THIS is the newest generation of Vampire fantasy since Anne Rice, only better! I have been a "Vamper Lover" since "Nosferatu" & really went nuts over "Lestat", but I have been in love with this series for a year now & I am on pins & needles waiting for Season 3 to start this June 13, 2010. The story is set in modern days, today!, in Louisiana & focuses on the life of Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress in a saloon in Bon Temps, LA. Her boss is a rare "shape shifter" who can become any animal he wants to be, others are "Were's" who can become werewolves, weretigers, werebats, & more!!! Her first love is a genuine Vampire, a 173 year old, bonafide Confederate soldier! The vampires have announced themselves to the world since a synthetic blood has been developed in Japan that provides them complete sustenance-making it possible for them to be known & part of society again. These stories were actually written several years ago but were just recently bought from author Charlaine Harris by a producer for HBO named "Alan Ball". His third fantastic season of the show "TRUE BLOOD" is about to start & the world is going head over heels in love with HIS interpretations of the story. We are all nuts about it, hundreds of blogs, talk forums, wiki's, "youtube" spoilers, etc... have popped up this past year & I belong to all of them! HBO.com has the best ones & the chat forums give you more places to see "spoilers" (peeks of the new shows!) & they have the most interesting talks too. I loved all ten of the books so much I have them all, for keeps! Start with the set of 8 paperbacks (costs less, get a used set if you want on eBay, cheap!) then the next 2 books are "dead & gone" & then "dead in the family". All ten books have been read at least three times in my house, SINCE CHRISTMAS! wonderful, most excellent stories that are definitely "FANTASY ESCAPISM" AT IT'S BEST ! i highly recommend both the TV show & the complete set of ten books, to all!

I bought the Southern Vampire Mysteries box set and I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. The box it's self contains the first eight books of the series. The first two books have the covers of the True Blood series on them and they have a glossy finish. The other 6 have the original covers and they have a matte finish to them. The books are smaller than a DVD case. These books are truly spectacular. I got through about 5 books in a week. Each book is from 292-300 pages. They are really interesting and if you have watched the series you'll love the books. Though the series is based on the books they are different because it's all from Sookie's perspective which in turn gives you a more detailed description of the events that take place in the show. Once you start reading you won't want to stop ;] I recommend that you read the books before you watch the series because they are loosely related, a lot of things that happen in the books are portrayed different on TV.

I was so intrigued by the HBO televison show True Blood and when the second season ended, I couldn't bare to wait till season three came out so I bought the novels. I found the books extremely addicting and suspensful. I couldn't put one book down until I completely finished the one I was reading and then moved on to the next book right after. I highly recommend purchasing the Sookie Stackhouse novels. You will find yourself addicted from chapter one.

I was lent the first book in this series by a friend after a long time away from reading. Because of my lupus, I have had some problems with concentration and short term memory loss which became worse after some more tumor issues. I picked up this book and could not put it down. It read easily and was great for holding my attention. The characters were well developed and reminded me of alot of small town , USA. I finished the first in the series in 3 days, then in record time, read the entire series...all 7 paperbacks and the 2 follow up hardback books as well. I am anxiously waiting for the next book..due out May 2010 to be finished so I can purchase it! These books are much more involved and have great story lines...much better than the HBO adaptation of them..True Blood! If you like the tv series..you should love the books more...you get the full background and development of the characters; and none are "cheapened" for ratings sake.

I initially bought the series in Nov. 08'. I couldn't put them down. I just bought "Dead in the Family", but decided to re-read the series for the fourth time before I read it. I love all of them. "Dead and Gone" was the least intriguing to me, it seemed to me that it was just a filler until the next book. The series as a whole pulls you in and keeps you captivated. Definitely more on the adult side though! I love all of Charlaine Harris' books. I especially like the Lily Bard series. Good reads!

Love these books. I have read them, but decided that I wanted a copy of my own so I can re read them at my lesiure. I received the first book in a batch of books I won on ebay. It was so good that I went to my library and started looking for the others in the series. Charlaine Harris is a wonderful writer and I have read other books she has written. I would recommend these books to anyone who loves to read about vampires, shift shapers, physics, and other mythical creatures. I feel like I am in the book with the characters that they are a part of the family.

I originally bought an audio tape of book 5 in the series, and then I was hooked! I have been reading as fast as I could (which is pretty fast!) and now I am impatiently waiting for the next book!
I watched the HBO series True Blood, but I don't like it as well as the books. The books have a sense of humor and the characters are more likeable than in the series. I think you have to have a sense of imagination to really get into these books, but the wild ride sure is fun!

Read the Stephanie Meyer vampire series, read the J R Ward Dark Brotherhood vampire series, (which was smokin' HOT!!), so I thought why not one by Charlene Harris. I fell in love with Sookie before the first chapter was done and I've read every book since. I purchased the paperback set plus the last one in hardcover, read them all in about a week, and I miss Sookie already. Keep 'em coming Charlene!

Sookie is funny and charasmatic. All the books keep you entertained and wanting more. I have read all of these books and can't wait to get the next two in the series. If you like to read about vampires, pick up this series.

If you're like myself, and have been sucked unto the True Blood series on HBO, you'd enjoy the books the series was based on. I for one, couldn't wait to see what happened differently in the books, as well as possible spoilers for the following season(s).

There are some definate twists in the books that you don't see on the screen. I'd say get the books if you're a reader, and are into the series.

Decided to buy it after watching True Blood Series,
Like the fantasy mixed with real like and how this series is up to date with theology, as it it is happening right now somewhere.
Don't like that a lot of the stuff in the book is not in the series, they should have stayed closer to the storyline from the book

Hbo had the True Blood series. The books are easier to get a update on the characters and provide more of a storyline. True Blood series is playing catch up on the books.

for anyone who follows the HBO True Blood series, these are a must read. Don't worry, they don't blow the ending and the series, while it somewhat follows the first 2 books veers from the actual events quite a bit.

These books are the basis for the True Blood vampire series ! I caught a few of the weekly episodes and found them interesting!
I purchased these books to read during my spare time for a better idea of what the True Blood series is really about !
I have not had the chance to read any of the books yet, but am going to read them very soon!

I bought the Sookie Stackhouse book set because I borrowed the books and wanted a copy for myself. Good purchase.

keep you wanting more! I just loved all the collection, read them all 8 in about 4 weeks! After watching the first series in HBO i couldnt wait for season 2 so I went ahead and bought the books, to my surprise the books are much better than the tv series, more interesting, I loved everything about these collection.

I bought this book set because of True Blood on HBO. I was told the books would be great and they were! I am very satisfied woth my purchase.

I fell in love with this series. I am very intersted in the Authors future Sookie Stackhouse books! Recommend Highly!!

i love these books becuase they are so discriptive when i read them i feel like im sookie. i decided to buy them becuase i love them

The books are great. I heard about the series from co-workers and got the first book. After a few chapters of the first book I knew I wanted to read the entire series. I have also started watching the show, but I recommend reading the books first.

I like so many others that have already written reviews for this series LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these books and can't wait for more!!!
I read the Twilight Series and Anne Rice. I was looking for something like them to read and rented the movies. After I relized they were not something you could watch with kids in the room, I decided to read the books. So glad I did!! You get so much more out of them as well as your own spin on the voices (where watching the movie, some were better than others) so to me can be a little more enjoyable.
Other Great Reads:
Mari Mancusi: The Blood Coven, Boys that Bite, and Stake That, & Girls that Growl
Rachel Caine- Morganville Vampire 1-5
Melissa de la Cruz- Blue Bloods, Masquerade, & Revelations

If you've seen the TV series based from the books and can't get enough, read the series! It has everything you could want from a story.

Love the Author and cant beat the whole set of books for that price! Cant wait Until I get them to dive in!

I bought this box set for my girlfriend as a gift. It made her happy, so I'm happy. I hear lots of positive feed back about these books, however. I'm pretty sure if your in the market, you know more about the authors work than I do.....happy reading!!!!!!