Breaking Dawn

August 4, 2008
It ought to seem redundant to dismiss the fourth and final Twilight novel as escapist fantasy-but how else could anyone look at a romance about an ordinary, even clumsy teenager torn between a vampire and a werewolf, both of whom are willing to sacrifice their happiness for hers? Flaws and all, however, Meyer's first three novels touched on something powerful in their weird refraction of our culture's paradoxical messages about sex and sexuality. The conclusion is much thinner, despite its interminable length. Everygirl Bella achieves her wishes quickly (marriage and sex, in that order, are two, and becoming an immortal is another), and once she becomes a vampire it's almost impossible to identify with her. But that's not the main problem. Essentially, everyone gets everything they want, even if their desires necessitate an about-face in characterization or the messy introduction of some back story. Nobody has to renounce anything or suffer more than temporarily-in other words, grandeur is out. This isn't about happy endings; it's about gratification. A sign of the times? Ages 12-up.

October 1, 2008
Gr 9 Up-Meyer closes her epic love story of a human, a vampire, and a werewolf in this, the final installment of the saga. The story opens with Bella and Edward's wedding, and relations between Jacob and Bella remain uneasy. On honeymoon and unshackled from any further concerns about premarital sex, Edward fulfills his promise to consummate their marriage before he changes Bella into a vampire. An unexpected conception throws their idyllic world back into chaos as factions (both wolf and vampire) battle over whether or not to destroy the potential monster that is killing Bella from within. The captivating angst, passions, and problems manage to satisfyingly fill pages where surprisingly little action takes place, even after the powerful child's birth brings the Cullen family under the scrutiny of the Volturi. The international cadre of vampires who come to the Cullens' aid are fascinating, but distract from the development of prime characters at a pivotal moment. The novel begins and ends with Bella's voice, while Jacob narrates the middle third of the tale, much like the final pages of "Eclipse" (Little, Brown 2007). While darker and more mature than the previous titles, Meyer's twists and turns are not out of character. Fans may distress as the happy ending for everyone, including a girl for Jacob, lessens the importance and pain of tough decisions and difficult self-sacrifices that caused great grief in previous books, but they will flock to it and enjoy it nonetheless."Cara von Wrangel Kinsey, New York Public Library"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 18, 2008
It ought to seem redundant to dismiss the fourth and final Twilight novel as escapist fantasy-but how else could anyone look at a romance about an ordinary, even clumsy teenager torn between a vampire and a werewolf, both of whom are willing to sacrifice their happiness for hers? Flaws and all, however, Meyer's first three novels touched on something powerful in their weird refraction of our culture's paradoxical messages about sex and sexuality. The conclusion is much thinner, despite its interminable length. Everygirl Bella achieves her wishes quickly (marriage and sex, in that order, are two, and becoming an immortal is another), and once she becomes a vampire it's almost impossible to identify with her. But that's not the main problem. Essentially, everyone gets everything they want, even if their desires necessitate an about-face in characterization or the messy introduction of some back story. Nobody has to renounce anything or suffer more than temporarily-in other words, grandeur is out. This isn't about happy endings; it's about gratification. A sign of the times? Ages 12-up.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2008
As the concluding book of the Twilight saga begins, readers find a happy Bella Swan getting ready to marry the love of her life, vampire Edward Cullen. Soon she will become a vampire, too, but first Bella wants to experience sexual love with Edward. Its a honeymoon night like no other, and it leads to a momentous event that becomes the catalyst for the rest of the story. Its odd to think of a 700-plus page book moving briskly, but except for some character-laden drag toward the end, that happens here, thanks to Meyers fevered determination to tie up loose ends. Most pressing, of course, is the need to resolve the love triangle between Bella, Edward, and the werewolf Jacob. This is accomplished in a way that is consistent with whats happened previously, though some will find what takes place to be distasteful. Other plot points are checked off as well. For instance, Charlie is kept in the loop about his daughters situation as long as he adheres to a dont askdont tell policy, and questions surrounding the wolf pack are answered, if rather surprisingly. Also problematic is the introduction of amajor newcharacter(to reveal who it is would be a spoiler). Everyone in the book findsBella lovable, butmany readers may have the opposite view. The mostdismaying new story element, however, is the way domesticity replaces the heightened emotionality of Bella and Edwards love, even though theres now sex and plenty of it. (While the sex scenes arent graphic, a birth scene is quite unsettling, and both may not be suitable for preteens.)For those who find it hard to sayfarewell to Bella and company, take heart: it may not be good-bye. Astute readers will see the potential for a series spin-off, complete with another love triangle, on the horizon.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2009
In this series closer, Bella and her vampire paramour, Edward, find their honeymoon cut short by a supernatural pregnancy that necessitates Bella's transition to undead life (accomplished with too much ease after the three previous books' buildup). Though romance fans may be disappointed by the lack of angst in Bella and Edward's now-stable relationship, Meyer spices the plot with genuine surprises.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)