can't believe I was winning for 10 books straight only to experience the biggest L of my entire life with this endgame. I should've quit after book 11

This was a good ending to the series. My book had a section of series FAQs at the end, and I made the mistake of reading it before reading the book...if you don't mind spoilers, then go ahead and do that. I, however, was not overly excited about finding out who Sookie ends up with. That's kind of my own fault, this is just a warning for people out there.

Anyway...the story itself was pretty fast paced for a Sookie book. Lots of loose ends were tied up and some things came full circle. If you're reading this review, you've probably already started reading the series or have seen the show, so go ahead, read this one, see what happens. ( )

Dead Ever After
4 Stars

*Beware: Minor spoilers ahead. Of course, anyone who doesn't know who Sookie ends up with hasn't been paying attention in class!

Sookie Stackhouse is arrested for murder, and must figure out who has it in for her and with whom her heart truly lies.

Sookie has enemies coming out of the woodwork in this final installment, and it is fun tagging along as she fights to clear her name. The revelation of the culprits behind the frame job is not all that logical since they have very little in common aside from their hatred for Sookie. Nevertheless, the climax and resolution are exciting and satisfying.

On the romance front, it appears that I am in the minority in appreciating Sookie's choice. While Eric is certainly sexy and his affection for Sookie is undeniable, he has never been the most appropriate candidate for a life-partner. Sookie has always longed for a normal life with a man who can give her a family and grow old with her. Sam is that man and always has been. That said, their romance feels rushed and their chemistry from early in the series isn't as tangible in this installment.

In sum, all good things must eventually come to an end, and the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse are no exception. It is a bittersweet parting, but alls well that ends well for Sookie and her friends in Bon Temps. ( )

After reading and enjoying the last twelve in the series I felt a bit let down...not about Sookie and Sam getting together, but so many stories kind of left undone. ( )

Well, that's that, I guess.

2.5 stars. I can't say I had high expectations, but I was feeling hopeful after last year's book, in which I thought the author had rallied some.

There were parts I liked, a few where I was eager to get back to my car and hear more. The part with Eric and the divorce ritual made me genuinely sad for Sookie. That was probably the most emotionally engaged I got while listening to this book.

Sadly, there was lots of filler, and even though I can tolerate a certain amount of mundane detail as representative of how Sookie wants normality in her life, there were a few too many boring conversations about boring things and way too much detail that just didn't matter (when Sookie started listing the contents of her drawers, I may have started to get a little angry).

The way the baddies turned on each other in the end was very silly, although I did like that so many people came to Sookie's rescue. Amelia's dad was introduced as a major enemy, then was defeated without much ado. That was my problem with the bad guys in general—there was this sinister build-up which then amounted to nothing much.

What I don't have a problem with is who she ended up with. Sookie and Sam finally getting together could have been written better, but the idea makes sense to me. I can see Sookie finally realizing that a great guy has been in her life all along and wanting to be in a relationship where she won't constantly be sad or worried or in danger. And it makes sense on Sam's side too. His feelings have always been hinted at. Besides that, Harris has been chipping away at Eric's character and their relationship for several books now, so I had pretty much given hope on them being together.

It was a fun series for several books; it's just too bad it fizzled later on. ( )