He was a fool to think you could survive alone. (New Moon - Stephenie Meyer)

Member Name: Larachristina

Product:	New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
Date:	07/12/08 (146 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything. You fall in love with the characters. Or obsession.

Disadvantages: None. shh.

Yes. I have a Vampire fetish. We all know it by now.

So. In my excitement for "Twilight" the movie (yes, i just bought my tickets....Im thinking of dressing up....yes, I am a big old geek), I thought I would write another review on one of the books in the "Twilight" series.
This time, Im writing about "New Moon", the second book in the Twilight series.
Dont worry "Twilight" virgins, I shant reveal any sneaky spoilers. I shall let you discover them yourself, when you go out and read the book (although, why you havent already is beyond me. Do it. Do it now. Link to buy is at the bottom of the review. I plead with you).

Before we get to the nitty gritty, "New Moon" would probably fall under young adult fiction. Id pretty much ignore that classification. Grown ups will enjoy this too. I promise.
I would class it as romance/supernatural fiction/thriller/best series in the world.


Plot.
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Isabelle Swan (who prefers to be known as Bella) loves her Vampire boyfriend Edward (oh swoon. swoon, sigh, bosom heave).
Edward loves Bella (human that she is) just as much, but realising how fragile she is, and how much danger she is in just by being with him, he ups and leaves (sobs).

Bella is distraught. To put it mildly.

To ease her woes, Bella becomes closer to her friend Jacob, who is an old family friend.

Bella tries her best to cope, and find that the more dangerous a situation she is in (cliff diving anyone?) the closer she feels to Edward.

In the meantime, Jacob has a secret that could put Bella in just as much danger as having a be-fanged boyfriend.

Does Edward come back?
Does Jacob unearth his secret?
Does Bella take up sky diving and run away with her instructor?

(ignore the sky diving bit)
Im sorry. Read the book. You will find out everything...because thats all Im giving you.

What was bad?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nothing.
I know I write this a lot, but eh. Nothing. Stephenie Meyer is a wizard. She weaves my dreams into print (ok, slightly melodramatic there).
I have nothing bad to say about this book, and I never will.

What is good?
~~~~~~~~~
Oh EVERYTHING!

I have something I want to discuss.
"New Moon" has been attacked as being anti feminist (most noteably by Kellen Rice, fiesty feminist blogger lady).
The notion that Bellas world falls apart when Edward leaves, and that she cant cope without a bloke, and that she uses Jacob as a penis wielding replacement (not that Jacobs penis features anywhere in the book. It doesnt) seems to get on some peoples nerves.
I say piffle.
Im all for feminism, and equality (not so much the burning of bras and whatnot. My bosom is most unhappy without the proper support), and I dont think that Bellas desperation at losing Edward is in any way negative at all.

(disclaimer-I know feminism is far more complicated than bra burning).

The love between Bella and Edward is so strong, that when he leaves, she feels as if she has lost part of herself. There is nothing wrong with that. The point of the relationshio between Bella and Edward is that it breaks boundarys. It goes past race, past death (as in, him being dead. vampire dead. Not actually dying. Dont panic), past seperation.
Its not just puppy love. Its not just a normal breakup. They are everything to each other. Bella doesnt break down because she has lost a man. She breaks down because she has lost Edward.
Its not like she is crying because there is no one to put up her shelves. She is desolate because her soulmate is gone, and even worse, she thinks he no longer loves her.

Anyone who doesnt get that, or thinks that its a weakness to be devestated after the loss of a partner, or a best friend, has a heart of stone.
Gender has nothing to do with love, and it shouldnt get in the blimming way.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it Ms Kellen Rice.

-calms-

What I love about "New Moon" is that the sentiment is so real. We have all been there. All felt the gut wrenching loss when someone you love vanishes. Its not nice, and its very hard to express in words. Stephenie Meyer manages it with ease and grace.

This book is mostly about Bella, and Jacob. I felt the lack of Edward and the Cullens, I truly did, but I understood the need to explore Bella, and her new friendship, without the broody and beautiful vampires in the way. It made sense to me. I didnt mind.

Some people who have written other reviews have complained that the middle part of the book is rather lacklustre.
not for me. I found the subtleties, the quiet times, the most interesting. Not everything needs to be crash bang wallop for it to be exciting. I loved reading about Bellas heartbreak, and the utter hopelessness that she felt, because it was relevant to me. I understood it.
Disregarding all the vampire, werewolf, supernatural stuff, its a very real story (dont laugh at me). Like I said before, everyone can related to heartbreak, everyone understands. When it comes down to it, its the stuff we can relate to that makes a story speak to us. not just the flights of fancy.

The characters, as usual, are interesting, and beautifully written, with human flaws, realistic interaction, and relevant language.

The writing is past paced, descriptive, witty and exciting.

The ending feels a little rushed, a little hurried, but no fear, as there is a sequel (eclipse).

The whole atmosphere in "New Moon" is darker than "Twilight"...but thats one of the reasons I adored it.


If you have read Twilight, and think you might give this a go, do it.
Anyone will enjoy this, regardless of age (from say....over 13? There are some dark scenes in the book, and the content is a little too mature for kiddies) or gender.
If you like your love stories, and you like all things creepy, do yourself a big favour, and check this out.



Buy from.
~~~~~~
Buy "New Moon", in paperback, for £3.98, from amazon.co.uk

I would add the link for you, but its over 80 characters.
*sigh*

Summary: A beautiful tale of heartbreak and hope.