Customer Rating:  
Summary: a "sophomore year" entry
Comment: First of all, don't get me wrong. I love the Sookie Stackhouse series, and I've been reading them one after another after getting hooked by HBO's True Blood. But, Club Dead read to me like an artist or athlete who starts out very strong, then falters. For me, that might be because of the absence of vampires. I'm not really into the shapeshifter thing. Sam's shifter nature was not a bad thing, and added to the characters -- especially as another one of Sookie's protectors. But to tell you the truth, I'm becoming mighty puzzled why every vampire series must include werewolves and were-that and were-this. Does it really add to the plots? Wouldn't the vampires be enough? But we were warned in Living Dead in Dallas that we would need to abide by all sorts of supernatural beings, ala Laurell Hamilton.
The main plot line -- that Bill needed to be found & saved -- is somewhat ponderous as Sookie pals around with yet another protector, Alcide the Were, in her quest to find Bill. Alcide is a likeable enough character -- really, too perfect -- and perhaps that's why the story drags. I was relieved when Eric appeared halfway through the story (Eric, Pam & Chow are also in the beginning of the story, with Bill given about 2 pages), and that's when the story began to cook.
It's instructive with Club Dead that Charlaine Harris was not at the top of her game when she wrote it ... and her editor wasn't paying attention when they read it. Twice, entire thoughts of Sookie are expressed practically in their entirety. When Pam & Chow come to visit, we're told about the capability of vampires to enter a state of suspended animation and that Sookie thinks that's how they rest. When Eric comes to see Sookie in Jackson ... we're told all over again about the suspended animation, and why Sookie thinks vamps do this. Same for vampire photography: on the 2nd page, Sookie sees a vampire's photograph, and therefore realizes that vampires will show up in photos. CH must have forgotten about this, because near the end, this gets explained all over again with Bill. Not paying attention, Charlaine!
Club Dead is not awful, mind you. It's just not up to its predecessors. One has to keep reading, regardless, because it's obvious that Eric is going to play a bigger role in Sookie's life, and Bill ... well, who knows?
Customer Rating:
Summary: Series Is Running Strong
Comment: One of the most interesting things about the novel is the continued development of the protagonist (Sookie). She feels a growing rage and ends up contemplating and doing violent things that she never expected. As in the previous novels, she has an admirable ability to take care of herself and others, although she benefits from the other people & supernatural creatures in her life. This novel takes her away from the sometimes claustrophobic world of her small town and into a new crowd, which is a nice break. The series continues to be strong in terms of writing, characterization, and plot. Just when I think Sookie has her hands full, she comes across another attractive supernatural fella--this one is a werewolf. Her steady vampire (Bill) is out of the action for most of the novel, which gives her time to interact with another one (Eric) as well as the werewolf and his crowd. One of my favorite things about this series is its freshness and originality. The novelist manages to avoid the cliches that many romances and vampire stories fall into. I can't wait to read the next one!
Customer Rating:
Summary: ~*Club Dead Review*~
Comment: Since I have started this series I haven't been able to put it down. In Club Dead we see alot more from Eric & I'm actually starting to actually root for him. And Bills role is a crazy twist that I didn't see coming but it made it that much more interesting. I absolutly love Sookies country way of thinking & doing things. Club Dead gets 5 stars in my opinion. I can't wait to start the 4th book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fun fun fun!
Comment: I love the Sookie Stackhouse series. I mean if you describe the main gist of the series to others who haven't read the book, they might think that it's just another vampire story, but something about the series makes it so entertaining to read.
Harris is undoubtedly a very talented writer. The plot flows and descriptions are easily imagined. The best part is the fact that Harris turns rather dark events into something rather humorous. It's fantastic!
I think that this book was better than the 2nd book. It moved faster and was more exciting. However, I thought the reason for Bill's kidnapping was ridiculous. Couldn't there have been a better reason? Perhaps it was meant to be funny, but I thought it was slightly lame.
Otherwise, I totally recommend this book to people who are looking for something humorous and not a dark and sinister vampire story.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Somebody is going to be staked
Comment: Sookie Stackhouse becomes pissed. It seems that Bill is holding back information from her. And Eric. And everybody. Why? A job he has to do? An old flame? Betrayal? All I can say is everything is turned upside down, as werewolves, vampires and shifters all get into the act. Club Dead isn't called that for nothing. This could be the most dangerous place she would ever take a date to. And you'll love every minute!
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