Dead until Dark

3.5 stars.

I did like the book, but I'm a little biased because I watched True Blood first, and I preferred Season One of the show to Book One. We'll see how the other books compare for me :) I definitely feel like I understand Sookie as a character better after reading this. But I missed Tara!

This was a quick read and I probably should have read it before I watched the HBO series True Lies which is based on the books. I kept on comparing things between the two. I also like getting a picture in my head what the characters look like but in this case I already had a picture because of the TV series. There were quite a few differences between the book and TV show but the main storyline was the same. I'll probably continue the series although it won't be high up on my reading list since I am enjoying the TV series. I'm waiting for the next DVD's to come out!

I was really excited to read this book because I love all things vampire, and knew that these are what they based the show True Blood on. No, I have not seen that show. I hoped to read through these books first to get the original story before I dove into the “Hollywood” version. Now, however, it is really a question of how much better the next book is going to be.

When I first started this, I was a little frustrated at the writing. Although I hadn't expected it to be fabulous, I did hope that it would at least be interesting. It just seemed like there was so much information at the beginning that was unnecessary to the overall plot. On top of that, I knew that this was supposed to be based in Louisiana but I feel like Harris is doing a disservice to those people. They all seemed so dim-witted and droll. The only person in the novel who was remotely interesting was Sam, and he only really intrigued me at the very end.

Sookie was an okay main character. I liked that her life was spiced up with the addition of her “disability”. However following her through her daily life was rather forced. At times I really wanted to be able to ask her exactly why she cared so much about Bill. Did she really love him? Their affection for one another just really didn't shine through (except of course in the sex scenes). Yes, there are sex scenes, so this is most definitely an adult novel.

I think I might pick up the next one to see if it is better. A few people who have read the whole series assure me that the storyline picks up, so I will give it a try.

I started this book a couple of years ago and for some reason I just could not get into it. But I stuck it out finally and finished it and it turned out to be a lot better than I had first thought.

I should really not read when I am in a bad mood. Sometimes reading takes me out of the bad mood and others it settles its bad self into the book and ruins it for me. That happened with two books this past weekend. First, this one, I liked the writing style it has a lilting, calm quality like a southern accent. I liked the main character but sometimes (and this may be just my bad mood talking) but it seemed she was very unphysic for a physic. Now for my bad mood shouting forth: Bill - the vampire Bill - why was he named Bill. I know, I know vampires must have normal names they were once normal people and a vampire Clive or Stewart has got to be out there but Bill? I don't know it just struk me and then slapped me every time I read it. I liked him. Vampire him and his name is Bill. Anyway, I am going to put this on my shelf and pull it out again when I am in a better mood because I think I may like it - hopefully.

This book was pretty much the same as the first season of True Blood. There were a few differences, but for the most part, it was the same. Some scenes from the book, it felt like they were taken out perfectly and put into the TV show.

But, I do have to say, all in all, I enjoy the TV show better than the book. I love how Lafayette and Tara have a bigger presence in the show. Tara is totally absent from this book.

I love the HBO series True Blood so thought it would be interesting to read the books they are basing the series on. This was a fun quick read and I can't wait to move on to book number two!

Charlaine Harris is by no means a gifted prose writer, but she can put together an entertaining story and invent characters with a sense of identity and flavor. Not terribly intellectually stimulating, but an enjoyable read.

TOTALLY likable! Just what I was looking for. I love southern-style chick lit and this doesn't disappoint. The vampire/supernatural elements are fun window dressing. Sookie's a good heroine too - unlike dear Bella Swan, despite being flanked by a vampire and a shapeshifter, Sookie's able to take care of herself, and enjoy sex/bloodletting with her vamp boyfriend.

I decided these books would be my fun summer reading and then I would get the HBO True Blood series and watch that. After the first couple pages, I almost stopped reading the book because the writing was so lame, but it does get better and the fun stories and characters eventually drew me in. I'm a fan of authentic, author-created worlds that you can get lost in, and I'm enjoying spending the summer in Bon Temps, Louisiana.

Coming back to this book was just catching up with a friend. This was fun and interesting– I actually read every word, not something happens often (or at least not recently) so it was a nice change. I'm also very much dying to read the next book haha.

I will say this author has a problem with women who have sex often. It isn't proper or blah blah blah. I only mention it because this isn't the only book where the heroine seems to look down on people who've been married often or sleep around – mostly women, because the men aren't as looked down on it. It almost seems like the author is telling the reader appropriate morals, although it isn't as bad as Aurora Teagarden.

Vampirism wasn't super explained, but I feel like mostly everything was covered and being a series, more will come! There is also that wiggle room for other supernatural creatures since we know just from this book that Sookie is enhanced (telepathy), other beings are slightly brought up, yet nothing was definitively denied, so the story and possible plots can go many different direction.
The mystery wasn't fully fleshed out if only because the mystery didn't seem to be the main focus nor were many hints given about the villain. I had a few guesses and wasn't too surprised... so perhaps the mystery was done just right!

What I appreciate is that this is a book that can stand on it's own. Are there still some secrets and little things to resolve? Kinda, but if this was a standalone I'd be happy! This isn't just a background or set up book.

I read this book in one day, so yeah, you could say I liked it. I don't usually tear through a book that quickly unless I'm interested in it.

I bought this book after seeing the first episode of True Blood during our cable's HBO free preview. I was surprised about how accurate the first episode was to the beginning of the book. I wish I hadn't seen the episode, because it would've been nice to be able to picture the characters myself without having Anna Paquin and Steven Moyer pop into my head the whole time. That being said, I want to read the rest of the series and then go back and watch the shows, maybe renting when the season comes out or something.

This book was much better than I expected, fast paced but easy to follow, turns that keep you surprised and a main character that I really liked. I guess so soon after reading Twilight I was a little weary, but this is nothing like Twilight in any sense of the word. Thankfully.

Both the book and the show seem to be good, but I would suggest reading the book first, and then watching the show. It's easier to imagine if you don't already have pictures there.