New Moon Review

New Moon

Published: 21, August 2006

Author: Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 2

Genres: Contemporary, Dating & Sex, Drama, Dystopian, Family, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, School, Shape Shifter, Teen, Vampire, Werewolf, Young Adult

Check the summary of this book here:

New Moon Summary

The Review:

Stephenie Meyer's New Moon follows up while Bella is recovering from the events of Twilight, but after an incident that shows everybody that, indeed, Bella is mortal and, yes, Edward and his household are vampires, Edward becomes increasingly preoccupied with his fears for her safety. Bella has a nervous breakdown when he believes that the best way to protect her is to completely withdraw himself from her life.

Werewolves, broken hearts, and love triangles abound. This second book in the Twilight series was arguably the most difficult to read since the love that had made you so happy and looked unshakable was no longer there.

Whereas Twilight concentrated on knowing and understanding Edward Cullen, New Moon focuses on Jacob Black. As readers, we were able to see how their personal interactions with Bella differed.

In practically every manner, Jacob differs from Edward. Jacob is larger, less elegant, and less attractive than Edward. Jacob is, in reality, a werewolf who is the vampire's natural foe.

Even though Edward believed he was doing the right thing, you wept along with Bella. Enter Jacob and his confessions to Bella about his heart and a secret he didn't realize he had.

Even if your beloved characters were depressed, this book was as addictive as the first. That depends on whose team you were on.

We also get to meet a new group of individuals to love and despise, such as Volturi. Despite this, you still cheer for Edward and Bella to triumph and find their way back to each other.

With the notable exception of Jacob, the characters remain very superficial. Jacob is kind, charming in an unusual way, intelligent, and amusing. In fact, he appeared to be extremely genuine.

One aspect of his character that I didn't like was his readiness to let Bella utilize him. She's made it obvious on several occasions that Jacob would be her second option since Edward will always and forever be her first, but Jacob simply accepts it. To put it another way, Edward is Bella's Romeo and Jacob is her Paris.

One very excellent aspect of New Moon is that it is faster-paced and involves more physical action than Twilight. Present's an electric intensity in the novel that wasn't there in Twilight, and I feel it's due to the addition of Jacob's presence.

Stephenie Meyer's prose, once again, leaves something to be desired, although it has improved since Twilight. Regrettably, the same cannot be true about the editing.

She, on the other hand, hasn't gotten over clinging to a single word and repeating it endlessly. The term in Twilight was incredulous; in New Moon, it's glower. At any given time, someone or something is scowling, grimacing, or snarling at someone or something else.

Warning: There will be spoilers ahead, so go to Final Thoughts. I strongly advise you to read the first book Twilight in this series before attempting to read this one. But, if you're unfamiliar with Twilight, it is the story of a 17-year-old girl called Bella Swan who went to Forks, Washington, and fell madly in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen.

After a series of mishaps that almost took Bella's life, she began seriously considering (I use the term loosely) becoming a vampire herself so Edward wouldn't have to worry about her safety and they could be together indefinitely.

When Edward decides to end their relationship, New Moon begins on a gloomy note. For a few months, Bella is depressed, until she finds that Edward's voice comes back to her while her adrenaline is pounding.

As a result, she begins to walk on the wild side. Riding a motorbike, something she had never done before, was a part of this wild side. Jacob Black agreed to help her patch up the motorcycle and teach her how to ride it.

Bella and Jacob, despite being over two years her junior, create a strong relationship while working on the motorcycles.

One would imagine that the book's conclusion would include a fight between Jacob and Edward over Bella's affection, but it doesn't, at least not publicly.

The climax happens when Bella is forced to go to Italy to save her lover Edward's life, forcing her to say a painful goodbye to Jacob.

She recognizes she's divided between the werewolf and the vampire at that point. She desires the werewolf's companionship, but she yearns for the vampire's affection.

Final Thoughts:

At the end of the day, this was still a fun book to read, and Stephenie Meyer is still a fantastic storyteller. Despite the shortcomings in the text and the irrational justification for many of the feelings, it was easy to get caught up in the illusion.

It's like observing a reality Television program with a clumsy young girl and, instead of a genuinely bewildered vampire this time, an attractive teenage werewolf.

Also, as with Twilight, don't read this with too much seriousness. This is a light read for rainy weather when you simply want to get away from it all.

Stephenie Meyer included an extract from the next book, Eclipse, once again, as a teaser to entice readers to keep reading the series. She has potential as a thriller writer, but her language, subject matter, and characters are in desperate need of refinement and introspection if she wants to appeal towards a more broad audience.

It's easy to get lost in the fantasy for a time, but when a reader becomes weary of the story's improbabilities and wants to read something more believable and/or sympathetic, Stephenie Meyer falls short.

If you enjoyed Book 1, Twilight, you'll undoubtedly enjoy all of the sequels, and you'll most likely find yourself racing to the finish of Book 4, Breaking Dawn. For those seeking a highly imagined getaway, Stephenie Meyer's fluff fiction is addictive, and they need look no farther than the Twilight franchise.

If you want something more mature and wide, start with Interview With The Vampire from Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles. I'm using Anne Rice and her Vampire series to invite vampire fans to discover what they've been missing out on, not to compare these books, because there is no comparison between these series, and it's like talking about a boxing match between an infant (Twilight Series) and an adult (The Vampire Chronicles).

Synopsis:

“For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning.

Legions of readers entranced by the New York Times best-seller Twilight are hungry for the continuing story of star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward. In New Moon, Stephenie Meyer delivers another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural spin. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Anna Kendrick, Bella And Edward, Bella Swan, Billy Burke, Breaking Dawn, Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, Drama, Eclipse, Edward Cullen, Even Though, Ever Read, Fall In Love, Fantasy, Harry Potter, High School, Jacob Black, Kristen Stewart, Least Favorite, New Moon, Robert Pattinson, Romance, Romeo and Juliet, Stephanie Meyer, Stephenie Meyer, Taylor Lautner, Twilight Saga, Twilight Series, Young Adult Audience, Young Adult

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

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Twilight Review

Twilight

Published: 5, October 2005

Author: Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 1

Genres: Contemporary, Dating & Sex, Dystopian, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Romance, Teen, Vampire, Young Adult

Check the summary of this book here:

Twilight Summary

The Review:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is about an adolescent girl named Bella who has two bad, divorced parents, and she picks the least of two evils by moving north to Forks, Washington to live with her father. Except for a terrible meeting with an ethereally handsome boy named Edward on her first day of high school, she is curiously popular. Bella is captivated by him despite his treatment of her as an outcast.

Bella loves Edward with a slavish, blind-eyed devotion that is unique to young lovers after Edward saves her life (first of many such instances). Edward, of course, is not who he appears to be, and the first half of the novel is devoted to discovering his secret.

I found this to be a really entertaining read on its own, but it's much nicer and more meaningful as a companion to the films because it answers a few points in depth that aren't addressed in the films. I recognize now that, as with practically any book-related film, fans of the book would have known the specifics going in if they had read the book first.

Stephenie Meyer is a wonderful storyteller, and the prose is clearly geared toward a sixth-grade reading level, approximately. When compared to a full-blooded paranormal romance, the relationship plays out like every adolescent girl's ideal, but the physical aspect is wonderfully mild, and I won't be offended if a little girl wants to read it.

I enjoy the first-person narrative since no one could describe Bella's story better than she could, making this a fresh, light read, an appealing plot, and a romance for readers of all ages.

You must understand the series for what it is while approaching it. Young females in their mid-teens and up are the intended audience. More than action and adventure, it focuses on the emotional journey and physical mysteries of youth.

It's a clean novel with no profanity and an immediate love tale about two individuals who get fascinated with one other, one because of Edward's immaculate beauty and a hint of danger, and the other because he can't read her thoughts and her blood speaks to the creature inside him.

There will be a deceptive love triangle in the series as a whole, which was emphasized much more in the movies, and even an advert as team Edward and team Jacob.

Again, it's not supposed to be a high-octane trip with a scary and mysterious romantic interest that the reader, if they're truthful with themselves, knows how it'll end, but we'll enjoy the journey anyhow.

Stephenie Meyer is an excellent writer, despite the fact that it may appear like I am whining. She writes in an easy-to-understand style and from the viewpoint and thinking of a young lady.

That does not necessarily imply a reasonable young lady who makes clear and logical judgments, but rather one who is clever and, despite her shallow love, is a selfless individual.

I didn't know how skilled she was at writing from the viewpoint and not exposing her hand to the audience until book three when we get many chapters from Jacob's perspective where we glimpse the thinking of a Young Man.

Bella's interactions with other characters hide something I hadn't observed until I revisited the story a second time: Bella has no interest in, or at least appears to have no active interest in, anything other than Edward.

She enjoys reading romance novels, but she has no enthusiasm for life outside of Edward, no interests, and no meaningful aspirations to work for. This is something that novice readers may not notice, but it is a thorn in the eye for those who have read a lot of fiction.

The mythos she weaves into the plot develops throughout the course of the series and seems authentic to the world she portrays. In her debut novel, she exposes vampires to be more than terrible creatures that lurk in the shadows, but rather attractive predators who are meant solely to seduce and murder their prey but have a morality that drives them to desire to be more than mere monsters.

In fact, given the vampires' physical strength and special abilities, they may have been genuinely scary if the series had continued with a different writer or a different sort of plot. However, it was a great smash for the genre and intended demographic, earning Stephenie Meyer millions.

While I enjoyed the plot, as I learned more about the genre, I realized that the Twilight series was clean and intended for a younger age. The stories evolved with time, but not to the point where they were improper for high school students.

I also recognize that it was originally intended to be mostly a romance. However, the movies made me dislike Bella because of how she was portrayed in the movies, whereas the book was perfect in terms of who she was.

While Bella Swan had a rocky start in terms of personality development in the first book, I believe she develops into a new kind of hero by the conclusion. She isn't a sword-wielding warrior, but she possesses the power, tenacity, and bravery that make her approachable.

In terms of the writing, I can't claim we're reading Shakespeare or Hawthorne here because I'm a literary aficionado who enjoys reading big historical novels for enjoyment, but the books kept me turning pages.

I had a great time reading it. Yes, the "wonderful" thing grew old after a while, and there were a few flaws here and there, but not enough to distract me from the story.

Stephenie Meyer produced some wonderful characters and gave each one a distinct personality; there is a lot of comedy and intelligence in this book, and the characters go through a lot of growth, which is not an easy task for an author.

I loved reading the book since it was written as though the author enjoyed writing it. She's not flawless, but she's competent, and she improves as the series progresses. I've liked seeing Stephenie Meyer develop as a novelist, and I'll most likely read anything she publishes next.

Final Thoughts:

Generally speaking, books are superior to movies. Needless to say, I was enamored with it and devoured the entire book in a single day. I couldn't put it down since it piqued my curiosity.

This novel is for fans of charming high school romance, a touch of the supernatural (such as vampires and werewolves), and a little intrigue. I saw the movie a long time ago, and I don't think it did Edward justice in any way, at least in this section of the narrative.

I do agree, though, that it is not appropriate for teenagers. The relationship is a little shaky, and Bella is a complete masochist, and I believe she is suicidal. In any case, I strongly suggest it.

To sum up, if you're seeking for a romantic fantasy, this was a great book to read. If you're going for it, I recommend reading the full series.

We get to observe Bella develop from an uncomfortable teenager with an inadequacy mentality and weak decision-making abilities into a competent young woman thanks to Stephenie Meyer's creation. It was enjoyable to read, and I'm pleased I did.

Synopsis:

“Fall in love with the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire with the book that sparked a "literary phenomenon" and redefined romance for a generation (New York Times).

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn.

Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.

Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

It's here! #1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with the highly anticipated companion, Midnight Sun: the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view.

"People do not want to just read Stephenie Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time

"A literary phenomenon." -- The New York Times”

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Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

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Called Out of Darkness Review

Called Out of Darkness

Published: 2008

Author: Anne Rice

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Catholicism, Christianity, Fiction, Inspirational, Metaphysical, Personal Growth, Religious, Self Help, Visionary, Women’s

Check the summary of this book here:

Called Out of Darkness Summary

The Review:

In Called Out of Darkness, Anne Rice walks us through her life, from her childhood in an intellectual New Orleans family where she developed a deep love of her beautiful Catholic Church, to moving to Texas and California, where she and her new poet husband rejected all religion and lived on the outskirts of the San Francisco hippy movement, to her surprisingly hugely successful career writing books about witches and vampires (I read all of these, she sold 100 million of them). Finally, she brilliantly portrays her sorrowful return to the Jesus she still loved but couldn't believe in, as well as to the Church of her upbringing.

"Honesty" is the term that comes to me when I think of the book. Her concluding articulation of what it means to fully follow Jesus and how tough it is to just love rather than obey man-made laws moved me deeply. I enjoy reading biographies and would give this one a thousand points if I could.

I'm at a loss for words to explain how much I like and respect the transparency and honesty shown here. I know a lot of individuals who are becoming more informed and open-minded about Church politics and just loving Christ who have had some of the same experiences here.

In the middle of all this turmoil, they walk out of the Church doors, and in doing so, they walk out on Christ. In a gloomy and seemingly hopeless catacomb, Anne Rice is a bright lamp.

She expresses her pain as well as her blessings, and most importantly, she teaches the Love of Christ, emphasizing the need of loving, forgiving, and not judging people, including our family, friends, neighbors, and even adversaries.

She demonstrates how to be guided out of the shadows. I am eternally grateful to Anne Rice for her beautiful stories, and I must thank her once more for this wonderful work.

This is the book for anybody who has ever wondered what happened to Anne Rice and why she quit writing vampire novels around the time this book was published. It's not a tough book to read, yet it's quite intimate.

This novel reads quite amateurishly. However, it is simply the author's thoughts flowing directly into the pages, which gives it a stronger feeling of its own unique personality.

You have the impression that a friend has just informed you that she has regained her religion. It's not flowery or overly ornamented, and it's quite down to earth. I also appreciate seeing individuals tie their faith to their daily life, so I found that to be interesting to read.

Even if you've never read Anne Rice's works, you can tell she was a superb writer based on the popularity and reviews of her books. Because of the darkness and vampire subject matter, I read any and all of her work because I enjoy reading these kinds of books when they are written well and by an author like her.

I came upon her more recent works about the life of Christ and warily read her article at the conclusion of Christ the Lord out of Egypt about how she studies for her books.

I felt good reading what she had to say about Christ's life since it was so eloquently written. As soon as I finished the first book, I went on to read the sequel Christ the Lord the Road to Cana, and then I came upon her Called Out of Darkness A Spiritual Confession.

Incredible! A truly remarkable account of a remarkable spiritual journey, and as a non-Catholic, it answered many of my questions about the Catholic Church simply because I want to learn more about all of the major religions because I believe they are all essentially one religion with many branches or versions of the same story.

Each of these three books has had a spiritual impact on me, and I frequently suggest them. Anne Rice is one of my top ten authors, and she may be the finest. Her writing is engrossing, enthralling, graphic, thought-provoking, and not at all monotonous!

Careful readers, it appears to me, strive to comprehend the metaphors at work in her novels and delve deeper into the volume's content. There's no need to hunt for metaphors in this totally unusual reading experience since she talks so honestly and invitingly.

It's practically irrelevant if one can relate with her individual experience or revelation about God within the context of the Catholic experience. In these days of high tension, numerous wars, political correctness, random killings, broken marriages, and so on, it is both invigorating and challenging to read about another's search for the deepest meanings in a happy existence.

It all starts with her background in New Orleans, where she grew up in a neighborhood where everyone she knew or encountered was a devout Catholic.

Author was so committed to religion that she determined as a child that she wanted to be a Catholic priest. She went to Catholic schools, went to church several times a week, and was so eager to devote her life to the Church that she would not even consider becoming a nun and was shocked to learn that becoming a Catholic priest would be impossible.

Called Out of Darkness is a remarkable memoir in which the author shares intimate details about her upbringing, including the tragedy of her alcoholic mother, her enormous difficulties in learning to read effectively, her marriage, the deaths of her young daughter and husband, and her deep love for the city of New Orleans and its architecture.

Anne Rice has had a fascinating existence, one that most of her long-time followers have only had a passing knowledge of.

This biography shows how she went from writing novels about vampires and witches to creating fiction committed to portraying the story of Christianity, a change that surprised her readers (Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana and Angel Time: The Song of the Seraphim, Book 1).

Fans of Anne Rice's novels will like her memoir, but her narrative is so unique that even those who haven't read her books will be intrigued by what she has to say.

Final Thoughts:

This is a fantastic book about a fantastic author who shocked the world when she returned to her Christian faith, then shocked the world again in July 2010 when she said she couldn't stay in a group of people who were disputatious, homophobic, and believed they were the only ones going to heaven while secretly relishing the thought that everyone else was going to hell. Although she still believes in Jesus, she refuses to call herself a "Christian!"

I'm always happy to state that I've read all of Anne Rice's books. This is just because she's so incredibly talented, and I'm drawn to the realm of myth and vampires.

I chose to read this because I wanted to read a book by someone who has gone through multiple pathways of religion, someone who has wandered but not lost, and most importantly she is Anne Rice, who writes amazing books.

This was a fantastic book to read. I would suggest it to everyone, whether they are a protestant, a Catholic, an agnostic, or an atheist.

Synopsis:

“Anne Rice’s first work of nonfiction—a powerful and haunting memoir that explores her continuing spiritual transformation

Anne Rice was raised in New Orleans as the devout child in a deeply religious Irish Catholic family. Here, she describes how, as she grew up, she lost her belief in God, but not her desire for a meaningful life. She used her novels—beginning with Interview with a Vampire—to wrestle with otherworldly themes while in her own life, she experienced both loss (the death of her daughter and, later, her beloved husband, Stan Rice) and joys (the birth of her son, Christopher). And she writes about how, finally, after years of questioning, she experienced the intense conversion and re-embracing of her faith that lie behind her most recent novels about the life of Christ.”

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Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

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Interview with the Vampire (1994) (R)

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