Dead to the World

"Dead to the World" is the fourth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series by novelist Charlaine Harris. After returning home from her mission of saving now ex-boyfriend Bill from his crazy vampire maker, Sookie is back at work in Merlotte's for New Year's Eve. On her way home from a busy evening at work, she spots Eric Northman, Bill's boss and Sheriff of Area 5 in the vampire business, running naked across the road. She stops to pick him up, since they are friends, and realizes that he is not his usual self. It soon becomes apparent that a witch has placed a curse on Eric, impairing his memory so that he has no recollection of who he is. Sookie takes Eric back to her house and calls Pam, Eric's co-worker to explain to her the situation. Pam travels to Bon Temps, and proceeds to ask Sookie if she can hide Eric at her place for awhile, since the witches would never find him there. After Sookie's brother, Jason makes a $35,000 deal with the vampires; Sookie reluctantly agrees to watch over Eric. Little did she know that this version of Eric would surprise her and she would find herself falling for him.

As I continue reading through the series, each book becomes my new favorite. I like this installment particularly because I love the character that Eric becomes while in his amnesia state. While under the curse, Eric becomes a sweet, gentle, and caring vampire, as opposed to the power hungry, womanizer that Eric is known for. Although Sookie is not ready for a new relationship, I am pleased to learn of how close she and Eric get in "Dead to the World". Aside from Sookie and Eric's blossoming relationship, the fourth book of the series reveals many new characters in the supernatural world. "Dead to the World" is packed with detailed information, and the storyline becomes so bizarre that it is nearly impossible to stop reading once you've started.