Dead Ever After

This is a review of “Dead Ever After” by Charlaine Harris. It is the thirteenth and final novel in the Sookie Stackhouse Series. It follows on from “Deadlocked“.

As this book is a part of a series, the following review may reveal some details of the previous novel/s. Do not read if you intend to read this series in the future and don’t want to know of any potential plot spoilers.

If you are a fan of the HBO show Trueblood, then you ought to know that the show has not yet reached this point in the series. (Even though the show seems to be straying more and more drastically from the novels…but don’t get me started on that!)

Sookie is dealing with the aftermath of using the cluviel dor. She used it to bring Sam back to life. This did not go over well with Eric, who wanted Sookie to use it to get him out of a difficult situation. While Sookie believes she’s done the right thing (without even thinking about it no less) by saving her friend, Eric takes this as evidence that Sookie does not love him enough, or more than Sam. For Sookie it’s really a no brainer: who could possibly let their dearest friend die, just so you could fix a situation not of your own doing?

Well, now Eric is not speaking to her. Sam is acting weird. He’s not himself, he seems depressed and not at all like she imagined. Sookie is down in the dumps. She’s lonely. Down a boyfriend, down a best friend (until he snaps out of his funk) and she has no idea where her life is headed. Lucky she still has Tara.

Meanwhile, forces unknown are plotting against Sookie Stackhouse. They want her punished in the worst kind of way. Sookie always seems to have a following of enemies, and these ones seem über dangerous. They’ve hatched a convoluted plan, and it’s all Sookie can do to keep her head above water. Things are looking gloomy for poor Sookie.

But Sookie does have friends. The best friends a telepathic barmaid could ever ask for. Weres, shifters, witches, demons, vamps and regular ol’ humans. And those friends are going to help her no matter what.

I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the different POV sections. I was impressed that everything got tied up neatly, and I liked that characters I had been interested in knowing more about turned up in this novel. Sookie got her happily ever after, and while it wasn’t my first choice for her, I understood it and I’m glad Sookie is happy (and I don’t hate her choice either).

I have heard friends say: “Oh Sookie got a bit skanky there for a while.” I don’t think this is true. Sookie came to her sexuality quite late in life. I enjoyed that she explored sex and different sexual partners. Really, it was not so many at all. And sometimes in life you do have to kiss a couple of toads, before you get your frog prince. I love that Sookie grew and matured. I loved that she made mistakes. I loved that she forgave herself over and over. I loved that she fought.

I love that she is a survivor.

Sookie Stackhouse, I’m going to miss you girl!

Favourite Passage:
I looked out the window at the fields and ditches, choked with growth, the heat hovering over them like a giant blanket. If weeds could flourish with such vigour, maybe I could, too.

Side note: I have heard it said that Charlaine Harris received death threats concerning the way she ended this series. I have read that fans sent her mail saying that they would kill themselves if Sookie did not end up with a specific suitor. All I can say is: What the?!

Charlaine Harris has created this wonderful series for readers to enjoy. This led to the creation of the kick-ass show Trueblood. What kind of “fan” sends mail or threats like that? I’m sorry but you are no fan at all in my mind. I love that Charlaine Harris wrote this wonderful series. I am grateful that I got to read her creation. I am impressed with her integrity. She stayed true to her own plan for Sookie, amongst all this pressure from fans, in spite of all Trueblood has done to change her storyline, and although she could have kept writing for large amounts of money for quite some time.

Charlaine, I love you even more now. You will always be one of my favourite authors. I adore your strong female characters (every single one), I admire how you paint such a clear picture of small town life in Southern USA, almost without effort. I love that your heroines grow and learn and change and adapt. It means so much to have role models who survive (nearly anything). They give me strength.

So from a fan to an author: I am thankful for you and your works. I cannot wait to read whatever you work on next!