Customer Reviews

From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8)

5 star:		(240)
4 star:		(111)
3 star:		(74)
2 star:		(34)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I honestly am such a fan of Charlaine Harris that I'd go just about anywhere she'd take me. "From Dead to Worse" wasn't quite all over the map, but there wasn't as much of a central them in this book as there was in her usual entries in this series.

We went from weddings, to family revelations, to were-wars--and there was so much more. While the varying parts were interesting and many did tie together, there wasn't the overall unity in this book I have expected from the series.

The beginning chapter where Sookie served as the bridesmaid for Halleigh's wedding was a spinoff from Ms. Harris' short story in an anthology collection, "My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding." I'm wondering if the rest isn't bits and pieces that have just needed resolving for some time.

I think you will see some answers to some interesting questions you've had as readers all along--like where did Sookie get her gift, what makes her different? And there are a few other surprises in store.

Interesting, in part, not as cohesive and riveting as her usual offerings are in a whole. "From Dead to Worse" is still very much worth the read if you are a die-hard Sookie fan like I am, but this is honestly the first of the series I can't simply rave about.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008

Let me start out by saying how much I love the Southern Vampire Mysteries. I was super excited for this book, yet I feel very let down after finishing. But I'll start with the positives. The characters were great. Bon Temps was great. I love immersing myself into Sookie's little corner of the world so much that I've read most books in this series at least twice. All of the characters were true to themselves; no one did anything out of the ordinary. No, the characters weren't the problem.

The problem with "From Dead to Worse" was the plot, specifically that there wasn't much of one. It seemed like there was a cameo from every character we have come to know. From Alcide & Sam to Amelia & Eric, they all came back to tie up some loose ends. There was no pacing or buildup to anything special, which brings me to another point. Isn't this series called the Southern Vampire MYSTERIES? Where was the mystery? Charlaine Harris is at her best when she writes mysteries as evidenced by her other series, so this book just seemed meandering & lost.

There were several plot lines that all seemed to get the same page amount as the other. There was no big story here. First, we start with a revelation about Sookie's family & her ties to the fairy world. Then, we move to the Shreveport werewolves who are having loyalty problems with their pack. That storyline is tied up in roughly 70 or so pages, & we turn the page to the vampires. Again, 70 or so pages are spent with Eric & Bill before we are thrust into the lives of Jason & Crystal. Finally, we end with Amelia & Bob.

I am upset with "From Dead to Worse" only because I love this series so much. I realize that many fans will feel differently, but I have tried to be as objective as possible. If this were my first book in the series, I would have put it down halfway through. I'll still continue to buy the new books in hardback, but I really hope that the next Sookie book has a little more bite.

No question, From Dead to Worse is a bridge book in the Southern Vampire series. I am one fan who thinks that is just peachy keen fine. I thought this was an excellent book, very engaging, by which I mean I read it all in one sitting, no stopping. While it's true that this book is episodic in nature, my feeling is that going along with the characters on these episodes is high entertainment. As I get older, I find it becomes harder to concentrate, and that Charlaine Harris continues to hold my attention eight books into this series is just wonderful. The truth is, if you are going to read this series, you need to start with the first book. Read them in order, and don't start with this one, because you need to know all the back story to fully appreciate how far the characters have come. (And can I just say: Sookie needs a vacation! Ms. Harris, send her off to a beautiful island where she can relax, forget her cares for a while, sip some rum punch on nice beach, and maybe go limbo-ing with some nice fella who doesn't want anything more than the pleasure of her company.)

I think this book is for the fans who have fallen in love with these characters. We've spent the last year since the release of All Together Dead wondering what was going to happen next, and musing about the paths the characters would take. From Dead to Worse tells us some great stories, fills in some of the personal details we've all been aching to know, and sets the stage for what will be I hope many more books to come. I think From Dead to Worse was fabulous. Brava, Ms. Harris!

From Dead to Worse is a bit disappointing in that it is definitely a transitional book in the Sookie series, with most of the action either wrapping up loose ends from previous plot points or settling the various characters into position to move forward in future novels. That said, it was absolutely an appropriate point in the series for Ms. Harris to "clean house" a bit; the series was becoming a bit unwieldy with the many characters Sookie had become entwined with and the drama they brought with them into her life. I'm excited to see that the new developments in Sookie's life that occur in From Dead to Worse are directly related Sookie herself, not any of the supernatural creatures she is involved with. I think this is a promising, and I'm looking forward to reading what happens in the next book.

I am usually pretty hesitant to post other than stellar reviews for authors with amazing talent. Charlaine Harris is one of those authors that has proven to me time and time again her ability to keep me, as a reader, thoroughly wrapped inside a fictional world and entertained past not just the first book, but in every book following... until now.

From Dead to Worse was not terrible. But it was not great either. I felt like the book was full of an assortment of anthologies Harris had dug out of the dusty closet, and thrown together haphazardly as an attempt at a full book to meet a deadline. As anthologies go; the stories did their purpose of moving the story ahead chronologically for the reader... however, as a full book I was left disappointed with a "filler" book-- something I hadn't expect from an author as talented as Harris.

As other readers have commented, loose ends were tied; but I know for myself, with one particular character I was greatly disappointed how she brought the relationship to an end. I felt that at least two of the books were wasted building this great relationship up-- making us consistently wait for something tangible to occur; only to be decimated within a few pages. Whether or not I thought this character and Sookie were meant to be is inconsequential; the way that Harris ended their relationship, however, was completely utterly wasteful to me and did not do the character justice in the least bit.

The introduction of Hunter to the series was the highlight that brought on the third star-- a definite redeeming factor.

Any true Sookie fan will read this book. You probably won't hate it but it won't be your top choice of her books. You may find yourself understandably unhappy you paid more than $10 for a book you probably won't pick up again. All this said, From Dead to Worse is still a must-read simply for the information set-ups for the next book. Try the library.

Hopefully Harris is done with filler books.

Charlaine Harris's From Dead To Worse is a wonderful new offering in the Southern Vampire series.

Sookie is recovering from the the monumental events of the last novel and trying to go about her life. Unfortunately for Sook, fortunately for us, life is not simple. She meets new people who change her life, makes important decisions (its wonderful to see Sook standing up for herself and making decisions prior to being forced into them - evidence of this character's progression and maturation), adjusting to changes and accepting herself and her abilities.

This novel details some very important events that occur in the life of the Louisianna Supernatural community. Despite that fact, this novel is more character driven (in my view) than any of the other previous installments. This makes no change in my deep enjoyment of the series and I feel that in fact, its nice to see more introspection.

The only real issue I had with this book has to do with the Sook-Erik blood bond and the effect on Sookie. I wish there had been a little bit more development of this idea.

I'm concerned and enthralled. I'm sadden that her love life keeps falling apart. I want her to be with Bill. How many times in life are we left without closure. I love the books so much that I was happy that i got sick and had to stay home from work. I read all the books in 4 days. It just cannot keep going on with her meeting the next guy. Bill loves her in a way that Eric (who i adore) cannot. Bill should be the one. I feel terrible even writing it, but he won me over when he was standing outside her door declaring "I Love You" which had not been done until then.

Where is that one great love of our life that movies and novels keep giving us? Why do we yearn for it so heavily? Bill should be with Sookie. But that's just my vote. PS this is account is listed under my husband :)

I have really enjoyed every book in this series, including this one. So, I was surprised to find so many negative or mediocre reviews for it on Amazon. At least until I read those reviews. Many of them make valid points in their assessment, though I disagree with their conclusion. The plot for this book wasn't as dramatic or fulfilling as previous entries (figuring out a werewolf takeover in wake of the vampire meltdown wasn't a mystery). So, I could see how some fans would find the book lacking. A lot of characters do pop up seemingly just to tie up loose ends. However, I found these points actually made the book very good for me. It's nice to have some questions answered without 50 more rising to take their place.

Not every book in a series needs to have a "save the world" plotline, with the heroine knee-deep in a conspiracy, and making life or death decisions. Sookie is not the kick-butt heroine that Anita Blake is. She's better - an independent, spirited woman doing her best in a world that is much bigger than she is, and she knows it. I liked seeing the domestic side of her life along with the paranormal chaos. The problems with her brother and his new wife; her ties to the werewolf pack and the trouble it causes; the issues with her new roommate, and the friendships she has, all make her seem more real. She has a life; she attends weddings; she pays bills. She steps in to help her friends, be they were or human. I also LOVED the revelation concerning her family history, and the surprise at the end. The next book will no doubt be another action-oriented mystery, but this one provides a nice transition from the vampire attack to whatever may be next.

Certainly, if this were the first book in the series it would be a disappointment. But, eight books in it doesn't hurt to have a middle book that ties some things together and doesn't put the heroine in mortal danger every other chapter. I find that Rachel Morgan and Anita Blake have gotten to the point where the heroines have no lives anymore. They jump from one crisis to the next, and even their allies are a danger to them. I can't help but wonder how those heroines find the will to keep going when the authors give them so little to live for? Sookie's life may not be perfect, but there is a lot of happiness in it that helps her (and me) get through.

I do admit I was somewhat disappointed in how her relationship with Quinn was so casually tied up, but overall I found the book a real page turner. Highly recommended.

I also recommend the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is a lot like Sookie - a real person with real problems who also has to deal with paranormal issues.Moon Called (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 1), Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 2), Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson, Book 3).

Sookie Stackhouse, telepath and friend to supernatural's everywhere, has several situations exploding all around her. Her boyfriend Quinn is MIA, the Were community is at odds as is the Vampire community, her bother's marriage seems to be off to a rocky start, and Sookie seems to be front and center when it all comes to a head.

With attempts on her life and the deaths of some of her friends, Sookie's world is getting more and more dangerous. Yet in the midst of all the danger, Sookie finds some unexpected happy surprises.

I loved this book with a capital L! So much is going on with the supernatural folk that Sookie associates with; it's non stop action from cover to cover. Some of things I have been dying to see happen, finally do. While chaos surrounds Sookie, she starts putting some order in her life, and she and Eric, her former Vamp lover, almost have a REAL conversation. *gasp*

This is a book that has Sookie going through a lot of changes and making all sorts of discoveries in her life. I was all consumed in this book from page one and when I reached the last page I debated on whether or not to start reading it all over again. Had it not been for my impatiently waiting sister, I would have.

Charlaine Harris is a fabulous author, no question. Her style of writing is so engaging, so descriptive and entertaining; it takes only about a page of reading before I feel like I have been transplanted to Bon Temps, Louisiana. I have been counting down the days till this books release, greedy to get my hands on it, and I was not disappointed in the least; she always delivers. The last two pages have me already eagerly anticipating the next in the series...and hoping she inherits a little vampire speed while writing so I don't have to wait so long!

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse)
Living Dead in Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 2)
Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)
Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)
Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)
Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)
All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)

Cherise Everhard, May 2008

Oddly enough, I had poor expectations when I started reading this book due to the negative reviews here on Amazon, plus the lackluster writing of the previous book. Most of the complaints seem to deal with the fact that there was no single event to tie the entire book together. Instead, we are treated to various mini crises interspersed with the tying up of the various plot points that have been remaining in the series.

However, I found that to the contrary, these sequence of events actually made the story much more interesting, as the thing that ties all these events together is Sookie herself, giving her a chance to develop her character further through various situations. Basically, this gives more of a 'slice-of-life' feeling to the book which I highly enjoyed.

In addition, with alot of the remaining loose ends being tied, this book feels like a major turning point in the series, if not a transition. If there was one quibble though, I guess it had to do with the abruptness with which she broke off her relationship with Quinn. I thought it (and he) deserved a better send off, instead of the 1 to 2 pages devoted to it.