Guest Review: Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, #12) by Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse, #12)
by Charlaine Harris
Hardcover, 327 pages
Published May 1st 2012 by Ace Hardcover
ISBN 1937007448 

Its vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…
Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.
There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.
Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

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Viviana's Review: 
Though I was looking forward to this book, I didn’t put too high of an expectation behind it. Why? Well, the most recent books haven’t been as remarkable as some of the earlier ones. With this in mind, I began the journey to see what the inhabitants of Bon Temps, Louisiana have been up to since last we “hung out”.    


This felt like a “filler”. It was just another episode/moment in the daily life of the characters. Nothing new developed and nothing old was resolved.  Too much time spent detailing “every day”, mundane activities. If it would have added to the story, then maybe, but unfortunately, it did not. 


I like my heroines to be strong, smart and well, not whiny! IF they start as the “whiny” type, but they grow and develop throughout the story, I’m perfectly okay with that. However, I am not okay with the opposite of having the once strong, independent and smart heroine whither into the whiny persona.  This is what has occurred with Sookie. I was saddened, but again, not surprised per the previous books. Like the synopsis says “she keeps quiet”. No more spunk! 


Relationships! Let’s just say that they’re all kinds of messed up!  Without giving away things, how the relationships are defined, their interactions and the whys are all well, superficial, unrealistic (yeah, I know, its fictional story, but I want to believe its real!!) and you just want to say “Seriously?”. The relationship between Eric and Sookie, Sookie and Sam, Sookie and her cousins, her grandfather and well, the relationships in general. Can you love and fear the same person? How true is a love when based on beauty?  Like I said, I don’t want to give anything away. 


If you keep your expectations low or within reason, you can enjoy this book for what it is a continuation of Sookie’s life. Yes, I will read the next book to once again, check in on the characters, but I won’t be running to the store or library to get it.  

Rating: 2 Wine Glasses