Languages:English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published) Media:Hardcover Edition:First Pages:312 Number Of Items:1 Shipping Weight (lbs):1.1 Dimensions (in):9.1 x 6 x 1.3
Publication Date:May 5, 2009 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days Condition:Very good except ex-library with a mylar cover and very minimal markings - just one sticker on the back and a blank sticker on the inside of the back board, the binding is starting to crack between the second page and the rest of the book. Ships promptly, email questions answered quickly, multi-item shipping discount available.
Dead and Gone a metaphor for old issues revisitedOctober 27, 2009 A. Williamson(Atlanta, GA) 8 out of 10 found this review helpful
Dead and Gone, the 9th in the Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire series, is a refreshingly quick read that (finally!) offers some closure on the Sookie-Eric Northman attraction that has been brewing ever since Book 4 when Eric lost his memory of their brief romantic fling after the curse on him was lifted.
Fans of Sookie will be pleased to focus on the central cast of characters, as opposed to the extended cast, which has been building over the past few books as Sookie travels to different locales. The regulars are all present (Sam, Jason, Eric, Bill, Bubba--briefly) along with a few extended cast faces (Calvin Norris, Andy Bellefleur, Claude & Claudine, Octavia Fant) and have some part to play in the two-fold plot.
The Weres "come out" publicly on television causing unrest in escalating human-supernatural tensions which leads to a grisly murder, meanwhile an escalating faerie war erupts to make Sookie the target of her great-grandfather Niall's enemies. This book was somehwat darker than past installments, especially toward the end.
The title could be a metaphor for the reawakening of past tensions which are re-visited during the course of Sookie's (typically) dangerous adventure, especially in regard to romantic relationships. Bill's lingering feelings for Sookie, the (unspoken) sexual tension between Sookie and Sam, and Sam's resentment of Sookie's involvement with vampires, Quinn's dissatisfaction with Sookie's severing of their relationship (his brief appearance adds nothing to the story), and Eric's escalating desire for Sookie (a main plot issue) are examined as Sookie mentally catalogues the men in her life in the midst of her latest crisis. These recycled feelings of former flames grow tiresome as books mount up, especially considering the circumstances of how most of her relationships ended: Bill cheated on her, Quinn couldn't cut the family apron strings, and Sam never stepped up to the plate. Sookie's blood-bond with Eric prompts an exploration of their mutual attraction, and Eric's political maneuvering forces a not-entirely-unwilling Sookie to make a formal tie to him (the rules of which are left open for future books).
In the surprisingly violent and nearly fatal (for several characters) dénouement, Sookie becomes a target for assassination in the faerie war that prompts vampire involvement to save her (yet again). As usual, the book leaves loose threads dangling to whet readers' appetites for more, including: the rules of the relationship between Eric and Sookie and how it will affect the vampire/Were community politically; Sookie and brother Jason's family tensions due to the genetic fae blood; the possible end of the fae involvement with humans (and therefore exit of all faerie characters from the Sookie series); and Sookie's (please God let's hope not) feelings for Bill.
All in all, an enjoyable read, a closure on some dead issues, and a stepping stone in the Sookie series. The continuation in Book 10 should prove interesting.
Best Sookie story in a while ....November 9, 2009 J. Carangal(Maryland USA) 3 out of 4 found this review helpful
After a strong start to the Sookie series, I have been a bit disappointed with some of the recent books. This one renewed my love of Sookie's story. No, it isn't perfect and there are some continuity errors along the way. But I enjoyed the combination of characters, the evolution of character relationships, and the new problems that present themselves in the story. I loved the increased intensity of Sookie's relationship with Eric, was glad to see Bill become a more important part of Sookie's life again, was happy to see the "end" of some of the more annoying characters, enjoyed the friendship between Sookie and Amelia, still love Sam and wish I had a friend like him, and am still amazed at the loyalty shown to Sookie by the supes. The story ended on a great line and I can't wait to see what will happen next! (But there are still many "lose ends" I hope Ms Harris doesn't forget to neatly wrap up)
Fantastic! Lots of action!November 20, 2009 C. H. Stover(Nacogdoches, Texas, USA) 5 out of 7 found this review helpful
I dont' get what all the negative reviews are about. I really enjoyed this book, as I have all the Sookie Stackhouse books. I only wish this one had been longer; I got to the end way too fast. I love that Sookie and Eric are finally getting somewhere; its about time. So I hope that continues. Otherwise I just couldn't agree with the other reviews about the excess of violence, etc. I found a couple of editorial issues in the text, but what book doesn't have a few of those. I found them easy to ignore and "fix" in my mind as I read. I think this is one of the best in series yet. Can't wait for the next one! Keep 'em coming Ms. Harris!
Review the book, not the price...May 5, 2009 Jennifer Taylor(Seattle, WA) 69 out of 103 found this review helpful
Just finished "Dead And Gone" -- at 2:30 am on the day it was released. To me, that's worth paying $14 for the kindle version. I am all about that instant gratification.
Now, to the actual book -- Harris definitely raises the stakes in Sookie Stackhouse's 9th outing. Our heroine's been building up favors with the local supes for quite some time, and until recently, her problems have been tough but survivable. But now, with something so deadly that even her supernatural allies don't know how to handle it, how can Sookie come out unscathed?
The simplest answer: She can't.
Lots of progress on the personal relationship front, too, and the loss of some dear secondary/tertiary characters. This one starts off with a bang and keeps going 90 miles an hour until it hits the wall, and leaves you thinking, "God...when is the next one coming out again?" Not in a cliffhanger, just in a wish that it wasn't over yet.
PS: Someone seriously needs to front Sookie the cash and time off work for a proper vacation. Please. The girl needs some sun and some time off.
Another fun title in a persistently excellent seriesJune 1, 2009 Robert Moore(Chicago, IL USA) While I enjoyed TRUE BLOOD this past fall (and look forward to its return in a couple of weeks), it doesn't really replace the books. The show is really much more about the ensemble of characters; the books are far more about Sookie. That is inevitable given that she is the narrator, but everything in the books revolve around Sookie.
I won't give any spoilers except to say that some characters that have been around for awhile make their goodbyes in this one, either through death or by departure. One of the deaths is particularly gruesome. One of them is particularly shocking and unexpected, someone we've loved and enjoyed through most of the series.
I'm delighted that this series has remained so much fun all the way through nine novels. Not many series remain this good through this many books. Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series of novels stayed superb through nearly 20 novels (with the unfinished novel there were 21, but it started to run out of steam just before the end). Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels have been superb for over 30 books. Hopefully the Sookie Stackhouse books will eventually match them.
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