Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) by Stephenie Meyer Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)
Book Review: Completly. Fantastic.
Summary: 5 Stars
I couldn't stop reading even if I wanted to, it was that fantastic. Bella a girl who is in love with a vampire called Edward has to face many of the complications that was started in the first (Twilight) and second (new moon) books. One of them is Jacob, her best friend, who is also an werewolf and unfortunatly a sworn enemy of vampires and even worse in love with Bella. The second problem is the Volturi, a group of important vampires, who wants Bella either dead or turned into a vampire due to the fact that humans are not allowed to know the Volturi exists. The third problem is Victoria, a vampire who simply wants Bella dead. Bella and edwards love for each other is touching and Edwards family add a bit of comedy to the book. Read the first (Twilight) and second (new moon) books first, in order to get the full blast of how amazing Eclipse is. Book Review: A Dissapointing Third
Summary: 4 Stars
Let me start off by saying this. I am a huge fan of Stephenie Meyer's books; Twilight been my favourite. I don't know whether it was because of the mysterious Cullen family (especially Edward), or the sense of mystry and creepiness in the book, or even the sometimes humourous personality of the narrator Isabella (Bella) Swan, but there was something about Twilight that kept me hooked and had me on the edge of my seat trying my hardest not to flick through the last pages of the climatic last chapters. New Moon was same as well.
The character Bella, the narrator of the story it seems has always been accused of been a weak pathetic heroine who always needs saving by the strong, powerful Edward. Some might see this as sexist. I want to say I completely understand why readers would say this- I after all am a seventeen year old girl. I never had a problem with this to be honest in Twilight. Bella was a human girl who suddenly found herself in a world of ridiculously powerful vampires, and by the end of the book was in the clutches of a sadistic vampire. How would you act? I wouldn't be exactly calm headed.
In New Moon Bella fell completely apart because of Edward and his families leaving. Over the top? Yes, but as Stephenie mentioned, what the two had was true love. The point I'm trying to make here is that in the first two books Bella may have been pathetic and weak, but she at least showed bravery and strength that some might not have been able to achieve. In Twilight this is the Bella who went willingly to James knowing that he would hurt her, just to save her mother. And this is the same Bella who in New Moon travelled all the way to the Volturi to save Edward, again knowing that she could be killed.
In Eclipse there is hardly, if not none, of this. Eclipse seems to show so much of the bad of Bella that I wondered if Stephenie Meyer wanted her readers to start disliking Bella. One of this things I never liked about her, was her selfishness and obsession with Edward. Yes she's in love with him, yes he look's perfect, but she thinks about him all the time in Twilight and New Moon! And much to my disgust in Eclipse, she's upped this and is now saying she'll "die" if Edward leaves her. He certainly had good enough reason after the book. And then there's her selfishness in not considering her family in wanting to become a family. Starught after her attack in Twilight she's bugging Edward to turn her, and is still doing this in New Moon. Thank God, Eclipse shows her considering her family, and the drawbacks of been a vampire.
But in Eclipse Bella is whiny, even more selfish, more pathetic, and just dislikable. By the end of the book, because of her actions, I just wanted to punch her. She is now my least favourite character, I really don't like her anymore.
One thing I can't understand about Eclipse is the love triangle with Edward, Jacob, and Bella. Was there ever going to be a chance with this? It seemed to me like an excuse just to have Belle say that she was in love with Jacob. I'm sorry but what?! Where did this come from? I got the impression from New Moon that they had more of a brotherly sisterly relationship. And now Bella's in love with him? And to add to this, Bella sees Jacob as her human `Soul mate', and her and Edwards relationship as a `drug'? For me it ruins everything that they had in the first two books, by implying that the two's relationship is dangerous, addictive and bad, and that Jacob is the good one.
Another thing that left me was how Bella could even consider Jacob over Edward. I liked Jacob in New Moon, and felt sorry for him at the end, because of Bella using him. But in Eclipse he is immature and nasty and despicable. I've lost most of my liking for him, with maybe a little left to feel sorry for him.
Edward I'll admit has seemed controlling in the previous books. And I didn't like him all too much at the end of New Moon. But it's only in Eclipse do I see how wonderful the character is. His descision in New Moon, while saddening for the readers, was very selfless. Edward who declares that Bella is his everything, and wrote music for her Twilight. Edward who would live in misery in New Moon just to make sure that Bella is safe and had a life. And he who went to kill himself because he was so upset at Bella's supposed death. How could Bella even think of leaving him for Jacob?
I agree that Edward was very passive in this book and didn't react much to how horrible Bella was, and her betrayal, but I can understand why. Edward loves Bella more than anything. And when you love someone deeply, you forgive them, because they are everything to you. Of course I am on the other hand a girl, and not in love with Bella, and wanted so much to enter the story and slap her across the face.
There are some good points to Eclipse. Such as the back stories from Rosalie and Jasper and the humour in the book is as good as Twilight. Also the emotion the book makes you feel shows how good the story is, and how talented the author is. But I didn't like the love triangle which the books focuses on. Bella comes out of the book even more weak and pathetic than the last books, and a manipulative, dislikable character. There is such thing as holding your head up high and been brave, and showing power even when your up against the odds. Yet she shows none of this.
Thankfully there are better female characters in the books like Alice, Rosalie, Jane, and Angela. They are just as strong as the male characters in the book, if not better. Alice is very important to the Cullen family, probably the most because of her power to see into the future. Rosalie is the imbodemant of innter strength with her never having drubk human blood despite the thirst. Jane is one of the top guards for the Volturi, and it seems Aro's favourite. And Angela shows the good in humanity. Can't say the women aren't portrayed well know. Shame that the main character is worse and dislikable than some of the lesser characters. It should be the other way round.
Eclipse all in all was an ok book, but a bit of a disappointment, and the weakest one yet. I will be reading Breaking Dawn to find out what happens and to complete the collection. But I can only hope that Meyer redeems Bella and Jacob in some way, because to me, Jacob should find someone else, and Bella doesn't deserve Edward. Frankly Bella can have Jacob, because I'm sure there are plenty of readers who would love Edward.
Book Review: Another wonderful chapter in Bella and Edward's life
Summary: 5 Stars
I will write this review under the assumption that anyone buying this book has read the previous two instalments. If not, I would strongly advise to do so, as they need to be read in order to fully appreciate the story.
Having said that, I must begin by saying that I loved Eclipse. Yes, the emotional tenor is different from the other two books and yes, there were passages that I was not happy about at the time of reading it - BUT, after having taken some time to think about it, I have come to the conclusion that Bella's new-found feelings for Jake (which, judging by the comments of other readers in various internet discussions, has been what really upset some) were neccessary in order for her to mature to a point were she can acceptably make a truly life-altering decision. I do agree that she acts selfishly and is therefore possibly more emotionally cruel, to both Edward and Jake, than she should be in an ideal world. But then nobody is perfect, and she had some growing up to do, which (to me at least) includes that sometimes you hurt people in the process.
Stephenie Meyer has clearly stated that Eclipse is about "choices" and I like the fact that Bella ultimately made a conscious, thought-through decision rather than being driven purely by spur-of-the-moment emotions.
I understand why some readers might be upset with Eclipse, and I agree with the statement that it is flawed. But then it kind of needed to be, for this particular chapter in Bella's life is as well. And after all, it is HER story that we're being told.
After having read various interviews with Stephenie Meyer, I am positive that she knows where she is taking her readers and she knows what she wants to tell them and when the time is right to do so. I - for one - have made the choice to trust her and I'm sure she won't let me down. She seems to love her characters too much for that.
Therefore I think the doubters and criticisers should just accept Eclipse for what it is, a coming-of-age story, a part in a tale that is not yet finished. It is emotional, funny, painful, flawed, annoying and romantic - just like everyday life is. If you loved the previous two books, you simply have to read this for it deepens the characters and makes ALL of them ever so much more life-like in their "imperfectness".
I promise, after having had a little think once you've finished the last pages, you will love Eclipse on its own accord just as much as the previous ones and you will be highly anticipating Breaking Dawn... (where we will hopefully find out what exactly we're supposed to make of that little word conceivably)...
Book Review: The Best yet!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have just finished reading this book ( after what seemed like a long wait!)and I was not disappointed. I think that this book is my favourite out of the saga as it really deepens the characters. I liked the fact that we were able to find out more about Edward's family and their stories. I found Bella a little less likeable because of some of the things she did, but having said that I feel that added to the storyline and afterall nobody is perfect! If you enjoyed Twilight and New Moon you will love this!!Book Review: Blows your mind!
Summary: 5 Stars
I became totally obsessed with the twilight series when I first read Twilight, now around two weeks ago. I couldn't wait for New moon and Eclipse to come out in the UK, so a spent a little extra importing them from Germany and America. Boy, was it worth it!
I read all the reviews on amazon.com about Eclipse before purchasing, and many people disliked Bella's way of handling things, and most people either sided with Edward or Jacob.
I can understand (me seeing Edward as the almost-perfect guy) why some were upset by the Love triangle, but I found it very realistic and refreshing. I could understand all the characters-and for a Werewolf and a Vampire, they were very human!
I think Mrs Meyer has been extremely clever in the way she wrote this 3rd instalment, she made it flow from New moon, and although the ending is happy and sad, that's real life for you. I won't spoil anything by telling you what happens, but this story includes much of the sought after romance, and also some needed action! I've hugely enjoyed the hours I spent with this book, and the characters just keep on maturing and get stronger in their passion.
I (being a complete bookworm) have read many, many books in my short life, but this saga reaches the top-ten easily. If you have thoroughly enjoyed and devoured the previous two, then don't hesitate to buy this book! If you can't wait until it comes out in the UK, then I suggest ordering from amazon.com. My book arrived early (as usual) and I don't regret the extra amount spent so I could read it sooner!
Enjoy Eclipse because it's a year's wait until Breaking Dawn! *Groans*