Deadlocked Chapter 2 in Full
April 11, 2012 in Uncategorized
Gollancz continues to have new Deadlocked nuggets leading up to the May 1st release date, and this time we are graced with the full version of Chapter 2, which you can read here.
(In case you missed Chapter 1, Gollancz has it here).
Now here for your enjoyment here is a snippet probably most pertinent to our Eric-loving interests, and also Sookie is back with some signature snark:
“I hope so.” India looked depressed. ”I’m not a fan of the wedding industry, but I sure would like a steady someone. Dating makes me all confused.”
“I never was any good at dating.”
“That why you go with the vamp? To scare off everyone else?”
“I love him,” I said steadily. “That’s why I go with him.” I didn’t point out that human guys were simply impossible for me. You can imagine reading your date’s mind every minute. No, it really wouldn’t be any fun, would it?
“No need to get all defensive;’ India said.
I thought I’d been matter-of-fact. “He’s fun,” I said mildly, “and he treats me nice.”
“They’re … I don’t know how to ask this, but they’re cold, right?” India wasn’t the first person who’d tried to find a delicate way to ask me that. There wasn’t any delicate way.
“Not room temperature,” I said. I left it at that, because any more was none of anyone else’s business.
“Damn,” she said, after a moment. After a longer moment, she said, “Ew.”
I shrugged. She opened her mouth, looked as though she wanted to ask me something else, and then she closed it.
Well? Thoughts, reactions, excited rambles as we are only about 3 weeks away from the 12th installment’s release?
Argh! Going to read NOW!
I wonder how many chapters they can release in the next 21 days?
did not add much in my opinion. I felt nothing different between the dynamics of Sam and Sookie, they are still just friends, he seems to have spent more time outside the bar and more time with Jannalyn, he seems happy with her. I do not understand all the jealousy of Jannalyn frankly. Sookie says she loves Eric AGAIN. Jason is who is getting married, everything is okay in my world.
Sookie must get so bored with telling everyone she loves Eric!
Sam zzzzzzzzzzzz
“Jannalynn thought, She’ll get Sam if she can.
Oh, please! I thought, She’d be real happy if I died”.
Oh please exactly – all those “anyone but Eric” fans who are shipping the shifter – sorry girls but no chance!
I love him. That is why I go with him.
Sam still firmly in friend territory.
I enjoyed all of the interaction at Merlotte’s, and I’m looking forward to seeing Sookie come into her own as part owner. She’s even able to acknowledge that the town doesn’t see her as Crazy Sookie anymore.
*sniff* Our girl is growing up.
I love the “puppy mill” thing at the end.
No puppies for Sookie? Sorry Sam.
A *very* telling comment I think. It’s a great euphemism for Sam, I think.
No puppies. No Sam. People need to chillax on that front.
I don’t know…..it’s a feeling I’m getting more and more especially after my last re-read of all 11. I know you all don’t see it, but it’s adding up for me. I won’t say it though, cause I’m hoping it’s all a big fake out.
Say it anyway. I think the majority is fine with spec, right? I know I am.
I do get what you mean, but I’m pretty damn sure it IS all a big fake out.
I’ve been thinking for a while that we’re gonna see things set up as to make an Eric ending seem impossible or at least unlikely. The situation will look hopeless before the final resolution. It’s always like that in this kind of tales.
Plus I still firmly believe that Sam’s character is being set up for some huge twist.
From a mistery book point of view he’s the perfect candidate: he’s clearly, yet vaguely, suspicious but only if you REALLY pay attention. Casual readers and even most of the dedicated fans see him as a paragon of trustworthy (if not a bit boring) niceness.
I agree with that. I think there will be a very emotional break up at the end of this book. But I still think Eric is the HEA.
I am glad to see CH touching on some subjects that the readers have been wondering about. In the past, for those of you better able to remember, do the first two chapters have a big bearing on Sookie’s state of mind in the end?
Actually I don’t think they’ll break up. It’s more likely that the book ends with a general “cliffhanger” feel. Things are unclear and we don’t know which way they’ll go… basically a more extreme version (due to the impending finale)of the typical book ending.
CH has confirmed that Sookie will be paired up and happy by the end of the series. If anything, it will mirror the ending to the Lily Bard Series. You’ll want to know what happens later in their lives, but it will be wrapped up in a nice and satisfying way.
@Sherry
Oh I agree, but I was talking about the end of book 12, not the actual ending of the series.
@Sherry
Oh I agree about that, but I was referring to the end of book 12, not the actual ending of the series.
I think that Sam might get injured in the last book. CH did an interview last year where someone asked about Sam/Sookie and she mentioned something about characters being injured or something to that effect. I don’t remember what interview it was though.
CH mentioned that Sookie would not have some “white picket fence” ending and I think a Sam/Sookie ending would be just that. After reading DR it did seem like Sam might have been hiding something. Why didn’t he tell Sookie about the shifter library earlier that could have come in handy? Also, Sam’s always dating women who want to harm Sookie. Sam doen’s have the best taste in women with the exception of Sookie.
I agree I can see it happening no matter how much I don’t want it. If it did it would both surprise me and not surprise me. Especially after re-read of 8-10, I can see it there, but as you’ve said, I also hope it is a fake-out.
CH is either setting it up so that we can see it happening or setting it up to freak our shit out and surprise us with something totally different.
So it looks like Jannalynn is going to be a big problem for Sookie. If Sam broke up with Jannalynn she would lose her everloving mind. I bet that’s what will happen. LOL
All in all I thought it was a great chapter. Lots of stuff going on, lots of set up. I wonder if we’re going to see Sookie sad about not having a baby again? I imagine she will when Tara’s twins are born.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me .. I am just not melting away with all these ‘I love Eric’ statements the way I thought I would…just biting my nails and waiting to see what CH is going to hit us with by the end of this book…
This is pretty much what I was expecting.
Aside from anything else, the exchange between J.B. du Rone and Sookie was hysterical:
“I like stripping,” he said suddenly, as I was turning away. “Yeah, I know,” I said.
So, CH is
-twisting the Sam knife (always her friend as significant others come and go, they own Merlottes together, Sookie loves this)
-twisting the Sam and Jannalynn knife (does he love Jannalyn, or when it comes down to it, is his loyalty primarily to Sookie)
-twisting the Jannalynn knife (will she make an attempt on Sookie? Will her jealousy drive Sam to can her ass?)
-twisting the Eric knife (Sook says she’s with him because she loves him but qualifies it privately…she can’t be with humans)
-twisting the baby knife (Sook sees pregnancies all round her but then sees a woman who didn’t want kids but had them anyway)
So lots of knives a twisting and no doubt more to come in the rest of the book.
I think she’s gonna keep the E/S tension high all the way to the end of the series.
Whoops, this was not supposed to be a reply, just a comment by itself.
But to reply to you, Maja – I agree about the Eric/love statements. I think they’re all deliberately put in the context of something else such as turning down Quinn, not being able to be with human men, etc. It’s to keep the tension going. I think it’s going on a bit long, personally, but then it’s a 13 book series and I think the E/S question will be strung out till the very end.
I get the feeling CH needs to occasionally hit a few people on the head when she writes. Why? Because even after DITF she is getting asked if Alcide is still a possibility. Really…is the passive-aggressive guy who guilts her into listening in at funeral and taking drugs still a possibility for Sookie’s happy ending? *bangs head*
Same with Sam. How many times does Sookie need to repeat “Sam your my friend” before people stop think Sam in an HEA for her?
Well, folks out there still believe in Bill. Go figure.
I think until DEA is published, people will hope for their favorite suitor.
India was rude. I can’t believe she said Ew about being with Eric because he’s “not room temperature”? Then again she’s not interested in men. A heterosexual or bi woman would have said Mmm …
I’m getting the feeling that the theme of this book will be relationships. I wonder what gave me that idea. But I would hate it if Sookie left Eric because she wanted to have kids. That’s such a crap message. “Give up the man that you love because making babies is a woman’s primary objective in life. AKA childless women are never happy.” Boo, I say. Boo!!!
I would also hate it if the big reveal was “Oh, Sookie wasn’t really in love with Eric. She was just in denial.” That’s another crap message. It would mean that Sookie, being a silly little woman didn’t know her own mind and heart. You know, since women are too foolish to understand their own emotions and workout their own lives. Again, Boo!!!
Either of these two developments would be completely anti-feminist and that’s why I don’t believe either of them will happen.
Maybe India will become interested in Pammy. Poor Pam was really put through the ringer in the last book.
The thing that stood out to me was the re-affirmation that a vamp is visiting “The Hair of the Dog” often enough to warrant them stocking extra cases of TrueBlood. The fact that they also mention it’s Jannalynn’s bar has me thinking that a vamp is trying to bring Jannalynn into a plot against Sookie. Not that Jannalynn might have all the details, but she’s so paranoid about Sookie, to the point of thinking Sookie’d like to see her dead, that it would stand to reason Jannalynn would join in on something like that justifying it as self defense, and keeping what’s hers (Sam).
I like that Sookie thinks “oh please!” when JL thinks Sookie wants Sam. It makes me feel it’s less likely there will be any romantic pairing with Sam, but I agree that Sam is a shady character. There are so many hints that he’s not the sweetheart Sookie thinks he is. I would so love to see that outed!
Maybe its just me, but I find that denial too suspicious too. Its like the “Is my boss” thing she used to say in the first books when she had any kind of lust feeling for the collie. Soon Sam will be his partner, not his boss…and what will happen then?
I still think that the most logical reason should be Eric as HEA but I cannot erase Sam as a possibilty, he’s a very strange character, I always have the feeling that anything could happen at the end with him (for good or bad, he can be the worst of Sookie’s enemies or her big and more trusty love). It should be a reason of why Sam’s character is perceived in that uncertain way.
I don’t understand why Sookie keeps having to explain her feelings for the Viking! It is enough for me to hear her say she loves him!
Well, there are still those out there who don’t get it, and even those who STILL think it’s all about sex. I never get sick of hearing her say she loves him
Me either, maybe it will FINALLY sink into people’s heads that the Viking is the one for her!;)
LOL at Sook asking Jason if she looked “like a Holland”! Too funny! I just caught up with both ch. 1 and 2…….nothing is worrying me yet here about her and Eric. She sounds like a busy working woman in a solid relationship with a busy working boyfriend. Yeah, there’s trouble ahead – but his reaction to her watching Claude and the gang strip speaks volumes – as does her apparent confidence in speaking of her relationship to others. I love that even though there’s a ton of unsaid stuff Sookie knows they need to deal with, she’s taking it all in stride and not freaking out over it. I also appreciate her brevity in dealing with the idle curiosities of others.
All that baby and pregnancy talk is making me think there’s going to be some attempted faery breeding, especially with Niall’s questions.
Ew.
I think Jannalyn goes after Sookie and Sam gets in the way. Sam dies and Sookie becomes full owner of Merlottes. Alcide, Quinn, Bill and Sam will have all been written off into the sunset and the gorgeous Viking will be the last (best) man standing.
I think you may be right in that I’m getting a bad feeling about Sam’s future for some reason. Will he end up as a casualty? Does anyone else feel this way?
Ooh, these chapters are soooo tantalising….
I know Sookie assessed Jannalyn as not being psychotic (per Sandra Pelt), but I got the distinct feeling she is. Her reaction to Sookie and Sam in the office was over the top. Though I wonder what part Sam may be playing in Jannalyns paranoia – I mean it must be galling to see your boyfriend have unrequited feelings for his pretty longterm friend, now business partner. I don’t trust the shifty shifter at all. Add to that, Mustapha is warning Sookie about her. Girl, you in danger!
I think Jannalynn has the potential to become so – psychotic that is. Not as out of control as Sandra/Debbie were, but formulating a cold, determined plan to rid herself of Sookie – yes, I could see this.
The office scene with Sam and Sookie reminded me strongly of the other office scene, with Bill instead of Jannalynn – the one which ended with Bill nearly breaking both of Sookie’s arms.
About Mustapha warning Sookie, we know what happens when Sookie gets warned. She shoulda f-ing listened because those warnings are always spot-on. Here’s hoping she was paying attention!
I thought it was telling that Sookie thought that maybe female weres had a hard time controlling their tempers. Foreshadow much? LOL
I don’t know why but I think Jannalyn is cursed or something. Her behavior is from out left field. Those thoughts she had seemed weird somehow; as if repeating something someone else said to her. IDK
Hmmm I wonder who the vampire at Hair of the Dog is? I just know he/she is going to cause trouble for Sookie…..
I had a really squicky thought while I was reading the first part. Dermot and/or Claude could have having sex with Sookie and she doesn’t remember a la Fairy Dust. Ewwww!
oh ew! faerie rape :O
the Viking would peal them to the bone with a veggie pealer…and make himself a new throne with the bones.
This is just too good to be true. I am so nervous. I think CH is going to surprise us with a big twist to the eric/sookie relationship, probably a big argument that might cause some “separate time” between them. I hope it doesn’t happen, but it’s just too perfect for us. (eric fans).
Anyone else think the vamp hanging out at “Hair of the Dog” is Oklahoma? Maybe she got tired of waiting and decided to see what was keeping Eric from sealing their deal. Sookie could have TWO jealous, psychotic women after her.
i agree with you hope,i thing that the vamp at hair of the dog is freyda and i feel that she is behind jannalys behaviour
The vamp at HOTD could be someone we thought was dead…
I am betting it’s Hot Rain.
Couple thoughts:
1. I noticed that Sookie said that Sam was her friend and while sig. others come and go, their friendship is always there (something to that effect). So is that foreshadowing a HEA with Sookie and Sam? or is that a red herring.
2. As far as the vamp at HOTD, for what is worth, sounded like Mustafa had seen the vamp, so it has to be someone that Mustafa doesn’t know–so does Mustafa know what the QOK looks like?
CH announced that book 13′s title will be “Dead Ever After”. Release May 2013. The play on “Happily Ever After” gives me hope for Eric/Sookie remaining together.
Very true A-pos much better than Dead End which as a book title :
1. sounds depressing
2. would be the perfect title for Sookie settling for Sam and working at merlottes for the rest of her life–13 books and then a dead end.
I must say alot of you people are focusing WAY too much on the “Sam and Jannalyn” Yes the warning at the end of chapter should be recognized. BUT UM HELLO THE FAIRIES! And Bellenos, the elf( Am the only one really loving him) Personally if Sookie ends up Eric,I would feel extremely let down. Yes I like his character but I feel like there is no spark in them anymore. Don’t get me wrong I would be shocked and disappointed if Sam or Bill was HEA. I hope Charlaine Harris explores the character Bellenos more. I find myself wishing he JUST might be Sookies HEA.
Since elves eat human flesh, I would say that might not work out so well for Sookie.
Not to mention Bellanos’ pointy teeth a la Neave and Lochlan, and as we found out in the released chapters, Sookie can see their true appearance, which ain’t pretty.At.All.