New Moon
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Genre: Romance
Series number: 2
Number of pages: 563
After a disastrous 18th birthday party, Edward makes the decision to leave Bella, hoping that in doing this she will not be constantly on the edge of danger. After his leaving, Bella goes into a deep depression . . . until she meets Jacob Black, who happens to be a werewolf. Although not able to completely mend her, Jacob becomes Bella's "safe harbour". Things look up for Bella when she receives a surprise visit from Edward's sister Alice . . . until Rosalie tells Edward Bella killed herself and Edward goes to Italy- to die.
WARNING: Spoilers Ahead! Do NOT read if you do not want some parts to be spoiled.
I have to say, "New Moon" is probably my favourite book in this series, despite the heart wrenching pain I felt for Bella when Edward left. However, I must say I see why Stephanie Meyer requests that people read this book twice- I was so concerned about Edward leaving and wondering when he was going to come back that I actually skipped ahead, read the part where Edward comes back, and then went back and read the middle section. I did find that the middle section (Bella's depression) was a bit boring, and it didn't really hold my interest. I felt that really, the only exciting parts were when Edward was around ( I don't think that this has to do with the fact that I'm on Team Edward). I end up re-reading the ending part, when they are in Volterra and after they return. Many people ( myself included) feel "That jerk! I can't believe I ever liked him!" when Edward leaves. He did win back my love when he returns to the story, and I can somewhat see his point of view. It's like he says in the first book, "I care the most because if I can do it- if leaving is the right thing to do, then I'll hurt myself to keep from hurting you, to keep you safe."(However, we all know that it is IMPOSSIBLE for Bella to stay out of trouble). I do believe that his judgement was wrong, in the sense that he thinks that, by leaving, he is keeping Bella safe, when the opposite is true- he is putting Bella through the worse pain imaginable.
I also thought that the imprinting thing was kind of neat. The whole concept of the fact that you only exist for the person you imprinted on is pretty cool. Again, as a Team Edward fan, I am relieved that Jacob does not imprint on Bella. I mean, Edward is so much better! And, no offense to you "Team Jacob" people out there, but he can act like a real idiot. Okay, so Edward has some weak points too. . . but not as much as Jacob.
I also thought that the imprinting thing was kind of neat. The whole concept of the fact that you only exist for the person you imprinted on is pretty cool. Again, as a Team Edward fan, I am relieved that Jacob does not imprint on Bella. I mean, Edward is so much better! And, no offense to you "Team Jacob" people out there, but he can act like a real idiot. Okay, so Edward has some weak points too. . . but not as much as Jacob.
I also really liked the preface to "New Moon". For those who aren't sure, here it is:
"I felt like I was trapped in one of those terrifying nightmares, the one where you have to run, run till your lungs burst, but you can't make your body move fast enough. My legs seemed to move slower and slower as I fought my way through the callous crowd, but the hands on the huge clock tower didn't slow. With relentless, uncaring force, they turned inexorably toward the end- the end of everything.
But this was no dream, and, unlike the nightmare, I wasn't running for my life; I was racing to save something infinitely more precious. My own life meant little to me today.
Alice had said there was a good chance we would both die here. Perhaps the outcome would be different if she weren't trapped by the brilliant sun; only I was free to run across this bright, crowed square.
And I couldn't run fast enough.
So it didn't matter to me that we were surrounded by our extraordinarily dangerous enemies. As the clock began to toll out the hour, vibrating under the soles of my sluggish feet, I knew I was too late- and I was glad something bloodthirsty waited in the wings. For in failing at this, I forfeited any desire to live.
The clock tolled again, and the sun beat down from the exact centre point of the sky"
Even though I didn't understand the connection until the end, I thought it was a really good way to start the book. The preface in "Twilight" was, no offense, weak.
All in all, I would give this book an A+.
