The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris

 

I wasn't sure if The Sookie Stackhouse Companion was going to be worth it, but I think it probably was. There are two reasons for this, the first is that there is a pretty good short story in the front, and the second is that we get an outline of each book, followed by correspondence between Bill and Eric that happened in each book.

For those of us wondering who Sookie is going to end up with for her HEA, the short story ends up resolving one of the hanging threads out there. And that's all I'm going to say about that, as I don't want to give spoilers. Unfortunately, I think it also sets us up for getting the idea that she and Sam might one day be romantic interests. Whether the author wants us to think that so she can throw a curve ball, or whether that's the way she's heading -- who knows.

The Bill and Eric phone calls, letters, and emails we see may not give a whole lot of information, but I think it gives us more of a clue as to how Ms. Harris views the two characters.

As for my own speculation, I am convinced that if Sookie is to end up with a major character it will have to be either Bill or Sam. However; I still think it's a strong possibility that she'll end up with either a minor character, or someone we haven't me yet.

No matter who it is, they will have to be powerful so they can protect Sookie from those who would want to use her for their own means. Either that, or she'll have to become powerful in her own right, so she can then choose someone not so powerful.

But this is a review of the book, so I should get back to that. There is a quick Q&A session with Alan Ball, but to be honest the only interest I gained from that was an explanation of where he had intended to go with that horrible opening sequence to True Blood. Now that he's explained it I can see where he thought he was going, but I still think it's horrid. I like the show, but have always wondered about the opening sequence that seems to go with some other show that none of us have seen.

There is also a very long listing of every character who has ever shown up in any of the Sookie books or shorts. I didn't take the time to go through it, though I did spend about five minutes skimming it.

I'm not going to give The Sookie Stackhouse Companion a rating. I will say that the short in the front gets a 10 of 10 for a short story, but of the entire book I will only say that, for me, it was worth the cost and the time to read it.