Author: Stephenie Meyer
Date of Publication: February 26, 2009 (Kindle)
Publisher: Atom
Pages: 576
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance
Paperback or Kindle: Both
Fiery Fantasy Thoughts
In New Moon, we saw the extent of Bella’s feelings for
Edward as she fell apart when he left. She went a little crazy, doing dangerous
stunt’s just to hear his voice and this made me wonder if this was a healthy
portrayal of how young love should be put I kept on with it as the introduction
of Jacob’s character added the missing excitement for me.
I also found New Moon slightly improved on Bella’s character
as she was no longer a pathetic heroine that needed saving from the powerful
vampire, Edward.
However, in Eclipse I was a little confused.
I wondered if Meyer actually wanted us to hate Bella as her
character changed dramatically into a selfish, moody teenager who only survived
by obsessing over her relationship with Edward.
Now, I understand she is in love with him, I completely get
first / young love is potent, overwhelming, consuming and addictive, it also
doesn’t hurt that Edward is mysterious, powerful and gorgeous (the typical bad
boy) but to say she’ll “die” if he leaves her left a bad taste in my mouth as
this was a little over the top. (yes I know Romeo and Juliet had this same
scenario however there romance seemed more authentic and not as rushed as
Edward and Bella).
One positive aspect that came out of Eclipse was that even
though she was still bugging Edward to turn her into a vampire, she seemed to
spare a second thought about how this life changing moment would affect her
friends and family (even if it was only a split second thought!).
Now, I was a little confused by the love triangle between Jacob, Bella and Edward in Eclipse.
In New Moon, she implied that Jacob was more like a brother
to her and she was intensely in love with Edward, however in Eclipse she says
she’s in love with Jacob which I don’t understand the change of heart? She
suggests that Jacob is her ‘soul mate’ and Edward is her ‘drug’ which baffled
me as in the first two books nothing could affect her affections for Edward, so
it seemed a little like something Meyer threw in to spice things up, which I
didn’t mind but if there was a little more build up to these emotions it would
have made more sense and seemed more authentic.
The plus points to Eclipse came in the form of the back stories of Rosalie and Jasper and there was a little more humour to lighten some intense situations. In New Moon, you start to understand the characters more and see them mature as they tackle serious situations. I loved the cute Jasper and
The negative point, for me, is the love triangle, which Eclipse focuses on. Bella comes across as more selfish and manipulative in this book, which makes me dislike her character more as I just feel like she is using Jacob like a puppet. I really wish she showed the same backbone as she started to develop in Twilight in this book as it would have given her character a new dimension.
Thankfully we do not need to keep wishing for Bella to show us that not all the females are weak and need rescuing as characters such as; Alice, Rosalie, Jane, and Angela fill this void.
In conclusion, Eclipse was just ok for me. It wasn’t as good as New Moon and was a bit of a disappointment. I didn't hate it, but I didn't fall in love with it either.
If you enjoyed the first two then I would say why not try
Eclipse as the character development is interesting (if not a little annoying),
however I can only give it 3 out of 5 stars as it didn’t set my soul on fire!
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