Dead to the World

Life gets pretty rough for Sookie at the start of Charlaine Harris' Dead to the World. Bill, whom she is no longer dating, takes off for Peru and Sookie then finds Eric running naked down the road with a case of amnesia. Shortly thereafter Sookie’s brother Jason, goes missing. That’s a pretty rough couple of days!

In this entry into the Sookie-verse, we get to meet some witches (good and bad), a fairy, and a whole bunch more shifters and Weres. The vampires are attempting to sort out what is wrong with Eric, and the Weres are dealing with an incursion on their territory. Sookie discovers that without his normal personality she really rather likes Eric, and fireworks ensue.

Thus far this is the strongest novel in the series. We already a know a bunch of back-story and lore from the previous books and Harris gives us almost as much more as we already know. Meanwhile we only get a glimpse at Fairies, and a passing reference to the “three worlds.” For me this is a great combination, giving me enough to feel like I’ve learned something and sinking the hook further at the same time.

Action wise, this novel definitely has the most, which is saying something. Strange alliances are required by the end and old enemies reappear. Meanwhile that unrequited Sookie/Eric thing is dealt with, or is it?

As with the previous entries Harris sticks with what works, a fast pace and no extraneous materials. These are the ingredients to a true page turner. Also key are questions both answered and raised. I truly enjoyed this novel. I give it a 4/5.