New Moon (Bella)

Stephenie Meyer

I am going to be dead honest in this review: I cannot for the life of me quite figure out why I...more

I am going to be dead honest in this review: I cannot for the life of me quite figure out why I liked this book save for one reason and one reason only. I find the characters less-than-properly complex and the plot silly and romanticizied. And yet, like so many readers, I read this with an inability to put it down and I loved every moment of it. To make myself feel better, I shall begin with the bad. Mrs. Meyer puts a lot of faith in the concept that her characters are all madly in love with each other. Honestly, I see no reason for their infatuations other than emotion. I have yet to see anything that would set off a concrete and stable relationship. It is as if they have no other reason than to live for each other. In fact, the driving force of this novel is that Bella is utterly depressed by the fact that Edward and the rest of the Cullens have left. My goodness, by her actions and the various chapters devoted only to the names of months, it's as if someone had died. She's a teenage girl, she should have the ability to eventually bounce back. Too bad she has very little personality outside her love for Edward. Then again, no one else seems to have much personality save for the rather loveable Jacob Black. And even he eventually loses it in favor of lots of teen angst. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm just no longer a teenage girl. I'm sorry. But look at my rating. 4 stars is pretty decent. And I believe my first paragraph was a paradox of my critiques and my love for this book. The fact is that Mrs. Meyer has a gift with words. Her simple, hypnotic prose draws me in to the rainy, misty world of Forks with its vampires, werewolves, and beating hearts of passion. The emotion may be baseless, but it is strong, and she clearly does love her characters with the same love they feel for each other. I admit, the romance got me in the end. I also admire her way with the vampire/werewolf mythology. It might be a little sugary, but I really don't mind it because it is complex enough without going the encyclopedia route. I also liked the way she dipped, almost Anne Rice style, into the question of vampires and God. I do wish Mrs. Meyer would learn to give her characters personalities that exist without each other, but she is still getting money from me whenever she writes a book. Keep up that pretty writing and that awesome vampire/werewolf mythology.    hide

This book was really good, not as good as the first in my opinion, but still really great. It...more

This book was really good, not as good as the first in my opinion, but still really great. It begins really slow paced, especially after Edward leaves, but then it begins to get exciting as soon as Jacob comes into the story. The ending was a little dissapointing and, once finished, i felt like the story was left incomplete. Of course, Stephenie Meyer did a steller job capturing the bond between Edward and Bella, along with creating a new one with Bella and Jacob, a character inthe first book who we only saw only a small glimpse of as love sick puppy who had a crush on our hero. In this book, we get to learn more about his family and even a certian little secret he has. Stephenie also explored more into the world of vampires and their relationship with the werewolves. This book was relly fantastic and i highly recommend it. Now i really can't wait to buy the new one, Eclipse!   hide

This 563 page book is obviously not a challenge whence it is devoured in one sitting in three and a...more

This 563 page book is obviously not a challenge whence it is devoured in one sitting in three and a half hours. Now if that doesn't tell you something than this will: Harry Potter was not taken in one sitting, maybe three. But this book, this fantastic, beautiful novel takes you on a ride and doesn't let go until it's over. And you just want more. New Moon, Stephenie Meyer's sequel to Twilight was just another wonderful look into the life of Isabella Swan and her fateful, undeniable love for Edward Cullen: a perfect specimen of a being... except he is, indeed, a vampire. Edward is indeed a disappearance and the charm and magic is taken away from the book for a bit. The only downfall of this novel is that there was less Edward (I am being honest here!). I don't want to give too much away because the Twilight Series is something you HAVE to experience for yourself. The most beautiful thing about Meyer's series is that while reading you seem to be dreaming, when you're done its like you're waking from a dream. The lines between the fiction and reality blurred. You wonder and hope, are vampires real!? What about the werewolves? and the love... oh the disgustingly sweet, perfect, meant-to-be love is so perfectly described in this book it gives you shivers all over. The love is so intense, so real... so ... well perfect. Pretty much Meyer's novels have all hit perfection. I CAN NOT fathom how a SEQUEL can be on par (or perhaps) surpass it's predecessor. Whichever more on the novel: Meyer's first person writing is genuine and believable. So amazingly believable, that you want to devour it again and again and again after finishing it. These novels are something to obsess over. I cannot say much since I don't want to spoil it but think of these books as the Titanic of teen fiction.   hide

I couldnt wait... luckily enough I was able to get hold of a proof copy from the US so that I didnt...more

I couldnt wait... luckily enough I was able to get hold of a proof copy from the US so that I didnt have to wait untill March to read this gem. S. Meyer still writes with such passion and belief that it takes your breath away. She portrays heartache in such a convincing way, anyone who's ever had their heart broken will recognize the agony you can feel in the words given to us. Bella is devistated when Edward suddenly realizes he doesnt love her, and moves away with his family. Life as she knows it, the only thing keeping her alive, is suddenly ripped away from underneath her feet. She no longer knows how to stand, sleep or breathe. Edward made her one final promise, that she would never see him or the Cullens ever again. In desperation Belle discovers than when she puts herself in danger, Edward's voice is ringing out warnings in her head. And along with her best friend Jacob she takes up another extreme hobby after the other, just so she can feel normal for a little while, when Edward is talking to her inside her head. But normal is not a word used in Bella's life. Because allthough she and Jacob is becomming closer and closer, she still cant tell him about the vampire she craves, and loves.... and Jacob has some serious secrets himself. Once again danger & death is hunting Bella, only this time there is no one there to save her.... Or is there?!??? STUNNING!!!! Simply addictive. Thank goodness she's not yet done telling this story!   hide

Stephanie Meyer might just be the J.K. Rowling of vampire novels. If her writing continues to be...more

Stephanie Meyer might just be the J.K. Rowling of vampire novels. If her writing continues to be this consistently good, then she's destined to be. As much as I liked Twilight, its sequel is better. I felt that the relationships in this are handled with greater skill, and I wasn't bored for a page, though Edward himself continues to be a problem for me. Don't get me wrong, I like him, but sometimes I feel like quoting Glenn Close: "How many times must I tell you? We'll get along much better if you make a concerted effort not to sound like the latest novel." As much depth as he has and as much interest as he holds, it begins to wane when he starts going on for a paragraph or three about his eternal love, which always comes off as a speech from a Harlequin. Some might not like Bella's dragged out depression and her dependence on Jacob, but I think her response wasn't too unbelieveable for her situation, and her dynamic with Jacob is fantastic, and less repetetive than it is with Edward. My biggest concern is Bella's too-quick willingness to forgive Edward his transgressions. But the seemingly fast resolution to the problem is even more of a moot point here than it was in Twilight. I can't wait to start Eclipse.   hide