On May 5th, the wait is over for Sookie Stackhouse fans when Dead and Gone, the ninth entry in Charlaine Harris’ incrredible series hits bookstores.
As if that wasn’t enough to get your buzz on, season two of True Blood, the ultra-cool HBO show based on the ultra-cool books debuts on June 14th.
We’ll all have to wait until June to catch the latest TV adventures of Sookie, Bill, Eric, and Sam, but one lucky reader is about to get…well, very lucky because, courtesy of Ace Books, I’ve got an early copy of Dead and Gone ready to ship out Thursday. Details on how to enter for your chance to win are at the end of this post.
In the meantime, ready for a tease (or two)? Charlaine Harris herself was kind enough to take the time to answer a few of my burning (really) questions about Sookie, Dead and Gone, and, of course, True Blood.
I read Dead and Gone and loved it, Charlaine. But I’m finding that it’s quite a challenge to come up with book-related questions because this is one that I know Sookie readers don’t want spoiled (even if they think they do). So, what’s your “elevator speech” about the book and what readers can expect?
I really appreciate your reluctance to give out spoilers. This book is full of shockers, I think, and it’s considerably darker than the other Sookie books. The Weres come out of the closet, and the war in the fae world spills out into the human world.
One of the central themes of the series is Sookie’s man – well, supe, anyway – challenges. Do you see Sookie’s final choice of Her Very Own Supe as an end point to the series or do you think that the story might continue with the adventures of Sookie and her mate?
I hadn’t envisioned the series continuing beyond Sookie’s final choice, but it very well could. I’ve read some excellent books that took place after the heroine or hero bonded with the love of his/her life. I’m certainly thinking about it.
Let’s seque here a bit into True Blood, the HBO series based on your books. As a long time Sookie reader who’d already mentally “cast” all the characters long ago, I had a different reading experience this time out as I found myself picturing the actors from the show as I read the book. The series is so incredibly well cast – honestly, I don’t see how they could have done a better job – that I’m wondering if they also managed to creep into your head as you were writing. (The story in Dead and Gone seemed…well, a bit inspired, if you know what I mean by a certain devastatingly sexy actor.)
Ha! I’ve met them, and I think they’re all devastatingly sexy. No, the plot line of Dead and Gone was established in my head before I saw all the episodes of the show. Sookie’s story makes a logical progression from the last book. As far as I can tell, my only reaction to the show is to give Sheriff Dearborn more to do, because I’ve been such a fan of William Sanderson for so long!
I hope you’ll forgive a moment of gushing here: How cool is that your wonderful series merited such a cool adaptation from a cool network – especially from a showrunner who so obviously just gets it. But, even saying all that, there’s been much discussion online and in my real life about the substantive ways the series has veered away from the book. I’ve also read that you’re okay with it. Given that storytelling for television is very different than that of books, do you feel that the series remains true to your characters and your themes?
I feel totally cool, and I have succeeded in impressing my children and their friends, which is no small accomplishment. The storytelling in the show is different, which Alan had told me to expect. I think the series remains true to the theme of the books, and true to the spirit – that combination of humor, horror, and sex which characterizes the Sookie books.
Personally, if I had a complaint about the series it was what seemed to me to be excessive emphasis on Jason on the show – a complaint I heard more than a few times from others, as well. Do you know if he’ll remain a more prominent character in the series than he is in the books as the show moves into season two?
I have no idea.
The buzz is that season two will basically follow the plot of Living Dead in Dallas, the second book in the series. What can you tell us without giving away too much?
I am less in the loop this year than I was last year. I really don’t know what’s going to happen, which is actually a lot of fun. That having been said, I do hope I get to see the first episodes a little before the rest of the world.
To wrap things up, let’s get back to the book. Sookie’s great grandfather makes an ambiguous – and potentially very important – observation to Sookie at the end of Dead and Gone. Would you care to give AAR readers a super small, maybe equally ambiguous clue as to what he meant?
No. Sorry!
Well, fellow readers, I tried.
This contest is going to be a quick one so I can get the book out to the winner via Priority Mail on Thursday. To enter for your chance to win this super rare early copy of Dead and Gone, just comment to this post by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on Wednesday, April 22nd. A few caveats: This contest is open only to U.S. residents and if you review or write for another review site or blog, please don’t enter. We can’t fully police this, so use the honor system, please.
So, get commenting! And thanks to Charlaine Harris and Ace Books for their time and generosity.
-Sandy AAR
Tags: Charlaine Harris, Dead and Gone, Giveaway, true blood
For the past several years I have looked forward to every May because there was a new Sookie Stackhouse book. I love this series and would be so excited to get an early copy. Thanks for the interview!
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I cannot wait for this book to come out! I started reading the series just last year and devoured it within 2 weeks. I just could not put these books down. Charlaine Harris truly knows how to tell a story!
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Thanks for both the interview and the awesome review. I didn’t think it was possible to be even more excited about this book, but then I read “huge monumental payoff.” It really sounds like this is going to be a really enjoyable read for this Eric lover.
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I don’t have cable so I haven’t seen the series yet, so I can’t imagine the casting will affect me as I read. I would like to see a series based on the Shakespeare books.
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Can’t wait to read this book!
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I haven’t read any Charlaine Harris books yet. But I love True Blood, so I have them all on my TBR list.
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I’ve reserved a copy at my library but I’d love to win a copy to own!
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Are the dead ever really gone?
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I’m buying a copy but would give that one awa and keep the prize one!
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WOW. Thanks for the interview! Sookie is the best. I am patiently waiting for Dead and Gone. I’m having a REALLY TOUGH time;)
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I just love these books–I have never been more addicted to a series in my life! There don’t seem to be a lot of reviews out there so far that have given good feedback about the romantic elements in the book, so I was thrilled to read yours. Love that Viking.
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True Blood got me intrested in the series. I LOVE IT!!!! I cannot wait for Dead and Gone to be released!!! Woohoo!
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Love the series, and can’t wait for this book!!
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I didn’t even get into this series until I saw a preview for the HBO show. I totally judged them by their cover (figured they were supposed to be on the light, humorous side). Bad me. These books are awesome.
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I love the idea that a vampire and a shapeshifter is fighting over her. I just hope that the quality in Season One will remain
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I just started reading the series a couple weeks ago and I love it. Since I live in Monroe, Louisiana, it’s fun to hear about all the local places mentioned in the books. I’m almost finished with Dead As a Doornail and can’t wait for the next one.
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I am so excited about Dead and Gone–it seems I’ve been waiting for years for this book to get here (well, it has been several months for me anyway). Thanks for the book contest–someone’s going to be a very happy reader!
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Very excited about the new Sookie book!
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Can’t wait for Dead and Gone!
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I love the Sookie series! I just discovered them recenctly and caught up through book 8 a few weeks ago. I am not quite sure what I am going to do with myself after I finish the latest and have to wait a while for book 10.
I also LOVE the series…and the only reason we have HBO is for True Blood (and Big Love
Pick me, pick me!
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My wife loves the Sookie books. I am leaving a comment in hopes of being able to give her an early copy of Dead and Gone.
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Love the TV series and I’m working on the books and would love the latest one!
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My daughter and I both love these books. Would love to read the latest one early.
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Shoot! I mis-typed my email address when I posted my first reply! Dang it!!
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I would also love to see Charlaine settle Sookie with a permanent love interest (preferably Eric
). I think it would make the series even more exciting–watching those two work out a relationship. LOL. So much potential for drama *and* comedy!
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Well, I guess I’m the only one on team Sam????
I do however have a soft spot for Eric…
Can she just keep a harem? It would be so much easier.
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I love them all? I would hate for sookie to choose….I just love the books.
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I’ve read a couple of Sookie Stackhouse books and enjoyed them thoroughly. I love the covers.
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I’m guessing that it’s going to be Eric. He’s the only one that’s taken time to give Sookie what she wants and not what he wants to give her…
And I’m thrilled about book 9!
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I can’t wait for this book! I love the series and am really looking forward to reading more about Sookie and the gang.
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I highly recommend this series…Charlaine has done such a marvelous job keeping the story fresh with the addition of new supes, and yet she has still managed to keep things feeling very *real*. I’m a little worried about how dark this book might be, but I’m sure I’ll love it. With Eric in it, how could I not?
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Charlaine is so full of awesome. I’ve read this series from the first and would LOVE to get my mitts on an early copy of Dead and Gone. But to tell the truth, I didn’t read the interview in case it has even the teeny tiny little hint of a spoiler. I did however bookmark this page so I can come back and read AFTER I’ve read DandG.
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I love the Sookie series and have been not so patiently waiting for Dead and Gone to come out. I am hoping to read at lot about Eric and Sookie in this one!
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I love these books and i’d really like a chance to win this one!! I don’t get HBO (dang it!!) so I can’t watch the series.
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I love the books. But I confess I only made it through about ten minutes of True Blood. I hope Charlaine just keeps writing wonderful Sookie books and gives no thought to what HBO does with her novels.
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I love the Sookie book series and enjoy reading them over and over again. i can’t wait to see what happens next with sookie and between Eric and Sookie. I hope my book comes quick i had to order from amazon because no one around me sells it, it’s going to be really hard waiting for it to come in. I can’t wait to read as many Sookie books that come out and read all of the new adventures that sookie gets herself into. Also i am looking forward to A Touch of Dead so i can add it to my collection and read the stories i couldn’t find anywhere. Thanks again for the wonderful books will read as long as you write.
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I’m looking forward to this book as well. I’m not really on any “team” per se, but it seems to me that Andy and Halleigh Bellefleur owe Sookie a couple of favors (even though she expects no repayment). In a series of books with an underlying motif of reciprocal favors, I wonder how they will repay her.
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I am resigned to the fact that I will have to get through some Eric/Sookie stuff in this book, but I am not looking forward to it. While I love Eric as a character, and think AS is perfect on True Blood, I don’t think he’s the guy for Sookie. He’s just too….something. I can’t put my finger on it, but he isn’t The One. I hope it’s Bill, but I’ve had a feeling since book 1 that it will be Sam in the end.
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Great questions. I really enjoyed the question & answer about Sookie’s love life. I feel like it’s time for a resolution with Sookie’s love life, and I’m excited that Charlaine is thinking about that too. I would love to read about Sookie and her love (which of course is Eric *wink*) and their many adventures.
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Thanks for the tease! I simply cannot wait for Dead & Gone to come out and for True Blood Series 2. You asked some great questions. I love both Bill & Eric so I hope that her love turns out to be one of them!
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Just from the “hints” alone, I’ve shrieked so many times in giddy excitement!
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thanks for all the info! I can not wait another week! this book will rock!
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Thanks for the quickie interview! Can’t wait for both the book and the new season of the series. I even roped my husband into watching the “rednecks and vampires” show, as he calls it.
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If you guys are excited as we are at Borders for “dead and gone” to be released, check out a special page we have set up at http://www.borders.com/trueblood just for fans. We’ve got cool content from HBO re: the True Blood series and special pieces from Charlaine herself…an original essay and Q&A. Hope you enjoy!!
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[...] in impressing my children and their friends, which is no small accomplishment,” Harris said (http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=1421) “The storytelling in the show is different, which Alan had told me to expect. I think the series [...]
Like to watch Stargate Atlantis episodes and also Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
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[...] [...]
Critically acclaimed and a popular success, Lost garnered an average of 16 million viewers per episode on ABC during its first year. It has won numerous industry awards including the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2005, Best American Import at the British Academy Television Awards in 2005, the Golden Globe for Best Drama in 2006 and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series.
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