Guys - Maddi says that she has Spoliers for DITF that came from Facebook. She isn't sure if they are reliable or real but I figured to start a thread just in case.

YAY!  I'll be checking this thread every day like the feind that I am! 

EVEN THOUGH - this forum is SPOILER rampant it only is for what is already out there.

I ask for this discussion to stay firmly in this thread & do not bring these spoilers into other threads on this forum.

Thank you! - Laura

YAY!!! Thanks Laura!

I found a Synopsis a few weeks ago and is said to be reliable (at least according the posters on FB and True-Blood.net) here you go.

"Sookie Stackhouse has finally settled into a relationship with the Viking vampire Eric, and her errant brother Jason seems to have his life in order, too. But all the other people in Sookie's life - Eric himself, her former lover Bill, her friend and boss Sam - are having family problems. Eric's maker shows up with Eric's 'brother' in tow, the ailing Bill can only be healed by a blood sibling, and Sam's brother's marriage is about to take place ...or will it? The furor raised by the coming out of the two-natured has yet to settle; some people are just not ready to sit down to dinner with a man who turns into a dog. And Sookie herself is still recovering from her last ordeal. She's definitely improving, physically and mentally, but she's always going to have some dark moments now. The werewolves tell her that there have been strange and ominous passers-by in the Stackhouse woods; now Sookie is about to come face-to-face with one of her more distant relatives ..."

This one has been out for a while, but thanks for re-posting!  It's in the DITF Speculation thread. 

I read this only on True Blood's official Facebook site, which was posted on 10/19/09. Now I can't find it on other websites... but seeing posters there seem to think it's reliable. I'll let you all decide.

I'll quote it word for word. Here they are:

"DEAD IN THE FAMILY" SPOILERS!!

-Calmer without as much big action but a lot of events.
-No Bubba or Quinn
-Bill is still seriously sick from the silver poisoning.
-Alcide is in the 1st or 2nd chapter. Has a girlfriend but something may happen to her. Stated that "he has the worst judgement".
-Sam has a girlfriend.
-Eric is "large and in charge".
-Appius, Eric's maker, will be in it.
-The 'you're killing me' statement will be explained. CH confirmed on the wakethedead podcast that Eric could feel Sookie's torture through the bond, and that he also feels tremendous guilt. http://www.wakethedeadpodcast.com/
-Victor will be in it.
-Remy will be in it.
-Pam will go on a "murder spree"! From an interview with Kristin Bauer (Pam), who got this from CH.
-Debbie Pelt's body will be found & it's in an obvious place.
-CH stated in a podcast from December that we probably would see Eric's house in book 10. Listen to podcast @ sookiestackhouse.com (scroll down to Last Bite Episode 017 Interview with Charlaine Harris): http://pammieftw.hipcast.com/rss/last_bite.xml; CH confirmed on 10/12 that Eric's house would be in the next book.

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!

hahaha! I said the SAME THING. But we'll have to see just how true these spoilers are

I am especially interested in the part about Debbie Pelt's body...although the whole issue has been cleared up (so to speak) with DP's family in DAADD.  HMMMM.

AND, of course, the "you're killing me" statement explained!  SOOO glad that CH confirmed that Eric could feel Sookie's torture through the bond and about his guilty feelings (awww!!  Poor vampire, I want to hug him!).

omgosh those were one of the first things I thought in the book... that he actually felt her pain, incapacitating him and preventing him from helping her.

I cant wait to see what CH has to write about Eric feeling "tremendous guilt"

I know.  Guilt is not something that vampires usually feel.  It's almost like a departure from normal vampire emotional behavior to feel it, I think.

"EVEN THOUGH - this forum is SPOILER rampant it only is for what is already out there.

I ask for this discussion to stay firmly in this thread & do not bring these spoilers into other threads on this forum.

Thank you! - Laura"

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.... keep the info in here. Like Laura said, reliability has yet to be determined and I don't want to be ousted from here since I love reading EVERYONE'S posts. Thanks!

EricFeind- exactly, they hardly feel guilt but having Sookie's blood make him more human, emotionally. So I honestly think this helps with their relationship.

Pam going on a killing spree is a bit worrying.

If she does it because Eric tells her to Sookie will be p***ed with him, and if she does it because something has happened to Eric I will be p***ed.

do you mean pissed gee?full

All CH would say on CNN this week was that "DITF deals with a lot of family issues and not all the families are normal families".  Not all? None of them are normal.

LOL CH was on CNN??? ha ha kinda random

Yes I did mean pissed - some places remove anything even remotely relating to bad language automatically with filters and I got into the habit of adding stars - sorry.

Charlaine Harris may have some normal families in DITF? - but then what's normal depends on your point of view I suppose -The Bellefleurs, Tara and JB, Hoyt and his grandma?

I wonder if we'll find out any more about Clancy's backstory - I always had a weird impression about him as if he was very attached to Bill specifically for some reason (I don't know where I got the idea from - I'll have to go and re read).

and will we ever find out why Eric and Sookie having exactly the same colour of hair is mentioned all the time ?

Yeah, I really wonder why they always mention the hair color being the same.  There also seems to be some reason, I am sure, why Clancy has disliked Sookie from the beginning.  Maybe it is because of Bill?  I guess....

I guess one of the Bellefleurs are going to have to come and help out Bill.  He will have to let that cat of the bag for sure.  I am sure that they will love being related to a vamp.  Especially Portia - who dated him!  He he he!

I think it will be nice if Bill connects with his descendants.

I have a feeling that will be in the next book - I mean, if it is about families. I just wonder how Eric's family will operate. If he and Apius will become a thing again.  That would be totally sad - it would be another betrayal for Sookie.

I wonder if the Eric "large and in charge" comment was about him moving on to King of Louisiana? Or some kind of new rank. It says Victor will be in it.

There is also a DITF Speculation thread guys. Lots of great stuff over there.

the ailing Bill can only be healed by a blood sibling

The word "sibling" makes me think it's not a Bellefleur - but another vamp that Lorena has sired.  The Bellefleurs aren't siblings of Bill's - but another of Lorena's children would be. 

That makes more sense, Aaine, good observation!

These thoughts do fit more with the DITF Speculation thread, though.  If you take a look, there's some awesome stuff there! 

I wonder if the distant relative mentioned is Dermot? I wonder if Sookie is going to get to work with Hunter and that's why Remy is in the picture. It's kind of scary Pam going on a killing spree, from the books it seems that Pam would only go on a killing spree if it's to her or Eric's advantage like killing several of the Nevada vamps all on her own in the 8th book. It really wouldn't surprise me if Eric was incapacitated or mentally giving Sookie strength during the torture. I think because Sookie's unusually strong will Eric is feels her will over his own a lot and he suffers for it. Screw Bill, I hope he's sick for most of the book. Maybe Clancy didn't like Sookie because she killed Lorena and Bill was his brother under her. I can't wait until May!

I am looking forward to the "You're Killing Me," explaination. The Debbie Pelt thing, why is it so obvious? And Sam gets a grilfriend? Hum, anything new in the way of spoilers lately?

The other thing that is killing me is Pam's "As you live on in Sookie" comment... after listening to the audiobooks, it sounds more ominous.

It doesn't sound like CH is going to elaborate further on that line. She has said that she thought that line was clear and obvious. Actually, she has said that for all the ambiguous lines of DAG. I think I remember reading somewhere that she thought the vampire Niall mentioned can be picked up from the text. The whole hearts desire thing and Pam's line are "apparently" all obvious and we as readers should know what she means.

I don't understand how she can expect that from us when she is purposely so vague.

I wish she was more upfront like JK Rowling was: "I'm not telling because that would give it away!"

I think I remember reading somewhere that she thought the vampire Niall mentioned can be picked up from the text. 

I think it can.  This is one of those things that I think has been complicated beyond belief by over-analysing it.  I don't think she will ever clarify this and that's going to piss alot of people off.

Just looking at the clues she left on the page - leaving her interviews and the crap she goes on with on her forum out of it - there is no doubt in my mind that Niall was talking about Eric and I have felt like that since the first read.  It's just logical - Sookie is wondering why Eric didn't come, Niall reassures her about his character and his feelings for her.  Niall repeatedly refers to Eric as vampire - he does so again in that final line.

I think CH feels that she made it clear and really, if you strip it back to basics, she did.

I think the "clarification" will come when we find out why Eric didn't come to get her.  When we know the reason for that, and we know and Sookie knows that it's a good reason, the final line in DAG will make sense.  That's my hunch anyway

Occam's razor... that the simplest explanation or strategy tends to be the best one.

Exactly

I'm really praying for that to be the case. It would be so wonderful if Eric has a really good reason for not rescuing Sookie, and then Sookie realizes who Niall was talking about. I like reading between the lines, but I also like it when things like this are just spelled out. Esp. so the BLs over you-know-where would stop bashing Eric.

it will all work out Sami, it has too.  The EL make up to much of hte fan base and she wants to make money thus she has to write it the way we like!!!

Yes, you're completely right! One of the (many) things i tell myself to convince me Eric and Sookie are going to be together at the end is that exact thing. That when she first wrote DUD she was looking for a topic that would sell to many people.

Eric is loved by many people. Bill is not. Eric must be the One.

see Sami we are ALWAYS in sync!!!

ALWAYS Sista!!

Not wanting to get everyone upset, but if CH goes by her website there are more BLs there. And even the mods. And then the mods and BLs keep acting like ELs are evil and treating them so badly. So they are all victims. This could affect her outlook.

Thats true, but I think CH is smart enough to know that is a very small sample of people compared to her entire reading audience. At least I hope so, this is the woman that was threatening withholding the 1st chapter of DITF just because a handful of poster got in a fight.

ohhh damn, you are right Sami

The SPOILERS, did not mention Amelia. That is another thought that I have been bitting my nails on.

That's a really good point. I haven't seen anything really talking about Amelia in the spoilers. Didn't CH say that there would be ramifications for Tray dying (pertaining to Amelia and Sookie's relationship I mean)??

ohh I like Amelia...I would hate to see her leave!!!!!

I know right? She's not my favorite, but I don't necessarily want her to go either. It would be good for Sookie to not have a transient friendship, if you get my meaning.

I agree with you Nena - The "As you live on in Sookie" sounds very ominous to me as well.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but since it is said immediately after remarks about Clancy living on in Bill and Clancy is now dead is Pam saying something along the lines that Eric is dying or in danger of doing so.  I don't really think that he is going to die - but that is how it feels like it is written to me.  Thoughts?

A while back CH said that Eric survives the series. She hasn't changed that so far.

Hi Karen... Welcome to the forum. There has been a lot of speculation concerning what Pam meant by that statement. Is you get a chance, you could do a general search in the search box at the top right side of the screen. Enter the phrase and hit search and you should get a list of threads that this has been brought up in.

I don't think that it means Eric is going to die, but I do think he is in for some dire straits... but that could be a precipitating factor for drawing them closer if that makes sense to you.

I am new to this forum so I am not sure if you have covered this yet but I watched an interview with CH and she said she has known how the serieswould end from the first book and then said Eric's character developed over the next few books i am just wondering how she has set sookie with eric if that is the case? I am a HUGE Eric fan and Need them together but now i think she may have sookie be with sam he is closeset to human she can get and if eric and sookie are to end up together why is she starting it now when there are a least three more books left i am so scared.......

Hi BrinaBoo... There are a ton of topics on this site and many of them deal with with Eric and Sookie's relations and the possibilities that they may or may not end up together... Read through the topics on the site specifically Big Eric and Bill Thoughs Niall: Which Vampire "Ad Nauseum": All the Reason's for Sook/Eric to be together (a.k.a: "ESA"-Eric/Sookie Anonymous) and Connecting the Dots: Eric

You can also do a general search in the window on the top right side of the screen.

No need to be scared BrinaBoo! I have seen several other people with the same worry that you have. Someone asked CH this same question, and she responded with a definite "No Eric isn't out of the running." Or something like that. It was on her Q&A thread on her site, but theres no way I can find it again. Try some of the links Caroline put up and it might be in there somewhere.

thank you guys I am currently reading the big eric and bill thoughts and I will check out more links from CH paige I am just glad i have found you guys so i can stop obsessing by myself- I have my mother listening to the book on audio now- I love them cant wait til may!!!

She didn't say that she knew who it was from book one. Actually she said she hadn't decided until she knew it was going to be a book series and she didn't know that when she wrote DUD. She said she knew early in the series. That could be LDID or even CD. I do know that Bill fell out of favor with Sookie in LDID, which might indicate when CH made up her mind. And then Eric became more prominent.

So I was rereading Dead and Gone and I am not sure if this was already discussed ( I looked through the thread but didnt see anything, so forgive me for repeating) but knowing Erics maker is going to be in DITF I thought about the likley hood of Felipe de Castro asking him to come and get Eric out of the way so he could make Sookie his.

Sabrina, we discussed that specifically (although, our thoughts about it are all over the place) in the Appius thread: Thoughts on Appius (Eric's Maker). Go have a look.

Thanks Ashley... You are the woman...

Sorry

No, it's fine. There are 168 threads. It's not always easy to find a discussion and they are not always in concrete places...

Ladies if you have not listened to this radio show yet, you must! One of the girls got a ARC of DITF, she read the whole book the first day she got it. She gives us tons of little teasing comments that made me do some serious fan-girling.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/true-blood 

Heres some of the things the reader said that I can remember:

• Bill is indeed very very ill and its pitifull. But something sweet comes of it.
• Witty Sookie is back.
• CH gives a cool nod to TB.
• Eric fans are going to be really happy with ONE word that Eric says. It happens fairly early in the book, and fandom is going to EXPLODE when we read it! 
• Niall's comment to Sookie at the end of DAG is not referred to directy.
• Eric has a good reason for not rescuing Sookie and its not what we would expect.

Thanks Phoenix! That sounds promising. Seems we'll get some answers but I'm not surprised she won't elaborate on the Niall comment, I don't think she will any time soon. Not sure about the nod to TB though. I prefer the two to stay separate. Does this mean CH is being influenced by TB after all?

Not sure about the nod to TB though. I prefer the two to stay separate. Does this mean CH is being influenced by TB after all? 

I've decided I'm not going to worry about that too much, from the way the woman who read the ARC said it, it sounded like it was just a neat little tibit, not part of the book really. But we'll see, I guess.

And I know a lot of us already knew she wouldn't be answering the Niall statement, but it was nice to get definite confirmation from someone who has read it.

What I really really want to know is the word Eric says that is going to make us all so happy! Maybe he calls Sookie "love," instead of lover? Is that too obvious? And I was so happy to hear that Eric's excuse for not being there for Sookie is a good one, though I don't think I ever seriously doubted it wouldn't be good. Maybe in my infrequent darker moments.

Maybe in my infrequent darker moments

  hahah! ive had a few of those too unfortunately

I'm new to the site so I hope I'm doing this right.  Just tell me if I'm not 

I enjoyed reading all the speculation that I was doing some searches on the internet and found this review that I didn't see anywhere else.

http://harstan.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/dead-in-the-family-charlaine-harris/

It adds a little more to the previous review by publishers weekly

Also, I've wondered for a while now if Eric had Fae blood when he was human.  He was a noted fighter and we know that the Fae are ferocious.  Also, Niall says he's known him for some time and has been useful to him in the past.  Eric was instantly drawn towards Sookie so maybe that's also because of his own Fae background.  This is probably crazy but I remember that all the comments about them having the same color hair got me started this way a long time ago.

Having said that, I wonder if that could relate to why he couldn't go save her.

Eric fans are going to be really happy with ONE word that Eric says. It happens fairly early in the book, and fandom is going to EXPLODE when we read it! 

Maybe Sookie asks Eric if he loves her and the word is YES

OMG Sami! That's so cool!

NewB I think you're right. Sookie probably gets the nerve to finally ask.

Oh, I hope thats it! Having Eric admitting he loves her would be better than just calling her "love."

Phoenix, I'm having a hard time figuring out which blog it is. Do you know the name of the person or the blog? Or perhaps the date?

Maybe Eric calls her 'wife'. Haha. I hate that word although I would make an exception for Eric. Has he already called her that though? I can't remember. Seriously though I think it'll be like NewB said - yes.

 I'm having a hard time figuring out which blog it is.

It's the season 3 promos etc in the blue talk radio box. It's the first link.

I don't think replying "yes" to the question "do you love me" is that much to get excited about... I've been asked that in the passed and replied in kind and not actually meant it.  It's easy to say and not mean.  Just my take on it though... other ppl obviously think differently  

But Eric has already told Sookie that he always tells her the truth. And I don't see the story value of hiding Eric's feelings all this time and then have him say something he didn't mean. He could have done that all along.

True... fair point.

this interview sounds promising!!!!seems Eric is really a good one in this book...happy to hera tha Sookie acts like a Mom in a specific moment.....

So happy to hear that Eric's reason is nothing we thought before and it's a good one...dont' care what the Big word it is, at least is a good one and i'm just happy with that!

I think the word will probably be related to Eric's feelings about Sookie. I don't know that fandom would explode if he used the word wife, since she is his wife (sort of). But calling her his love instead of lover would do it, as would saying yes to the question of whether he loves her. Or he could volunteer it to Sookie, by telling her he loves her.

Sounds like things are left in the air at the end of the book--probably about Eric and Sookie. But I'll bet it is just another delaying tactic. It's so hard to imagine all this Eric/Sookie build-up throughout the books with it going some other way in the last few books, but I guess CH can choose to do what she wants. She never seems to sound like much of an Eric fan herself. And yet his personal growth has been the most interesting part of the books.

ok...I listened to all this radio....who reda this book seems soooo overjoyed with this book and with Eric....so maybe it's really a good book and useful for next ones^^

Also, I've wondered for a while now if Eric had Fae blood when he was human.

I think CH was asked this question at one point; I don't think Eric was part Fae in his human life.

I don't know that fandom would explode if he used the word wife, since she is his wife (sort of).

I agree. Plus, it's Sookie who is having a hard time accepting that fact, not Eric. Him calling her "wife" wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Thanks for the spoilers, Sami. Makes me feel better about this book.

Hey guys, maybe Appius asked Eric if he loves Sookie and he says yes. Then everyone, the Bill lovers included, could not be suspicious of his answer. But I'm not to sure about this theory because the woman (Liz I think her name is) said that Eric's one word statement is going to happen fairly early in the book. I figure Appius won't come in until more near the middle, to give Sookie time to heal.

Then everyone, the Bill lovers included, could not be suspicious of his answer.

Who are you kidding? They would find a way to doubt it anyway. I can only imagine ways they would twist that unfavorably even though it's blatantly obvious. Did you see all the ways his "heart's desire" was twisted. His "heart's desire" was to have control over Sookie or her telepathy. That's not really a desire of the heart, if you ask me.

"Did you see all the ways his "heart's desire" was twisted. His "heart's desire" was to have control over Sookie or her telepathy."

OMG are you serious?that's priceless....ahahahah^^

btw...who really cares, the important thing for me is that I understand the book, and I understand Eric and his feelings...well if there are people who cannot well....not my problem, theirs.....

Eric feelings or intetions are pretty clear....cristalin for me....^^

The Bill lovers even twisted Sookie saying she loves Eric into something else entirely.

Holy Shiznit. I don't know how I missed that, it's bolded and everything.

Hi, I'm new but I've been reading this thread a little and I was surprised you weren't comenting on the The Merry Genre Go Around Review, not only because it says that Appius is a newly apointed king, but also because it says that Eric's brother is Alexei Romanov.

I read somewhere that somebody thought maybe Eric was actually Leif Ericson, a viking prince. So is Appius a collector or something?

I wonder what he would make of the great-granddaughter of a Fairy king...

I read somewhere that somebody thought maybe Eric was actually Leif Ericson, a viking prince. So is Appius a collector or something?

CH was asked this as well. The answer is no. There is no relation between Eric and Leif Ericson. Appius definitely chooses his vampire children for a reason, but not necessary for historical purposes.

Appius is a newly apointed king, but also because it says that Eric's brother is Alexei Romanov.

Well that sparked my curiosity and made me to read up on Romanov. Here's an interesting website:
http://alexeiromanov.org/story.html
There's this interesting tidbit in that story where Alexei says to his sister:
"I enjoy the sun and the beauty of summer as long as I can. Who knows whether one of these days I shall not be prevented from doing it?"
CH really did a lot of research!

Yeah, I read that Alexei quote somewhere too (wiki most probably XD ) and I also found interesting that CH would choose an hemofilic to become a vampire. I think he will be an good new character to know, and a rather new vampire, Alexei supposedly died at 13 in 1918.

That's an incredible quote!  I wonder if Appius wants Eric's help in running his new kingdom?  Could throw a spanner in the works if he wants him to move out of state.

I was wondering about the part of that review where they say Appius is the newly named Vampire King.  I'm wondering if FDC brokered a deal with Appius where he gives him Louisianna and they form an alliance in exchange for Appius  controlling Eric/Sookie.  I can't think of any other way that Appius would  become King of any of the states that we've read about so far.  Also, I can't see him traveling to Louisiana and staying for any amount of time if he's a new king of another state.  Worrisome. . .

I can't imagine that FDC would give away Louisiana. Maybe Arkansas, but not Louisiana. One of the reasons why the Nevada vamps let Eric and Bill live was because they were high earners. FDC wouldn't give up that kind of revenue for one telepath.

I just re-read the book summary and in light of the review I posted earlier that states Appius is a new vampire king, this statement from the book summary takes on a whole new light. . . "But he’s under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship."  

So, now I'm wondering which vampire king this really means.  Thoughts? 

It's just a wild guess but could it be that Eric couldn't be there to save Sookie because he was ordered to help take over the kingdom with his maker? This would be in line with what we wouldn't expect as a reason for him missing in action while she was being tortured.

Then everyone, the Bill lovers included, could not be suspicious of his answer

 Who are you kidding? They would find a way to doubt it anyway.

Lol! Yeah, your probably right. My line of thinking was that Eric would have to answer truthfully because Appius is he maker. Then the BLs would have to recognize the blatant obvious fact that Eric couldn't defy his maker. Because then their entire argument for Bill having to do as Lorena told him in CD would be destroyed. But there is some serious denial happening within the Bill sympathizers and it wouldn't be the first time that they out and out twist what is clearly said on page. (Although I have talked to several BLs that are very cordial and reasonable).

So, now I'm wondering which vampire king this really means.  Thoughts? 

Hmm...interesting. It could go either way since FdC is still relatively LA's new king and this review states that Appius is a new king.

I'm curious why Appius is a new king now. He's really old I figured he'd be a king already or (my favorite theory) he just stayed under the radar but kept up with the supe gossip.  

(Although I have talked to several BLs that are very cordial and reasonable).

I don't mean all BL's. That kind of denial and delusion is strictly among Bill fanatics, a.k.a. Eric Haters.

"But he’s under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship." 

I agree that this could certainly be Appius now. Eric was already under scrutiny regarding his relationship with Sookie in DAG by FDC. Nothing new there.

I don't mean all BL's. That kind of denial and delusion is strictly among Bill fanatics, a.k.a. Eric Haters

Sorry Ashley, that last comment wasn't meant for you. I said it because I didn't want to sound like I was lumping all the BLs together.

wow! I am now beyond impatient to read this book! LuvinLeif, I really like your reasoning for Eric not being able to save Sookie - how sure are we thought that Appius is a King? Is this review reliable?

I was wondering about the reliability of Appius as King as well but I have seen it in two reviews.  It doesn't really make sense out of context so I guess we'll have to see.

I was reading on CH's website and she has references to a more complex vampire hierarchy outside of the states (with regions and court type systems).  She had stated that FDC wasn't at the Summit because he was in a different region.  Maybe some kind of rule was broken with FDC taking over a state in a different region?  Or maybe there's a higher King that rules over the region and they are elected.  That would make the comment about Appius being "named" King make more sense.

I'll have to go see if I can find that post from CH.  Sheeze I can't wait until next month.

Missleeloo, I only saw a couple of arc reviews stating Appius is a new king. I don't know if it's for Louisiana, but if he's king, he'll most likely be putting his children in positions of more power. CH did state that Eric was "large and in charge" in book 10.

Hi Guys.  "Dead and Gone" came out in paperback today (Tuesday) and I picked it up on the way home. Since I have read it a bunch of times, I just now picked it up.  At the back it has the first chapter of DITF, but it goes on for several pages more than on CH website.

Eric tells Sookie he couldn't come to her when she was tortured because, " Victor's people chained me with silver.  It burned me everywhere."  "Victor claimed he'd temporarily forgotten our marriage" and didn't want Eric involved in a fae war. Sookie still can't let herself trust Eric.  Eric says, "While you were with Neave and Lochlan, I suffered with you," he said, meeting my eyes directly.  "I hurt with you.  I bled with you -- not only because we're bonded, but because of the love I have for you."  She doesn't say it back, but  "A red tear fell on my bare shoulder and coursed down.  I swept it up on my finger, putting my finger to his lips -- offering his pain back to him.  I had plenty of my own."  End of chapter one.

Yup, the "L" word from him, but not from her.

Thats okay, she admitted that she loved him to Amelia. Sookie saying "I love you" will come in time.

Wow, he does have a good reason for not being able to rescue her. Chained with silver, that would do it alright.

How many extra pages do we get from what CH posted on her site?

It continues on for another 4 1/2 pages in the paperback D&G, starts with the heading "The Same Week". Pam was taken too, but not chained with silver.

Yessss! You know what is so ironic? I had the paperback in my hands today. I flipped through it but I put it back down because I have it in hardcover. Why oh why didn't I look in the back? lol

If you don't mind could you tell me where Sookie and Eric are talking and anything else that we don't know yet?

Talking in bed. "I spent the next night with Eric. As I did at least three or four times a week."  She woke up "filled with terror" and crying.  "It wasn't the first time this had happened, but this time he wept with me."  "I could feel your fear and pain that night", he said in a choked voice.  "But I couldn't come to you".

Eric cries with Sookie? Wow this is better than what I'd hoped for! I'd suspected Sookie would wake up crying and Eric would comfort her, but I didn't think he would cry with her. Thats so sweet, I love that we're getting to see Eric showing emotion.

"I could feel your fear and pain that night", he said in a choked voice.  "But I couldn't come to you".  

Thats nearly straight from some of the fanfic I've read. Really, almost the exact wording.  

Penny are you as excited as I am?  

So excited!  This does sound like fanfic doesn't it?  It doesn't seem like a year ago D&G came out and I wondered how we could wait a whole year for the next book, but here we are.  All the fanfic helped too.  What fanfic are you refering to, if it's not too off topic for this thread?

Oh gosh, I've read so many I can't even remember. Many of them had the "I was chained in silver" reason. And at least one said that "I could feel your fear and pain, but I couldn't come to you." I will try to find it and post in the fanfic thread. Haha, who knew that when we would read fanfic some of the stories had actually gotten it somewhat right? lol

So, was it Felipe de Castro that ordered Victor to hold Eric and Pam? And why did they let them go before the Fae war was done?

No, Victor did this on his own with his own people.  Some of them weren't sure about Victor's power and let Pam phone Felipe behind his back.  Because Felipe had pledged protection to Sookie he made Victor release Eric & Pam.  He didn't punish Victor but Felipe knows that Victor is getting too powerful, or so Eric thinks.  Victor was at Fangtasia when Bill called to say Sookie had been taken.  Eric managed to call Niall just before Victor had him chained.

Hmm, so Victor is going to be the villian. LOL another thing a lot of fanfic authors got right!  My mind is still reeling.

If its possible, I'm even more excited for DITF now! Thank you so much for giving me these details. Anything I can get to keep me going until May. I know this doesn't really matter, but I wonder if Eric did lick up his tear that Sookie offered him. I guess we'll never know because then the chapter ends.

Oh my, I love this - apart from Sookie still being cold as stone...

Oh and you're right gals, complete FanFic sensation, with Eric being emotional and Victor being the baddie!

Oh my, I love this - apart from Sookie still being cold as stone...

I know, that kind of disturbed me, but didn't surprise me. After, what she went through, I'd be more worried if she wasn't having a reaction like this, or close to it.

You know the best part of this?  This is just chapter one!

I'm so excited to see what else they do! It def. starts out as really depressing, but I take this to be a good sign! Now throughout the book things could get progressively better for them, at least in the relationship department.

So, Victor's death is pretty much sealed isn't it? Not only did he play an active role in taking over Eric's state, but Victor kept him (by silver chains) from Sookie when she really needed him. And it has affected her physically as well as mentally. No way is Eric letting that slid like FdC. I am going to be surprised if Victor lives for another 2 books!

Eric can't make a move yet, because FdC will know he did it. But Eric will find a way. He'll find a way.

You are probably right.   And Victor said he forgot E&S were married yet he was there when the knife was presented.

As much as I'm loving this talk, I had better go to bed and continue tomorrow.  Have to be at work in the morning. Night Sami !

What an idiot. Does Eric know why Victor even cares whether or not Eric is involved with the fae war? Obviously, it can't be that bad because FdC let Eric and Pam go. He had pledged Sookie his protection but would she be worth a war? (If that was what Victor was concerned about.)

G'night Penny!  I should get to bed too and then I can just read it myself at the bookstore.

Just one more bit.  "Victor said vampire lives must not be lost in the rescue of a human" from the fae.  Victor calls Sookie Eric's human lover, not his wife (oops, I forgot the ceremony) and said Eric was lying about Felipe's protection.

Thats weird. I'm going to need to think about that more deeply when I'm less tired, lol. Thanks again for this!

Has anyone checked is CH posted the new chapter 1 on her site? am off to check now...

nope! no such luck!

I just checked too, aww man!

!  We'll be like Eric and Sookie,  We're crying together! haha

totally! although I would never feed you or anyone their own tear... what a biatch!

Lol! I know! I was like Sookie, woman, this man is telling you he loves you and is crying on your shoulder and you just say "here have your tear back, because I don't want it." Yeah, but this gives me hope for Sookie's cold exterior to melt as the book goes on. She starts out really frosty.

I'll trust in your hope Sami!!

Trussstt in meeee! Isn't that from the Jungle Book? Ok off topic. Anyway, what are your predictions with the new material we've been given?

edit: man, I really can't spell tonight...

Yep, Jungle Book! I had this mad idea that Eric would call on Appius to get rid of Victor/FDC... Since he loves Sookie, would he do 'anything' for her? It seems risky...

I'd considered that too. But one of the newer reviews said that Eric's maker arrives without invatation, explanation..and some other "tion" word. So, if that review is reliable (which I have no idea how to tell) then Eric calling in Appius doesn't happen. But maybe he does help Eric anyway since he's there?

Maybe Victor and/or FDC calls Eric's maker as they're worried Eric may attempt a takeover?

Yeah, I like that theory. I've thought about this before and my two favorite theories are the one you said and maybe Appius just heard a lot of gossip about Eric and Sookie and came to check up.

Appius scares me... After the story Eric told Sookie about his maker, he's the last person I'd want to see show-up!

Haha! That conversation definitely didn't bode well, did it? But I'm really curious to read about him, I esp. want to know about his personality. And I'm really curious about Alexei (is that the right spelling?).

Sorry, but I should stop procrastinating and go to bed, lol. 2 classes in the morning and a night class, yuck!

I'm having funny feelings about this chapter in the back of D&G paper back... now I'm not saying it's not real, just it doesn't seem to sit right with me.

One thing CH does do is keep us hanging on - why would she allow a cliffy like Eric's no-show to be dealt with without making us buy book10?

I've seen books mimic FF before now (end of Harry Potter anyone?) so I'm not discounting it, but I'm going to wait until May before I believe anything I read online.

i'm soooooooooo happy he said it.....it's even more intense becouse if the pain he was feeling...it's not romantic, he was desperate becouse he loves her.....and that means a lot!!! I guess crying will help both of them so they can come back S/E as we know it....fighting, laughing, talking...protecting each others as they always did.

I'm sure that if Victor called Appius he will regret that becouse i've the sensation that Appius, maybe with Eric's help will take over Luisiana....i don't think Appius will be a problem, not after Eric will explain everything....they were both powerfull worriors, i guess with all the centuries they hace respect of each others.....so maybe Appius or Alexei will be in charge ofr taking Luisiana.....

I'm worried though that Sookie may turn away from Eric.  Like Eric said in CD, she has a tendency to run away when things get rocky.  With CH saying Sam has a girlfriend in DITF, I'm worried. . .

Exactly right NewB.  In this new chapter, when Eric was weeping and explaining, "I turned over and lay with my back to him."  If he wanted some comfort he didn't get it.  She says it was just like Bill & Lorena, "A vampire more powerful than me made me do it." "I'd heard this story before."

I think is normal....she was too hurt, but she knows he is there for her, he wouldn't leave her, he understand her, and undertand this is a bad time for her....

She needs time....she has a lot of things to deal with, even Appius now....that's really to much for her...i cannot blame her, not at all!

And she does believe him by the end.

I don't doubt she believes him.  However, its like she told Quinn - she wants to be first.  As long as there's a stronger vampire over Eric, she can't be first.  Maybe this is where the story goes next, Eric trying to remove all those over him.

BTW - I checked on CH website and they are discussing on the DITF thread there too....just to soothe the fears of what's real and not.

She believe him becouse she knows very well that nothing but a powerfull vampire could stop Eric from doing what he want....

She always believed in him, becouse she knows that he always does what he think it's the best for both of them^^

Sookie thought many things: a traditional marriage, children, be fisrt....as CH said that doesn't mean she will end up with what she wanted...

Btw with Quinn proved me an important thing, she broke with him becouse she wanted to be first,  she realized that she didi a mistake with that behaviour...and she won't do the same mistake with Eric...that's why i think that Quinn was important, she learn a lot.

Thank you, Penny. That was awesome. It makes his "You're killing me" line more tangible and heartbreaking.

Holy Moly! Man I missed a lot while I was sleeping. Did anyone else find this on their paperback? I only have ebooks and audiobooks darnit.

I'm going out to buy it right now!!!! I new seeing 48 new posts meant something awesome happened in the night

I can already see myself at the bookstore later tonight picking up every copy of Dead and Gone and looking through the back! LOL.

Its there alright

Chelsea! I'm so jealous!

you're lucky you're in an anglosaxon country... I'm in Italy, I doubt the new paperback is out here!!!!!!!

Wow it really is exactly what I hoped for. Eric is perfect and the sooner Sookie realizes it the sooner she will live HEA.

One more thing I don't think was mentioned about it...they are in his bed at his house

Any descriptions of his house?

NO WAY!!!!! this is beyond juicy!

I'm Italian too^^

on internet you can order it^^

thank God this site exists...ahahah^^

No sadly she just says "I decided to pull my clothes on, to drive back to Bon Temps, as soon as I gathered the energy" it is when Eric first starts to explain why he wasn't there and she isn't buying it.

jeez, torture...

Mony - it's the instant satisfaction I miss... I would cycle to Feltrinelli's right now & buy it if I could!

I order all the paperbooks on libreriauniversitaria or ibs....^^ i checked few days ago and it was there!!!

Can we find the whole chapter one online anywhere? Can someone please transcribe it? I beg of you! I'm dying here. Thanks for all the info!

I can't get my hands on the new paperback here in Brazil.

I am really new to all this blog stuff ( as in this is my first one ever) so I have no idea about transcribing things. I know that most of it is up here actually in quotes lol but if someone wants to walk me through it I can try. No full text though right since that is against the rules.

it would probably be best legally not to post the entire thing here... I'll let the moderators decide.

I'm her on my italian forum for True Blood trying to let calm down all my friends after this revelation...

I really want to put my hands on book 10!!!!!

Me too, now the wait seem almost unbarable to me.

Well, if anybody wants to transcribe it, I could give my email address, since the chapter in on the DAG paperback for all to see I don't see any copyright problems in emailing it to someone. Or scanning and emaling it.

My email is: barbarabarroso@uol.com.br

I'll be forever grateful. Thanks! I'd so buy the paperback right now if I could.

I just got back from reading it at the bookstore.  It really is great.  I did find it interesting that Eric says Victor was at Fangtasia as if he knew he should be.  I don't want to start a fight but . . .

Bill and Eric were the only ones who knew about the issues with the Fae.  So . . . where's this leading?  Is Eric doubting Bill?  Or does he think the other Fae Prince approached Victor?

I don't think Bill said anything.

Mr. C also knows (which Eric is unaware of). So, it's possible that's how the leak happened - Mr. C is in FDC's camp now.

Hmm..that's an interesting point but I don't think Mr. C would have done it on purpose.  Maybe he found out about him sending Diantha

Maybe. CH did say that demons are loyal to whoever pays them. Mr. C sending Diantha wouldn't have given that much of a clue - Victor would know something was up, but not exact details. Somebody would have actually had to leak that info.

if i were all of us i wouldn't exclude that Fae, the bad ones, cantacted Victor...may Sookie is just an award for Victor letting help Dermont killing Niall....

VampAngel - email should be fine! just would not advise posting it on a public site (I'm a lawyer and work in copyright...)

Ok VampAngel I scanned the pages and I will send them to you right now  you may need to zoom in to read them though

no thats fine of course

Yea I know but I don't mind spreading the love around

One of you check it and let me know it worked please

Vampaholic, THANK YOU SO MUCH! You have no idea what it means to me. You are my hero! *bows before you*

I'm cheking right now!

lol you are very welcome.

Yes, it worked! You are awesome. I think I love you.

I can't wait to hear your guy's thoughts on it!

I haven'te gotten the email yet, did you send it to:

barbarabarroso@uol.com.br

Don't forget the br at the end!

I soooo love you right now! Thanks again, my hero!

I sent it again so now you may get two lol

hi, i'm a long time lurker and i have loved reading this blog and all the fanfic requests.  i'm usually quiet, but if i could get a version of these pages too i would really appreciate it.  im a grad student and im knee deep in school work today so my chances of being able to run out the door to a bookstore is pretty slim.  thanks again for all the new info u provided!  my email is cgleason127@aol.com

it might be taking awhile due to the fact that I have gmail and so do the others but not you I hope it gets there soon for you

oh, send it to me gmail too, if you could:

babarroso@gmail.com

(no br this time,)

Thank you! *dies*

ooh i have a gm account too, its cgleason@gm.slc.edu

sorry i've had aol so long i forget most people use gmail these days lol

thank u for doing all this!

Thank u so much!!!!!it worked and i read it all!!!!!!! She believes in him not only with her head but with her heart!!!!!!!!

I know!!!!!! OK so I sent it to every e-mail given to me lol so sorry if you get it multiple times lol but I want to make sure everyone gets it.

I am so sorry to ask, but I too can not get to the bookstore.  If anyone can send it to me mrsviolinden@gmail.com.  I would appreciateit soooo much!

I got you

You are sooooo fast!  Thanks a bunch.  I am going to read it now!

I feel just like Santa right now!

You are. That was good Christmas present.

Vampholic, can you please send it to me too? leeloomania@mac.com Thanks a million!

CH did right by us EL this time

She did. So far, anyway. But as far as explanations about his whereabouts and the feelings expressed in that scene, she did do right.

I loved how Sookie let him explain how he felt and why he wasn't there for once and even reasoned things out quicker then usual. I think she is really growing up. I also think how much she cares for Eric and even the blood bond is helping her to do so.

Thank You!!!

you are very welcome!

You are better than Santa!  Maybe I read it too fast, but how do we know they are at Eric's house?

Because they are in bed and she planned to drive home to Bon Temps.

Thank you!  In my excitement, I read it too fast!

Well it isn't spelled out but yea since she says drive back to Bon Temps they aren't at her house and I don't think they would go to a hotel you know

CH said we will see Eric's house in book 10, so a good assumption.

I hope we get to SEE it at some point lol

I just re-read!  I will probably rea-read it a few more times.  I am just so happy she seems to be ok with his explanation.

I forwarded you mine.

On its way

lol well now you have two

Got it! Thank you!!!

Judy where in Texas do you live and work?

Sorry, I didn't want to step on toes, just didn't know who was still online.

if you don't mind

no it is totally cool Ronni

I'm in the dfw area

Vampholic, I LOVE YOU TO DEATH! I'd marry you and have your babies if I could.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANKS!

I got it all and read it already and made some of my friends also really happy. You have no idea how you just made my day. If you ever need anything, I'm your girl!

*hugs*

aw no problem I'm glad I could help

I know this is weird and I know Judy is a common name but I have an ex aunt in that area named Judy lol thats why I asked.

hi. Could you please send it to me too if it's not too much bother? I live on the other side of the world

yep no problem

I love when people use the word bother it makes me smile

Thank you sooo much!!!

Wow that was so touching! So bittersweet...*sniff* Now I'm on the hunt to find the fanfic I read that was really close to this plot.

I have to get in on this too!  If you don't mind too terribly...  Thank you so much!

on its way

I feel horrible after all the others...can I pleeeeeezzeeee have too....brandysparks424@yahoo.com

don't feel horrible doing this is making my day

im new to this site but im super excited to have found it. i cant wait for the book. after reading the part about eric crying i really hope they stay together. i love eric

I love Eric too! I need therapy.

I need therapy too, this is my addiction!

there really should be a 12 step program. thats why I choose Vampaholic lol.

i cant begin to say how many times i have read the books. i cant wait till may.

She says she spends three or four nights a week with Eric and it sort of looks like she means at his house.  Does that mean that he spends the rest of the week at her house?  Are they together every night?

LOL. I'm glad I'm not alone! My husband thinks I've lost it. Especially with this next book releasing so soon.

i dont think they are together every night cause he was to work at the bar

That is what I was wondering. I think it means 3 or 4 period not simply at his house but who knows.

If I were Sookie, I wouldn't get out of bed with Eric in it.

OMG I def agree

I don't talk to my husband too much about it, for fear he will have me committed (lol)!  But I am planning to start re-reading again 2 weeks prior to may 4th!

right. im the same way. i use to be all about quinn cause he is almost perfect for her but i just cant get past eric

i just finished rereading last night. my husband thinks im crazy.

I really wanted to like Quinn. I tried, but Eric...oh Eric! He's always there for her...

I tried to like Alcide (there was always something weird about Quinn to me) but Eric is just amazing!  I love the way he treats her!

From DUD I was always an Eric lover I couldn't even see her with anyone else. All the other males are just in the way as far as I'm concerned. I know they all serve a purpose but my heart was taken from scene one with Eric.

i just hate that with eric she cant have the future she wants to have with him. like when he was driving her car and she wished he was with her.

eric is the only one that gets sookie and she has said that before about him getting her

I of course hate that she won't just let him turn her although since in CH books vamps don't stay together very long I guess this is better.

Maybe she can't have the future she used to want.  As we get older what we want changes.  I know it sounds stupid, but I always heard people say when you are young you want the big fancy wedding and as you get older you want something smaller and more private.  Maybe what Sookie wants out of life is changing as she gets older (and all she has been through is changing her as well).

it could be different with eric. look at pam she stays with him. they have a good relationship compared to other vamps.

I try to stay clear from a lot of romance novels with that "and they lived happily ever after" vibe. Even if Sookie and Eric don't stay together until she passes on, I myself would be happy for Sookie to have at least experienced a great love in her life.

I agree 100 %

me too

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

aw that is really beautiful

i read two different things about pam. i read that she goes on a killing spree and i also read that she is kidnapped. so i wonder what is really going on with pam

Maybe Pam is the one who takes out Victor??

i dont know. if so its cause eric had her do it

or she did it for eric without him knowing

Does Victor die in this book? Did I miss something?

I am sorry, I worded that poorly.  I meant if pam goes on a killing spree I would like her to start with Victor.  I have no idea if he dies in this book.

We don't know if he dies.  There may be a discussion about it in the DITF - Speculation Thread 2, I haven't been over there lately.

Thanks Chelsea!  If there's a jar for good "karma" then yours must be full by now...

Ahh... ok. I thought I missed something. Yeah I would want Pam to get Victor too.

A whole lot of good karma is going to Vampaholic my new hero.

The killing spree Pam goes into is in a new short story CH is writing for the Sookie companion, not in DITF.

I really hope Eric is the one the kill Victor, slowly and painfully.

I'm thinking maybe FDC will call Appius to control Eric and Sookie and to take the place of Victon in taking care of Louisiana. Maybe that's why Appius is a new King? He'll be King of LA? I dunno...

I just can't figure out how Appius is King.  As someone else said, there are not too many ways to become King (or Queen).  Maybe there is a tie between FDC and Appius.  Myabe that is another reason FDC spared Eric in DAG???

oh boy, re-reading these pages for the hundredth time and i just had a bad thought.

does sookie mean she wakes with horrible "panting, terror filled dreams" three or four times a week rather than he sleeping at eric's casa?  hmm, maybe its both.

*from, rather than with.  you cant, technically speaking, wake up "with" ur dreams.

Woah! I just got on and there are 135 new posts since last night! I got off last night (early morning) around 3am. Now theres all these posts! Well, I've got some catching up to do.

When Sookie mentioned Shakespeare it's Amlet^^

I don't know if thats a good thing though but I did like that part

After waking up this morning to find out that there were a few extra pages to the first chapter added at the end of the Dead & Gone paperback I quickly got dressed and went to the bookstore. I raced back home to read it over and over again. I am literally going bananas over here waiting for DITF to come out. I love how he finally explained to her what happened and I hope someone gets Victor back and soon. Also, I understand why Sookie is so cold because of everything she has been through but giving him back his pain? That was a little weird, I mean he is in pain because he loves her so much he is upset with himself for not being there sooner even though Victor was keeping him.

Also, There are plenty of people who knew about the Fae that Sookie kept in her circle of friends. Maybe it was Dermot who told Victor since he had been trying to get close to Sookie, so he planned for Victor to keep Eric away from Sookie long enough so that they could kill her. I guess we will just have to wait a few more weeks to figure that out ..

"Aye, there's the rub." "Rub" meaning a snag, difficulty, obstacle.......

i liked that part too^^

no I mean it being from Hamlet not being a good thing

well i dont' think that wiould have somthing to deal with the end of the book...but who know.....she called him my viking honey and that made me laugh...

Sookie is really grown a lot, with him most of all....and i'm happy about that.

There was a reference to King Lear earlier. Since Appius is a new King and he's brought another child......

She called him her viking honey? Where? How did I miss that?

I saw that and tried to remember if she had giving a nickname to any former men, Bill? Quin??  Anyone remember?

She called him her viking honey? Where? How did I miss that? 

It was when he was telling her that FdC didn't punish Victor.

"Theres the rub," Eric said. Somewhere along the line, my Viking honey had read Shakespeare.  

She called Bill, "my vampire" a lot and baby and honey sometimes. She called Eric all those names too in DTTW. I don't think she called Quinn anything but "Quinn." lol

I love that... "my viking honey". Wish I could say that. LOL. Man I hope my husband doesn't read this.

Thanks. I so wish I had a Viking honey, especially if said honey was Eric. I'm thinking Eric is too good for Sookie. Sookie is being such a bitch (pardon my french). Maybe she deserves Bill.

LOL. VampAngel you crack me up!

You are right VampAngel.  I am trying to stay neutral, however, when she gave him back his tear offering his pain back to him because she had enough of her own, what a b*#@!  Unless someone has a theory that makes that statement less mean??  I would love to hear it.

ok quick question how do I make a picture smaller to use it as my profile pic here? I know wrong fourm but any help would be great.

She enjoys the comfort he gives her, but he is weeping and she has nothing to give back.  Or maybe it's too soon for her.

Thank you!  I was hoping for a better explanation than the one I initially got when I read it!  I like that one way better than mine!

Did anyone notice that she doesn't even blink or think about the fact that Eric told her he loves her? That was soooo weird. She completely ignored that statement. I still mantain she is a big bitc, ahem, witch.

And didn't she just tell Amelia a few pages back that she loved him? So why not try to confort him and say it back? Bitch, bitch, bitch. (sorry I can't keep it pg-13)

VampAngel = MAD!

to play the devil's advocate, maybe sookie didnt react like "omg, u love me!" bc she already knew it beforehand, off screen.  in the new scene from today much is made to sookie trusting the bond to see/confirm how eric feels as he talks to her.  and since the dead in the family opens with her accepting she loves him, maybe the whole i love exchange has already happened between them so thats why she doesnt give or big reaction to it.  its a possibility.

Thats how I felt. It is no surprise to her that he loves her. He has loved her for a long time now and though she didn't want to admit it she already knew.

exactly...she knew he loves her....he knew she loves him....that's how they worked together....

I see your points, but Sookie has never trusted or thought that Eric loved her before. If CH had them exchange I loved yous off page, I'm soooo going to kill her. I just think Sookie is numb and doesn't really want to consider his words. I'm hoping she will once she is alone and has time to clear her thoughts. Hre is to hoping!

like, if she accepted she loved him eric must have already felt that, and if eric is feeling it sookie must have been feeling the love.  she even says "she felt he meant what he was saying," and to sookie's less than excited reaction she's still recovering and she has seen firsthand love doesn't make people in infallible or keep them from being dishonest, see niall and his less than stellar protection of her in the fae war, and see bill who did and does love him, but that didnt stop him from deceiving her numerous times.  

plz forgive the grammar

u make a good pt about her def having major trust issues (sookie admits it in this chpt, too, so thats some improvement), but i just remembered the hearts desire convo from the last book, i dont have the book with me, but i could of swore she said "she would def think about that" so last book the seeds of the 'i love u' convo was already planted and the new scenes from today take place weeks later so im really think CH may have pulled a fast one and let them have their 'love u' resolutions off the page.  i agree with wishing i could have seen it, if that is how CH worked it

gives fanfic writers plenty of opportunities to write "missing moments!"

when she put her finger with the tear on his lips.....it was intense...she was saying without saying aout loud "it's not your fault, you don't have to feel guilty" she trust him deeply.

I like your reasoning Mony, but I'm not sure that was what Sookie was saying. I hope it is.

Mony, that's a great way to interpret that. I hope it's what she really meant!

she said Eric is not a Superhero....she said she trusted him with her heart and Sookie is not an easy girl with that, she suffered to much becouse of Bill, and she said it clearly....she doesn't blame him...nothing at all...

I think Sookie deserves much more credit...they are together now, they are suffering together, and they are against the same person who made them suffer so much: Victor.

they won't give up on that!

Sookie is not dumb, she is smart, that's whay he loves her....

maybe it was an acceptance of her pain, not just him feeling she accepts in her heart through the bond, but through physical action.  also, i had a weird flashback to their first kiss in dallas with the "you have blood (eric's) on your lips," recalls the beginning of their romance.

*acceptance of *his" pain--like she 'gets it,' she believes him

I like what you said Mony.

you're lucky you're in an anglosaxon country... I'm in Italy, I doubt the new paperback is out here!!!!!!!

Try Argentina... I haven't even seen them in spanish over here.

and I wanna add that reading this chapter is quite clear that he can't stand to see her suffering but even Sookie with him!she was trying to be the Old Sookie for him too, not only for herself....they can't stand eact others when they suffering in that way....

Good point.  When he cried she said, "I had been trying so hard to act like my old self when I was with him."  And she had sex when she didn't feel like it, more for his benefit.  Maybe that was his comfort.

I think the sex was for her benefit. She said she thought if she kept having sex "the bedroom magic would return" eventually. Eric asked her if she sure she wanted to have sex, I took that to mean he'd be okay without it for awhile and just wanted her to feel comfortable.

I love this book already!  So much to talk about after just a few pages.

And I still can't believe the biggest issue most of us wanted to know about was made known in just the 1st chapter!

I never doubted his love for her!

Now we know where Eric was during her torture, why he wasn't able to come rescue her and he told her he loves her. Some serious stuff for so early in the book, but I'm so happy this is being dealt with now rather than in the middle or something. Now we have the rest of the book for other great scenes like this one!

Oh and we also got to see Sook at Eric's house! Even if we didn't really "see" it or get any description of it at all...it will come.

So..who thinks we're going to see Eric exact some revenge - very carefully - throughout this book?

I'm also wondering about what character is going to die and about who were suppose to be surprised is "not" surprised by the dead body...

Oh yes, I said this last night on this forum, I'll be surprised if Victor lasts another 2 books. Eric's definitely planning/will be planning something to happen to Victor. I think he'd like to take him out himself.

In all honesty, I want Sookie to take Victor out. LOL. "Take that you evil vampire! You hurt my Vampire Honey and kept him from saving me you bastard!"

I'm thinking Victor should be very afraid right now. We know the Viking is gonna exact a wholenew kind of vengenge this time. He was so enrage in this chapter. I can't wait for Victor to meet his final death in the hands of Eric. I'm gleeful with that thought.

I too think that Sookie will be the one to do the deed and kill Victor.  Its only fair since she didn't get to return the favor to the Fae.

In this chapter, for the BL out there, the fact that Sookie made a nasty reference to Bill and Lorena means she isn't ever going back there.

From your lips (or fingers in this case) to God's ear, Shema!

It will be interesting to see how BL's will twist this around.

From Hamlet "there’s the rub"

To die — to sleep.
To sleep — perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub!
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause.
 

By rub, Hamlet means a difficulty, obstacle or objection — in this case to his committing suicide. 

I'd like to see Sookie be the one to take Victor down, too.  By the way, could Victor have been responsible for letting Sigebert (sp?) know where to find Eric and FDC that (fateful) night?  That would be a tidy conclusion for him.

Sookie talking about Bill and Lorena is very important issue. It shows NOW how she is moving on with her life and how she doesn't make the same mistakes again with Eric.....that's really important....Now Sookie is listening to Eric...she refletcs on his word and she believes in him...whetever BL's will said could not change that.

Mony, I have to completely agree with your interpretation of her giving his pain back. I couldn't have said it better!

Jay, I suspected Victor was responsible for Siegbert also. After all, he did say Siegbert was no more.

i thought that too......

Yeah, I rmember that too. Victor is digging his own (second) grave...

Thanks guys for sendimg me the pages, you are the best!

I don't know how on earth I'm going to wait untill y copy arrives. My birthday is on the 11th, it would be such a good present Amazon!

Jeezeus - what the hell happened here? Something big! I don't want to know but is everyone getting along?

Yes. No fighting is occurring.

OK good.

no fighting...just dreaming maybe....or being happy....ahahah^^

great things happened

There's a lot of love going around, no worries!

OK good.

I found something interesting for Dead Letters, maybe. I was reading an outline of Hamlet (I have forgotten it from school) to see if there are any tie ins and of course there is a Claudius, and there is a message of hope and integrity. Hamlet is also son of Denmark's previous king. But, Polonius questions Ophelia about her relationship with Hamlet and demands to see his love letters. It may have nothing to do with the Dead Letters, but thought I would share.

Oops, I think now that I am way off on the Dead Letters - but in Hamlet there are more letters again when he goes away to England.

I wonder if the reviews that said it was very Shakespeare like at the end is because maybe Eric pretends to be crazy and then does a whole acting bit and kills the king type deal. Or maybe there is a duel scene. Surely, Sookie won't drown. haha

Also I think Apius will pretend to drop by but infact will be there for a reason, a little like Hamlet.

Oooohhhh, can I get it too??!!! Can I, Can I pretty pleeeeease?!!!

Sashag98@hotmail.com

@ everyone - I'm loving everyone's thoughts!

I just sent it to you.

just sent

You may get multiple responses!

Well, you have two copies. Use them wisely.

I was about to send it lol glad I didn't

me too i was about ti send it....ahahah^^

we are all so helpfull

AHHHHH! Thanks guys!

Good night everybody^^Here in Italy is almost 2 am, it's time for me to go to bed....^^

Thanks for this day...it was great^^

night

Night Mony.

Before the previous book, I think CH said that we weren't going to get "the conversation" and I think we have moved way past this.  As someone said earlier today, I do think they have said their "love you" off camera, if it needed to be said at all, and we are going from there.  Sookie doesn't seem to be fighting the bond anymore, but learning how to use it.  Even though she was tricked, she seems pleased to be married and not looking for a way to get out of it.  She is angry, and Eric is beyond angry, that Victor "forgot" or doesn't recognize their marriage.  They really are a partnership now, supporting each other.

With all that old stuff out of the way, and in the first chapter too, maybe we are going to go forward with a new plotline.

I'm a lurker & dying to know! Please help a SAHM out! Can I please get a copy? I'm dying...Not literally!

ETA: Thanks

BTW. this post has got me all twisted! I pre-ordered my copy!

Holy cats!!  I miss a day and there are 233 posts on this thread, and then I find out why!!!  Why the hell didn't I go into the bookstore on Tuesday like  planned to?!!!  This is so exciting!!  I'm going in tomorrow morning!

And thanks to you all for working through those issues re: Sookie's response etc.  I was steaming mad when I first read the quotes - just like VampAngel - but you reasoned it out for me.  LOL  Thanks!!!

I just sent it to you melissa.

Thanks! But it was empty, missing the attachmant.

Sorry, I just re-sent it.  Let me know if the attachments were there.

thanks, its beautiful!  LOL! I have to wait another month?

Here, someone posted the pages on a blog.
http://sookieverseblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/dead-and-gone-paperback-released-04-06-10/

Those scanned pages have traveled so far since this afternoon.

Did you read the comments on the blog? BL's crack me up.

Ashmarie...you are so right..the BL was making me laugh like crazy...too funy

Your right. BL are cracking me up!

I have been thinking about who possibly told Victor about the Fae (Eric said it was like Victor knew)

Could it be:

Catalaides - likes Sookie but maybe is fickle depends on who pays him and in ATD, it says his brother in law worked for Arkansas so maybe he told someone.

Clancy - never liked Sookie, maybe he over heard something at the bar

Bobby - never liked Sookie either and thought his boss was too good for her, maybe he overheard something as well

D'Eriq - at Merlotte's saw Niall, too

Antoine - asked about the fairy maybe he is a spy.

Dermot - told Victor to get Eric out of the way and tied up, maybe he made a deal with him

Did Quinn know about the fae heritage? (Not that he would have willingly given details.)

yeah i love it. They are in so much denial.

BL's are amazing. They can see light in the darkness. And if they can't, they'll make it up!

Denial is widespread epidemic among BL's. It's airborne and can be contracted anytime B.S. is spewed from a fanatic. The only cure is common sense. But it's hard to treat when you didn't have any to begin with.

Good list, Sookie_lover. All are very good possibilities. D'Eriq and Antoine may have revealed that info unknowingly (glamour). Mr. C, Bobby, Dermot and Clancy definitely possible. Esp. Clancy with his attitude in DAG.

Did Quinn know about the fae heritage?

Yes, he does know.

I am not sure it was Mr. C, he is Niall's lawyer, would he betray him like that?  I was thinking it had to be Quinn.  He was in Nevada to begin with and came to Sookie's with Victor.

i dont think it was quinn. he loves her. he wouldnt do anything to hurt her. now he would hurt eric but no matter what happened with him and sookie quinn wouldnt do that to her

The issue with Quinn is that his loyalty lies first with his family, not Sookie. If they were threatened in any way, I do believe he would give up that information (if forced to). Not saying he did, but it's possible.

Maybe even to save sookie when Victor came, Quinn could have told them to leave her alone because of her heritage, not to start a war with the fae.  It didn't have to be on purpose.

well from what  i heard in early 2011 there is a novella coming out and quinn is in it and he plays kind of a big part in it

You know Octavia and Amelia found that magic letter with Remy's address on it, they also could have said something and it got around and to Victor who planted a spy. Heck, probably any vamp could smell that Sookie hung out with Fae and then Victor planted a spy to find out more.

Why would Victor want to get rid of Sookie? I thought his boss wanted her. What would his motif be when she is so useful?

Maybe he made a deal with the bad Fae guys....

See, I don't really think it's about Sookie for Victor. It was about Eric.

Victor would want to get rid of Eric or just put him in line and make him learn his place?

It's most likely he made a deal with the bad Fae guys. They were supposed to keep her alive but damaged. Who knows if he actually had intentions on using her or keeping her. It could be that he wanted to damage her enough to break Eric's will and use him against FDC.

You are so right!!! Eric said in DAG that she would have survived!

It could be that he wanted to damage her enough to break Eric's will and use him against FDC.

Yes, exactly. His actions prove that he is seeking and abusing his power. He wants more. He either views Eric as a threat and was using this situation as a way to weaken him or he was using this situation as a catalyst for bigger things.

L&N tortured Sookie in Arkansas in a cabin, do you think it was in Arkansas for a reason?

There aren't very many vampires left in Arkansas.

It was mentioned in the other thread that the elves can travel to the fae realm and the human realm. It could be that Niall left it open for elves to travel and also a way to keep tabs on his family left in the human realm. If he can travel to the elven realm maybe he can get back to Sookie when she needs him.

It's also FDC's territory. So yeah, I think there was a reason.

Not completely sealed off then. I can't wait for the book, I have so many questions! Of course I'm even more curious about domestic things like Eric's home.

I wonder if he hangs up his towels. haha

It could be possible that Sookie was intended to survive but who ever the mastermind is hoped to lessen her feelings toward Eric so that they could move in or gain her loyalty.

Also, I'm still having trouble with the timeline...

Sookie calls and asks for protection the night before she's taken by the Fae.

Eric is not bound by silver until after Bill calls to says she's been taken.

So, why didn't Eric come to see her that first night.  Why only send Bubba?  Also, if Victor denied the petition, then did Eric send Bubba secretively?  Is that why he couldn't go to her that night?

Thanks for the blog link!  I read the pages.  Sookie's coldness and skepticism is disconcerting, and I'm still not sure about her handing back his tear.  I love Mony's interpretation, but it just didn't read that way for me.  It was like she was saying "I see you have pain over this, but I have too much of my own to deal with yours, too".  I get her being emotionally closed up after the torture, it's just that she's always been so unfair to Eric in those terms.  Willfully not seeing what he's done, only what she fears he's done. I mean, he did everything he could to set up her rescue before he was overpowered, and then came to her as soon as he was able.  And he did save her life, because Breandan would have surely killed her if he wasn't there with Clancy.  Bill and Tray were as good as dead and Claudine had been taken out.  But she doesn't or won't see it.  It's soooooo frustrating!  

IDK I think she loves him and trust him as far as you can with someone you can't always rely on.  As much as he may want to be there for her, how can she open up herself completely to someone who can always be taken away by the King, Victor, or Appius.  Its a lot to ask someone who lost their first love to similar circumstances.  As much as we may want her to live in the moment and embrace the love, I can see the need for some self protection of the heart with all the other people looming over them

The visual imagery of her taking his tear and giving to back to him is actually quite romantic. The words used to describe it, not so much.

"I see you have pain over this, but I have too much of my own to deal with yours, too".

Me too, Liann.

As much as he may want to be there for her, how can she open up herself completely to someone who can always be taken away by the King, Victor, or Appius.

People have the possibility of being taken from you everyday, so that's not really an excuse. I understand the need to protect herself and her issues with trust. I just hate that she constantly ignores what is right in front of her face. She is always looking for an out and that's what frustrates me - she's done it in every book! At some point she has to stop. I just hope it isn't 3 books from now.

The visual imagery of her taking his tear and giving to back to him is actually quite romantic. The words used to describe it, not so much.

LOL! Tell me about it...

Yes, Ashley, I'm frustrated that she can't or won't see the big picture.  No-one, not even a vamp king, could guarantee her ultimate safety or that  they will never be taken from her.  She is a target no matter who she's with.  It's like she just can't let herself see it!

She is always looking for an out and that's what frustrates me - she's done it in every book! 

Very true.  Eric knew this about her though.  In CD he asks her if she realizes she always runs away when things between her and Bill get rocky.  He asks her if that's her pattern.

I think he shows a lot of patience with her because he understands her so well.

well...he has more patience with her than I do.  :-)

I think he shows a lot of patience with her because he understands her so well.

I seriously can't understand how he does it. I'm surprised, at times, that he hasn't killed her yet.

Hhahah!

Lol!  I know I felt like killing her when I read about the tear!!

Well it's a good thing he can't read her mind then.
I actually laughed out loud when I re-read Club Dead at the part where Eric called Sookie a "stupid woman".

He wasn't lyin'.

You know, It's like she always holds him responsible for all the things that go wrong for her.  You know that saying that you always hurt the ones you love?  She lashes out at him because she feels safe to do so.

She can't take the responsibility for all the bad decisions she made in DAG, so she puts it on him, because he couldn't get to her when he was restrained in silver!

It's ironic that the first time her life is seriously threatened, it isn't a vampire's fault - her own family is responsible for inflicting the most danger. Vampires are the ones to come to her rescue. Never mind Niall whose arrogant actions brought on the war in the first place. It's Eric's fault.

Exactly.  It reminds me of Rhett and Scarlett - how she always took out her feelings on him and he'd take it and stick around hoping she'd change - and now has me thinking that she will eventually push him too far.

and now has me thinking that she will eventually push him too far.

I suspect she will at some point.

When I first read the "you are killing me line" I realiced that he had a good reason for not being there, and I actually thought CH was going to do to Eric something similar to what she did to Quinn, put him in a situation where he didn't act particulary wrong but disappointed Sookie, making her quit on him in what I consider an injust way that actually shows that she wasn't really inlove with him.I saw the end of the affair there and Sookie turning to Sam next.

What I imagened back then was that Eric had to negotiate his involvement in a fae war, he said himself that other vampire-fae wars had been costly for both sides. So I imagined he rained his temper, understood that Bill was as capabable to find her as he was and that it was better to be able to protect her after, because it made no sense to save her from two fairies if you weren't able to save her from half the fairy world after, thus explaining why he was finally able to protect her with his own people, because he convinced FDC. (What can I say?, I'm sickly rational).

But alas, no. CH gives a far more determinate reason, a complete gray area reason for it. Not the ball is in Sookies' side.

And she reacts differently. Granted, not too terribly diferently, she has patterns, like we all do (if I date another emotional retard I'll take myself completely off the market) but she stayed. She wanted to get dressed and go, instead she listened, and believed. I see hope ther, and being Eric himself the one that saw the pattern, so should he, so I undestand the patience.

The tear. What can I say, I think it's very intimate, in a way it's the same as asking him not to cry, to do her that one more favour, to be the strong for both of them, something like if you show me that this is so huge as to break you too I'll never be able to stop feeling sorry for myself.

And she cannot yet gather the courageto trust him and to tell him she loves him too, to acknowledge that he does and then not have the guts to say it back would be terrible for her, so she's buying time, in denial world, untill she knows that if Eric ever lets her down like Bill did it won't kill her, she is much too vulnerable now, and Eric is larger than life.

... anyhow, my two (thousand) cents. XD

Your "two (thousand) cents" were worth the dress. That rationale did make me feel better. Well said.

I really like your points about her patterns and the tear.  She did stay and, as you say, that's a huge improvement for her, and Eric would notice that.

I think if she had said something like " I know you felt it, but I need you to be strong for me" it would have been less cold, but maybe I'm asking for too much.  IDK, there have been times when I've asked my husband to suck it up, because I'm worried or stressed enough and can't take on his as well... and I wasn't just recently tortured so who am I to say!

if you show me that this is so huge as to break you too I'll never be able to stop feeling sorry for myself.

 i LOVE this!! i think it was definitely something deeper than her just rejecting his tears.i just couldnt put together how i felt about it in words. thanks for putting words to my thoughts Sara!

Time for bed... goodnight!  Sweet Viking dreams to you all...

Glad it made sense!

Night Lunar.

"I woke up panting, filled with terror, completely at sea. I held onto him as if the storm would sweep me away unless he was my anchor." - Such an odd way to phrase something. was the dream about the torture (from the water fairies) or about her parents

that line reminded me so much of:

"Once again, I had that feeling of drowning when I hadn't even known I was in the pool"  (she said this after she handed Eric the knife in front of Victor).

I wonder if these drowning references are due to her parents deaths (by the fae) or if it is forshadowing.
But I like that she thinks he is her anchor!

Also like this one: "When I - protested - Victor said he couldn't allow me to take sides in the Fae War." I think the em dashes around "protested" means he probably was pleading and then Sookie goes on to describe how his rage felt then as he went silent. So I'm guessing he was more or less begging and Victor loved it.

He really loves her very passionately, I wish she could see it. Maybe she will.

Kind of like she was his "touchstone" (as someone once said on this forum) when he had lost his memory.

Just got back from my night class and took a shower and there are 90 new posts! Well, its better than the 135 this afternoon. I'm off to finish reading them.

Also like this one: "When I - protested - Victor said he couldn't allow me to take sides in the Fae War." I think the em dashes around "protested" means he probably was pleading

That's what I like about CH. It's the same as making Sookie give back the tear. It leaves much to be speculated, and I love speculating, (as shown before), and even if things look very clear for me as an EL, I believe is good to still have BL. When things in fiction books are black or white I find it boring. Although Umberto Eco would say that there's always room for interpretation

"I woke up panting, filled with terror, completely at sea. I held onto him as if the storm would sweep me away unless he was my anchor." - Such an odd way to phrase something. was the dream about the torture (from the water fairies) or about her parents

She could be throwing in some water references about her parents, but I think it could be interpreted as a simple metaphor. Being "completely at sea" reminds me of being "lost at sea." This metaphor is about a struggle to survive and maintaining your dignity, which is what she is trying to do right now. She's still trying to find her way back.

Wow, you guys blow me away! Your insightful theories and critical analysis are mucho appreciated. Fantastic work.

I've tried to read through most of the posts after the paperback release. Your take on Sookie is like a breath of fresh air. I thought I was the only one who was losing patience with her self-pity and whining. She had better improve, or we'll have to find eric another match!

Thank you guys for making me feel soooo much better about Sooki's cold attitude towards the beloved Eric. I now truely believe that what Sara said about the tear is what CH was meaning and I feel much better. I was loving the chapter but hating that it ended on such a sad note (unlike the version CH posted).

OK, I can't stop thinking about this tear thing.  (I know, I'm obsessing!!)  Someone said they thought the imagery was romantic, just her thoughts were not.  I thought about that.  I guess that depends on how it's done.  Her intention behind the action was not romantic so I can't imagine it would come across as such.  Whether it would come across as her asking for his strength, IDK.  It would be nice if she gave him a clue.

Then I started thinking about what the action would look like - trying to imagine it - and I realized that his tears are blood, so not only was she handing back his pain, she was also IMO symbolically rejecting his blood. That has connotations of rejecting the blood he's given her in the past, their blood connection, the bond.  That's gotta hurt!

Or maybe (this sounds silly even as I type it) when she gave it back it was so he could "lick" it because maybe he isn't taking blood from her and she doesn't want him to waste any? I don't know that I really believe this myself but it is possible.

Good point Liann, but personally I still love Sara's interpretation of giving back his tear.  I can live with that one.

I still like the interpretation that she's wanting him to be strong for her.  When he's crying in the beginning she says "Don't."  Then she says how she has been trying to be herself around him.  I think he is her anchor to how she used to be and she needs him to be who he has always been (the strong one) so that she can find her way back.  So, I think the giving back of the tear is just a continuation of the "don't"...I need you to be strong.

Yeah, I just got the paperback and read all the preview pages from DITF from the beginning to get the flow of it.  I think Sara was spot on. Sookie makes a conscious effort to be objective and think it through, which is very good for her, and says at the end that she believed him in her heart, not just in her head.  That's also pretty big for her.  I really like Sara's interpretation of giving back the tear, just the mental image I have of it is really cold.  However, I noticed that the text stops right there.  It could be the end of the section, or perhaps there is more to it and will continue.  I'm really interested to find out what's said if it does!

On another note, it's interesting that CH has written Eric crying and emotional.  She's never done that before, and has said Eric is all about Eric and has been overly romanticized.  She seems to be making a big turn in her depiction of him.  Giving us something definite about him instead of being ambiguous.

I agree with NewB. Plus Sookie's last thought before the tear fell on her shoulder was about how much blood he'd given her when he himself was healing from the silver chains.

I think Amelia's warning about swapping vamp blood has enfluenced Sookie as well.

Sookie says "It was another thing to trust him with more fragile emotions. I was really not into trust right now."  So I take it she loves him as she stated, but she is just too vunerable to open up a new can of worms and trust him with her fragile state at the moment. She thinks everything is overwhelming right now.

But giving his tear back to him is weird. I guess maybe she didn't want him loosing his strenth, but she thinks about how her pain had been her own.

On another note, it's interesting that CH has written Eric crying and emotional  
Sookie also usually describes Eric, how he makes her feel and how handsome he is, she always thinks something about him, but not this time. The only description was he has huge hands and the window painted him n shades of dark and silver.

Eric tells Sookie he couldn't come to her when she was tortured because, " Victor's people chained me with silver.  It burned me everywhere."  "Victor claimed he'd temporarily forgotten our marriage" and didn't want Eric involved in a fae war. Sookie still can't let herself trust Eric.  Eric says, "While you were with Neave and Lochlan, I suffered with you," he said, meeting my eyes directly.  "I hurt with you.  I bled with you -- not only because we're bonded, but because of the love I have for you."  She doesn't say it back, but  "A red tear fell on my bare shoulder and coursed down.  I swept it up on my finger, putting my finger to his lips -- offering his pain back to him.  I had plenty of my own."  End of chapter one.

Holy CRAP (SHIT FUCK DAMN HELL). I had not logged in since early yesterday and this comes out... AMAZING! Need to finish reading through the post but this is good / crappy all at the same time...

OK so I freakin' read it. I couldn't resist. I'm sorry if someone has brought this up already. But uh....I LOVED this shout out from CH:

When Eric said: "Victor wouldn't let me" and she says it incited bitter disappointment:"I'd heard this story before. A vampire more powerful than me made me do it. Bill's excuse for going back to his maker, Lorena revisited."

Then she says: "Sure" sullenly & rolls over - upset.

To me...that little bit basically is implying that Sookie (therefore CH) still finds it that reason to be an excuse of sorts & not good enough.

Sookie wouldn't be so bitterly disappointed if it was something she accepted as OK.

PLUS - to me it's a great sign about her feelings for Eric b'c she then says she feels the "cold creep of disillusionment" (before he goes on to explain further)

To me that means that actually she expected more from him & trusted be more FOR her. She believes (believed) in him. This is what that says to me.

Wait? Eric suspects Victor of knowing what was going to go down too.....

Do you think that Maybe he did? And that maybe......he got punished in some way by FDC when Eric pulled the gazump & this was payback to Eric for puling such a power play & humiliating him??

What does gazump mean?

Technically it means - to raise the price of something, esp a house, after agreeing a price verbally with (an intending buyer).

But you use it as slang when you get something over on someone by outwitting them. Having a stronger hand so to speak. And it always happens at the last minute. So the other person doesn't see it coming.

it would probably be best legally not to post the entire thing here... I'll let the moderators decide.

Yep and Nope... It is copyrighted material. Okay to reference and use a couple of lines, but big NO NO on the whole chapter...

Do you think that Maybe he did? And that maybe......he got punished in some way by FDC when Eric pulled the gazump & this was payback to Eric for puling such a power play & humiliating him??

I definitely think Victor somehow knew what was going to go down that night, which means there is a rat in our midst.

Are you asking if FDC punished Victor or if this was a form of punishment for Eric?

OK OK - so when Victor says he wasn't "allowed" to let Eric go.

He was talking about his pride. Victor's pride over Eric's up one- upmanship of him, wouldn't allow him to go to Sookie.

Gazump theory I hadn't thought thru yet: Was the Wedding how he pulled one over on Victor or the deal with Seigbert?Maybe punishment for keepng the fae thing or telepathy secret?

I was thinking Victor wanted to forcefully make Eric side with him against FDC or Sookie dies. But, that could make Eric look bad if he wouldn't give in. That is how he knew she would have survived the torture, because Victor was giving Eric an ultimatum, to side with him or Sookie dies. Does that seem plausible?

Where does he say he wasn't "allowed"?

I'm looking through the missing scrolls now...

Never mind, found it

He said he wouldn't "allow" him to take sides in a Fae War. I think he was on a power trip. It was a form of payback - for as you called it - his one-upmanship.

Where does he say he wasn't "allowed"?

Eric tells Sookie Victor wouldn't "Allow" him to go her. The word is emphasized in italics. Meaning - the word has a deeper significance.

Are you asking if FDC punished Victor or if this was a form of punishment for Eric?  

So I was asking if Victor's personal vendetta against Eric was a result of FDC (possibly) punishing Victor for being so stupid & not knowing about this ahead of time.

Therefore, Victor's pride was esp. hurt.

Sorry - I got it slightly wrong...

I think there may be a personal and professional vendetta going on. I think he sees Eric as a threat on a power level and he outsmarted both him and FDC.

He "wouldn't"  let him go to her.

"he couldn't allow" Eric to get involved. There's something with that "Allow".....Pride or maybe even Victor jumping the gun? Maybe Victor plans a coup.

I think he is seeking more power. And yeah, maybe even planning his own coup.

You guys are killing me! Every time I try to find where I left off on the post, you are posting something new.... and it automatically pops up so I lose my place again... Now worries though... I will hopefully get through the strong points soon....

hahaha!!! I am having the same thing...

We'll give you 5 minutes.

Starting NOW

haha me too! it was especially hard last night with me trying to read from the top of the 250 posts!

STOP!

five minutes... I swear that is all I need.

All set, but I have to actually get back to work now... Need to chew on this so i will post later...

cool - ok, for me, the whole wiping away of the tear and feeding it back to poor Eric is just plain cold, no way of covering it up! It's like wiping your mouth with the back of your hand after a smooch with your man, then wiping the back of your hand on your jeans. It's just mean!

also, I think the use of the word "allow" when Eric describes how Victor didn't let him go to Sookie is because he exerted his authority over Eric as surrogate ruler to FDC in Louisiana... Eric was obliged to comply, not only because of the silver but because of Victor being superior in the pecking order.

I think Victor wanted to kill Eric when FDC took over Louisiana and he hasn't swallowed the fact that he was told not to by FDC + the 'wedding' with Eric & Sookie, in front of Victor putting him against the wall. Those are all reasons to get rid of Eric on the sly and torment him & Sookie. Victor needs to get whacked!

I think Eric would have went to save Sookie even if Victor had ordered him not to if he were not chained with silver, hence why it was required. I don't think Eric really gives a shit what power Victor has when it comes to Sookie's safety. I mean I know Eric has been tense because Victor is always around and in a position of authority over Eric but that doesn't make Eric respect that position

In regards to CH writing Eric as so emotional.  I've noticed he gets more emotional every time Sookie has his blood.  She also seems to get more practical.  In the BB and all the sharing of emotions, its almost as if they swap a little of the underlying traits.

  When Eric said: "Victor wouldn't let me" and she says it incited bitter disappointment:"I'd heard this story before. A vampire more powerful than me made me do it. Bill's excuse for going back to his maker, Lorena revisited."

Then she says: "Sure" sullenly & rolls over - upset.

To me...that little bit basically is implying that Sookie (therefore CH) still finds it that reason to be an excuse of sorts & not good enough.

I think the reason Sookie ends this section believe Eric in her hear & head has to do with the differences between the Bill/Lorena situation and this one.  Bill may not have had any choice in leaving Sookie based on Lorena's directions, but he wasn't going to be man enough to tell her.  Eric tried to fight the vampires that prevented him from coming to her and he "manned up" and told her about it.   Just a thought.

OK so when I 1st read through it I was pissed b'c Sookie didn't even register the enormity of what Eric said. That he actually felt her pain twiceover b'c they were bonded but he was in pain over what she was going through b'c he loves her so deeply.

Whoa.

But now I feel better about it. I even went "Awwww".

Sookie relents. Eric is tense. He knows she is skeptical of what he tells her. Which is why - I think - he comes out & finally admits his feelings to her. He knows he has to pull out the big guns.

He lets her mull it over & when she tells him she believes him. He is relieved. But she is still holding back.  And I think moves her to his chest in an attempt to get her to let go & fully trust in him - his feelings for her, what he told her.

She finally gets it. She realizes that he came, was upset, he felt helpless which scared him too, that b'c he is powerful doesn't mean he can do & be everything (which - she was kind of taking for granted really) but most of all, he sacrificed his own blood to help her heal when he had been just been severely burned all over. That he has been hurt by all of this too.

And there it is - with that - she fully 100% accepts what he tells her. He has her acceptance...FINALLY & he CRIES!!

So she gives him back his tear b'c I kind of think she doesn't want him to cry for her or them or himself. He's her rock. Her anchor just like she is his touchstone in DTTW when he feels lost.

I also don't think she wants to deal with someone hurting on behalf of her again. She is still suffering guilt. She need to anyone to on behalf of her, as she says - she has enough tears of her own.

With that being said - I think possibly, she may misunderstand the tears on his part.

I think it's a few things but mainly a mixture of relief and gratitude.

You guys are killing me! Every time I try to find where I left off on the post, you are posting something new.... and it automatically pops up so I lose my place again... Now worries though... I will hopefully get through the strong points soon....

Copy&Paste in Word my friend.

Laura, thank you for adding your thoughts on that scene. I was starting to feel better about it and I think I'm content now.

She finally gets it. She realizes that he came, was upset, he felt helpless which scared him too, that b'c he is powerful doesn't mean he can do & be everything (which - she was kind of taking for granted really) but most of all, he sacrificed his own blood to help her heal when he had been just been severely burned all over. That he has been hurt by all of this too.

I really like this part.

he CRIES!!

Did you ever think you would see the day that Eric Northman cries bloody tears?

I was starting to feel better about it and I think I'm content now.

Aww!  Glad it makes you feel better. 

And about the tears? I was JUST thinking that I can't believe CH went there & not only that - I bought it. That I never thought I'd see that legitimately (meaning - in anything other than FF).

He has her acceptance...FINALLY & he CRIES!!
love it! that was very insightful. He was feeling some severe guilt. I feel better, too

God if chapter 1 was this good...I can't wait for the rest!

He did have a single tear at the end of the battle/war with the Fairies. I highly doubt his tear was for Clancy.

And about the tears? I was JUST thinking that I can't believe CH went there & not only that - I bought it. That I never thought I'd see that legitimately (meaning - in anything other than FF).

Me either. I never thought she would go there in revealing that side of him. And like you said, I completely bought it and felt for him in that scene. Every time I would read Eric crying in FF, I would roll my eyes. This was completely legitimate.

He did have a single tear at the end of the battle/war with the Fairies. I highly doubt his tear was for Clancy.

You know, in retrospect, I think you're right.

From people who already read the book...radio, press, editors...it seems to be one of the greatest of all the series....a woman on the radio, who read it few day ago said that she hope Ball readi it and True Blood could have 100 season becouse this book is something unreal....O_O

She also said that all El's will LOVE LOVE this book.....

So now.....i'm counting the days 'till May....

Did you ever think you would see the day that Eric Northman cries bloody tears?

He cried for Clancy.I have always thought Eric is far more sensible that he allows people to see.

I have always had a special thing for Eric, not so much atraction (untill he was played for Alex Skarsgard, I actually dream about him) as much as understanding. I belive he is a truly good guy, so much so that the firstly appears as an asshole on purpose, because it stops people from asking things he knows he cannot say no to.

I still don't think that tear in DAG was for Clancy. He may have been looking at Clancy's body but more so because he's felt guilty and could not look at Sookie. He was also more than likely intoxicated from all of the fae blood.

Do you think the bloody tears were the nod to TB that was mentioned in one of the reviews?

He cried for Clancy.

I think about that in a different context though because of the situation. But I agree with Judy. I don't think he was really crying for Clancy.

Oh my god that little pic has me dying! Is it me or is he cross eyed in that!?

Do you think the bloody tears were the nod to TB that was mentioned in one of the reviews?

Maybe, gee. i think so.

Laura!

Do you think the bloody tears were the nod to TB that was mentioned in one of the reviews?

What was said? 

that was talked about on CH's site and I think it is the nod to TB

I wonder if CH is still going to say that Eric is always all about Eric.  I always thought that quote was weird because he did his best to protect her as well as himself.

I think about that in a different context though because of the situation. But I agree with Judy. I don't think he was really crying for Clancy.

Mmmh, I think the entire thing got to him obviously, but Eric is the one that says that Clancy lives on in Bill and stops Pam from going on and on about the fairies. Sure, with this new information of him being in silver chains hours before and feeling Sookie through the BB, it makes sense to think that EVERYTHING got to him, but I still like to think he regreted so the death of a underling.

I wonder if CH is still going to say that Eric is always all about Eric.  I always thought that quote was weird because he did his best to protect her as well as himself.

That line she continuously spews out has many interpretations. I take it to mean that he is all about himself, which includes everything he feels is his - meaning his territory, his vamps, and his Sookie.

What!? He may be hot in RL but the man looks cross eyed there! 

LOL! Shut up. But I will say - yes, he does and it isn't the first time.

it makes sense to think that EVERYTHING got to him, but I still like to think he regreted so the death of a underling.

Oh, i do too. I just don't think that tear was purely for Clancy. It was everything.

Oh my god that little pic has me dying! Is it me or is he cross eyed in that!?

Nope, not cross eyed

eric wallpaper

Oh, i do too. I just don't think that tear was purely for Clancy. It was everything.

Also, he was still feeling everything from Sookie who was overwhelmed with grief as well.

That wallpaper is actually kind of perfect

All time favorite..

http://www.testq.com/nfs/testq/photos/0004/5933/AlexSkarsgardElle.jpg

Thanks for the wallpaper, gee.

MUCH better! Weird! It's actually a really nice wallpaper. Great shot of him. Bloody tears & all.

No crossed - eyes.

I think the tear was for Clancy, the torture and his frustration of not being there to rescue her from L&N.

I vote the tears are were for everything but mostly for Clancy at the moment.

i think his tears again is CH's way fo showing just how effected Eric was by this whole thing. That's his version of being completely shaken I think.

OK so I don't remember where I read this but I read conflicting reports about Sookie's sex life in this book. Anyone else?

Did you ever think you would see the day that Eric Northman cries bloody tears?

Yeah, I said something similar.  It's such a departure from the way she has written him.  Less ambiguous; defining.  I think CH actually committed to something positive about Eric... I need to check outside to see if the sky is falling!!!

Mony posted in the CH Q&A that Sookie has lots of sex in book 10.

OK so I don't remember where I read this but I read conflicting reports about Sookie's sex life in this book. Anyone else?

I read she gets a lot. What did you read?

Thinking the tear was probably about all of it in DAG, but he just gave Sookie a lot of blood and that always kinda makes him act differently afterwards. Maybe her feelings are really intense for him.

OK so I don't remember where I read this but I read conflicting reports about Sookie's sex life in this book. Anyone else?

It is worded very weirdly, the whole 3 or 4 times a week...

I thought that CH said that Sookie only has one sex scene in the book.

When did she say that?! If it's true, it better be a good one, dammit!

I think sex scenes is different from stating she has lots of sex. It's apparent they had an intimate moment before she woke up from her nightmare.

I think I remember that CH said that there would be a "really good sex scene" in the book, but I don't think she said specifically that there would be only one...

It better be DTTW sex and not DAG sex.

LOL! I need some femoral artery action.

I didn't hate the DAG scene as much, although a bit awkward. When they started playing around w/ the whole biting in the butt thing, I thought it was cute and more like their old selves.

When they started playing around w/ the whole biting in the butt thing, I thought it was cute and more like their old selves.

Yeah, it was better then. I liked it after that.

That was sweet & the end. Sigh. When they touched/kissed each others bites before he leaves. I looooved that. So tender.

 I need some femoral artery action.

Ha, ha... what, you personally?!!!

Actualy, DTTW sex would be good, but I'll just settle for it being with Eric!  No offense to Sam lovers, but I just don't want to read about Sookie having sex with Sam... or anyone else for that matter!

Hear Hear!

That was sweet & the end. Sigh. When they touched/kissed each others bites before he leaves. I looooved that. So tender.

I love that part too!

Ha, ha... what, you personally?!!!

Only if I had my very own viking vamp. It would have to be legit. No fake fangs near my candy.

No fake fangs near my candy.

LOL!

Hahah. I personally favor the dark haired types and don't care too much about Blondes and if I ever saw a 6 foot 5 long haired Viking Vampire showing fang, I would be running the other way as fast as I could. The bites don't hurt as much in my imagination but I don't think I'd be brave enough to handle them for real!

No fake fangs near my candy.

LMBO!  Oh, I agree.  It's the real deal, or no deal!!!

re: Alan Ball reading the next book - he will. He said he loves these books. On the commentary track of the TB DVD season 1, Ball tells the story of how he was early for the dentist, wandered around Barnes & Noble, and picked up Dead Until Dark. He could not put it down. He used to stay up all night reading Sookie Stackhouse books, even though he knew he would pay for it in the morning. He'd promise himself, "just one more chapter", and he'd read seven.

He shouldn't read when he's tired then...

He shouldn't read when he's tired then...

Ashley you crack me up!

Chapter 1 of DITF still does not sit right with me. I hate it that she would not take his tear. Sorry, guys.

Yeah, I hear you!  Everything else is sitting well for me now, but the tear incident still just sticks in my craw!!!  I get the sentiment expressed to interpret it, and it makes total sense.  I can even understand it.  Just the act itself, with no explanation, leaves me with a chill.

I can see the self-protection on the part of sookie - remember how she kept talking herselff out of taking the amnesiac eric seriously? SHe steeled herself against falling hard for him. She just enjoyed it for what it was. Now she has her guard up. We have all known Bad Boys like that - you make sure you do not fall for them. You take them lightly.

About the tear. My initial reaction when I read that last part was sort of confused. Right before his tear landed on her shoulder she says she believes "him in her heart not just in her head." Which sounds really good for them working through this together right? But then she basically rejects his pain, because she can't handle anymore. So I was kind of like okay..it that good? bad?

But now I've decided that yes, she did reject his pain. But only because she knows she can't take on another person's suffering on top of her own. She needs him to be the strong for them. When he started crying with her in the begining, she says "Don't." She describes his tears as "startling." I know some of you guys have already said the same thing but I wanted to throw in my interpretation too, even if it is the same.

But the way it was written sounded really cold on Sookie's end, which as stated before by many of us, is completely understandable with what she has gone through. Not just the torture but also all the other traumatizing events that have happened to her in the past 2 years. The girl hasn't had nearly enough time to processs!

Here is my take... She believes him and on some level appreciates that he has told her eewhat happened and that he is heart broken but she also feels like no matter what, she went through what she went through alone and has to come to terms with it alone. Even if he felt what she felt, it s not the same because they are different people... PLUS she knows that she has to take care of herself and that needs to come before comforting Eric.. This also ties in with her realization that regardless of how big and strong you are, there is always someone bigger and stronger and no one person is the answer...

I thought this scene was very sweet and it was heartening..

Oh my god that little pic has me dying! Is it me or is he cross eyed in that!?

Yes... Yes he is...

Carol, I love that interpretation. I really feel the same way. No matter how much of it Eric felt and how it pain him, she went throught it alone, the fact that he was feeling it too is comforting, but it will not go back in time and change her experience.

So just to turture myslef I went to the english book store today to see what copy they had of Dead and Gone, and they only had Altoghether Dead, so I ask about the next book coming out and if the were going to bring it and the girl looks at me "not bloody likely"

I'll have to amazon it again. Oh the torture of waiting for it all over again...

holy crap!  That is freaking amazing spoiler.....WOW.....Now I want this month to fly by even faster

I'm so excited!! With how I've been feeling these past few days, I think I'm going to rate that my favorite Eric/Sookie scene EVER!!

god that is JUST what I was in need of!!!!  I am so glad I made my self get on the computer tonight!!!

I said this yesterday, but those 41/2 pages of them in bed together are nearly exactly straight out of my dreams!

Oh my god that little pic has me dying! Is it me or is he cross eyed in that!?

Yes... Yes he is...

no - it's just the tears, this wallpaper is the same pic.

  etears wall

No fake fangs near my candy.   Lol!

I found this on that sookieverseblog site where it links the 4 pages. There's a lot of discussion about Sookie's attitude on here and that site as well. This makes so much more sense when you're trying to understand where Sookie is coming from.
"That “numbness” described by CH is what is actually known as Apathy, and though isn’t exclusive to depression, because it’s also associated to a lot of other patholgies, could be one of the symptoms to notice when when making a diagnose for a Major or Severe Depression (also is a consecuence of being victim or witness of extremely horrific acts as tortures or wars). In fact it was called “shell shock” after WWI, because soldiers who lived in the trenches amidst the bombing and machine gun fire, and who saw the battlefields strewn with dead and maimed comrades developed a sense of disconnected numbness and indifference to normal social interaction. It’s described as a state of indifference or insensibility, or the absence of interest or concern to emotional, physical and social life. It’s a complete lack of motivation, passion, excitement and concern as the result of the supression of emotions. It could become a very incapacitating condition by itself, and some individuals can’t overcome it without medication." - posted by user Gigi

She believes him and on some level appreciates that he has told her eewhat happened and that he is heart broken but she also feels like no matter what, she went through what she went through alone and has to come to terms with it alone. Even if he felt what she felt, it s not the same because they are different people... PLUS she knows that she has to take care of herself and that needs to come before comforting Eric.. This also ties in with her realization that regardless of how big and strong you are, there is always someone bigger and stronger and no one person is the answer...

I thought this scene was very sweet and it was heartening..

Me too & yeppers. I am with you on this.

Soooooo, I take a couple of days off to listen to the new Harry Dresden book and all hell breaks loose. Except this time it's the nicest hell breaking loose I could have hoped for. I'm delirious with joy.

I didn't have trouble with her returning the tear to Eric. I thought it showed her openly acknowledging that he was crying because she was upset. She could have just ignored it otherwise.

Oh and I just ordered a paperback copy from Amazon and had it overnighted to me. I have Amazon Prime and it only cost $4 to have it sent overnight. I've been feeling off this week and even canceled a trip to the Griffith Observatory as my birthday treat from my daughter and her BF, so a trip to the bookstore didn't seem likely.

I didn't wan't you to miss this one Judy.  Glad you are back today.

Something bugging me. Just recently CH was asked if Eric loved Sookie. And she could have answered that she wasn't going to say. Instead she said something like it's undecided. That annoys me.

How recent? Maybe she didn't want to answer because she had purposefully cut-off before the tears scene.

I remember her being asked that after DAG was released and she said the same thing then. I think this is her attempt at marketing.

I could see that, but she could have just declined to answer. I'm just complaining about misdirection from CH in her responses. I agree about marketing. She wants to keep the BLs and others interested.

Ugh. She always does that though. There are so many questions I wish she had never answered because her answers are either very vague (and don't actually answer the question) or they are completely contradictory to what she has written. Sometimes, I think she is intentionally misleading. I really do think that her answers to questions like that (Does Eric love Sookie?) are simply marketing ploys. Seriously, 10 books and you don't know?

CH has told us multiple times that everything we need to know about Eric is on the page. So it was easy for me to see (along with most people here) that Eric loved Sookie. We didn't even need to know about his heart's desire since his actions were obvious enough. So, while I remain very skeptical about anything she says in response to fan questions, I feel better that I can trust what her writing is telling us.

Exactly. Everything is on the page and I think his feelings are pretty obvious (unless you are a Bill fanatic, of course).

How recent? Maybe she didn't want to answer because she had purposefully cut-off before the tears scene.

You know I was thinking about just that yesterday on my way home from work, I had to stay all night for a paper, so maybe it was my tired brain, but I find it very odd where the chapter ends in the DAG paperback. It does not feel like the way CH finishes scenes, I think we'll see something else of that moment when we get the book. something that might clear the air about Sookie's reaction.

but I find it very odd where the chapter ends in the DAG paperback.

I had that same feeling. Goodness this is going to be a long month!

something that might clear the air about Sookie's reaction

Yes, that's exactly what I was hoping for, Sara!  I'm going to stop talking about it, because everyone else seems fine with it, but that tear thing just makes me uncomfortable.  I'm hoping it's not CH way of sewing some doubt in how Sookie is reacting, or foreshadowing some future rejection.  The scene did seem to end strangely, so I'm really hoping there's more.

From this chapter anyway, it seems like she isn't about to reject him if  "the storm would sweep me away unless he was my anchor".

And yes, we don't know for sure that this is the end of the chapter, since we were led astray a few months ago.  Some time ago CH said something like the first part of the book was just catching up and the new plot would start a few chapters in.

From this chapter anyway, it seems like she isn't about to reject him if  "the storm would sweep me away unless he was my anchor".

No, I totally get that!  It was the idea I had before about the tears being blood, and visualizing her wiping up his tear and giving it back put me in mind of her rejecting his blood, the bond etc.  Actually, didn't CH say the bond will be broken eventually?  Of course, I'm fearing it being broken in a rejecting kind of way, and it could be a mutual decision.  Like I said, it seems to be just my issue, and that's linked to the visual image I had of it.  Sara's explanation and interpretation of the scene - along with many others - makes emotional sense to me.

Sara's explanation and interpretation of the scene - along with many others - makes emotional sense to me.

I sure hope it does. If I'm honest I would have bet money on Sookie pushing Eric away untill he, who knows how she rolls, lost his patience and all hell broke loose. I actually pictured some serius furniture casualties.

didn't CH say the bond will be broken eventually?

Yes she did.  And recently she said she knows how to brake it, she just hasn't figured out how to fit it into the plot yet.  So it won't be in this book.

If I'm honest I would have bet money on Sookie pushing Eric away untill he, who knows how she rolls, lost his patience and all hell broke loose. I actually pictured some serius furniture casualties.

LOL!  Well, yeah, that was where I feared things would go and my initial reaction to the scene.  But I think you make an excellent point that she doesn't run away, but let's him explain, waits it out, and in the ends gives him just enough credit to believe it.  Also, Caro pointed out that she's realizing that her pain is hers to deal with and no one else can take it from her or work it out for her.  I like those two sentiments very much.  They feel right.

Also, Caro pointed out that she's realizing that her pain is hers to deal with and no one else can take it from her or work it out for her.

Yeah. Funny fact, that point of the scene made much more noise in my head that the tear thing. I had to re read it a few times, before it sink in, I think it's because, were it me, it would annoy me. I mean, I understand his need to tell her that he wasn't oblivious to her suffering, that he would have given everything to spare her that, but still, the suffering is all hers. It's like somebody trying to tell you they know how you fell when your world has been shuttered to pieces. You might relaate, but you don't know.

I thought the point of the scene was to show how Eric was suffering because Sookie was suffering. It caused him great pain to see her in such pain, knowing that he couldn't make the pain go away. It illustrated the depth of his feelings for her.

Can I just express how frustrated I am with how CH comments on her books/characters?? We wouldn't be here speculating all this if she was even remotely consistent in her stories or her interviews. She is full of contradictions and moves us around with her on her nonsensical head-f**k of a rollercoaster, which leaves us all reeling tormentedly on the walls of this forum!!!!! How much more can we take??? Does Eric love Sookie? "It's undecided" WTF! I don't want to believe anything she says outside of the books, she's on drugs I swear, a power high!!!! **MissLeeloo takes a deep breath**

I know. I seriously doubted my interpretation of the books whenever she made some public pronouncement.

And that's why you never ever meet the writer. I follow a few book sagas, Outlander, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Aubrey/Maturin, Courtney Family, I love book sagas, but I try to never get in touch with the writer, because the world they create takes a life on it's own, and they rarely live up to our expectations. They have good and not so good books and I believe it's better to critic on the written page.

The world they created is done, there in the page for our interpretation, whatever did the author actually ment is insubstantial. If we find joy in reading it, then good. If not, we have the power, it's in the simple act of closing the book and not buying it anymore.

I for one, enjoy speculating, and I don't truly care if people have diferent views, I welcome them, sometimes it shows a sharper understanding than mine, sometimes no. Does it truly matter if CH thinks Eric does not love Sookie? I believe without a shadow of a doubt he does, and if CH didn't realize that that was what might transpire from the page while she was writing it, then her creation has run away without her.

I've always wondered why she answers some of the questions she does.  For example, why has she always revealed that Sookie will never become a vamp?  It kills some of the suspense and storyline options to tell us that.  Why do it?

why has she always revealed that Sookie will never become a vamp?  

Or has she. I can just see how CH will end the series, with Eric trying once again to convince her to let him turn her.  She will turn to him and say, I'll really think about it and let you know.  Roll credits.  The End. LOL.

Despite the fact that these books are truly addictive, and I myself have an unhealthy obsession with all things Eri-- I mean Sookieverse, it stands that the speculation that CH truly doesn't know what she is doing stills stands. Not that she is not a phenomenal writer, I love her(even though she likes to screw with peoples heads) but maybe the books write themselves when she sits down. Like she doesn't really have a game plan. That being said, with her affinity for having Sookie get the hell beat out of her, getting shot, getting tortured;  I still hold out hope that she will go vamp by the end of the series.  It isn't like CH hasn't changed her mind before.  I mean, Darling Bill in Book One.  He was seriously old fashioned but likable and then he just got worse and worse and worse.  I bet she didn't plan that in advance.  Vikings are way hotter anyway.

Vikings are way hotter anyway.

The Civil War? Puh-leeze. You can't deliver a line like "Go to your maker" and fire a bullet. You need a sword to really deliver that message. Just imagining him swinging that sword makes me all warm and fuzzy.

Not that she is not a phenomenal writer, I love her(even though she likes to screw with peoples heads)

HAHA I really LOVE all of her characters but I HATE HATE her writing.  I used to think she was great till I realized her continuity was crap.  She has such great characters and they could be even better if she just wrote better

As an English teacher, I completely agree with your point EricLover.  I am not so much speaking of the technical side of it, her timing and continuity to suck.  Totally.  I give her props because of her wonderful characters.  They put us under a spell.  I have read tons of book and there are characters out there from some serious series and amazing authors that you just shake your head to, like:  That is not even believable, or think that they just lend nothing to the story whatsoever and should never have been created. Overkill.

I would totally suggest a writing assistant. And would volunteer if she gave me free rein over my Viking. LOL

EricLover & Momma2Leos, I completely agree!!! I love her creation (story/characters) but I hate her writing!!! I am always shocked as to how her editor let's her get away with some of the continuity errors or story lulls.

Mashara, I agree, I wish we didn't have any connection to CH - the mediatization of the literary world is flawed and we are succumbing to it... Also, with regards to Eric loving Sookie, does it not worry you, considering that CH has 3 more books to write, that she may destroy them? Especially since she's confirmed she will break the BB (yuck)... what are your thoughts?

I think she is going to break them up for a while. My prediction is at the middle or end of book 11, I think they'll make it throught DITF together. But they will be reunited as many love stories tend to have the characters separate for awhile, either to get perspective, a misunderstanding or just because of outside issues affecting them.

If CH is really kind to us we might have them get back together in the begining of book 13, so we could have some time with both of them just enjoying being together. That might be too much to hope for...this series can go so many ways.

I'm not that worried about the love declartions being brought on this early because I think CH is going to give us enought angst to keep us wondering what is going to happen. I really support the theory that Eric is going to become King before the end of the books. Most likely a reluctant king and this will drive them apart, or one of the reasons that will drive them apart.

I think there is already timing & continuity errors from FDTW - DITF.

During the scene with Eric, she says it's only been a a few weeks since the takeover but doesn't she say in the beginning of DAG or at the end of FDTW when Eric strolls in the bar that it's been weeks or even a month or 2 then?

with regards to Eric loving Sookie, does it not worry you, considering that CH has 3 more books to write, that she may destroy them? Especially since she's confirmed she will break the BB (yuck)... what are your thoughts?

I'm still holding out hope that Eric/Sookie will be together through the next few books but fighting to get their HEA against all the people around them.  However, here's one possible scenario.

IMO - We know that Eric can feel that Sookie still has feelings for Bill.  Perhaps they end the BB in order to truly let her make her choice without outside influence.  - We know she'd still chose Eric though.

It make sense to end the series with her choosing between Bill and Eric.  We've never seen a "true" triangle play out between the three of them in the books because there's always been something in the way of one of the pairings.

 However, I'm going to contradict myself...I'm worried about Sam.  She's hinted towards him in almost all of the books.  I'm really hoping she doesn't go there because that just doesn't work for me at all.

During the scene with Eric, she says it's only been a a few weeks since the takeover but doesn't she say in the beginning of DAG or at the end of FDTW when Eric strolls in the bar that it's been weeks or even a month or 2 then?

Yeah! I was a bit confused by that when I first read it. There are 2 or 3 months between FDTW and DAG. When she sees Eric at the end of FDTW, it had already been like 2 or 3 weeks since the takeover,

I just checked. FDTW takes place during October. When she sees him in DAG, it's mid - January.

with regards to Eric loving Sookie, does it not worry you, considering that CH has 3 more books to write, that she may destroy them? Especially since she's confirmed she will break the BB (yuck)... what are your thoughts?

Hi Leeloo.

Look, first of all, I'm not preaching that we should just accept whatever happens and not ask questions. I'm just saying I will make my decition based on what is on the witten page when it comes out. I have a lot of fun with the spoilers, but as you might see, it's speculation over what we know for sure, the first chapter and now this new pages. Whatever CH says, it's not final, and whatever she plans to do is not written is stone (nor page) so I see no point worrying about it. Sufficient uppon the day, the evil thereof...

When the book comes out three things might happen. 1. I love it ( this rests highly on E&S loving eachother) 2. I hate it because Sookie is stupid and pushes him away, I see it as a cuationary tale of how you can be the creator of your own misery. 3. I hate it because the characters behave in ways not true to themselves, book in the trash, next author.

Way I see it those are my options, I understand that there are others, and I believe CH makes a mistake in allowing them, which are complaining to the author and demanding changes, lobbying for your characters, I believe it destroys the autenticity of the story, and in a way it becomes fan fic. And if I want fan fic, I read fan fic, hell, there's a lot out there that it's actually better written than the real thing

Sara, I agree. I'm taking each book in stride. I'll worry when I actually need to. Also, I don't necessarily expect Eric and Sookie to stay together for the rest of the books. I wouldn't be surprised if they do break-up. But I also feel like the foundation of this series is Eric/Sookie. Their interactions have been driving 10 books.

And the fact that she's even breaking the BB and has made many comments stating that it's overanalyzed (and refuses to answer any more questions about it), leads me to believe that it isn't that big of a deal. It's mechanism is fairly simple and just allows them to know what the other is feeling. Therefore, what they do feel for each other is real and it's just Sookie who needs to figure that out, which is why a break-up may be necessary. If you haven't noticed, our dear Sookie is a bit of an idiot.

If you haven't noticed, our dear Sookie is a bit of an idiot.

LOL!!! I try not to think of her as an idiot, though she infuriates me sometimes, for two reasons, One, I cannot (nor want to) relate to an idiot. And two, if I'm allowed insight, it's easier to see the error in other people's way, and sometimes I read it and I feel ashamed, thought non of my ex boyfriends will ever know...

Besides, most of the times I blame CH! It's usually like "Good god woman, can you not think of a better way to move this plot that does not involve your characters being idiotic?" Like the traffic light, or the bomb can, or the relationship conversation that ended in a marriage in the fifties... why am I reading this books again? Ahhh right, Eric, and Sookie, and Sam. She has a way with the characters, she is just to effing unloyal to them.

Sara & Ashley, I'm liking your insight!!! Sookie is not an idiot... but she's small-town & not worldly, kinda like Ms CH herself, hence why we're continuously frustrated! Sara, I agree with your point about CH not being faithfull to her characters, it can be kind of exhausting.

I think I am just tired of waiting for DITF to come out and entirely too confused by fanfic...

Also, I don't necessarily expect Eric and Sookie to stay together for the rest of the books. I wouldn't be surprised if they do break-up. But I also feel like the foundation of this series is Eric/Sookie. Their interactions have been driving 10 books.

Yes, I believe people usually gets stuck on the HEA and what I've learned from the Outlander series specially, is how much fun it is to see a couple grow through the years. Getting the guy is just half the journey, not the destination.

I don't see Sookie becoming a vampire, because part of the character is her humanity, but I don't see that as a tragedy, I see this series as the amazing aventures of a woman that dated a man larger than life, and he loved her back. That is worth having in your life, it's something to tell your grandchildren (when they are older)

what I've learned from the Outlander series specially, is how much fun it is to see a couple grow through the years. Getting the guy is just half the journey, not the destination.
I agree! (and I read most of the Outlander series until it got a little too wordy and I got hooked on SVM. I loved Jamie just as much as Eric!)

I would love to see them solving mysteries side by side. I love the Eric and Sookie banter! I hope we at least get back some fun dialogue between the two of them in the later books. I know CH is capable of it, she can be very funny. 

Review for Arc from goodreads:

ARC.

Loved this book. The previous books have seemed to drag and lacked the 'it' factor that made the original books so great.

While the plot isn't that in-depth overall it does delve deeper into the Sookie/Eric relationship (which Eric fans will love).

Overall I found the book interesting, there are a few laugh out loud moments and I finished it in one sitting.

Also this:

FYI: From Ms. Harris' website board moderator aislyn 2010-01-28 12:45

A publisher's blurb was released for Amazon UK but it was written prior to Charlaine actually finishing the book and she has confirmed that she changed some things. We are waiting for the new blurb so that we have our facts straight and do not fuel discussion on events that might not take place.

Apologies if that was one of the ones posted before.

I don't think it was one of the ones posted before. Good reviews so far...

there are a few laugh out loud moments and I finished it in one sitting
this sounds very good!

While the plot isn't that in-depth overall it does delve deeper into the Sookie/Eric relationship (which Eric fans will love)  
hope that means Eric fans will love the relationship!

I agree! (and I read most of the Outlander series until it got a little too wordy and I got hooked on SVM. I loved Jamie just as much as Eric!)

A LITTLE too wordly? LOL!

When I finished the last one, which I waited for for four years, at 7 am, after reading a thousand plus pages, only to find nothing even remotely similar to an ending I had a "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" moment.

Don't get me started on Jamie...

I agree with everything said by all of you posted above.

I am actually scared to read DITF. I practically read the extended first chapter of DITF (encl, end of paperback DAG) with one eye closed and held breath. How am I going to get through 300 pages of DITF? I am terrified CH is going to mess it up.

I want eric as king, and sookie his vamp queen for the finale. They can adopt arlene's kids or Hunter if they need them; it does not matter to me. But if CH needs a legacy hook, that's fine.

The UK paperback is not due out til May. Wonder if that will have anything in?

Laladida - that's the story I want too although I know it's not super popular!!! That's my version of a supe novel HEA.

The UK paperback is not due out til May. Wonder if that will have anything in?

I'm sure it will be exactly the same book, with the added DITF chapter as is.  Actually I thought it was a great marketing idea by Penguin to include the extended chapter with the unseen huge plot info.  Got as all to buy the paperback when we already had the hardcover didn't it?

"I want eric as king, and sookie his vamp queen for the finale."

That's so interesting... conversely, I always liked the idea that Eric was satisfied with his corner of LA and would not like having the added complications of being king in that it would make him an even bigger target.  He has never seemed to be ambitious in that way.  It will be fun to find out!

And that's why you never ever meet the writer.

The world they created is done, there in the page for our interpretation, whatever did the author actually meant is insubstantial. If we find joy in reading it, then good. If not, we have the power, it's in the simple act of closing the book and not buying it anymore.

I like and agree with this a lot... Of course I am of the less said the better school of thinking... I don't really take what CH says to heart because she is trying to keep the cat in the bag or she is to general or vague to put any stock in her tidbits.... Or something.... And have said often that I don't know her or want to know her because that allows me some honest perspective....

BUT, she puts a lot out there and not all of it is stuff that you have to dig for.... I have dug enough to know that there are a whole lot of things that she says that just don't pan out the way you would imagine that they would by the way that she said what she did, but the people that are new to the Sookieverse may or may not agree, either way, you learn to ignore?

HAHA I really LOVE all of her characters but I HATE HATE her writing.  I used to think she was great till I realized her continuity was crap.  She has such great characters and they could be even better if she just wrote better

Yeah.... and no.... continuity is one thing and I get it and timing is another (which I really don't get because there is no info to not get?) that seems a little careless... for a big fan, you want to think that your favorite series is being driven by someone who knows the road... But the world that she has generated is fascinating and her writing is what conveys that.... She has taken something ancient and mystical and made it relate-able. She has taken the over the top world of glamorous Anne Rice vampires and made them more realistic.... painting a complex back drop with complex human behaviors and environment that mean that anyone is capable of anything.... With her writing... So yeah there are things that could stand some improvement, but overall, she is good (at least at writing Sookieverse stories) whether she means to be or not (tip of the hat Marshara... because CH's world is bigger than she meant it to be and has taken on a life of it's own)...

Yeah.... and no.... continuity is one thing and I get it and timing is another (which I really don't get because there is no info to not get?) that seems a little careless... for a big fan, you want to think that your favorite series is being driven by someone who knows the road...

I agree, continuity errors show a poor editor team. It's annoying but I do not expect her to remember every detail, that's what you have a team for. What bothers me is situations in which to move the plot along the characters behave poorly. Bill stopping in traffic light is one example, and as much as I enjoyed Eric taking care of Sookie in Club Dead I think the way Sookie got stabbed made her look careless and it adds to the general feeling that Sookie either has a death wish or is plain old stupid, and I don't believe neither.

She has taken the over the top world of glamorous Anne Rice vampires and made them more realistic.... painting a complex back drop with complex human behaviors and environment that mean that anyone is capable of anything....

I really like this, I was never able to understand what I liked so much about this books, and it's exactly that. The ability CH has of getting vampires into our everyday lives, not humans into the mistic ancient world of the vampires but the other way around where so much fun can be exploided of the interaction. I believed I actually cried of laughter when the bomb robot closed the elevator door and Eric and Sookie argued about modern technology.

First Impressions

  N°1

Dead in the Family will be available May 4, 2010.
Dead in the Family picks up about a week after the end of Dead and Gone, where some pretty gruesome things happened to Sookie during a war between the faeries and the vampires. Dead in the Family starts out with Sookie trying to recover from her injuries, both physical and psychological, from a torture session with two psychopathic faeries. Recovery is slow and painful and the book takes us forward week by week for the first month, until Sookie’s life settles back to some semblance of normalcy. Normal, that is, for Sookie.
I think I liked this book a bit better than the last one only because this one went back to being lighter than Dead and Gone. After Sookie recovers, we see the same witty, snarky Sookie we’ve all come to know and love. Sookie is also much wiser and a bit more hardened concerning some things than she ever was. This is no surprise, although to me, it’s a little melancholy. I guess it’s the loss of innocence that gets to me.
Rather than prattle on and on, let me just list some of the highlights and a couple teasers for you from Dead in the Family.
One question that is settled pretty quickly is why Eric didn’t come to Sookie during all the torture. I’m not going to spoil it for you, but I can say that for me, it was not what I expected at all. Thank you, Charlaine! I love surprises.

Charlaine has mentioned often that Eric’s maker appears in this story. Boy does he, and he brings a surprise for Eric. Eric has quite a few in this book.
Jason has evolved into someone I actually like.
Sam deals with some family issues and a new girlfriend who turns out to be more than he bargained for.
Alcide is very much in this book and up to his same tricks with Sookie.
Bill was indeed, as Charlaine revealed, very ill throughout the book. However, healing comes from a surprise source.
Hunter pays Sookie a visit and I hope we see more of him in future books.
Debbie Van Pelt makes a cameo appearance.
A nod is given to HBO’s True Blood.
Sookie gains another housemate.

I don’t want to say too much more so I’ll stop there. Overall, I’d have to say that Dead in the Family will be one of my favorites in this series. Ms. Harris sets up the next book quite well and we are not left with a huge cliff-hanger practically in the middle of a sentence. The title of the book is the theme throughout, of course. And Sookie will make you laugh again, which was something I worried about after Dead and Gone. 

N°2

With nine books’ worth of material to work with, Charlaine Harris must have felt like a kid in a candy store when writing Dead in the Family. The tenth book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries series is an example of how to use a rich mythology that has already been established while keeping the story fresh. The author deftly weaves threads from as far back as book one into a story that longtime fans will enjoy, bringing new insights and answering old questions.

Dead in the Family combines vampires, fairies, weres, and telepaths in a way that somehow feels so normal, I actually chuckled when I realized that, like Sookie, “supes” no longer seemed unusual. Sookie has a lot to handle in this book, but it’s a testament to her character’s growth that she does it with a maturity and insight that wasn’t there previously. Her terrible ordeal at the end of Dead and Gone has changed her irrevocably, but in true resilient Sookie fashion, she’s choosing to grow instead of wallow. OK, there is a little wallowing at the beginning of the book, but can you blame her? The physical evidence of her torture is almost healed, but the emotional wounds require more time. I appreciated that we were given the week-by-week prologue to deal with that as well as get some answers about Eric’s whereabouts and Bill’s condition. The fallout from the fairy war impacts more than the fairies, most of whom are now sealed into their world, and Charlaine’s manner of addressing it felt appropriate and respectful without being too depressing.

Once we reach the first chapter of Dead in the Family, we leave much of the darkness from book nine behind as the next mystery is introduced. With the weres now out in the open, there are some who want to legislate them practically into illegal alien status. Conspiracies and paranoia abound, and naturally Sookie is caught up in it thanks to her “friend of the pack” status with Alcide’s pack, plus Jason and Sam’s shifter abilities. In addition to that, she must deal with a couple of fairies who did not go back with Niall, even as she grieves for Claudine. Meanwhile, Eric is mired in complex vampire politics and hierarchy now that Louisiana is under the rule of the King of Nevada and his devious second in command, leaving Sookie both worried about and missing her boyfriend.

After finishing the novel and reflecting on everything that happened, the title took on so many implications that I had to applaud Charlaine. Family is the theme of this book, both literal and figurative, good and bad. There are some wonderful moments between Sookie and Jason that show how strong their bond has become, and how much Jason has matured. Sookie’s grief over the loss of her cousin Claudine is palpable and her death impacts Sookie in unexpected ways. The complicated “made” families in the vampire world are also highlighted, giving us more insight into the differences (and similarities) between human and vampire connections.

Dead in the Family is a rich, rewarding book for fans of the series (and there’s even a clever tip of the hat to True Blood). So many previous stories and connections are touched on that it could have read like a lame television clip show; instead Charlaine used the abundance of material already established to write a story that simply could not have taken place any earlier. She even sows the seeds for the remainder of the series, particularly in a few introspective paragraphs with Sookie considering her options for the future. While not as lighthearted as some of the earliest novels, when Sookie was still very naive, Dead in the Family is not nearly as dark as the last book, even delivering a few adorable and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s engaging and entertaining without being frivolous, substantial without being heavy. I suspect this will land pretty high on the list of favorite Sookie novels for many fans.

Thanks to: True-Blood.net

All these reviews are encouraging. They are making me excited.

Quite a few surprises for Eric, huh? Hmm...

I figure that since we get pronouncements of love from Sookie and Eric in the opening chapter, that by the end of the book they will be separated or broken up. Of course having Eric and Sookie proclaim their love right away might be CH's way of dealing with having been forced to keep Bill alive. That way she tries to deal with the Team wars that have killed her website. Frankly until Bill is ash, there will still be Team wars. In fact even after Bill's death certain fanatics would still find arcane ways to attack Eric for the most straightforward actions.

leaving Sookie both worried about and missing her boyfriend

I don't like this at all. I want as much E&S interaction as posible. I don't really like the idea of Sookie spending half the book talking to her asshat of a brother while Eric is gone.

But I will say, it sounds promesing in a more important way, as an improvement in her writting, which is what we have been complainng about lately.

 Sookie has a lot to handle in this book, but it’s a testament to her character’s growth that she does it with a maturity and insight that wasn’t there previously.  

HALLELUJAH!!!!!  That alone would be worth the price of the book!  And I'm also really excited for this book now and encouraged by all the good reviews!

I don't think the leaving Sookie both worried about and missing her boyfriend is anything to worry about for DITF.  It read to me like that's the way she would be left at the end of this book.  Just my take.

It doesn't worry me either since it means they aren't going to split up as a couple. CH has to put some bumps in the road. I do wonder what's up with Sam's girlfriend. He's the only one I worry about competing with Eric for HEA. I want Sam settled and happy.

Wasn't it you Judy who was speculating that E&S would be pulled apart at the end of the book and have to communicate through letters in the next one?  Sounds like you were right!

Sam is definitely the dark horse, IMO, but the new girlfriend being more than he bargained for might not be bad thing or deal breaker.

The separation and letter writing is just a WAG at this point. But it seems to flow logically from the tiny morsels we've been given.

After reading all these good reviews my hopes are high for this book.

Charlaine has mentioned often that Eric’s maker appears in this story. Boy does he, and he brings a surprise for Eric.

Hmm...what could this be? Is it Alexei? Surely Eric would know whether or not he had a new brother, esp. if its been 100 years. But then again maybe Appius and Eric haven't been in contact for a few centuries.

These reviews make me think I'll be pre-ordering my copy now. I'm pleased to hear that Sookie will be grieving for Claudine as the way her death and Sookie's apparent lack of emotion regarding it irked me in DAG. If E&S are apart a while then I expect the pages where they get back together to be pretty good, hopefully in a DTTW way.

Found a new review  ********BIG SPOILER THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE*******

"Her involvement in an intense battle among the Fae left Sookie Stackhouse emotionally damaged and physically scarred, only massive quantities ofvampire blood kept her alive.  Claudine died trying to defend Sookie during the war and she feels twice the guilt after learning her treasured fairy godmother and cousin was pregnant. Sookie’s vampire lover and LouisianaSheriff Eric has been sympathetic but is dealing with a tangled mass of vampire politics. Werewolf packs are trying to organize in an effort to thwart pending legislation that would require them to sign into a national registry.

 
A buried body was discovered shortly after Alcide’s local werewolf pack used Sookie’s land for full moon activities in an obvious attempt to frame her for murder. The sudden appearance of Eric’s maker and former master, Appius Livius OCella along with Alexei Romanov throws tensions into high gear. With the local werewolf pack and vampire politics in an uproar, Sookie has plenty of enemies but the most deadly could prove to be the one she never saw coming.

The value of friends and family play pivotal roles in the latest Sookie Stackhouseseries. While the overall action is a bit slower then in previous books, the many cleverly constructed subplots more then make up for it. The paranormal politics is believable without being overdone and sets the stage for more conflicts to come."

 By Sandy Amazeen Apr 14, 2010, 1:04 GMT  

What's up with the body and being framed????  Darn Alcide.  

A buried body was discovered shortly after Alcide’s local werewolf pack used Sookie’s land for full moon activities in an obvious attempt to frame her for murder.

That little fucker.

I KNOW.  I think he's trying to blackmail her into helping them...I haven't been able to stand him since DAAD.

And I guess we know where Debbie was buried.

 Sookie has plenty of enemies but the most deadly could prove to be the one she never saw coming.

Do you think this is Claude?    

I haven't liked him since DAAD either. DAAD revealed his doucheness. You're probably right that it's a blackmail attempt. It's not like he hasn't used it before.

Do you think this is Claude?   

Maybe. She would see Dermot (and all the other potential threats) coming.

ARGH!!!  Alcide sucks!  I have never liked him - he made too many assumptions.  And it just keeps getting worse.

After all these good reviews I am soooo excited. It seems we have a good one coming.

Wonder how CH is going to reflect Alexei's hemophilia ( if at all).

Most deadly that she never saw coming...    Amelia ( or Cope)? Bill? Tara? Pam ( please oh please not Pam)?

So not Pam...

I'd prefer it to not be Pam and just so long as it's not Eric!

I fancy Amelia's dad Copley for a dodgy character.

Pam would certainly make it Shakespearean, but I don't see how that would work with the Pam and Sookie story coming out later this year.

I suspect it might be Claude.

Pam would certainly make it Shakespearean, but I don't see how that would work with the Pam and Sookie story coming out later this year.

Yeah, that's why I ruled Pam out.

Besides Pam is such a wonderful character, I would hate to see her wasted this way since she'd have to be written out.

I love Pam, she is so awesome. I'm not really sold into the idea of Sookie becoming a vampire until I imagine them toghether as sisters... though that has a big ick factor concerning Eric.

The most deadly....we should remember that CH mentioned that we will see Elf....horrible and cruel creature.....

I guess Quinn is behind this...he has a strong personality over the pack, very well know from the supes, and too much involved with Victor and FDC...they could use him.....i guess everybody here are very selfish, probably Victor and FDC promised them something..

I guess we're gonna read in next books several murders committed by Eric!!!!!!ahahah^^

If Sookie is turned at the end of the books then wouldnt that meant her and Eric can not stay together, because CH has said so many times in the books that vamps dont stay lovers for a long time because it does something to them with the sharing of the blood so that would not be a HEA

True I guess, but I can live with a VHN (Very Happy Now)

Anyway I believe Sookie being able ot read vampire minds after drinking vampire blood it's a bigger problem for Vampire Sookie, I think she would be capable of reading vampire minds if ever turned, and that would be a deal breaker. It is after all what she likes about dating supes.

good point!

You know, I wonder if its Claude/Claudine's dad.  I can't remember his name but he didn't seem inherently bad or good when we met Sookie.  That would make it shakespearean if Claude kills his dad to protect sookie.

A buried body was discovered shortly after Alcide’s local werewolf pack used Sookie’s land for full moon activities in an obvious attempt to frame her for murder

Alcide what the hell!! Are we sure he changes into a wolf, because it sound more like a strand dog that just won't stop following you home! 

If Sookie is turned at the end of the books then wouldnt that meant her and Eric can not stay together, because CH has said so many times in the books that vamps dont stay lovers for a long time because it does something to them with the sharing of the blood so that would not be a HEA

I thought that was just the view point of Bill at one time, the whole vampires don't stay together long.  Look at Russell Eddington and Bartlett Crowe. It is obvious that they love each other very much, it was not just a political coup that had them marry. They married because they loved each other.  So I think it could still work.   

I don't think Sookie will ever be a vampire. But just to add to discussion, Sean and Layla are maker and child. So it is possible.

"Alcide what the hell!! Are we sure he changes into a wolf, because it sound more like a strand dog that just won't stop following you home!"

I was thinking a snake, myself.  At least Sookie didn't bed him, and have to regret it later.

I wonder if Alcide has moved on to Sandra.  They deserve each other.

I was just thinking that because something pushed him to want revenge on Sookie now. He does have poor taste in women and he is weak - I could see him getting involved with Sandra.

CH has stated many times over that Sookie is not going to become a vampire. So even if it does sounds like an ideal soltuion, it isn't going to happen.

I suspect that Alcide has moved on to Sandra.

CH has stated many times over that Sookie is not going to become a vampire.

And I doubt it's one of those things CH will change her mind about. Sookie's humanity is crucial to who she is and her development as a character. One of the main themes in this series is the interaction between worlds - human and supernatural. That isn't going to change.

I agree. That makes a lot of sense.

I agree,  I like the idea of Sookie not having to change into something different to live happily ever after

I can totally see Alcide moving on to Sandra, it goes along with the idea he is exteremly weak and stupid when it comes to women

A buried body was discovered shortly after Alcide’s local werewolf pack used Sookie’s land for full moon activities in an obvious attempt to frame her for murder

What the eff? I hope this doesn't turn out with Alcide going bad just because its in his/his packs' best interests. I hope there is more story to it and hope its not so predictable. But, geez Alcide! Little whining backstabber...

I wonder if Alcide has moved on to Sandra.  They deserve each other.

Ick! There's something about that that makes my skin crawl a little. He was dating her older sister, it would be so weird for me if he starting sleeping with the little sister too. But that happens all the time in real life so...

Of course if that is the case, Eric can always put the dog out.  And as many guys as Sookie has in love with her, it could be a very interesting fight.

REVIEW BY THE VAULT

Sookie is understandably more cautious and less trusting now, but she is still willing to take some risks to help those she cares about—and fortunately this time she doesn’t suffer greatly as a result. Her willingness to help people is one of her best qualities, and I enjoyed seeing her regain some of her old moxie and be the “rescuer” instead of the victim. I especially liked seeing her bully Eric when he most needed it . . . and speaking of Eric, this book reveals even more facets of his fascinating and complex character; Eric is, as Ms. Harris herself said, “large and in charge”, here.
As always, trouble surrounds Sookie, but for once her brother Jason is not one of her problems; he’s finally decided to “man up” and give his sister some support, something she can always use. She even manages to spend some quality time with her family: Jason, her telepathic five-year-old cousin, Hunter, and—most surprisingly—her cousin Claude, who seems hungry for fairy companionship, if only with his slightly-fae cousin. That’s enough to make even the chronically self-absorbed Claude work a bit on his social skills… And maybe there’s a little more to his request to bunk with Sookie than first meets the eye.
But troubles abound, and Sookie is drawn into Eric’s family crisis and more of Alcide’s pack issues, while danger looms in the form of a vengeful fairy and the discovery of a body in Sookie’s woods. As if these problems weren’t enough, Sookie must also deal with the ongoing danger she faces — now that Sookie has settled into a relationship with her Viking vampire, she is a target for anyone who wants something from Eric. As a result, Eric decides that forewarned is forearmed, and Sookie gains some insight into the vampires’ inner workings. But her usual vampire issues are soon superceded by a new one in the form of Eric’s maker, Appius Livius Ocella, and his newest child, Alexei Romanov, who arrive at Sookie’s house most unexpectedly. As Eric struggles with his family conflicts, Sookie sees a new side to her Viking—one that will forever change how she perceives him.
Meanwhile, Sookie hasn’t forgotten about her ex-boyfriend Bill and lends a hand in his recovery from the silver poisoning he contracted while rescuing her in Dead and Gone. Bill seems unconcerned about his failing health, so Sookie uses stealth to find a remedy . . . with some unexpected, and satisfying, results. For the most part, Sam is back to his supportive self—despite the issues the Were’s Great Reveal is causing him. Meanwhile, Alcide is finding out that being pack leader is no picnic.
Ms. Harris recently commented that she feared the “Shakespearean ending” to this book was perhaps “too over the top,” but I found the conclusion entertaining and satisfying, though of course it left me wanting more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I liked seeing Sookie’s growth and determination as she adjusts to the demands of her life in the supernatural community. While sometimes it seems she is still less than understanding of her loved ones, she has come a long way in a short amount of time. It was also just fun to read about good things happening for Sookie, considering how much hardship she’s had to endure. I love that—no matter how many times I read the books and how much I follow Ms. Harris’s comments—I am still surprised by some of her plot and character twists. I always enjoy her talent for creating realistic, believable characters. And this book saw a return of the humor that originally made me such a fan of the series. I thought Pam got the best lines this time, but Eric, Claude, Sookie, and even Terry had their moments.
Dead in the Family is an excellent addition to the Sookie series. It answers several lingering questions readers have had, and it resolves more plot points than it introduces, so it stands on its own better than the previous installment did. I am really looking forward to the next book to see how Sookie deals with the ongoing threats to her, and, well, to see if she is ever going to find anything interesting in that attic.
~Hope

The Vault

i guess Sookie will be very surprised to find a new side of Eric...one that shows how he has a "sense of Family" in the same way she has...that will be change the way she look at him forever....

i said that becouse Sookie already know how he could be ruthless, stubborn, high-handed, possessive....there only one thing she doesn't know...and is Eric and the Family....

I love this review!

I think the Weres find Debbie Pelts body on Sookies land

I really really like this review. I cannot wait untill the book comes out! And they I still have to wait 20 days for Amazon to get it to me X(

I have no idea how I'm going ot wait that long, but I'm sure this place will be a desert on the 4th and the next two days!

i guess Sookie will be very surprised to find a new side of Eric...one that shows how he has a "sense of Family" in the same way she has...that will be change the way she look at him forever....

i said that becouse Sookie already know how he could be ruthless, stubborn, high-handed, possessive....there only one thing she doesn't know...and is Eric and the Family....

  Maybe this will the "nod to true  blood?" i.e. the great scene with Eric and Godric?

Not too shabby. It could be. Although it would seem such a waste. As much as Appius scares me, I find the idea of having access to somebody that can tell you emberrasing stories of Eric as a young vampire very appealing.

i mean with sense of Family the fact that even him could have crisis with his family, maybe he has to take care of Alexei....dunno...but i'm pretty sure that Family his the only thing that Sookie hasn't see in him yet and the only thing she doesn't expect in him to have....that's why she will see him in a totally different way forever.....btw everybody said that EL's will LOVE this book...so of course is really really a good thing what Sookie is going to see in him!!!!!

Appius Livius Ocella, and his newest child, Alexei Romanov, who arrive at Sookie’s house most unexpectedly.

I didn't catch this until the second time I read it. This leads me to believe, Eric is going to be upset that Appius didn't meet with him first, but obviously he won't be able to do anything about it, Appius being his maker and all. Maybe Eric is with Sookie at her house when Appius and Alexei come?

Bill seems unconcerned about his failing health 

The BLs are going to love this..

Once again a really positive review! And we got some new info too.

I think it's interesting how there's EL and BL, because they are such diferent character types. While some like them gloomy and tortured (Bill, Angel, Edward), others (and I include myself here) like them lively, pragmatic and with a sense of humor.

What about Eric calling Appius?becouse the review said quite most inopportune moment....seems someone knew he should come....

I said that becouse the review mentioned that Eric decide that forewarned is forearmed...and Appius seems to be able to do anything he want according to CH and he could be a problem for FDC and Victor

I guess Eric is with Sookie in that moment....maybe Appius went at fangtasia first.

While some like them gloomy and tortured (Bill, Angel, Edward), others (and I include myself here) like them lively, pragmatic and with a sense of humor.

Funny.  When you put it that way . . I was always and Angel/Edward fan but I'm definitely in the Eric corner here.  

I guess Eric is with Sookie in that moment....maybe Appius went at fangtasia first.  

My guess is that a maker can track their child.  So, I'm guessing he shows up at Sookie's because he tracks Eric there.

While some like them gloomy and tortured (Bill, Angel, Edward), others (and I include myself here) like them lively, pragmatic and with a sense of humor.

I do like my Edward. It's different with the Twilight series because it's not like you have someone else to compare him to. Jake is not Eric. And I will say that I do have a preference for Spike over Angel. Like you said, it's the lively nature and sense of humor.

Ash, I haven't read Twilight, and I don't believe I wil, so all my knowledge is second hand, I was always a Spike fan and I find it hard to believe that there are Bill fans, because for me he's all big pompous talk and no sense of humor so I ifnd it hard to understand it. It says more about me though I think. If there's ever a vampire creature that instead of blood drinks joy de vivre I'll be first in line to be turned.

Have you read the Is Sookie's Suitor Choice Preference Based on Personal Experience thread? I think that may explain where a lot of the Bill love is coming from.

Wow great review!

While some like them gloomy and tortured (Bill, Angel, Edward), others (and I include myself here) like them lively, pragmatic and with a sense of humor.

Actually I love Edward even if he's more broody than our Viking. I think it has more to do with character development for me than the type. I find the interaction between Sookie and Eric more thrilling than any of the sex scenes she's had with Bill. There's more chemistry there. Oh, and for a little while Eric was broody too. I haven't watched any Buffy so I wouldn't know who I would choose between Spike and Angel.

No, but may I jump to conclusions based on the title alone? LOL

I have dated my Eric. Granted he wasn't a thousand years old viking vampire. But he was tall, blonde, amazing in bed, made me laugh and want to kill him at the same time and we played the "I'm not in love with you" game for a while (5 years). Untill we both lost.

Going back to the books (I'm terrible with the off topic, I'm so sorry) even though I don't get Bill, I love that he's there, and that CH can have that range of characters, it's there where her talent really lays, the rest could be really improved with a good edit team, but so many times you read a book where all the charactes come off the same, they all have the same "voice". I'm excited about this book, I believe CH might just be at her best again.

Oh, and for a little while Eric was broody too.

Yes, he was. He can be broody, it's just not a constant state. That's what I like about him - he has many dimensions. He can be broody, gentle, and sweet, only to turn around and be humorous, ruthless, and deliver lines like "yield to me" that have you drooling on the page.

No, but may I jump to conclusions based on the title alone?

Yeah, it's pretty straightforward.

Claude, who seems hungry for fairy companionship, if only with his slightly-fae cousin. That’s enough to make even the chronically self-absorbed Claude work a bit on his social skills… And maybe there’s a little more to his request to bunk with Sookie than first meets the eye.

Either Claude will be the one to betray Sookie or he'll be after procreating the species. There's not many fae left and he may want to continue the race. Bring on the turkey baster scene!

Bring on the turkey baster scene!

Eww! I seriously just had a visual. Not good...

This comment: And maybe there’s a little more to his request to bunk with Sookie than first meets the eye.

Along with this one (from another review) : Sookie’s grief over the loss of her cousin Claudine is palpable and her death impacts Sookie in unexpected ways.

Leads me to believe Claude will be the threat she didn't see coming. I think that turkey baster will be filled with lemon juice.

In an earlier review it mentions a favor she does for the Weres that brings trouble for Sookie. Another one mentioned something may happen to Alcide's girlfriend and that he has the worst judgment. And more recently we learn about AIcide being up to his same tricks and Sookie getting framed for murder. I guess the favor is to hunt in her forest and I suspect the trouble and tricks are finding Debbie's body. And probably Sandra is his girlfriend and most likely the one to instigate the idea.

I do like the idea that Sookie sees a tender family caring side in Eric concerning Alexei Romanov. This is the one side she hasn't seen. Of course, he has seen it to some extent in his caring for her after her torture. I especially like the idea that the nod to True Blood is the Godric scene. Maybe Alexei's hemophilia is a problem in a vampire. I don't think it will be Appius wanting to meet the sun, but maybe Alexei will want to do so.

In an earlier review it mentions a favor she does for the Weres that brings trouble for Sookie. Another one mentioned something may happen to Alcide's girlfriend and that he has the worst judgment. And more recently we learn about AIcide being up to his same tricks and Sookie getting framed for murder. I guess the favor is to hunt in her forest and I suspect the trouble and tricks are finding Debbie's body. And probably Sandra is his girlfriend and most likely the one to instigate the idea.

I agree with all of that Judy. But I hope the Sadra and Alcide thing isn't true, it sounds plausible though. Still...Ick!

Oh, and if what Sookie learns about Eric changes her opinion forever, and if it is the caring way he responds to his "family" then that's very hopeful for an Eric HEA.

I don't think it will be Appius wanting to meet the sun, but maybe Alexei will want to do so.

Yeah, like many of us already know supposedly Alexei said to one of his sisters something about how he loves the sun and how he wants to spend as much time under it as he can because someday he might be prevented from doing so. I'll find it and repost.

Here's a sad little Alexei quote: "When I am dead, I will not hurt anymore, will it Mama?...When I am dead, build me a little monument of stones in the woods." Alexei's letters and quotes
 

Also, Sandra being Alcide's girlfriend ties into the family theme.

"When I am dead, I will not hurt anymore, will it Mama?...When I am dead, build me a little monument of stones in the woods."

Good quote, Sami.

I agree, Judy, the TB nod may be Alexei meeting the sun.

Thank you Ashley! Ah, I found it. Its probably been posted before but I think this is very significant to Alexei's character in CH's novels so here it is again:

When he was ten, his older sister Olga found him lying on his back looking at the clouds and asked him what he was doing. "I like to think and wonder," Alexei replied. Olga asked him what he liked to think about. "Oh, so many things," the boy responded. "I enjoy the sun and the beauty of summer as long as I can. Who knows whether one of these days I shall not be prevented from doing it?"  

Oh, and if what Sookie learns about Eric changes her opinion forever, and if it is the caring way he responds to his "family" then that's very hopeful for an Eric HEA.

I can only pray that's what the reveiwer means!

I suppose the awful side of that comment could be that Sookie sees that Eric is too tied up in vampire politics, but isn't that what she already thought? That's why I'm being optimistic, especially since one of the early ARC reviews said that she appreciated seeing Eric's personal life.

Mashara: I think it's interesting how there's EL and BL, because they are such diferent character types. While some like them gloomy and tortured (Bill, Angel, Edward), others (and I include myself here) like them lively, pragmatic and with a sense of humor.

Exactly, LOL. I finally looked through Twilight series, and Jacob is the only character who appealed to me. Humorless brooding turns me off completely, even if one have good intentions.

I do prefer Spike over Angel, as well. Actually, I was wondering about the preferences of people on this forum, so thanks for bringing it up. Everybody's different!:)

I suppose the awful side of that comment could be that Sookie sees that Eric is too tied up in vampire politics, but isn't that what she already thought?

True, that was already highlighted in ATD and FDTW.

As Eric struggles with his family conflicts, Sookie sees a new side to her Viking—one that will forever change how she perceives him.

I take that comment as the thing that will either ultimately make or break Eric and Sookie. I'm a bit worried about it.

Alexei is a boy- how old was he when he died, 13, 14? So there'll be a adolescent in Eric's family.

The review sounded very hopeful to me for Sookie/ Eric HEA. Sookie always had a tendency to look for the worst motive in Eric's actions. If something changed the way she looks at him, there is a very good chance it's for the best.  One of the reviews also said in this book we start to understand who might be Sookie's future. My hopes are high...

That's what I think. She already tends to see the worst in Eric. So I don't see how the new side could be worse.

Except in my most pessimistic moments, I can see a scenario where Sookie feels she will always be second to vampire issues, and she makes a decision similar to the one she made for Quinn (she was in lustful liking). But she didn't have a long history with Quinn, and she wasn't in love with him. Although, it does tie into the question CH said Sookie would have to decide about Eric (i.e. does the good outweigh the bad).

After reading that review, which was really good by the way, I am wondering if maybe Terry Bellefluer is the one to help out Bill. She says even Terry has his moments.

I thought they meant Terry as Bill's help too. And I like that a lot.

So that would put us back on the track of a blood sibiling from Bill's human life, which was my first impresion. It was dense of me not wondering if it could be another vampire with Lorena as sire who was going to help Bill

You can listen to this interview http://www.blogtalkradio.com/true-blood they talk about book 10 around 38 minute.....^^

Could please someone translate what they said at that point when they talked about Sookie trusting Eric and about the end and what Eric did at a certain point?.....sorry but cannot understand T_T

I just despise podcasts and audioblogs since they are filled with deadly dull and incredibly stupid, self-indulgent, blathering nonsense. My comments are in parenthesis

This is what they said:

What happened to Eric (ie Victor and the silver chains) sets up other things in the plot
Sookie takes some time to accept Eric's excuse but she eventually does
Eric's explanation sets up the next