Starting the Summer with Sookie Stackhouse

The summer truly got under swing when my sister loaned me all of her friend Hilary's "Sookie Stackhouse" books. These are not Twilight on steroids. Instead, this series, mystery/romance also ties fantasy vampires and fey with werewolves, shape-shifters, and anything else that can go bump-in-the-night. In truly "Harry Potter" fashion, the vampires have come out of their closets and are drinking a synthetic True Blood which allows them a mystical "science fiction" existence, but they really are just blood suckers.

Although the stories and characters are familiar creatures of nightmare, the twists and turns are new and enjoyable. For several books, one wonders why everyone (Bill, Eric, Sam, etc.) likes Sookie and wants her more than anyone else in existence, but the explanation, which was long in coming (book nine!), did make sense and created much of the plot for books nine and ten. Sookie's love interests have made for great reading, and vampires, weyrs, etc, do make for interesting bedfellows!

Not all ten of these books are great reads. None of them are for people under 18, and I am not recommending True Blood on HBO. That's not even SOFT porn. I got more than I bargained for when I attempted to watch part of the show one night! Wow. When I did wikipedia the synopsis of the show, I discovered it didn't follow the plot of the books, either. So two disappointing things, right there. If you choose to read Sookie, keep in mind, it's supermarket romance with fantasy vampires and mystery thrown in. Lots of vampires, sex, and blood. If that's your thing, Sookie is for you.

Recommend if you like Janet Evanovich, Anne Rice, and Nora Roberts.