As we’re all eagerly awaiting to get our hands on a copy of Dead Reckoning, the 11th novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series by the great Charlaine Harris, how about we recap our favorite and not so favorite moments from Sookie #10, Dead in the Family.

DITF starts off with our favorite telepath slowly healing as a result of being tortured by the evil water fae, Neave and Lochlan as well as dealing with the loss of loved ones (damn I miss Claudine). Even our beloved Viking is suffering and we learn why he couldn’t come to Sookie’s rescue when she was being tortured. Victor’s people had Eric chained with silver and refused to allow him to get involved in fae matters. Teary Eric tells Sookie, “I hurt with you. I bled with you- not only because we’re bonded, but because of the love I have for you.” Don’t worry Eric I never doubted your love for Sookie unlike some haters out there!

We see Sookie and Eric’s relationship really grow throughout the book and Sookie finally admits that the love she feels for Eric is genuine and not because of the blood bond. One of my favorite moments is when Sookie visits Eric’s house (this is also the first time the readers get a description of the Viking’s home) “Jump,” Eric said, holding out his hands and smiling. I laughed. I took a running start, and leaped. Eric caught me, his hands clamped around my waist. He lifted me up until my head touched the ceiling. Then he lowered me for a kiss. I wrapped my legs around his torso, my arms around his neck. We were lost in each other for a long moment. Pam said, “Back to earth, monkey girl. Time is passing.”

We also see Pam and Sookie’s friendship growing. The two blondes get ambushed by Victor’s second in command, Bruno Brazell and Corinna. Sookie kills Bruno and Pam kills Corinna. Then when Eric’s maker and brother come to town, Sookie warns Pam and Pam delivers possibly my favorite line in the book “fuck a zombie”. Sookie’s not the only Stackhouse bonding with Pam. Jason gives Pam some of his blood when she gets hurt. “It was good. Thank you, panther, ” she said, and I thought my brother smirked a little…” Am I the only one hoping for a little more Pam and Jason bonding in the next book???

Bill Compton you are still around?  Bill stays sick throughout most of the book! Sookie helps track down Bill’s sister, Judith Vardamon, in the hopes that her blood will help heal Bill and it works. I actually liked the Judith storyline and am curious to see if she sticks around. Another Bill storyline that got resolved was his relationship to the Bellefleurs. Caroline Bellefleur is on her deathbed and finally learns that Bill is her great grandfather and also that he had anonymously given them money way back in the earlier books.

Claude moves in with Sookie, our favorite teacup telepath Hunter is back and I kinda like mentally unstable Dermot. Selfish cousin Claude is good with kids and is actually around to protect Sookie! I liked this side of Claude! I was also glad to see Sookie bonding with Hunter and helping him with his ability. Of course Claude and Hunter being in Sookie’s house led to another great moment, a love note from the Viking!  “My lover, I came in too close to dawn to wake you, though I was tempted. Your house is full of strange men. A fairy upstairs and a little child downstairs-but as long as there’s not one in my lady’s chamber, I can stand it…” Did I mention I like crazy Dermot? He’s kind of sweet isn’t he and he saves Sookie by killing Colman, the fairy causing oh so much trouble for Sookie.

I also loved some of the connections to the show. Like “Bad Things” playing at Merlotte’s and Lorena’s last name is Ball!!! Loved that we finally found out where Debbie Pelt is buried. Loved that Niall wrote a letter to Sookie on the skin of the water fae that helped kill her parents, cause what else would Niall write on?

So some of my not so favorite moments from the book! Amelia leaves for New Orleans. I understand that she needed to move out to make room for new houseguests and new storylines, but I miss that nosey witch! I also wasn’t crazy about Eric’s vampire territory division/hierarchy explanation. Normally, when Eric speaks my reaction is similiar to Sookies, endorphins flood my system, but I could have lived without this lecture. Then there’s Appius Livius Ocella and Alexei Romanov, Eric’s maker and brother. I loved hearing more about Eric’s background, but Ocella and Alexei were ANNOYING! Needless to say I was happy that they died. Now let’s talk about Alcide! I was such a defender of Alcide until this book. I’ve really gotten tired of him using Sookie. Although I found the shaman ritual very interesting, I hated Alcide’s manipulation of Sookie!!! “What is it?” It’s a drug he said. “but before you walk out, let me tell you that the last shaman took it several times without any lasting ill effect.”…”A year ago,” I said, “you wouldn’t have asked this of me.” “A year ago,” he answered, “you wouldn’t have hesitated to drink.” I crossed to the desk and tossed it down. Seriously Alcide is this what a friend of the pack has to do?

So now it’s time for the next part of Sookie’s journey!  I’ve very excited to read Dead Reckoning!  Can’t wait to see what happens next!