Book Worm Carnival

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Eclipse

Eclipse
Stephanie Meyer
3 1/2 stars
by Debbi

I cannot tell you what I think of this book without spoiling it; that being said, if you have not started it, finished it, or want to sometime read this book in the near future – then stop reading now.

This is what I thought:
I agree with Kathy that there are a lot of irritating parts in this book. Since I am a Jacob fan, Edwards behavior was very irritating and made me love Jacob that much more. Bella was a big push over in this book. She needed to do what she wanted and let Edward deal with it. Everyone is so worried about making everyone else happy. I was surprised that it took so long for the pack and the Cullens to finally figure out there were both on the same side. I really enjoyed the conversation that Edward and Jacob had the night in the tent.

One thing I especially loved about this book is we got to know the history of some more of the Cullens – Jasper and Rosalie. Their stories were fascinating to me and I’m so glad that they were included. I secretly hope that Rosalie will have more influence over Bella in the forth book.

As far as the Jacob versus Edward issue, of course I am truly sad that she picked Edward, but I still am hanging on to hope that Jacob will be back in the fourth book. Bella hasn’t become a vampire yet – which I’m sure will not happen (if it ever does) until the end of the final book of this series. So there is still way more time for Jacob to make a good run for his money. At least she knows she loves him now. Some say that Jacob is too immature for Bella. Well, Bella herself is only 18 and Jacob is younger than her. I think teenagers are allowed to be immature. Edward can seem much too old to me at times. Marriage at her age? That is pretty young - but that does bring me to another point I wanted to make:

I must insert here that I am very impressed with Stephanie Meyer’s ability to write such an intriguing love story and keep it clean. There are parts that are so intense but the characters keep their morals. So many other young adult authors do not do this. One kiss between Jacob and Bella took up four pages – four amazingly morally clean pages!!!

I did not like the epilogue. I don’t like reading in Jacob Blacks perspective, I am used to Bella. I had a sick feeling that Jacob was going to imprint with Leah and then I would have to throw the book across the room and never look back at the series. I’m glad that didn’t happen.

I guess I will have to wait and see how the fourth book turns out. I don’t think I’ll hold my breath for Jacob, but I am still hoping that there is a tiny chance. I think it would be so sad for Bella to leave behind her family and friends. She saw a future with Jacob and I think she, in the end, might miss that. I know deep down that she will always end up with Edward. That is how these stories always go. But give me a break here,

At least a girl can hope.

Eclipse

Stephanie Meyer

3 stars

By Kathy

Ok, well I didn't hate this book. I read this one lickety-split. It was engrossing and enjoyable for the most part, but a few things bother me about it, and the more I think about it, the more irritating they become.

What is with the creepy guy behavior, and Bella's lack of a backbone? I was really frustrated with Edward's whole "I will not let you visit Jacob" deal. It was not chivalrous, it was borderline abusive. People in a healthy relationship do not try to control the other person. I really wish that Bella would have stood up to him a bit more and say something like "I will not allow you to treat me this way." Instead, after she gets so angry about that "kidnapping" by Alice, she forgives Edward after some making-out. Ugh! Of course there is also Jacob's "I will kill myself in battle unless you kiss me." Again, not a sign of a healthy relationship. And Bella goes right ahead and allows Jacob's manipulation to happen. I think Bella's behavior is especially troubling considering the teenage audience of this book. I don't want them to think that this obsessive and manipulative behavior equals true love.

The other thing that bothered me is Bella's whole "I cannot live without Edward" attitude. I think this has been building in me since the first book, but I really just want to shake her and say , "Buck Up! Yes you can!" I know she had a hard time in book 2, but that was only 6 months, and I believe she was getting better towards the end, and would continue to improve. And I admit that I would be more inclined to Bella's way of thinking when I was her age, but now it just seems immature and melodramatic. People, even young people, lose spouses everyday, but they continue on, and find happiness, maybe even love again. Is the idea suppose to be that Bella loves Edward more than anyone else loves their spouse? That they have some super true romance that everyone else doesn't have? Because if so, that idea is pretty insulting. And again, I wouldn't want the teenage audience going around thinking "I cannot live without (insert boyfriends name here)!" If my daughter were old enough to read this book, I would definitely want to discuss this idea with her.

So that is my frustration with Eclipse. I still find it an intriguing idea, and I will definitely read the next book, if only with the hope that Bella can grow up a bit and stand up for herself.