The Book Addict Reviews: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Paranormal, Vampires
Order Online: Amazon.com
Author Info: Goodreads | Website
Rating: 3 stars
Borrowed this book from the library. 

In A Nutshell:
I had some idea of what to expect from this book since I had seen a couple of episodes of True Blood (from HBO) before I started the book.  Overall, I felt like the book met my expectations but did not in any way wow me or exceed those expectations.  It was a good book, but I am not rushing to read the next one in the series.

Review:
Prior to reading this book, I had seen a couple episodes of True Blood--just enough so that the actors and actresses who played the characters I remembered the most influenced how I pictured those characters in my mind.  I do not know if this influence was necessarily good or bad, but it was an influence none-the-less.

The character of Sookie Stackhouse is interesting--even endearing in her mix of innocence and tenacity.  She is a small town girl with a disability--at least that is what she calls her ability to read the thoughts of the people around her.  For most of her life, her disability has made her an outsider--even in her own hometown.  In some ways, this separation is her own doing because she finds it exhausting to constantly shield her mind from the thoughts of others.  In other ways, this separation is prompted by the fear of the people around her. 

And this perception and the relationship(s) that Sookie has with those around her serve as a strong foundation for the story.  It is part of the reason that she finds such a strong connection with Bill the Vampire--the only person she has ever met whose mind was closed to her.  It is so refreshing for her to have quiet time that she immediately throws herself heart-first into a relationship with him.  She does this despite even his own warnings to her.

Outside of this relationship, the story focuses on a fairly compelling mystery about a series of murders.  The first major suspect is Sookie's brother, but since there also seems to be a vampire connection to the murders there are a lot of people who blame Bill for bringing vampires and vampirism to their community.  These murders end up furthering the connection between Bill and Sookie as they strive to protect Sookie (who seems to be an obvious potential victim) and prove her brother's innocence.

Overall, I felt the book was okay.  I am interested in getting more books from the series and finding out what happens next, but I am not compelled to do it right away.  The characters had some interesting aspects, but there was not a single character that drew me in so much or made me care so much that I cannot wait to read the next one.  But at the same time I am not disappointed that I read it.
 
Recommendations:
If you have not watched True Blood, then I definitely recommend getting the DVDs.  I think the casting, scripts and characterizations accentuate the story that I found when I opened the book:

However, I do plan to read the next book in the series. I am just not sitting on pins and needles in anticipation for it: