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: Not all books are written to be Literary Masterpieces as not all movies are made to win Oscars...BUT WE LOVE THEM ANYWAY!
Summary: 5 Stars
In my opinion, any writer that can get anyone to read 4 books in a week is very talented. The books kept me very interest and yearning to know what would come next. I am an avid reader and I honestly can say that Meyer IS A GREAT STORYTELLER! THESE BOOKS ARE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE FICTION...THOSE WHO CAN LEAVE ALL PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS AT THE DOOR AND SEE THESE BOOKS FOR WHAT THEY ARE...AN ESCAPE (sorry for the caps...used for emphasis)
I am 34 and I started reading the series after seeing twilight (the movie)...I liked the movie and knew that any movie that is based on a book...the book is usually better.... (i.e. Misery)...I read all 4 books in a week and I have to say, I LOVED all of them...I got totally lost in the books. In my humble opinion, the purpose of reading fictions is to escape from our daily grinds.
A lot people did not like the fact that Bella got pregnant early on in the book and wanted to keep the baby, but for me that was when I regained the respect for her that I lost in Eclipse. She could have easily given in to all the pressure and aborted the baby (I am pro-choice), but for the 1st time everything was not about Edward or anyone else...this was about her... what she wanted and/or needed and that to me is when her character matured...being mature entails doing what is best and not what is easy and/or popular.
I very much enjoyed escaping to Forks, WA everyday for 7 hours and I did this while having a full-time job and going to school full-time...this is how much I enjoyed the books and needed the escape. I am not sure why everyone hated any of these books, because I thought Meyer ended the story the best way that she could, while leaving room to continue the series if she wanted to.
This is a WORK OF FICTION, and I sincerely don't think that when Meyer wrote these books that she was thinking that her books would be in the same realm as Pride and Prejudice, etc...
I loved all the characters ...they are complex... they are funny, annoying, loyal to a fault, sarcastic, innocent, naïve, funny, strong and often very relatable.
I would have loved to know more about Emmett and Esme, but again, if Meyer wanted to, she could write a book about each of the characters and that is what I think makes her brilliant.
For those who said Jacob imprinting on Nessie makes him a pedophile is absurd...I think we see this from a western's perspective and I think Meyer knew that would be the case, because she spent a lot of time talking about the concept of imprinting and Quileutes culture and beliefs...again, she touched on the subject by having "Edward" clarify that Jacobs thoughts were pure (which annoyed me a little because I think she spent way to0 much time trying to justify it).
Often as westerners, we tend to classify things we do not understand as bad or evil...cast it in a negative light--I think that is why intercultural relations are so important and we all should be open to learning and understanding other people--even if we do not agree with them.
I thought it was a brillant move on Meyer's part to have Jacob imprint on Nessie...it was something that was unexpected--I thought he would end up with Leah and for a moment I thought maybe the girl he met at the park (Lizzie) would be the one--not in my wildness dream did I think it would be Bella's daughter, especially when he was intent on killing her....that was a wow moment for me--I appreciated the surprise.
I always knew Bella would end up Edward and not Jacob, but I was thrill that the author kept Jacob in her life--their friendship was too powerful for her to have ended the book with Bella saying "I choose Edward, too bad for your Jake...have a nice life". I would have been pissed off; because they had a bond that even the love of her life (EDWARD) acknowledged was beyond his comprehension and Meyer showed that bond by the fact that Bella was willing to trust the one person that she was willing to die for to Jacob.
I loved these books because it reminded me of a life lesson that I think that we as humans often forget--we do not have to accept the status quo--it was understood that Werewolves and Vampires could not be anything but mortal enemies and that was not the case.
As cliché as it may sound, maybe love does indeed conquer all and if we all could love like Bella, Edward, Jacob and the Cullens..., would we be in Afghanistan or Iraq right now where innocent lives are lost each day on both sides? I would like to think not.
Not all books are written to be Literary Masterpieces as not all movies are made to win Oscars--that being said I LOVED THE BOOKS AND LOOK FORWARD TO READING MORE OF MEYER's books.
I think in a few years I might read the books again and I hope that Meyer finishes Midnight Sun and continue the series--I will be starting an MBA program and Law school in February and I will need the escape and that is exactly what her books do.
Book Review: What we may have overlooked..
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading several reviews of this book, including the recent poor review in "Entertainment Weekly", I decided to write my thoughts down.
* * * Spoiler Warning * * *
I think several things make people give a snap judgement about this book, the first being the fact that they read it too fast. I read this book in five days and I know that I skimmed over key details because I just wanted to keep getting more information. That's the thing about a series like this - there's so much anticipation and eagerness to read the material that readers forget to pause and absorb what they read. Key details into Bella's psyche and her desperation for this child are easily overlooked when the reader is eager to find out what the baby she's carrying is going to do to her; why Rosalie hovers all the time and what her true goal is; how Edward and Jacob are going to react to this phenomenal baby. It's always the eagerness to get to the "next part" that makes people overlook the details.
The next thing is that they forget to go back to the root of the story. Before Bella even had contact with Jacob in "Twilight" she was drawn to Edward and falling in love with him. The core of this series is the intense and passionate connection between Edward and Bella. I know that there are Team Jacob members out there looking at this and getting ready to pan this review, but in all honesty - I don't think there was ever a chance with Jacob and Bella. Edward is Bella's soulmate in every way, even though Edward believed he had no soul. How do I feel about the idea of Jacob imprinting on Renesmee? Well, while it might have seemed predictable to some, and downright vulgar and borderline inappropriate to some, to me it felt like Bella's relationship with Jacob was finally complete - she was able to have and love Edward and still see her best friend happy and at peace with his life. Nessie (by the way, hate that) is a piece of Bella, and thus she could complete Jacob, possibly in ways that Bella could not. Someone made mention on another site or review that it would be interesting to see things from Renesmee's point of view at some point - Stephanie if you're reading this, it's a definite must-read!!
My next point that I feel some people are forgetting when they pan where this story went is that this is a fairy tale, science-fiction, fantasy, romantic tale about vampires, werewolves and humans - in what world could that ever possibly happen? Stephanie Meyer created a cast of characters that cannot exist in the real world, and she told the story through the eyes of Bella Swan, a young woman who people could relate to and yet still was not part of the world around us. She was drawn into a supernatural existance and for people who believed that Meyer went too far by allowing Bella to marry Edward, become a vampire, have his baby and thus break every rule in the Vampire Code - then turn around and still have her happy ending - well, they must have forgotten to read Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella because every one of those girls got their Prince even after sleeping for a hundred years, being poisoned and losing their glass slipper, respectively. It's a fairy tale and fairy tales are meant to have happy endings. "Breaking Dawn" might have taken the long road to get to the happy ending, but I think that just made Bella and Edward's ending all the happier.
My final point - and I swear it is the last - is the idea that this book might have been too old for young readers. One of the things that JK Rowling pointed out as she was writing the "Harry Potter" series was that she had always intended for Harry to grow up with her readers. Book 1 takes place when Harry is eleven years old and thus her target audience was eleven-year-olds. By the time she got to Book 7 (a few years too late) her target audience from ten years prior was in their late teens and early twenties - a completely different group of readers. This situation holds true to readers of the Twilight Series. While Bella only aged about a year and a half throughout the series, her original target audience has grown up several years and thus are, once again, in a different reading group. While the scenes of Bella giving birth to her baby were graphic - birth is graphic! Even teenagers know that because they were made to watch it in health class when they were fifteen or sixteen! The sex scenes were not graphic or inappropriate and personally, I have to give Meyer props for having Bella wait till she was married till she had sex and had a baby (demon baby or not - fantasy, people!)
In the end, Meyer's conclusion to the "Twilight" series was more then satisfying, tied up loose ends, and opened the doors to (hopefully) more stories in the future. Meyer said it herself - she knew she couldn't please everyone, and that's very true. But, this adult enjoyed this book very much and would recommend the entire series to anyone looking to escape from the real world for a little while - or if they're like me, five days average for each book!
Book Review: Breaking Barriers
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutely loved this book! I have been a fan of the Twilight Saga since the beginning. The first three books were, in my opinion, amazing, and this last one is no different. Meyer has always had the ability to write fascinating page turners and plots to keep our interest. I literally couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. While I'll admit that this novel did have a different feel from the three prior to it, I think that's mostly due to the fact that the characters are dealing with much larger and more adult issues than before. However, I was not disappointed at all.
(Contains spoilers)
I was so thrilled when Bella and Edward had tied the knot. They've always had this epic, passionate, and true love. I think them getting married was the perfect display of how they deeply care for and are committed to one another. Many have called it anti-feminist since they're so young and she hasn't gone to college yet, but I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to spend your life with your soulmate. And she has all the time in the world to go college and get an education. That had always been the plan. I don't think the order in which that happens really makes a difference. It might not work for others, but it seems to genuinely work for them.
I also found it utterly refreshing that they waited until marriage to consumate their relationship. I think our society has become very sex-crazed, and it's nice to see characters that have excercised self-control and actually thought it through. Meyer doesn't just focus on the physical. She also portrays the emotional impact such an act can create. The intimate scenes themselves are written tastefully, as well.
As for the whole pregnancy plotline, I was in complete shock. I hadn't expected it, since I thought it couldn't happen. I always felt bad that Bella and Edward would never be able to have children. The fact that they actually could, unbeknownst to them, was a very exciting plot twist that had me jumping for joy. Some say it's too "unbelievable," but Meyer does explain how it can occur. Plus, this is sci-fi/fantasy fiction. What's the point of reading it if we don't have any really awesome and unexpected events unfolding?!
Another aspect I enjoyed of this story was how Bella matured. Many have said the opposite, but again, I completely disagree. She never really believed in marriage or wanted motherhood in the previous books. But in this one, she's forced to grow up and see things from different angles. I've read other reviews that said it was crazy how she actually wanted the baby. Personally, I'd be worried and question her character if she was completely without feeling about the child growing inside of her. The maternal bond she instantly formed with her baby was natural, realistic and endearing to me. The fact that she fought so hard to keep it, too, just further shows her growing strength as the books progressed. She wouldn't let others dictate her decision in this matter. Even as the book continued, Bella no longer stood on the sidelines. She finally came into her own and stood beside everyone as an equal. In some ways, she even led them.
I also enjoyed Jacob's role in this book. Not only was his usual humor present, but we also got a better look into his feelings for Bella and the pain he was going through. I'd always been curious as to the bond between the two of them. When it was finally revealed and explained, I could see that it made perfect sense. Jacob was meant to be in her life all along, just not in the way most had been anticipating. I don't see it as a cop-out at all--especially since Meyer had planned on having it this way.
Overall, I just really enjoyed this book. I wouldn't pay close attention to all of the negative reviews. I think people should just read it for themselves and then make their final decision. A lot of the reviews on here seem to be bashing the story, but other people I've talked to have highly praised it.
I think Meyer did a wonderful job of tying up loose ends. She does give us a "happily ever after," but I don't think there was anything wrong with that. The characters had all suffered enough. And even though the book ends, Meyer still leaves future issues and probable battles unknown. It doesn't mean that the characters won't have other obstacles to face in the time to come. They do, and she makes that clear. The characters will always live on.
Personally, I am thankful that Stephanie Meyer had the guts and determination to put her work and ideas out there. I give her a lot of credit and respect for giving us all wonderful stories and characters to enjoy. Nobody would even be talking about it this much if it wasn't so entertaining and moving. "Breaking Dawn" is most definitely worth giving a chance.
Book Review: Alright, here goes
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I've read it three times, just to make sure.
When I finished Breaking Dawn, I loved it so much and was itching to write a review for it. When I came on, and started to scroll through other people's reviews, I had to stop. I have in the past, let my "fangirly" side take over my logical side when it comes to certain things. And after reading some reviews, I started to think that maybe I did it again. So I decided to not review, and read the saga all over with a more critical mind.
It did not work. Once again, I got so engrossed in the saga that I completely forgot to keep in mind some things that 1 star reviewers were referring to. So I tried a third time. This time, instead of reading the entire saga over, I just read Breaking Dawn (because that was the real problem). I read it at a much slower pace.
It worked. I saw a lot of the flaws 1 star reviewers were pointing out. I definitely can see why this installment in the saga annoyed people, if not, down right pissed them off...
But although I saw it and understood it, it still didn't change my feelings of the book as a whole. With the really bad, came so much more good. Yes, that could just be the fangirl in me, but hey, remember, she had a blast the first AND second time anyway. She ain't going anywhere.
Wedding: I saw no real problem with the wedding itself, but the book could have done without the first few chapters.
Thing is- I admit I actually like those first few chapters. The kissing, the banter, Bella's ridiculous inner "mature" fight with herself. I ate it all up.
Honeymoon: What the heck DID happen to our sex scene?! I mean, I'm not a voyeur or anything, but seriously, I felt like I was having sexual frustrations with Bella in the first three books. (LOL)
Thing is- I was able to get over it quick, because I knew what kind of audience this saga has (whatever). But really, I kind of forgot about it because I thought it was hilarious how addicted to sex Bella had become. So funny.
Book Two: Honestly, I didn't like that from the beginning, because I didn't want to be in someone else's mind. I was too used to Bella's.
Thing is- It was nice to get know the pack a little bit more. And I actually really like the interaction between Jacob and Edward. It was a cool change to have Edward read the narrator's mind.
Imprinting on Nessie: (First, way too much reference of it being a boy, just to have it actually be a girl in the end, just to get that out of the way). What an easy way out for Bella and Jacob.(LOL)
Thing is- I do like Jacob. I like the image of him sticking around with the Cullens, and it only seems that wouldn't happen if Nessie was not around.
Bella as a vampire: Another easy way out. Because she was aware she was becoming a vampire, she wasn't a monster like we thought she might be? Too easy.
Thing is- aww well, lol. It would have been kind of boring while she went nuts for a couple years. I just like her new vampire instincts. The scenes between her and Edward(^_^) and her and Emmett were a lot of fun to read.
J.Jenks- there was no real point in seeing him and all that, was there? Big waste.
Thing is- cool to see how other people reacted to Bella. Not that big a deal, but still interesting.
The entire Volturi encounter: Where was the fight? I do have a very hard time believing that the Volturi felt that defeated because of Bella. Yes I'm sure they "hesitated" like Edward said but I'm also sure they heard of the phrase "element of surprise."
Thing is- I still liked the whole encounter itself. The Volturi's reaction to some the things they were discovering little by little, Kate and Garret (cute), and Alice coming to save the day.
I know there were many other things that other reviewers referred to be as annoying, but I probably just didn't consider them to be all that big a deal.
Basically, although I now understand everyone's point of view, It obviously doesn't change mine. I know that was not most reviewers intentions, but I'm the type of person that likes to walk around in everyone else's side of the fence. I still have major respect for everyone's opinions and am VERY glad that they shared them. (totally kissing booty right now, so no one will be mad with me, LOL, but its true)
So I'm not going to say "I totally LOVED Breaking Dawn, and you all should go out NOW and buy it" like I was going to do after my first read.
I will tell you...that if you do decide it pick up this book, keep an open mind and be prepared for ANYTHING.
Book Review: PEOPLE REALLY SHOULD LISTEN or should i say READ????
Summary: 5 Stars
To begin with, i'm highly dissapointed with all of the negatives reviews the all the SOOO called "twilight saga" fans are giving. OK so there's no need to say that NOT everybody was going to be pleased about the ending, but to me it seems that those of you that said that breaking dawn is crap is because you obviously didn't READ IT or didn't get INTO it.
Before i read Breaking Dawn i knew about the spoilers... although i was very surprised, i didn't let all those negative comments get in my head. Some people were saying that they weren't even gonna waste their money or time to buy such a crap... but my freinds and I (as loyal twilight fans) decided that we were gonna read it by OURSELVES to see if it really was as "dissapointing" as everybody was saying...
So i went to the midnight release party, andd finish the book in the following 2 days.
So everything begins fantastic, bella is her USUAL self... all paranoid about the wedding and being the center of attention and blah blah blah... we all know how she is! So the wedding is really sweet, the honey moon got me on the edge of my seat, i felt as nervous as she was.
Here's to the people that says that everything went downhill when she finds outs she's pregnant... (i'm 18, a teeenger just like bella and i don't have any kids) why are people all of a sudden saying she's sooooo inmatureee and irresponsible??? in twilgiht S Meyer even describes bella as "NO TEENAGE GIRL AT ALL", as being a responsible woman, even more than her own mother... and the fact that she was willing to LEAVE he mother behind just so that she could be happy with Phil, to go to some creepy town that she DETESTED is soooo inmature ISN'T?????!! OF COURSE!
Back to the point of breaking dawn... OF COURSE she was going to LOVE her child...i mean COME ON PEOPLE!!! if you cannot love your own children then you don't deserve to be call a WOMAN by any degree. Besides if was a child concieve by the LOVE OF HER LIFE a.k.a "edward cullen". Being mature is sticking to your opinions and beliefs, and that's what Bella did. Being mature is being able to sacrifice yourself for the will of others.. and that's what she did, she was decided to give her life for her daughter!
Speaking of the "where's the message" topic.
First of all the twilgiht saga is a FANTASY/FICTION books which mean that the story is NOT real, ANYTHING can happen because it comes from IMAGINATION, so all of you that read it should have used a bit of IMAGINATION to be able to UNDERSTAND the book a bit better!!!
Some people are saying that bella didn't sacrafice herself at all because she ended up with eveything a person could have. Well tell me PLEASE what were you expecting???? sooo nobody seemed to be happy with them having a kid... and bella's protecting shield... (i was expecting her power to be something like that.. it kinda gives you clues that it was going to be something like that in the previous books, with all the "nobody can read her mind" and Jane and Alec trying to make her feel pain) so what EXACTLY did you want??? 700 pages talking about bella and edward lovey-dovey love at the honey moon???? And she did gave up something... her family (in some way) her old friends, her old self, her old life. (just the fact that she was willing to give up her life to be with edward is a sacrifice)
Her power (to me) it's awesome... we see how she changes when she becomes a vampire, how protective she is with her daughter and her family, how her power helped them when the Volturi where around..
Speaking about Jacob... honestly i was expecting to see a lit bit more of how his "love" story was going to end, i thought he was going to end with some girl and eveybody will be happy, but when i found out (based on the hideous spoilers) that he imprinted on bella's daughter, it was a lit bit freaky, and hard to digest. But as i've been saying READ the book, REALLY GET INTO IT. When i was reading how jacob imprinted on Nessie and how he takes care of her and protects her, i was impressed... yeahhhh because S meyer describes his emotions and how Nessie loves him back, in such a way that makes you feel HAPPY (for them) or at the very least OK with it. ( i would LOVE if Stephenie Meyer could write a book about Jacob and Nessie story later on)
TO everyone that HASN'T read it yet, don't let those bad reviews put you down... go and read breaking dawn... find out for YOURSELF if it is good or bad, you're the only one who could decide that. I'm SURE you'll LOVE IT AS MUCH AS I DID!
Personal opinion about the book: it was the BEST one of the series. it got the ending that was MEANT be... and as the description says, IT WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY!!!!