Review by Ronny


Series Name: Sookie Stackhouse, # 1
Dead Until Dark is one of my all-time favourite paranormal urban romance books.
Favourite Quote:
“Well, I’m Sookie Stackhouse, and I’m a waitress,” I told him. “What’s your name?” I thought I could at least ask that without being presuming.
“Bill,” he said.
Before I could stop myself, I rocked back onto my butt with laughter. “The vampire Bill!” I said. “I thought it might be Antoine, or Basil, or Langford! Bill!” I hadn’t laughed so hard in a long time. “Well, see ya, Bill. I’ve got to get back to work.”
Book Synopsis:
Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Bon Temps, Louisiana. She’s quiet, doesn’t get out much, and tends to mind her own business—except when it comes to her “disability.” Sookie can read minds. And that doesn’t make her too dateable. Then along comes Bill Compton. He’s tall, dark, handsome—and Sookie can’t hear a word he’s thinking. He’s exactly the type of guy she’s been waiting for all her life…
But Bill has a disability of his own: he’s a vampire with a bad reputation. And when a string of murders hits Bon Temps—along with a gang of truly nasty bloodsuckers looking for Bill—Sookie starts to wonder if having a vampire for a boyfriend is such a bright idea.
Review:
I am a sucker for a good paranormal romance, and I dived into the world of Sookie Stackhouse when I was living in England. This book and the ones that follow quickly became my friends in a time when I felt alone in a strange country, and because of that, this series holds a very special place in my heart. I’ve read Dead Until Dark a few times, but it has been a while since I reread it, and I was curious to see if I would enjoy it as much as I did years ago. I am happy to report that this book still hits all the right spots for me.
Dead Until Dark is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, with thirteen books in total. Charlaine Harris masterfully takes those paranormal creatures that we all know so well (vampires, werewolves, witches, etc.) and creates this unique and well-thought-out world that is full of danger, lust, drama, and, of course, murder. This is a modern-day urban paranormal romance and is set in a small town in Louisiana. Now, this book was written in 2001, so some things are a bit dated, but overall, other than the lack of technology, I thought it aged pretty well. I loved that this book takes place in Louisiana, a location that is rarely used in romances. The Southern culture injected into this story makes this book much more enjoyable.
The story itself is addictive and has a little bit of everything. There is a murderer on the loose, and you have this budding romance between Sookie and Bill and the everyday drama of living in a world where vampires and humans coexist. Everything works together to make for a really entertaining reading experience. The whole mystery/suspense element was heart-pounding at times and kept me guessing right until the very end. It was also a great way to bring Sookie and Bill together and also draws Sookie into this dark and unknown paranormal world that exists alongside the human world.
Sookie is a great character. She is a spunky, no-nonsense person who isn’t afraid to stand up for what is right. I don’t know what it is about her character, but I just connected with her right from the start. She is willing to go toe to toe with anyone or any creature. I loved watching her put men or vampire kings in their place with a few sharp words. Their befuddled reaction was delicious. As the series progresses, I just feel more in love with her character. Bill isn’t my favourite character or my favourite love interest for Sookie. His character felt a bit flat for me, and the chemistry between him and Sookie just didn’t work for me. But he does have a purpose in helping to move the plot along.
This is a paranormal romance, which means, of course, there are going to be romantic moments in the book…duh. Now, if you are looking for something that isn’t overly romantic, this book and this series are for you. The romance is really well balanced with all the other story elements in this book. It doesn’t have an overwhelming presence in the story, but it is there. In terms of spice level, it is on the lower end, which I believe has to do with the fact that it was written in 2001 when very explicit or very kinky sex scenes weren’t as commonly found as they are today. As I mentioned before, I am not overly fond of Bill as a romantic partner for Sookie, but their relationship is enjoyable. But what I did love was the fact that the foundation for another romantic relationship (and my favourite one) was started in this book. I am not going to tell you who it is because I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
Dead Until Dark is a masterfully written paranormal romance perfect for anyone who loves the world of vampires.