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| From Dead to Worse: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #8 (Unabridged) | 
 enlarge | Author: Charlaine Harris
Publisher: audible.com
Category: Book
List Price: $34.99
Buy New: $18.37
You Save: $16.62 (47%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  166 reviews
Media: Audio Download
ASIN: B0019FAJ2Y
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Product Description
New in the addicting New York Times bestselling series featuring Sookie Stackhouse.
After the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina and the manmade explosion at the vampire summit, everyonehuman and otherwiseis stressed, including Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse, who is trying to cope with the fact that her boyfriend Quinn has gone missing.
Its clear that things are changingwhether the weres and vamps of her corner of Louisiana like it or not. And SookieFriend to the Pack and blood-bonded to Eric Northman, leader of the local vampire communityis caught up in the changes.
In the ensuing battles, Sookie faces danger, death, and once more, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood finished flowing, her world will be forever altered.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 161 more reviews...
 from dead to worse May 7, 2008
119 out of 131 found this review helpful
Let me start out by saying how much I love the Southern Vampire Mysteries. I was super excited for this book, yet I feel very let down after finishing. But I'll start with the positives. The characters were great. Bon Temps was great. I love immersing myself into Sookie's little corner of the world so much that I've read most books in this series at least twice. All of the characters were true to themselves; no one did anything out of the ordinary. No, the characters weren't the problem.
The problem with "From Dead to Worse" was the plot, specifically that there wasn't much of one. It seemed like there was a cameo from every character we have come to know. From Alcide & Sam to Amelia & Eric, they all came back to tie up some loose ends. There was no pacing or buildup to anything special, which brings me to another point. Isn't this series called the Southern Vampire MYSTERIES? Where was the mystery? Charlaine Harris is at her best when she writes mysteries as evidenced by her other series, so this book just seemed meandering & lost.
There were several plot lines that all seemed to get the same page amount as the other. There was no big story here. First, we start with a revelation about Sookie's family & her ties to the fairy world. Then, we move to the Shreveport werewolves who are having loyalty problems with their pack. That storyline is tied up in roughly 70 or so pages, & we turn the page to the vampires. Again, 70 or so pages are spent with Eric & Bill before we are thrust into the lives of Jason & Crystal. Finally, we end with Amelia & Bob.
I am upset with "From Dead to Worse" only because I love this series so much. I realize that many fans will feel differently, but I have tried to be as objective as possible. If this were my first book in the series, I would have put it down halfway through. I'll still continue to buy the new books in hardback, but I really hope that the next Sookie book has a little more bite.
More like a series of vignettes than a novel to me, but I enjoyed the various parts (3.5 stars) May 10, 2008
42 out of 45 found this review helpful
I honestly am such a fan of Charlaine Harris that I'd go just about anywhere she'd take me. "From Dead to Worse" wasn't quite all over the map, but there wasn't as much of a central them in this book as there was in her usual entries in this series.
We went from weddings, to family revelations, to were-wars--and there was so much more. While the varying parts were interesting and many did tie together, there wasn't the overall unity in this book I have expected from the series.
The beginning chapter where Sookie served as the bridesmaid for Halleigh's wedding was a spinoff from Ms. Harris' short story in an anthology collection, "My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding." I'm wondering if the rest isn't bits and pieces that have just needed resolving for some time.
I think you will see some answers to some interesting questions you've had as readers all along--like where did Sookie get her gift, what makes her different? And there are a few other surprises in store.
Interesting, in part, not as cohesive and riveting as her usual offerings are in a whole. "From Dead to Worse" is still very much worth the read if you are a die-hard Sookie fan like I am, but this is honestly the first of the series I can't simply rave about.
Rebecca Kyle, May 2008
 Louisiana Blues August 7, 2008
37 out of 38 found this review helpful
From Dead to Worse (2008) is the eighth fantasy novel in the Southern Vampire series, following All Together Dead. In the previous volume, Sookie Stackhouse finally realized what was going on and organized an evacuation party from the human workers. Cecile set off the fire alarm and other humans started downstairs.
Sookie managed to get Erik Northman up and the two of them got Pam into her coffin and then pushed it out the window. Sookie told the EMTs how to handle the vampires and then acted as a spotter for the rescue teams. Then she found Andre buried under some rubble.
In this novel, just about everybody in town is present for the double wedding of Portia Bellefleur to Glen Vick and Halleigh Robinson to Andy Bellefleur. The ceremony has been scheduled after dark so that the vampires can attend. The Weres are represented by Calvin Norris and Tanya Grissom. Sookie is not very pleased to see Tanya again.
Sookie was invited as a guest, but both Sam Merlotte and herself are working the bar since the intended bartender was injured in an auto accident. Then one of Halleigh's bridesmaids is taken to the hospital and Sookie is asked to fill in for her. Sookie rushes upstairs and changes out of her barmaid outfit.
The bridesmaid dress is a little tight and the shoes are a half size too small. Luckily she won't have to rush around while wearing them. Getting downstairs to the garden is going to be the worst part.
The wedding goes well and the two couples are married without any mishaps (except for the missing bartender and bridesmaid). The photographer takes pictures of Halleigh's bridesmaids first so that Sookie can get back to work. She quickly changes clothes and her toes sigh with relief.
As Sookie is handing out drinks, she meets an oriental vampire who says that he is called Jonathan since his real name is not pronounceable by most people. She notices a Nevada driver license in his billfold as he leaves a tip. He bows to her and she bows back.
Sookie also notices an older man at the edge of the woods. He sees her looking at him and steps forward as he gazes back at her. When he comes forward, all the vampires look his way simultaneously, bow slightly, and then go back their ongoing conversations. The man looks withered, but beautiful.
Sam asks Sookie about Tanya Grissom as they work the bar. Sam has gotten the impression that Sookie doesn't like Tanya. Of course, he is correct; Sookie had some bad experiences with Tanya when she was hired by the Van Pelt family. But Sookie knows that Sam likes Tanya and doesn't feel quite right about spreading her prejudices to her boss.
When Sookie gets home, Amelia Broadway is waiting at the kitchen table to hear about the wedding. She is living with Sookie, but is not really a member of the local social circle and was not invited to the wedding. Amelia also has something else to discuss with Sookie. Her father -- a rich contractor in New Orleans -- wishes to visit Amelia and wants to meet Sookie.
In this story, Copley Carmichael tries to act as like a good old boy, but Amelia's father is obviously used to being a local power broker. Amelia loves the old man, but is also afraid of him. She just can't say no to him.
Eric calls Sookie and asks her to go out with him for a dinner meeting. It is not a date, for Eric intends to escort her to the meeting and then wait outside until she is done. Sookie finds that the lovely, but withered, man is waiting for her. She soon finds out that he is a Fairy prince and also her great-grandfather.
Amelia's witch mentor shows up at the house to speak with her errant student. Amelia has been avoiding Octavia Fant since Bob Jessup was turned into a cat during some exotic sex with Amelia. Of course, Amelia is really not eager to face Octavia and admit that she still hasn't been able to reverse the transformation.
Alcide Herveaux calls Sookie to ask for a favor. One his fellow Weres has been murdered and he would like Amelia to perform an ectoplasmic reconstruction of the killing. Octavia goes along to help Amelia with the spell.
This tale soon has Sookie facing attempts to murder her. On two separate occasions, an unknown Were tries to kill her and no one knows why. Alcide believes that Patrick Furnan -- the new packmaster -- is responsible for the murders and murder attempts.
Sookie blames these troubles on Hurricane Katrina. All Louisiana has been disrupted by the storm. The vampire hierarchy in the state has been greatly weakened and even the werewolves are having problems.
Then there are Sookie's personal problems. Jason is having troubles with his wife Crystal and is not handling it well; Tanya is not helping the situation. Arlene is still hanging around with the local Fellowship of the Sun group and now hates Sookie. Bill Compton is still professing love for her and Eric is still trying to find out what happened when he lost his memory.
The story has some depressing times and moments of pure terror, with occasional flashes of joy. It is just one thing after another in the life of Sookie Stackhouse. Enjoy!
Highly recommended for Harris fans and anyone else who enjoys tales of telepathic disabilities, preternatural creatures, and tangled romance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
A rustle in the wind reminds us a fairy is near. -Author Unknown May 13, 2008
33 out of 41 found this review helpful
Sookie Stackhouse, telepath and friend to supernatural's everywhere, has several situations exploding all around her. Her boyfriend Quinn is MIA, the Were community is at odds as is the Vampire community, her bother's marriage seems to be off to a rocky start, and Sookie seems to be front and center when it all comes to a head.
With attempts on her life and the deaths of some of her friends, Sookie's world is getting more and more dangerous. Yet in the midst of all the danger, Sookie finds some unexpected happy surprises.
I loved this book with a capital L! So much is going on with the supernatural folk that Sookie associates with; it's non stop action from cover to cover. Some of things I have been dying to see happen, finally do. While chaos surrounds Sookie, she starts putting some order in her life, and she and Eric, her former Vamp lover, almost have a REAL conversation. *gasp*
This is a book that has Sookie going through a lot of changes and making all sorts of discoveries in her life. I was all consumed in this book from page one and when I reached the last page I debated on whether or not to start reading it all over again. Had it not been for my impatiently waiting sister, I would have.
Charlaine Harris is a fabulous author, no question. Her style of writing is so engaging, so descriptive and entertaining; it takes only about a page of reading before I feel like I have been transplanted to Bon Temps, Louisiana. I have been counting down the days till this books release, greedy to get my hands on it, and I was not disappointed in the least; she always delivers. The last two pages have me already eagerly anticipating the next in the series...and hoping she inherits a little vampire speed while writing so I don't have to wait so long!
Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse)
Living Dead in Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 2)
Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)
Dead to the World (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 4)
Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)
Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)
All Together Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 7)
Cherise Everhard, May 2008
Bye-bye, Blake! May 6, 2008
15 out of 22 found this review helpful
Marvelous, as always! I can't wait for the next book! Sookie, Bill, Sam & the gang are incredible stand-alone characters, and they just keep evolving. Harris has a way of pulling the reader in with incredible detail, mood and tone. (Haven't caught the previous Southern Vampire books yet? Don't worry...you'll be just as entertained.)
I'm a reader who's given (the once revered but now complacent) author Laurell K. Hamilton lots of my hard-earned money, only to receive simplistic, transparent plots, no character development and the cheesiest sex scenes ever in return. So if you, too, are seeking something more challenging and hear the words "vampire" and "series" in the same sentence, you cringe. But this is a leap of faith you'll be glad you took.
Charlaine Harris is an author who respects her readers. The supporting characters in this series don't remain droll extensions of Sookie, desperately seeking out her affections (because without her existence, their loins would simply combust spontaneously! *eye roll*).
No, Harris' readers are smarter, and she knows it. This book's pace is perfect - although I couldn't put it down and sped through it. It doesn't feel rushed, and Harris leaves plenty of room for interpretation. The author gives us character development - Bill, Sam, Eric, even Pam would be great characters on their own. Harris uses actual events (Hurricane Katrina) and instances (Anne Rice's effect on Louisiana tourism) to help pull us in.
Thank you, Ms. Harris, for honoring us with The Southern Vampire Mysteries. The series continues to take us on a wild, bumpy ride with plenty of gasps and sobs in between.
If you're looking for relief from the hilariously-cheesy poorly-written sex camp that the "Anita Blake Vampire Hunter" series has become, please follow my lead and give The Southern Vampire Mysteries a go.
"From Dead to Worse" is another great "Southern" ride.
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