Sookie: You gave yourself to me completely.
— True Blood, 4×10 Burning Down the House
Eric: Yes, I did. I love you.
Maintained by: DeeDee
Designed by: R-J
Artwork by: Bohemian Weasel {full image}
Header by: Freelance Designer Jay Karsandas
Online Since: 23 January 2009
EricNorthman.net is an unofficial and independently run fan site that is not associated with either Charlaine Harris, her publisher, HBO or the actor Alexander Skarsgård. We are not in contact with any of these entities and cannot forward any communication to them. This website is specifically not for profit. All material is credited to their respective owners. All graphics are property of Wicked Fate and should not be redistributed. Read the full disclaimer for further information.
Please use the comments section on this post to discuss your reactions to book 12! And beware of spoilers, obviously. 
We’ll be talking about the book on Dead Air next Monday night, May 7. You can join us in the chat room or on the phone to gush, rant, theorize, and fangirl to your heart’s content. We want to hear from you!
Tags: Book 12RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL
We’re back to the character inconsistencies that we saw from Book 11. Loan repayment = Sookie doesn’t bat an eye despite the high-handedness of the decision. And if you’re expecting affirming behaviour from your guy on how much he loves you, shouldn’t you be willing to do the same?
Comment by Canuck — May 1, 2012 @ 5:31 am
Just got a lovely warm fuzzy from this quote of Sookie’s:
“Eric’s MY team.”
Comment by DeeDee — May 1, 2012 @ 4:40 pm
No sex + very little Eric = A very unhappy me!
Comment by Twilla — May 1, 2012 @ 5:24 pm
I have lost all faith in Ms. Harris. The characters aren’t remotely like the ones I loved in the first 9 books. Very short, too much filler, no Eric and no reason for me to continue reading. Fan fiction is much much better, especially PRETTY KITTY. I’m done….
Comment by Carole — May 1, 2012 @ 7:50 pm
I hate how Sookie and Eric’s relationship has turned out. The book didnt have enough about Eric and most of it was basic stuff that we didnt need to know. And then in the end how Sookie used the thing to save Sam sucks, cuz that means she loves him, and I love Eric and Sookie together!!!
Comment by Scarlett — May 1, 2012 @ 9:21 pm
I have some mixed feelings. Obviously Eric has a lot of thinking to do – but thinking that Sookie would get him out of his own trouble was a little rich!
I like that Sookie has finally realised that if Eric won’t work for her, then she shouldn’t work for him. It’s going to be satisfying to see what decision Eric makes. His whole being is focused on himself (enjoyment, business, money, comfort), and if he chooses Sookie it’ll be the first time he does something without a business motive. Though I gotta ask – if Sookie has made it clear that she doesn’t want to be a vampire, why doesn’t he spend the rest of her life with her and deal with political alliances later??
I’m also glad Sookie used the CD for Sam – because they ARE best friends, and she would have done the same if it was Tara or Pam. Well, I think she would
Comment by Kimberly — May 2, 2012 @ 6:39 am
Kimberly, I agree. I loved that she used the CD to save Sam’s life. The CD wasn’t specifically for romantic love, just love, and we’ve always known that Sookie loves Sam.
I admire Charlaine for not using the CD as a deux ex machina to make the Freyda problem go away. Eric and Sookie will have to fight for each other in the last book, and I can’t wait!
Comment by DeeDee — May 2, 2012 @ 9:23 am
Wouldn’t using the CD on Eric be fighting for him. I mean come on ladies, you fight for your love with everything in your arsenol and yes that means magic if you have it. I don’t buy this longggg drawn out gesture and elusive fight that some of you seem to be talking about. This has just gone on to long with next to no progress IMO. All this stupid evaluting every word and action these books have, looking for meanings in the littlest things is dumb. Charlaine Harris is screwing with us to ekkk out that last dollar from our pockets.
The world she started out with no longer exists. This is now something she invented because we want Eric and I think she never intended for Eric to finish off with Sookie so she is punishing us with this angry weakling that was once a 1000 year old viking vampire. Yes we will probably get our HEA but she isn’t making it easy on us. Now bring on the hate I am sure will follow my thoughts on this subject.
Comment by Twilla — May 2, 2012 @ 10:03 am
I think if she had used the CD on Eric, she would have always wondered if Eric was with her because he chose it or because she got rid of Freyda. I think it’s good for Eric to have to choose.
But I agree with you about Eric in this book. I didn’t like the way CH wrote him at all. :-/
Comment by DeeDee — May 2, 2012 @ 10:22 am
I think everyone is overreacting. Yes the ending of this book hurt like hell. I cried. But I still think Sam is a red herring. For one thing, if you read the short story “If I had a Hammer” which takes place after Deadlocked, you’ll see that Sookie and Sam are still just friends and Sookie still calls him her boss.
Remember, the CD is not solely for romantic love. Mr. Catalidies said it could be used for self-love. It could also be used for a family member (Grand could have used it to save Aunt Linda) or a beloved FRIEND.
Honestly, I’m glad that Sookie didn’t use the CD to solve all their problems. She had to save Sam. Eric has to fight for his love and for his own freedom. This book made it perfectly clear that Sookie does love Eric desperately. She all but begged him to choose her. He has to show that he feels the same.
However, I do understand where Eric is coming from. Sure, he can be impulsive at times and he enjoys the heat of battle, but at his core Eric is a very pragmatic person. He knew Sookie had an easy way out for them and he couldn’t understand why she would refuse to eliminate the biggest threat to their happiness. When Sookie saved Sam, Eric took it as proof that she didn’t love him and he left. The thing is, we don’t know what’s going to happen next. Eric said, “She won’t win”. I’m going to hold him to that.
Comment by Alexa — May 2, 2012 @ 2:41 pm
Also, I didn’t have a problem with how Eric was written at all. He was already in mid-crisis when he got dragged into yet another horrible situation. Obviously, he had to entertain Felipe de Castro and Freyja, while his people solved the murder. He was trying to put the royals off so that once his name was cleared Sookie could use the CD to get rid of the marriage contract. It was the simplest most effective plan. But things are never that easy, and what a boring story it would be if they were.
What I loved was that Eric passed Niall’s test. He knew Sookie had the CD and he never even told her what to do with it. Yes, he wanted her to use it to help him, but that’s different from demanding it or trying to make her. He never threatened her or tried to trick her into using it for him. He never tried to take it from her. If Eric cared more about himself than her, he would have. The Eric from book 1 would have taken the CD from Sookie in a millisecond. The Eric in book 12 didn’t.
Another thing I liked was that he never blamed Sookie or Sam for getting him targeted as the main suspect in a murder investigation.
Also, we found out that he’s been faithful to Sookie since they were pledged by knife. I’ve always known this was true. But I’m happy that all the speculation about him banging fangbangers on the side can finally be put to rest. Yay!
Obviously, we are at a point in the story where everything seems the worst, but it’s not over yet. Really, it would have made zero sense for Sookie and Eric to be cracking jokes and having a good time. Their lives are a mess and neither of them are their old selves anymore. Things are raw between them. The deepest love hurts that most.
But, I still swoon for the Viking. When he said, “I want to make love to you at length”. My whole body just …
Comment by Alexa — May 2, 2012 @ 2:50 pm
Alexa, you’re so right about Eric and the CD. I was proud of him for that.
Comment by DeeDee — May 2, 2012 @ 3:06 pm
I was gutted that Eric and Sookie didnt sort it out in the end…so much unsaid between them still. this is where we need Erics pov. DeeDee hope you dont mind my asking but will you be finishing book 11 and starting on deadlocked? I am seriously addicted to your Eric fic.
Comment by louise — May 2, 2012 @ 4:21 pm
Thanks, Louise! I do plan to continue “Eric.”
Comment by DeeDee — May 2, 2012 @ 4:23 pm
I’m not going to lie. I thought Deadlocked was really lame. First of all, why didn’t the vampires simply glamour the police into thinking they hadn’t seen a dead body? That whole investigation could have been over in three seconds. Two, the Claude thing just seemed like a convenient way to get rid of the fairies, particularly since they instantaneously disappeared. There was too much filler and not enough vampires. Also, is it just me or has Charlaine gotten really lazy when it comes to writing sex scenes? I’m not saying they should be incredibly graphic but in this book they are basically footnotes. By the way, sex occurred. Three, I also didn’t have a huge problem with Sookie using the CD to save Sam. I was surprised that Sookie was so mad at Eric for even suggesting that she use it to save him. If anything it makes sense that he would be questioning whether or not she is really in love with him. After all, she was the one who broke their blood bond and didn’t reestablish it. When she got kidnapped, I was waiting for her to think “Gee, you know what would be really convenient right now, having my blood bond with Eric. He’d know I was in trouble that way.”
Comment by Stella — May 3, 2012 @ 2:09 am
I personally love the way the characters have evolved, Sookie has become very self-aware and is dealing with what comes at her instead of burying it deep down, I am very proud of her for that. I think the absence of the bond has forced Sookie and Eric to talk things out and earn one another’s trust(something neither of them are used to). I don’t think using the CD for Eric would have solved anything….what would she have said that would have covered all the crap he is in??? If she had just gotten rid of the contract, the you would have an EXTREMELY pissed off Freyda on your hands; if you kill Freyda, you have now made a crap load of enemies; and lets not forget we still need to deal with Felipe and his punishment. I think this is something Eric and Sookie are going to have to stand together on and fight their way through. I am not too worried about Sam, I think Eric will have to deal a little with some hurt pride, but hopefully will understand that she loves Sam…like family….and he can live with that. I think that CH has given us enough clues and has laid out the ground work for Sookie and Eric to work things out, but it is going to get ugly before it is fixed.
Comment by Jen — May 3, 2012 @ 7:25 am
I was so excited to FINALLY get to read Deadlocked, after a year’s wait only to be left with a WTF repeating through my head. Awful book. It dragged with useless content, Sookie was a bitch, Eric was almost non-existent, and Sam reeps the benefit of the cluviel dor? Sucked! I prefer fanfic, esp. Pretty Kitty anyday!!
Comment by Ninergal — May 3, 2012 @ 9:23 pm
I was prepared to be disappointed with the new book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Does it resolve the problems between Eric & Sookie? No, but surely we all knew that would not happen until the last book. I enjoyed the mystery here and found surprises along the way. I was fairly sure Janna Lynn was involved in some way, but Claude’s part, as well as finding out he was responsible for cursing Dermot were both unexpected. This book seemed to be a lot about tying up loose ends as well. All of Sookie’s “suitors” are pretty much put to bed. Quinn, have to feel sorry for him a bit, he finally finds a weretigress and she takes their “cub” into hiding. He just can’t get a break. Alcide will end up with the new were I think, which makes sense. Bill, well, he’s going to hang around and call Sookie sweetheart until he finds someone else. He is most definitely in the friend category now..Sam, while I was shocked that she used the CD to save him, it made perfect sense at the same time. It was an emergency, someone she loves (not romantically, a dear friend) will DIE and she has the ability to save his life. It’s not like she chose to let Eric die to save Sam. There are still options for Eric, but none for Sam. So it was exactly what one would expect Sookie to do….how many days until 5/1/13?
Comment by VALady — May 5, 2012 @ 6:23 am
Did I miss something or did everyone already know Eric had another female child? Does Skokie know?
Comment by Carole — May 5, 2012 @ 12:53 pm
When was it known that Eric had another female child?
Okay….Finished reading the book last night and all I can think of is “WTF…Cool…Depressing…I see it now…”
I went through a few stages of doubt while reading this because it was just too much…here are some points that could have been easily remedied..or I didn’t understand…or u just pause and reread.
1. Glamour the police into thinking no one died at Eric’s.
2. Eric and Sookie having sex after they came back from the police? Did they or didn’t they, bc CH didn’t realize specify if they did.
3. Claude saying to Sookie, “Why did you not want to have sex with me?” Was he in love with her?
4. Sookie going with the rogue weres….really, you state in the book fool me once shame on you..and u know the rest, and she still goes with them?
5. HOW COME ERIC WAS PRETTY MUCH ABSENT IN THIS BOOK.
6. ERIC COMING OFF AS AN ASSHOLE.
7. WHY DID NIALL TELL ERIC ABOUT THE CLUVIEL IN THE FIRST PLACE?
8. Sookie using it on Sam and Eric getting angry.
I understand that she did it to save a friend, but your boyfriend kinda hinted that he needed it to save them. She didn’t doubt twice to use it for Sam, but for Eric she did. I am torn between that specific turn of events. I am glad she saved Sam because Sam is her best friend, and it will prove whether Eric loved power all along or Sookie. He will have to fight for her, and I am glad CH stated repeatedly in the book that Sookie loves Eric. I smiled like a child when she said “Eric is My team.”
Eric has to figure it out and he has the power to change his situation, but it can all be handled easily (without a mess or more fighting) if Sookie used the damn thing.
I don’t see how Eric and Sookie will continue, since she is human and he is vampire. If she gets turned over, I will be very surprised.
I think the ball is in his court now..
I am glad the fae left, though I am sadden Dermot left too. I was surprised Claude was a bad guy, She always thought he was and it was confirmed he did all those bad things.
Everyone is pretty much happy except Sookie and Eric (Sam with his own loss)…but I think if there is one more book or two more, it should really focus on Eric and Sookie, Not Alcide and his potential new bedmate, Mustaph, Bill, or any other character that can be left out. I was surprised Quinn made an appearance but it was harmless (I HOPE)
CH needs to close the ends between these two character because she owes it to the reader to get some closure, if she does not want Sookie to fall for Eric, I would prefer her to end up with Sam. Sam and her can have a family, die old together.
I would be sadden because I love eric.
Comment by Debbie — May 6, 2012 @ 11:07 am
I know I’m going out on a limb here but I actually like this one. I must say that CH is true to her words and I’ve heard her say before that she doesn’t always do happy endings. I find this one to be bittersweet which I’m good with. I like the overall life and death theme CH seemed to be going with and that we get a bit more mature Sookie in this one.
First of all I’m glad she didn’t use the CD as an easy way out for Eric. The two are going to have their problems. If they didn’t, it wouldn’t be a real relationship so a pat on the back for Sookie showing some tough love there. If Eric truly loved Sookie he would definitely fight for her in the next book. He has to accept that Sookie’s life isn’t just mind reading and vampires. Sam is like family to Ms. Stackhouse by now. I would’ve done the same thing if I were in her shoes.
Claude thew me for a loop but at the same time not really. I always thought it was suspicious that Claude would lower himself to moving in with his majority human cousin and then helping her clean house. Out of all the triplets, Claudine seemed to inherit all the good traits. Claudette I suspect is like a female Claude.
Nice to see the Jannalyn storyline gone but I don’t think that’s the last of Alcide or even Bill for that matter. I also find it kind of funny that Jason found that bracelet. I don’t know if that will lead to anything or if that’s CH throwing us off again? I don’t see a magical out for Eric which I feel is much more practical.
Interesting that Sookie is making out her will on her Birthday which is proof she doesn’t want to turn. Love that Eric doesn’t want her to leave Louisiana. He understands that Sookie needs her home and that it is a part of her, good or bad. I hope thirteen will tie everything up into a nice neat bow. As far as I can see, the only solution is for Eric to kill Felipe which I can see in the cards. Not sure if I can see him taking over as king but maybe see the vampires go through a sort of anarchy. Can’t wait to see how this ends!
Oh yeah, I see it this way about the vamps not glamouring the cops or humans. I think this is a step to humanity for them. Eric had to behave in front of his king and Felipe seems underhanded. He wanted to see how his sheriff handled the situation. Vampires are two faced and deceitful. Felipe was probable hoping something awful for Eric. Eric is absent because he is off entertaining the vampire royalty and doesn’t want to trouble Sookie with it. Just my thoughts.
Comment by VikingGirl — May 6, 2012 @ 4:19 pm
Reminder that there is always fanfiction for those who are unhappy.
Comment by VikingGirl — May 6, 2012 @ 4:21 pm
Eric’s other child was mentioned in All Together Dead. Pam told Sookie that he had another one, she is female, and that she left to strike out on her own.
So yes, Sookie and readers do know about it her, it’s just been a while since she’s been mentioned.
Comment by SVB — May 6, 2012 @ 5:58 pm
Firstly I would like to say straight off that I liked this book where I didn’t like the previous one so much. So well done Ms Harris with that!
Secondly I just can’t help but wonder why bar Bill (and getting him to shut up pressing his relentless suit would be challenging!) Sookie’s suitors don’t COMMUNICATE with the poor girl. I know all about the strong silent type because I married one, but my fella is positively loquacious in comparison with Eric, Quinn et al…and that is saying something! I understand Eric is in an impossible position and he may be keeping his distance to spare Sookie the bulk of the political drama in his life but hello…ever heard of a phone? Ever heard of talking to Sookie about her day WITHOUT having sex first, like on the phone? Like other long distance couples? Other than keeping his distance physically, so presumably not to drag his unwanted entourage of Felipe, Freyda etc.to Sookie’s, he’s given her NOTHING in this book. He’s kept his distance emotionally. The only thing Sookie got from hi
Him was just more grief. Poor Sookie was more alone than ever. Only Sam stood with her. My main beef with what Ms Harris has done with her books is with her handling of the Eric character. He went from being mysterious and sexy (on an unprecedented scale) to being a big blank space. Who the hell IS this guy? He hasn’t been very Viking like, he hasn’t said much to illuminate who he is. He is witty, good in the sack, can handle himself in a fight but we haven’t been shown enough of him to inspire undying devotion. He’s too motivated by self interest of the coldest sort for that. He’s a bit neutered. If a Viking didn’t like the terms imposed on him or that he initially agreed to, then by Odin he changed them! Unilaterally. If you don’t believe me refer to history; the fates of various Anglo-Saxon kings of England are testament to this. I keep waiting for the true Northman to show up. They were amazing, clever, scary, ruthless, bloodthirsty and were not to be crossed under any circumstances. AND THEY WERE HUMAN. This guy is a VAMPIRE VIKING he should be all that to the power zillion!
So the book though I enjoyed it because I love Sookie and she was great in this, leaves me wondering who the hell is Eric, why are we given no true idea of who he is by Ms Harris, and why does Sookie tolerate such wishy washiness from him. Deadlocked indeed.
Comment by Sam — May 7, 2012 @ 4:30 am
Eric is a complex character. His upbringing makes him practical. He probably never had a true relationship where he actually loved someone (human and vampire life) and then Sookie comes along with baggage of her (with his creation of course). I know Harris won’t write off a HEA…. that’s a given. I don’t expect much from her, but I hope Sookie does make a decision if Eric presents it to her. I don’t want Sookie to blow it off because she is still mad at him. I think the ball is in Eric’s court and he has to try too. He was too distant in this book, and I state again, their relationship should be focused in the next one.
I don’t doubt he cares for Sookie, but he needs to really decide what he wants more, power or love. Sookie is better off with Sam if she doesn’t want to change. Even if she stays with Eric, Eric probably won’t want an aging HUMAN.
Comment by Debbie — May 7, 2012 @ 1:50 pm
I am so sick of the Eric hate! You’d think people would have some compassion for a character they reportedly “love”, when they don’t even know what he’s going through or what he’s going to do next.
Eric is the one who has to deal with Felipe and Freyda. He’s the one who knows what kind of punishment awaits him and his vampires if he refuses them outright. He’s the one who has to deal with the mind *beep* of having to defy his maker’s last living wish. On top of that, he’s the one who gets pinned as the primary suspect for a murder he had nothing to do with. And most importantly, it has been made perfectly clear that if Eric reneges on the marriage contract, Felipe and Freyda are going to come after Sookie too. So really, is it that terrible for him to want to utilize the most expedient and least costly solution to a potentially fatal problem? I don’t think so. That’s just the way Eric thinks. Practical could be his middle name.
Nevertheless, I do think it was selfish of Eric to hope that Sookie would use the CD for him. Although, I also think it was rather understandable for him to want that. And it’s not like he actually gave her an ultimatum. They never even discussed it. Ever since Niall told him about the CD, Eric’s been waiting for Sookie to confide in him and he gets pissed when she doesn’t (I know, pot meet kettle). But he’s angry for only a short while. The next time they see each other he’s perfectly fine. Then when Sookie uses the CD to save her BEST FRIEND (which was the right thing to do), he leaves because he most likely thinks Sookie is in love with Sam. I’m sure that hurts a lot more than the fact that she didn’t use the CD for him.
But I’m not worried because there is NO way Eric is going to marry Freyda. Plan A didn’t pan out, he’ll think of something else. Also, Sookie is NOT in love with Sam. That’s just a red herring. You don’t get over being heartbreakingly in love with someone in one afternoon. It doesn’t work that way.
Lastly, I don’t know what book the people who think Eric is after power are reading. He wanted Sookie to use the CD to allow him to remain in a situation where he has LESS power than he would have if he married Freyda. In what universe does that equate to wanting more power/choosing power over love?
Comment by Alexa — May 7, 2012 @ 3:15 pm
Eric could gain power if he marries Freyda. Saving Sam didn’t open Sookie’s eyes that she was in love with him. I don’t buy it, because she has proclaimed she is in love with Eric.
Hey If I was Eric I would expect my BF to use a CD if it meant to save our behinds, but she did the right thing by saving Sam. Eric may have left Sookie and Sam because he thinks Sookie is in love with him…We don’t know…We will have to wait…
Comment by Debbie — May 7, 2012 @ 9:13 pm
I think Eric was on the way to see Sookie when he call her but Sookie ask him not to come. Understandbly, he’s just giving her space. He knows she’s angry but for goodness sake if that is the argument, why wouldn’t Sookie call him instead. The guy is busy with 2 monarch for godsake and it’s not an “hey! haven’t seen you in a while, lets go out and have fun” kinda visit. I understand why Sookie is angry but the reader interpreting this as Eric not caring enough. Really? you don’t know what happening on Eric’s side. Can somebody or Sookie please have compassion for the guy. Sookie didn’t have to entertain 2 people who wants to control him, probably punish or worst kill him and being a murder suspect as well. It’s not just Sookie that he have think about, he have to think about his vampires too. Relationship is about give and take and when to support your partner. It doesn’t mean Sookie have to be a pushover but to prioritise(not time for blaming game). Right now, all she’s thinking about is Eric will leave her and she’s going to be heartbroken and her world is going to crumble down. She needs to think about Eric too and what will happen if he refuse Freda and the Felipe threat too. Eric obviously thinks about her and his vampires, he told her. She needs to be carefull of her so call friend(read, bill) who whispers poison in her ear.
She knows this and she will realise it in the next book. Just remember, behind every leader, there’s a strong woman. Since everybody thinks Eric is weak at the moment, maybe now is the time for Sookie to be the strong one, be on Team Eric and face this together. Altho2ugh, Eric maybe thinks Sookie is in love with Sam now since she use the CD on him. I can hear some people say “Sookie done enough proving already, ball is in Eric’s court now” Why is it not enough what both of them have done? If they didn’t choose each other already Eric wouldn’t fight this so hard and Sookie would have dump his arse already.
If she can’t do all this, than maybe she’s not for him and him for her but i know she will. I wonder too if after all this, if CH wrote that they are not together in the end, what would be the point. Why would Eric defy two monarch and kill so many just to stay as Sherrif and watch Sookie make babies with Sam or someone else. That’s so twisted. He could have have avoided so many things if he just let Sookie be with Bill, Quinn or whoever. He will even get a nice percentage everytime Sookie works for someone because Sookie is in his area. He doesn’t even have to babysit Sookie’s mood when they were bonded. It always puzzle me that Sookie feels burdened with his feelings. It must have been worst for him right, pms every month and all other human feelings. I know my husband agrees with this and he’s human.
Anyway, I think my girl will kick arse and fight these enemies together with Eric in the next book. Overall, i like the book and Sookie’s inner monologue is hilarious but frustrated with the way CH write some scene sometimes. Sam, got hit when he could have move faster since he’s supe is convenient. The fairy plot is weak and everybody not communicating. That’s just boring after so many books. I have to admit, this time I read it to find out about Sookie and Eric. The rest, i glaze over. Sorry CH. Why am i saying sorry, I paid for it damn it!
Comment by cw — May 8, 2012 @ 4:56 am
Hm…Shall I read Deadlocked?I´m not so sure after reading that Sookie and Eric will not have so much time together in this book.Is it worth reading it?I think I will wait to read it until the paperback comes out.I don´t want to spend a lot of money on something not so good.
Comment by Marie — May 8, 2012 @ 10:37 am
If I try to separate the different storylines of this book, I find that I don’t so much mind the fairy stuff, with Claude ending up being a bad guy. I do, however, find it very frustrating that CH said she killed off Claudine in book 9 as a way to bring the fairy storyline to a close. But, then there’s been this intense stuff with Dermot and Claude in the past few books. It makes me wonder why she couldn’t have left Claudine around for a little longer.
It seemed like this book had a lot of filler, with not as much real action with the main characters (no sexual pun intended on the word ‘action.’) I guess I can sort of understand that. With the next book being the last, I’m sure a big huge part of it is going to focus on what goes down with the whole Sookie/Eric/Freyda thing. So, CH has to begin to end the arch for some of the lesser characters (Jason getting married, Andy and Halleigh having a baby, etc.).
I totally understand why Eric just up and left after Sookie saved Sam. I can honestly say that I think she did the right thing by using the Cluviel Dor to save Sam’s life. And, just because it shows that she definitely loves him, it doesn’t necessarily mean that she’s IN love with him. A lot of people have made comments that they think this is all just a red herring, and that Sookie will end up with Eric when everything is said and done. I’m not so sure about that. Because Eric and Sookie didn’t talk right after she’d saved Sam, Eric might just assume the worst. Throw in the fact that now Quinn is once again available, and who knows what will happen!! Something occured to me today, though. As much as they love each other, and as much as I want Eric and Sookie to end up together, it might not actually be what’s best in the long run. Eric has already said that Felipe and Freyda have been meeting while they were both in Shreveport, and that Felipe will punish both Eric and Sookie if Eric chooses not to leave with Freyda. Even if Eric does stay, Sookie has already said that she doesn’t ever want to be turned. So, she’s got maybe 40-50 more years of life left at best. Is it really worth it in the long run for Eric to stay with Sookie, have a few wonderful decades with her, but end up putting all of his people in jeopardy with a couple of powerful immortals?
Comment by AshleySue — May 11, 2012 @ 5:46 pm
Also, what the heck was up with Palamino telling Bill she couldn’t wait until she didn’t have to pretend to be in a happy relationship with a Were? Is that some way of saying that there’s some sort of plot that will end up putting the vamps against the Weres in the finall book?
Comment by AshleySue — May 11, 2012 @ 5:48 pm
After the last book I thought that Sookie only had two ways: Eric´s or Sam´s. Sookie wants a normal life, that doesn´t involve living with a vampire. With Sam she could have children and so on. With Eric she could have everything but this. And she must become a vampire. Why not? Eric is great, fun, intelligent, strong. I would like she chooses Eric. Otherwise I don´t think the saga is worth it. Without Eric nothing in the book would make sense. Sorry for my English!
Comment by Carmen — May 13, 2012 @ 7:30 am
Leaving my opinion weeks later, I will say that Ms. Harris has an interesting way of writing.
It didn’t make much sense to me to have the were-blood information be given so late in the series, other than Ms. Harris just wanted her readers to believe that Eric would be plausible to drink from a were doused with faerie blood.
I knew Claude was fishy since Claudine died, why stay and care for Sookie and her house unless you seek revenge or her CD?
I’m not surprised about Jannalyn, so I was only slightly disappointed Sookie had another crazy bitch after her on jealousy woes, repetitious much?
I admit, I read the series after I learned of the show, but I enjoyed the read so far. CH can be mediocre at times, and astounding in others. This book showed her mediocrity a bit more.
It was only a little hard to get through, but not a boring book. This filler was to tie loose ends and set up for the last book. It kinda did that.
I was glad to see the Queen in this book, but hoped for Eric’s second child to make an appearance despite what CH had said previously, and so I’m excited for the next one for that very reason. And for her sponsor to teach her a few tricks?
Did I care much for Sookie’s chores? No, but I still enjoyed the hours it took to read the book.
Hopefully the fact that Eric wasn’t in this book as much, is in the same effect as a tsunami, and that 13 will have an overwhelming amount of him. We deserve it, after all.
I’m convinced that Eric and Sookie will end together as it just doesn’t make sense for Sookie to switch to Sam or be alone. The flow of the writing through out the series would just not make sense, and then someone will have to take CH’s diploma for English literacy.
I kinda hope she decides to write two more instead of just one, as I can only imagine it will be difficult to end everything in one book.
I’ll continue reading the series’s til it’s end, watch the show, and reading the fanfic, as it often time is better.
Comment by Mestre — May 22, 2012 @ 5:45 pm
I have so many complaints about this book. First and foremost, Sookie was a royal b**ch to Eric for 90% of the book. The poor man didn’t have a chance to communicate with her most of the time because of this. She should have been outright with him up front and said that she wanted to be with him and that the marriage had to be stopped. Given that she broke their bond without warning and kicks him out/hangs up on him/refuses to see him all the time, Eric has every reason to be confused about where they stand and what she really wants.
As for the low Eric quotient in this book, that was really annoying too. Why did we see so little of him and learn just tiny bits of the plot surrounding him. You can’t make a main character that important and then barely see them, getting information from afar.
Also, has Sookie never heard of texting? A quick, “I miss you,” could have solved a lot of their disagreements. Maybe just once being at the top of the stairs when he woke up would have been nice. Her refusal to call him for days, waiting to see if he’ll call was incredibly childish and happened far too often.
She absolutely should have used the CD to save Eric. For someone who’s always opposed to death her decision not to makes no sense at all. By leaving Eric to “prove himself” to fight for her (yet again) she is causing lots of deaths that didn’t have to happen.
It’s almost like someone else write the last two books. All that being said, I still can’t wait to see how it all ends and it’s going to kill me to wait almost a year for the (gulp!) final installment. Given some of the clues, like making her will and her discussion of Bill’s fantasy where she reacts negatively to his desire to turn her, I almost think the series might end with her death. If she doesn’t end up with Eric, I kind of hope that’s how it ends. I would much rather that she allow him to turn her though and that CH would start a new series about Sookie Vampire.
Comment by Shelly Boston — July 5, 2012 @ 7:36 pm