Rating: [rate 4.5]

“BELLA?”

Edward’s soft voice came from behind me. I turned to see him spring lightly up the porch steps, his hair windblown from running. He pulled me into his arms at once, just like he had in the parking lot, and kissed me again.

This kiss frightened me. There was too much tension, too strong an edge to the way his lips crushed mine—like he was afraid we had only so much time left to us.

* * *

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob—knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

NOTE: If you haven’t read New Moon yet, DON’T READ THIS REVIEW! You’ll be spoiled. ^^;

I really wasn’t planning to buy this one yet. I was planning to wait it out, wait for the paperback to come out, which I bet would come out a bit before Breaking Dawn does, which means I would only have a short time waiting until book four. Buut…I couldn’t wait. Plus I saw that the copies of Eclipse were running out in the bookstore nearest me…so I grabbed it and it was on sale, so yay. :) This book definitely helped me through my fasting this past weekend, and I can’t believe I read it this fast. It must be really captivating, eh?

I don’t know how I could review this novel without spoiling anyone who plans to read this book. I think this book saved New Moon. As I mentioned, New Moon was saved by Jacob Black, and I’m glad there’s more Jacob AND Edward here, which are both favorite characters. I like how there’s so many realizations happening in the story, how the characters interacted with each other, and how this story flowed more easily than New Moon did. I love how Bella finally started being nervous about her decision to be a vampire in the previous book, instead of her just wanting and not thinking of how this decision would affect other people in her life who were not immortal.

Okay, I’ll talk about three things here: Edward and Bella, Jacob and Bella and how Stephenie Meyer portrayed love in the story. There might be potential spoilers in this post (sorry, I just can’t avoid it :D), so proceed with caution. ;)

Edward and Bella. I knew from the start that they would end up together, because if they don’t, I don’t think this story would move on. I still don’t like how Bella is so clingy, how she thinks of Edward as her life and if he’s not there, she’s going to die. Maybe it’s because I haven’t experienced a love of the same passion. But really now. I tend to forget she’s 18 there.

I love Edward still. I was kind of pissed at how he’s so controlling at first, but I love how he changed and allowed Bella to do what she wants, but still maintaining his concern and protection. I am particularly impressed by his morals, and I agree with Bella – for a vampire, he has very good morals. I think that his attitude to Bella at the end of the novel is the kind of unselfish love that people needs to see and feel — the one that really and truly only cares about what would make the other person happy, even if that would bring you pain.

Jacob and Bella. I can’t say that I’m pro- Jacob and Bella…because as much as I could see them together, I personally don’t think Jacob could be able to handle Bella. Maybe it’s my personal prejudice of not liking a guy younger than I am (sorry, maybe I’ll explain this in another, more…erm, personal post). I really do see Jacob more as a friend to Bella. And besides, with Bella’s clinginess, I don’t think he deserves someone like her.

Jacob is the perfect example of the “losing end”, who, even if it hurts, would still try to keep his promise of a friendship. No offense to Jacob fans (because I also am one), but I see his loyalty similar to a dog’s. Then again, he is a werewolf, so there you go. ;)

Even if Jacob ends up broken-hearted, I’m glad he still got what he deserved from Bella, and I’m pretty sure once he imprints on whoever it is, he’ll be back to his smiling self. Would this show up in Breaking Dawn, Stephenie? ;)

And finally, love. One thing that really struck me most in this novel is how Stephenie wove the Edward-Bella-Jacob love triangle. As much as Bella’s clinginess annoys me, the story shows one thing I truly believe in: love is a decision. Bella is faced with two choices, with two different guys who she both love, only in different ways. The story shows that loving, as beautiful as it is, is also painful, and a lot of times, you would have to do some letting go in the decisions you make. Although there was the “love at first sight” thing with Edward and Bella, there was also the “love that grows”, as shown in Jacob and Bella. There’s Edward’s decision to let Bella choose, Jacob’s decision to let Bella go but still be her friend, and Bella’s ultimate decision between the two. It’s not always left up to fate or destiny (though I also believe in those), and I liked that Stephenie showed that the decision to fully commit to a person and love him/her until the end is not left up to magic or whatever higher forces but to the person/s involved in the relationship. :)

And although there was the discussion about sex in the novel, I’m glad that Stephenie did not mention it outright, and that she made her two characters decide not to do it until they were married.

I can’t wait for Breaking Dawn. :D