The Relationship Between Sookie Stackhouse and Eric Northman

Sookie Stackhouse is the increasingly popular heroine of the Charlaine Harris series Southern Vampire Series. This series has put Charlaine in the limelight of authorship and given her some best sellers. True Blood is the insanely hot HBO show that was a product of this series of books. The fandom behind True Blood has moved more people to pick up her books and read about Sookie and the adventures in Bon Temps, Louisiana.

From outward appearances Bon Temps is just your average town, housing average people who do average things. Sookie Stackhouse is a young woman who resides in this town and is anything but average. She is in her twenties, gorgeous long blonde hair , large chest, and a spit fire personality all rolled into one tanned package. She works as a bar maid at Merlotte's, the local lunch eatery and bar. She enjoys her job there but that doesn't mean it doesn't have it's obstacles for her.

Sookie was blessed, or as she would think cursed, with an ability to read other peoples minds. She can actually tap into the mind of people and listen to what they think, in their own words and voice . She fights this ability each day because she doesn't want to intrude on people's lives, especially those that she loves. She has learned to harness her ability most of the time around people like her brother Jason or dear friend Sam.

In book one, Dead Until Dark, we meet Sookie and explore the relationship between her and Bill. Sookie is a virgin, and what most of us would consider a bit of a prude. When she meets Bill, it is the first time she starts to explore her own sexuality and what it means to her. She's never been able to be interested in men before because their thoughts were always to human for her. While out on dates she could hear how interested they were (or were not ) in her, what they thought about her body, and other crude testosterone driven thoughts. Then saunteres in Bill, who because he is a vampire, she can't hear one word his beautiful mind emits. This becomes a solace for her because she finally gets peace when near him, or touching him. Combine this with his gorgeous smile, she falls for Bill. They create a very heated romance.

Being in love with a vampire really has its issues for a human. In Dead Until Dark we learn about Bill's allegiance to Eric Northman, the sheriff of their area . In further books the relationship between Sookie and Eric is explored and this really becomes the heart of the series. Fans of True Blood who have not read the books, may think this isn't possible, but it does come to fruition.

Eric Northman is a gorgeous , ancient, vampire. In the world of the living dead , the older you are the more powerful, stronger and respected you are. As a vampire ages, it also needs less blood to sustain. Speaking of blood, in this world that Sookie inhabits there is a prosthetic blood. Yes, vampires no longer have to feed off of humans, they can use an engineered blood that is provided at most bars and eateries. It doesn't satiate the vampires at all, really. It is like feeding them beef stock when what they really need is a big steak. However, many vampires, including Bill, choose to mainstream it and use this synthetic blood and not feed on humans. They may fangs, but they have morals, too. Because of Eric's age, he needs very little blood. He makes it quite clear he doesn't like the synthetic blood.

Dead Until Dark is the first time that Sookie and Eric meet. She notices him immediately not because of his gorgeous looks, but because everyone at Eric's club Fangtasia, seems to worship him. She knows that Eric is in charge of the vampire area she lives in and soon finds her self working for him.

By the end of book one we see that Eric has a thing for Sookie. It isn't anything in a major way yet, but he is interested in this toy that Bill has and wants to play with it himself. Bill is protective over Sookie and knows that if Eric really wanted Sookie he could demand her , and so they must do what they can to help Eric happy . Bill and Sookie end up doing a lot of telepathic work for Eric , and this gives Eric an excuse to be around her even more.

Dead Until Dark really provides this blank canvas for Sookie and Eric's relationship. We see at the end of the book he sends her flowers when she is hurt and checks on her outside the hospital window. Is there something that Eric knows, that Sookie doesn't? His intense interest in her leaves the reader with a feeling of mystery.

Book nine of the series, Dead and Gone, is to be released May , 2009. So what has happened with Eric and Sookie in the last eight books? The best question to ask is what hasn't happened! Eric is there for Sookie when she finds out that Bill has left her for her his past lover, the vampire who turned him. Seriously flirting ensues from Eric through the entire series , as he tries to sway Sookie from Bill, and fails. But when Bill disappears and Eric has to tell Sookie that he's left her for another woman, you can see the relationship change in dynamic ways. Bill has gone missing, and even though he deserves to rot wherever he is at, Sookie is determined to find him. Eric is there to help her, each step of the way. So by book two we see that she trusts Eric with her life.

Eric and Sookie exchange blood several times in the series, because Sookie is always finding herself a half inch from death. Every time Eric and Sookie exchange blood (but for once) they are doing it to save Sookie's life . After exchanging blood with a vampire you become connected. Although their blood heals any and all injuries and makes you stronger than you can imagine, it ties you the vampire from who it came. When Eric and Sookie find Bill and Sookie saves the day, Bill re enters Sookie's life. He doesn't fulfill the capacity of a lover or boyfriend anymore. He desperately wants her back, but Sookie is a smart cookie, and keeps him as far away as she can.

Dead to the World is a pivotal book for the relationship between Eric and Sookie. This is the book where Sookie finds Eric running down the road , with his memory erased. He has no idea who he is, who she is or what is going on. He doesn't even know he is the owner of Fangtasia. She brings him back to her home and what she finds out is that Eric is really old fashioned at his heart , and that she could love this man. This book shows the vulnerable side of Eric and definitely not the arrogant side of Eric. Without his memory Eric is unsure, needs Sookie around and not vain. Sookie begins to fall in love with him, which leads to a steamy love making scene in the shower. As with all good things, it does come to an end when Eric regains his memory. He eventually (books later) does find out that they did make love. He becomes quiet towards her and doesn't know how to act around her . Many fans hope that Dead and Gone , book nine, will shed light on if Eric regains memory of what happened at Sookie's while he was incapacitated. Could that be why he acts almost shy around her? Eric has never put anyone first in his life, but himself. Could this be his battle ? Falling in love with Sookie would mean putting her first in his life.

The relationship between Sookie and Eric takes another interesting turn when they attend a vampire convention together. Though Sookie is there to serve the Queen of Louisiana , she is near Eric the entire time. This is where some are speculating that Eric and Sookie may have the equivalent of a marital bond with vampires. Eric was performing a vampire marriage ceremony where you each use a knife to bleed into a cup and exchange blood , at the convention. The Queen's side kick decides that he will force Sookie to take his blood so he can be connected to her at all times , because she has been such a valuable tool for them. Just at the right moment Eric enters and convinces him that she and he have exchanged blood and it would be best for them to do it because then the bond would be stronger. After all, Eric owed the Queen fealty so if it made Sookie happy , why not? He uses the same ceremonial knife to cut himself and then her so they can exchange the blood quickly and efficiently. This really tightens their bond and even in book eight, she is feeling the bond stronger. The bond is so strong that when the hotel is about to explode she can't help but save him, instead of just saving herself. She had her chance to run away and let him die in the sun and rubble, but she doesn't.

Eric and Sookie don't have relations again , because Sookie does have a short romance with a Were Tiger named Quinn. By book eight , From Dead to Worse, Sookie realizes that a relationship with Quinn isn't going to work out. This is also where Eric steps in and shows a softer side when Sookie finds out she has a relative. Sookie's only relative, that she knows about, is her brother. Her family is all dead. But, this new relative isn't an easy one to introduce and almost leaves Eric speechless. Niall is her great grandfather and has known Eric for years. He is full blooded fairy and perhaps one of the most powerful other worldly beings in the area. Even more powerful than a vampire.

Book nine will be interesting , because we are promised that there will be major changes for Bill and Sookie. He has been a bit absent in the latest books, however in this book Charlaine has promised there will be a lot of Bill. Fans are just begging her to explain and make the relationship with Eric and Sookie evolve. She also said that we would learn more about that in book nine. Who will Sookie end up with? Will it be either of them or will we be surprised with someone new ? Speculations have been heated that Sookie and Bill will end up together while other fans want to know if Dead and Gone means that Eric or Bill will die. I just know that I can't wait for May so that I can dog ear each page that Eric Northman makes an appearance on!

Sources:
www.amazon.com