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imaginary_space's Reviews (246)
I gave this series another chance because in the reviews to the first book, people said it gets better. But I found this book worse than the first. The author introduced a completely new, dangerous creature, but does nothing with the potential that comes with it.
She turns up, attacks Sookie so she has an excuse to get naked in front of Vampires and then turns up again at the end to magically solve a plot that would otherwise have been too... complicated(?) to resolve? I don't get it.
Also, Sookie continues to romanticise abusive behaviour.
I still like the ideas, especially the Fellowhip of the Sun. Great potential there, but it's not used. Well, apparently this isn't the goal here.
Also, Sookie continues to romanticise abusive behaviour.
I still like the ideas, especially the Fellowhip of the Sun. Great potential there, but it's not used. Well, apparently this isn't the goal here.
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Why did I continue with this? 1) As I said before, it works well while cleaning, hanging up clothes etc. and 2) I am really bad at just canceling books or series.
I enjoyed this book more than the one before, because Bill's not in it for the most part. That's a great improvement. When he shows up again, things get worse.
The story is still really rape-y and I cannot press this enough:
THIS IS NOT ROMANTIC BEHAVIOUR!
Please, if you have little experience with relationships and read this book, know this: NOBODY is allowed to do sexual things to you against your will and you are right to hate them afterwards, not love them. Abusing you is not a sign of love or affection, it is a warning sign that you should get out of there while you still can. You owe NOBODY affection just because they say nice things, but do bad things. Abuse is not counterbalanced by nice things.
HE RAPES HER FOR PETE'S SAKE and what she's angry about is him cheating on her with another vampire. Also, about five minutes afterwards she thinks about how she wants to hump his bones.
I don't get why Bill is supposed to be the good guy in this. He is nothing but an asshole to Sookie (see above) and when he's not, he's super possessive and it's romanticized. That's one thing this book is perfect for: As an example in self-help classes for victims of abusive relationships. No sarcasm here, I totally mean that.
Everybody is really hormonal, to the point where you get the impression that the protagonists are not adults or ancient vampires, but teenagers. Seriously, why would 2000-year old vampires act like teens? Do they evolve in reverse?
Except Pam. I like Pam. She seems to be the only normal named character.
The solution of the plot was as lazy and disappointing (or... anticlimactic) than in the book before. It was a good story with great potential, but in the end I was left thinking "Is everyone here very stupid?" From people/vampires, who are described as witty, intellligent, scheming etc., I would expect more.
I am still searching for a good urban fantasy book series with vampires, but without romanticized rape and abuse. Plus, if not every named character falls in love with the heroine, who is intelligent, except for when she isn't, because she needs to be saved.
I enjoyed this book more than the one before, because Bill's not in it for the most part. That's a great improvement. When he shows up again, things get worse.
The story is still really rape-y and I cannot press this enough:
THIS IS NOT ROMANTIC BEHAVIOUR!
Please, if you have little experience with relationships and read this book, know this: NOBODY is allowed to do sexual things to you against your will and you are right to hate them afterwards, not love them. Abusing you is not a sign of love or affection, it is a warning sign that you should get out of there while you still can. You owe NOBODY affection just because they say nice things, but do bad things. Abuse is not counterbalanced by nice things.
I don't get why Bill is supposed to be the good guy in this. He is nothing but an asshole to Sookie (see above) and when he's not, he's super possessive and it's romanticized. That's one thing this book is perfect for: As an example in self-help classes for victims of abusive relationships. No sarcasm here, I totally mean that.
Everybody is really hormonal, to the point where you get the impression that the protagonists are not adults or ancient vampires, but teenagers. Seriously, why would 2000-year old vampires act like teens? Do they evolve in reverse?
Except Pam. I like Pam. She seems to be the only normal named character.
The solution of the plot was as lazy and disappointing (or... anticlimactic) than in the book before. It was a good story with great potential, but in the end I was left thinking "Is everyone here very stupid?" From people/vampires, who are described as witty, intellligent, scheming etc., I would expect more.
I am still searching for a good urban fantasy book series with vampires, but without romanticized rape and abuse. Plus, if not every named character falls in love with the heroine, who is intelligent, except for when she isn't, because she needs to be saved.
The things I love about this book include:
* It centers on Leia Organa!
* It captures Leia's voice perfectly. A few weeks before starting this I listened to the audiobook of Carrie Fisher's 'The Princess Diarist' and the dialogues and inner monologues of Leia in this book reminded me so much of Carrie, it was a delight.
* It's really well written and instantly catapulted Martha Wells up right next to Timothy Zahn on the list of my favourite Star Wars authors.
* It tells us more about Leia's place in the Rebellion, what she wanted to be, what others wanted her to be and what she achieved.
* It focuses on the impact the destruction of Alderaan hat not only on Leia, but on other Alderaanian survivors as well. An interesting topic, and well delivered.
* It does not introduce another thread that will destroy the galaxy and gets defeated in the end, but rather deals with the day-to-day business of the Rebellion in the days of the Empire and in this, gives us insight into one of the main characters as well as into the Rebellion itself.
If this list sounds like something you might like, I highly recommend this book.
* It centers on Leia Organa!
* It captures Leia's voice perfectly. A few weeks before starting this I listened to the audiobook of Carrie Fisher's 'The Princess Diarist' and the dialogues and inner monologues of Leia in this book reminded me so much of Carrie, it was a delight.
* It's really well written and instantly catapulted Martha Wells up right next to Timothy Zahn on the list of my favourite Star Wars authors.
* It tells us more about Leia's place in the Rebellion, what she wanted to be, what others wanted her to be and what she achieved.
* It focuses on the impact the destruction of Alderaan hat not only on Leia, but on other Alderaanian survivors as well. An interesting topic, and well delivered.
* It does not introduce another thread that will destroy the galaxy and gets defeated in the end, but rather deals with the day-to-day business of the Rebellion in the days of the Empire and in this, gives us insight into one of the main characters as well as into the Rebellion itself.
If this list sounds like something you might like, I highly recommend this book.
I listened to the audiobook because of the hype and must admit, I'm not very big on romance novels.
My experience with this book was a lot like my experience with the TV-show based on it. The story itself could be pretty good, the vampires coming "out of the coffin" thing is an interesting idea with lots of potential... if you just cut the two main characters. Granted, Sookie is a more coherent character than other romantic "heroines", but she still acts stupid every time the author felt the need to have her protected by one vampire dude or another. Bill is the brooding, "I constantly have to tell you how dangerous I am for you and yet I'm not going to leave you alone", absolutetly boring type of guy. Also, there are endless detailed descriptions of people's clothes, looks and Sookie doing random everyday stuff.
The romance is boring and seems forced, the sex scenes are really bad and I just don't get why romanticised violence is apparently seen as something good and desirable. Also, it's a really boring plot device.
Although Sookie is the main character, Bill's man pain is constantly considered more important than her feelings, e.g. when she fears she will be raped and instantly starts to worry about how it would affect him or when her friend and secret shapeshifter gains access to her house in the form of a dog, watches her undress and then proceeds to sleep next to her naked and when she wakes up and finds out she starts to worry that Bill will kill him, barely touching on her own feelings towards his betrayal.
That being said, although I haven't read many romance novels, I have read worse, so this gets two stars. Mainly because of the story you get when you cut the romance and because it works well as an audiobook you can listen to while cleaning or something. I don't know if I will continue with the series, as I fear the interesting male characters will also start falling in love with Sookie and proceed to act totally stupid because of it.
My experience with this book was a lot like my experience with the TV-show based on it. The story itself could be pretty good, the vampires coming "out of the coffin" thing is an interesting idea with lots of potential... if you just cut the two main characters. Granted, Sookie is a more coherent character than other romantic "heroines", but she still acts stupid every time the author felt the need to have her protected by one vampire dude or another. Bill is the brooding, "I constantly have to tell you how dangerous I am for you and yet I'm not going to leave you alone", absolutetly boring type of guy. Also, there are endless detailed descriptions of people's clothes, looks and Sookie doing random everyday stuff.
The romance is boring and seems forced, the sex scenes are really bad and I just don't get why romanticised violence is apparently seen as something good and desirable. Also, it's a really boring plot device.
Although Sookie is the main character, Bill's man pain is constantly considered more important than her feelings, e.g. when she fears she will be raped and instantly starts to worry about how it would affect him or when her friend and secret shapeshifter gains access to her house in the form of a dog, watches her undress and then proceeds to sleep next to her naked and when she wakes up and finds out she starts to worry that Bill will kill him, barely touching on her own feelings towards his betrayal.
That being said, although I haven't read many romance novels, I have read worse, so this gets two stars. Mainly because of the story you get when you cut the romance and because it works well as an audiobook you can listen to while cleaning or something. I don't know if I will continue with the series, as I fear the interesting male characters will also start falling in love with Sookie and proceed to act totally stupid because of it.
Fast-paced, action-packed story, cool plot idea, interesting new characters. I just wished Han would have gotten a little more time to shine - or fail - basically do things. Since the book is supposed to be centered on him, I would have been totally okay with that spotlight.