Lora Morgaine Shinn (VOYA, October 2002 (Vol. 25, No. 4))
In her second entry in the Southern Vampire series, one of the newest in a budding genre of vampire-mystery-romances, Harris certainly proves her creativity in a story with an excellent pretext, but better editing would have made the novel more palatable. Telepathic cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is dating sexy-and in true romantic novel form-dominant vampire Bill Compton. Inoffensive vampires such as Bill are fighting for rights, respect, and recognition in a vampirophobic America. After Sookie fights off shape-shifters, razorback pigs, and a maenad, a cabal of Dallas vampires summons Sookie and her powers of telepathy to find a missing member. She unwittingly stumbles into a trap set by fundamentalist Christians who wish nothing more than the complete obliteration of all vampires. Battling both evil humans and lecherous, duplicitous vampires, Sookie spunkily protects her own life and romantic relationship. Although the book provides interesting reading, many problems stem from awkward plot choices. Sentences and concepts appear alternately repetitive and contradictory, such as Sookie's emotional issues with her telepathic gift, mentioned ad nauseum. Unclear grammar complicates paragraphs, and Sookie's speech wavers inconsistently. Sookie's travails are generally treated with a light and humorous touch, which makes the unfortunate rape-and-rescue scene-another romance novel hallmark-seem contrived. Overall, it is not gothic enough to appeal to Anne Rice fans and too quirky and sexually kinky for Buffy admirers. Nevertheless, readers of other vampire-mystery series and authors such as Susan Sizemore or Laurell K. Hamilton might enjoy this title. VOYA CODES: 2Q 3P S A/YA (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; Will appeal with pushing; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult-marketed book recommended for Young Adults). 2002, Ace, 262p, $6.50 pb. Ages 15 to Adult.