Book Review: New Moon

(As a general warning, if you plan on reading the "Twilight" series, please don't read any further as this post gives away some key plot points. I wouldn't want to ruin it for anyone.)

Before starting New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, the sequel to my new love Twilight, Megan simply told me to get through New Moon and that Eclipse (the third book in the series) is much better. I doubted her, wondering how a book that continues the tale could be disappointing? Boring even?

Megan, like always, was pretty much right.

New Moon continues where Twilight left off. Bella is starting her senior year of high school in Forks. She and Edward are deeply in love and everything seems more than perfect. That is, until a disastrous accident occurs during her birthday party. Edward sees it smart for him to leave her, to get her away from vampires and danger. Naturally, this doesn't sit well for her.

As she learns to piece herself back together, as hard as it is, she becomes rebellious, lost, and friendly with the boy Jacob Black. She learns that cheery Jacob might have some secrets of his own, ones that might effect everything around her.

As I was reading reviews for this book, the most common complaint was that Edward wasn't in it nearly enough. Pathetically, I have to completely agree. I found myself flipping pages to see if I could find his name later on, if I could see any of the Cullens mentioned. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the story between Bella and Jacob, it's just that it wasn't right. Juliet should be with Romeo, not Paris. Without giving too much away, let's just say that around page 400 I was very happy once again. Scared, yet optimistic.

The story moved slow and I believe that was the main problem. It wasn't bad, it was still interesting and I was still deeply addicted, but it didn't grab me nearly as much as Twilight did. However, as I said in a previous post, Bella's emotions were very relatable. Which brings me back to my highest compliment for Meyer. She writes characters exceptionally well. They're very real, to the point that you feel like you know them. Or are them. I give her so much credit for that. She said on her website that the characters write themselves. I can almost see that happening.

Back to Megan, upon finishing the book, this interaction took place:

Me: Edward is back! Swoon!
Meg: I'm glad he's come back for you; he didn't ever mean to hurt you!

Read the books. You'll understand my sentiment soon enough.