47 of 63 members found this review helpful
“Let me preface my review by saying everyone has an opinion, and some of them really stink, and most don't matter, including mine. Sorry guys, I'm cutting loose on this one, but first a few comments... Stephanie Meyer didn't write this book for her fans. She wrote this book for her critics-- those that challenged and questioned the actions and motivations of her young adult characters. She was feeling pressure to wrap it up nicely in a socially acceptable manner.
I got sucked into these books even though I don't fall into the young adult target audience for Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga. Drawn in hard and fast, I fell in love with the characters and their epic story. Some days, I was a Team Edward kind of gal because I couldn't resist Edward's mysterious, handsome and intelligent qualities. On other days I was a happy participant of Team Jacob, enjoying his humor, boyish charm, rugged good looks, and way better body temperature. Most days though, I just wanted Stephanie Meyer to surprise me with Breaking Dawn, to write an exciting, original story that would leave me satisfied once I closed the back cover.
After months of waiting and much plot speculation, I was at Borders at 11:30 PM August 1st with nearly 300 frenzied Twilighters. WOOHOOO! My intense fangirly joy was bubbling out as the crowd buzzed with excitement, and cheers erupted as the countdown began. I was seriously getting choked up. It was going to be AWESOME, and I planned my weekend accordingly. I took an afternoon nap so I would be well rested to stay up reading. I told friends and family that I was incommunicado for the weekend. There would be nothing, nada, zip impinging on my reading time. Finally, the long awaited moment had arrived! I grasped my book to my chest for an instant then began reading as I waited in line. Once outside, I practically ran to my car. Oh, who am I trying to kid? I did run to my car, and drove home as fast as I could. Minutes later with a big, goofy smile on my face, I opened what I was sure to be a thrilling epic story that would forever make Edward and Bella two of my all-time favorite fictional characters...
Yeah, well, that didn't happen. EPIC FAIL! This is not just a bad story, this is an embarrassment. For me, the Twilight Saga ended with Eclipse so that Breaking Dawn can't ninja the memories of the books I love. This book disappointed me on so many levels.
First of all, it was barely controlled, shallow rambling. To me, Stephanie Meyer let her words ramble off the pages and off the point, but at least in the earlier books it seemed to fit Bella in her clueless state and resembled a young girl's journaling. It seemed like the author was in a hurry to make her deadline, and skimmed over the essence of the characters we've come to know and love. I don't know who that vampire was, but it sure wasn't my Edward-the cool Edward, the charming Edward, the suave Edward- that made me sigh deeply. He was turned into a side character, and he deserved better. Bella is also a completely different character in this book, so much so that I think she actually IS a completely different character, like her long lost sister, or the fairy godmother, or a fangirl that managed to jump into the pages. Suddenly, because you're married your personality changes overnight? Where was Bella's introspection, her doubt? I wanted Bella to mature, to find herself , to grow into a confident woman just like everyone else, but to do so is a process. This Bella just busted out in a whole new voice. Maybe she was lip syncing. If it was the right Edward I would say the honeymoon did it, but it wasn't, so I won't.
Now, on to one thing that really peeved me. There are words that have absolute meaning, like the word "dead". You are either dead or you are alive. Well, unless you are Miracle Max in the Princess Bride, who might say someone is "mostly dead," but that's in the movies and something else entirely. So we agree that this is not the movies, but a book, and there are words that have absolute meaning like "dead" or "unique". Or pregnant! You're either preggers or you're not preggers. Well, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I think the words mortal and immortal have absolute meaning, as well. Every time Stephanie Meyer referred to Renesme as half mortal and half immortal, I wanted to say really bad words. I even checked the dictionary in case I was dropped too many times. I'm down that the creepy kid is half human, half vampire, has special powers, and all that, but she is not, not, not half-mortal and half-immortal. Embarrassing description, in my humble opinion, in a book filled with awkward, choppy sentences.
Months ago I predicted that Bella would get pregnant, but fans wrote in forums that Stephanie Meyer's vamps don't have body fluids. Oops! And I don't care what anybody says, Renesme is a stupid name. Just think how she'll be teased in school. Try as she might though, she'll never be as awesome as Cat, in Jeaniene Frost's "Halfway to the Grave" books . It appears that Stephanie Meyer is trying to guarantee her literary future by allowing the little icky thing to live. Well, I sure don't want to read about Nessie ever again. Any baby that has a full set of teeth, smiles at her mommy then bites her on the nipple is creepy. Drinking blood out of a sippy cup is just gross. There was nothing that endeared me to the monster. Once Edward said the baby's name, I knew that she was Jacob's imprint. No surprise there.
There were no surprises for me other than Stephanie Meyer didn't put much UMPH into her final installment. She didn't take any risks. She took the easy, safe way out. It was cliche. It was boring. The Volturi weren't even something to be feared when, in earlier books they were a dangerous force to be reckoned with. Bella's shield saved the day, but with all the talk of newborns and their behavior, Bella is the grand exception, born to this way of life that she finds wonderful. There is no explanation of how or why Bella-without-a-clue can be so perfect for her new vampiric life. We just have to accept it. She is the Queen of the vampires. Meh.
I thought it would be a long time before I parted with my Twilight books, if I ever did. Now I'm not so sure. The Saga started off with a bang and went out with a damp fizzle. Memorable books usually go the other way and usually contain, you know, something memorable. Stephanie Meyer wrote Breaking Dawn the simplest, least controversial way that she could, addressing various issues that she was confronted with as a young adult author. Bella is happily married and decides to go to college, and remain human thus her soul is safe, and she's making mature decisions about her future. She has her character become pregnant to quell the chance of future regrets if she didn't have a child. She creates an abnormal birthing process that a mortal couldn't survive so Edward has no choice but to turn her so everyone is off the hook in this scenario. She is a superior vampire with great control so never has the sin of feeding off someone. Jacob imprints on Renesme and all his pain and pining for Bella is forgiven and forgotten. Charlie accepts the supernatural, that his daughter is a vampire, like some ridiculous "don't ask, don't tell" rule. Charlie has a new romance in his life. It seems Stephanie Meyer wrote this book in response to all the criticism about Bella being a poor role model for today's young women and Edward became just another guy, just a dad, to dispel the idea that he was a controlling, murderous psychopath.
Breaking Dawn isn't what I wanted it to be. It was too busy being something else.
**I'd like to add that I read online that people are going to stage a book burning to show their dislike for the book. Don't burn your book! Don't line the publisher's and Stephanie Meyer's pockets with your money! Someone told me to take the book back to the bookstore. Most have a return policy, and if you don't have a receipt, at least you can get a store credit. Getting your money back-that's sending a message. Don't write BS, don't publish BS. If this was Stephanie Meyer's first book, it never would have gotten published.**
”
Evie ♥ wrote this review Friday, April 24, 2009.
Was this review helpful? Yes | NoComments
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chickalea
It's nice to read a review that I agree with. I was wondering if I was the only one on this site who didn't care for this book.
posted 4 years ago.
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Dazzling Mage
Whoa, people are considering burning it? I understand that they're angry but...burning? Anyway, it's interesting that you mentioned the reason why Meyer wrote this book the way it is- for her critics rather than fans. The thing is, I think she gave her critics the right tool to knock her down. New Moon and Eclipse showed a great progress. Sure, it was still criticized, but plot wise? An improvement. It seemed that for BD, Meyer reverted back in the process of her writing.
posted 4 years ago.
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Spurious Generalities
Do any of you idiots realize that she wrote this book back when she wrote Twilight? For professing to be Twilight fans, you're a bit out of the loop. She's had this penned for a long time. She wrote it for no one but herself.
posted 4 years ago.
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Evie ♥
SP,
There's no reason for childish name calling. Even if she wrote this when she wrote Twilight it's still a poor piece of work.posted 4 years ago.
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Dazzling Mage
SP,
I never "professed" myself as a Twilight fan. I know she's planned this since finishing Twilight, but that doesn't mean she couldn't polish it a bit.posted 4 years ago.
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Robert of Ravenclaw
You are so right , plues i would add where is the fights . there was only one person killed . I wanted a big climax but there was none . It is a true star book
posted 4 years ago.
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Katie S
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You said everything that bugged me so bad about this book. So unimpressive. I wanted to see some of the Volturi (Jane) get what was coming to them. Loved Bella's "power", but seemed like a rip-off of Violet in "The Incredibles". Ah well. I can't deny I'm a SM fan and will most likely read whatever she comes out with next. She usually has a great way with relationships and making readers care about them. Not sure what happened with this book, though.
posted 4 years ago.
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Bethany removed this reply 4 years ago
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Bethany
I'm so glad I'm not alone in disliking this book. I agree with this review and the comments made. However, I have something to add: It really bothered me that she knocked-up Bella. A big prego dying human teenager drinking blood with a creepy demon spawn breaking bones inside her was not what I wanted to read about or happen. Yes, in the end everything is happy and well (another complaint) and the baby isn't a disgusting freak, but do we really need more youth oriented media out there regarding young pregnancy (18 is still a teenager even if she is legal)? In addition, the birthing was just flat out embarrassing and gross. I also felt uncomfortable with her becoming a mother-- it just seemed too much of an awkward shift to stretch her character that way. And I laughed out loud when I read the name "Renesmee". Aside from the whole pregnancy thing---The overall biggest disappointment is that with the choices Meyer made I felt like I lost my connection to the characters in the book, most importantly Bella and Edward. They were hardly recognizable. I wish Meyer would go back and rewrite the ending. I'd gladly buy it again and read a new version just to erase this ending in my memory. Sadly, this is what we're stuck with. BD is cheesy, embarassing, and lame.
posted 4 years ago.
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Evie ♥
I agree, her characters had no continuity of character. I lost my connection with almost everyone in the book. If there are changes, they must be a gradual process because if suddenly readers feel the change is too abrupt they lose faith in them, they lose the connection. At least I did.
posted 4 years ago.
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Jennifer F
Ditto. I didn't like Bella as a mother and felt like I didn't even know her in the end.
posted 4 years ago.
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fantaghiro23
Although I'm a big fan of the Twilight series myself, I have to say I agree totally with your review. Fine, it's a YA book, but it's just too perfect. I mean, come on--no downside to being a vampire at all?? In all the vampire lore I've read, this is a first. Besides, I'd like to see some realistic consequences to the characters. And the whole time I was reading it, I kept telling myself that it was a feel-good book. Except, why didn't I feel so good when I finished it? Nevertheless, I think, like Katie, I still would read a Meyer book, if she came out with one again. Just to see what happens.
posted 4 years ago.
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Roxann A
Wow, Evie, I finally found your review! I guess I know now how you feel about Breaking Dawn. You were really articulate. I don't feel nearly as strongly (on the negative side) as you do, but I understand your perspective. Some of the same things bothered me, but there were parts that I liked too. When I heard Stephenie's post Breaking Dawn interview, a lot of the things that bothered me made more sense...I understand that you may not want to see this now, but anyway, here is the link: http://www.ew.com/ew/video/exclusives?lineupId=1155151521&videoId=1717903074
posted 4 years ago.
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Laura C
Thank you for saying everything I thought was wrong with this book! It ruined a great series for me...I couldn't even finish the book. And Renesme...aaarrggghhh!!!!!
posted 4 years ago.
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Jesslei
I agree with this review. I was so excited when I've gotten hold of the book and immediately went to a coffee shop to read. The first part were ok until weird things happened. I didn't even finish the book because I felt like it was so dragging.
posted 4 years ago.
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bea888
Haha thanks for the funny review. Laughed to myself for five minutes. Have only read Twilight and hated it so am not surprised.
posted 4 years ago.
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Robin G
*clap clap clap* I am applauding you Evie V!!! You said everything I wanted to and more!! The book was a train wreck!
posted 4 years ago.
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Michael D
You have absolutely everyright to dislike the book.I would never question that. Where i totally disagree with you is taking the book back. That is stealing... Period. You bought this book for the purpose of reading it and you had a hope of liking it. You did what you bought the book for... reading it. You read it and now because you didn't like it you want to get your mioney back. That is wrong. Besides... it doesn't do a thing to the Author, she was already paid. If you are thinking about taking your book back don't. It is not honest to do so. Next time wait and see reviews and then decide whether to buy it or not. Like a Movie... if you sit through the entire thing and then walk up to the box office and tell them you want your money back because you didn't like it 99% they would just stare at you and wonder what universe you are from. I was ina book store yesterday and people that do this is changing the return policy for the rest of us. No longer do you have a month to buy a gift, give the gift and they have time to take it back if they have no interest... they are going from a 30 day return to 14 day retuen and are thinking about 7 days. Please... if you purchase a book to READ and you READ it do not take it back. MSD
posted 4 years ago.
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Joscelyn P
I totally agree. It's like the people who sue for something that is their fault or go out and buy some clothes and then return after wearing them. They had the choice to buy the book-they were not mislead in any way, if they didn't like the book that is thier problem.
posted 4 years ago.
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Erin F
If you don't want to put money out for a book just borrow it from your local library where you're encouraged to return it after reading.
posted 4 years ago.
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Lissa A.
I don't see what would be so wrong with like the bookstores having like a buy-back policy. So, if you don't like the book or don't want to keep it (when you probably thought you would in the first place), the store could buy it back from you for a discounted price, and then have a sort of like used book section or something, or sell it to second hand bookstores or something. Some people like buying books used. People who bought the book didn't know when they bought it that they wouldn't like it.
posted 4 years ago.
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Rachel S
"Oops! And I don't care what anybody says, Renesme is a stupid name." - Glad to see I'm not the only one. Her other names are fine: Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, Alice - all great names. RENESMEE??? Not so much. Bella is not the queen of the vampires, she's the queen of Mary Sues and her stupid husband, Edward, is the queen of Gary Stus. I will not miss them.
posted 4 years ago.
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Joscelyn P
Wow-read a whole series of books and one name makes you not like the book-pretty silly reason. I am not a big fan of the name Jasper, but do I attack the books because of it? And Renesme is different than anyone, why not give her a name different than anyone. What's wrong with some originalty (Rachel).
posted 4 years ago.
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Jo Anne O
So glad you had the guts to say what a lot of us were thinking and to do it so concise too!
posted 4 years ago.
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jacktheartist
Evie, this is quite possibly the best review of the book. You are my new hero. I'm glad that I didn't have as visceral a reaction as you did (I didn't go to the midnight booksale or even buy the book, I borrowed it from my sister-in-law) but I did have reasonable expectations of the book. And even those were not met. I think I'm gonna be on the lookout for your reviews in the future.
posted 4 years ago.
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Renesme C
CALM DOWN!!!!!I agree with you on some things their personalits changed a lot but don't you think thats just the tinys little bit harsh
posted 4 years ago.
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Paola G
Amen Amen, I agree with this review 100%. I actually sold my copy to a used bookstore, however I still have my husbands copy.
posted 4 years ago.
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Nicole C
While I think this is a well written and well thought out review, I think it's a little extreme. I mean, Stephanie Meyer wasn't writing the book for you. Why would you burn a book, or want to send a message? Because the writer, the person who came up with this story didn't please you? It was her decision to end the book the way she did. It's like saying telling a painter that you hate her artwork and that it should be burned, when all it is, is an expression. She wasn't filling an order.
posted 4 years ago.
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Lissa A.
But that's just it. Every reader of this book went into expecting something. Most of us that read the books wanted things to go a certain way. Yes, it's SM's story, blah, blah. But why can't people express their disappointment if they've got it. That's the ups and downs of being an author in the public eye. There is going to be both positive and negative. To deny the negative is just naive.
posted 4 years ago.
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Ingrid M
After I read this I had to chuckle to myself. I vehemently felt that the first three books sucked and I felt like a sadist for continuing to read them, but read I did until I came to the 4th book and was pleasantly pleased by the turn the story took. (why she would rewrite book 1 and try to pass that off as a book in its own right I'll never know. It deserved to be leaked just because she was beating a dead horse; however, it was better than the 1st book and I suggest people just read it first and forget twilight was ever written, but I digress). I do; however, agree with you Renesmee is the stupidest character name ever created. Who does that? Who thinks thats cute and all I could do was laugh when everyone in the story agreed it sucked and called her Nessie. That said I wasn't squimish about the blood because at its core it is a vamp story.
posted 4 years ago.
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Lissa A.
Very nice, well thought out review. It's nice that you had legit reasons for not liking the book. I read all the comments fully expecting you to be attacked and bashed by rabid die-hard fangirls. But was surprised that the ones that didn't agree with you were pretty decent and civilized. There wasn't a whole lot of the 'the get over yourself' or my personal favorite (that makes no sense), "if you don't like the book, why did you read it?". The logic in that one is astounding. Anyway, I totally agree with your review. SM messed up with this book. I didn't care for it either, there were so many disappointing things with this book. I only wish she could have handled the criticism a bit better, instead of telling the fans that didn't like it to just read it again and learn to love it, like the fans learned to love Robert as Edward. To me, that says alot about SM, and it made me a little sad, as I still liked the first book Twilight, but it makes her come off a bit conceited. I don't care if the books and story are hers and she can write it any way she wants. To tell fans that was just unprofessional and immature.
posted 4 years ago.
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9t9
I am late to the game here, but I completely agree with your review. This book was total garbage and utterly ridiculous!
posted 4 years ago.
