Review of From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse, #8) by Charlaine Harris
Ah, From Dead to Worse—the eighth installment in Charlaine Harris’s beloved Sookie Stackhouse series. I admit I was cautiously optimistic as I approached this book, having enjoyed the previous entries for their blend of Southern charm, supernatural intrigue, and the delightful absurdity of Sookie’s world. However, right from the first line of the summary, I found myself a bit taken aback. Harris’s attempt at blurring fantasy with cultural commentary—the reference to Cate Blanchett’s “smart British voice”—felt out of touch. As someone who appreciates nuanced portrayals over broad stereotypes, I couldn’t help but cringe.
The book opens with a rather mundane wedding scene, setting the tone for what is perhaps the most uneventful start we’ve seen so far. While I understand that weddings can be symbolic moments for characters, the detail felt excessive and drawn out. We once again revisit Sookie’s obsession with Sam’s “halo of strawberry blond hair,” which, while charming for a moment, quickly becomes tiresome. Rehashing character descriptions rather than advancing the plot comes off as lazy.
What struck me most, however, is how Harris continues to portray Sookie’s entanglements with both old flames and new admirers. The fact that Sookie and her ex, Bill, engage in such cringe-worthy interactions, particularly during a wedding, feels particularly distasteful given his current girlfriend’s obvious discomfort. Sookie’s flippant attitude toward the jealousy and rivalry she experiences with other women serves as both a character flaw and a critique of her lack of emotional intelligence. Her interactions are often laden with disregard for other women, showcasing a troubling insensitivity that irritates rather than enriches her story.
Sookie’s interactions with her family add another layer of confusion for the reader. Harris plays with concepts of heritage and familial relations, but Sookie’s conclusions often come off as shallow. Her disdain for female figures in her life, particularly her mother, seems unjustified and overly simplistic. Considering the depth of emotional turmoil within Sookie’s family, one would expect a more thoughtful examination, rather than a quick dismissal of their complexities.
Despite the glaring issues in characterization and storytelling, there are moments that shine through the haze. I found a strange enjoyment in the healthy dose of supernatural shenanigans, even if they feel recycled at this point. The series has always walked a fine line between humor and horror, and in this volume, that balance sometimes wavers into the absurd.
The book’s pacing suffers from its narrative meandering—a common issue when trying to juggle multiple plotlines without adequately tying them up. Characters like Sam and Eric often play second fiddle, only to be elicited when plot convenience demands, which is a missed opportunity for richer character development.
In conclusion, while From Dead to Worse has its moments of charm and wittiness, it ultimately falls prey to a lack of direction and depth. It’s a read I would recommend to die-hard fans of the Sookie Stackhouse series, those who revel in its quirks and inconsistencies. However, first-time readers should know that this entry might not be the best place to start. Upon reflection, I found myself asking not only what the book means for Sookie’s journey, but also what it says about the portrayal of relationships and women in contemporary supernatural fiction. As I closed the pages, I was left hoping for a resurgence in both character growth and narrative cohesion in the books to follow.
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