Mischief in Maggody, Joan Hess

Vacation book. The Sookie book in the previous entry was one as well. I finished the first on the four hour drive to our destination, and I finished this over the course of the four days at the hotel. I think this was a great vacation book. It's got a touch of mystery, but a whole lot of spunk. It has made me love this little town of Maggody a little more and I've had to restrain myself from just flying through the whole series... a girl's got to have a little variety in her life.

I was not all that sad that Robin is murdered. But I think her kids are hilarious, Hammet is definitley my favorite of the four... Perhaps because of them terrorizing Mrs. Jim Bob :D.

Ruby Bee and Estelle never cease to amaze me. Taking in Baby and then loosing him. Then attempting to patch together a romance between Arly and David Allen. And the attempts to get Arly to see the psychic. Lovely.

More importantly is the hippies that appear to be sticking around town for a little bit of time. Well, except for Nate, who along with Celeste, is no longer with us.

I must say I am begining to think that once I have reached the conclusion of this series, I will be sad. It will probably turn into one that I pick up and read multiple times.

Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris

Another Sookie book. I read this so soon mainly because I wanted to read the book before I delve into the next season of TruBlood. I haven't bought the third book yet, but it may go on that list of books that are an option for Christmas.

I definately have to say that the character of Sookie has drifted away a bit from what she was in the first book. Initially she seemed quirky, but now Sookie has taken on a more serious tone. I liked the quirky.

I did like that there are other Werewolves and that they are mad at the vampires. I thought it was an interesting take on the ever present vamps vs. wolves theme. I am also curious as to what will happen with the Bill-Sookie-Eric thing. Could be fun, I'll stay tuned for that part of the puzzle.

Overall, not bad, a little lacking... but whatever, it's just one book in a series.

Dead Witch Walking, Kim Harrison

I find that it is so hard to find a supernatural book that does not instantly remind me of the Anita Blake series. Anita simply has just about everything there is when it comes to supernatural. However, although I saw some similarities, I did not feel as if I was reading a Laurell K. Hamilton knockoff.

I found the lack of humans intriguing, however her explanation of the race's downfall was short and left me a little confused.

The ending I found was a bit anti-climactic. I found the rat competition more interesting than the final fight scene, which was sad for me indeed.

Although, I predict that I will keep on chugging with the series since I was informed that that one was slow to start and the others improve.

Malice in Maggody, Joan Hess

This was a nice break from my vampire book stint. Although I felt a bit lost at first with the gas station scene with Robert. But Hess does a decent job of moving right along and explaining the characters.

I love the characters. And the dynamics between some of them. Ruby Bee is possibly emerging as my favorite. But I was saddened when Jaylee met her end, I was rather amused by her as well. Plover and Arly's battle of "thou shall not know my first name" was a cute little additive and makes me wonder what happens to them in future books.

As for the ending? I thought it was comical that everyone was rushing to Robin Buchanon's house where they found Carl and Robert in... disrepair... I'm not sure of the accurate wording for that one. And wrapping up the plots I give Hess a mediocre score. I figured out early on that Carl did not commit the crime he had been doing time for. Not to say he did not deserve to be in jail though. But, as for Jaylee's murderer, I did not guess that one until it was revealed. I was definately rooting for Jim Bob to be that culprit.

Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris

Let's see... I got this one because of the cover. Which is the main advertisement for the T.V. show that the book has been translated into, TrueBlood. I have never seen TrueBlood, I'm not much of a television kind of girl.

Ultimately, I was not as impressed as I was told I would be. Not to say that I did not enjoy Sookie. However, it felt like the setting of Anita Blake, with the clumbsy character's of MaryJanice Dickenson's Undead series. I also found myself thinking as I was driving home from work one day that all this book needed was some shapeshifters and I would feel even more like I was in a Laurell K. Hamilton book... low and behold... Sam is one. *shocking*

My favorite part by far is when Sookie discover's Bill's name. "'The vampire Bill!' I said. 'I thought it might be Antoine, or Basil, or Langford!'" How often do writers of vampire novels give the vampire eloquent names that sound as if they fell out of the 15th century. How ordinarily wonderful!

I was incredibly sad that Gran was murdered. I enjoyed the character.

All in all, it wasn't bad. I want to know more about Bill's past and what happens with Eric, so I foresee me buying the next in the series. I am also curious how well they did turning it into a television series. So I may have to rent the first season of TrueBlood.

The Harlequin, Larurell K. Hamilton

Edward is back. As well as Olaf. I had debated whether I would actually continue on with Anita. And after a brief research of movie/tv adaptation of the series, I am not alone in my frustration with the last six or so books. But Edward is my favorite character, and I could not resist.

What I found was that I was not exactly disappointed. Not like previously. I read it quickly. There was less sex than you normally get, which was, I must say, a relief.

I enjoyed the concept of the Harlequin. That the vampire council has their own police. I liked the masks as a means of communication.

Although I found less action as well, and a bit less plot than Laurell tends to give us, it was still more reminiscent of earlier in her series... I just hope she keeps it up.

The Elder Gods, David & Leigh Eddings

My previous experience with David Eddings is the Belgariad and Mallorian series. Plus the books associated with the two series. My copies of both series, especially the former, are well worn and read often.
The Elder Gods is the first book of his series, The Dreamers. I was concerned at first, being that my only experience with Eddings is with the same characters over a course of two series. But I found that there are overlapping characteristics with all his characters whether it be the same series or not. But I also found that they are all jumbled up so that they really are new characters in their own right. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I adore his characters. They're colorful and distinct.

I did have to remind myself frequently that his first book of every series I've encountered is like the filler book you find in the middle of series. They are essential, but a bit tedious. His first book is his filler and sets up the series, generally really well. As to how well he did with this one, I'd have to complete the series to answer that one. 400+ pages of filler is not necessarily a party by no means, but the beginning of the war and the development of characters makes it go by steadily.

I plan to buy the next in the series to see where they take this story.