Dead And Gone (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood, Book 9) - Paranormal Romance Vampire Mystery Novel - Perfect for Fantasy Book Lovers & Supernatural Fiction Fans

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!! THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!I'm truly baffled as to why there are quite a few readers who did NOT enjoy this book. I started reading the books a few weeks ago and just finished "Dead and Gone" yesterday and I can truly say it has been one of the most wild rides since the Harry Potter series. I have enjoyed "growing up" with Sookie all the way... from first love and current ex-boyfriend (thought not permanently ex I'm sure...) Bill Compton to current "Husband" Eric. One reviewer stated they did not like how Eric had changed. I totally disagree. I am LOVING where Eric is headed in his thought process. It says a lot about that character that he is willing to open up to Sookie (in his own bar) about his past. He clearly is a man who has spent over 1000 years trying to survive and adapt to so much change that he has had to become a "hard-ass" and has developed a dispassionate view of everyone who is not him. His confusion about is feelings for Sookie make him even more attractive to me. Telling Sookie that being with her (when he had lost his memory) was the "Happiest he'd been in centuries" was very major. I had to read that paragraph several times because I couldn't believe it. I did not like Eric in the beginning. His cold-hearted, self-centered behavior made Bill that much more attractive. When Eric forces Bill's hand in telling her he was originally sent to woo her by his queen, I like Sookie, became angry, hurt, confused and wishing she could run to Eric and have him take care of her... knowing that would be a bad decision. And isn't that soooo like life? Did Eric do it because he loves Sookie? Is it for his own gains? My view is that it's all of the above. If I can't get my 74 year old mother to change her ways, I can't imagine getting a 1000 year old to change ANYTHING. the fact that he is very conflicted is fascinating I think. The way he gets Sookie to "Marry" him is underhanded, high handed and loving all at once. Every character must change. That's just life. No one can NOT change.... even shutting oneself in ones home changes one in the end... Even a 1000 year old Viking must change or die. Pam has changed: from hating humans to liking Sookie. Bill has changed: though his changes are forced from outside vamps. Quinn has changed: all business to in love and conflicted about his family. Sookie has changed: naive to "hard". Jason: self serving jerk to... wait. He's still a jerk... though internally he knows what he's done though has yet to admit it to himself much less others.The fact that the story has moved into the "Supe/Shifter" world adds so many more possible story lines, the thought of it makes me giddy like a schoolgirl. I think I might have become bored JUST reading about vampires with a touch of the "Supe" world. The "Supe/Shifter" community outing themselves guarantees at least a few more books... I could read this series forever. I would love it to continue on until Sookie is either old and gray or is "turned" The introduction of Sookie's Great-Grandfather, the Fairy Prince Niall and involvement with the Fae world adds yet another facet to this already complex character. Though he does say he will probably never see her again because he is closing the portal between the fairy world and the human world, I think we will see him again before too long. One reviewer stated they thought Ms. Harris jammed too many characters into one book and did not enough spend time on any of them I see that as Ms. Harris setting us up for some books specifically about one or two characters... It took her NINE books to get to Eric's background... come on! Ms. Harris, for me personally, has the ability to make us feel confused and pissed off at characters we thought were so constant. As in life: we NEVER truly know someone... including ourselves many times. I was shattered when Sookie broke up with Quinn and had to take a minute to calm down @ her decision. Then I thought... "It's a BOOK!! These people are not REAL!!" How wonderful it is when an author can move people that way: to create a dialogue and debates about characters who only exist on paper.I truly enjoyed this book. I can't wait till the next one.... Is it May yet?