Dead Ever After

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Dead Ever After
Charlaine Harris













Ok folks, there is a BOAT load of anger stirring around this last book of the series.  Many gals are feeling betrayed.  Spoilers WILL ensue in my review/discussion, so don't read further if you don't want to know anything.

Amazon Blurb -

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…

*****

I found this book ok.  It certainly wasn't an out of the park homerun, but, it wasn't the absolute disaster many are making it out to be.  I loved how all her friends past and present gathered together to help her in the latest jam she finds herself.

Sookie is accused of murder.  Someone is setting her up big time, the question is who, and why are 

they doing it.  In the middle of that mess, her vampire boyfriend is not happy with her, nor she him.  Her friend and co-owner of Merlottes, Sam is behaving odd to say the least.  When this is all said and done will she have either one in her life anymore?  The only staple seems to be good ole' Bill.

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STOP HERE TO NOT HAVE THE BOOK RUINED IF THAT MATTERS TO YOU!!!!

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Now for the controversy and what ticked me and hundreds of others.  First let me say that I called it when I read the last book, I think most of us did.   I love Eric.  He is an unapologetic, egotistical, megalomaniacal, ruthless killer.  We all know that about him, and yet we all still love him.  CASE CLOSED!!!  It doesn't bother me, I don't care one bit about that.  Why you ask? Because through each book you learn that Eric does love Sookie.  Did he do what he had to to get her, yup, but HE LOVES HER.  When she was tortured and mutilated by the fairies and he held her hand and she asked him "why didn't you come?"  His answer was "You're killing me."  It was a tortured and wretched angst filled response to her because he loves her so.  Their relationship has been sown slowly through each book lovingly crafted, and for the author to calously toss it away like gum on the bottom of ones shoe sucked a big smelly pickle to say the least!

In my opinion Harris was not happy with the devotion that her fans of this series have given to Eric. Not even Bill has the same level of adoration.  She point blank said in an interview that it baffles her how he is loved because he is a BAD guy plain and simple.  That Sam was her answer all along I personally find disingenuous.  There was never the same level of attraction for Sookie with Sam than there was with any of her boyfriends, even Alcide had more zing with Sook.  It would have been an easier pill to swallow if she would have had Sookie just be by herself and live her life.

How insulting to have a relationship that has been nurtured through several books be cast away with barely an explanation.  Eric is almost non-existent in this story and man that just is so out of character for the whole series and the personality of the characters.  Where was the angst, the heartbreak, the anger over this by both of them!?!   I felt more hurt amd pain when Eric forced Bill to tell her he was using her while she lay in that New Orleans hospital bed.  Sookie's gut wrenching pain was soooo thick in that one scene that I cried, but not here, not with Eric.

Oh well I guess this is what happens to loyal fans with some authors.  Her paltry explanation at the begining of the book that she knows not all will be happy is just meaningless.  You can't please everyone, I think we as adults know and accept that, but please don't insult us, those who have bought every single solitary book, pre-ordering them, getting them signed and keeping them as a treasure to not give away to anyone.  We all were short changed here, those of us who have come to love our Blonde Viking and it hurts, it hurts bad. To those who think we're crazy and say get a life, a pox on you and  your ancestors. 

And now comes the next screwing over with True Blood on HBO, this has become a torturous adventure of disgust as I watch beloved characters get twisted into things they never were and even dumber storylines.  I need a drink....

3 Cannolis   Because it wasn't the worst I've ever read (that award goes to The Gathering) even though she has SUPREMELY pissed me off.