New Moon (Twilight, #2) by Stephenie Meyer - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists

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04/11/08

Amanda rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in January, 2008

Keep in mind that though this review is about to wheel off into an angry rant, this book is good. The series is addictive. And as I said previously about Stephanie Meyers, if you want to cease brain function for a few hours, she's your girl.

The beginning is slow, the middle is gold, the end is lacking. The blank pages to represent months passed in zombie-depression, great idea.

Now, my problem. My problem is not so much with the story as it is perhaps with the idea beh...more

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03/13/08

Denys L.H. rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

recommended to Denys L.H. by: a really big douchebag
recommends it for: douchebags

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

You may have heard me rant about the previous novel Twilight. I decided to read the sequel, just to see if it will get better.

Boy, was I wrong.

First off, we began with Bella Swan bitching about how old she's getting, because Edward stays 17 forever, and since her birthday is coming up, she'll be one year older than her perfect lover. Um... older than him? Looks-wise, yes, but these dumbasses don't realize is that he's 100 YEARS OLDER THAN HER! WHAT THE HELL IS HE EVEN DOI...more You may have heard me rant about the previous novel Twilight. I decided to read the sequel, just to see if it will get better.

Boy, was I wrong.

First off, we began with Bella Swan bitching about how old she's getting, because Edward stays 17 forever, and since her birthday is coming up, she'll be one year older than her perfect lover. Um... older than him? Looks-wise, yes, but these dumbasses don't realize is that he's 100 YEARS OLDER THAN HER! WHAT THE HELL IS HE EVEN DOING IN HIGH SCHOOL IN THE FIRST PLACE? What really makes me annoyed with this couple was the fact they were comparing their relationship with Romeo and Juliet. It's nowhere even close to that because you two have no reason for loving each other!

Anyways, they have a party and things get a little out of control when Bella cuts herself (unintentionally) and Jasper can't control his vampire needs. Edward realizes he needs to protect Bella, and in order to do that, he must go away with his family. In order to pull an irritating fan girlfriend off your back is to hurt them really badly. And that's what he does.

Bella decides that without Edward, she has no reason to live anymore, even though she unexplainably can hear him inside her mind. What a baby. Luckily, Jacob saves her from attempted suicide as I'm guessing, and starts hanging out with her. At this point in the story, I'm starting to hate Jacob a little less and begun to eventually like him, because he's more of an original character than Edward. He makes mistakes, unlike Edward. He has more of a potential and realistic relationship with Bella. To top it all off, he's a werewolf and vampires so happen to be his worst enemy.

However, things start to get more complicated in the story. When Bella figured out Edward was going to Italy to ask this vampire family to kill him because he thought Bella is dead from some misinterpretation. Being the piss off as she is, she immediately pushes Jacob aside and her developing feelings and travels to Italy to stop Edward. In the end, they're together. They don't need anyone else, only each other to survive. Fucking lunatics.

I hate Edward now. He's just too unoriginal for me. Fan girls (including Bella) only love him because he's the hottest thing since ipods. They love an image of their boy dreams, but they hate the character that's actually more human than Edward, the sex god? What's the world coming to these days? I swear Jacob needs to get out of that retarded novel before Stephanie Meyer comes up with a way to make everyone have a reason to hate him. Good job, babe, good job.(less)

Like this review? yes (76 people liked it)

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08/01/08

Nicole Talucci rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in July, 2008

recommended to Nicole by: My inner child who has been thoroughly beaten and put to bed wit
recommends it for: Idiots and pre-teen girls who have never been kissed.

Uhg. I read Twilight and was sorely disappointed in it, but I had heard through a series of acquaintances that this one was better--that it introduced werewolves and slightly healthier relationships.

I was deceived.

It was awful--not as bad as its predecessor, but still pretty bad. Right off the bat Bella is crying about how she hates her birthday and dreads aging and wants little to do with her birthday. This was a annoying to read through because I kept thinking to mysel...more

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01/23/08

Saya rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in October, 2006

recommends it for: The fans and romance obssessed teen girls

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Not as good as Twilight having chosen to abandon EVERY element that made it so great but still manages to keep this book afloat with the new mystery and dangers.

Edward leaving wasn't surprising, he kept thinking about it before when Bella was in the hospital and it was a drama and angst inducing twist- it was bound to happen in due time. I just can't believe Bella's self esteem went from feeling occasional envy and remorse due to Edward's perfection to not considering herself worthy ...more Not as good as Twilight having chosen to abandon EVERY element that made it so great but still manages to keep this book afloat with the new mystery and dangers.

Edward leaving wasn't surprising, he kept thinking about it before when Bella was in the hospital and it was a drama and angst inducing twist- it was bound to happen in due time. I just can't believe Bella's self esteem went from feeling occasional envy and remorse due to Edward's perfection to not considering herself worthy of him and constantly reminding herself how unworthy she is- she couldn't consider him lying to her at all! Hey, Meyer, where did the observant, sarcastic Bella go that we grew to know and love? Because this spineless, pathetic shell can't be true- I thought Bella was smarter than that. I actually googled "psychotic" and found "psychotic depression", the symptoms being: suicidal thoughts (Ed's voice itself could qualify), suicide attempts (all of her attempts to hear Ed's voice), audio and or visual hallucination (Ed's voice again and her vision of him before passing out in the ocean), not feeling as you once did when well (hole in chest), aggression (well, she couldn't bring herself to be mad at Edward, even if she forgave him and understood his actions, her subconscious should still be mad), frustration (perhaps her visits to the Cullen home and meadow), and feelings of hopelessness (the entire book, from being upset to aging at the beginning to her woes of the Volturi and Jake at the end). Great, we got ourselves a crazy person (no offense to those actually afflicted with this). Sheesh Bella, get back your old spine then fix it so you can stop embarrassing teenage girls. At least Bella is now certain that Edward loves her.

I know many fans were upset at Edward's scarce appearances and even more upset and even mad with Jake taking his place. Now, I like Jake, he's fun, sweet, loyal, has a temper, fixes automobiles- wait, that's- that's a personality I spy. Whodathunkit. Besides Alice and Carlisle, none of the other characters have displayed a prominent hobby that they do on a regular basis for fun rather than as part of the plot. Though not nearly as perfect as Edward, Jake offers a sorely needed element to Bella's tale: humanity. Jake is a human with all its flaws and gifts- he jokes, he mocks, he fixes motorcycles, he fears, and he loves. Of course is not only human. I just don't understand why he loves Bella, Meyer actually gives a brief second person POV to help us better understand Jake, the only thing it did was make me question his love for Bella even more. She offers him nothing besides a free motorcycle. Poor Jake, forced to love Bella for the sake of plot.

I suspected werewolves when Jake mentioned wolves being sacred to the Quileutes back in Twilight not too mention being Native American with the skin walker legend- it wasn't very surprising (that and I read werewolves in that copyright page). The werewolves added a very homey, nature sort of feel to the story which I enjoyed, I think I would like a tale of Native American werewolf teenage boys more than the Cullens. Though the fact that only boys are werewolves only added more fuel to my fire of "The Twilight Saga is Misogynistic". You can deny it all you like Stephenie Meyer but Alice nor Jane- only two pros- is enough to fight back the tides supporting this. If you're so "anti-human" then why are all the women so desperate, bitter, and clingy, huh?

The Volturi. Now this was cool. It made the dull middle all worth it here. Aro was fun (the only one to be), Jane was too happy-to-serve-and-hurt-people-while-creepily-smiling, you know, those little girls who won't stop creepily smiling, they annoy me. Sadly, the Volturi are basically, your typical baddies who dress in black, act intimidating, and set a time line to force someone's hand and create more drama and tension. Their role as secret keepers makes them unique but... Why must the vampires remain secret from humans? Unlike your typical vampire, Meyer's are not vulnerable to ANYTHING besides another vampire and werewolves and even then they can survive that unless all parts of the torn apart vampire are burned. Why hide? Bad Meyer, she made such an interesting group yet has no good reason for them to exist.

Victoria... geez, why does her desire to kill Bella for vengeance only strengthen my idea that the universe revolves around Bella? It can't be because the Cullens, James, the Volturi, Forks High, and the werewolves are all either out to get her, romantically pursue her, worship her, or protect her when she doesn't deserve it.

Meyer's writing is nothing special but it made Twilight magical and actually made my heart race in the meadow; it possessed a simple and descriptive prose that definitely helped me envision the setting. New Moon's was not as magical but it was still descriptive (certainly better than the robotic Eclipse). The pacing is also strange- Meyer merely wrote the months' names on the pages to show how detached Bella was from her "hopeless" life and then taking so long to tell us of her bonding with Jake. Interesting and effective but dull and slow nonetheless.

My biggest gripe with New Moon is how Bella never grew as a human. She spent all her time holding onto Edward- who DUMPED her- and then clinging to Jake as a life support, then of course abandoning Jake to save her love and then clinging to him even more desperately then Jake. I can pity her but only when Edward (and the other Cullens) return does Bella return to normal. It was pathetic and sickening. Damn it Bella, you're a human girl, ACT LIKE ONE! Another grip is how New Moon turned into a love triangle (or will turn since that action takes place in the sequel). Meyer has stated that Twilight was meant to be a stand alone novel and it certainly shows. We came for Bella and Edward and now we have this love triangle which I cannot understand. Bella becomes absolutely pathetic and whiny, Jake's love goes unexplained and serves as nothing more than like Paris in Romeo & Juliet, and Edward is seen so seldom it threw the story off balance. The werewolves provided a nature, family, real horror feel, so I enjoyed the book more than an average Edward fan. But trust me reader, it only gets worse! Prepare yourself for Eclipse which spends the majority of its incredible length too strengthening Bella and Jake and leaving Bella and Edward in the "Too Be Developed if Ever" category. Just stop here for nothing more than a supremely lame love triangle of inexplicable absurdities awaits you- and bad writing.(less)

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08/03/08

Scott rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: anybody except feminists, girls, and the emotionally secure

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I can't even.... wow. Is anyone else completely aghast that this dreck saw a printing press not to mention became a wildly popular series?

I thought I was being hard on Twilight when I criticized it for portraying a relationship so ill-advised and unhealthy and then romanticizing that relationship to young people as if people didn't already make enough bad decisions. I thought maybe now that Book 1 was done the series would take a nice turn.

Enter: New Moon. Exit: Shred ...more I can't even.... wow. Is anyone else completely aghast that this dreck saw a printing press not to mention became a wildly popular series?

I thought I was being hard on Twilight when I criticized it for portraying a relationship so ill-advised and unhealthy and then romanticizing that relationship to young people as if people didn't already make enough bad decisions. I thought maybe now that Book 1 was done the series would take a nice turn.

Enter: New Moon. Exit: Shred of decency.

Were it simply a problem of the weakly-developed characters, confused and uneven plotline, hundreds of pages of cloying depression (only to be replaced by cloying sentimentality later on), and an appalling and unsubtle parallel to Romeo and Juliet, this novel would simply be mediocre teen fare.

But then we must consider the problem of Bella: whiny, needy, and sullen, blindly devoting herself to a partner that constantly patronizes, criticizes, and subjugates her only for him to leave so she can spend the next 8 months in a state of emotional vacancy so acute that she forgets everything else in her life that a girl can be happy about. Bella is only complete--and she says this herself--when her man is by her side. And apparently, according to Meyer at least, this is ok. It's ok to create a character so bereft of purpose, self-assurance, and identity that she can't live without a relationship based on nothing substantial, just beauty, lust, and exoticism.

And it's ok for her to experience no emotional maturity whatsoever because in the end, her lover comes back spewing the same gushy nonsense as before while still lording it over her and flying into rages when he doesn't get his way.

The only compelling character in this story was Jacob. That is... until he became a werewolf and became as cardboard and unappealing as the rest of the cast. The irrational hatred between vampires and werewolves gets played off as instinctual, but it has all the logic of bigotry, and that these characters do nothing to try overcoming it is yet another way in which they are immature and non-self-examining.

Due to the audience for which this intended, I have to say that New Moon and the Twilight Saga as a whole are not just poor, they're damaging.

And don't even get me started on the "epiphany" of p. 527. We were expected to believe Bella thought Edward had ceased to love her even though an autistic housefly could see it was nowhere near true?

This book failed. Intensely. I'm sorry.(less)

Like this review? yes (35 people liked it)

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07/20/08

Julie (Mom2lnb) rated it:

(review of isbn 0316024961)

bookshelves: desert-island-keepers, paranormal-romance, read-2008, young-adult

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: Fans of PN Romance

Reviewed for THC Reviews
Twilight was a grand romance which frequently left me smiling, but New Moon takes on a bittersweet, angst-filled and edgy tone in this continuing dramatic saga of teen love between a vampire and a human. The book gets off to a rather explosive start, but rapidly turns to heavy sorrow when Edward make a fateful decision concerning Bella's safety. Following his decision, Edward is off the canvas for about the next two-thirds of the book, as is the entire Cullen family...more

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08/17/07

Navah rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

bookshelves: teen, trashy

Read in March, 2007

Bella Swan's relationship with her hot vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen is heating up when her characteristic clumsiness messes everything up again at her vampire-thrown birthday party. In typical Bella style, she gives herself a paper cut and Edward has to literally throw himself in front of her to keep her from being dinner for six hungry vampires. That's the last straw for Edward, and he and his entire family pick up and leave to prevent any more harm from coming to Bella on their tab. Bella i...more Bella Swan's relationship with her hot vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen is heating up when her characteristic clumsiness messes everything up again at her vampire-thrown birthday party. In typical Bella style, she gives herself a paper cut and Edward has to literally throw himself in front of her to keep her from being dinner for six hungry vampires. That's the last straw for Edward, and he and his entire family pick up and leave to prevent any more harm from coming to Bella on their tab. Bella is, of course, inconsolable, and walks through life like a lovesick zombie - until she renews her friendship with local boy Jacob Black. Jacob is a good friend - and more importantly, he helps Bella fix up two motercycles and teaches her to ride them. Bella's friendship with Jacob - and the adrenaline rush that the motercycles bring - sustains her, until she discovers a dangerous truth about the identity of Jacob and his friends - they are a pack of young werewolves. And even worse, they have been working to protect her from a vicious vampire who has it in for Bella.

After the horrible drudge that was Twilight, New Moon was a pleasant surprise. At least, part of it was, if you can get past Bella's melodramatic, lovesick, woe-is-me-I-am-the-center-of-the-universe depression. I was actually starting to enjoy Bella's somewhat odd relationship with Jacob, and the book in general, which kind of surprised me - until Edward showed up again. Then, the writing dissolved once again to "I love you more, shmoopy." "No, I love you more." and I lost patience once again. That's the problem with this book. The shmoopy, syrupy, unexplainededly irritating Romeo-and-Juliet True Love that Edward and Bella share. I like Bella with Alice. I like Bella with Carlisle and Esme. I like Bella with Jacob. I can't stand Bella with Edward. And let me rephrase that. There is nothing likeable about Bella as a character - she is a complete and total MarySue. Jacob is goodhearted and clever and interesting, and I have no trouble understanding why Bella is drawn to him. But why is Jacob drawn to Bella? There seems to be no reason I can understand. And most laughable of all is Bella's desperate urge to become a vampire herself. Especially at the end, when Edward asks her to marry him first, and she balks. She's afraid of commitment, but not of being turned into a vampire so she can stay with him always? Give me a break.(less)

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08/08/08

Jessica rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

bookshelves: 2008

Read in July, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

(Eclipse spoilers also)
At the beginning of New Moon, the relationship between Bella and Edward is extremely unhealthy.

Edward HATES himself. He refers to himself over and over as a monster and truly believes that Bella's life is worse off now that he is involved in it. He has tried to keep distance from her for her own good, but he was too drawn to her, and too selfish to stay away. They fall love and can't bear to be apart, however, he never gets over believing that he is a hor...more (Eclipse spoilers also)
At the beginning of New Moon, the relationship between Bella and Edward is extremely unhealthy.

Edward HATES himself. He refers to himself over and over as a monster and truly believes that Bella's life is worse off now that he is involved in it. He has tried to keep distance from her for her own good, but he was too drawn to her, and too selfish to stay away. They fall love and can't bear to be apart, however, he never gets over believing that he is a horrific creature who is making Bella's life worse by existing. Edward is appalled with himself and sickened that he keeps putting the girl he loves in the face of death, and he can't reconcile his desire to keep her safe and his knowledge that his place in her life will keep putting her in danger. Edward can never fully commit to loving Bella if he is always thinking he is no good for her, he is making her unsafe, or her life would be better off without him in it.

Bella, in turn, does not think she is worthy of Edward. She easily believes him when he leaves because she has been expecting it, in the back of her mind, all along. She mentions time and again when she looks at Edward that she can't believe this perfect creature is here for her, is in love with her. At the beginning of New Moon, even after six months of being his girlfriend, she "still couldn't believe that [she] deserved this degree of good fortune." She thinks over and over that their relationship is off balance because he is so beautiful and smart and strong and she brings nothing to the table. She can't accept the fact that Edward loves her because she can't understand how or why he possibly could.

Neither one feels he or she is good enough for the other, and neither one can understand why the other feels that way. This is not a healthy way to develop a relationship.

So, Edward decides to leave Bella, to make it "as if he never existed," thinking it will be the best thing for her. He thinks if he removes the danger from her life she will be able to live as a normal human and have the life he feels she should have. Edward is very all-or-nothing, so he truly sees this as the only option for Bella to stay safe and, eventually, be happy. Edward honestly thinks she will get over it. He has been able to hear the thoughts of human teenagers for almost 100 years. He knows what they think when they think they are in love and that, although it is hard for them at the time, they get over it eventually and move on. He can't help but assume that Bella's feelings for him are the same as these other teenagers. As much as he loves her, he does not think that her feelings even come close to matching his, and honestly thinks she will forget about him and move on eventually, which he feels would be the absolute best thing for her. When he removes himself from the picture, she will be able to live a normal life, with a normal man. He has no idea that his leaving will have such a profound effect on her because, due to the fact that he can't read her mind, he does not fully comprehend the depth of her feelings for him, and he naively assumes that her feelings are like those of any human teenager.

When he leaves, he knows HE will suffer greatly, but he truly thinks he is the only one who will suffer. He knows that his existence will never be the same without Bella, and that he will spend the rest of his days feeling incomplete and depressed. However, because he is sure she will get over it, he leaves her anyway, knowing that he will never recover. This is such a selfless move. He is willing to damn himself to an eternity of suffering because he feels it is better for Bella, even knowing he will be in pain every second. What he does not realize, what he does not factor into his decision, is the depth of Bella's love for him. He does not see himself as she sees him, as the other half of what makes her whole. He only sees himself as something terrible that is ruining her life. He does not know the impact he has made on her, does not take his influence on her into consideration, and has no way to even understand or predict the amount of pain she will go through without him.

As Bella goes through life without Edward, she compares her emotions to "waves of pain" that "reared high and washed over my head, pulling me under," and from which she is not able to resurface. She struggles through every day, feeling literally torn apart from the inside without him. Surely, if he knew that his absence would cause her more pain than his presence ever did, he would not have left her the way he did, but he didn't have the proper frame of reference, and could not have predicted this reaction. As she tries to work through her pain, she turns to Jacob and, without even realizing it, she falls in love with him. It's not unnatural to fall for the person who is there for you as you attempt to piece your life back together after a trauma. Jake is exactly this for Bella. He listens, he's quiet when she wants him to be, he's supportive and happy and friendly. As she says, he is her sun, helping her to get light and warmth to that place in her that is submerged in water. Despite herself, she lets him in, and, as she is just about to make the decision to try to move on, to try to find happiness elsewhere, even though she knows it will never be a fraction of the happiness she had with Edward, the phone rings, and her life is changed again.

Falling for Jacob does more than just lead to the Eclipse love triangle. By developing such intense feelings for him, Bella is able to make an educated choice about whom and what she really wants. Because Edward has left, and because she lives without him, she knows what her life is like without Edward and realizes that she really CAN'T live without him. She thinks of this when making her decision in Eclipse, wondering "if I would have wavered, if I hadn't lost Edward once. If I didn't know what it was like to live without him. I wasn't sure. That knowledge was so deep a part of me, I couldn't imagine how I would feel without it." If Edward hadn't left, and Bella hadn't felt that physical pain every day from the hole in her chest, felt the ache and the loss of her one true love, she might have considered a life with Jacob. Truthfully, Jacob is a very good option for her. The love she develops for him is natural and easy, and it feels good and makes her feel good. Her love for Edward is tumultuous and dangerous and intense, and the feelings involved are to such extremes, but she realizes when he is gone that that's what she wants and that's what she needs. At the end of Eclipse, she chooses Edward, which is not a choice she could have made as easily had she not lived through the pain of being without him.

Bella is actually able to prove the depth of her love for Edward by going to Italy to save him, even though she thinks he will still leave her again. What a sacrifice this is for Bella, though she hardly even gives it any thought, thinking only that seeing him after missing him so desperately, and then having him leave her again "was the price I had to pay to save his life. I would pay it." Her love for Edward is that ingrained in her; if he is in trouble, she will do anything to save him, even if it could mean death to her, and even though she is convinced that he doesn't want her and doesn't love her. Just like the selfless act Edward performs at the beginning of the novel, this is a selfless act on her part. In her eyes, she has absolutely nothing to gain. The only thing she thinks is that it is quite possible that she will die in her attempt, but she does it anyway, to save his life. His existence, whether he loves her or not, is worth this much to her, is worth her own life, and she is able to show this to him through her rescue. Through this unselfish action of Bella's, Edward is finally able to see his own inherent goodness through her eyes. He's able to see how much she truly loves him, and see how she sees him – not as a monster, but as someone completely worthy of her love.

In turn, by staying with her and explaining why he did what he had done and what he has been through when he was away, he is able to prove to her how much she loves him. She finally has her epiphany. She sees what he went through for her, and that he truly, unselfishly thought he was doing what was best for her. Bella is also able to see that Edward has flaws. Until this point, she has really thought of Edward as being perfect. Flawless. She's finally able to see that he is not perfect, and that he has some major character flaws, such as being irrational, driven to extremes, over-emotional, and over-protective. By becoming aware of these flaws, and really seeing the impact they can have on her, she is able to see him more as a real "person" (for lack of a better word, and less as a fantasy man she is dating in some dream world. His flaws, which she has had a hard time seeing until this point, because she has been so blinded by his amazing qualities, make him more accessible, more normal, and Bella is more able to see the hows and the whys of his love for her. This helps her accept herself as a worthy candidate for his affection.

Therefore, although it is terrible and heartbreaking for everyone involved, Edward's leaving Bella in New Moon only serves to make their relationship stronger. It does not go at all as Edward planned, and it causes both of them a tremendous amount of pain. However, actions speak so much louder than words, and no amount of I love yous could have made their relationship equitable, or make them see the goodness that the other one sees. So, as horrible as it is for everyone, Edward leaving ends up being a very good thing for his relationship with Bella. It is heartbreaking, but sometimes heartbreak is exactly what is needed to build a solid and healthy relationship…a relationship that can stand the test of time.(less)

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02/18/08

Mskunz rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

bookshelves: have-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Few people mention that Meyer is a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. I say this not to judge her or color someone's opinion of her, but to throw into perspective her possible motivations behind the plot for this book, namely the religious dialogue and the "together forever" aspect of Edward's and Bella's relationship.

Two people in love being together for eternity is a touchstone of the Mormon faith, which is what we see in Edward and Bella: they are meant for one ...more Few people mention that Meyer is a member of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. I say this not to judge her or color someone's opinion of her, but to throw into perspective her possible motivations behind the plot for this book, namely the religious dialogue and the "together forever" aspect of Edward's and Bella's relationship.

Two people in love being together for eternity is a touchstone of the Mormon faith, which is what we see in Edward and Bella: they are meant for one another, no question about it. Up until this point in the series, they have been destined for one another on a fate level, not a religious one.

None of the characters in the books really express a preference toward any particular religion, and there are no hallmarks to impress upon us that anyone is Catholic, or Lutheran, or Mormon, or any other faith. The discussion is about souls, and whether or not vampires go to Heaven after they are removed from their existence--ie, after they're crumbled up into tiny bits of rock and set on fire because they can apparently reassemble themselves like Paladins.

And Edward, with his Edwardian (har har) sensibilities, can't imagine a scenario with him winding up in front of old Peter and the Gates. So he is refusing! Staunchly! To allow Bella to become a vampire! Or even to be near him and madly in love with him! Because that is so wrong and he would be putting her pure and wonderful and probably tasty soul in danger. So he takes off with little to no explanation except that he is fickle and does not love her anymore. While we the audience see this as an obvious bluff (not in the least because Meyer hits us over the head with "clues" that Edward doesn't really mean any of his protestations), Bella in her warped mind cannot, and so spends the months after his little jaunt mourning the loss of her beloved.

And we get four simple pages with months written on them, representing a loss of time and showing us how devastating it's all been for her. But what happens after that is what nullifies the impact of those four almost-blank pages/months. Bella goes on throughout the rest of the book holding her arms over her chest because there is a giant gaping metaphorical hole in her spirit. The impact of this is greatly lessened after we have to hear about it for a good hundred pages, and Meyer probably could have done much better if she had employed a less-obvious tactic. Bella going about her business as though absolutely nothing was wrong with everyone else around her tiptoeing gently around the eggshells of Edward would have been an interesting touch.

There are certain aspects of this book that make it almost as compelling as Twilight, such as Bella's propensity toward danger just so that she can hallucinate that Edward is yelling at her to stop. But like an addictive drug, it wears off, and she is left trying to pick up the pieces by forming a stronger relationship with Jacob Black and all the secrets behind his Native American tribe. Meyer tries to tempt Bella and the reader into swaying their loyalties for Edward by making Jacob oh-so attractive and present in a time of need, but it just doesn't work. Meyer herself can't understand why people just don't seem to like the poor kid, but it's hard to love a replacement as much as the original, and the attempted contrast between dark and light, cold and heat, or Romeo to Paris fizzles out.

The best part of the book, unfortunately, comes saddled with all manner of improbabilities: namely the sudden flight to Italy, the stealing of an extremely expensive and conveniently fast and stylish car, and turn-around sudden flight back to Washington state. If Bella spent the entire book hugging a psychological/spiritual hole in her middle, the idea that she was able to instantly forgive Edward for the last tortuous seven months (and 200 pages) and withstand being awake for two 12-hour flights, not to mention being tormented by ancient vampires, it's a miracle she hasn't been committed.

That having been said, the scene in the piazza is some of the best you can get out of Edward and Bella. What's too bad is that it only comes after eons of sludge-y character development and bad attempts at forming a "difficult decision" between which boy (and which mythical creature) Bella will wind up with, and then follows with a punch-drunk "family vote" on whether or not Bella will join the coven's ranks.

It's plot-driven and you're compelled to read, but be aware that this novel contains little of mysterious Edward. That, I think, is its greatest shortcoming.(less)

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09/03/07

Ukrainer rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in August, 2007

I am totally insane. Even though I totally dissed Twilight in this blog, I have an obsession with series and read New Moon.

Why do I intentionally put myself through such dreck?

New Moon is only a slight improvement over Twilight. The book has two things going for it:

First, I had no expectations going in. I already knew it would be a poorly-written romance—and Meyer did not disappoint.

Second, Bella, our heroine, and Edward, her prince, are separate...more

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09/08/08

Christina rated it:

(review of isbn 1904233872)

bookshelves: back-away-from-the-book

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: writers who want to learn what NOT to do with romance

The first thing I'll tell you is that Stephanie Meyer knows her way around lyrical prose. She finds the balance between sensual and realistic, modern day language. Unlike say, Anne Rice, who bores me to tears with her page-long sensual odes to, say, cement walls and turgid baby nipples. Meyer doesn't so much turn a phrase, no; she lays it gently on it's back and rubs it's tummy until it purrs.

When I landed in Port Angeles, it was raining. I didn't see it as an omen -- just unavoidable....more

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08/01/08

nicole j. rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

bookshelves: chick_lit, teen

Read in August, 2008

...what is there to even say?

I liked about 80% of this book. Liked as in actually sort of kind of enjoyed it. I mean, yeah, it was still redundant and Bella was still pathetic, but I like Jacob, and I actually liked the werewolf storyline. It's too bad that Bella and Edward aren't broken up for the rest of the series. Or that they aren't, you know, murdered and put out of their own misery. Alas, Edward comes back and INSTANTLY the novel goes from pretty decent to MOTHERFUCKING ...more

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08/05/07

Hna rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

bookshelves: young-adult

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: Teenage Girls, Hopeless Romantics

I’ll be honest, my first impressions after finishing this the other morning was that it suffered due to a lack of Edward - having grown rather attached to him in Twilight having him disappear for the majority of this book was a let down. I understand his reasons for leaving and knew that he was coming back but as a series based around his and Bella’s relationship, not having him present undermined the story somewhat. The only times I was truly at peace with the story was when Edward was arou...more I’ll be honest, my first impressions after finishing this the other morning was that it suffered due to a lack of Edward - having grown rather attached to him in Twilight having him disappear for the majority of this book was a let down. I understand his reasons for leaving and knew that he was coming back but as a series based around his and Bella’s relationship, not having him present undermined the story somewhat. The only times I was truly at peace with the story was when Edward was around – the rest of the time I was engaged but on edge.

Furthermore I did feel that the plot was lacking here as well, it never really seemed to go anywhere. For me the ending seemed rushed, I was waiting for something else, something more significant to happen. Much like in Twilight Mayer writes in a way that has you racing towards the end from the first description of a crisis however, here the ending seemed to drop off – the adrenaline rush you expected never really materialised to the same extent as in Twilight. In this sense the book really did suffer from second-story syndrome - much like in Chamber of Secrets, The Two Towers and The Amber Spyglass the scene setting obviously intended for Eclipse meant that there was never any chance for the story to establish itself as a stand alone.

However, I don’t mean to pass the whole thing off as dead weight. I enjoyed the opening of the story – everything in Twilight was so theoretical it was interesting to see the realities of living with vampires – the danger became real and tangible this way. It was also interesting to realise Edward’s religious affiliations: "Edward's with me up to a point. God and heaven exist. . . and so does hell. But he doesn't believe there is an afterlife for our kind." Carlisle's voice was very soft; he stared out the big window over the sink, into the darkness. "You see, he thinks we've lost our souls." As a book presented from Bella’s point of view you automatically empathise with here way of thinking but by having Edward’s feeling aired by a third party the tables turn slightly.

I liked the development of Jacob’s character, although I’ll be honest there’s something about him that isn’t *right*. Maybe it’s just because everything’s being set up to form a massive love triangle of doom which will no doubt dominate Eclipse but I think it could be something more than that. First impressions of him are that he’s very self-absorbed and that’s one quality that I hate.

Along that vein I can see why people ship Jacob/Bella but I don’t. Not at all. Maybe it’s because I have a thing for Edward, maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for canon. But for me Edward/Bella sticks much better. Quite frankly how can you resist: "Which is tempting you more, my blood or my body?' I challenged.
"It's a tie."

I can’t say that the ending – agreeing to transform Bella and Edward’s insistence upon marriage – surprised me completely, it all seemed quite appropriate but I don’t think it’ll be acted upon in Eclipse, as Bella sums up in the Epilogue there are too many unresolved human issues to deal with before then. Plus, the love triangle of doom will need to rear its ugly head and have shipper wars dividing fandom.

So, overall it was an entertaining read which I enjoyed but did not live up to its predecessor and which will hopefully be bettered exponentially in Eclipse. (PS. Edward Cullen = my fictional boyfriend!)(less)

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03/20/08

Jessica rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in August, 2007

New Moon Little, Brown and Co.
Stephenie Meyer 2006, 576pp, $19.99
ISBN-13 9780316160193

Brilliantly written, New Moon, the sequel to Twilight, is a more compelling and modern version of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. This book is about forbidden love between a human and a vampire. The type of true love that isn't found in many teenage novels today. But the kind that little girls drea...more

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12/05/07

Kari rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

recommended to Kari by: Bookstore lady

*** contains spoilers ***

I just added one more star to this book series for being strangely addictive... this book is better than the fist, introducing the more likeable Jacob and getting Edward out of the picture for a while.

From my teacherly perspective there are (at least) two questionable aspects of the madly popular Twilight series -

First of all, it portrays Quileute Indians in a strange, potentially fetishist way. It's written by a White woman who transf...more *** contains spoilers ***

I just added one more star to this book series for being strangely addictive... this book is better than the fist, introducing the more likeable Jacob and getting Edward out of the picture for a while.

From my teacherly perspective there are (at least) two questionable aspects of the madly popular Twilight series -

First of all, it portrays Quileute Indians in a strange, potentially fetishist way. It's written by a White woman who transforms these Native American youth into werewolf heroes, they inherit this ancient ability to transform and become these protectors. However, the portrayal seems generally respectful, not everyone is White, and Myers still uses the perspective of Bella, the White heroine. I would like to hear some Quileute perspectives on this, and I can't find any on the web. Myers did say that she worked with the Quileute. Basically, despite intentions I have problems with the "animalistic" characterization. Admittedly the book objectifies everyone, but I consider it somewhat less harmful to objectify White people.

The other strange thing about Twilight series is how Edward is over 100 years old and madly in love with an 18 year old girl. I didn't realize this when I bought the book for my young friend. After we both read it, she had to explain to me why that makes perfect sense: He was so depressed about being a vampire that he "didn't age mentally." Ok, so I definitely see why young people would think this was reasonable... but as an adult I find it creepy. After all, I wouldn't consider falling in love with an 18 year old and I'm nowhere near 100.

OK, I think my real problem with this age factor is that it emphasizes Edward's physical appearance over everything else. The author advances this assumption that because his body hasn't aged, it's completely reasonable to consider him 18 years old. Sometimes in the books this is very clear... like it doesn't matter at all that he's lived 100 years (or close to it). Because he LOOKS 18 he is. And I find that disgusting. I was sort of glad he was out of the picture in this book. I mean, he's also cold and bloodless - the kissing, it's gross. In general, Edward disgusts and repulses me, but this may add to his appeal.

I think the movie is out, or will be out soon. This book has so many fangirls - does it have fanboys?? - and I'm not sure what it gives of value except for being addictive and unusual (oh, and local for us northwesterners). Mostly, I think it's very superficial, with all its emphasis on the Cullens' superficial beauty. There's nothing to like about Edward as I've read it. Yeah, mostly I don't like the values in this book though I read it. I might have not shared it with my 12 year old friend if I read it first. Then again... it has brought her great pleasure, not everything must be so Substantial.

(less)

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01/23/08

Melissa rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in January, 2008

recommended to Melissa by: Student

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I returned Twilight by Stephenie Meyer to my student on Monday and, two periods later, she was back in my classroom with the sequel, New Moon. Was it waiting in her locker for me? I told her I wouldn't get anything done. I didn't. And here I am.

New Moon wasn't nearly as good as Twilight. And yet I still read it in two (working) days. So I guess I can't complain. I'm afraid, even though the stuff I'm writing about happens within the first third of the book, that my review might...more I returned Twilight by Stephenie Meyer to my student on Monday and, two periods later, she was back in my classroom with the sequel, New Moon. Was it waiting in her locker for me? I told her I wouldn't get anything done. I didn't. And here I am.

New Moon wasn't nearly as good as Twilight. And yet I still read it in two (working) days. So I guess I can't complain. I'm afraid, even though the stuff I'm writing about happens within the first third of the book, that my review might be too spoilerie, so I'm putting it under a cut.

There were two main reasons why New Moon wasn't as good as Twilight. The first: Meyer's writing just wasn't as good. The gradual, unforced exposition that I admired in her first book was absent in her second. Having told Bella and Edward's story already, she seemed eager to get through the review of it and move on to spinning her new tale. While ingenious writers like J.K. Rowling leave out much of the review, relying on their readers' competence and memory, and then reinsert reminders of important clues throughout plot development, Meyer kind of did a The Babysitter's Club style recap. Just instead of directly narrating about how Claudia wasn't good at school but was the artistic, junk-food eating one, she was droning on about how Edward was shockingly handsome and had to live in the Pacific Northwest because if he came out in the daytime...

The second (and I fear the more pertinent) reason why New Moon wasn't as good was because Edward was gone for about four-hundred pages of it. (I hate to admit that perhaps Meyer's writing did not get worse in New Moon. Maybe it was just more noticeable without Edward's enchantments.) And the reader just had to sit around watching Bella mope and attempt to rebound with a new male lead who happens to be *gasp* a werewolf. While Bella's slow realization of Edward's identity in Twilight was enjoyable and allowed for fantastic moments of dramatic irony, her slow realization of Jacob's identity as a werewolf in New Moon was just exhausting. "Why did it take so long?! " the reader wondered, wanting to pound Bella's tearful face into the wall.

The second supernatural being was a little much for me. I can accept a semi-realistic novel with vampires. But with vampires and werewolves? I think it was just asking too much. Jacob (the werewolf)'s character did, however, allow Meyer to play with the traditional two suitor novel in fun ways. Bella's two suitors, a vampire and a werewolf, are natural enemies. Meyer tends to overemphasize the dichotomy in my opinion--Edward is unnaturally cold, Jacob is unnaturally warm; Edward pale, Jacob tan; Edward is painfully secretive about his emotions, Jacob could emotionally explode resulting in great pain... Though somewhat forced at times, it was still a really fun distortion of the traditional plot structure.

Though I criticize it, I have to be honest. I enjoyed New Moon. I was addicted, again. I cried, again. (More than last time.) For the most part, Meyer worked her magic, again. And if I give back this book and get the next two periods later, I'm going to start it almost immediately and finish it just as quickly. Because they're fun to read.(less)

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09/12/08

Arcanemuse rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

So, I found myself strangely addicted to the crack that is the Twilight saga. I know it’s not good for me, like binging on a quart of ice cream, but I couldn’t put this book down. Even at the times I wanted to hurl it across the room because I was so angry at the characters I was riveted in disbelief. I enjoyed the end of this book even less than the first.

Whiny Bella gets old quick. She starts off this book upset that she is a year older than her dazzling immortal Edward who wa...more So, I found myself strangely addicted to the crack that is the Twilight saga. I know it’s not good for me, like binging on a quart of ice cream, but I couldn’t put this book down. Even at the times I wanted to hurl it across the room because I was so angry at the characters I was riveted in disbelief. I enjoyed the end of this book even less than the first.

Whiny Bella gets old quick. She starts off this book upset that she is a year older than her dazzling immortal Edward who was 17 back in 1908 when he became a vampire. She is so upset that she doesn’t want to be reminded by celebrating her birthday, but of course, Alice, Edward’s sister, always gets her way when it comes to parties and the Cullens throw her one anyway. However, this party goes horribly awry as Bella is injured while Edward attempts to protect her from his brother who wants to eat her. (Guess she smells good to him, too.)

Now having proof they are a danger to her, the Cullens leave Bella behind, but not before Edward fills her head with lies that he is over her and extracts a promise from Bella to not do anything stupid that would put her in harm’s way, for Charlie's sake of course.

So begins her emotional breakdown as she lives the next few months as a shell of a human being. She is nothing without her man and all his sparkly hawtness. That is all he has going for him…his looks. This is one of the main themes I hate about this novel and the whole Bella and Edward relationship. This girl, who is supposed to be smart and mature (though I beg to differ) cannot seem to fathom a life without her dazzling, perfect Edward. But all he offers her is his perfectly angelic good looks. Can we say shallow, Bella? (Oh, okay he does play piano.) And does the fact that Bella is nothing without her man remind you of a certain someone from the first book that set Bella off to Forks in the first place? That’s right her mom Rene. So why is it we should sympathize with Bella for leaving her mom, when her relationship with Edward isn’t very different from Rene’s relationship with Phil?

Well, after receiving an ultimatum from her father, Bella gives herself a kick in the pants and tries to live her life somewhat like a normal teenager. That’s where the story of Jacob and Bella starts. Now I love Jacob. He’s expressive, he has a hobby, and he hangs out with his friends doing normal teenage stuff. He has a personality and he's a werewolf! I have nothing against Jacob liking Bella as a friend but falling for her over motorcycles seems a reach to me. She was so obviously using him. I wanted him to slap her and tell her to get real. I wanted her to realize what she had been missing when she was being with Edward – a life. Even though, I knew Edward’s return was inevitable, I thought it would have added a nice complexity to have him return to a Bella who did get on with her life and realize things weren’t so bad after all (she toys with this idea for like, two seconds). Then he would have to work on getting her back and not with promises of sex (she could get that from Jacob) and immortality. But instead, Bella jumps off a cliff and Edward goes all emo and decides to kill himself.

As much as I liked Jacob, I missed the Cullens and was glad they were back. However, when Edward returned I quickly grew annoyed with him. Edward is just creepy. I know he is suppose to be so good-looking (because Bella won’t shut up about it), but what is so attractive about someone who is hard as stone, ice cold to the touch and whose lips are like marble? I guess Bella would get just as hot kissing Michael Angelo’s David. At least a statue wouldn’t try to control her every move. Or throw a tantrum when he doesn’t get his way. So Bella is left running off to Italy to save his life and her fate at becoming a vampire is sealed. Now her selfish dream will be realized and she can leave her family and friends behind. Hurrah!

At the end of the book, we are back to where we started, Bella wanting to be with Edward forever because he’s so “Sparkly”. He still thinks she smells good. You would think with all that time away from her he would have realized what he was missing-nothing. Even Bella says at the beginning of the book, “I’m really not that interesting.” The least Meyer could have done was created some reasons as to why Edward can’t live without her - and not because she smells good! That reason makes as much sense to me as a kid who is allergic to chocolate not wanting to share the candy he can’t eat because he knows it tastes so good.

I won't be reading this one again.
(less)

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09/27/07

Shannon rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

bookshelves: 2007, favourite, paranormal, romance, shape-shifters, vampires, ya

Read in September, 2007

I read this in 7 totally engrossing hours, staying up till 2am to finish it - hence I now feel a bit wrecked, both emotionally and physically. New Moon was absolutely heart-wrenching (you can tell I invest heavily in these books can't you?!). But I was physically unable to put it down, and only just managed it for toilet breaks.

It's Bella's 18th birthday and a simple paper cut as she opens her presents leads Edward's brother Jasper to almost kill her - to keep her safe, Edward decide...more I read this in 7 totally engrossing hours, staying up till 2am to finish it - hence I now feel a bit wrecked, both emotionally and physically. New Moon was absolutely heart-wrenching (you can tell I invest heavily in these books can't you?!). But I was physically unable to put it down, and only just managed it for toilet breaks.

It's Bella's 18th birthday and a simple paper cut as she opens her presents leads Edward's brother Jasper to almost kill her - to keep her safe, Edward decides to sever ties with her, convincing her that the Cullen family must move on - must leave Forks - and so must she.

She does not take it well. After a week of being catatoinc and several months of going through the motions like a depressed zombie she discovers that if she does something reckless and her adrenaline gets going, she hears Edward's voice talking to her in her head. And so, in order to hear it again, she enlists the help of her friend from the reservation, Jacob Black, into restoring an old motorbike and teaching her how to ride it.

Jacob is the only one able to block out the pain of Edward's absence, so Bella starts spending a lot of time with him. When he suddenly breaks contact with her, she's determined to see him again. Which is when she discovers that the old tribal legends are not just superstitions: he's become a werewolf, a protector of the people - from the vampiric Cullen family, against which they have deep enmity. Only the treaty between them keeps them from attacking Edward and his family.

The pack of 5 werewolfs - all young men from the reservation - are on the track of a pair of vampires who are hunting for Bella and manage to kill one, Laurent. Victoria is still on the loose. Meanwhile, despite the danger, Bella is still doing what she can to hear Edward's voice again. So she decides to cliff-dive, which works, but she nearly drowns.

Edward's sister Alice, who sees the future, thinks she sees Bella die - and so rushes back to Forks. Unfortunately, his other sister Rosalie, who has never liked Bella, tells Edward what Alice saw - and when Edward calls the house asking for Bella's dad, Jacob tells him he's at the funeral, neglecting to say whose funeral. And so Alice sees Edward rushing to Italy to do whatever it takes for the ancient, royal vampire family in residence there, to kill him. Alice and Bella must race against time to prevent it.

There are several references to Romeo and Juliet in this one that make me a little nervous. If this trilogy has a sad ending I will be very upset! I felt so much for Bella, her pain was so believable, her yearning so bitter, I felt like I was going through the same thing. The scenes where she hears Edward's voice in head, warning her, advising, pleading with her not to do something reckless, often had me laughing with exuberant relief - the sound of his voice had just as much an effect on me, it seemed. And even though I was quite sure she would rescue him in time, like Bella I was never quite sure whether he would stay, or leave again.

All in all I am getting just a little bit too wound up in this story, but I can't help it and there's one more left which I have already started and almost dread finishing. My hope is that Bella will get her wish and be turned into a vampire, so that they can stay together. I have my fingers crossed, but that's why the references to Romeo and Juliet make me so anxious, as if Meyer is setting up for a tragic ending after so much love and loss.(less)

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11/18/08

Courtney rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

bookshelves: 2008, ya-fiction

Oh man. I don't even know where to start. Maybe by lulzing at the fact that my GoodReads review of Twilight claims I was going to stop the series there... Stephenie Meyer made a liar out of me!

So okay.

Ok.

New Moon opens with an awesome papercut from hell. After narrowly avoiding being eaten by the Cullen clan, Edward flips through a copy of Romeo & Juliet and decides to make a dramatic exit so that he might keep Bella safe from his vampirey ways. He breaks ...more

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07/16/08

James rated it:

(review of isbn 0316160199)

Read in July, 2008

I'm torn between two ratings (not lovers, as the book might suggest). I like that Meyer has delved deeper into vampire and werewolf lore, meriting the three stars, I dislike how annoying Bella is becoming and how mechanical her insecurities are portrayed, let's see:

1 - Forgetting to breathe. I don't ever recall doing this or seeing it happen but Bella does it all the time as do most of the other characters in the books.

2 - Biting your lip. I understand that one character ...more