When I finally read Breaking Dawn, the much anticipated finale to Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga, I did so with a mixture of eagerness and cynicism. I enjoyed the first three novels of the series, almost in spite of myself, devouring them in a matter of days (see my review here) and I was eager to see how the story would end. Like many other readers, I found myself drawn into the story of Bella and Edward (and Jacob—don’t forget Jacob!) and all the complexities inherent in a tale of vampires and werewolves. My cynicism was due to the mixed bag of reviews I’d seen prior to reading the novel for myself.
In the Twilight saga, Bella, a human teenager, meets Edward when she moves to Forks, Washington to live with her dad, Charlie. Bella instantly and immediately falls head over heels for Edward with an all consuming passion bordering on worship. Eventually she learns Edward is a vampire, one of a vegetarian vampire community which chooses to drink only animal blood over that of humans. To further complicate matters, and provide an interesting love triangle, Bella’s best friend Jacob is a werewolf, a sworn enemy of the “cold ones,” the vampires. It is Bella’s greatest desire to become a vampire herself and so belong to Edward forever in the youthfulness of a teenage body.
And so Breaking Dawn begins days before Bella’s wedding to Edward. Will Bella finally become a vampire? Will she regret the loss of family and friends? Will she become a murderer in her thirst for blood as a newborn vampire? And what about Jacob? (which to me was the most pressing question of all—Jacob was by far my favorite character)
I’ll be honest. I had a clear opinion of what I’d hoped Bella’s fate would be and, well, let’s just say Meyer had something else in mind. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll just tell you Bella’s and Edward’s story takes several surprising turns, some steamy, some sweet, some disappointing, and some just plain creepy.
That’s right, steamy. Though certainly not graphic, sex is more than a mere allusion. I’ll admit to being uncomfortable with the thought of my fourteen year old son reading about a couple swimming naked in the ocean, headboards being broken, and bruises resulting from engaging the super human strength of a vampire. Parents of young teenagers will want to check the appropriateness of the novel for their child.
Meyers tells a compelling love story, no doubt about it. Teenagers, girls especially, will no doubt be enthralled with the dreamy romance of the novel, though my middle aged self found the gooey intensity to grow a little tiresome at times.
*Small spoiler alert*
I also cringed at the romantic portrayal of marriage and motherhood at eighteen years old.
*Spoiler over*
Despite my occasional roll of the eye, there is much to enjoy, such as the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and honor. And, as I said, Jacob is my favorite character. He tells the middle portion of the story and his chapter titles alone are worth the read. For example: “Why Didn’t I Just Walk Away? Oh Right, Because I’m An Idiot” and the poignant “What Do I Look Like? The Wizard of Oz? You Need a Brain? You Need a Heart? Go Ahead. Take Mine. Take Everything I Have.”
All in all, it was one wild ride.
Are you interested in taking your own ride through Forks, Washington with Bella, Edward, and Jacob as your guides in this series finale? Leave a comment here to win one of two copies of Breaking Dawn. We’ll post the winners next Wednesday, August 27.
Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes….
Terri D says
Nice prize. Count me in!
Barbara Fox says
Vampires! Sounds great!
sarah says
enter me!
Sierra Rendon says
Dying to read the follow-up! Thanks for the contest!
DeeAnn S says
Thanks for this contest! Cant wait to read this one.
Millicent C. says
Thank you for a chance to win such a great sounding book! 🙂
Linda Peters says
Please enter me love to read this
Jasmine Gary says
LOVE this series!
Dan Smith says
Please enter me
Susan Smith says
Sounds like a nice book
Annie (Adventures In Mommyland) says
I would like to enter the contest. I read it already, didn’t really like it though. My best friend LOVES S. Meyers though and I would love to give it to her:)
Vicki Wurgler says
I Would love to win and read this book
sabb266 says
Stephanie Meyer is my hero! Not because I am some sick person or anything but it is because of her that my daughter-in-law started to like reading. She has read all of Stephanie’s books and now reads to my grandson all the time. I would love to win this for her
Carol Ezovski says
I just got “Twilight”, so now I need all of the others in the series!
Kristine Michelle says
Am I the only one who hasn’t read any of these books? I’m going to start with Twilight this weekend, so I need to win some of the others.
Evelyn says
I’d love to win
Lisa O says
My friends are ADDICTED to this series. Would love to get in on the action…
Rodney Koodray, Jr. says
hope i win
Linda Moeller says
I’d love to read this.
cindy a says
would love to read this
Connie A. says
It started with one of my daughters reading Twilight, now we’re all Twilight Bitten! Even my spouse has been reading all the books and is now on BD (he couldn’t put them down either).
Jennifer Hedden says
enter me
Danielle H says
Enter me please!
Michele says
I just finished reading this last week. I would love to win a copy to pass on to my sister!
william causey says
please count me in
Andrea Tolman says
I have never won anything in my life. I would love to win a copy of this book I have been dying to get one. Thank you for the chance to win!
Gary Osborn says
Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
Jay says
Ahhhh!
I would totally love to win a copy!
I absolutely LOVE this series! =)
Catherine says
Sounds like an interesting read
Kirsten says
All of my friends are hooked on these books and I haven’t read ONE yet!
Jennifer Jozwiak says
Pick me, I’m only on book two but I love it so far!
Ana says
I’d love to win.
Sheri F says
I really want to read this!
Julie Lawrence says
I want it!
the mama hood says
I would love to win this for my sister in law who is a huge fan!
kenzkween at hotmail dot com
Anita Yancey says
I would love to read this book. Please enter me.
Lori Cerullo says
have read the excert and really want to read. it is on my trl, thanks
Donna says
I would like to read this.
Ellinor Burke says
Have gotten really hooked on Stephanie Meyer’s books, they are great.
Donna Wilde says
It looks like a good read. I would love to win it!
judy brittle says
Sounds like a really good book. Thank you so much!
Belinda says
I love a good read. Thanks!
Rachael says
I can hardly wait to read this book. But with a Mom and 3 older sisters, I am “low woman” on the totem pole. Maybe if I win this book, I can read it first.
Valerie Mitchell says
I would love to win 🙂
Erica Kahn says
I Love to read. This would be a wonderful addition to my collection!
Debbie Criss says
Sounds like a good one. Please enter me, thank you
Lorry Hill says
i love the series
karen says
Read it. Thought it was perfect.
Karen Everrett says
The teens in my house can’t get enough of this series. I’m looking forward to having the time to read the series as well.
Alicia T says
Thanks for the contest, sounds like an interesting read.