In a World Where Anything Goes: twilight series

Friday, July 13, 2012

New Moon (#2 Twilight series) by Stephanie Meyer

Rating: 8/10

Summary: Bella is living some of her darkest moments. After getting a paper cut during her birthday which sent Jasper into a crazy uproar, Edward is now convinced the best way to protect Bella is for his family to move away from Forks and Bella.

Jacob, eases Bella’s pain by being a friend and keeping her busy and out of trouble. However, Bella’s depression grows more strongly with every minute. After Jacob grows distant from her, Bella realises that Jacob is a werewolf. During one of Bella’s stunts, Alice’s vision shows a portion of the truth that leads Edward to believe that she is dead.

My thoughts: The story for this one was good and dark, however, at times I was getting a little annoyed to read her depressed state and her constant inner crying about how in love she was.

The development of the characters where nicely done, and you could see the progression of Bella’s depression grow with every page. As for Jacob, I really liked his progression, being in love with Bella himself, yet knowing that she cannot reciprocate. He tries really hard to stay a good friend and slowly turn her towards him. After learning he is a werewolf, it was nice to see him distance himself away from her, and how he too wants to protect her and not hurt her.

This book is definitely a lot darker than its previous one and its writing has also greatly improved. She seems to have found a style of writing that is more descriptive and dark than the previous one that had a more faerie like appeal to it.

Quote p.112: “I drifted in and out of alertness. I heard Charlie whisper thanks to the volunteers as, one by one, they left. I felt his fingers on my forehead, and then the weight of another blanket. The phone rang a few times, and he hurried to catch it before it could wake me. He muttered reassurances in a low voice to the callers.”

Twilight series:

1. Twilight

2. New Moon

3. Eclipse

4. Breaking Dawn

Twilight (#1 Twilight series) by Stephanie Meyer

Rating: 8/10

Summary: Isabella (Bella) Swan, moves to Forks with her dad and falls in love with a very secretive boy, Edward Cullen, a 104 year old vampire. But when another clan of vampires visit the town, will Edward be able to protect Bella.

My thoughts: I have to begin by explaining the back-story of how I came to read this book. I had heard a lot about the series. Having seen one of her books at the grocery store on special, I proceeded to buy it and read it. I could not understand why people liked it as much as they did; I was confused about the characters and the plot. Finally after finishing the first section, I put the book aside and decided that I could not continue to read this. My friend showed up one morning before work and saw my copy of Breaking Dawn. She exclaimed!! “OH the fourth book of the series!!! Can I borrow it?” And that’s when I realised why this book made no sense to me. Now, having started the book from the beginning my thoughts on this have changed.

I found the book to be very interesting and completely compelling. The idea of vampires hiding themselves amongst are world and trying to be as human as possible, is a romantic notion that seems to please the hearts of many young girls.

The characters were pretty good and I enjoyed the contrast between Edward and Jacob. You can sense that Jacob likes Bella, and the jealousy emanating from Edward.

I also enjoyed the addition of James, who after meeting Bella and see the protective stance of Edward, hunts Bella as a sport. This was a nice little twist to see the reaction of Edward, and what he would do for Bella.

Be aware, that the writing is still very simple and the author has not yet found her definite style of writing yet. The writing is however, still enjoyable.

Quote p.234: “I sat quietly, dazed, my thoughts incoherent. My hands were folded in my lap, and I was leaning weakly against the back of the seat. He still had his face in his hand, and he was as still as if he’d been carved from the stone his skin resembled. Finally he looked up, his eyes seeking mine, full of his own questions.”