Book Review: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer


Everyone's all abuzz about Stephenie Meyer's newest release, Breaking Dawn. I only just read the first three books of the series a month ago. I spent one long weekend - Friday through Monday - and devoured all three books. Yes, I'm a fast reader, especially when I'm totally sucked into a plot.

So, here's the thing: While reading New Moon and Eclipse, I would get part way into the book, then turn to my hubby and say, "I totally think this, this, and this is going to happen." And sure enough, they did - almost exactly how I had predicted. A few weeks ago, my friend Renae and I spent a good hour or more speculating about what we thought was going to happen in Breaking Dawn.

On Saturday, August 2nd, I headed over to Borders to pick up my pre-ordered copy of Breaking Dawn.

And I am soo happy to say my predictions were totally wrong.

Stephenie Meyer totally threw in a twist that I had not even thought of. Except for Bella's hesitation to get married, everything else in the book was not what I had expected it to be. And boy am I happy! I hate it when authors get into a predictable rut. I set myself up to be disappointed, only to be wonderfully surprised.

Now, I am not going to go into details about what's in Breaking Dawn - cause I know there are so many of you who are either reading it, or waiting to get your hands on a copy. So I'm just going to say it was really, really, really good.

Note: For those of you wondering if there are any sex scenes - well, sorry to disappoint you, but there weren't. Although, there were sexy scenes and Bella & Edward do talk about their intimate life, Meyer did a great job keeping it clean (in my opinion).

How long did it take me to read it? Well, I started Saturday around 1 pm and read almost straight through until 11 pm. Then I picked it up again after church and finished around 5 pm, just in time to make dinner.

QOTC Rating: Five Stars

Would you like to comment?

Anonymous said...

While avoiding an actual sex scene, I thought she did a good job of telling just enough. I liked the scene right before they went...swimming.

I loved Breaking Dawn, too :)

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Ooh, I remember that one. :) I agree. She did a good job balancing the emotions & actions vs. giving too much information. I thought it was very well done.

Although, I'm sure there will be others who will criticize her for both not including more . . . and those who will say she included too much.

autumn said...

I've read a lot of comments from people who didn't like it, but I think it might be my second favorite in the series, Twilight being the first.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Twilight was definitely my favorite too. I love her reactions as she discovers that vampires and werewolves really do exist - and the struggles to develop a relationship between Edward and Bella.

Aznewmom said...

Hi guys. Question for you all.
My DD has read all three books and has her hands on a library copy of BD. However, she is only 11 and 1/2, and I'm getting the typical, "...but ALL my friends have read it Mom!!" stuff right now. She really wants to read this one, so I went to her new school (She just entered middle school/6th grade), and spoke to the librarian there. She said that she would NOT recommend it for an eleven year old. She said there are sex scenes and that they are "twisted". I'm not really sure exactly what she means by that terminology.
Anyway.....any help you guys could provide would be great! Perhaps a synopsis of the scenes, or even page numbers. I don't think I have time to read a 700+ page book right now....drat!!!....and really need to make a decision about this soon. She only has the book from the library for three weeks.
If I have page numbers, then I can at least read those questionable scenes while she is at school and make a decision.
Sorry to yack on and on, but I'm hoping someone here can help.
TIA!!!
Cheers,
Stacy

Danyelle Ferguson said...

Stacy

I wouldn't recommend this book for someone so young. While there isn't anything graphic in the sex scenes, the author does allude to intimacy and things after the fact. There are some things that I think would be too much for an 11 year old. I wouldn't have my kid read it unless she was at least 14.

Good luck!