****SPOILER ALERT****So the wonderful world of Twilight has to come to an end. This isn't what I expected ... but that doesn't mean it wasn't good. I went into this book wanting two things - that Bella and Edward get married and having Bella change into a vampire. I got both. So I'm satisfied with that.
I will admit that the book isn't perfect, but it is a nice ending to the saga. Does it have flaws? Yes. Could it have been better? Yes. But if you read it for the enjoyment alone, forgetting any fanfiction you may have read or any preconceived notions of what "should" happen, it is an enjoyable read.
I was totally absorbed throughout this book. It was a complete, 12 hour roller coaster ride of feelings and I left it pretty satisfied. It's a mythological fiction, after all, and as such, Ms. Meyer took liberties with the qualities that her characters have in their lives. Fine. It's her story and she has that right.
I like the way Ms. Meyer divided the book into 3 separate books. The first book is from Bella's point of view. We have the wonderful wedding and a romantic honeymoon. By chapter 5, the deed was - if you know what I mean - and by chapter 7 there were the first signs of morning sickness. I did not see that plot line coming. Many people have written bad reviews - mainly centering around Bella's pregnancy - but I just saw it as a story arc I had not thought of.
The second book is from Jacob's point of view and I loved the range of emotions this part of the book took. From Jacob's rage and hatred of Edward, Rose and the rest of the Cullens to his eventual understanding of the situation and desire to work with the family for the good of Bella.
I did wonder why Dr. Cullens didn't think of giving Bella blood before he did - you would think a doctor would think of that, especially a vampire doctor. As far as the pregnancy complications, as the mother of 3 daughters it was killing me that Bella was keeping all this from her parents. Even if she is of age, I thought her parents should have been involved.
During Jacob's part of the story, I thought for sure the underlying tension between Jacob and Leah was going to lead to him finally imprinting on her, especially when Leah burst in and started ranting to Bella. But I guess I should have known that if one werewolf could imprint on a child, then the possiblity of Jacob imprinting on a baby was very real.
When we returned to book 3 - again from Bella's point of view - I was also taken aback when Bella hunted for the first time. For some reason, I just can't see Bella killing anything, even to quench her thirst. I felt for sure she would end up drinking human blood - from blood bank donations - like she did when she was pregnant. So it was kind of shocking to me when she made her first kill.
I was distressed when Alice ran away with Jasper. I really didn't think she had abandoned the family, but I wasn't sure. I was disappointed there wasn't as much a focus on Alice in this book as compared to the other three books.
I believe that this book was about fighting for what you believe in; your family, your children, your way of life, and life itself - even if you have to die for what you believe in. Is this book unrealistic? Absolutely - that's why its fantasy. But if you don't put so much stock in "what it should be" and just read it for the fun of it, you will enjoy it. Yes, this book wrapped this fairytale love story with a neat bow, but didn't we all want a happy ending?
Like many, I'm sad to see the story end, but we can all use our imaginations to continue the saga in our own minds, knowing that Bella and Edward live happily ever after. Overall I liked the book ... and not just because I'm a huge fan of Stephenie Meyer. I got my happy ending and most of my questions were answered. As a stand alone book, I probably wouldn't rate this book as high as the others, but as an accompliment and ending to the official saga I think it lived up to the hype.
This book meet the requirements for several of my book challenges:
7 comments:
I am still unsure of how I feel about the book. I will post my review later this week. I guess it felt trite to me. I think Meyer soft pedaled real difficulty. Bella got off easy. I wasn't crazy about that as she was two timing her husband emotionally.
Wow. Sounds darker than what most everyone seemed to be anticipating. Meyer seems to have taken a different approach, judging by what you say, though I also get the impression I'd have to read the first three to get it.
Thanks for talking to me about the series. It was a lot of fun to write about it.
I can't WAIT to read Breaking Dawn, so I can come back and read your review :) Thanks for the *spoiler alert*!!
**Spoiler**
I was pretty disappointed in BD. I didn't have any preconceived notions...but I don't like the direction she took...or the message it sends (like get married and have babies when you are a teenager and you'll have everything you've ever wanted.) Oh, I could go on and on...
Bobbi,
I am dying to read Breaking Dawn, so we'll have to share ideas on our blogs.
Thanks for visiting mine, and I'd love for you to review The Fifth Dimension. If you'll send me your address, I"ll get the book off to you ASAP. Thanks for the help.
I am so sorry, but the need to rant about this book is intense. I felt the beginning and middle were filled with scenes that were too long and boring. Edward got short-shrift in development. Leah seemed unresolved and forgotten in the end (as did the rest of the wolves).
And that ending! WTF! How can you set up for chapters to the ultimate showdown and have the two factions just sort of part. Bleh. Double bleh.
I thought Jacob was going to imprint on Leah at one point as well. Like you I really liked it. I can understand some of the negative comments, but I gave it 5/5 in the end for pure enjoyment.
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