written by Harriet Klausner on 03/03/2004
Dead to the World
Charlaine Harris
Ace, May 2004, $19.95, 304 pp.
ISBN: 0441011675
When the Japanese invented synthetic blood and made it available to the general public, vampires came out of the closet, proclaiming their existence on global television. Bon Temp, Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse met vampire Bill in the bar and they became romantically involved. She was elated that she was unable to read his mind, but when he hurt her she dumped him and vowed never again to get involved in any way with a supernatural being.
When she sees Bill's boss Eric running around naked, kindhearted Sookie takes him into her home. She learns that a witch has placed a curse on Eric because he is in the way of their plan to take over the Shreveport supernatural community. They search for Eric while Sookie keeps him safe from the witches.
Meanwhile Sookie's brother negotiates a deal for Sookie's caretaker services but suddenly vanishes for no reason. Worried about her missing sibling, Sookie becomes frenzied when she learns that the witches are enhancing their power by drinking vampire blood. She must confront these dangerous deadly fiends if she is to rescue her sibling and keep Eric safe.
The more the heroine fights the witches the more she becomes part of the supernatural world. Even worse in her mind is that she has feelings for Eric. Fans will appreciate this endearing protagonist who combines vulnerability with a steely spine (kind of a supernatural Steel Magnolia) as for a change the woman is the heroic savior while the men are the perils of Paul. Fans will enjoy this offbeat read that combines elements of several genres to ensure that the world of Charlaine Harris seems real, one bite at a time.
Harriet Klausner
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