New Moon - I'm Always Reminded Of A Jaffa Cake (New Moon - Stephenie Meyer)

Member Name: GramiWay

Product:	New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
Date:	28/02/09 (143 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautifully written love story with believeable characters and strong themes

Disadvantages: Bit boring in the middle, lack of important, significant characters in places

Stephenie Meyer continues to weaver her enchanted web of love and the supernatural in 'New Moon'. The book is the second of four in the hugely successful 'Twilight' series.
I must confess it's my least favourite of the four but it is still crucial to the series and in its own right remains a fascinating read from start to finish that you find yourself unable to put down for a second.

The basis of 'Twilight' obviously is Bella Swan. The stories are told from her perspective and focuse on her primarily. After moving to the rainy, dull town of Forks to live with her father, Bella falls head over heels in love with the vampire Edward Cullen.
It's the classic love story of against all the odds, nothing can break us apart etc etc though unlike many relationships portrayed in literature or television, film etc it succeeds in pulling you in.
You want to feel every moment of pleasure the couple share and every bit of pain hits you as the reader. Meyer manages to pull you into that world and 'New Moon' definately sees the character of Bella take a very dark twist.

The relationship and backstory is firmly established before the book starts so Meyer focuses on taking apart the relationship. Cue the heartache. Perhaps its the absence of Edward and the rest of the Cullens for most of the book that makes the story seem so washed out and dull. It's brilliant to see how Meyer plunges Bella through the grieving process and how I as the reader was able to identify with her more than I had done previously.
The book also opens up the potential friendship between Bella and werewolf Jacob Black. Werewolves are the sworn enemies of vampires so this relationship lays the foundation for even more rivarly and problems for our young lovers.

The characters are vibrant and exciting, each bringing their own voice and strengths to the story, though like many writers Meyer is not afraid to idolise or make one character into a hero. All the characters here have their flaws and that's what makes the story so appealing. The believable characters. Despite the mythology and the supernatural origins of most of the main characters, 'New Moon' is just simply the second part of an epic love story and that's it greatest selling point.

The lack of drama reinforces this, though when suspense and action are needed Meyer certainly delivers as she unleashes the anceint vampire cult known as the Volturi and Edward upon believing Bella has killed herself, seeks them out to commit suicide.

I personally found myself unable to put the book down, even during the boring parts and the need to see that reunion between Bella and Edward is definatel something that Meyer craftily plays out until the very end.

Whilst the themes and such undoubtedly appeal more to a younger generation, I am always horrified to see the books sitting in the 'Young Teens' section of book shops as I feel the writing style and the depth of the series is much stronger. 'New Moon' appeals to the romantic in you and even if you hate love and slushy, gooey feelings you'll still be pulled in by the charisma and broodiness of Edward Cullen

Summary: A fascinating read that only continues to cement the Twilight collection as amazing