Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

This novel is the fifth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series (I told you I was going through them quickly). In this novel a sniper is shooting shifters in Bon Temps and the neighboring WerePanthers believe Sookie's brother Jason, a new addition to their pack, may be involved. Meanwhile, Sookie also becomes involved in the politics of the Shreveport Werewolf pack.

While I am still enjoying this books I have to allow myself a mini-rant. I hate soap-operas and dramas because of the constant back and forth of relationships. This is something that's starting to bother me about these books. It seems like every books since Sookie breaks up with Bill adds one more character to stand in line for Sookie's attentions. So far we have Bill, Eric, Sam, Alcide, Calvin and now Quinn seems all too interested in Sookie. I was okay when it was just Bill, Eric and Sam, but this is getting to be ridiculous. I just want her to get back together with Bill already!

Okay, rant over. Despite this irritation, I'm still really enjoying the books. I only have three more to read before I'm completely caught up. Then a new book comes out May 5.

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Dead to the World is the fourth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I think I said this before, but it's been a while since I've read through a series this quickly. They're such entertaining and easy reads that as soon as I finish one I'm ready to start right in on the next.

In this novel a witch casts a spell on Eric erasing his personality. He knows what he is and what that means, but that is all he can remember. Sookie becomes his caretaker until the situation can be resolved. She quickly begins to fall for this kinder, gentler version of Eric. Meanwhile, she is also searching for her brother Jason, who has disappeared and may have been kidnapped by the witches.

While Bill barely appears in this novel, it's kind of interesting seeing the alternate version of Eric, though at times I found myself missing the egotistical smartass version. And while I am a Sookie/Bill shipper all the way, I was also mildly amused by the relationship that sprung up between the two in this story.

Small Favor by Jim Butcher

This book concludes my re-read of The Dresden Files. The new novel comes out a week from Tuesday.

The first time I read Small Favor I had mixed feelings about it, but I'm not sure why because this time I loved it. In this novel Dresden is once again up against the Denarians, a group of humans possessed by fallen angels. Dresden, with the help of the remaining Knights of the Cross, Karrin Murphy and Luccio, captain of the wardens, has to stop them from realizing their plans - which could mean the end of civilization as we know it. In typical fashion Dresden starts out the novel getting beat up and it all goes down hill from there.

I know I've said it before, but I really love this series. I love Dresden and I love the way his point of view is written. His sense of humor make even the darkest situations look amusing. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Living Dead in Dallas and Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

Okay, so I'm reading through these Sookie Stackhouse novels like crazy. I never thought I would enjoy them this much. Granted, their not stellar writing or anything, but they are entertaining and they're quick reads. Since I don't have a whole lot to say on either book specifically, I thought one post for both would suffice.

In Living Dead in Dallas, a member of a vampire nest in Dallas disappears so Eric, sheriff of the area of Louisianna in which Sookie and Bill live, sends them to help locate the missing vampire. Back home, there is also a murder to solve (I won't say whose, because it ruins the first season finale cliffhanger if I do, although I thought it was fairly obvious when I watched it). While in Dallas Sookie discovers a fanatical vampire cult, The Fellowship of the Sun (which is already familiar to True Blood viewers).

In Club Dead Bill has been kidnapped while working on a project for the Queen of Louisianna so Sookie travels to Mississippi to find him. Of the first three novels, this one has the most coherent storyline. The first two tend to cover a lot of ground and have several storylines going at once, though this does lend well to adaptation for the series. However, the third novel really follows one storyline from beginning to end. I think this is probably the best novel so far.

One general comment I feel compelled to make is that while I loved Eric Northman on the show (Alexander Skarsgard is perfect for the role), I love him in the books even more. I'm really hoping we get to see more of Eric as he is written as the show progresses. I think this side of Eric was just starting to come out towards the end of the season. But Eric is such a great character in the books that I'm really hoping we get to see more of him in the second season of the series.

Why We Suck by "Dr" Denis Leary

This book is a commentary on America and it's culture from the perspective of comedian Denis Leary. Need I say more?

Why We Suck is pretty much what you would expect from Leary. It's loud, obnoxious, rude, offensive, crude and absolutely hysterical. Even when he's making fun of something you may like or enjoy, it's hard not to laugh.

Here's a few things I learned from Dr. Leary:
1. He loves Oprah. Who woulda thunk it?
2. He hates spoiled celebrities (aka Britney and Lindsay)
3. He is a devoted family man who loves his wife and children.
4. He, like myself and much of America, would love to see Michael Vick torn to pieces by starving dogs.

And that's just a very few of the topics touched on within this rant. I call it a rant, because like much of Leary's stand-up, that's pretty much what this is. If you don't like Leary, don't read this book. If you can't laugh at yourself or if you don't have a sense of humor, don't read this book.

However, if you're someone who can appreicate Leary's sense of humor then this book is for you.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

I've know about this series for years, but despite my fascination with vampires could not bring myself to read them because they just seemed like a sci-fi pop-fiction, chick lit type series. After reading the first novel in the series I'm pretty sure my initial assessment was correct, but I loved it anyway.

Last week I watched the entire first season of True Blood and became enthralled with the series. Since it will be several months until the second season starts I decided to satsify my impatience and curiousity by reading the the novel the series was based on.

First of all I must say that I was impressed that an entire season of a TV show was based around one novel, and the series actually did a pretty good job of following the main outline of the novel. Naturally some things were changed, moved around in chronology, etc. But I was surprised how much of the novel actually made it into the series. I think the main difference between the books and the series may be that the books are a little more "innocent" in some ways than the series is. In other words, the books don't have quite as much graphic violence, sex or swearing.

I am fascinated by the character of Bill Compton in this book. In most of the vampires stories I've read, or watched on TV, the vampires hate what they are and/or are hesitant to enter into relationships with humans (ie Angel, Mick St. John, Edward Cullen). However Bill Compton is not at all ashamed of who he is and he is the one that seems to pursue the relationship with Sookie. It's an interesting persective on a relationship between a vampire and a human.

I am also a bigger fan of the written Sookie over Anna Paquin's Sookie. Maybe it's just because in the novels you can see the motives behind Sookie's actions and you're reading her thoughts. On screen she occasionally comes off as stiff or unemotional at times.

This book wasn't amazingly well-written or anything like that, but it was a quick read and fairly entertaining. If you're a fan of the series, you may enjoy reading these novels. But don't read too far ahead to the second novel if you want to remain unspoiled for season 2. The very first chapter gives away the identity of the victim at the end of season 1 (it was exactly who I thought it was).

Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko

Night Watch is the first novel in a four-part series that became a bestseller in Russia.

The novel takes place in an alternate reality in with "Others" exist; people of either Dark or Light who can become magicians, shapeshifters, vampires and many other fantastical beings. In this world an ongoing war between the two sides has shaped history, up until a treaty was signed. As the novel unfolds the forces of Light, who call themselves The Night Watch, are attempting to maintain the treaty.

The book is broken up into 3 smaller stories, each narrated by Anton Gorodestky, a young magician and member of the Night Watch. At first the premise was intriguing and the complex world was fascinating. I was impressed with Lukyanenko's imagination and the depth of the world he had created.

By the third story some of that wonder had worn off. While the events were still interesting, I found my interest waning. I believe a large part of this is due to a lack of character development, although, ironically, the third story offers the most development of any of the characters.

Most of this book seems to just touch the surface of who the characters are. We obviously know more about Anton than anyone else, but it isn't until the very end that we really start to see the inner struggles he faces and the problems he has with some of the policies of the Night Watch. I think it's this lack of character development that lost my interest.

However, despite this fault I'm not entirely unhappy with the novel. The concept was fascinating and for the most part the book was an interesting read. I am really curious to read the second book, which I believe is told from the point of view of a member of the Day Watch, the Dark Others who patrol during the day and hold Light Ones to the treaty.

I would not want to discourage anyone from reading this book. While I do believe there was a lack of character development, the world the story takes place in is extremely well thought out and the story is very well written. If you're interested in Sci-Fi I would recommend at least giving this book a chance. You may have a different opinion than I do.

White Night by Jim Butcher

If I had to pick a favorite Dresden novel, I think White Night would probably be it. What I love most about this series is that it genuinely gets better with every novel. I loved this book even more the second time around.

In this book Dresden must stop a plot to undermine the White Council, and prove that his half-brother is not sneaking around killing young magic practitioners. I think what makes it one of my favorite novels in the series is that I really love Thomas, and he plays more significant role in this novel.

I also really like White Night because this novel is where the pieces really start falling into place. There is a large overall arc to the series and this novel is the first one that really starts dealing with that. All the events in the previous novels are just along the border of the larger mythology, but this novel was more direct.

And overall, I just really love Harry Dresden.