Archive for vampire books
Have Vampire Books and Movies Replaced Religion?
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Do you find watching Bella and Edward to be a religious experience? That may depend on what the individual considers a religious experience. The Danish recently did some research that might prove that watching Twilight or reading vampire books can be just that for some people. I found it interesting what the researchers consider a religious experience. It sounds to me like they are talking about the story answering questions about how we as human beings deal with the big questions of life, such as what happens after we die. I don’t know if vampire books really tell us that, though.
Here is what they experienced when they spoke to teenage girls in Denmark, a country where religion is not a big part of most people’s lives. They found that for many of the teenagers, the vampire books and movies that dealt with paranormal concepts, particularly here the movie Twilight, gave them the same sort of experience you might get from an organized religion.
The girls felt that they were part of something that was bigger than just them – meaning the whole fandom experience. For many this was a big part of what they enjoyed from Twilight, as they would talk or think about the vampire books and the movie every day. Many said that they had met other fans on websites and formed friendships with them based on their shared love of the movies and the characters in them. They also said that the film gave them some direction when considering questions about life after death or other big questions that many teens have in their lives.
So is being a fan of a supernatural character or some specific vampire books the same as being religious? While I can see how the feeling of rapture that comes from an intense experience could be compared, I could say the same thing about going to a rock concert.
I can remember reading song lyrics and thinking about them, how they gave me direction in my life when I was a teen. Does that mean I considered the bands I loved to be my religion? Perhaps as a joke, but not seriously and I don’t think that is what these teens mean either.
But the mediatization of what were once religious symbols into supernatural concepts should not be a big surprise to anyone. If we live in a world where for many religion has become a smaller part of their lives and the US is becoming more secular every day, then where does this leave the role of these charismatic characters and the vampire books they inhabit?
This whole question makes me want to roll out the copies of Twilight I do have and look at them again with new eyes. Does True Blood have this affect? Is Sookie the new messenger from above? I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone’s religion here, just a bit curious where this kind of thinking would take us.
Are the creatures in our vampire books the new religious symbol for a generation that was raised to shop on Sundays and consider wearing a cross as a fashion statement? Do you have an opinion on this or is it all just water under the bridge, so let’s get back to the latest installment of True Blood or re-watch Twilight to see Edward once again. Are your vampire books your new religion?
True Blood Season 4 Ep 6: I Wish I Was the Moon
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As predicted, Bill interrupted the long awaited love scene with Eric and Sookie. It did not work out quite the way I expected because Eric ends up getting down on one knee to pay homage to his vampire king. I think Bill was as surprised as I was. The surprise did not last long when Bill has Eric thrown in jail despite Sookie’s strong protests.
Baby Mikey wasted no time heating things up by burning down the house while he sat outside in the yard playing with his ugly (possessed) baby doll. Sam is devastated by the loss of his rental home and asks Tommy to take things over for the day. But Tommy takes it a little too far and he ends up shifting into a Sam look alike.
Lafayette and Jesus are uncomfortable down in Mexico with Jesus’s grandfather. They need help with their vampire problems but the man seems crazy and angry that Jesus has come asking for help. He finally relents and tells Jesus to bring him a sacrifice. What kind of sacrifice is a mystery.
Tara is sleeping at Lafayette’s when she gets an unexpected knock at the door. Her girlfriend has shown up to find out why Tara has been lying to her for so long. Tara tells her the story but the girlfriend does not have much sympathy. Naomi’s anger take over for a second and you think they are going to fight it out but then they end up having make up sex on the floor.
Tommy is having great fun “being” Sam. He fires Sookie and flirts with all the girls. He sympathizes with Mrs. Fortenberry about Tommy but finds out she really thought he was stupid. He does more than run the bar when Luna shows up at Sam’s place – he has sex with her then rudely throws her out. Tommy loses his Sam shape just as Luna rushes out the door.
Sookie forces her way into Jason’s house to find him handcuffed to the bed. He tells her that he is going to turn into a were-panther because it’s going to be a full moon. She thinks he’s lying at first but still wants to help. They are outside waiting on the big change when he disappears. Jessica senses Jason’s fear (remember, she gave him her vampire blood) and runs into the woods to help him.
Alcide comes home to find Debbie with the local pack leader he does not like. She has joined the pack without his permission and he realizes that she is not as trustworthy as he had thought. The pack leader really wants Alcide to join so he was more polite than last time.
Sookie finds Debbie and Alcide out in the woods. They tell her that a were-animal cannot be made; it is hereditary. Jason and Jessica are commiserating about their lives and share a bonding moment as Jason begins to realize that he is not going to change.
Bill is relishing the true vampire death he is about to give Eric but he is taken aback when Eric tells him that he deserves to die but would he please release Pam. He also asks Bill tell Sookie that he was reborn when she found him that night the witches cursed him. He tells Bill that he hopes Bill and Sookie find each other again because she deserves happiness. You can tell that Bill is shocked by Eric’s words.
Marnie has been possessed by the witch Antonia and her tormentor, Father Louis, from hundreds of years before, goes down to the jail to kill her but her power is too strong and she puts him on his knees.
Sookie is walking around outside looking for Jason when Eric shows up behind her. She is ecstatic to see him and he tells her that Bill set him free. They quickly make up for lost time as we cut to see Bill sitting on his porch staring at the moon. I think Bill’s love for Sookie forced him to let Eric go so that she could finally find some happiness. Eric and Sookie consummate their desire under the full moon as this episode of True Blood ends.
Fantasy Book Review – My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
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This collection of short stories brings a new element of creativity to paranormal romance. Just how wrong could your wedding day go? Well, amongst the supernatural, weddings are never normal or boring. Charlaine Harris contributes with “Tacky” which follows a marriage between a werewolf and vampire, and Jim Butcher has detective Harry Dresden trying to stop a ill-meaning fairy from marrying a werewolf. Many top authors combine their writing talents in this diverse anthology:
“Spellbound” by L.A. Banks
Imagine a heartfelt romance between Odelia Hatfield and Jefferson McCoy. This pair of supernaturals meet and fall in love in college, but their families don’t approve of their wedding. Hilarious trickery and magical mischief ensue.
“Something Borrowed” by Jim Butcher
Two werewolves, Billy and Georgia, are getting married and are eager to have Harry Dresden, a modern day wizard detective, as their best man. After an unusual turn of events, Harry finds that the bride, Georgia, has gotten involved in foul play and is now trapped in a spell. And there’s only one way to break it. Can he save the marriage in time?
“Dead Man’s Chest” by Rachel Caine
Cecilia Welles thinks things are too good to be true when she finds herself about to marry the handsome Ian Taylor after a short courtship. But he isn’t everything he seems and he’s been hiding quite a bit. The wedding will take place on a pirate ship, the pirate captain has a big surprise in store, and her soon-to-be-husband is thinking of . . . murder?
“All Shook Up” by P.N. Elrod
Caterer Frankie Foster meets “Elvis” at Santiago and Trinidad’s wedding. Due to her psychic powers Frankie can tell that Santiago and Trinidad are wrong for each other, but she finds herself falling under the charm of the guy in blue suede shoes. Can she find her own “hunka hunka burning love”?
“The Wedding of Wylda Serene” by Esther M. Friesner
Wylda Serene, a pampered and spoiled woman accustomed to getting her way, decides to have her wedding at The Club, a place known for its supernaturally disastrous events. Although her friends try to warn her away from this venue she digs in her heels. Can you say “I told you so”?
“Charmed by the Moon” by Lori Handeland
The characters in this story are very likable, and Werewolf hunter Jessie McQuade is especially charming. Jessie is about to marry professor Will Cadotte because well, she loves him. However, she finds a love charm and starts to wonder if she truly loves Will or if they’re simply under a spell. This story proves that in the end, true love does prevail.
“Tacky” by Charlaine Harris
This short story follows Sookie Stackhouse in her latest short adventure. There has been a temporary truce between the werewolves and the vampires, but there are those who still don’t approve of vampire Taffy and Werewolf Don’s wedding. You see, vampires aren’t allowed to marry non-vamps. The vampires try everything they can to keep these two apart and Sookie finds herself in the midst of an intense battle. You’ll have to read the story to find out if they find their happily-ever-after!
“A Hard Day’s Night-Searcher” by Sherrilyn Kenyon
This story is linked to Kenyon’s “Dark Hunter” series. As you may know, the Dark-Hunters are vampire hero Artemis’s immortal personal fighters and are dedicated to defending humans against vampires, daimons and other enemies, including evil gods and goddesses. In Kenyon’s latest story, an unassuming squire falls in love with a Dark-Hunter. Along with some intense vampire-hunting, prepare to be thoroughly amused.
“…Or Forever Hold Your Peace” by Susan Krinard
The setting is England during the Victorian days and paranormal is the norm here. The story opens with a strange man who appears at Lady Emma and Lord Edward’s wedding and drops dead immediately after trying to halt it. The next day, the bride mysteriously vanishes. Resident detectives Lady Olivia Dowling and “Kit” Meredith try to find out what’s going on in this truly supernatural and humorously romantic tale.
Check out My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
