Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) by Stephenie Meyer
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Book Reviews of Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)
Book Review: What's wrong with happily ever after?
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I'm aware that these books are not the most brilliantly written, planned, precise and intellectual books ever created. They are somewhat of a guilty pleasure to me, a 16 year old girl. That's just the point - they are a pleasure, very enjoyable and very entertaining. Any book that leaves me happy/excited/wanting to read more is fine with me and deserves five stars.
It was just the same with Breaking Dawn, the fourth book in an immensely enjoyable, (sometimes cringeful, if read aloud in front of family) epic series.
I'm not saying that some of the reviewers bashing the book do not have a point, as opinions are of course unique to everyone. However, some of the things that have been pointed out are not incorrect, but unnecessary. Clearly you have to suspend disbelief with a book about vampires and werewolves. So now I'll go through the book and say which points were valid and which I disagree with.
***SPOILERS AHEAD, OF COURSE***
So Edward and Bella had a child, half vampire, half human. Did I think that Stephenie Meyer was copping out, trying to grasp desperately at loopholes to give Edward and Bella a lovely little happy conclusion. Yes, she probably was. Who cares??? This book is, at the end of the day, fiction and fantasy. I found this storyline surprising but thought it was a nice twist. Stephenie had deliberately never mentioned that male vampires couldn't concieve with humans. She's the author, she sets the rule, she says it's possible, so there we have it. I was happy with it. It gave the book momentum and room to grow.
I knew that the book could not simply exist to tie up loose ends and be a little Edward/Bella lovefest. It had to have a catalyst to change events and shake the plotline up a little, and 'Nessie' certainly achieved that. I admit, I found the name cheesie and fanfictionesque, but this is the Twilight series. I read the books with this in mind. It's always been fanfictionesque. That's what makes it so great.
I didn't feel that Renesmee took anything away from Edward and Bella's relationship. I thought it was beautiful, and didn't feel a lack of romantic moments between them at all. Until I read that on a review, it didn't even cross my mind. Breaking Dawn was filled with emotional and loving moments between them, both subtle and unsubtle *cough biting pillows cough*.
Jacob Imprinting on Nessie. Hmmm. In some ways, I did feel that it made the love between Bella and Jacob from Eclipse slightly downplayed. Did they only have a connection because he was destined for her daughter? No. I don't think so. I must say, I didn't understand why Bella lost her feelings for Jacob when she became a vampire. Was is because he imprinted? I hope so, otherwise it would mean that she lost those feelings because she was no longer human, but her love for him was part of Bella's character.
I thought it was a nice resolution to Jacob's character. Yes, it's like a fairytale. What's wrong with fairytales? Everyone lives happily every after.
I absolutely LOVED Bella becoming a vampire. The scene where Edward changes her was rather emotional in my opinion. Even as Jacob believed her to be dead and gave up, Edward perservered, and stayed by her side throughout the whole transition. I loved Book 3 so much, as it was everything I'd been hoping for. After the good but depressing Book 2 following Bella's weird pregnancy, it was nice to have some really happy Cullen family moments and jokes. I felt that Bella retained her character, despite the narration changing slightly (as was to be expected). I was so glad that her feelings for Edward remained unchanged if not stronger and vice versa. I also liked the fact that Bella was strong enought to overcome the bloodlust she felt.
This shows that Bella was a strong person. This reminds me - to all those who claim Bella has no individual interests that make up her personality - she has a great love of classic literature. So there.
I'm a 16 year old girl, and I can separate fiction from reality (though I wish fiction was reality haha). I cant see many young girls reading this book and saying 'oh golly, I think I should go and get married and pregnant at 18 because Bella does in Eclipse!!' Books dont always have to set an example or have a role model. They're books. Besides, is there really anything wrong with having a child with the man you love? Is that a bad message? NO. I would say not. The books probably do hold lots of themes - anti abortion for one, no pre-marital sex. I'm sure I could spy more if I took the time. However, I really don't feel the need to. I don't read these books to dissect and find themes and motifs. I read them to enjoy them, and I'm sure that's probably a common feeling.
I was surprised at reviewers noting that characters were behaving differently. I didn't notice an obvious change in the slightest. If there was one, I assumed it only transpired from the events in the book. As different events unfolded that the reader had never experienced before within the novels, clearly we havent seen the characters reactions to them yet. They are, after all, the author's creations. Surely she knows best how the characters are meant to act. They come from her imagination.
My only annoyances were that Jasper was called Jazz, which was just no...noo...for me. I felt an abscence of Alice and Jasper moments, and the battle at the end probably did end with too little casualties. I'm just nitpicking though. I loved the book. It kept me turning the pages, it was funny, cheesey and great for holiday reading.
Don't overthink it, suspend disbelief and just enjoy it.
5 stars for entertainment value.
It ended with a big bow just as the author promised. I for one, am not adverse to a happy ending. I was so happy that all of my favourite characters were alive and ecstatic and living a dream life. It was AWESOME. I really hope the criticism, that is slightly vicious that I have read, doesn't stop Stephenie Meyer from writing the fifth and sixth books she was thinking of. I for one cannot wait.
A fantastic continuation. Stephenie Meyer, you ROCK.
Book Review: Breaking Dawn is perfect piece of forever!
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, I want to preface this by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I avoided the Internet like the plague until I finished reading last night and I formed my opinion before it could be tainted by some of the reviews here. I respect everyone else's opinion, but I have to say that I was surprised to see all the negative energy being directed at the book. Stephenie should be so proud of Breaking Dawn! Instead of the traditional review, I will include a list of likes and dislikes.
LIKES
1. I was perhaps one of the few people who did not want Bella to be changed into a vampire because I feared that she would be transformed into an entirely different person. But Stephenie did such a good job keeping Bella's character intact. This leads me to my second point.
2. I loved that Bella was able to avoid/control her lust for human blood. One of the things I had been worried about Bella being changed was that she would be like all the other newborns. It was definitely a good choice for her to be able to avoid it!
3. Stephenie couldn't have resolved the Edward, Bella, Jacob love triangle better than she did. I was so happy that Bella and Jacob were finally able to enjoy a mutual platonic love, while Jake found the person he was truly meant to be with. Renesmee and Jacob being together makes so much sense.
4. I enjoyed the consistency of all the characters. It is entirely plausible that Charlie would prefer to be on a "need to know basis" regarding the supernatural. All that would matter to him was that Bella was safe. Edward's desperation during Bella's pregnancy was also very in-character. Bella was DYING. Of course he would resort to any means of keeping her alive! I'm guessing he would not have wanted to murder the child under any other circumstance unless his love was dying.
5. I was so glad that Rosalie's high degree of dislike for Bella was resolved. Although it was clear that she had ulterior motives (the baby), in the end, she and Bella were on good terms, which made me smile. Now the Cullens can truly be a happy family.
6. While I was reminded by J.K. Rowling's Albus Severus blunder, I thought the name "Renesmee" was beautiful and ingenious. It represented the love and devotion Bella had for both her biological and in-law mothers. The middle name of "Carlie" is the same. I'm glad the name Bella chose for her child wasn't meaningless like many names are.
7. Probably my favorite part of the entire book was the fact that there was no "epic battle." Prior to the book's release, many Twilighters were abuzz about which characters might be killed off. I thought of Alice and Edward and Bella and Jake and Carlisle and all the characters I had grown to love, and dreaded Stephenie taking any of them away. Stephenie showed us that there doesn't need to be war; there can be peace. She showed us the power of words and how they helped divert a raging, devastating war. I felt that the book could not have had a truly "happy ending" unless all the family was intact, and it was.
8. I LOVED Jacob's book. Although I had become quite accustomed to Bella's POV, Jake's was refreshing and also humorous. I really enjoyed the easing up of tension in a very serious situation (Bella's pregnancy). The chapter names were also hilarious! So Jacob.
9. Garret. He was a minor character, but I thought he was funny and I liked the idea of he and Kate together. I also enjoyed Alistair's mumblings. :P
10. The fact that the werewolves and vampires were able to reach a truce and also gain a lot of friendship. I loved how Bella at first, and then Renesmee were able to bring the two opposing clans together. They learned tolerance.
11. Charlie and Sue having each other. Charlie and Sue had both lost their spouses (Charlie to Phil and Sue to death) and were lonely. I felt bad for Charlie in the past when Bella thought that he had never really gotten over Renee. Charlie deserved a companion, especially because his daughter and grandchild were not human.
12. This is general, but Stephenie's growth as a writer really showed up in the book. After reading The Host, I knew that Breaking Dawn was going to have phenomenal writing, and it did! I am really excited to read everything else she writes in the future.
DISLIKES
1. I found a few grammatical errors here and there (for example, putting neither/or instead of neither/nor), but nothing major. I also noticed that she alternated between saying "blonde" and "blond." Again, not really that big of a deal.
2. The inclusion of the J. Jenks storyline. I completely understood its relevance (Bella would have to have a plan for Renesmee to escape, especially because she thought she and Edward would die). I suppose I felt that it was unnecessary because there didn't end up being a battle. On the other hand, we as readers would not have been able to believe in the danger of the battle unless Bella was completely prepared for the worst outcome.
3. It bothered me a little bit that Bella became so desperate for sex with Edward while she was still human that she was reduced to tears and even offered to postpone being changed. However, I can see the necessity of this, as well. Bella feared that she would not be able to express her love for Edward for years in her crazed newborn phase, so it makes sense that she would be upset about him only letting 'it' happening once when she was human.
4. I need to re-read the book again to get a clear idea of exactly how it was that Edward impregnated Bella. I am guessing that vampires and humans having sex is very rare because they are usually too overcome by bloodlust to "get the job done." So, I suppose that isn't even a specific dislike; just a need for clarification.
Breaking Dawn was an excellent novel that left me smiling and hoping. The writing was superb and I thought the book was very fitting as the end to the amazing saga. Bravo, Stephenie!
Book Review: A different view
Summary: 5 Stars
I will admit that this book caught me off guard many times over. Predictable? I think not!
First off, I loved the book! I truly do. It was a great story and it had me wrapped up for almost 12 hours of my life. I don't wish for a moment of that back.
For everyone who is criticizing the book: thank you for your opinion. I'm sorry that you didn't like it much. However, dragging this book and Stephenie Meyers through the mud will do none of us any good. Why not celebrate that we got a resolution at all!?
I do believe that it should have been more on developing Edward and Bella's relationship as a married couple before throwing in the baby. Eighteen is rather young to be getting married, let alone having a baby. I would have liked to see them develop more as individuals before the baby came along. I would have been begging for sex too if my husband was keeping it from me on our honeymoon! That doesn't make Bella immature--it's just what's expected on the honeymoon, so how could someone NOT want it? They've been dancing around sex for three books. About damned time they had some! Too bad so many young people read this book. A juicy scene would have been very nice. ; )
I was rather shocked at the pregnancy. However, what other plausible excuse could there be to turn Bella into a vampire (for Jacob and others) other than to save her life? I mean, Edward wasn't going to give in easily, and Bella was intrinsically afraid to become one (as she should have been). Saving her life gave Edward a real, tangible reason to turn Bella into a vampire without further hesitation. I, for one, would have been rather bored if Edward and Bella had danced around the issue while they twiddled their thumbs through college. Not only that, but I would have been upset if Bella hadn't been turned to a vampire until the end of the book due to some new nemesis popping up.
Now, onto Nessie. I... am not a fan of her true name. It just read wrong to me. However, that's not my decision to make and when I write my own stories I can create whatever names I want for my characters. Nessie was a bit two-dementional, but really, what can you expect from a baby character that grows at an incredible rate? I truly have no real opinion of Nessie other than I sort of wish she could have been a part of book 5 or something. She showed up a bit too soon for me. And Jacob imprinting on her actually makes sense to me. During the book, Bella is ridiculously happy around him, and he is drawn to her. Once the baby is out, he is no longer drawn to Bella at all, but rather to the child. It was as if him loving Bella kept him around just long enough to get to be with Nessie. It's not sexual; it's just him wanting the very best for her. I don't see anything wrong with that whatsoever. Besides, a line from the book basically states that the wolves imprint on those who have the potential to make the offspring stronger. What else could make them that much more invincible to vampires besides a hybrid wolf mating a hybrid vampire? It's like it's that much more armor to add.
I felt that we got to know a different side of the Cullen family in this book. Before, it was always from an outside source--Bella coming over and hanging out. However, we get to see the INNER WORKINGS of the Cullen family as a coven of vampires. We got to see what they did with their time, and got to know the members that much better. Jasper is a worry-wort, but is drawn to happiness. Emmett is easily the coolest freaking vampire ever with his amazing sense of humor, and Rosalie took on an actual personality in this book by deflecting blonde jokes ala Jacob. Alice did take a step onto the backburner in this book, but having gotten to know her so well in books 2 and 3 made that fine for me. Esme and Carlisle also took a step back, and, again, that was necessary for the plot to develop further. This was incredibly exciting to me because this avenue was previously unexplored and we only knew bits and pieces of their lives. And we finally meet the much talked about Denali's!
Throughout the ENTIRE SERIES, the protection of life has been something that is a cornerstone of each book. Hell, Edward wants Bella to keep her humanity so badly that he thwarts her many attempts to convince him otherwise. Jacob's existence--and that of his pack--is solely to protect the lives of innocent humans. Esme attempted suicide after the death of her child, while Rosalie regrets never having the chance to even have any after her gang rape and almost death. Rosalie was mad that Bella was giving up her shot at motherhood for a life she wouldn't have asked for herself. Esme would have not lambasted her for it, but Carlisle and Esme collecting their young vampire family sated her need for children. When Edward and Bella consummate their marriage, no one in their right mind believes they could have children, so why take precautions? When she does conceive, it was completely believable to me that she would not abort the baby and turn to Rosalie for help to keep Edward from doing so.
And talk about sacrifice! I keep reading about how she didn't have to give up anything. She gave her very life for that of Nessie. Of course, she had Plan B: Vampire, but it was still iffy if they could save her in time. She became beautiful, and had a special power. Why is that so unbelievable to some people? She's been special the whole series, repelling the powers of the most feared vampires in the Volturi and creating controversy and wonder. How could that not manifest and become greater after something so incredible as a physical transformation occurred? Was it supposed to leave her?
Overall, this was a fantastic read. While there are aspects I don't truly like about it, I can overlook those aspects because I truly liked many other parts of it. Don't let other reviews sway you. It's easy to become a part of Mob Mentality.
Book Review: Everyone's entitled to their opinion but here's why I loved it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a huge Twilight fan and honestly, I'm disappointed in many of the reactions I've read to this final book. I don't usually review books but I felt I had to defend this one. For anyone who hasn't read Breaking Dawn,
First of all, OF COURSE Bella is immature...she's a teenager! Teenagers are dramatic, indecisive, and have trouble seeing past the here and now into the future. I'm actually grateful that Meyer made her grow up a bit in this book. I love Bella but sometimes I just wanted to reach through the pages of the previous books and shake some maturity into her. For everyone that's criticizing her being obsessed with sex, again...she's a teenager. At least Meyer had them do everything the responsible way...love, marriage, sex, THEN the baby. Even with her wanting to extend being human for a little while longer because of the sex sounds very typical of a young person, and also a young married person. She doesn't think that a close physical relationship will be possible for a long time once she becomes a vampire...who can blame her for wanting more than a few weeks of a somewhat normal marriage before the bloodlust kicks in, especially once she realizes what sex is like?
Bella doesn't react the way a normal teenage girl does when she finds out she's pregnant but then again, Bella doesn't react to anything the way a normal person should at any time in the series so why should this be any different? Plus, normal teenage girls aren't usually married to a 90 year old vampire with gobs of money lying around and in-laws that would do anything to support her. Takes a little bit of the edge off of the discovery, if you ask me. And, like I mentioned about her maturity, I'm impressed at the level she showed during the pregnancy (how many teenage girls do you know that wouldn't run right out and get an abortion?) as well as after her vampire conversion. Those that are criticizing Meyer for bad messages in the book, she's advocating waiting until marriage to have sex and having the power to make a choice over your own body. I'm in full agreement on those two.
While the baby did surprise me, it also helped with several aspects of the story. It made friends of Rosalie and Bella, which may never have happened any other way. Rosalie had given up hope of ever having a child and, yes, I'm sure she was jealous of Bella but that's really no different than any other human person who can't have a baby and is jealous when someone close to them gets pregnant. Renesmee is a miracle though and Rosalie gives all the love to her that she would have given to her own child. Some may say that's not enough but it's a happier ending for Rosalie than I could have thought up. And of course Bella called Rosalie once she found out she was pregnant. She wanted to keep the baby and was afraid that choice would be taken from her and knew that Rosalie, of all people, would help protect that choice. Also, Edward was always so worried that Bella would miss out on typical human things. Childbirth is definitely one of those typical human things that she wouldn't realize she wanted until she got older and it was too late. I think it was wonderful that one of the last things Bella did in her "living" life was to bring another life into the world.
Okay...the imprinting. I'm not saying that I saw that one coming but it really makes sense of the whole Bella-Jacob relationship, doesn't it? I mean, didn't anyone else think, even for just a minute, that Jacob really did imprint on Bella and just didn't realize that he'd done it? I did. His feelings were so strong for her that would have been a good reason. But, him imprinting on Renesmee explained those feelings and also cut those ties he had to Bella. My heart just broke for Jacob and the pain he went through over Bella and I'm happy that he was able to move on without Bella and Jacob sacrificing their friendship.
On to another point of contention that I've read about several times in the reviews...Bella's power. I was actually very happy for Bella after her conversion. She had wanted all of this so badly I would have hated it for her if her looks didn't change, if she was still a klutz, and if she had no decent power except the ability to block people from her head. But Meyer gave her the looks and the grace that Bella had been lacking as a human and expanded drastically on the anomaly that she'd had when she was human and made her, as a newborn vampire even, pretty powerful. Bella had always been self-sacrificing, always wanting to protect those around her and it was fitting that her power allowed her to protect so many from Jane and Alec...and she'll only get stronger as she learns to control it better.
Maybe everything did work out a little bit too neatly in the end, but it's a love story, a fairy tale, not a tragedy like Romeo and Juliet. We wanted a happy ending, right? Bella made the choices that she did expecting to give up everything for love but in the end didn't really have to give up what she thought. What's so wrong with that? She was prepared to make big sacrifices for love but in the end had her happy ending. Would we all have wanted her to never see her father again and spend years in Alaska because she couldn't control her craving for blood? Or would we have wanted her to back out of the wedding last minute because she couldn't give up what she thought she'd have to? For all of Bella's failings she knew her own mind and stuck with her choices and everything worked out for the best in the end. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Book Review: Adults will love this book, teenagers won't
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book so much I had to write a review to balance all this negativity.
I didn't really hear about the whole Twilight phenomenom until the first movie came out and resisted reading any of the books until I saw Twilight for sale for $2. I figured that wasn't a lot to pay for my curiosity and picked it up. Well, I was hooked from the start. True, the writing could have been tighter but the story was incredibly compelling - even for a 36 year old like me.
I savoured the Twilight books and only now finished Breaking Dawn, a few months after reading Twilight. For me, Eclipse was disappointing, I hated that Bella was in love with Jacob, but this was incredible. Immediately after reading it I went online to see what others thought, surely they would all love it like me? I was shocked to find this wasn't so. How could so many people out there, over 1000 on Amazon alone, hate this book? It was by far the best in the series and an incredibly entertaining and engrossing read.
I have some theories. It does seem that there are some demographic differences between those who hate it and those who don't. It seems to be largely an age split. Young people hate it, older readers love it. I can see why. Unless you've lived a little, had a little life experience, Bella's choices and Stephenie's choices will seem incomprehensible to you. I loved this book because to me it felt like the characters finally grew up. Less of the teenage angst, more of an adult perspective on life.
Let me address some of the specific issues people seem to be having (SPOILERS):
1. The wedding.
People complain this was a let down because it was described so poorly and Bella seemed to show so little interest in it/reverance for it. Ok, look, there is little description because the book is from Bella's point of view. The whole day is a blur to her, she doesn't notice things, we get as much description as she is aware of! Secondly, why on earth would she suddenly find the whole wedding thing special and wonderful when she didn't want to get married in the first place?
2. Dropping out of college/getting married/having a baby at such a young age etc.
Bella is not meant to be a role model - she's dating a vampire and in love with a guy who turns into a wolf - how can she be? Her choices are related to the unique events and circumstances in her life.
3. Lack of sex/too much gore.
We don't need explicit sex in this book, I liked that it was implied. If you want explicit sex go read an ADULT book. This is for YA. As for the gore, was it really that bad? It is shocking yes, but did you really think Bella dying was going to involve nothing but a sexy bite on the neck?
4. Jacob's imprinting.
Sigh, it is not creepy, it was foreshadowed in the book with a previous example and it was explained MANY times that is isn't a sexual thing. Please, don't bring your own prejudices and fears to something innocent.
5. Bella suddenly coming over all maternal/the child being unrealistically perfect.
First, anyone who has ever been pregnant will tell you that the moment you get pregnant, everything changes. Even if you've never wanted children, strange things happen. It's called hormones. And in Bella's case she's carrying a supernatural being. Its whole goal is to be born safely. Of course it will use its "powers" to create a strong bond with Bella, just the same way Edward can "dazzle" her. Second, Bella GREW UP. She's more maternal and caring because she's matured since the first book. Third, the child doesn't act like a normal crying, stressfull baby because it's fully self aware and hugely advanced for its age. Why doesn't anyone get this? Oh and she calls Rosalie for help because she knows Rosalie would protect the child because she previously said she regretted never being a mom. Did other reviewers even read the books?
I could go on, but you're probably bored. I didn't mind the child's name, Stephenie's reasons for it are explained on her website. I didn't agree that characters made 180 degree turns that didn't make sense, I just felt they matured or changed due to the life experiences they were experiencing. The book felt much more mature than the previous three and I related to the characters better because of that. Bella and Edward's relationship evolved into something less angsty, less all consuming for Bella, that's exactly like real life! Look at the other couples in the book, look at real life. The first obsessive crush doesn't last, it evolves into a strong, quiet love. And being a mother changes you, it's why Bella wanted to save her child over and above anyone else including Edward.
I don't believe Stephenie broke any of the rules of her world either, again you can read her website to see how she jusifies all her decisions. She knew where things were going long before writing Breaking Dawn so she deliberately didn't set things up that would make the whole pregnancy impossible.
If you're a simliar age to Stephenie and me (36) you'll get this book, if you're a young reader you will lament the passing of an innocent angsty teenage crush, feel grossed out by the gore, hate the whole pregnancy storyline and wish the book had ended in a huge fight.
Me, I like the happy ending, I'm fine with everyone getting what they want. I didn't want a huge fight where everybody died. I like the escapism of YA fiction which is usually devoid of large amounts of sex and death. This book made me feel happy and safe and left me with a glow. The earlier books just depressed me.