Eight stars
Charmaine Harris keeps writing her supernatural series and I find myself grabbing for another book. There is something about it that has kept me entertained up to this point and the books are quite easy to digest. Sookie finds a vampire on the side of the road, someone she knows well. However, the vampire does not seem to know about himself or the past he has lived. As Sookie tries to rehabilitate him, her brother, Jason, goes missing and there are some nefarious possibilities. With the help of some newer friends and acquaintances, Sookie tires to locate Jason and reintroduce her 'roadside friend' into supernatural fold. Harris does well once more and adds new layers to keep things on point.
Sookie Stackhouse remains a cocktail waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana, with the uncanny ability to read minds. While many might find this interesting, locals have chosen to shun her for the ability. Sookie has struggled to find a man who can admire this gift, but is still smarting from a recent break-up with her vampire boyfriend. Bill was an integral part of Sookie's life, but has slipped away on a mission to Peru, making Sookie miss him even more
When Sookie finds a half-naked vampire on the side of the road, she takes him in. Eric, well-known to her and a powerful vampire, knows little about himself or how he arrived on the side of the road. Sookie is well-versed on Eric's powers and abilities, as he has crossed her path numerous times when Bill was recently in trouble. Sookie helps nurse Eric back to health, while trying to inject some of his former memories into his mind once more.
When Sookie's brother, Jason, goes missing, many in town wonder if he is off on one of his sexual benders. Sookie knows her brother and Jason is not one to go missing for days on end, especially without reaching out. Armed with some of her supernatural friends, Sookie begins trying to locate Jason, while also rehabilitating Eric into his former glory. When Eric is strong enough, he begins helping an the hunt for Jason intensifies. There is an obvious supernatural tilt to the disappearance, as panther prints have been seen around where he was last seen. Panthers are not common in Louisiana, but shape-shifters have been known to slink in the dark in whatever form suits them best. With Bill nowhere to be found, he cannot help, so Sookie will have to trust other vampires, where wolves, and faeries to assist her locate Jason. Charmaine Harris does well to keep this series moving and provides the reader with a great story to do so.
While the supernatural world is not appealing to me, I took a chance on this series when it was recommended to me by a friend. I dove deeply into it and found myself interested by Harris' depiction of vampires, werewolves, and other beings that have now been mainstreamed. The narrative moves well, peppered with romantic and carnal aspects to offset the decent plot development, providing the reader with something enticing and intriguing in equal measure. Longer chapters allow for detailed discussions and development to take place, which enriches the overall experience.
Charmaine Harris has ample characters to add depth and twists to the story, which side does with ease. There are great moments of building up and a few plot ideas that the reader might not have seen coming. This provides a stellar story and leaves many options open for future novels. Harris has created a world of the supernatural and developed it effectively, keeping the reader wondering and ready to learn. While I am not completely hooked, I am intrigued enough to want to know more, so I will reach for another book to see how things progress.
Kudos, Madam Harris, for another decent novel
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