From Dead to Worse

Title: From Dead to Worse (Book #8)

Author: Charlaine Harris

Genre: Paranormal

First Published: 2008, 359 pages

Challenge: The Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge

From the Cover:

The supernatural community in Bon Temps, Louisiana is reeling from two hard blows: the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina, and the manmade horror of the explosion at the vampire summit in the up-north city of Rhodes. Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, but too many vampires - some friends, some not - were killed or injured, and her were-tiger boyfriend Quinn is among the missing.

It's clear that things are changing, whether the weres and vamps like it or not. And Sookie, Friend to the Pack and blood-bonded to the leader of the local vampire community, is caught up in those changes. She's about to find herself facing danger and death and, not for the first time, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood has stopped flowing, Sookie's world will be forever altered...

My thoughts:

The chapter starts off harmless enough, with our favourite heroine becoming the last minute bridesmaid for Halleigh Robinson, the soon to be Mrs Andy Bellefleur. All went well for Sookie...she was looking as pretty as ever and she managed to act the part of bridesmaid gracefully. Yes, all was well except for one thing; she was missing Quinn terribly and she had no idea where to find him. To add to her anxiety, several other events took place at the wedding that had left Sookie in sheer wonder...

i) Firstly, Sam reveals his interest in somebody Sookie would rather strangle than allow to date her precious friend and Boss, who doesn't seem to know any better...

ii) An unfamiliar vampire suddenly emerges from the shadows, startling both Sookie and himself.

iii) And an old, yet beautiful man makes himself known...

What's interesting about Book # 8 for me is that Sookie was portrayed as a Church goer, something I found ironic considering how receptive she is to the supernatural world. What's even more interesting is that Sookie fans are treated to some rare insights into Sookie's parentage, which also pieces the puzzle of Sookie's connection to the Fairies. Not so surprising were the usual fighting scenes of the good (or rather the lesser evil) vs the bad (really evil). Though I must say that one particular "good vs bad" scene was really full of suspense.

Overall, Harris is entertaining as usual and never fails to keep Sookie addicts wanting more. I didn't find this one as exciting as the last three books in the series though..maybe I was just missing Quinn too ;)