A couple of weeks ago, I posted my review of Dead Until Dark, book one of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. I really enjoyed it, and was excited to have found a series with so many books already published to start on.And now I'm sad. Last night I started reading the next book in the series, Living Dead in Dallas. I basically hate it. It seems to have carried on with the gothic, vampire theme full-tilt, without retaining any of the humor and charm that really drew me to the series in the first place. Or perhaps it just doesn't sparkle the way it used to now that the main characters are together, instead of just flirting. That can be a tough transition to pull off. Anyway, I'm about 75 pages in, and I don't know if I'll bother to continue.
I think maybe my problem is that in between reading books 1 and 2, I watched a couple episodes of True Blood (the TV show based on the series). I did not like it at all. It was far to dark and creepy and had way too many scenes of Jason Stackhouse banging (I'm using that term purposely) random women. So maybe now my view of the books is tainted by the TV show? I'm not sure...
So, has this ever happened to you? You get really excited about the beginning of a series, and then it lets you down. (Yes, I'm looking at you, Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy!) Do you think I should keep going with this series? Grey's got good again...
14 comments:
Hiya! I say keep going, I've read the whole series, and while it does get somewhat darker. The light humor is still in there. Sookie goes through a lot of different things in the series, so it's interesting to see how she grows and learns all about the paranormal communites. :D
Also, I like to keep True Blood and the books separate. I try to keep in mind it's a totally different series and the people just happen to have the same names. haha
Sounds good. I'm still on the first one.
Anxious Hearts
I'd say try at least one more book and see how it goes...
I remember starting Frank Herbert's Dune series. The first book was good, but it went downhill after that. I started God Emperor of Dune and finally gave up. I despised the 'hero' so much by that time that I couldn't read anymore. I'm also one of those rare people who really liked David Lynch's 'Dune' - maybe the scene with a half-naked Sting has something to do with it!
I've never read the books, though I am a fan of the TV show. What I love the most about it is the way it subtly dissects the society, and uses clever metaphors so it's socially responsible.
I'm going to be the odd man out I feel, but I hate hate hate the TV show! I feel like because it's on HBO they feel like that warrants the use of ridiculous gratuitous adult scenes. Yes, the books have some of that, but the TV series is just way beyond what I can handle. And I feel like they changed so many of the relationships from what happens in the books that I can't connect with it.
That being said, I LOVE the books! I think you should keep trying. Yes, they're a little dark, but that's somewhat to be expected considering the subject matter. But some of what happens in the later books is so interesting. The characters and situations Sookie meets are so fun and thought provoking. I by no means will be upset if you end up really not liking them, but I say give it at least one more book to see how it goes. Good luck!
@Brooke Reviews - I'm glad to hear the humor sticks around. Maybe I was just in the wrong mood =o)
@Maria - ???
@L. Diane - I hate when that happens. Especially if the series has been hyped by lots of people you know, you can almost feel like you're letting them down by not liking it.
@Nikola- I guess I didn't get far enough into the show to get the clever metaphors.
@1stdaughter- You're not alone! I hated the TV show too. I will probably try and finish at least one more of the books, though, since so many people seem to think it will get better.
Ugh. I hated the TV show, too. But I did like the books. Maybe because for me, the words all translate in my head, and MY "pictures" were more satisfying than HBO's? Who knows...
Anyway. Not all the books are great. My personal fav. is the one with amnesiac Eric (can't remember the title off the top of my head...). But they all grow Sookie in one way or another.
Yep, I'll chime in and say keep going. Book 4 was where things really hit their stride for me. I'm sorry you got bogged down. I hate that feeling.
And if you continue and find it's just not your thing, I highly recommend giving her Harper Connelly series a shot. They're more traditional mysteries with just one tiny hint of paranormal and they are very good.
Honest opinion...haven't read them, but the series (yep the whole thing...hey, I got a really good price!) is in my TBR. What I've HEARD is that fans of the books aren't fond of the show and fans of the show are not fans of the books. The adaptation has created a divide in fans...I'd say give the books another try. (but it's just my opinion) =0)
I haven't tried the Stackhouse books - I'm not really into vampire stories - but i LOVE Grey's Anatomy! I came to it late, though, and watched the first two seasons on DVD, so I don't remember any letdown.
Sue
The same thing happened to me! I have just decided to watch the TV show and gave up on the books...
I haven't read the books but I did watch the 1st season of True Blood. I liked it, but not that much. The other (i.e. not gorgeous) vampires really creep me out!
On to your question... I really liked the 1st season of Prison Break, but then as it went on, the writers just seemed to run out of possible scenarios that I eventually stopped watching it.
Hey, have you tried watching Chuck? I love that show! :) (ok, that's off-topic...)
I just ordered the first three books in the series. It sux that you're not liking the second one :(
Anyways I always make it a point to finish any book that I start, cos you never know it might get good! So I'd say continue reading it :)
I haven't read the series but I do know what you mean. I say push through for maybe one more book and if it doesn't pick back up, drop it.
Post a Comment