Living Dead in Dallas

ISBN: 0-441-00923-0 Order from: Amazon.com

A very pleasant dark fantasy with a likable protagonist, solid supporting characters, and a satisfying plot.

Reviewed by David on April 06, 2002

Genre: Fantasy (Vampires, ESP, Mystery, Alternate Reality)

Synopsis: Sookie is a waitress in a small Southern town, a few years after the vampires have "come out of the closet." The vampires are officially suffering from an "unkown virus", and can feed on synthetic blood now.

In the first novel of the series, Dead Until Dark, Sookie met and fell in love with Bill the Vampire. While some of her neughbors look askance at Sookie for her relationship, others are more accepting of her unusual boyfriend. In addition to uneasiness of her human friends, Sookie has some challenges from the undead side of her relationship. Touching on the mostly secret and politically complex society of vampires, Sookie is obligated to assist them when her unique talents are needed.

Thus, Sookie is required to travel to Dallas, accompanied by Bill, to assist in finding a missing vampire. The investigation is almost immediately complicated by and attack and evidence on spying on the local master—something that the vampires view very dimly. Other supernatural creatures, which Sookie though were only myths, turn out to live in the shadows of human society, some of them helpful, others deadly. Soookie's own life, as well as her affections, are going to be under threat in this mystery.

Full Review:

Charlaine Harris reading at Torcon 2003

The novel, despite its fantastical elements, is plotted like a mystery. The book starts with a dead body, and contains plenty of investigation and periodic fighting for survival. While the mysteries are a major plot, Sookie's personal development, as well as her accidental exploration of the world around her is the main element of the story. Sookie is a very likable potagonist, humble and proud, cautious and corageous, combining impressive talents while being a believable small-town, unsophisticated waitress.

While her relationship with Bill combines tension, passion, occasional fighting and tenderness, it is unfortunate that so many others are attracted to Sookie—and scheme with some success for her heart, or at least embrace. It is to be hoped that the Sookie series will avoid some of the excesses of the Anita Blake books (Guilty Pleasures and sequels) which it resembles.

This is an enjoyable series, mixing good characters, well-drawn fantastic elements and solid mystery. The most pleasant aspect is the first-person protagonist, and it is to be hoped that Sookie will return for many more adventures.

Copyright: 2002

Overall: 6; Plot: 6; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6;

Berkley Publishing Group (Ace), April 2002, Mass-market, 262 pages

ISBN: 0-441-00923-0 Order from: Amazon.com