These series are popular because they tap into our sense of wonder and our love for the unknown. The Sookie Stackhouse novels and similar series like "Twilight" or "Mercy Thompson" create worlds that are both familiar and strange. We can relate to the human characters' emotions like love, fear, and curiosity, while also being drawn into the supernatural elements. The stories are often character - driven, with complex relationships between the human and supernatural characters. This makes us invested in the storylines, whether it's the love triangle in "The Vampire Diaries" or the political intrigue in the Anita Blake series. Also, the settings in these series, be it a small southern town in the Sookie Stackhouse novels or a post - apocalyptic world in the Kate Daniels series, add to the overall appeal.
The popularity of series similar to the Sookie Stackhouse novels lies in their ability to combine different genres. They often have elements of fantasy, romance, and mystery. Take "The Vampire Diaries" for instance. It not only has the allure of vampires and their relationships with humans but also has a mystery aspect as to what the vampires are really up to. The Sookie Stackhouse novels also do this well. They introduce us to a world where the supernatural is normal and we get to see how the human characters interact with it. This makes for an interesting read or watch, which is why such series are so popular.