Dead But Not Forgotten by Charlaine Harris and Toni LP Kelner (Editors)
| Dead But Not Forgotten by Charlaine Harris and Toni LP Kelner (Editors) | |
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| Category: Anthologies | |
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Reviewer: Loralei Haylock
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| Summary: A good collection for the avid fan who can't get enough of the universe. Taken out of the context of the series, the stories are enjoyable enough, but not strong enough to recommend in their own right. An odd little book that attempts to please fans, but without featuring any of the characters that I'd imagine they'd be most interested in. Borrow, don't buy. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: N/A | Date: May 2014 |
| Publisher: Audible Frontiers | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: B00GBQXN6K | |
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Dead But Not Forgotten returns to Sookie Stackhouse's world, exploring the lives and misadventures of some of the more minor characters in the series. The collection features stories about Pam Ravenscroft, Adele Hale Stackhouse, Luna, Diantha, Bubba and many of the other colourful characters from Bon Temps and the wider universe of Sookie's story, written by authors such as Seanan McGuire, Rachel Caine, Nicole Peeler, Christopher Golden and many more.
I should start this review by saying I haven't read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books. I've read enough to have a basic understanding of the world, but most of the characters here are unfamiliar to me. That said, despite not really knowing any of the featured characters, I found things enjoy in this anthology.
To sustain so many books over the years, the Stackhouse universe has grown and developed, filling with interesting and unusual characters and mythology. It's my favourite thing about any extended paranormal series, and Dead But Not Forgotten seeks to explore this universe, shining the spotlight on some of the lesser known characters.
I can imagine fans looking for continuation of the series they loved will be a bit disappointed that there isn't more substance here. A lot of the stories are quite light and fluffy - demons wearing obnoxiously festive clothes, a performance by a rock'n'roll star thought long dead, an extreme makeover for a reclusive vampire. Though glimpses of the futures of certain characters are revealed, there's not much that moves the story forwards. It's all filler - either filling in back story or fleshing out characters.
The most satisfying story was the one about Eric Northman. His story takes place 200 years in the future, which provides some interesting insights into a world considerably post-vamp/shifter revelations, as well as some exploration of what it is to live that long.
The stories were each prefaced by a foreword from Charlaine Harris, but this didn't do much beyond put the stories into a little context. Readers looking for insights into her thoughts will be left wanting. I listened to the audiobook version - currently the only version available, though a print version is being released later in the year. Narrator Johanna Parker did a good job of conveying the authentic Southern drawl without ever becoming difficult to understand. She did a good job of the multitude of different characters, making it a very pleasant listening experience.
Overall, this is a good collection for the avid fan who can't get enough of the universe. Taken out of the context of the series, the stories were enjoyable enough, but not strong enough to recommend in their own right. Which makes this an odd little book that attempts to please fans, but without featuring any of the characters that I'd imagine they'd be most interested in. Buy it for the Sookie Stackhouse mega-fan, but otherwise, I'd borrow.
My thanks to the publisher for sending a copy.
Rags and Bones by Melissa Marr and Tim Pratt (Editors) is another short story collection that comes highly recommended by Bookbag.
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