Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 4

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 2008)

769 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Implied Sexual Situations

Having made her decision, this fourth and final book in the series follows Bella through her wedding, honeymoon and the events that lead to the inevitable standoff in the end with the Volturi. This book, in a departure of style from the others, is divided into three parts, the second of which is written from Jacob’s point of view instead of Bella’s. Happily Jacob’s situation and unhappiness are resolved in the first half of the book, leaving the second half to deal almost entirely with the preparations for and the confrontation with the Volturi. Though a bit disturbed and annoyed by Bella’s preoccupation with sex in this one, for the most part I enjoyed the characters a lot more because they were for once largely happy. It was neat to meet all the varied vampires who came to witness for the Cullens and the best part was definitely Bella saving the day in the end, despite her being portrayed as the weakest, most helpless character throughout the series.  Wonderful ending, and perhaps one day we might get further companion novellas, like Renesmee and Jacob’s story, or the unfinished Midnight Sun could be resurrected! Engaging series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 1 (2011)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2 (2012)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Eclipse Companion Novella

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 2010)

213 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Bree is the one newborn vampire that surrendered to the Cullens during the battle in the meadow, and her story offers a glimpse into the darker side of the vampire world. Despite its brevity, I found the characters in this story very engaging. Diego and Bree were so close to breaking free, when everything starting spiraling out of their control. Fred was such an interesting character, even though you don't really get to know much of him until near the end. What happens to him? I would be interested to read Fred's story some day. And it was interesting to see the Cullens from another point of view. Excellent read!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 3

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 2007)

641 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

In this third book, Bella struggles with her feelings for Edward and Jacob, and questions her impending choice to become a vampire, ultimately being forced to make a decision between the two men and the futures they would each provide, all against the backdrop of spiraling serial killings in nearby Seattle. Happy-go-lucky Jacob joins the ranks of the unhappy for the most part in this one, and though it was understandable, I thought it was a bit sad to watch. Bella was still a bit whiny, morose and at times immature, but she is in a hard place having to make a choice between two men she cares deeply about. Edward on the other hand was a lot less sulky than the previous two books, at times almost light-hearted, and other times sagely accepting. My favorite part of this book is the werewolf/vampire alliance that develops due to the problems in Seattle and their connection to Bella. The most enjoyable book of the series thus far!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 2

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 2007)

577 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

This second book is the story of Edward and Bella's breakup and Bella's subsequent mental breakdown. On the upside, Edward finally finds the strength to breakup with Bella for her own good, giving us an extended break from his endless brooding on the topic, but I think it is obvious to all that he will return again at some point despite his oath that he will not. I decided that due to Edward's vampiric predatory snares, Bella became addicted to him and this is the source of her unnaturally strong attachment to him and therefore the depth of her breakdown once he is gone, though I must admit people are capable of entering a similarly lengthy depression after a breakup without any such fantastical excuse. But, perhaps, because this deals with the bond between a vampire and its destined mate, maybe that particular bond is why the pull is so strong, even stronger than a normal soul mate? Jacob was the bright spot in this story, though I felt bad for him, because Bella seemed to be using him for her own therapeutic needs, not to say that either one of them were unaware of this ulterior motive. Having accepted Bella and Edward's unusually strong attachment to each other, I was less annoyed by Bella's endless droning about the loss of Edward and more irritated that it was taking so long for Edward to come back and end the unhappiness. Happily this was interspersed with Jacob's story and his world, which I found very engaging and it was this that pulled me through while awaiting Edward's return. All in all, a bit painful to read, but necessary, I feel, to the overall series.

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 1

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (July 2007)

513 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

I decided to reread these books, with the last movie coming out soon. I originally read them, simply because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and I found them entertaining enough, though perhaps not quite as enthralling as I may have been led to believe. In short, an accident-prone teenage girl recently relocated to live with her father meets a vampire, posing as a teenager, and they fall in love, leading to a series of problems and dilemmas. This book is intended for young adults, which I am not and was not even when I first read it, which is perhaps part of my problem. I found Bella to be immature, whiny and a bit too much absorbed in appearances and what others thought of her, but then again she is supposed to be a teenager. I can't say that I entirely disliked her. Her accepting, self-less nature is hard to dismiss. Edward though a bit whiny and brooding himself, I liked, almost from the beginning, but there is no denying that their relationship can in no way be considered healthy, even forgetting the vampires. But, if you ignore the desperate tenor to their relationship and just accept it, the story is faced-paced and engaging. It definitely keeps you wanting to know what will happen next, and I found it to be an easy read. The author's depiction of small town life I found a bit unrealistic, given the kids welcoming attitude toward Bella when she first arrived, but the cliched existence didn't bother me that much. This definitely isn't scholarly literature. It would make a nice beach read!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Twilight (2008)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry