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Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)
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Average Rating:  out of 3556 Reviews
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Price: $22.99
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Sale: $12.49
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Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
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EAN (European Article Number): 9780316067928
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Number of Items: 1
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Binding: Hardcover
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Author: Stephenie Meyer
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Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
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Publication Date: 2008-08-02
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Reading Level: 768
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Reading Level: Young Adult
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Description: Great love stories thrive on sacrifice. Throughout The Twilight Saga (Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse), Stephenie Meyer has emulated great love stories--Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights--with the fated, yet perpetually doomed love of Bella (the human girl) and Edward (the vampire who feeds on animals instead of humans). In Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final installment in the series, Bella’s story plays out in some unexpected ways. The ongoing conflicts that made this series so compelling--a human girl in love with a vampire, a werewolf in love with a human girl, the generations-long feud between werewolves and vampires--resolve pretty quickly, apparently so that Meyer could focus on Bella’s latest opportunity for self-sacrifice: giving her life for someone she loves even more than Edward. How close she comes to actually making that sacrifice is questionable, which is a big shift from the earlier books. Even though you knew Bella would make it through somehow, the threats to her life, and to her relationship with Edward, had previously always felt real. It’s as if Meyer was afraid of hurting her characters too much, which is unfortunate, because the pain Bella suffered at losing Edward in New Moon, and the pain Jacob suffered at losing Bella again and again, are the fire and the heart that drive the whole series. Diehard fans will stick with Bella, Edward, and Jacob for as many twists and turns as possible, but after most of the characters get what they want with little sacrifice, some readers may have a harder time caring what happens next. (Ages 12 and up) --Heidi Broadhead
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Customer Reviews
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Review Summary: Stephenie Meyer Imprints on Her Characters (but maybe not her fans...) |
Date: 2008-08-05 |
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Details: I really enjoyed the much awaited 4th book in the Twilight Series. But I wanted to post a review to present why I think the response to this book is so split between disappointment and love.
The major plot points seem to be what's tearing the fan base in two:
Bella and Edward get married
Bella and Edward have a daughter
Bella becomes a vampire
Jacob imprints on Bella and Edward's daughter
#1) Bella and Edward's marriage. For many, the Twilight series is based on passionate, undying, but impossible love. The unlikeliness and the challenge of Bella and Edward's love creates a tension and sense of longing that forms the very core of the first three novels in the series. For the first three books, the inescapability and inevitability of this seemingly impossible love creates and intimacy that's so deliciously tangible that readers can practically taste it. For the first three books the central driving (and intoxicating) question is: Will they ever get to be together?
When Bella and Edward get married, which they do very early on in the 4th book of Meyer's series, for many readers, I expect that this drastically repaints the previous books' tone. A tone that for many, was the point of interest. The longing is gone, the tension is gone, the question is answered: Bella and Edward get to be together. Readers who were looking for the longing and the tension and the tantalizing prospect of impossibility are going to be disappointed.
However, readers who see the series as a description as an evolution of the maturity of love (and I suspect many of these readers will be among the older, married chunk of the Twilight fans) will probably enjoy Bella and Edward's marriage. If Twilight is about falling in love, and New Moon is about losing love, and Eclipse is about choosing love, Breaking Dawn is about committing to and growing that love. Of course, in the 4th book, there are still some unrealistic aspects to Bella and Edward's idealized love: we never see them making any major couple decisions together about money or housing or child-rearing, they still seem to be under the wing of their "parents" Carlisle and Esme, and the insatiability of their desire for one another never seems to fizzle. However, they do seem to develop an awareness that their love for each other is only reinforced by their love of their family--the way the Cullens come together around Bella and Edward and the way their bonds grow deeper as a family is one of the strongest and warmest themes in this 4th book. A theme, again, that perhaps the non-teen Twilighters will thoroughly enjoy.
#2) Bella and Edward have a daughter. I assume that many readers see Bella and Edward's daughter as a plight on their love. I can see that many would think "eeewwww" or "blek--Bella's too young" (Bella's only 18 when she has her baby). And I bet that for many, the baby makes the whole forbidden vampire love way less sexy. A lusty love scene between Momma Bella and Dadda Edward would certainly be a little icky for the younger reader who doesn't want to imagine that parents have the capacity, humanity, desire or equipment to feel impassioned.
But, for the readers (again, probably the older readers) that know and believe that the experience of creating and raising a human being with your partner adds unimaginable layers of depth, understanding, respect, sacrifice, and joy to a relationship--these readers will be very very pleased...maybe even relieved...that Bella and Edward have the opportunity to have a child. To these readers, their love will have reached the apex of its possibilities. To these readers, their love would have seemed shallow and selfish without a child. Again, the resounding theme of the book that's so strong and enjoyable will be family and familial bonds.
#3) Bella becomes a vampire. So much of the fun in the first three books is that Bella is a majorly clumsy, constantly endangered damsel in distress. She's constantly being saved by superhuman, supper hot hunks. They're rescuing her from everything. Every book, Bella's extracted from at least 3 near death experiences. And the whole damsel thing is very very fun for many readers (myself included).
But in the 4th book, aside from Bella's nearly fatal pregnancy, she's not the ultimate victim anymore. And as a newborn vampire, she's even physically stronger than her beau, Edward. For many readers, I bet that undermines Edward's ability to be her hero and dilutes some of his superhuman sexiness. No longer will two hunky supernatural guys be fighting over and perpetually saving the vulnerable, constantly endangered human babe. For others (myself included) this was be a welcome disappearance of Edward's constant upper hand. I really enjoyed that Edward felt unburdened once he no longer had to restrain himself and constantly protect Bella. I also really enjoyed to read how thrilled Edward was that Bella was finally strong. It fortifies their relationship that they're on the same level, and some will like that. But others will very much miss Bella the damsel. For it's Bella's family (again book 4's family theme...) that's threatened by the Volturi in the book, it's no longer just Bella.
#4) Jacob imprints on Bella and Edward's daughter. This will be a letdown for all of those who wanted Jacob and Edward to fight, or who wanted Jacob to sacrifice himself somehow, or who wanted Jacob to keep the Series' rift of impossible love and tension alive by prolonging his fight for Bella.
Yes, it did feel a little "tied up with a bow" for me when Jacob imprinted on Renesmee (Bella and Edward's daughter). But thinking back to previously books, the clues are there. From Book 1 forward, Bella and Jacob constantly describe each other as family and Bella wishes repeatedly in 2 and 3 that Jacob was a family member, not a love interest. By the end of Book 3, even Edward is described as seeing Jacob like a brother. I enjoyed the 4th book's development of Jacob and Edward's unlikely brotherly relationship. Again--Family! Jacob starts becoming part of the Cullens in a really heartwarming, charming way. And the complexity of his friendships with and admiration of Edward and Bella is really compelling.
Finally, I want to add that I was impressed with Meyer's ability to write the book from three points of view: Bella's human perspective, Jacob's perspective, and Bella's vampire perspective. The difference between Bella's human and vampire narration really added a sensory richness and new appreciation for the vampire side of Meyer's world. I think that as Twilight's readers age and start to experience some of what Bella experiences (marriage, children, new families) if they take another look at book 4, they'll have different appreciation for it.
Ultimately, I think Meyer, having magically dreamed her characters and their world, couldn't help but give them everything they wanted and more. She loves them almost as if she's imprinted on them. I think Meyer's imprinted on her fans too and that she desperately wants to give us what we want. But her characters come first. She can't help but spoil them--they are her babies. They are her family. Her adoration of her characters has never been a secret and it's always been evident in her the way her writing caresses them. I think the obviousness of that love is what gives this series so much staying power. I think that the 4th is no exception to that rule: like I said before, right now, Book 4 is more adult than Books 1-3, but I bet that many of the younger Twilighters will grow into this book and love it every bit as much as they love the rest of the series. |
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Review Summary: What is all the fuss about??? |
Date: 2008-08-17 |
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Details: I didn't get my book right away and my husband warned me that there was A LOT of negative feedback over Breaking Dawn. I was apprehensive to start the book because I loved the first three so much (Twilight by far my favorite!) that I couldn't bear to be let down. And now...here I am asking...What is all the fuss about???
I LOVED Breaking Dawn. I am a 35 year old woman with a 3 year old daughter of my own. I am not a 15 year old teeny booper who thinks that having sex, getting pregnant, married and not going to college is the ideal life style. I do not think that money grow on trees and we all live happily ever after...but that's why I read books!
I AM glad that Bella got everything. I still love Bella, Edward, Jacob, and the rest of the Cullen Clan. I have even fallen for baby Renesmee. I am glad that Bella was allowed to become a mother even when it wasn't something that she wanted. I think there was an important message that the book DID get across...with Bella marrying Edward...with her having the baby...that sometimes, things that we don't know or think we want can be the most wonderful and powerful and happy things in our lives.
I don't think there was anything wrong with Jacob imprinting on the baby. It was even noted how Bella needed him around while she was pregnant. That desire was because of the baby that was inside her...he hadn't even seen the child and the attraction between the two SOULS was already in existence. I don't see it as pedophilia at all. I think that is just ignorant and juvenile thinking.
I am happy with the way everything worked out. I enjoyed Bella finding out how her power worked. I loved that at the end she was able to show Edward her mind...I thought that talked alot about the bond between them...her strength, her trust, her love. I would have liked to see a fight and the end of the Volruri, but come on...she left us with so many characters and places for furture novels to go that even without Edward and Bella as the main characters, they can pop up all over the place. And we have the future of Renesmee to look forward to, too.
People...it is a fairy tale....it's about werewolves and vampires...things that go bump in the night. It is not meant to be realistic. It is not meant to convey some deep, meaningful message. It is a STORY...meant to entertain and thrill. It did just that for me. I get so wrapped up in Bella and Edward and their lives that I can't put the book down. And now that it's over and I have moved onto my next book, I keep wishing it was still Bella and Edward I was reading about.
I have read many reviews condemning Bella. People don't like her character, say she's weak, boring, etc. I thin she's a great character. Very human and real to life. Even in her vampire form, she's more HUMAN than some people I know. She is down to earth, sarcastic, witty, fragile and weak yet strong and determined. She is so niave and smart at the same time. Her nature is so dualistic, that's why it's so hard for her to choose between Jacob and Edward. But in the end, there is always that ONE that is yours...the one your heart...your mind can't do without and that is her Edward. And I have to admit....that I have read a lot of books in my time, and I have yet to come across a character tha I LOVE as much as Edward. His character is without any flaw, as I see it. He is loving, caring, fierce, determined, cold and calculated, yet one of the warmest characters ever. His tortured mind and heart make you love him all the more.
I can't complain about this book in the least. I will reread it over and over again, as all the other books in the series. I say "Well Done, Ms. Meyer! You can't make everyone happy...so don't try."
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Review Summary: Relax and Enjoy the Fairy Tale |
Date: 2008-08-03 |
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Details: Reading all these one star reviews is totally killing my post Breaking Dawn buzz, y'all.
--Please note: this review contains spoilers, as most of the reviews here do.
Bella's happily ever after is heart warming and tidy just like any other fairy tale you might enjoy from childhood, though with quite a bit more blood and (tastefully described married) sex. Many of these one star reviews criticize the happy ending, the early marriage, and motherhood in place of a college education, among various other complaints. I'm suspecting these reviewers would be much happier with an independent Bella who marches off in her human form to get a Masters degree in Psychology before marrying Edward. Or heck, not marrying Edward at all, and eschewing the idea of something so base and demeaning as becoming a wife or parent. Though perhaps it's more the youth of the heroine that causes their lament.
I however, like happy endings and am thrilled she gets to be a mother. Yes, GETS to be a mother. Many people I spoke to who were in "Camp Jacob" expressed their reason: "Because she could have a family with Jacob". Well surprise, she had a family with Edward.
Yes, Jacob imprints on Bella's daughter, but because imprinting on babies/children had previously been introduced in the series, I didn't find this at all unsettling. All this shouting about pedophilia is a little... intense for what really happens. Jacob makes it clear that it isn't a sexual thing at all while the object the affection is still so young. Jacob imprinting on "Nessie" means they all stay a family, which is what Bella wanted all along.
Which brings me to another common complaint: Bella gets everything. Goodness! After fighting for it, tooth and nail, yes, she does. Isn't that what makes most of us smile at the end of Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty?
Some have suggested that having Jacob imprint on someone else would allow Bella to make a sacrifice by finally fully letting him go as well as remove that feeling some reviewers have that she gets everything. I do see this point, and perhaps this happening would have made it a more critically acclaimed book, but as I was reading the story, I was fully involved in watching Bella's story unfold and these things did not negate my enjoyment of the book.
As for the complaint that Bella should have gone to college first -- good grief, does she not have the rest of eternity to obtain as many degrees as she wants? This isn't real life, folks.
For those worried about the impact this book may have on impressionable young teen fans, if you're allowing them to read the books at all (I know some parents aren't), why don't you read the book along with them and talk about the real life application of Bella's choices? Sounds like a great excuse for some good conversation.
One complaint I completely agree with, Bella names her daughter Renesmee, which is hard to read, hard to pronounce, and impossible to spell. I'm amazed that made it past the editors.
Critics argue that you can't shout "But it's fantasy" to cover gaping plot holes. Perhaps to a more critical, serious eye, plot holes exist and are bothersome. But I truly was lost in Bella's story and as I read, very little jumped out as completely unreal or impossible to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and consider this rating a 4.5 stars.
Stephenie Meyer has been able to create characters that feel intensely real. I was able to lose myself in the story through all four books. While the first in the series remains my favorite, the characters remained almost tangible people that I cared about and rooted for throughout.
Stephenie admitted herself that pleasing all of her fans would be impossible, but insisted that this was the story she wanted to write all along. I've been a happy voyeur for the ride, and remain a happy fan.
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Review Summary: Why do people bash books with happy endings? |
Date: 2008-08-03 |
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Details: It's true this book wraps up loose endings, but I can't imagine why so many people think that's a bad thing. It's done over the course of the entire book, not in the last chapter. I laughed, I cried with happiness. I read things I'd predicted and many I hadn't. And then, at the end, I sighed in contentment.
The Twilight-reading world would be screaming if we hadn't had details of the wedding, honeymoon, transformation, and Jake's resolution. We got to see the Denali clan, the Volturi make a nicely threating appearance, and everyone gets a happily ever after. Is that so bad?
As a society we are programmed from middle school to consider anything with a tragic ending "literature" and anything with a happy ending a trite fairy tale. I LIKE reading books with happy endings. Sometimes I'm in the mood to read Doctor Zhivago, but I also appreciate well-written books that don't end tragically. That's Breaking Dawn.
Reviewers are complaining that Stephenie Meyer is encouraging marriage at 18. Hello? She spent a great deal of time explaining that, to most people, early marriage is ewwwwwww. She also spent three books leading up to the circumstances that led to the marriage. Bella and Edward are not typical. Unlike most 18-year-olds, money is not an issue. They intended for Bella to continue her education (even if it were going to be delayed) and there was no expectation of pregnancy. I think it was a POSITIVE message, well argued on both sides.
Also, why do people say it's anti-feminist for Bella to choose to keep her baby? Feminism is about allowing choice and not judging the mother. We were shown both sides -- Bella's unconditional love for her unborn baby, even at the risk of her own life -- and Edward's anguish and desperation at the thought of it killing her. If anything, Bella is more assertive in this book than in any of the others. Edward's always been possessive and protective. Remember him not allowing her to do things, like seeing her friends at La Push or even just being alone? He did it for love and because he was protecting her, but no one could say it was feminist.
I highly recommend this book. It's meaty, satisfying, and well-written.
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Review Summary: A wonderful ending |
Date: 2008-08-13 |
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Details: I'm not sure why everyone is hating this book so much. I think that it was a wonderful conclusion to the series with room at the end for possibly another book. People upset about the choices that Bella made need to understand that this book is about her being in love with a vampire. That key factor should make people stop making this book into some type of reality and enjoy it for what it really is, a wonderful work of fiction.
This book shows everyone doing a bit of growing up and I am very happy about that. Bella spent a lot of time being whiny and childish, and she has come into her own in Breaking Dawn.
spoilers below:
People want to complain about the fact that there is a mention of sex in the book, but completely overlook the fact that there was also mention of not having sex until you are married. People complain about her getting married at eighteen without worrying about anything else, but that is completely untrue. She's going to a great college and does nothing but worry about her future and the future of the people she love.
Then there are the others that don't understand why Bella gets everything she wants at the end of the series. To that I pose another question. Why did you read any of the books?!? This is a fictional love story. Most people like to see love stories end happily, and this one did. I'm going to take a guess and say that if you kept reading the book, you liked Bella's character which means that you would want the book to end with her happy.
She becomes a wife, a mother, and a vampire in this book so why would people expect her to act the exact same way she did in the other books? I think that Stephenie Meyer did a great job with this series and I can't wait for Midnight Sun. |
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