Let me just start off by saying that I love this series! I really enjoy Sookie’s point of view and adventures. I also really like that this is a different kind of Urban Fantasy, not so Urban after all, but set in a more bucolic and simple environment, giving a totally different feel to the series.
I love the mix of intricate and insane plots, right along side with everyday life ones. I totally believe that, that balance is one of the secrets that makes the Sookie books are so successful.
That being said, I was rather underwhelmed by Deadlocked. I liked that some smaller plots got their closure in a way, but it felt like a transition book overall and it lacked the emotional roller coaster I tend to expect from this series.
Eric and Sookie’s relationship is in a crash course and I did not feel much emotion from Sookie regarding that at all. My girl, Dani from
ALPHA Reader, put it very well when she said:
“It’s safe to say that Eric and Sookie getting together was built up more in fan’s minds than what has come across on the page."
That's exactly how I felt too! I haven't been so happy with their relationship and Deadlocked just put the nail in the coffin for me. A book with NO sexy time between the main couple, might be a huge red flag to where Charlaine is taking this series.
In my opinion, Dani hits the nail on the head when she says: "Sookie thinks a lot about whether or not Eric will choose Freyda – but isn’t really all that sad, it seems. She’s actually kind of resolute that Eric will most likely choose the path of more power. And if her mind ever veers towards a ‘woe is me, Eric won’t choose me’ thinking, she quickly squashes the thought."
For me it felt like since apparently Eric is not her HEA, Charlaine is trying to dissuade Team Eric from rooting for it. It’s like she is preparing us for the real HEA and I for one am scared of who will it be, someone we already know or a brand new character.
All in all, Deadlocked was not even close to the best book in the series, but it was still great to get lost in Sookie’s world, it is just that I have come to expect so much more from Charlaine Harris.
THANK YOU!
I am so glad I'm not alone in my 'Deadlocked' disappointment.
I'd say this is a really important point: "A book with NO sexy time between the main couple, might be a huge red flag to where Charlaine is taking this series."
And that is one of the many reasons why it didn't feel like a Charlaine Harris book!
Fingers-crossed the finale is a teensy bit better!
I went to a Charlaine Harris signing and some one asked if Pam would follow Eric to where ever the queen goes and Harris said, you are making an assumption that Eric is leaving. I think Sookie's HEA might not include a man. Harris said the series isn't a PNR with a HEA, it is gray. So I am thinking a HFN ending. What I like about Sookie is how she handles adversity. She doesnt obsess over it. You get what you get, and don't fuss a bit, attitude. I never felt like Sookie was "in love" with Eric. I can't wait to see what she has in store for everyone in the last book and her new series sounds like a lot of fun :)
I agree that this felt very transitional. There were a lot of character storyline closures which was good, but it did miss some of the heat that all of her previous book had. Whether for sexy times or action.
And I was definitely one of those fans that felt that there was a lot of build up for Eric and Sookie, from those early books, but I never thought they'd have a HEA though I wanted them to. I'd read on CH's blog years ago that Sookie always wanted a family and she'd never be a vamp, so it always felt like a doomed relationship.
I really hope she doesn't end up with a character that was always there, though. I'd rather she be on her own or with someone new.
The first nine books in the series were my favorites and I hope the last one will be too. Keeping fingers crossed.
Great review and I love that other reviewer's quote you used. So true!
@Danielle
Hehe is good to not be alone in this LOL Im findercrossing with you :p
@Sharon
I totallyget your point and Im not even that worried aboutt he HEA or no HEA.... This book just didnt have the same feeling I always get with this series.... The excitment was lacking for me :/
@Fikshun
Exactly! Such a build up to end quite so blandly? Disappointing.... And I did miss more action as well!
Mannn. I really wanted to read this, but each review is making me want to pass it. I know I'll read it, but not in hardcover, that's for sure.
I was team Eric, but that stopped a few books ago, or at least died out a little. I want this series to end well with Sookie HEA, but I just don't know how it's going to pull together.
I also like getting lost in the world, even if it's not as great a book as you're hoping.
I'm going to read the last two books though, I didn't come this far to stop now!
@Natasha
Yeah, i love getting lost int he world and that feeling was what it got 2 loveys for LOL I agree, im not giving up and you should totally read it, just not with the usual urgency I guess :P
Again?! What has happened to you Harris?! I don't understand what she has been doing with this series and I am not sure she knows either. I don't like the whole thing with Sookie and Eric fizzling out. People have been asking for it forever and doing it this way is a little slap in the face for me. HEA doesn't have to be a mist, but this? Come on! Sookie pissed me off in the last book, I felt like she was catching Bella Swan syndrome. Not to mention the last book felt more like a filler that was stretched a little long. I will wait to get this at the library. I have come to far not to finish this series, but seeing where it is now is sad. Awesome review hon, you hit it on the head. Thank you :)