Eclipse
Published: 7, August 2007
Author: Stephenie Meyer
The Twilight Saga, Book 3
Genres: Children's, Contemporary, Dating & Sex, Drama, Dystopian, Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Magic, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, School, Shape Shifter, Teen, Vampire, Werewolf, Young Adult
Check the summary of this book here:
Eclipse Summary
The Review:
The novel Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer provides more background on the Cullens and the Quileutes, two groups that have become open antagonists. The stories of Rosalie and Jasper's transformations into vampires captivated me, despite the fact that the acts of violence in their respective stories made me uneasy. Thankfully, these were glossed over in the film adaptation of the novel.
However, the stories did help to flesh out these two characters. Furthermore, they eventually came across the Cullens, and adopted a nonviolent lifestyle, and avoided killing humans. I'm not sure why Stephenie Meyer didn't do the same for the other Cullen family members, but then again, the book might have become too long.
The Quileute legends, told around a roaring campfire with Bella present, were extremely interesting. Billy began the story, which was then taken over by old Quil Ateara, the grandfather of one of the werewolves, the younger Quil.
The stories revolved around the Quileute tribe's origins, including how they had spirit warriors who later evolved into werewolves. These warriors were always the tribe's protectors, and when they learned to shapeshift into wolves, their mission continued.
The story of "the third wife," which, ironically, would have later ramifications in the novel, piqued my interest as well as made me really sad.
The exchanges between Edward and Bella, as well as Jacob and Bella, are the most moving I've observed so far in this series. Edward clearly loves Bella so much that he avoids hurting Jacob in order to avoid hurting her.
He bears the pain of realizing how much Jacob means to Bella, even going so far as to ask Bella if she is truly happy with her decision to choose him over Jacob.
For the first time, Bella realizes that if Edward hadn't entered the picture, Jacob would have been the perfect match for her. Author gives her readers a glimpse of what might have been if things had gone differently. That short scene is also quite heartfelt.
Although the pacing in this book was a little slower than in the previous two, that changed after the first third, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's just that with this book, Stephenie Meyer is starting to feel like she's matured as a writer, and she now appears to be a master at creating very real, very believable characters that the reader can fall in love with, which I did, Edward in particular.
The differences and dilemmas in which these fictional characters find themselves became my own conflicts and entanglements. I know that I felt their emotions, thought their thoughts and was swept up in the plot's intensely romantic anxieties as I read.
The Twilight Saga's unfolding story of Edward, Bella, and Jacob is one of our time's triangular romantic masterpieces. It's also a dramatic story with complex eternal themes that astonish the heart and mesmerize the soul as much as they enthrall the intellect.
Author has cast a spell on me that I have no desire to break, but even if it is a masterpiece, and in my opinion, it is still no match for Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles.
Now for some negative feedback on the book, mixed up with some positive feedback. Some of the plotlines are intriguing, and Stephenie Meyer's writing is particularly strong in a few areas.
However, after three books and almost 1800 pages, I'd like to see real personalities who, like humans, grow, learn, and mature. In a lot of ways, this isn't the case with Stephenie Meyer's works.
Edward and Bella are stuck in their own strange insecurities. They spend the majority of their normally happy romance wallowing in self-doubt, anguish, and uncertainty, and neither one seems to comprehend how they can be likable. That isn't always a good thing.
Then there's Jacob, who I believe is author's most realistically formed and evolved character. In this book, she completely ruins him with the unfathomable ploy. Author appears to have fallen in love with Jacob herself after writing/reading New Moon, so she had to force him to do something horrible in order to break his hold on her and Bella.
By the third novel, Edward, who I liked and found interesting in the first book, has become even more of a favorite of mine. His angst, beauty, and willingness to go to any length to save Bella are all far too predictable. His nobility and moral rectitude are exaggerated to the point of absurdity.
Although he is not a realistic character, I am almost similar to him in real life and can relate to him. I liked him even more in the book when he admitted to Jacob that he was jealous, even though I'm not like that and never feel jealous, but it was the only occasion he wasn't a stone-cold emotionally distant rock who takes oneself incredibly seriously.
From a literary sense, the fire and ice theme, as well as the use of Jacob and Edward as foils, works in theory. The basic ingredients were present, but the characters lacked the dimension required to make the story realistic.
Rather than making choices, evolving, and moving on, the characters stay trapped in their own small universe, which is full of witty conversation, hesitation, and, ultimately, no conclusion.
Bella is emotionally at the exact same spot she was at the conclusion of book two "New Moon" by the end of book three "Eclipse." She adores two people, despises herself, and is unable to let go of either. It has the feel of a soap opera.
Bella, on the other hand, I believe is a thoroughly depressed, gloomy, and selfish young lady. She despises everything that ordinary people enjoy: gatherings, gifts, weddings, schools, jewels, money, and so on.
She solely has feelings for Edward and Jacob and makes all of her decisions as if she were a kid. Because she is the center of the world, everything revolves around her, and if someone she loves is injured, it is somehow her responsibility.
It's not noble, and it's not humane of her. It's her inability to make mature judgments and see that, sometimes making the correct decision means hurting people. It's referred to as "adulting." She simply refuses to mature.
I didn't want to pick up the book again because of my aggravation with Bella's indecisiveness and selfishness. It's exhausting to read her thoughts, but keep in mind that this book is written for young adults, and if you're older than that, you'll have a hard time connecting to her when she tumbles into her normal routine of adolescent angst, but I admire Edward's maturity and ability to recognize that Bella's happiness is far more important than convincing her to stay out of his own selfish wants.
Final Thoughts:
The book did not disappoint me, and I was very delighted with it. I finished it in 3 days as well. It's impossible to put down. As a result, I strongly suggest this book. If you've already read the first two books, you won't want to miss this one.
If you haven't already, go back and read the prior two books before starting this one. The connections established in Twilight and New Moon are continued in Eclipse. It's a good read on its own, but it's even better if you know the backstory.
Actually, I don't recommend reading this book first; instead, you should read the prior two volumes first.
Eclipse is the next intriguing chapter in the Twilight series, and once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down. Move on to Breaking Dawn when you've finished it.
The fourth installment of the series. My personal favorite in the series. For now, try Eclipse. It's well worth the money, as well as the sleep you'll lose attempting to read everything.
Synopsis:
“As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?”
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Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.
Buy the Kindle Version Here
Free With Free Audible Trial
The Twilight Saga Complete Collection
Twilight (2010) (PG-13)
New Moon (2009) (PG-13)
Eclipse (2010) (PG-13)
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