REVIEW: #18 Dead Until Dark

Synopsis: (Taken from back of book)

Sookie Stackhouse is a small-time cocktail waitress in a small-town Louisiana. She’s quiet, keeps to herself, and doesn’t get out much. Not because she’s not pretty. She is. It’s just that, well, Sookie has this sort of “disability.” She can read minds. And that doesn’t make her too dateable. And then along comes Bill. he’s tall, dark, handsome – and Sookie can’t hear a word he’s thinking. He’s exactly the type of guy she’s been waiting for all her life…

But Bill has a disability of his own: He’s a vampire with a bad reputation. He hangs with a seriously creepy crowd, all suspected of – big surprise – murder. And when one of Sookie’s coworkers is killed, she fears she’s next …

Review:

A friend of mine understood I was not a fan of the Twilight series due to the “cheese” factor, misguided immature emotions, and well – to be frank – horrible writing, recommended the Southern Vampire/True Blood series. Immediately, it was obvious Harris’ writing is much more mature and eloquently written with a hint of subtle humour. Never once did I find myself rolling my eyes and groaning at something said in this vampire series. (I still roll my eyes when anyone mentions Edward and Bella.)

What makes Dead Until Dark unique is the new spin on vampires. Sure they fit the stereotypes; they are dangerously strong with an insatiable thirst for blood. This time, however, vampires are relatively welcome into the world along side humans. They are free to roam the streets with acceptance (granted that they don’t kill humans). In exchange, killing of vampires are illegal. Wondering how they roam around freely and not feed on humans? Scientists created a blood substitute freely available in most restaurants and bars. Although it’s not 100% satisfying, it keeps their hunger at bay.

Sookie is a small-time waitress whose weekends include cuddling up next to her cat and watching some movies.  Socializing is just much too exhausting, as she can read the minds of those around her and never has a moment of silence. One day, while at work, Bill (a vampire) walks into the bar. Sookie is immediately taken by him and the silence in her head when she’s around him. It was in this moment, her life would change forever. Bill’s life  (and her disability) drag her into a life much darker than she’s ever known; this life of love, blood, and murder.

For some reason, as short as the story essentially is (in pages), it took me a lot longer than normal to read it. It’s not a book you can read with a TV on in the background as it’s easy to get distracted. It never gave me that sense of “Oh my god – this is addicting! I must read more!” feeling although I did find it nicely written and entertaining. Because of my curiosity of the situation Sookie has gotten herself into, and character development, I will continue on to read some more in the series by Charlaine Harris.

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