taste of the Riley Jensen series by downloading the first book Full Moon Rising on amazon for free. I love those Kindle Freebies! After reading Full Moon Rising I was undecided whether I should move on.  On reading Book 8, Bound to Shadows - well now I have to go back and start over and read the series!  I actually enjoyed this book more than the first. Maybe it is because Riley has matured - making a go out of monogamy - and finally embraced her career - but I actually liked her a little better than in the beginning.

In Bound to Shadows Riley is on a Who-Done-It mission to find out who is beheading the local vamps.  And while this might be the plot pusher - the real meat and potatos is Riley's love life and the triangle that is forming between her LOVE and her FATE.  I don't want to spoil - but I'm pushing for LOVE, even though FATE is damn smoldery (is that a word?)

Because this is so late in the series, I'm afraid of spoilers, which is why the quickie review.  Also I feel like I would do it an injustice, by giving it an in-depth review while not having read the books in between.  I am now going to do just that though.  So - if you haven't read the series, I do recommend it for vamp lovers and wolfy addicts alike.  There are some problems, which is why I'm rating as a 3.5 - but the book is entertaining.

Bound to Shadows supplied by Tricia at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.

BWB's Never Cry Werewolf Top Reviewer

http://www.caitlin-petersonbooks.blogspot.com/

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Here is her review:

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

This post is going to be in two parts. The first part will contain the discussion questions that were provided by the group administrators. The second part will address anything not covered by the discussion questions.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Q#1 - What do you think about stereotypical characters? Do characters like "Honey bun" - the evil stepmother & Shelby - the teen acting out, bother you, or are you accepting of them?

I find it hard to say characters are "stereotypical" in a book. The author wrote the character's personalities to best fit the story. Readers can relate and better understand the stereotypical characters. Besides, the story would have been totally different had the stepmother not been evil and the teen been a happy, obedient child. I don't think the characters in this particular story was a generalization of their groups. Not all stepmothers are evil, and not all teens act out. They just did in this story. So I guess I'm accepting of the characters the way they were written.

Q#2 - How did you feel about the immediate attraction and relationship between Shelby and Austin? Do you think it worked in this story or not?

Okay, this quetion addresses one of the issues I have with the book. I was really disappointed in the lack of punch when the two characters met. Just because they are teenagers doesn't mean that the awesomness of love at first sight (or attraction, whatever floats your boat) can't be powerful. There was no power in the "love at first sight" theme in this book. None. Zippo. Maybe a slight sizzling, but oh so forgettable. I wish it would have worked in the story. I think the story would have been ten times better had the attraction at first sight been more... more.

 
Q#3 - What did you think about the attempts the camp staff made to connect with Shelby? Were they at all effective? Did the staff have a point in their position on her personal life?

I've never been to a so-called brat camp. I have no personal knowledge of what the counselors would be like at such a camp. But it bugged me how A. they never listened to her, and B. they only perception they had of Shelby came from her parents. What was Shelby's take on her personal life? Did she ever have a chance to speak up for herself? Nope. That always bugs me when a character has no say whatsoever.

 

I do have to admit though, that I did appreciate the counselor's advice about her mother and the issues involved with that. I also thought that the letter writing idea was genius.

 
Q#4 - What is your opinion on parents who send their kids to reformation camps - the ones who need to be "reformed" and the ones who don't?
 

Is it okay for me to not have an opinion? I guess I was raised that if you have kids, they are your responsibility. Problems and all. Would I ever send my child to a brat camp? Probably not. Do I think badly of other parents when they do? No. It's their children and they can make whatever decisions regarding their upbringing that they want to. Who am I to judge?

 
Q#5 - Do you wish there would have been a bit more mystery regarding Austin being a werewolf, letting us get to know his character first and then the big reveal?
 

Yes, I do. The whole reveal went so quick! I practically blinked and all of the sudden he's a werewolf. There was no lead-ups, no mysterious happenings.. it was quite disappointing. I didn't even have time to wonder what he was, or ponder on why he wasn't quite acting "human".

 
Q#6 - Do you think this novel has enough momentum for a sequel? There was some hinting at the possibility (the scratch), do you think this would be a good follow-up?
 

I'm divided on the sequel question. One one hand, I wasn't interested enough in the characters or the story to continue on with another book. On the other hand.. I would love for Heather Davis to try again and hopefully write a better story this time. So if she does write a sequel, I might read it just to give her another chance.

 
 
IN MY OWN WORDS
 
I'm not sure if you could tell from the discussion questions, but I wasn't a huge fan of the book. These are the main reasons why:
 
1. The book was SOOO short. And not in a I'm-so-in-love-I-never-want-to-it-to-end kind of way, but in a that's it?!?! kind of way. It was too short to fully develop the characters. I didn't get to know Austin (the love interest) and was totally ambivalent towards him. He could have been a really nice guy, I just didn't know him. And everything went so fast. The big reveal was super quick, and the whole story was just over in a blink. It literally only took me an hour to read. I just couldn't get into it.
 
2. The other thing that bugged me was that Shelby was scared of Austin for more than half of the book. I just feel like if you're going to write a paranormal love story, the heroin needs to suck it up and be brave. Maybe there is an initial fear to make it realistic, but then she needs to come to terms with it and fall madly in love with him. But that's just me.

I did however, like the ending. I thought it was a great romantic gesture that Austin showed up at the camp to go through it with Shelby. And as far as the kiss went.. it was all right. Not the best on-page kiss ever, but it was okay.

Like I said, for the most part I didn't love the story. It wasn't memorable, and I didn't feel like the hour it took to read it was a good use of my time. There are so many other great YA paranormal/fantasy books, and this one doesn't measure up. Would it be dishonest to return the book even after I've already read it?

Interview with Heather Davis - author of Never Cry Werewolf BWB Feature

Heather Davis is the author of the paranormal teen novels Never Cry Werewolf (HarperTeen hardcover, September 2009) and The Clearing (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, April 2010).

Heather is co-founder of www.BooksBoysBuzz.com a popular teen fiction blog she shares with five other YA authors. She loves writing empowering, transformational stories where anything is possible.
Visit her at www.heatherdavisbooks.com
(Source: Amazon.com) 

 BWB: Tell us a bit about the book?

HD: Never Cry Werewolf is a teen paranormal romance geared toward younger readers.  It's a sweet, funny, light read.  It's purely for fun and entertainment -- and it has a good heart.


BWB: What drew you into the paranormal genre?

HD: My father was an English teacher and my mother is a flower child/new age hippie.  Paranormal was the obvious choice.


BWB: What do you like best about werewolves?

HD: I love the idea that everyone has two sides to themselves - a public and private side, I guess.
With werewolves, just like every human, there are ugly parts that never see the light of day, quite literally.

BWB: Did you base the main character Shelby Locke off of a real person/ actress, or is she completely fictional?

HD: No.  Shelby is a pure figment of my imagination, though I do know many teen girls that share her attributes --  including the teenage me.


BWB: Which character do you most relate to in Never Cry Werewolf?


HD: Shelby, for sure.  When things in your family change - for Shelby, her mother dying and a new, not-so-nice stepmother coming onto the scene - and your family doesn't discuss it with you, there is a sense of powerlessness that can overwhelm you.  That is certainly the case for Shelby.


BWB: Is there going to be a sequel to Never Cry Werewolf?


HD: I really hope so.  At lot of readers are writing me asking that question!  And for me, I have
a sequel in my head already.

BWB: Have you ever attended a brat camp as a teen?


HD: No, but I attended a lot of camps over the years.


BWB: What made you decide on writing a YA novel?


HD: I wrote 5 adult novels before I started writing YA.  I was partly inspired by a student
I had when I was substitute teaching at an elementary school.  Thinking back, my first short
story ever published (in Cricket Magazine) was for younger readers.  I guess it was meant
to be.

BWB: How did you become a writer?


HD: Many, many hours of practice, I guess.  I wrote plays and short stories all of my life, and
found novel-writing as an adult, but storytelling has always been part of who I am.  I was a
film major in college and intended to be a screenwriter/filmmaker.

BWB: How do you get your ideas for your books?

HD: They start as little blobs of ideas for characters or situations.  They glom onto other
blobs and grow into a story.  That probably doesn't mean anything to anyone -- but, it's like when I read an article in a newspaper or see something happen on the street and I start to think about it.  Soon, it's growing into a connected idea or series of events and situations.

BWB: Who is your favorite author?


HD: No fair!  That is too difficult a question to answer.  Currently in YA, I would have to say
Libba Bray or Scott Westerfeld.  I love writers whose stories carry the reader away.


BWB: Was the publishing process hard for you and what would you recommend for writers trying to publish?

HD: Yes.  I had been writing novels for six years before I found an agent and sold Never Cry Werewolf.  I would recommend that writers trying to publish find a critique group and get some solid feedback on their work -- really focusing on improving their craft before they worry about the selling part of writing.  That, and spending a lot of time "butt in chair" -- the only way to get better at anything is spending time doing it, right?

BWB:  Are you planning to write anything besides a possible sequel?

HD: Yes, my book for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, THE CLEARING, comes out in April 2010.  It {is} for slightly older YA readers and is a much more serious work.  People who are looking for something dark, brooding and emotional will really connect with it, I think.  It's a paranormal time-travel romance about a modern girl in love with a boy living in the endless summer of 1944.  After that, who knows?  I have several other projects underway!


All of us at Blog with Bite would like to thank Ms. Davis for taking the time to answer our questions.  We really appreciate it and wish you tons of luck with Never Cry Werewolf and The Clearing.

What did everyone think of the interview.  Do you believe everyone has a dark side like Ms. Davis says...the part of you that only comes out at night? We didn't see much of Austin's wolf in the book, but he sure scared Shelby.  If you found out your "love interest" was a were would you be able to embrace his dark side or run screaming into the underbrush?

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The current BWB book is Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis.

Synopsis: Shelby’s been making a few mistakes lately, primarily with the boys. But, her stepmother is really overreacting, especially when she suggests to her father that they send her to brat camp! Her entire summer ruined, prom cancelled – in exchange for weeks in the wilderness with a bunch of other dysfunctional teenagers.

At camp Shelby meets Austin Bridges III, very mysterious…and awfully cute. But, Austin isn’t just your run of the mill hottie. He’s also got a few problems – well they are at brat camp – and he needs Shelby to help him out. Shelby can’t turn down a boy in need, but she might just get into a lot of trouble for this one.
If you are interested in joining BWB and review Never Cry Werewolf, go to the web site and sign up!

The deadline for signing up for Never Cry Werewolf is Sept 21st so get on over there! A new book will be chosen quickly following sign-up deadline.