Author Topic: True Love's Protection  (Read 5295 times)

Offline Dina

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Re: True Love's Protection
« Reply #105 on: February 12, 2026, 10:02:18 PM »
I'll be surprised if we get any explanation that's satisfying.  Well, beyond a long internal monologue by Dresden that rests on a foundation built on a reading of 'All You Need is Love.'  I'm not expecting the readers will get anything close to an explanation of how the universe Butcher has built all works and comes together logically (even one that's at the descriptive/predictive/Newton level and not at the fundamental/'why does it work that way' level). 

After Twelve Months, I have a creeping feeling that the conclusion of the Dresden Files will reveal that the entire series was 'True Love Conquers the Outsiders.'  If that's all there is, then let's just keep reading and hope for a rollicking, enjoyable remainder for this yarn even if at the end we're left with a lot of Lost-esque unresolved loose threads.
I am ok with True Love Conquers the Outsiders but I hope the unresolved loose threads are not "a lot".
Missing you, Md 

There are many horrible sights in the multiverse. Somehow, though, to a soul attuned to the subtle rhythms of a library, there are few worse sights than a hole where a book ought to be. Someone has stolen a book (Terry Pratchett)

Offline Bad Alias

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Re: True Love's Protection
« Reply #106 on: Yesterday at 03:50:06 AM »
There's so many loose threads, I don't see how he ties them all up. Even if a vast majority of loose threads were tied up, I think that would still leave room for a lot of loose threads.

Offline Lord Kinbote

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Re: True Love's Protection
« Reply #107 on: Yesterday at 02:30:54 PM »
I am ok with True Love Conquers the Outsiders but I hope the unresolved loose threads are not "a lot".

Maybe I could be OK with 'True Love Conquers the Outsiders' (though I much prefer a resolve that's less of a trope), but so far only True Romantic Love has proven to have a negative effect on Outsiders.  The love for one's children hasn't been shown to have any effect on White Court Hunger, and the lore certainly doesn't suggest that it does.  True Romantic Love, maybe also required to be reciprocated and the relationship consummated, as the Outsiders' silver bullet would certainly be an interesting choice.

Online Mira

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Re: True Love's Protection
« Reply #108 on: Yesterday at 11:32:50 PM »
Quote
Maybe I could be OK with 'True Love Conquers the Outsiders' (though I much prefer a resolve that's less of a trope), but so far only True Romantic Love has proven to have a negative effect on Outsiders.  The love for one's children hasn't been shown to have any effect on White Court Hunger, and the lore certainly doesn't suggest that it does.  True Romantic Love, maybe also required to be reciprocated and the relationship consummated, as the Outsiders' silver bullet would certainly be an interesting choice.
 

Problem with that, what Thomas and Justine have is supposed to be true love yet she is possessed by Nemesis or an Outsider.  So because she had a one night bisexual stand so she and Thomas could have sex, all protection was lost?  Or was she possessed before, and true love didn't protect her from being possessed?  Also if what Thomas said was right in Blood Rites, the Hunger Demon is only burnt out by true love if the host had never has that first feeding, especially until death. I would have to go back an read, but the killing of the victim if I remember was a key factor on whether or not the Hunger Demon can take control.  However if the host merely nibbles and not kill, does the demon still survive but the drive to feed not as urgent?  I am thinking that the true love thing might be merely a rabbit hole that we are being sent down.

One more point;
The fact that Justine is possessed by Nemesis puts an end to the theroy some have had that Outsiders or Nemesis cannot possess humans. 
« Last Edit: Today at 06:48:44 AM by Mira »

Offline Dina

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Re: True Love's Protection
« Reply #109 on: Today at 05:43:19 PM »
Yes, you are right Mira. It is clear that True Love does not protect from nemfection, or that previously nemfected people cannot feel True Love and be protected by it. About the burning, I think true Love killed the hunger in the unexperienced vampire, no matter if they killed the first feed or not. Only, it is very difficult for that vampire not to kill, as he has not experience in control.
Missing you, Md 

There are many horrible sights in the multiverse. Somehow, though, to a soul attuned to the subtle rhythms of a library, there are few worse sights than a hole where a book ought to be. Someone has stolen a book (Terry Pratchett)

Online Mira

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Re: True Love's Protection
« Reply #110 on: Today at 07:19:30 PM »
Yes, you are right Mira. It is clear that True Love does not protect from nemfection, or that previously nemfected people cannot feel True Love and be protected by it. About the burning, I think true Love killed the hunger in the unexperienced vampire, no matter if they killed the first feed or not. Only, it is very difficult for that vampire not to kill, as he has not experience in control.

 As I said, have to go back and reread, but I am almost positive that the emphases was on the killing part of the first feed.  That's why he and Lara were so worried about their little sister, because Lord Raith would get them worked up at about the age she was, nothing was said about that feeding could lead to killing, and that killing would forever enslave them to the Hunger Demon.

Offline Bad Alias

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Re: True Love's Protection
« Reply #111 on: Today at 10:22:07 PM »
If their first time is True Love, then the Hunger dies. It doesn't matter if the first feeding is fatal. Irwin and Connie didn't have true love, but the feeding didn't kill Irwin because he has so much life force.