Rating:


Author: Charlaine Harris

Publication: January 1st, 2002

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Description: Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse isn't happy. Her co-worker has been murdered and no one seems to care. If that wasn't enough she's got blood-poisoning and a raging fever. Luckily, some friendly vampires graciously suck the poison from her veins (like they didn't enjoy it). But, seeing as they did save her life, when they come asking for a favour she can hardly refuse. She quickly finds herself using her telepathic skills in the search for a missing vampire, but when they break their good behaviour condition over a tasty blond, things go rapidly and horribly wrong ...
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My Review:

 Dead Until Dark hooked me in and now Living Dead In Dallas has pulled me under. The series continues with the fun and exciting story that can have me laughing one minute and telling the main characters to run for it the very next.

One of the most interesting things about Dead Until Dark was the many different supernatural elements all encorporated into one storyline. This trend continued in Living Dead In Dallas, as we continue our fun with vampires, learn more about shapeshifters, are introduced to werewolves, and even run into a nasty maenad. The series also continues with a brand new mystery - or two, in this story. One of Sookie's coworkers is killed and she will do whatever she can to figure out who did it, even if it means attending a "sex club". On top of that, the vampires in Dallas have bargained with Eric to use her telepathic services to figure out what happened to one of their missing members.

As you can see, Sookie has a lot on her shoulders in Living Dead In Dallas, but she remains strong and fights to find the truth behind both mysteries. I love Sookie's perseverance and strong will. Both of which, however, seem to evaporate when Bill is around. Bill. Ever annoying, too serious and cold, and always treating Sookie like a possesion rather than someone he "loves". At this point, they've still only know each other a month or two and the word love definitely does not describe what I see between them. More like lust. And despite Bill's many flaws, Sookie forgives him at the first lusty, jealous glance Bill throws her way after an incident in Dallas. I won't give away the dirty deets, but the "incident in Dallas" = Sookie in possible danger, Eric protects her while Bill runs off without even checking on her. Speaking of the amazing Eric..

In my review of Dead Until Dark, I noted that Bill's boss Eric was a fun character and that I hoped to see more of him in this book. My wish was granted. There is much more Eric in Living Dead In Dallas and I love every minute of it. Not only is he clearly interested in Sookie and protected her during the "incident in Dallas" when her darling Bill was no where to be seen, but he's so much more than Bill could ever dream of being. Eric is really tall and really hot where Bill has freaking sideburns. Eric is funny where Bill is brooding and cold. Because of that, Eric and Sookie can keep a fun banter where Bill would just glower or be silent.

“By the way, I haven't heard an 'I'm sorry' from you yet." My sense of grievance had overwhelmed my sense of self-preservation.
"I am sorry that the maenad picked on you."
I glared at him. "Not enough," I said. I was trying hard to hang on to this conversation.
"Angelic Sookie, vision of love and beauty, I am prostrate that the wicked evil maenad violated your smooth and voluptuous body, in an attempt to deliver a message to me."
"That's more like it.”  

Even though Sookie still needs to open her eyes and see the beefcake, blonde Viking vamp right in front of her rather than her current Civil War sideburn sissy, I very much enjoyed reading Living Dead In Dallas. With more Eric-y fun and an adventure to Texas, I can even safely say that I enjoyed this second installment more than the first in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

Summed Up:

Great storyline, writing, and characters like in the first book. Though, this one had more funny parts and Eric! I still don't like Bill though and he takes away from the book for me.

Sookie Stackhouse Series

Review for #1: Dead Until Dark
Review for #2: Living Dead In Dallas
Review for #3: Club Dead
Review for #4: Dead to the World
Review for #5: Dead as a Doornail
Review for #6: Definitely Dead
Review for #7: All Together Dead
Review for #8: From Dead to Worse
Review for #9: Dead and Gone