Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (2008, Hardcover)

This book falls into the category of Teen Fiction, but although I am not a teen, I still really loved it. I've read the three previous books, and I think the author does a good job of closing out the series. Loyalties are questioned, love is tested, and we really get to see Bella come into her own. Like many others, I am sad that this is technically the last book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. These characters are so easy to like, and the author does a great job with the supernatural elements - so many writers turn these elements into something disgustingly cheesy, or overly complicated. I liked the idea of "vegan" vampires, and how Meyer didn't feel the need to construct her vampires (or werewolves) based on previous folklore (ie: silver bullets, sunlight, etc.). And it may sound schmaltzy, but another thing I liked about this book (and the rest of the Twilight series) is that the author didn't feel the need to liberally pepper her books with explicit, gratuitous sex or profanity - there is some very mild innuendo, but other than that, the reader is left to his or her imagination for the (few) scenes of intimacy. Many thanks to the author for not jumping on the sexual oversaturation bandwagon! And at this moment I can't think of any offensive language occurring in the book(s), either. Again, the author refrains from being crass and chooses to have her characters communicate their feelings using non-profane terms - imagine that! It really is possible! For those who are new to the series, I recommend starting with the first book (Twilight) and reading the others in order (New Moon, then Eclipse) before reading Breaking Dawn - obviously, there is a lot of backstory involved and you will enjoy Breaking Dawn so much more if you are better informed. Even though all good things must come to an end, I look forward to the release of the Twilight movie in December, and I hope Meyer really does publish Midnight Sun so that we can experience the series all over again through Edward's eyes. Until then, I will help others enjoy Meyer's talent by sharing my copies of the books and encouraging them to buy their own. All are worth your time.

After reading Eclipse, I was expecting Meyer to tie loose ends and explain why Bella loves Edward and vice versa besides both looking beautiful to the other. She never did.

There were 13 pages dedicated to the description of Bella's birth scene that went on forever. It could have been nicely described within 2 pages the most. Taking up 13 pages to tell the reader that Bella endured unimaginable pain and how black and dark everything was...is just too much.

Meyer had a tendency to overuse the word "grimace" in her previous books. Now this one she toned it down a little. However, she got to overusing the words, "flank" and "hover" or "hovering." Slightly irksome, but not unforgivable.

The suspense was good, but all that built up led to nothing. It was like a tide you saw coming but dissolved into thin air before you could even ride it. The ending was flat. Bella changed without describing the progress--it was very abrupt.

The way Bella was describing her ache for Edward's physical love, one would think she was a one-dimensional character with no other aspirations, desire or side to her character. "I'd been planning on needing years just to somewhat organize the overwhelming passion I felt for him physically." Then weeping and throwing a fit because he refused to make love to her?

I see Meyer's development in writing and that's wonderful. The beginning was very good and certain parts of the book were very well written. Overall though, it was disappointing. Others may find it a totally great read; it depends on your view.

Other then that, I love the series. My favorite will always be Twilight. I think you should still read Breaking Dawn though, to see for yourself.

This was an excellent ending to an excellent series by Stephenie Meyers. Breaking Dawn, part of the Twilight series, Began with Bella and Edwards wedding. From all the descriptions, it was a beautiful wedding. During the reception of this wedding, the conflict is brought in, by the name of Jacob Black. He is overly outraged at the fact Bella plans to get intimate with Edward before she is changed Into a vampire. Bella leaves for her honeymoon with her and Jacob presently on bad terms. On this beatiful, island set honeymoon, Bella becomes pregnant with Edward Child. This child quickly grows, becoming more noticed by the day. Bella and Edward return to Forks, Edward planning for Bella to have an abortion. Bella Refuses, and enlists the help of Rosalie to protect her decision from being swayed. Bella has Jacob come and see her, and he is depressed at the sight of her, being sallow and pale, with a bulging belly. Jacobs pack is frightened at the prospect at what this child may be. They want to destroy this abomination they know nothing of, which upsets Jacob. He leaves the pack, becoming his own leader, and with two followers, Seth and Leah Clearwater. He patrolls the Cullen house, protecting Bella from any wolves that want to come to hurt her. One night, Bella bends over, and starts going into labor. The child, too big for her, breaks her body, killing her slowly. After Edward extracts the child, he injects Bella and bites her, letting his venom into her. Jacob then sees the child, and instantly imprints. Bella falls in love with her vampire self, instantly suprising everybody with her self control. One day, while out hunting with her daughter Renesmee, who is now in the form of a child, She is spotted by a vampire of the Denali clan, who runs of to Italy to tell the volturi. The cullens find this out, and ask around all the vampires they can to be witnesses, in case the volture decide to attack. I call this a climax without the O, because the end leads you to believe there is going to be a fight over renesmee, between the wolves with the cullens and other vampires, against all of the volturi. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen. They end on seemingly good terms, which was a major put off. Even Rowling was brave enough to kill off a few of her key roles. This would have hurt many of the twilight readers, of course, but it would have put a lot more passion into it as well. All in all this was a good read, and I will read it again and again, for I am a true twilight fan. The only complaint, is i didn't get the O at the end of the climax.

As the movie release date for this last installment of the Twilight Saga gets closer, my friend and I decided we wanted to re-read Breaking Dawn. In looking for my copy of the book I remembered it was in storage after having moved recently and was not brought over to our new place. Because I had to read this book again and just couldn't fathom waiting for it to become available at the library, I bought another copy. To me, the story is that good. I must say that in my opinion twilight and breaking dawn are the best books out of the whole series. Please don't misunderstand, I do love the other 2...new moon, with its exceptional way of making me feel exactly what bella feels after edward disappears, and eclipse with it's suspense. But to me, breaking dawn is by far my favorite aside from twilight. Everything I hoped and rooted for came true and I was captivated at how the whole story just tied together all the things I loved about the other books then gave me the ending I longed for. You must read this book if you haven't already, and if you have....read it again.

I loved this book. I loved reading it, the actors, how they acted out the story. It was like I was right in the middle of the story. I could not put the book down. I would recommend this book to anyone. I have the whole series of "Twilight" and when someone told me that in the "Breaking Dawn" "Bella" and "Edward" were going to get married, have a baby, Bella turning into a vampire I would not have believed it. When they told me this, I started thinking about the younger audience how they would react to this. Myself who is 35 a mom myself I loved the book, I loved the change of events in Bella and Edward's life. I was happy about Bella and Edward wedding, and the baby , and later Bella turning into a vampire which we all knew she wanted that. What I like was her and "Catherine" becoming close friends finally. As, far as "Jacob:" I was glad to see Bella finally let go of him to persue her love for "Edward" So I will give a thumbs up for this book, and I will rate it as very excellent in my reading. I loved this Twilight book. Please read it.