Image taken from here.

This is long overdue since I’ve completed Breaking Dawn mid of last week. Actually, apart from being super busy, I was really trying to think of how to do a review of the series. Yes, I’m one of those bloggers who visualize how my post will look like / will be before I even start on it.

Come to think of it, I visualize every project I undertake before it even begins.

So here goes.

Twilight
This was THE book that got me so completely hooked and intrigued to the whole concept of Edward Cullen. A broody incarnation of perfection who is not only fast and strong but also glitters in the sun. What’s not to swoon about?

He was in fact “looking more like a Greek God than anyone had a right to”. *Swoon*

It steered me from the very convention that vampires can’t be in the sunlight because they will shatter to pieces. After reading Twilight, I find that old belief total nonsense. Vampires glitter and sparkle in the sun. Of course they do!

Edward is the very reason that this book is a sell-out. There’s something intriguing about him. Maybe it’s because he’s so unattainable. He is the forbidden fruit that Bella had to stay away from (but of course she didn’t, that stubborn cow). He is the epitome of perfection, in every sense. And that is why he is so appealing.

This book made every girl (not just teenagers lol) want to jump in front of every car, in hopes of being rescued by Edward. Or being pursued by a broody vampire who is so attracted to the smell of your blood but wouldn’t hurt you for anything in the world. Or being carried on piggy back by Edward and “flying” through the forest. Or wanting a guy with a silver Volvo car

In short, this book practically made Edward the most perfect eligible bachelor. Ever. And it leaves you wanting more. It even makes you want to be a vampire.

New Moon
Of all the four books, this was the book I took the longest to complete. I think it’s because it was draggy. So draggy.

Why draggy? Because Edward wasn’t physically there in the books. The only interesting parts I liked were when Edward’s voice came through Bella’s thoughts. Nonetheless I pushed myself to finish the book because it’s only from finishing this book that I will be able to know what happens next.

Edward left Bella upon an incident which made him realize that Bella will be in constant danger if he continues to be in her life. She will always be like a bait for his family members (who are not strong enough to control themselves from being allured by human blood). It pains him to leave her, but he did it for the greater good. Or so he thinks.

This left Bella to be depressed after he left her crying in the forest. I could hardly believe it when he did that. She was depressed for months, until one day she reacquainted with Jacob Black.

This book is mainly an introduction to the other supernatural existence in Bella’s world – the werewolves. It brought them under the spotlight and we learned more about them. I found Jacob to be a boring replacement for Edward and this book mostly entails about Jacob – which was probably why I found it boring.

It didn’t bother me much, until Jacob did the unthinkable which almost caused Edward to be killed (and this is pretty bad considering vampires are supposed to be immortal). I was horribly pissed off with stupid Jacob for driving Edward to such extremes.

This book also introduces us to the equivalent of the Mafia in the vampire world. Okay not really, but that’s how I feel about them after I’ve read the whole series. And upon meeting them, Bella has put herself in the spotlight and they’ve given Edward the ultimatum of turning Bella into a vampire or else she’d have to be dead. This has to do with all the shroud of secrecy that the world of vampires are supposed to be in.

In a nutshell, a pretty draggy book – until Edward comes into the picture.

Eclipse
Apart from Twilight, this was my favourite book in the series. I totally enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

Well except for the parts where Bella was so damn stubborn. I mean if Edward Cullen tells you not to do something, is it so hard to understand? Is it so hard to do what he says? It’s Edward for god’s sake!

Other than that, this book was a pleasure to read. Because it maximizes Edward’s power to read minds and this got interesting when he and Jacob got into close proximity. it was really hilarious at some points. It made the fight for Bella much more apparent and brought it to another level.

Jacob did kiss Bella twice. The first time, Bella punched him and that resulted in a broken hand. The second time was more real and made her realize that she was in love with Jacob too! But Edward did the most magnanimous thing ever and didn’t even blame Bella.

Bella was thrown into a whirlwind of confusing emotions. Edward or Jacob? Jacob or Edward? Would she be able to let go of Jacob after she turns immortal? Can she bear to hurt Jacob like that? But on the other hand, can she live without Edward? No, Edward is her whole existence. She chose Edward over Jacob for that very reason.

This book was all about protecting Bella from Victoria, and from the Volturi – whichever comes first. So the vampires and werewolves become one force in order to protect Little Miss Bella Whoops. Edward and Jacob brought Bella into hiding, while the rest of the Cullens and werewolf pack focused on the fight in other areas.

All in all, the best read since Twilight. Though Bella seems confused and frightened at being the future Mrs Cullen (I know, silly girl right?). She’s a bundle of nerves in this book. Though I think the main focus and stars of this book were Jacob and Edward (and Seth! I love Seth!). This book actually made me like Jacob more than I did in Twilight and New Moon.

Breaking Dawn
Ah, the finales of finales. I’ve read plenty of reviews that hated this book. I personally liked it. Before anyone says I’m liking this book blindly, haven’t you noticed that I didn’t like New Moon at all?

So anyway, here’s a list why I liked Breaking Dawn.

1) Edward and Bella got married. Even though the whole wedding thing was too rushed, it was nice to see them get their happily ever after. Bella even got to do a “human experience” that she didn’t want to miss once she turned immortal.

2) Jacob’s view point. A portion of this book was written from Jacob’s point of view. I found this extremely enlightening because it helped me get to know Jacob a lot better. And from this, I liked him even more. It also helped me understand the concept of werewolves and how everything worked in the world of werewolves much better. His portion in Breaking Dawn is one of my recommended highlights in the entire series.

3) Bella became a vampire. We finally get to live vicariously on how it would be like to turn into a vampire. All this while, Bella has observed Edward and the other Cullens, but we do not know truly how it is like to be a vampire. It will make you want to be a vampire too, because upon turning into an immortal, you would inherit supermodel looks and the grace of a swan and a voice that sounds like gentle bells. Oh, you’d also notice every detail with 10,000 times your usual clarity and your sense of smell, sight and hearing is completely heightened. What’s not to love?

4) Edward and Bella have a child. No, she’s not an immortal child though you’d think otherwise when you look at her. She was conceived and born while Bella was human. So, Renesmee (their daughter’s name) is half vampire, half human. She has the perfect, beautiful physique of a vampire but has a beating heart and blood flows through her. She however, prefers to be on a “blood diet” as opposed to milk. She is a wondrous child (though she nearly killed Bella during the pregnancy and birth). She has the reverse of Edward’s special talent and that itself is an amazing thing ever.

5) Jacob found his endless happiness despite the fact that Bella is now forever with her Edward. I am really thankful for this, because I was really starting to like Jacob. It would be painful if he would be emo for the rest of eternity.

6) The series got a happy ending. So what if nobody died? Is it bad enough? Would you rather see any of the Cullens die? Or Jacob? Everybody is happy at the end of the series. Yes we all thought there was going to be a big war and someone might die. Someone did die, but nobody too important to grieve about. I would say that the Cullens and their witnesses outplayed and outsmarted the Volturi. That in a sense, is victory. Nobody has to die for it to be as impactful as Harry Potter.

All in all, a good read. Tied up many sub plots. It could have been better (I guess) but I don’t have much complaints. My favourite book is still Eclipse, tho.