Breaking Dawn
Ratings826
Average rating3
⭐⭐⭐
This book is good and worth reading. I enjoyed it but it felt a little lacking. I may recommend it to a certain audience. It gave me mixed feelings, possibly with potential it didn't quite live up to. It's a good experience, not amazing, but not bad.
I can't tell you how determined I was to hate Breaking Dawn. I had my mind made up.
I've been losing patience with each successive reread. We get it: Bella is hyperfocused on both Edward and Jacob. She can't conceive of a future without one or both of them dominating it. Meyer perpetually tries to spin being controlling and forceful as the strongest evidence of a man's love for a woman. Power dynamic issues only become more pronounced and intrusive as the series progresses. New Moon and Eclipse especially put the romance genre to shame. But the thing is, I don't think Breaking Dawn is romance at all.
I think it's horror.
Pregnancy is presented as grotesque, parasitic, emotionally and physically traumatic, life-threatening. Meyer pulls out all the body horror stops: blotchy bruised skin, snapping bones, projectile vomit that's human blood, and not even Bella's. Is this Twilight or Alien? It is truly disgusting. I don't know why we gave these books to children. And yet, pregnancy is also presented as undeniably worth it. But maybe only because against all odds, Bella survives. So much so that now she'll never die.
Meyer raises fascinating questions about autonomy and parenthood. Plenty of taboo subjects are front and center. Abortion, fertility, surrogacy. If a doctor tells a woman her pregnancy will kill her, who has say in whether to see it through? Her? Her partner? Her doctor? Some combination? When does autonomy begin and end? Meyer almost flips the abortion debate on its head—fighting for the human life of the mother is more pressing than any concerns about the gestating fetus.
Is it more cruel to force medical decisions on others, or stand by and watch your loved one choose a path that will kill them? Is it wrong to intervene? Is it wrong not to? How do we protect our loved ones from harm they subject themselves to? If Edward and Bella not only belong together, but belong to one another, are their choices their own? The premise that Edward keeps Bella safe has never held less weight. But for once, and at last, Bella gets to know best. She survives her pregnancy. She becomes a vampire. Despite the fierce opposition of men in her life, her choices work out, better than even she could have hoped. She gets to be right.
So then, is Meyer arguing women can only really grow up into adults by giving birth and becoming mothers? Why doesn't Bella get to narrate her own pregnancy? Is it so Jacob can be looped back in to imprint on a baby (don't even get me started) named Renesmee (don't even get me started)?
Is Rosalie the only one willing to defend Bella's agency, or is she living vicariously through her because Bella has choices she wishes were possible for her? (I maintain that Rosalie and Leah are the two most interesting female characters, though both are vilified. Leah is put through so much I wonder if Meyer based her on a real-life nemesis. The best male characters, if you were wondering, are Seth Clearwater and both Bens, Angela's short king and an Aang-like vampire abruptly introduced in the ninth hour.)
It do still be racist though. A superstitious cleaning lady who doesn't speak English provides us insight about Bella falling pregnant. Jacob is regularly referred to as a dog and mongrel by various vampires, and at one point is brought a meal in a dog bowl. Amun, an Egyptian vampire, doesn't let his wife speak. Despite being constantly ordered around and not consulted by Edward, Bella finds this off-putting. The Amazon vampires are described as feline-like and uncivilized, clad in animal skins. Bella meets a dark-skinned man (Meyer seems leery to say Black outright except in reference to Jacob's surname) in the “ghetto” whose eyes bug out at her pale beauty. Another dark-skinned character (his skin tone is described as impossible??) is later introduced whose father is absent and selfish, a man whose violent disposition endangers innocent women. Edward is held up in stark contrast to him, exemplifying a devoted, involved patriarch. Blech.
The end of the book is laughably anticlimactic, it's hundreds of pages too long, and imprinting has disturbing connotations that go unacknowledged. But you know what? Stephenie is right. Pregnancy is gross and scary, and motherhood elicits either the deepest joys or the darkest turmoil, depending on agency and autonomy. Or maybe it does a little of both, regardless. Weird message to end on, but I'm far more compelled than when Edward and Jacob were taking turns touching Bella's face.
The most dangerous, interesting, sexy, moving, and exciting of all of the Twilight series - I'm so glad I stuck with the series to get through to this excellent ending! I'm happy to see that Meyer had a purpose for making Jacob a creepily possessive stalker, although I still disagree with the message sent through the first three books. In escaping her humanity, Bella becomes so much less pathetic and simpering and so much more of a heroine - thank goodness. I was very pleasantly surprised with the wrap-up to the story - the author addressed all of my dislikes and brought the epic to a very satisfying conclusion.
Ugh. Ugh. Appalling.
Having read the first three of Meyer's books, I was looking forward to this, the fourth installment in the series. Little did I know that Stephenie Meyer had gone completely insane between the third and fourth books.
The book started out as expected. Bella and Edward, about to be married, Bella clawing at Edward to sleep with her and Edward reluctantly agreeing. I wasn't surprised; Meyer had been leading up to this moment for three books already, it was about time. However, the godawful consequences of allowing it – a half-demon baby? A mutated part-vampire pregnancy that kills Bella (had Edward not turned her, she would surely have died)? And then, when the child is born and Bella becomes a vampire, all the pre-established canon flies out the window.
Turning into a vampire was difficult; was painful and hard, for every member of the Cullen family, no matter how pious or prepared for the turn, no matter how openly they welcomed the change or how reluctantly they took their new supernatural burdens. But not for Bella. No, Bella gets to frolic around hours after she's turned; days later she can hang out with her very human father with not so much as a batted eyelash. Ridiculous.
And the wrenching angst of imprinting, portrayed so beautifully in the first three books by the difficult love triangle between Sam Uley and his ex, Leah, and his imprint, Emily... gone. No, in Breaking Dawn, imprinting wipes out all love for everything you ever felt love for. No longer is it difficult and wrenching and hard. No, it's simple. Simple as pie!
I had to put the book down once Bella was turned, I was just too disgusted by the appalling deviation from a set canon, not to mention the amateurish writing. Meyer's editors must have been handed a bombshell. I don't know if I should applaud them or condemn them for being able to put it into printing condition.
I really liked reading these books - before the movies and ‘seeing' those two actors when I read, therefore spoiling the characters for me with their less than stellar acting skills.
What I think each of the Cullens need:
•Carlisle-to go back to med school
•Emmett-to be asked where he was January 6th
•Jasper-Raegan Propaganda
•Edward-a copy of the feminine mystique
•Bella-a college level course on the Brontë Sisters
•Rosalie-a show on Fox News
•Alice-more shock therapy and a lobotomy
•Esme-white, Mormon influencer home in Utah
•Renésme-a five month long romance with a European artist when she inevitably studies abroad
While the Twilight franchise isn't perfect, I found myself deeply enjoying each and every moment I had with it. The writing isn't the greatest but it doesn't have to be. You can practically feel the love Bella and Edward have for each other without needing extravagant words depicting it.
The subtle transformation Bella has when she's a vampire is the most well written thing. No more blushing or feeling embarrassed or being extremely shy. Bella was now outgoing and more herself than anything.
This series will always be so precious to me and this was the perfect ending.
I will say that I didn't particularly enjoy Jacob's section. He quickly became a least favorite character for me.
I definitely enjoyed this one. Wrapping everything up so perfectly. I’ve never been so happy with how a series has ended. Usually I either feel like they wrapped it up wrong or I feel like I just want to keep knowing so much more. But the way this was wrapped up I feel like I know exactly how it’ll go without them telling me and it was perfect. The fight would’ve been cool to see but I was still impressed with how the scene went. I was interested the whole time, connected to all the characters. I loved the change in POV although Jacob did get a bit annoying and repetitive they stopped it just in time. Really just well done final book. I recommend!
Breaking dawn is slow and does not have a great plot. But it is gripping in its own horrible addictive way
LOVED this one. My favorite of the series. I haven't binge read a series in a while and I still can't believe I finished this one so quickly. I can see why so many have loved this series.
Seré honesta. No creo que esta reseña logre ser lo suficientemente larga o detallada. Recibí mi copia de Sol de Medianoche faltándome aproximadamente 200 páginas para terminar Amanecer y mis inmensas ganas de leerlo ya, me hicieron concentrarme al máximo en terminarlo. En este momento, un día después y con el cierre de la historia de Edward, Bella y Jacob concluida, mi mayor interés es dejar mis principales pensamientos plasmados en texto y comenzar cuanto antes con ese nuevo libro.
I'll be honest. I don't think this review accomplishes to be long or detailed enough. I got my copy of Midnight Sun when I was approximately 200 pages from finishing Breaking Dawn and my inmense longing to read it already made me fully concentrate on finishing it. At this moment, one day later and with the end of the story of Edward, Bella and Jacob finally concluded, my biggest interest is to leave my main thoughts embodied in text and start the new book sooner rather than later.
A manera de breve resumen, esta entrega se divide en tres libros o tres historias principales: el inicio de la unión de Bella y Edward para siempre con su boda y los eventos consecuentes normales de una boda, el evento inesperado (el embarazo de Bella, llevando un ser más que mortal en su vientre) que pone de cabeza la vida de todos, visto desde el punto de vista de Jacob, y la conclusión del conflicto que el evento previo generó (con la llegada de los Vulturi a Forks para exterminarlos a todos).
As a brief summary, this installment is divided into three books or three main stories: the beginning of Bella and Edward's forever union with their wedding and the succeding events to a normal wedding, the unexpected event (Bella's pregnancy, carrying in her womb a being that's more than mortal) that turns everybody's life upside down, from Jacob's point of view, and the conclusion of the conflict generated by the previous event (with the Volturi's arrival to Forks to exterminate them all).
En general, considero que es un buen libro. Talvez a la par de Crepúsculo. La primera parte es puro amor y la verdad fue un deleite leerlo, mi yo de 15 años estaba suspirando de nuevo; para la segunda parte consideré seriamente no leerla y continuar con la última por el mal sabor de boca que me quedó de Jacob en los últimos dos libros, pero estoy contenta de reportar que fue mucho más agradable de lo que esperaba. Para esta entrega, los personajes ya se encontraban mejor desarrollados y maduraron considerablemente: Jacob ya no fue irritante, temperamental o manipulador todo el tiempo - o al menos no que yo lo notara. Bella también mejoró bastante; puedo decir que me cae mucho mejor Bella vampiro que Bella humana.
In general, I think it's a good book. Perhaps on par with Twilight. The first part is pure love and it was a true delight to read, my 15-year-old me was sighing again; for the second part I seriously considered not reading it and continue with the last part because of the unpleasant experience I had with Jacob in the last two books, but I'm happy to report that it was much more agreeable than I expected. For this installment, the characters were better developed and matured considerably: Jacob wasn't annoying, temperamental or manipulative all the time - or at least that I noticed. Bella also improved a good deal; I can say that I like her better as a vampire than as a human.
Finalmente, la tercera y final parte fue bastante entretenida y me sorprendí de que había varias cosas que no recordaba completamente. En parte, fue como leer el libro por primera vez.
Finally, the third and last part was fairly entretaining and I was surprised at several things that I didn't completely remembered. In part, it was like reading the book for the first time.
Relamente fue un libro entretenido, muy sencillo de leer y, en mi opinión, un desenlace perfecto para esta historia.
It was a really entretaining book, very easy to read and, in my opinion, the perfect ending for this story.
Me parece chistoso que siendo el libro más largo, sea la reseña más corta que he hecho de la saga. Creo que son demasiadas cosas como para cubrirlas en unas cuartas palabras y estas pocas que escribí abarcan en buena medida el sentimiento general. Definitivamente releeré la saga en unos años.
I think it funny that, being the longest book, is the shortest review I've written for the saga. I think there are too many things to cover in a few words and the few that I wrote largely encompass the general feeling. I'll definetly reread the saga in a few years.
Plus d'actions et Bella moins geignarde ont facilité les choses. Avoir des chapitres du point de vue de Jacob ont grandement aidé également.
Mais bon ça reste grave sexiste tout ça.
Je suis toujours effarée par Charlie et son incompétence en cuisine. Il faut toujours que des meufs lui fassent à manger. Même pas il ne daigne faire la vaisselle et préfère poser son cul devant la TV.
This book is so outstandingly illogical and poorly paced that I don't think I noticed anything else about it. It's also at least 300 pages too long.
Ce dernier tome conclue très bien la saga.
Néanmoins, dix ans après, ma lecture à forcément changer, je ne suis plus dans la tranche d'âge pour apprécier réellement twilight à ce qu'il était dans mes souvenirs d'adolescente, mais c'était plaisant à relire.
Ce n'est donc pas un adieu, car je sais que je les relirais probablement dans une autre décennie.
The only interesting part of the book is Jacob POV. Edward & Bella, the two main protagonists are stupid idiots, so I guess they are perfect for each other. It's a relief that Jacob didn't end up with Bella.
Le quatrième et dernier roman, Breaking Dawn, est le plus spectaculaire et le plus haletant de la série. Il est découpé entre trois grandes parties : la deuxième a la particularité d'avoir Jacob Black comme narrateur (on sent que l'auteur s'est fait plaisir en faisant ainsi parler un personnage dont on suppose qu'elle l'apprécie beaucoup), la première et la troisième étant relatées par Bella, comme les autres romans. L'histoire s'emballe et prend de l'ampleur. L'intensité et le suspense montent progressivement tout au long du roman, avant un dénouement plus touchant que je l'aurais cru. C'est parfois un peu brouillon, notamment à cause de la multitude de personnages qui font leur apparition dans la troisième partie, mais ce dernier roman est plutôt agréable à lire. C'est une conclusion épique, peut-être un peu bâclée, d'une saga globalement sympathique malgré quelques défauts.
I am not going to say much. There have been tens of thousands of reviews of each of the books in the Twilight series. I read them in a little over a week and enjoyed them all. I will just mention what I enjoyed most in this last book, Breaking Dawn.
The battle at the end was very enjoyable to me. It was handled as all battles should be written about. There was a long period of preparation, diplomacy was involved, the most important goal was to avoid fighting, and the minds and emotions and goals of each of the leaders on both sides was crucial to the beginning of the conflict and the final resolution.
It would be too much of a spoiler to say what happens in the final battle, but I was very happy at the outcome.
This was a satisfying conclusion to this tetralogy of books.
I didn't particularly care much for the Twilight series and after reading the books and then seeing the movies you can see how it's become so popular. However, the writing wasn't great and the characters and story didn't really make for a particularly good series. I will admit that it's predominately aimed at women, but in comparison to other reads with a female focus it's poor.
the ending was a disappointment :( Okay maybe the movie trailer ruined it for me but even if I didn't see it , it was still a disappointment :(
The ending of book one and two were the same. The best ending was in book three.
But still I liked the book , it was so awesome and creative even if stephanie's writing style is annoying sometimes. But her description is so thorough and accurate and it makes you imagine very clearly the scene and the people in question.
Okay, even if the series is not very good, it still hurts knowing that I finished it :( secret, I even cried in one place
I now understand the whole feelings people get when they finish a series no matter how good or bad it is ... This is the first time I finish a series :(
Just the idea that I won't have the chance to read about these characters and about this plot again is... hard :(
Okay, maybe I am too emotional
Anyway, the ending is still a disappointment :p