Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, #3) in Vampire Lovers!

May 01, 2010 PurplyCookie rated it it was ok

Shelves: book-series, vampire, young-adult

What in the world do all of these people see in Bella? And I'm not just talking about Edward and Jacob. That also includes Mike Newton, the entire Cullen family, Angela, and even Victoria and James from the first book. The entire Twilight universe revolves around Bella. Everyone is obsessed with this girl. Why? She's whiny, hypocritical, self-obsessed, co-dependent, moody, childish, sulky, I could go on, you get my drift. She has no goals, ambitions, hobbies, dreams, or talents. She shows no int What in the world do all of these people see in Bella? And I'm not just talking about Edward and Jacob. That also includes Mike Newton, the entire Cullen family, Angela, and even Victoria and James from the first book. The entire Twilight universe revolves around Bella. Everyone is obsessed with this girl. Why? She's whiny, hypocritical, self-obsessed, co-dependent, moody, childish, sulky, I could go on, you get my drift. She has no goals, ambitions, hobbies, dreams, or talents. She shows no interest in the world around her. She basically shows disdain and/or contempt for anyone in her life who isn't impossibly beautiful -- including her own parents. Her one goal in life is to become a vampire so she can live forever, be impossibly beautiful and strong, and never age.

What disturbed me more, besides the rickety plot, the endless comparisons to Wuthering Heights (the author studied literature in college, I get it. most of us college educated people did and I still don't see the need for comparisons to Heathcliff and Cathy), and the annoying love triangle, was how self-deprecating Bella was. How she constantly went through the book saying how unworthy she was of everyone, how at fault she was of everything, how clumsy, stupid, selfish (that one I actually don't argue with), immoral, weak, helpless, pathetic, and frighteningly normal she is.

Sure, it's hard to have immortal, strong, mostly male friends, but as a woman I'd like to see Bella shed that "oh well, I'm just a little weak girl, woe is me, I'll just sit in the corner and die now" attitude without having to become a vampire. At every turn in "Eclipse" Bella depicts herself harshly, and the story does nothing to turn that around. The men (with the exception of possibly Alice) are the selfless heroes by the end, and the women are selfish (Bella), shallow (Rosalie), and bitter (Leah). Where have the strong female role models gone?

On top of all this, the big battle at the end was thoroughly disappointing. Not one character is lost, despite the danger. Seth isn't even injured fighting with the newborn vampire, despite his youth and inexperience. After all the Victoria build-up over two books then to see her ripped to pieces with extraordinary ease by Edward was hugely unsatisfying. No one had to sacrifice anything; in fact, the scene was so un-compelling I skimmed most of it. After 600-odd pages, this was inexcusable.

Book Details:

Title Eclipse (Twilight, #3)
Author Stephenie Meyer
Reviewed By Purplycookie ...more

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