September is for Sequels - Sookie Stackhouse Edition

So one of my goals this month has been to finish the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris.  Surprisingly enough I actually planned on only reading #12, but liked it so much, I moved right on to #13.  Now I just want to read After Dead and A Touch of Dead and I will have successfully knocked off the entire series.  I wanted to share my thoughts, so here we go!

TITLE: Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12)
AUTHOR: Charlaine Harris
PUBLISHER: Ace Books
PUBLISHING DATE: May 1, 2012

FROM GOODREADS: Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on that there are things she'd rather not know. An now that she's an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she'd rather not see--like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There's a thing or two she'd like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet--Felipe de Castro, the vampire king of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It's the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric's front yard--especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now it's up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl's fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who's set out to make Sookie's world come crashing down.

MY THOUGHTS: 
I haven't read a Sookie Stackhouse novel in many years, and admit I only picked this up as part of a "September is for Sequels" challenge I am doing on my blog. I really expected to dislike this book as I felt the series had went on to long, but overall, I was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps because I hated the last season of True Blood so much, I found this book rather refreshing. I am not a huge Eric fan, and I really never cared much for Bill, so the fact there there was little of both in this book didn't bother me like other readers. I also did not find Sookie as annoying as I usually do. I can tell by Harris' writing that the series is winding down and she is trying to wrap up a few dead ends. I won't go too much in depth because this is the 12th book so much I what I could say would be spoilers. Let me just say I immediately stated #13 when I finished and am now determined to vanquish this series from my TBR once and for all!

RATING: 4 PAWS

TITLE: Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse #13)
AUTHOR: Charlaine Harris
PUBLISHER: Ace Books
PUBLISHING DATE: May 7, 2013

FROM GOODREADS: Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough...

MY THOUGHTS:  As I mentioned when I wrapped up Deadlocked a few days ago, I waited forever to finish this series. And honestly, I always thought I would hate it, especially after seeing so many criticisms about the last book, but you know what, I liked both Deadlocked and Dead Ever After and am glad I finally finished them.

Perhaps I liked them so much because I waited so long and there was a nice break for me. I have always said and still believe the series went on too long. However, I found both #12 and #13 satisfying. I know it's not a popular opinion, but I feel Sookie ended up with the right person, and I believe Eric showed his true colors, and didn't all of a sudden get weak.

I think I may pick up the wrap up, After Dead, before the month is out, and then I can feel like I at least accomplished one of my goals this year. 

MY RATING: 4 PAWS 

So I know a lot of people hated the way these books ended, but I am in the minority.  In fact, you could say I got the ending I always wanted.  Well, now that I think about it, I got the ending I wanted for True Blood, but oh well, I'll take it wherever I can!