New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

I'm almost hesitant to even write this review since it's quite negative, I know there are die hard fans who would just love to lambaste me. It just seems to me that for a book that contains over 600 hundred pages, there would be more development of character. All I really got was this whiny, self-centered twit of a 17/18 year old. Now since I have passed that age about 5 years ago, I would like to think I still remember clearly what my thought process was. I would NOT disregard my family over an obsession/"true love", I definitely would not have dropped friends who were loyal to me to rush of to save an inconsistent "love" nor did I have a poorly disguised death wish. The whole Romeo and Juliet theme just made me roll my eyes. To me, it is the worst of Shakespeare's works. I know that teen years are perceived to be quite turbulent to some but really this just seems so extreme.

Now don't get me wrong, I liked the first book but this addition just seemed so...well annoying. I found myself wanting to slap some sense into Bella for most (up to the very end really) of the book. I truly felt for Jacob, I do not see the fascination that these two guys have for her. Even thousand year old Vampires were intrigued by her. Ugh. I was actually hoping she would be made a meal of in the bloodbath in that chamber. Then finally when we get to Edward's explanation for leaving her, I just LOVED how he turned it all around and told her he could not believe she fell for his 'I-don't-love-you-routine'. He just admitted that he was an excellent liar, what do expect of an insecure teenager? Of course Bella fell for it. I don't understand why Bella didn't give him more grief over that whole episode. We SUFFERED through hearing her whine most of the book and suddenly all if forgiven once she saw him? Gag.

Okay enough of the rant, I still have two books in the serious to read since I got the box set as a gift. I sincerely hope there is more improvement in the next two!

But, honestly, this is my least favorite of the four books. The departure of Edward and the Cullens mystified me considering the oath of love between Bella and Edward and the developing relationship between Jacob and Bella also mystified me. I loved the vampire story so much that I guess I had less interest in the Jacob story. Just me. However, having read through all four books - and this is a spoiler - I can see how everything eventually fit together and that certain things HAD to happen for the finale to take place in Breaking Dawn. Nevertheless, I didn't know this when reading New Moon. Despite this, I feel that this book is still 99% better than most others out there. My opinion is that if we want real life downers - bad language, drug, alcohol and lots of depression (which actually Bella does experience in New Moon), we can LIVE our real lives and not have an Edward in it to at least dull the pain. So, I loved the essence of these books. No matter what your philosophies are, if you love a good romance that has lots of action and adventure and could also be put in the thriller category, but hate all the bad language and "out there" sex, these books are for you. A lot of people have mentioned the not-so-great writing style. Well, I am an avid reader - I read all sorts of books by all sorts of authors and I was totally entertained and addicted by and to this saga. I thought the writing was quite good, better than many books I have read for "adults." They have put this under teenage fiction, but I am 55 years old (I picked Twilight up on vacation because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, expecting to not even get halfway through it. Imagine me getting hooked and sneaking to the book store to buy the other three books in the series feeling slightly ridiculous). And some raters here picked on small things in the series - that is their right to do so, but you know? Take it for what it is. A fun romance/action/adventure/thriller and just have fun reading it. No need to take it apart and look for things that really aren't there or meant to be there. Exquisite fiction for all ages. Thank you, Ms. Meyers, for giving this old lady a week of pure literary joy!

I loved i couldn't wait for the library's copy (over 200 holds) and i am glad i bought it

I feel that this book is much much better than Twilight. Mostly because the characters are becoming more full body and the story doesn't' revolve around Edward. In New Moon Bella is faced with the hole, which takes over the place of her heart once Edward leaves. In the whole she meets new people and opens herself up to new experiences. Jacob becomes a large part of her life. After reading this story I wished Edward would die and Bella could continue a life without him.

Excellent Book I wasn't able to place it down. The author does a great job of describing everything. It made me feel like I was in the story myself.