Friday, August 14, 2009

Stephenie Meyer - New Moon (Twilight series, Book 2)

Bella celebrates her birthday with her boyfriend Edward and his family, a unique clan of vampires that has sworn off human blood. But the celebration abruptly ends when the teen accidentally cuts her arm on broken glass. The sight and smell of her blood trickling away forces the Cullen family to retreat lest they be tempted to make a meal of her. After all is mended, Edward, realizing the danger that he and his family create for Bella, sees no option for her safety but to leave. Mourning his departure, she slips into a downward spiral of depression that penetrates and lingers over her every step.

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It is a paper cut on Bella's finger that drives the Cullens' out of Forks, promising to never to return. Bella never asked for them to leave, she didn't want them out of her life but she is left with a shattered world, nothing to do with herself and not enough will to live to move on with her life. So the months fly by until Bella remembers her old friend Jacob Black and their relationship intensifies.
For him she has always been his love, for her he is the brother that takes her around doing dangerous stuff. But Jacob has another secret soon to reveal. He's a werewolf trying to protect the people from a vampire that lately left tracks and dead people all around Forks and the reservoir. The vampire of course, is Victoria who seeks revenge on Bella for James' death.
In an attempt to feel something Bella tries herself in cliff diving which almost costs her life if it weren't for Jacob who once again saved her life.
The friendship between the two is put to the test when the frantic Alice, Edward's sister who saw Bella's jump in a vision, arrives to check on Charlie because she thought Bella died. But she's not the only one that thought the same.

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I've been wondering why I kept reading. There isn't really much happening in this continuation of the Twilight novel. It certainly aren't the characters. Each one of them is undeveloped and Bella's the most co-dependent person one can imagine. Her clumsiness, in the beginning kinda funny, hasn't changed and has become quite old. She still wants to become a vampire and it looks like that's her only goal.
I could tear at my hair for Bella's stupidity and have given up to explain why I in the end liked the book. The answer is pretty clear: I don't know.

It is quite irking that Meyer so easily describes depression like it is the normal process of heartsickness. It is not, plus, suicidal behavior might be a bit thoughtless to dish to young teenagers. It certainly needs explanation for some young readers.

Rating:
Visit Stephenie Meyer.
Review Twilight (Twilight series, Book 1).

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers; MTI edition (September 15, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316075639
ISBN-13: 978-0316075633

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