I’m going to start this post by saying that I have read quite a few positive and negative responses to the most recent book published by Stephanie Meyer. I hope that this is not in the same vein as all the rest of the people that have written their feelings about that book. I just felt the need to express myself and if you don’t like what I have to say then that’s fine because it’s my opinion and you are allowed to draw your own conclusions.
The thing that I most remember after reading the final line of Breaking Dawn was how unsatisfied I was. I know what my reaction is to a series that I’m really in to and looking forward to. When I close the book I let out a sigh. Sort of like I have been holding my breath until the conclusion. For me this did not happen. I closed the book and I felt unsatisfied. Sort of like when you have a sexual encounter with someone that you are really into and then when it’s finally over you think to yourself, ” That was it? That was what I’ve been building up in my head for? I feel so unsatisfied.” That’s how I feel right now after finishing the Bella/Edward saga that was the Twilight series. Sort of like I need to go masturbate by myself to really get what I needed.
My masturbation comment has nothing to do with the honeymoon scene, which I have to say was pretty tame compared to many fantasy novels that I have read. It had to do with how I felt about the entire arch that was Bella and Edward. I think the thing that perturbed me the most was how happy the ending was. I am a fantasy junky, I love immersing myself into the worlds that I know could never be. It’s my escape, and the thing that I really liked about the Twilight series was that not only was it a world that could never be, but it was a teenage fantasy that I never had. But eventually there has to be some real life somewhere, especially when you set your characters in a real life place.
I just felt cheated because the people that I had grown to love because of their flaws suddenly overcame them with not consequences. There was no impetus to help them overcome what should have been their downfall.
Edward as the ultimate protector of Bella should have stepped in at the worst possible time to bail Bella out of trouble. Bella should have misstepped even though she is physically a different being because deep down she is the ultimate klutz. Charlie needed to walk in at just the wrong time when Bella wasn’t completely prepared to see him. Basically there needed to be more conflict. Something that made you hold your breath and turn the page so sharply that you almost ripped the paper. Even the confrontation with the Volturi wasn’t something that really made you worry about what would happen next. You just wanted to move on.
Maybe that is my biggest peeve with this book that I have been looking so forward to this book after Deathly Hallows came out and I just didn’t have the same feeling that I had when I finished Deathly Hallows. BTW so sorry for comparing JK Rowling and Stephanie Meyer, but they are the two authors that I have been looking forward to reading for the last few years. After Deathly Hallows I felt complete, like there wasn’t anything more that I needed to know. After Breaking Dawn I just felt like some said, “and they lived all lived happily ever after.”
The thing I love the most about fantasy novels is the fatal flaw, the thing that keeps them from living happily ever after. There is always something that is a blight on their happiness. Even when it seems that they get what they truly wanted. There is still some sadness that keeps it from being perfect. At the end of Breaking Dawn everyone is happy. You can almost hear the happy/sappy music in the background as it fades to black. With the final kiss.
I know that SM is probably planning on continuing to write in the Cullen universe with Renesemee and Jacob, but that doesn’t mean that every thing has to be perfect for them in the beginning. Where is the conflict that they need to overcome? What makes you relate to the people that they are? Right now there is no reason for me to wonder about Renesemee and Jacob, because it seems that they have a great start to their life together. It would be so interesting to meet them several years later after running from the Volturi, with Renesemee’s parents and a lot of guilt on all sides. I could relate to that. As it is it seems that Renesmee pretty much has it made. She has the best of all worlds, “werewolf”(shape shifter), vampire and human. Where is her fatal flaw? Now that Jake had imprinted, what would make him the werewolf that we have grown to love and give our hearts to? Maybe SM has a few cards up her sleeve, but personally I think that they would be contrived and predictable.
Breaking Dawn is the least favorite of the Twilight series for me. Will I continue to read her books? For sure I think when she is on she is truly on. Will I pay for one of her hard cover books when I can get a paper back of another author? Probably not. I am very interested to discover where she decides to go from here. I have a feeling that after Midnight Sun we will not see another book in the Cullen universe for a while and I think that is a good thing. Maybe she needs to step away from them and explore other stories. Even write more for adults as opposed to young adults.
I’m going to go back and read the first three Twilight books and try Breaking Dawn again. Maybe there was something that I missed in the development or that I forgot over time. I’m going to read and hopefully enjoy The Host and any upcoming books that she has coming out. I have to say that I’m really impressed that this is the first that I have heard such controversy over any of her books. And I think that Mrs. Meyer should take that to heart. Hopefully she has people that are able to sift through the mean spirited, negative comments and get to the core of the problem. For me the reason I didn’t enjoy the book is because no one acted as they have and I really couldn’t relate. Not as the 17 year old girl trapped in my 30 year old body. Or the 30 year old woman reminiscing about the 17 year old girl I wish I was. And if you can’t find at least a little bit of yourself in a book that you read for pleasure and escape then the book is truly unsatisfactory.
Well, I am glad that even though you didn’t enjoy breaking dawn as much, that you were still respectful to those of us that did.
I’m not entirely sure what you mean when you say that it needs to have more conflict because honestly, i thought that soooo much crap happend in this book that it was almost overwhelming. Personally I thought that there could be no better end to this series. I would have hated for Stephenie to introduce another major conflict at the end of the book and then leave it unsolved, especially when this truly is the last book from bella’s perspective. I don’t think that she has any intention of writing another novel about their happy lives as vampires, and therefore, everything needed to be “wrapped up.”
I think their was a little suspense at the end, because we know that the volturi were not defeated, and that they will come back again to collect potentially helpful vampires so… yeah
I also don’t get why you wanted the character’s personalities to end up being their downfalls. I truly do not understand what is wrong with a happy ending. Do we really live in such a fucked up/ cynical world that even imagining a happy ending is looked down upon? Yes happy endings are not part of reality, but then again neither is a world in which vampires exist. I think that throughout this book and the series as a whole, bella and edward have gone through so much that it just would have been unbearable if they did not end up together happily.
By: lovesgreatbooks on August 9,2008
at 11:08 PM
i can’t even write anything here, because you said it all.
By: kayl on August 13,2008
at 2:32 PM
Kayl,
I’m glad you think I covered it all. I didn’t realize how long my review was until I went back and looked at it. I’m glad you made it through.
By: trynity978 on August 24,2008
at 12:20 AM
See, I understand what your saying, but I really liked the book too. Breaking Dawn was my favorite in the Twilight Saga. I feel that the way she left the series ending though, was not a good like cut off. Like when you break up you need closure. I feel that Stephenie Meyer didn’t give readers enough closure for the series to end. I think if she maybe wrote another book and ends it at a better ending, where you can understand more and not be left guessing it would be better. Normally i wouldn’t say that, but since it’s supposed to end the series, I feel she should end all conflicts. She left the possiblity of the Volturi, what will happen with Renesmee and Jacob, and also a lot of other conflicts open. Usually at the end of series, you don’t get left wondering. That is the only thing drawing me off of this novel, if it wasn’t the last one, I would have no problem with it.
By: Jessi on November 23,2008
at 4:02 PM
I like happy endings-and I think Meyer built us up enough to get us worried that things were going to end bad.
I know I was so wound up reading through the chapters. I had no idea where it was going and for a good period of time I thought Bella and EC were going to die. I felt this desperation throughout the novel…and when Bella saved everyone…I was content. I was satisfied because I had this great deal of pride that the clumsiest character that always needed protection had a higher purpose.
Would you have been happier if bella or Edward died? I wouldn’t…I think I would of needed therapy.
Can’t say it was my least favorite… i think book 2 was harder to read…except for when the cullens were back.
I do agree with you on one account: the tame honey moon scenes. I could of used more detail… much more detail.
By: angelique on January 2,2009
at 2:13 PM
i disagree the twilight saga was brilliant the flaws you see in the book is only what you make it but you have your opinion and i have mine….
By: amber on January 6,2009
at 6:21 AM
The only think I really hated about this book is the stupid name they gave the baby. I cringe every time I read it. I can’t even bring myself to type it.
By: Marlee on March 29,2009
at 12:49 PM