Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

At some point, writing reviews of certain bestselling series seems like a superfluous endeavor. When thousands, if not millions, of readers are going to pick up the next installment regardless of its praiseworthiness or potential weaknesses, we reviewers feel even more irrelevant than we do otherwise. Penning reviews of the later Harry Potter books certainly felt like that. Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, a publishing juggernaut soon to be made into a series of feature films, also, I would argue, has landed firmly in this category. I've reviewed all four novels for [...], and I've watched as a series that started out as an unusual debut vampire romance took on a life of its own. So this review is, in all likelihood, completely unnecessary --- but since the review has the potential to live online nearly as long as the immortal Cullen family, here goes.

Bella Swan is ecstatic --- and nervous. She's on the brink of marrying the love of her life, the charismatic, devastatingly handsome vampire Edward Cullen. Bella's parents have reluctantly come around to the idea of their teenaged daughter getting married. And the Cullens, particularly Bella's good friend Alice, who plans the event, couldn't be happier. Only Bella's old pal Jacob is upset at losing Bella.

The wedding goes off smoothly and beautifully, and Edward and Bella spend a magical honeymoon on a private island. There, they are finally able to indulge the desire they've always felt for each other (even if their lovemaking initially results in injuries both to Bella and their room, thanks to Edward's uncontrollable passion). When Bella begins to be alternately sick and ravenous, she becomes suspicious that --- despite everything she's been told about the impossibility of such a thing --- she might be pregnant with Edward's child. Terrified that she could lose her life to the ravenous, vampiric unborn child inside her, pressured by Edward and others to rid herself of the baby, Bella retreats into herself, concerned only with protecting her unborn child, even if it means harm to herself.

As for Jacob (who narrates the middle part of the novel), he tries in vain to imprint on other females, but he cannot forget Bella, especially when he learns of her perilous pregnancy and physical condition. When Bella and Edward's daughter is born, is it possible that this half-human, half-vampire can unite the Cullens and Jacob's shape-shifting La Push clan? Could she be the catalyst for Jacob and Edward's reconciliation? Or does her very existence --- particularly once word of her birth reaches the dangerous Voltari vampire clan --- put everything Bella loves at risk?

It was perhaps inevitable that Stephenie Meyer would disappoint some with this final installment. Readers --- who have lined up for hours for author appearances, pushed the series onto bestseller lists, and created thriving online communities devoted to the book --- obviously take the novels, and these characters, seriously indeed. Certain elements of BREAKING DAWN are perplexing, even off-putting --- particularly the scenes of sex, pregnancy and childbirth.

But it's nearly impossible to please everyone --- especially when so much of the series' drama has relied on the tension of Bella's choice between two very different but desirable lovers. Readers who are able, eventually, to gain some perspective will find much to redeem BREAKING DAWN, particularly its new insights into Jacob's inner life as well as its neat resolution to several of the series' pressing conflicts and its realistic (or at least as realistic as a vampire romance can get) portrayal of the complexities and joys of married life.

Meyer's legions of fans are likely to debate, discuss and dissect BREAKING DAWN for months to come --- at least until the film version of TWILIGHT comes out on November 21st, when they'll have a whole new set of creative decisions to consider and critique.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

The Fourth book in this series has taken a lot of negative flack, very undeserved. I found it immensely satisfying and the sort of ending I had hoped for after the second book. The characters are full bodied and emotionally enjoyable.

I really liked it. Maybe it was because I read all 4 books back to back at once and there was no anticipation of waiting.

**SPOILERS***

Like many others, I was so VERY disappointed with this book. Where did the characters we love go? Where did the beautiful love story go? The characters were one dimensional and obnoxious and the story was boring and weird. It made me wonder if the author has strange hang ups about sex. In the other three books, the kissing scenes were nice for the most part (until Edward would have his intense mood swings... guilt, anger, etc.). In this book, the scenes of intimacy were almost absent. Edward and/or Bella would mention that they are horny and then the next sentence would be them subtley referring to the sex that already happened... so weird and disappointing! For a love so intense and so "true", why are we not allowed any glimpse into the consumation of this love? The characters are married so it wouldn't be promoting immoral acts. I'm not even suggesting a smutty harlequin romance scene, but come on! Give us something!

And then there were the two weirdest/creepiest parts of the book... these have both been mentioned ad nauseum in other reviews, but I still MUST touch on them. The first, of course, is Edward tearing some pillows and the headboard to pieces during sex. So embarrasing and unsexy!!! I get that he was into it, but seriously? That is the only imagery she gives us about their first time together??? I just pictured Edward shaking the pillows in his mouth like a dog while having sex. Weird. The second and far more creepier scene was when Jacob imprinted on Renesme. Um what was THAT? And I wanted to punch Jake in the face when he was acting like the kid was his. He wouldn't even let mommy Bella hold her!! Oh and sidenote... why didn't they think of injecting venom before?? That would have solved the whole problem of Edward accidentally killing her instead of changing her into a vampire. And the author barely glazes over it. It was a huge difference from what the audience was expecting! Personally, I expected to read about Edward biting her and having all this internal struggle to not kill her. But whatever, that was the least of the unbeleivable parts of this book.

How about the fact that Bella has NO problems when she is a newborn vampire. She had no patience or self control as a human, how could she have an extraordinary amount as a vampire?? No out of control cravings... nothing? The author made her more in control than even Carlisle, who has been a vampire since the 17th century! So disappointing all around. Where was the struggle? The tragic flaw? Ugh!!! Now I kinda wish that Edward would have accidentally screwed Bella to death. At least that would have made it more interesting... and beleivable actually.

If you MUST read this book, check it out of the library. Don't waste the cash.

The fourth book to her Twilight series is by far the best. Stephenie Meyer has twists and turns throughout the book that leave you on the edge of your seat. I absolutely love this book. I wish it never ended.