[Sarah Perry]

I started a new thread because I didn't think people would want spoilers intruding on the quote of the day topic...

Anyway, I read this today in one big gulp.  Part of me wishes I hadn't--though I doubt I'd have been able to stop myself--because it was SUCH an emotional rollercoaster.  Good though it was, I feel vaguely traumatized!  Some very intense drama in there, and here I thought New Moon already had the grueling-yet-captivating thing down pat. 

Stephenie Meyer once again demonstrates her fabulous talent for building unbearable suspense while juxtaposing all these supernatural creatures against the problems of a more normal life.   And once again, everything comes together for some seriously thrilling scenes at the end.  But unlike Twilight, which had me squealing unreservedly at the way it concluded, and New Moon, whose ending provided great relief after so many pages of Bella's agony, Eclipse finishes on a less than happy note.  The epilogue is downright crushing. 

As much as I enjoyed it and still love the series, I didn't exactly come away from it pleased.  I want the fourth book--I want to see these characters happy again.  I don't want to watch as they sacrifice themselves for each other and make things even worse by trying to be selfless and patient.  Bella's revelations about herself and her behavior at the end were as gratifying as they were painful, but what a place to stop!

I'll stop before I go on too long, though.  What did you guys think?

[L.N.Lee]

I don't think the rest of us have read it yet... I'm still waiting for my copy to come in the mail.

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

I agree with you, Sarah. I've known ever since reading Twilight that if I read the book all in one, I can't focus on anything the rest of the day. But I have no self-control. So, as soon as it came I read it straight through.

One bad thing about my copy--it's missing pages 249-280. I was getting into the Quiluete legends, Taha Aki was running around with a giant wolf, and suddenly I'm reading half a newspaper article about killings in Seattle. GAH! Anyone want to fill me in on the legend? I see later references to the third wife, but I'm just guessing what the story was.

I still want to know how Stephenie's going to solve the turning-into-a-vampire problem. Another YEAR to wait for that. 

[Sarah Perry]

A really powerful female vampire comes back when Taha Aki is old and basically devastates the whole tribe, including killing some of his werewolf sons.  Despite his age, Taha Aki transforms and joins the fight.  To give him a better chance, his human third wife grabs a knife and runs into the fray.  The vampire is amused, assuming that she plans to futilely attack, but instead she stabs herself in the heart.  The blood distracts the vampire just long enough to let Taha Aki win.  Out of grief for his dead wife, though, he runs into the forest as a wolf and is never heard from again.

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

Oooh, things make a lot more sense now! Thanks! (I don't know if I could wait until Amazon exchanged my book for a complete one...)

[L.N.Lee]

I agree with you, Sarah. I've known ever since reading Twilight that if I read the book all in one, I can't focus on anything the rest of the day. But I have no self-control. So, as soon as it came I read it straight through.

One bad thing about my copy--it's missing pages 249-280. I was getting into the Quiluete legends, Taha Aki was running around with a giant wolf, and suddenly I'm reading half a newspaper article about killings in Seattle. GAH! Anyone want to fill me in on the legend? I see later references to the third wife, but I'm just guessing what the story was.

I still want to know how Stephenie's going to solve the turning-into-a-vampire problem. Another YEAR to wait for that. 

Wow. Missing pages?  :
I wonder how many books are like that?

[TrueImage]

I agree with you, Sarah. I've known ever since reading Twilight that if I read the book all in one, I can't focus on anything the rest of the day. But I have no self-control. So, as soon as it came I read it straight through.

I totally agree, olmue!

Okay, so I went and got ECLIPSE at lunch Tuesday, and I had to "sneak" read it all day at work! Yesterday, I was busy so I couldn't finish it until last night when I got home. I'm very tired!

I agree that this book was very EMOTIONAL. I'm just glad that Bella finally admitted her feelings toward Jacob, and Stephenie did a great job with that tension. It makes me wonder if she will change...hmmm. Would she be better off with Jacob? I don't know. Emily has the scars to prove that it's still not that very safe.

I liked that Leah is a werewolf, too. As we could tell in the book, having a "pack mind" can wreck havoc with all those emotions and thoughts. Edward was right: It really is like a soap opera.

I also enjoyed finally hearing about Rosalie and Jasper's stories. Rosalie wasn't a favorite of mine, but we finally get to see another side of her. I'm glad that she came back and killed her finance while wearing a wedding dress--talk about bad karma!

But the Epilogue was interesting...it is too bad that we will have to wait to see what develops.

-True

[L.N.Lee]

Yeah, I know.
Anyone want to share some predictions about the next one?  :

[Sarah Perry]

Well, since Bella didn't get changed in this book, I sure hope it happens in the next book...

[L.N.Lee]

Well, since Bella didn't get changed in this book, I sure hope it happens in the next book...

Yeah, I know.
Since there isn't the threat of Vic. or anyone in particular anymore,
I think the next one will be all about the 'adventures of Bella the vampire'.  :D

[dave r Posts: 103 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

Of course there's a threat, a HUGE threat -- the Volturi (I think that's right).  They know Bella hasn't been changed. And Edward doesn't want her to change for a while. Also, the werewolves obviously won't take Jacob's disappearance well. They'll resent Edward, the Cullens, and Bella for that.

Is anyone questioning Edward's motives now? I don't know if he's really being all that altruistic or just calculating in his "fight" to win Bella. That invitation struck me as more cruel than anything.

While I liked the book and saw it as a transition novel (setting up for the finaile), I did find the many, many, many background stories a bit tedious and somewhat cliche in their delivery.

I wouldn't worry about Jacob, I believe he'l return.

keep reading and writing,
dave r

[pixydust]

*comes in with eyes closed*

Haven't read it all yet, but I just have to say, I'm lovin' it so far. I need a chunk of time to sit and really delve in.

I'll be back to pitch in when I'm finished. Soon, I hope...I'm still also reading HP 7, Wicked Lovely, and An Abundance of Kathrines. Way too many good books out there right now. The book adict within is on overdrive!

[L.N.Lee]

Of course there's a threat, a HUGE threat -- the Volturi (I think that's right).  They know Bella hasn't been changed. And Edward doesn't want her to change for a while. Also, the werewolves obviously won't take Jacob's disappearance well. They'll resent Edward, the Cullens, and Bella for that.

Is anyone questioning Edward's motives now? I don't know if he's really being all that altruistic or just calculating in his "fight" to win Bella. That invitation struck me as more cruel than anything.

While I liked the book and saw it as a transition novel (setting up for the finaile), I did find the many, many, many background stories a bit tedious and somewhat cliche in their delivery.

I wouldn't worry about Jacob, I believe he'l return.

keep reading and writing,
dave r

Ah, the Volturi. How could I forget about them.... :o
Well, no offense to those fans of Jacob, but I'm not even close to questioning Edward's motives.
I didn't really think the invite was that cruel...
if anything was cruel, it was how Jacob pretended that he would get himself in the battle and ended up worrying Bella...that was pretty mean.
I didn't think the background stories were tedious...but maybe  a little cliche.
I just hope Jacob will give up Bella, because it's highly, HIGHLY unlikely that he'll end up with her. (If not, what's the point of Twilight?)
For the sake of Jacob and Bella, I just hope Jacob gets imprinted...like fast. Before he causes any more grief with Bella...

[Stephanie Ruble Posts: 1,903 Status: Offline author/illustrator WWW]

I liked it a lot better than New Moon, and I thought the ending worked. Jacob needed to leave and have some time and emotions to himself. However, wouldn't he still have the pack mindset no matter where he goes? I do think he'll be back though and maybe with his imprinted soul mate?

I will say that Bella better be a vampire in the next book. Enough already with the wanting to be a vampire and Edward not turning her. Ugh. As much as I like the books, I'm getting really, really frustrated with her not being a vampire yet. Anyone else feel that way?

[E2 Posts: 46 Status: Offline WWW]

Wow, I must be in the minority, but I was really glad that Bella didn't change. As great as Edward is, I just don't feel like she really wants to be a vampire.  Also, isn't Jacob imprinted on Bella? I felt pretty sure he was, even though he initially denied it.

[olmue Posts: 3,528 Status: Offline WWW]

I don't think Jacob's imprinted yet--he's just in love with Bella of his own free will. As far as candidates, though, there's a nice girl werewolf in the pack...(although the Biblical Jacob and Leah didn't exactly have it easy, what with Jacob being in love with someone else...)

And I must be in the minority, but I'd really rather Bella didn't turn into a vampire. (But I still want her to be with Edward, so I don't know how to solve that conundrum.)

[Jen Posts: 1,132 Status: Offline]

After all the descriptions of what newborn vampires are like in Eclipse, I'm really wondering what Bella-as-a-vampire would be like.  Part of me wonders if she'd be a different kind of vampire.  After all, she seems to have a weird effect on vampires, and I felt like Meyer made a bigger deal out of Bella's "bad luck" this time, as well as the fact that the psychic powers don't really work on her.  Plus, the relationship she has with Edward seems to be a step further than imprinting even, so their connection might keep her less blood-crazed. 

I really liked Eclipse.  I'm not sure I completely buy Bella being "in love" with Jacob.  I really liked him as her friend.  The friend that you really, really love, who's family, who you can't write out of your life even if you wanted to, but who is still a FRIEND, not a lover-type.  Even though I think it was very well done, I think Meyer is pushing to really increase the intensity of the love triangle, and I feel a bit like this might be a case of the character's feelings being driven by what the author is trying to do, rather than what the character would feel in that situation.  But that could just be me, because I really wanted Bella to just love Jacob as a friend.  I think it's more interesting that way.

[Stephanie Ruble Posts: 1,903 Status: Offline author/illustrator WWW]

 
I really liked Eclipse.  I'm not sure I completely buy Bella being "in love" with Jacob.  I really liked him as her friend.  The friend that you really, really love, who's family, who you can't write out of your life even if you wanted to, but who is still a FRIEND, not a lover-type.  Even though I think it was very well done, I think Meyer is pushing to really increase the intensity of the love triangle, and I feel a bit like this might be a case of the character's feelings being driven by what the author is trying to do, rather than what the character would feel in that situation.  But that could just be me, because I really wanted Bella to just love Jacob as a friend.  I think it's more interesting that way.

You're not the only one Jen. I really didn't buy that he was a love interest. I thought it worked ok after they kissed the second time, but I still thought of him just as a friend. Your comment about the character's feelings being driven by the author makes a lot of sense.

[Jenny Moss Posts: 769 Status: Offline WWW]

After all the descriptions of what newborn vampires are like in Eclipse, I'm really wondering what Bella-as-a-vampire would be like. 

Me, too.

This reminds me of the UGLIES trilogy (& Tally changing book to book). It was a fascinating part of that story.

I'm torn about Bella being a vampire, but maybe that's where Meyer wants me to be.

[Stephanie Ruble Posts: 1,903 Status: Offline author/illustrator WWW]

She's wanted to be a vampire for so long that I can't imagine her not wanting to be a vampire. The only thing I can think of that might change her mind is if Edward died. But I really don't want that to happen, and I think it would be cool to see what her vampire power is. You know that she has to have one, considering how well she can smell blood, how clumsy she is, the fact that the other vampire powers don't work on her, etc.

I don't think Jacob imprinted on her either. I think that he loves her and wishes he imprinted on her, but I'm hoping he comes back with someone new. I just don't see Leah being the one for him.

[Sarah Perry]

I thought Jacob/Leah would be interesting.... sparks were certainly flying between them before, though not in a nice way, and it would've been fascinating to see that cut-and-dried enmity get tangled up by something as undeniable as imprinting.  When they were talking in the epilogue, I half expected him to involuntarily see her in a new light (although that would've made for a somewhat cheesy & too-easy end no matter how it was carried out). 

That said, my understanding of imprinting is that it happens the first time you see your future partner after you develop into a werewolf.  (Perhaps I assume too much?)  Since Leah and Jacob are both already werewolves, I think they would've had to imprint by now if they were supposed to be together. 

[L.N.Lee]

I agree...I don't think Jacob got imprinted on Bella...but I HOPE he finds one soon before he wrecks Edward's and Bella's relationship.

[JustinDono]

*carefully not reading spoilers*

[Jen Posts: 1,132 Status: Offline]

Justin- I don't think it's creepy at all.  The books are well-written, and while the romance certainly seems to be what hooks a large percentage of the teenage girls, there's also action/adventure, high stakes supernatural stuff in there, too- plenty to like even if you're not all "I lurve Edward!"  In fact, when I read the first book, I didn't really care about Edward so much as I enjoyed everything else about the books.

[Sarah Perry]

Agreed.  Anyway, since when is romance just for girls?   

[TrueImage]

So, is it creepy or weird that me, a guy, enjoys to a certain extent, books targeted at adolescent girls?

Justin:

I don't think so either. Stephenie is coming to Atlanta on September 14 at B&N. On Sunday at the store I overhead two teenage guys getting all psyched about meeting the author, plus one of the booksellers is a good friend of mine and he's in late 40's and loves the series.

But I can understand about not getting on board with the "I heart Edward" T-shirts.

I think Stephenie has just written a great series. Now that I've read Eclipse and have had time to think about it, I'm not sure if I want Bella to change. But then I would love to see what her talent would be when she did change and how she would take her transformation. Maybe that in itself could warrant a whole book. We'll see.

-True

[JustWrite]

  :Holy cow...Am I the only person who hated Eclipse? Who found Bella's emotional roller coaster forced and unbelievable? Who found Edward's moral posturing tiresome? For me it was a long dull slog to a very unsatisfying ending. I felt like I was reading a pure romance novel...without the romance. I was a huge fan of Twilight and liked New Moon. I feel she could have ended the book with what we were all waiting for. Also..did she have AN EDITOR? I guess not everyone can pull off a JK Rowling and have every book in a trilogy deliver thrills and excitement, but if you ask me, this trilogy could have been one brutally edited book..but think how much less money would have been made.

Not for nothing, but I am fortunate to have picked up Wicked Lovely, written by the wonderful Melissa Marr who is a big poster here. I am enjoying it FAR more than Eclipse. Hats off to Melissa!!!!  :

[Elaine (aka sweetpea) Posts: 1,239 Status: Offline Hope Springs Eternal WWW]

I'm not sure I completely buy Bella being "in love" with Jacob.

I didn't either. That didn't seem in keeping with Bella being so "sure" about her love for Edward, something her father mentioned in the last book. Bella came off a bit greedy, a mini Rosaline, like she enjoyed having Jacob being totally devoted to her.

[ixtumea Posts: 685 Status: Offline Si, se puede! WWW]

I just finished ECLIPSE last night.  I was very disappointed in this book.  I really tried to like it as I loved TWILIGHT.  I felt the writing was forced and unbelievable too.  The love scenes didn't grip me like the original, if anything they lacked chemistry.  My favorite character, Jacob, was made out to be a jerk.  I did like her action scene but that came too late. 

[Pippa Posts: 386 Status: Offline Never give up! WWW]

I'm so relieved that many of you loved it, but I'm 100% with JustWrite and ixtumea. I don't think I have ever skimmed, yawned, and felt so frustrated by a novel.  :sb The angsting, long boring narrative, and moralising, drove me crazy. I disliked all the characters except Alice and Charlie by the end of the book, and I don't think I could stand reading another word about Bella or Edward 

I thought it was just me - maybe I didn't 'get it', or was expecting too much after Twilight & New Moon - but my 19yr old daughter was even more scathing.

I really wanted to enjoy it, too ...  :