Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Eclipse

I can’t recall the true reason why I skipped this book in the Twilight Saga. It was most likely because I was eager to read Breaking Dawn before the film came out. Nevertheless, I actually enjoyed this book. Even though Twilight has become a household that swings both good and bad depending on who you talk to, Stephanie Meyer knows how to keep us hooked even during the down time of the story.

I am not a huge fan of love triangles which is a popular trope during the Twilight and Hunger Games days. But, if you really break down the love triangle in Eclipse, Bella was straight forward about her feelings for Edward. It was Jacob who was relentless. Then again, leading on your best friend for an entire book (New Moon) will call for unwanted drama. It didn’t help that Edward was questioning Bella’s love for him and his love for her. All in all, Bella, Jake, and Edward, who should be way past teenage drama due to his age, had raging hormones leaving them in a never-ending love loop.

When Eclipse came out, that’s when the team Edward and team Jacob really came into battle. Both guys have a lot to offer for Bella, which is why the decision was difficult to make as a reader. Jacob could phase into a wolf, stop his aging by phasing into a wolf, imprint on a girl and be anything she needed, protect his tribe land and humans from vampires, and track enemies with his sharp nose. On the other hand, Edward was an immortal vampire that could read thoughts, has super-fast running speed, is very modest and sensible, and a deeply loving person. Bella’s always known who she loves not only the most but the absolute from the beginning, but with two boys battling over her due to their confused and conflicted feelings, the love triangle seems to never end.

Bella has never been a favorite character of mine. Carlisle is a stunning character to read about same with Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and pretty much anyone that isn’t Bella. Bella has no talent, except for when she becomes a vampire, she has no ambitions besides Edward, and she basically shuts down her brain when it comes to normal teenage traditions like prom, college, and making friends. She’s also extremely stubborn in a way that becomes selfish. She’s so determined to become what Edward is to be with him forever, she doesn’t stop to think about her family and what it will do to them. Once she becomes a vampire, she basically has to cease contact with her family due to her non-aging and being a part of the vampire world. The worst part is that she doesn’t care. I get that she didn’t have the traditional family dynamic, but that doesn’t justify the excuse to let go of your family at such a young age to be with a boy forever. This is where I appreciate what Jacob did in Breaking Dawn to prevent Bella from making the worst mistake of her existence besides becoming a vampire. It was a thrill to read when Bella didn’t get her way and was actually punished for her decisions and actions.

Out of all four Twilight Saga books, Eclipse is tied with New Moon. The reason why is because both books allow us to learn something new about the world whether werewolf or vampire. The ending to New Moon where Bella meets the Volturi was my favorite moment in the series but learning about imprinting and the history between Jacob and Edward’s families was equivalent.

The pacing of this book was a page turner. Like the rest of the books in the series, the story revolves around enticing drama. We want to learn more and see the outcomes of intense situations. That’s what makes this world unique and thrilling to read about. The stakes are always high, and the characters keep us wanting more.

Twilight will always be a guilty pleasure of mine and Eclipse does make the list. It was the first teen series I ever read, and it became my gateway for young adult reading. So, I can’t jump on the bandwagon for hating everything to do with Twilight because I actually enjoyed reading the books even though I read eclipse for the first time in my 20’s which is the age group for those who first read the series when it released. However, I can concur with loathing Bella.

Still to this day, I recommend the Twilight series for those who want to start reading young adult fiction, fantasy, or romance because the series literally embodies all three.