Thursday, May 3, 2012

Review: Deadlocked

Reviewed by Jen
 
Even if Charlaine Harris had not already announced the imminent end of her Sookie Stackhouse series, you would still know after reading this book that Sookie's story is drawing to a close. Deadlocked is really the beginning of the end, answering questions, wrapping up storylines, and setting us up for our long-suffering heroine's happily ever after.

As the book begins, there's a storm cloud sitting over Sookie's relationship with Eric.  Will he stay with her or will he agree to marry the Queen of Oklahoma? And even more pressing, will he survive his King's inquisition into Victor's disappearance?  The King's arrival coincides with the death of a were-woman on Eric's front lawn in an elaborate set-up to frame him.  But why?  In turns, it seems like vampires, shifters, or even the Fae could have something to do with it.

But this book is about so much more than that. Like I said, Harris is tying up loose ends.  From the aftermath of the door closing to Fairy, to what's going on with Alcide's pack.  From Tara's babies, to Bill's lingering love for Sookie. From that magical fae wish, to whatever happened to Quinn.  Even a shout-out to Barry the Bellboy.   And Sam --who I've long believed will be the man holding Sookie's heart when everything is all said and done-- we get some movement on his story too.

I like this feeling that we're headed toward something.  The ending was big and I have to say, at least for me, surprising.  I enjoyed the book, but the resolution of the fae storyline was not fleshed out enough for me.  I needed a better explanation for that bombshell.  And I felt like the Eric-Sookie drama has been drawn out too long. I've always loved Eric, but at this point, there is nothing left of the relationship for me to root for.  I guess that's the whole idea, but the point felt belabored.

I do think this one is stronger than the last two installments. I believe that the last book is going to give Sookie the happy ending she deserves, and this one gets us half-way there.

Rating: B-

Click to purchase: Amazon
Deadlocked
by Charlaine Harris
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Ace

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19 Comments:

At Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 9:16:00 AM CDT , Blogger Karen said...

I gave up on this series two books ago. I'm always so frustrated that nothing ever seems resolved (I know it's a series but I feel like I'm treading water all the time)
I think when it's all over I'll read the last books all at once. I do still feel the need to know what happens in the end.

 
At Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 9:29:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

I understand. Some storylines have hung on for far too long. But she really started wrapping up here. I believe we'll get a solid ended. Whether it will be the ending most people want is another story. (I believe 100% that she'll end up with Sam.)

 
At Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 9:35:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jennifer @ The Book Nympho said...

After the last two books I almost gave up on the series. But since there was only 2 books left (one now) I will finish up the series to see how it all ends. But I have decided not to buy this one and the next one, I've put my name on the waiting list at the library and I'm the 4th on the list so maybe I'll get around to reading it by the end of June.

Quinn - YUCK. I could care less about him. He is my least fave character in the whole series.

As far as Sookie and Eric's relationship, I felt like it ended in the last book.

 
At Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 10:26:00 AM CDT , Blogger Amber I @ Awesomesauce said...

I haven't read the last book. I just got so bored with this series. I think I will wait for the last book to come out and maybe read that one.

 
At Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 10:48:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

I kind of felt like Quinn got a bum deal when she dumped him. (His part was small here, but I'm glad his character got a little resolution.)

And I agree with you on Sook & Eric. But it lingers on...

 
At Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 10:49:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

I've heard a lot of people express the same feelings. I agree that it's time to wrap things up and I'm glad Harris is making the effort give us a real ending.

 
At Friday, May 4, 2012 at 3:55:00 AM CDT , Blogger Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic said...

Your review makes me think that this book is worth reading. I think I'll finish up the last installments. Great review :)

 
At Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:00:00 AM CDT , Blogger Book Savvy Babe said...

great review! I feel much the same way... while I have loved Eric for so long, he is just NOT long-term relationship material, he never was. *sigh* anyhow, I can't wait to see how Charlaine Harris winds the series up Book Savvy Babe

 
At Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:30:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

Thanks! It's not as strong as the early books, IMO. But I think fans of the series will be missing out if we don't see how it all ends.

 
At Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:32:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

Thanks Heather. Remember how delicious he was in Dead to the World?

 
At Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:04:00 PM CDT , Blogger Unknown said...

I'm listening to this right now. After the last book I came to terms with the fact that Eric is not the one (I was pissed..I'm still....a little bit) I'm just enjoying it for the action, and the fact that spent a few years already with these characters and I want to know their fate.
I just scanned for your rating and that's exactly where I probably will end up too.
I'll be back to read your thoughts when I'm done.
Thanks!

 
At Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 1:43:00 AM CDT , Blogger JJ said...

Quinn's wrap up was total crap and really ticked me off. But, I loved him so much so anything but ending up with Sookie is going to make me mad. Same goes for Alcide, but Harris already did a number on that.
I was SUPER shocked by the Fae situation and although I regularly figure stuff out in this series I can honestly say I didn't see it coming. And, I love Dermot now.. so much more than I already did.
And the ending! WHOA. I literally said WOW out loud.
She has totally dragged out the whole Eric-will he or won't he thing and made Bill into a pathetic goobnut...so I'm over them both. I almost hope Harris throws us for a complete loop and Sookie winds up with Pam. Not bad for the next to last book but it sucks we have to wait a whole year for the ending.

 
At Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 8:42:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think.

 
At Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 8:45:00 AM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

I was unhappy with the way that things unfolded with Quinn and Alcide over the course of the series. Both started out as good guys with a real potential to be a love interest. And I didn't think that her reason for dumping Quinn was worth a damn. I'm glad he wasn't just forgotten, though.

I thought the Fae resolution was out of nowhere and the "bad guy" just didn't make sense for me. I need a better explanation to get on board with that.

 
At Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11:11:00 AM CDT , Blogger Book Savvy Babe said...

Eric was SO DELICIOUS in dead to the world, but when you think about it, that was when he was UNDER A SPELL. He was NOT himself, that was the Eric w/out politics and responsibilities. That wasn't the real eric, and that's why Sookie broke the spell. The real Eric is selfish, plays politics, and does not want the small life

 
At Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 11:13:00 AM CDT , Blogger Book Savvy Babe said...

Jen, I totally agree about Alcide and Quinn. I have had the biggest crush on Quinn since book 5... and the fae stuff, just weird. I started a discussion w/ spoilers in the Sookie Stackhouse group on goodreads if you want to join in :)

 
At Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 12:44:00 PM CDT , Blogger Jen at Red Hot Books said...

I think he was a version of himself. But truly not the man who is the sum of his experiences. (**sigh**) It was fun while it lasted. Mostly.

 
At Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 12:20:00 AM CDT , Blogger Angela's Anxious Life said...

I just can't wait to read this!! I just can't believe there is only one more book. :(

Angie

 
At Monday, May 7, 2012 at 1:15:00 PM CDT , Blogger Unknown said...

Yes I definetelly agree with you, I liked this one more than the last 2 books, and I think for the same reason. I just foucused on the drama and the poltics, and the over all feel of the novel, and I just enjoyed Sookie and the closure to some of the mysteries.
Yes! the end is near... but I still have no clue what will happend with Sookie and her love life....PLEASE don't let it be SAM!!!...LOL

 

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