Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Poor Sookie! The gal just can’t seem to make the right decision when it comes to a lover no matter what she chooses. In this the eleventh book in the Southern Vampire series, she goes through threats to her life (again), Erik revealing a secret deal that will change their relationship and Bill revealing more than Sookie really wants to know about his life before he returned to Bon Temps.

And that doesn’t count in the attack at Merlotte’s and the problem’s revealed by a gift her grandmother has left her. Still, Sookie never stops being lost in wonder at the amazing complexity of the world and her place in it. Even while adding to her tan and making sure her clothes are washed. It is all part of the Sookie Stackhouse world.

The Paranormal Romances of Sookie Stackhouse

I have always had a soft spot for the long cold Viking, but this time around I began to question my ability to cheer for Team Erik any longer. I felt that his complete disregard for how Sookie might feel about the decisions he is making went beyond callous. True, I guess if you are a thousand years old your perspective on things might be a bit different from an ordinary human perspective.

We all know that Erik loves to have a bit of power to wield. Making choices that will give him that power, even at Sookie’s expense, come with the Erik territory. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. How Sookie will choose to deal with it, and him, is the true question here. Even in a top paranormal romance story like this one there are some sacrifices I question making on the altar of love.

The Faery Question

Luckily, there is plenty going on to distract Sookie from her heart-ache, even if her paranormal romance woes seem to multiply with time. I am quite enamored of the whole faery clan and the question of why the two “uncles” continue to hang around Sookie. We begin to discover there is more here than just missing other faeries, as the mysterious Mr. Cataliades reveals his secrets to Sookie.

It seems that Claude, as usual, has far more up his sleeve then he lets on. But does he mean Sookie real harm, or does he even care if getting what he came for might hurt his “cousin”. Somehow, I doubt that sort of thing even occurs to someone like Claude. That is Sookie’s danger.

Danger All Around

In the end, a plot is soon made to kill Erik’s master. The plan that begins to form will take everyone’s skill to pull off. Of course, it soon becomes obvious that Sookie is just another pawn in Erik’s game to regain power.

I do like, though, that Pam gets some nice moments in this book. I am beginning to really warm up to her more, even if she is one of the cold ones. Still, she is Erik’s child and in the end will have her loyalties to him. But those loyalties get tried mightily in this one, as do Sookie’s loyalties to any vampire in the end.

But best of all, we get to visit with Bubba again and truly enjoy him. This is one light touch in the book I have been enjoying and was pleased to see him do his little cameo piece in Dead Reckoning. So lots happening, some loose ends tied up and new ones introduced, and some big questions finely brought to the forefront. Sookie will really have to decide just how much she is willing to put up with from Erik, and even from Bill. As she puts it, when Bill tells her he loves her:

“That’s what you all keep saying,” I answered. But it doesn’t seem to get me any happier.”

Making Choices

Yup- that is exactly the problem Sookie. Loving these vampires just hasn’t really worked out for you. But there is a reason this series is one of the top paranormal romance series around, the choices a certain barmaid has to make.

So- is Alcide looking any better? How about Sam? Maybe a shifter would be a better option. I kinda get the feeling an ordinary human guy wouldn’t stand a chance with her. Then again, it wouldn’t be a paranormal romance if he was an ordinary guy, would it?

So who do you think Sookie should be hooking up with? Do you think either Bill or Erik is worth the pain of living with their immortality? Is a shifter like Sam, that Sookie has known so long, a better choice? We know that in the end she has to choose, but who?

Looking to catch up on your favorite southern barmaid’s adventures? You can grab your own copy of Dead Reckoning in either Kindle, paperback or hardcover editions or even catch up on your favorite MP3 player with the audio version. Then come on back and tell us where you think this tale is going.

Are you on Team Erik, Team Bill or maybe even Team Sam?