Eclipse: Book Review

Eclipse, the third book of the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, grabbed readers and held them closely as Bella chose between the love of her existence and the love of her life. I have to admit, I thought this book was much more intense the first time around, at least in the fight scenes... the scenes between Bella and Edward, and Bella and Jacob are full of passion though, and it makes choosing a team rather difficult. 

Synopsis According to Barnes&Noble:

Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devour the paperback edition Eclipse, the third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob —- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

My Review:

Edward returns and all is well, except the fact that Edward won't allow Bella to see Jacob, because he's trying to protect her, and it breaks her heart. It's difficult for me, as a reader, to see Bella struggle book after book. Not only does she have problems with Edward and Jacob, but Victoria is still on the hunt, and the Cullen's made a promise to the Volturi to change Bella into a vampire, since she knows too much. This book is packed with drama, but only one thing is resolved by the end. However, readers are able to find out more about the Cullen's and how they came to be, specifically Rosalie. We're able to look at Rosalie from a different perspective, feel sympathetic towards her, and understand why she treats Bella the way she does. They're all just trying to protect Bella in the best way possible. 

Meanwhile, Bella is sneaking away to La Push to see Jacob, and taking every chance she gets to see him. It's as if she's being pulled like a magnet to Jacob, and yet Jacob and Edward's magnets cannot meet - they cannot be together. In the end though, we learn that it was really Edward's Bella and Jacob's Bella that couldn't meet. 

It really makes you wonder ... without Bella there would be no fighting, but there also wouldn't be an amazing love story. And even though in some instances you can tell how young Bella really is, no one can deny the love she has for Edward. While Bella loves Jacob too, she loves Edward more. 

In the end, the werwolves and vampires come together for the fight of their lives against the newborn army that has been created. The fight isn't as intense as I remembered it, but that may just be because I've seen the movie, and it seems more brutal and fast paced than the book. I love that Meyers includes a ton of foreshadowing about Jacob and it just makes you want to read the last book that much more. 

"The clouds I can handle Bella. But I can't fight with an eclipse" (page 600). 

My Rating: 5 Stars