Charlaine Harris vs. Stephenie Meyer

[Isa]

I was a little late jumping on the vampire bandwagon, but this year I finally made it through the Twilight series and I'm now about to finish the first novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series. So I was wondering what people thought about the similarities / differences between these two authors?

For my part, even though I've read somewhere that Meyer didn't read Harris's novels before she wrote Twilight, I find that a bit hard to believe considering all the similarities. It's not only the vampire theme, it's the mind reading, the friend who turns out to be a dog, the small town setting... it just seems like a bit much to all be a coincidence.

On the other hand, I much prefer Meyer's take on the vampire world. Perhaps she's not the best writer, but I found Meyer's stories to be more elegant, with more room for emotions. I thought Dead Until Dark read a bit like a vampire Harlequin novel. I didn't like how the relationship between Bill and Sookie was portrayed, it's almost like glorified domestic abuse.

Any thoughts / comments on these two authors?

[Dominique]

This is going to be so hard to discuss for me without spoilers! I think with the Sookie Stackhouse series it takes awhile for the story to build up and therefore have more depth, if that makes sense, especially since it doesn't centre on an epic, all-consuming love story, which is what I think gives Twilight more depth initially.

I don't like Bill and Sookie's relationship at all, I agree with what you said about it Isa.

I've been debating whether to say this or not because it is kind of a spoiler, and I know a bunch of people haven't read much of the series yet, but I can't compare the series with Twilight at all without doing so! Turn away now if you object to a relationship story spoiler!!! It's not a major one though and it only covers the first few books.
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Bill and Sookie are not together for most of the series. I'm sorry if anyone's read that and is annoyed!

Because of that, Sookie becomes a pretty brave and mostly independent character. For this reason I prefer the Sookie Stackhouse series, I can relate to her much better than I can Bella, she feels like a more realistic character to me. Also the series has a lot of funny moments, which I don't remember Twilight having.

Yeah I saw a bit of Meyer's interview on Oprah the other day, she said she had never read a vampire book before ever, which seems a bit hard to believe. It annoys me when people make out the True Blood tv show/The Sookie Stackhouse series and The Vampire Diaries show/book series are copying Meyer's series when those series were around first.

Great idea for a thread Isa

[Carma]

I also find it hard to believe that Stephenie Meyer hadn't read the Sookie Stackhouse series. The similarities are just too obvious. I myself prefer Charlaine Harris' story. There so much more tension and action in her books. I feel like the characters are build up better as well.

I recently found this blog: twilightsnarker.blogspot.com/2009/03/welcome-to-kill-it-with-fire-in-this.html
This person hates Twilight, but he (or she) brings up some good points about the series. I'd really recommend reading it! It's funny, even though I don't agree with everything. I especially found the way he (or she?) writes about all the other characters of the Twilight world. Like Jessica and Mike. This blogger writes that Stephenie Meyer tells us that they are fishing for information, or that they are jealous, while their real reaction doesn't come across like that. He (or she) also says that Edward is actually just a bad boyfriend, and that they never really got to know each other... It's put Twilight in a completely different light for me.

[Isa]

Dom, I actually have to thank you for the spoiler! I thought, I'll read it because I don't plan on reading more books in the series anyhow. Now that I've read it, I'm actually tempted to read another one

[Dominique]

^ Haha that's good then! Yeah I think that happens either at the end of book two or the beginning of book three. Once it had happened I really got into the series, before that I thought it was just ok.

[Isa]

Would I be completely lost if I skipped the second novel and go ahead with the third?

[Dominique]

You probably wouldn't be too lost, mainly because Sookie recaps anything relevant to the storyline that happened in the past books without fail. Also True Blood season 2 loosely covers the second book, so you could watch that if you wanted. They make Bill a bit more gentlemanly and likeable in the show.

[Carma]

oh, the recapping is really annoying in the books! I guess it isn't if you haven't read an earlier book.. or if it's been a while since you've read the previous book. But when you are reading them right after each other, I tend to skip it. .
You should continue reading it Isa, you'll fall in love with Eric, I'm sure!

[Michelle]

Can I vote for Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

[Carma]

Nov 23, 2009 15:35:53 GMT -5 Michelle said:

Can I vote for Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Hahaha! My vote will always go for Buffy!

[Isa]

Nov 23, 2009 8:36:02 GMT -5 Carma said:

You should continue reading it Isa, you'll fall in love with Eric, I'm sure!

Eric, the old & powerful vampire that's introduced in the first book? He becomes more important? Interesting...

[frozeninside]

I've read both the Meyer and Harries books. The Sookie ones are so much better then the Twilight ones. And I agree with Carma you will fall in love with Eric.


I'm with the Buffy fans. BTVS will always be my number one.

Edit: I really don't believe that Meyer didn't read a vampire novel before writing her books.

[lindsay]

ERIC!!!!!!!!!
Yeah... I'm a fan of his character. Can you tell? I also love the actor who plays him on True Blood. I'm obsessed

I think both books have their place. One thing I like about the Harris books is that it's far more adult than Meyer's