Comments | genealogygirl: My Review of Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse

genealogygirl

My Review of Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse

Sep 02, 2007 14:11

At long last, I'm posting this overly long review. I tried to synthesize all the thoughts I posted during my brief participation on the Twilight Lexicon boards (before everyone was asked to only post positive thoughts about Eclipse and everything related to Meyer's books). kiwiria asked for me to post all my thoughts, so ..... gulp ..... here they are ( Read more... )

eclipse, meyer, book reviews

Comments 12

kiwiria September 2 2007, 19:47:34 UTC

Thank you for writing this out for me. I actually agree with you on practically all points (except Bella&Edward - I did buy that she's truely in love with him), but with the exception of Jacob, I guess it just doesn't bother me.

I really, really, really disliked Jacob though, and ESPECIALLY the forced kiss. I wanted to HIT him after that, and was furious that there were no repercussions for him. You just DON'T do that!! All possible overreactions aside, what he did was tantamount to rape. I do know people who turned to 'team Jacob' as I see it's called after reading this book, and I don't get it at all.

genealogygirl September 3 2007, 02:11:59 UTC

I can't say why exactly, but my over-powering and probably irrational hatred of Jacob and the whole Jacob and Bella plot point really ruined this book for me. I honestly can't say that it was awful through and through. Some reviewers have said that Edward seems like a cardboard cut-out of his former self, and while I can see that he's not quite the same, I did enjoy the Edward moments. But Jacob just overshadowed everything for me, sad to say.

I too cannot fathom how anyone could come away from Eclipse with a positive opinion of Jacob Black. Just don't get it.

kiwiria September 4 2007, 10:41:57 UTC

That's a shame :( I really disliked his actions as well, but was mostly able to ignore them and enjoy the rest of the book for its own sake. I don't see Edward as a cardboard cut-out of his former self, he was just more subdued because of the situations around him.

And I loved the ending, but was very disappointed that we weren't allowed to read Charlie's reaction to the engagement! ;)

Actually, I think Charlie was one of the people who disappointed me the most... how he was SO in favour of Jacob over Edward that he was totally unreasonable around Edward and obviously applauded Jacob for kissing Bella against her will. That was appalling!

alissomora September 2 2007, 20:06:30 UTC

I've only read "Twilight" and didn't like it enough to keep going with the others. I had seen a lot of friends rave about book two, so I was going to give them a go, but now I've read this -- I don't think I'll bother. Thanks for the review.

genealogygirl September 3 2007, 02:13:26 UTC

Really? I *loved* Twilight, and I'm obviously over-invested in the characters to spend this much time analyzing my disappointment. I also loved New Moon and had such high hopes and expectations for this one. As I said, I can't bear not to know how it all turns out in the final book, but I'm trying to be more realistic about what to expect from the author.

alissomora September 3 2007, 06:06:33 UTC

But the next book is a rewrite of "Twilight" from Edward's point of view, isn't it? Is there another book after that as well?

I enjoyed "Twilight", but there was something that was missing for me. Not sure what.

genealogygirl September 3 2007, 13:51:26 UTC

No, she is planning to release "Midnight Sun" which is Twilight from Edward's POV at some point, but after the series is concluded. New Moon picks up where Twilight left off. Eclipse picks up from there. Breaking Dawn will be the 4th and supposedly final volume in Bella and Edward's story.

Thread 5

heart_of_wine September 2 2007, 21:08:30 UTC

I completely and totally agree with your review. Well done, and well written!

Edward can do so much better. He just has to keep looking, perhaps for another 100 years. You go, Edward! Your soulmate is still out there somewhere. (or will be soon!)Don't off yourself because Bella is such a weak waif-ish character. You've tasted love, and it's out there.

My expectations are so low for Breaking Dawn. We should get together and read it on a dedicated weekend. Then, at least, we'll be guaranteed fun and commiseration!

Hugs,
Elia

genealogygirl September 3 2007, 02:14:35 UTC

Love the idea of getting together to read the final book! Hope your fanfic is progressing ---- I can't wait to read it.

elfundeb September 3 2007, 14:51:35 UTC

Still haven't read the book, but I couldn't resist your review. Based on the promised Wuthering Heights parallels, I rather expected the story to progress as you have outlined. Bella is no surprise to me, but I thought she was completely lacking in the kind of emotional maturity required to make life-changing decisions after New Moon. And Jacob is Heathcliff, right? What could possibly exist to like about Heathcliff?

great review lake_mi_girl October 4 2007, 18:36:48 UTC

As usual, you and I are in complete agreement. I had pretty much the exact same response as you to Eclipse, so thanks for saving me the trouble of having to write everything out. :) I was disappointed in Bella allowing herself to get sucked into Jacob's arrogant ploy, dismayed at Jacob's appalling behavior and characterization in general, and very proud of Edward's maturity and eventual restraint (although, imo, he was maybe a bit TOO restrained in that ridiculous tent scene). And you are absolutely right that Bella's "realization" that she loves Jacob somehow undermines her and Edward's love. There's is supposed to transcend what most of us know as being "in love." To imply to that Jacob is in any way a potential rival to Edward really does negate the specialness of Edward's and Bella's love, and that was truly disheartening. Like you, I will continue to read the series because I became so invested in (most) of these characters in Twilight and New Moon. But I am very perturbed at the road SM has apparently chosen to go down. She's ( ... )