Merry Christmas! Charlaine releases Dead Ever After Endpaper
December 22, 2012 in Dead Ever After - Book 13, Eric Northman, Sookie & Eric, Sookie Stackhouse, Symbolism & Motif
As most die-hard bookies know, this is the time of year that The Maker usually drops the first chapter of the new book in our Christmas stocking.
After recent confirmation that we wouldn’t be getting a sneaky peek at the final book, Dead Ever After, we’d resigned ourselves to a lump of coal in our stocking this year.
AND THEN, SANTA CAME EARLY!
This is the end paper for Dead Ever After (for those who need a quick 101, an endpaper is an illustration or design on the “blank” pages before or after the text).
Every suitor in animal form, except Eric.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, VIKING HORDES!
Image: charlaineharris.com
UPDATE: Sookie reader Z.C at Amazon drew our attention to another illustration by the artist, Lisa Desimini in the children’s book section of her website. This cover is for her children’s book, “Sun and Moon – A Giant Love Story.” The synopsis for the book describes “the common fear of being alone in the world, and the universal longing to find one’s other half.”
From the Sun and Moon title, to the layout of the artwork, to the theme of the story you must admit there are some remarkable similarities.
It’s bright and beautiful!
I flove so much that it’s the moon and the stars…*squeeee*
ERIC ERIC ERIC!
Thanks SVB! xox
LOVE IT!
Ding dong, the dick is gone, bwaaahaaahaahaahhaha
I really don’t know what you mean KC *shifty eyes*
btw…..SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!
heeheeheeheehee! I predict heads will explode soon. Perfect day for it! Happy Solstice!!
The world was suppose to end today. Bwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!
That added an extra bit of xmas joy KCScout!
Love it!!
[...] to Sookieverse for the heads up that the art was posted on the [...]
Oh my gosh, this looks awesome! It’s beautiful and colorful, and I’m so glad to finally see Eric again
And like you said, he’s the only one not in animal form 
Have a merry Christmas all of you <3 :3
This totally rocks and makes my day!! Happy Christmas indeed!
Love it! And no Bill!
So glad to see Eric!!! I love it!
Yay! It looks great! AND NO BILL to taint it!! Yes!
Lovely ..and really glad certain someone is not in the race
I know you say Eric is the only one not in animal form but was Eric ever pictured as a bat on these covers?? Anyway, it’s a nice treat before xams
happy christmas! i am so looking forward to the final book!!! woo hoo!!!
No Bill. That alone makes me cheer.
And my big Viking. *Sigh* They are it Ladies.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! ERIC AND THE FUCKING MOON! YES!
Such a positive feel overall to the picture, I love it!
And are the bats flying away? QOK and her peeps? Maybe she takes Bill with her?
Fabulous!!! What a nice Chrstmas treat. I wonder if the purple dress means anything.
Hi there, I’ll put my grain of sand. It’s common knowledge that purple is the royalty’s color… Perhaps Freyda is out of the map, Eric is King and Sookie his Queen. I don’t know… maybe I’m dilusional, it’s almost 4 am here LOL. CHeers!
I’ve got a massive smile on my face after seeing this. What a fab little pressie from CH. Roll on May!
YEAH!!!!
NO bILL rat bastard….YES!
Eric is the one for Sookie’s Happily ever after. Come on May.
I wonder if there’s any significance that Eric and Sookie are on opposite sides of the moon.. I’d love for them to end up together, but the synopsis of the last book doesn’t seem to point to it, I’m ever hopeful though, Eric has wanted Sookie since the very beginning, they belong together!
With the endpaper artwork laid out flat like this, they are on opposite sides, but when you envisage where it goes in the book, and close the book, she is running towards Eric and almost in his arms.
Love that idea Millarca
So… on the cover we have sunset and endpaper has the moon and stars …
I love the cover. It seems we can see who’ll be important to Sookie in the last book, maybe even inffluence her decision making. I was hoping we’ll never see Quinn again but I knew it was wishful thinking.
I’m so glad to note the absence of Bill. I do think it could be Pam, Karin and Bill flying off one way and FdC and Freyda flying off the other. BTW, purple is the color of royalty although we mostly associate it with scarlet velvet thanks to portraits.
Hmmm Not to put a damper on things, but did anyone else notice the wheel here? Sookie starts out with Sam as friend, goes to Quinn as lover, next to Eric…. Is she going to be with Alcide this time? Of course absence of Bill throws that off. I just wonder if there is some significance to that order of things.
I love Eric and Sookie, but if she doesn’t go with Eric I’m okay with Alcide. I always liked him when she first met him. And physically he’s the type I like. Anyway, it’s just a ponderance. I’m not sold on that idea yet, just wondering about that order.
And yes, love the moon and stars. If you look at the cover with the sun coming up and she’s running into it then to the end paper with her running around the moon with the stars in the background, you could interpret it as she traded the sun for the moon and stars. Does Eric ever say that in the books or just on True Blood? I don’t remember him ever saying that in the books.
I don’t see any great significance to the “order” of the characters. Especially since it was probably a decision of design, symmetry, and balance in artwork, rather than a literal interpretation of events. CH referred to it as being surrealistic.
Also, I’d have to say that Sookie ruled out Alcide books ago, so I’m not seeing that as a possibility at all.
Agree krtmd.
Can you imagine Sookie & Eric next to each other? While i admit it would be great it would also unbalanced the photo. The only two figures in human form are at the opposite directions just to help focusing and it totally makes sense from an artist’s POV to do that.
Also, I’m not surprised Quinn appears. If there is any sort of ceremony or judgement for Eric, Quinn will be there.
No Bill, big time! I always thought at the end Charlaine would either kill off Bill or Eric in a very deliberate, self-sacrificing way. Way to go Sookie. Hope you appreciate what you’re getting. The only thing I regret is that she didn’t Title this book,DEAD LAST
Dead Last. Love it!!
You guys need to explain something to me here. I’m reading *everywhere* – including CH’s which really has me scratching my head – people saying that “Bill isn’t on the endpaper.” All the discussion seems to be about Bill being excluded and why that would be. I feel like we are having entirely the wrong discussion here.
If we are going to claim that Bill isn’t on the endpaper, then we must also say that Eric isn’t on the DEA front cover – because CH has confirmed that the bats on the front cover of DEA represent the vampires. Therefore, the bats on the end papers of DEA represent a vampire. And since Eric is depicted in “human” form, and all the other suitors are depicted in their animal form (and the image ONLY depicts suitors, not other vampires or characters), the bats on the end paper *must* represent Bill.
Why are we obsessing about Bill as a suitor in any context? I don’t get it. I get why people interpret this image to mean that Bill has died, or that he’s somehow fucked up enough to remove himself from her life. I can kind of see that angle, but to me this image, coming as it does at the very very end is a summation of Sookie’s relationships. No matter what Bill does or what happens to him in DEA, he should be included in that context – and he is. He’s a BAT, just like Sam is a dog, Alcide is a wolf and Quinn is a tiger.
To me, the discussion around this isn’t “what’s the significance of Bill not being on the endapers?”, because he IS. What’s interesting to me is “Why is Eric the only suitor depicted in the same form as Sookie?”
CH, on her FB page was asked; ‘Why no Eric or Bill on the cover of DEA’?
CH replied:(1)I don’t draw the covers. (2) There are bats. (3) The covers are not literal.
November 29 at 8:13am
So yes I agree, SVB, that Bill is represented on the End Paper art for DEA. He is represented in “Bat” form, like Sam, Quinn and Alcide are represented in their animal form and not their “Human” counterparts.
That seems to have been reserved for Eric only. And I LIKE IT, alot. *grin*
Exactly.
I completely agree with you as to the stark contrast and significance of Eric being the only one depicted in his actual form. Personally I just find it funny that Bill is the least prominent & most vaguely represented (as a group of bats) since he is my least favorite of Sookie’s past suitors. But that’s certainly not what I find most interesting about this image.
For me, Eric is the only suitor that stands out in the text so I’m thrilled that this image represents that as well. It should be titled Sookie, Eric and her furry friends.
I concur ladies, SVB’s question, Leif and Hearts Desire’s answer are well stated
and echo mine own thoughts.
I respect Mrs Harris’s answers to the media and fans, but sometimes her
responses leave us scratching our heads or speculating on what she means.
There has always been a pattern for this, which I’m not upset by, but the
choice of words and artistic depictions often distract because of differing
perspectives to something abstract . Then there’s the book, when it arrives,
will undoubtedly beg more questions because of the content. We may get
many conclusions this time, but I doubt all story lines will be tidied up.
I hope her Compendium follows soon after. I’m very anxious and excited to
read both and relishing every detail.
To each and all, have a merry little Christmas and Hanukkah or Family Day
Bill long ago lost any importance for me in the suitor race. IMO he’s just not even sitting at the table anymore so whether he is or isn’t on the cover doesn’t matter to me. That said, I do agree that he IS on the endpaper in animal form, just like the other formerly potential suitors who, for whatever reasons, Sookie has passed over. Which leaves only Eric, in human form, strategically placed on the opposite side of the moon from Sookie. They are ying and yang, light and dark completing each other. I am perfectly fine with that. :_)
“To me, the discussion around this isn’t “what’s the significance of Bill not being on the endapers?”, because he IS. What’s interesting to me is “Why is Eric the only suitor depicted in the same form as Sookie?”
You’re right, that’s exactly the symbolism we should be looking at SVB. I love this idea of Eric being seen as Eric – but that the others have been shown their Supe form. For me, the ‘no bill’ glee is more the fact that he’s not shown on the moon with the other characters – and assuming from that, these characters are Sookie’s main interaction / plot points for DEA.
I did contemplate a few theories from his absence on the moon, particularly which group of bats is he with? Pam (and maybe Karin) or FDC & QoO. But I think you’re right, he is part of her life, though firmly categorised as just one of her Supe friends. Unlike Eric.
I was quick to say there is no Bill, and you’re right SVB, Bill is represented as a bat. Upon my initial examination, I saw no Bill in vampire form but quickly realized, he’s still on the cover. Which I found to be good, as all other suitors (which is a stretch for Alcide) are present around the moon.
But he is in the picture, and I haven’t lost sight of the fact that Eric is the only one not in an animal form.
Thanks for the update SVB, nothing like a teaser to end the year with ( unless you follow the Mayan
Calendar and already purchased a ticket for some mountain campsite ). Nice to see our blond suitor
included in the end page , where he belongs, to be included. The month of May seems like a long time
away, but it’ll seem like no time once the book arrives. I hope it’s a few pages longer this time.
For all , have yourselves a merry little holiday season.
CH did not say Bill was one of the bats though, she merely confirmed there *are* bats on the cover. She’s twist that way. Regardless, I am taking the endpapers as a very good sign that Eric is the HEA (which most of us were already pretty confident about) *and* that Bill is finally Dead and Gone in DEA. Bill doesn’t have to die for me to enjoy DEA but it would be the cherry on top of a very tasty treat
Oh it would. Order me a double helping of dessert
Thanks for the update SVB. I love the comparison to the other LD book. I don’t think she used a similar motif by accident.
I just thought about something… Of course the twoeys are in their animal forms. The moon is full.
Is Eric’s hand over his heart? Looks that way. I love the whole design of the book!
I didn’t realize that but looking closely that’s what it looks like! aww!
Thanks for the update. Lisa Desimini’s ” Sun and Moon ” depict a blond male and female , contextually linked
and moving towards each other. I cannot help but think of Sookie and Eric. I really like visualizing a Vampire
that sees the light of day, even if it’s not relevant. This makes me hopeful with a wide smile.
IDK, seems like everyone is just chasing after her, or she’s trying to get away from it all. Yeah, I know CH said she will end up with someone, but what if that someone is just herself. She finally realizes that she can live well by herself. She doesn’t need anymore drama in her life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a eric/sookie HEA. But this is how I perceive it.
Or she’s chasing after them!
I have a feeling Sookie will have an HEA but not a “white picket” one. I think it will end with us knowing she loves someone and they love her in return. Period. No marriage. No moving in together. We’ll just know she’s happy where she is when it ends.
SVB, thanks for the gift. You always seem to know just what I want
And, I’m with Kathy; if I had to guess, Sookie will end up at peace with her choice….the blonde one, lol. Happy holidays to all!
Oh, I love the comparison picture…Happy XMas to all!
I really love the comparison picture. Eric is indeed Sookie’s other half.
I like the idea of Eric as her other half and that’s why he’s opposing her. In astrology, opposing planets are in conflict, not harmony so I wouldn’t normally think of it as a good thing. Even the word opposing has negative implications. I much prefer thinking of them as ying and yang living in harmony with her real supe supporters, Sam, Alcide and Quinn.
I do think Eric is a bit of a yang for her. Sookie has a hard time accepting her Supernatural side but Eric is the epitomy of acceptance of what he is. He’s at peace with it but at the same time he can respect Sookie’s desire to remain human and he also respects the parts of her that are human (even while it at times causes him gentle amusement). Sookie is also not always comfortable with her natural self (her sexual attraction to males other than Bill, her ability to kill to protect herself, etc.). She thinks these things are bad. Eric on the other hand is completely at ease with his natural self and this appears to extend back to his human life. He’s much better at simply accepting what is and loving himself the way he is. I’ve always thought he could be very good for Sookie if she could just see things how they really are without retreating behind excuses and fear. I’m talking about being afraid of celebrating being alive when her enemies are defeating instead of running away or feeling bad that she’s glad she’s killed the enemy. Eric’s outlook is very practical and it could be very freeing for Sookie to pick up some of that.
Who knows, maybe she’ll finally find that and experience peace in her relationship with Eric.
Not sure if any theories have been posited on this post re the faces on Eric’s cape? But I wondered if they represent the Demon supes? Mr C and Dianthia or maybe even the hellhounds chasing them?
I see it now that you mention it. I hadn’t seen that before. Like two ghostly faces and a dog in between.
I saw that before. So I searched through the old covers to see if I could find anything similar in Eric’s capes…and there isn’t. Personally, I think it’s a fluke. I don’t see a “dog” between two “faces” though. Just two “faces”…which I don’t believe to be faces at all.
There also appears to be a face on the tiger…on his torso just past his front legs.
The only problem I have is that May is so far away. I just finished re-reading the entire series again, and now I am just antsy.
I just realized its already January…May cannot come soon enough.
I cannot wait for this book.! <3 EEEK!
[...] July 2, 2006. Playing Possum takes place on Labor Day, which fell on September 4 of that year. If the endpapers actually do reveal that a full moon occurs during DEA, there were two in that time period, July [...]