I don't know how many of you have read Harry Potter, and if you haven't but intend to, here's a spoiler warning:
Doesn't all this chasing the boxes of earth remind you of hunting horcruxes in books six and seven? The whole "if he has one left he would be safe from destruction" strongly savors of Voldemort and his desire for seven horcruxes. Was that part of Rowlings' influence for the idea? Not necessarily that Volemort is vampiric in nature, though it certainly fits, including how he used Ginny in the second book, but just that idea of being safe as long as he has part of his soul still died to the earth? I don't know if she did it intentionally or not, but it's an interesting thought.
Doesn't all this chasing the boxes of earth remind you of hunting horcruxes in books six and seven? The whole "if he has one left he would be safe from destruction" strongly savors of Voldemort and his desire for seven horcruxes. Was that part of Rowlings' influence for the idea? Not necessarily that Volemort is vampiric in nature, though it certainly fits, including how he used Ginny in the second book, but just that idea of being safe as long as he has part of his soul still died to the earth? I don't know if she did it intentionally or not, but it's an interesting thought.