Deadlocked By Charlaine Harris Review and Giveaway

Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I imagine since this is book 12 in the series, that if you are reading my review you have an interest in the series. Furthermore, assuming you are up to speed on Sookie Stackhouse and the people of Bon Temps, let me share some non-spoilery review notes.

1. The synopsis of the book listed above is really not reflective of the actual book. Once again, I wonder if the people who are responsible for the book jacket/summary actually read the books they summarize.

2. I was extremely happy that Sookie's Can-Do spirit returned. I didn't enjoy Dead Recokoning because Sookie was so depressed.

3. I officially don't like the who will be Sookie's HEA mystery. Too much angst for me. I'd rather have the mystery minus the romance drama.

4. Lastly, I missed Eric and Pam. There is a large empty void in the book .  Not enough word count devoted to my favorite vampires and in my opinion, in the book and too many scenes with recently introduced humans.

Perhaps the reason for number 4. is foreshadowing that Sookie will work to be an 'average' bar owner and eschew the supernatural world in Charlaine's  final installment Dead Ever After?

Note: It's important to mention that I am a hardcore fan of the series. I read the fan fiction, I watch that awful HBO True Blood, I hang out at The Sookierverse Blog.

Now that I am done with the book, I want to give it away!  Comment below on your favorite Sookie Stackhouse Novel AKA Southern Vampire Mysteries Books and one winner will be chosen from the comments to get my hardback copy! 

Three quick things:
1. Be sure to put your email with your comment.
2. I'm mailing it Parcel Post.
3. Be a pal and follow my blog!

This is the copy I am giving away, see it has a prettier cover than the version pictured above!






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Socialpunk, and a Contest!

Having a bit of free time, and I use that term loosely as I really should have been cleaning, I was able to read a new ebook by Monica Leonelle*. I found myself lucky enough to have this book because Monica Leonelle, a fellow Chicagoan, contacted me and other bloggers who enjoy books and more specifically, Science Fiction-ish books.  I was invited to participate in her 'Blog Book Tour' and as such I said I'd read her book and give an honest review.  I did not have to pay for Socialpunk.

Socialpunk Description:

Ima would give anything to escape The Dome and learn what’s beyond its barriers, but the Chicago government has kept all its citizens on lockdown ever since the Scorched Years left most of the world a desert wasteland. When a mysterious group of hooded figures enters the city unexpectedly, Ima uncovers a plot to destroy The Dome and is given the choice between escaping to a new, dangerous city or staying behind and fighting a battle she can never win.

MY REVIEW:

I was very prepared to dislike the book. There is so much Ebook drivel out there and I began the prologue with cynicism. However, the book was very enjoyable. It was a fast and quick ride.  I am a big fan of books featuring a heroine with the "Can Do Spirit".  These girls have doubts about themselves, but they don't let that stop them.  They see the big picture and they move forward. Ima reminded me of a couple of my favorite protagonists of late, Sookie Stackhouse and Katniss Everdeen. The author did a nice job of catching me with the prologue and keeping me guessing as to what was real and what was virtual reality throughout the book.

My "Hey What a Cool Idea" moment occured  when the characters slide down a pole (i.e a fireman's pole) to get from one floor of a high rise to another in this very 'green' world. I also enjoyed the social commentary of a  society where it isn't money that matters, instead your worth is all about how much you can influence others.

Finally, I really liked the way the first book ended. The stage is set for the second installment and we had a character revelation that was unexpected--and a road less traveled.

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games and are looking for a good read for your ereader--this is a great choice. 

READ ON ! There's a Giveaway! 

Links to Purchase the Book:

Amazon: http://monicaleonelle.com/SocialpunkA
Barnes and Noble: http://monicaleonelle.com/SocialpunkB

Cold Cold Spring Break

Alright, I need to take a moment and complain about the weather.  That's what we do here in Chicago. Forecast is in the 30Fs all week. Being that I could spend all winter huddled in bed reading books and sleeping, this weather isn't conducive to me changing out of fleecy pjs.

The children however, need to get out and should have some activities going on during their week break from school.  In retrospect, I should have seen about going down to GA to visit my family.  That would have been fun for the kids and refreshing for me. Temps in N. Georgia this week, well shoot the weather isn't very good there either.  Well back to our Spring Break here.  Since I know how I am about going out doing stuff in the cold, I talked with the kids and planned an activity a day for Mon-Thurs knowing that their nagging would get us out of the house.  Today's activity is a trip to the library--nice free activity. 

What am I reading now?  After re-reading Club Dead over the weekend, I want to dive into re-reading Dead to The World as I go through the Southern Vampire Mystery/Sookie Stackhouse Novels on my personal countdown to book #11, Dead Reckoning which will be out on 5/3.  Nod, yes, you are correct I am way to into the series--and a total Sookie/Eric shipper.  Much to my current dismay, Dead to the World is checked out of my library.  Boo.  Now I have to wait. 

What's for dinner?  I've been meal planning and it should be Garlic Roasted Chicken with mashed potatoes and green breans.  But since we weren't home last night--we didn't have Sunday's dinner of pizza set-ups from S&T's--so it's Pizza Monday.

I've held out as long as I could and now the natives are running around outside yelling and chasing each other, time to head out to the library.