'Twilight': A snap judgment on 'Breaking Dawn'

(This is spoiler-heavy. Consider yourself warned.)

It’s virtually impossible not to draw parallels between "Breaking Dawn," the concluding installment in the “Twilight” series, and the final “Harry Potter” book. Both involve revolve around mythic worlds and young, ill-prepared protagonists headed toward a supernatural showdown between good and evil. 

The problem is Stephenie Meyer is no J.K. Rowling. We who’ve enjoyed the work of both authors have known this since we picked up “Twilight.” (I like Edward too, but there’s only so many times I can read how “beautiful,” “perfect” and “dazzling” he is.) But with these final chapters, in which both authors really swung for the epic, Meyer’s bunted.

Things looked promising at first. The pace is swift and the curve balls surprising and frequent: Bella and Edward finally get busy, we get inside Jacob’s head, Bella joins the Cullens in immortality, Jacob finds his mate.

But all the while, a larger story arc is missing. The love triangle is, sadly, summarily dealt with, and once the romance is over we’re left only with Edward and Bella’s child Renesmee -- even the name, well, it’s no Hermione is it -- and all the conflicts she so quickly and disappointingly resolves. Edward versus Jacob? Over and done with. Vampires versus werewolves? One big happy family. Bella being a ravenous newborn? She’s not going to eat her kid!

So what to when you’ve written yourself into a corner? Meyer is forced to more or less start over and she spends the second half of “Breaking Dawn” going for outright thriller. The second half of the book singularly involves the mystery of Renesmee and shielding her from the threat of the Volturi, an enemy initially so full of literary potential. Bella, Jacob, Edward and the rest of the “Twilight” characters become little more than Renesmee’s anxious protectors. 

Bogged down in the new, too convenient mythology -- Bella’s new power is the only one that will matter -- the book winds up faltering under its own weighty aspirations. Bella’s covert operation, the additions to the Cullen camp, the unique powers of the new vampires are explained so thoroughly yet serve so little dramatic effect that “Breaking Dawn” could easily have trimmed off 200 pages and reached the same anticlimactic ending. What’s worse, the new guys are there merely to populate the side of good for a battle that -- the big spoiler -- never happens. That's right. No blood shed. No deaths of loved ones to kill readers in the gripping way Rowling did in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

At least when you get to page 735 -- where you’ll find the resolution neatly tied up -- it’s more a confirmation of what you saw coming rather than simply a letdown. And as for the final scene, Meyer writes this one like she's already imagined it on the big screen, with the swelling of sappy love song and a fade to black.

We would have much preferred the whole thing to end in book three, "Eclipse," with yes, some happiness for Bella, but also some angst, some heartbreak, and a dark, ominous future looming.

-- Denise Martin

Related:

'Twilight' video: Jacob and Edward fans sound off

'Twilight': Scenes from the 'Breaking Dawn' release party

Comments

[timnaaa]

i couldnt agree with this article more.
and bre, i totally agree. some of those teenage girls will like it cause of the happy ending and blaaah.

meyer certainly is no rowling. theres no way she has the talent and wit that rowling has.
honestly, i fell in love with twilight, but then it just went downhill to me after that. she just kept pulling the story out, you could predict most of it. meyers books should just be forgotten, lets move on to something better. theres so many books out there who deserve much more attention than twilight is getting.

[RACHELLE]

Well I truly think that it is ridiculous that anyone would compare the Twilight saga with the Harry Potter series(huge fans of both series!) they are about completely different magic and myths. BUT how complimentary to Stephenie Meyer to be COMPARED to such an author as JK Rowling, that just proves what a genius Stephenie truly is! I personally, LOVED the nicely wrapped up story in Breaking Dawn. True they could have had at least a bit of a fight in the end (still no one owuld have to die---I do not think people have to die for a book to be good). I was kind of hoping to see Bella in a fight, but at the same time I loved that she fit into the vampire world so much better than her human world. For once she was outstanding, she deserved that and we all knew that would happen once she was a vampire. I was especially happy that Stephenie did in fact make her a vampire, we all hoped for this. And I like that Bella constantly thinks about how beautiful and amazing Edward is because that is LOVE, no matter how mad you get at your love you still always see them as perfect, so what is wrong with that---the whole point of this book is about her undying love for Edward, duh! Also I lvoed hearing Jacob's point of view as well, cool twist. And I liked that Jacob and Bella could be just friends finally and found out why they had such a strong pull to one another-her seed(Renessme) was that pull for Jacob that was more than friendship. I LOVED the happily ever after in this book and those of you who do not like happily ever afters are just sick, sorry but true! Why can't someone be happy, especially in a fairytale/mythical story like this?! They dont have to tragically all die for it to be a great story, nope I think Stephenie did this just right! I also, loved that Bella got pregnant and was able to have a child with a mix of her human self and Edward, how beautiful and what a shock. And those of you that hate the name-Renesseme- get over it...anyone who really reads the twilight series books knows that Bella is so very different and giving to others that of course she would use both her mnother's names for her daughter...it just is so BELLA! Ok there are my comments....don't hate on me just because I can enjoy a happily ever after book that also has twists, cool intro's to other vampires and their talents, and finally wraps up that stupid love triangle that drove me mad in Eclispe!

[Kat in Mississippi]

Oh people! It was so nice to me to finally get to put a book down with a good feeling and not a horror of something lurking around the next scarey corner. I wish there were more, but if not, then it ended on a good note to me. Our society is so full of anguish and horror sometimes its wonderful to just get happy. I loved the whole series and wish for more of whatever SM can give us with these characters. The disappointment that it ended is bearable because it ended on a good note. Anything SM writes with these characters in the future will be in my LIBRARY. Loved the books from start to finish. Wish I could get them out of my head sometimes but every word written and read was worth the times spent on them.

[courtney]

yeah so i def agree that Twilight should stop being compared to Harry Potter!
and I really liked Breaking Dawn! I felt very complete inside but a lil part of me was not complete! soething was deff "missing" I kinda wished there was a lil more action. I guess my hopes were so high for the book tht it was a lil disapointing.

but i am still hopelessly addicted to the Twilight saga =]

[Khaled]

I loved the book and I love the saga. I do have complaints about the way it was written. I think that Stephenie Meyer is tacky sometimes. Like in new moon when Alice says "bella how opposed are you to Grand theft auto?" tacky. After that I didn't expect the writing to be anything like Rowling's but I have to say Breaking Dawn redeemed her in the sense that everybody loves a happy ending. I do, and Harry Potter 6 & 7 had alot of unnecessary deaths. I think that she had to go into detail about the visitors, it was crucial to the almost fight scene, and I hope the moviemakers make it one... because that would sell so much better than an almost fight.

[HE]

I totally disagree with most of the negative comments on the book. It was the END of the saga. Of course it rapped up nicely. Everyone that is saying it should have ended with Eclipse would have written all kinds of complaints about how Bella is still human and the love triangle wasn't resolved, etc. If feel like this last book was on the verge of not being YA. It talks about getting married and raising children, more heavy for the readers than the mythical decisions made in the other books.

The wedding was good. I liked how Bella’s attitude changed as she walked up the aisle and she wanted to run to Edward when she saw him. It seemed to have little detail, which is how Bella would have acted. She dealt well with the whole event, which speaks to her love of Edward.

I loved the honeymoon part. It made me wish very badly that the book was not YA. We have been waiting for so long to have this happen. And (to counter the moral police) they, being teenagers, WAITED until they got married (um…that’s a good lesson for teens). Especially after it turns out that they can pretty easily make love once Edward knows what to do. Also, to add to the severity of their MARITAL actions, they also conceived a CHILD (a very strong birth control for most of us). I love the destruction Edward has to inflict in the process. We really see, after Bella is changed, that the emotions are stronger with vampires. If Edward were to be enjoying himself properly, he would have to put most of his desire into something else so he didn’t kill Bella. Again, something that can be better understood by an older audience.

To me it made sense that Bella got pregnant. It seems to me that venom is the easiest explanation for how an erection could occur and maybe Edwards last batch of sperm from when we was human (cause with guys it just sits there until it's used up) changed with him and that's what impregnated Bella. He previously talked about how she brought out the human instincts in him. Based on what SM says about vampire sex, he would not have lost that desire, so when it finally happened for him, why wouldn’t it trigger that so natural of a male reaction? SM mentioned how Bella waited for her natural reactions (increased heart rate, feeling like she would cry) to happen. Well the ones Bella waited for were the ones that caused a bodily change (like having a heart beat and creating tears). But Edward’s last fluids would still be waiting dormant, right? And as a lot of people know, you don't have to have sex multiple times to get pregnant.

Of course Edward was afraid of the baby. Bella has the instant connection with her child like most mothers have. Edward has no idea what he put in Bella (typical Edward to blame himself) so of course he wants the love of his EXISTENCE to survive. Edward doesn’t fall in love with the “fetus” until he hears Renesmee is also in love with Bella, which also makes total sense! Edward’s trust was always on what he heard in others minds. That’s why he gets so worked up over Bella. Once he knows what the baby is thinking, he knows there is no threat from the child. We don’t experience a lot of that love first hand since we are seeing this through Jacob’s eyes and he doesn’t want to see it. All the love is there once Bella is telling the story again.

People are saying that SM changed characters and it didn’t make sense. Like Bella. I immediately understood her change as a mother the second she felt her “nudger.” Does that seem so odd, that the second a woman knew she was carrying a child, created by the love of her and her more than husband, her whole world would shift? Honestly, it kind of makes me want my husband and I to start our family now, and that is the scariest idea in my world. I think it only makes sense that Bella would have had the pregnancy the way it was. If it would have been slower, then there would be too much danger to Bella for too long. It seemed like she was getting the crap beat out of her, but she was carrying a stone kid, any movement would leave a mark. She only got weak because they were too focused on helping Bella and not the baby. They were still afraid of what it might be when it was born. Once they satisfied both needs, she was fine. The delivery seemed like it had to be. Bella knew the only way she would live is if she changed. I thought it would work out that Edward would save Bella by changing her. I originally thought it would be after they had sex.

And of course her power was her mind control. For Bella to work as a mother, she would have to have some way to keep her child safe. We have seen over and over in all the books about how Bella has such ridiculous self control over everything! She was so obsessed with keeping everyone alive in her human life, it was what dominated the plotlines. It would make sense that would manifest itself as something important in her new life. She lives for others, so of course she would be the one ending up protecting them, especially her daughter. I must admit, the fight was quite anti-climactic. But isn’t that the point? SM wanted her readers to leave satisfied. If half the Cullens died or Renesmee was gone, there would be no happy ending. Edward and Bella’s family was only complete with every member. If we are to believe they are to live happily forever, then one must assume they would have no pain. And their only pain could be caused by the ones they love. So everything had to be kosher. Also, seeing that Bella could easily protect her family from everything but hand-to-hand combat showed us they’ll be safe. Not to mention the fact that (just like in the Civil Rights Movement) it’s hard to fight people who don’t want to fight you. Which is exactly the stance Carlisle takes with the Volturi.

Jacob’s imprinting, to me, makes total sense. Maybe it wasn’t that Jacob was in romantic love with Bella before. Maybe he somehow knew (as most people think) about Renesmee (definitely not consciously though). He knew that Bella was important to him. He knew he needed to be with her, he needed to protect her, and he “loved” her. How can a 16-year old boy experience all that and not think he was supposed to be with her? How could he understand that his love for Bella was only a small fraction of what he would feel for the one she would create? How could he even know that would or could happen? He’s just a confused guy dealing with his first experience with a strong affection towards a girl who was his friend. Lots of us girls have experience dealing with a friend who couldn’t understand he was only a friend. Just like Jake and Bella. Jake misconstrues his easy friendship with and the pull towards Bella as romantic love. Once he sees Renesmee, I think he realizes that. I would have loved for just one more chapter of Jacob at that point in the story!

I honestly feel that all the characters acted to true form. I re-read most of the books before BD, and I think that helped. When you have done that, it’s easy to see why everyone did exactly what they were to do. Of course Rosalie would protect Bella like that. Bella was proving to her that all her decisions were based on a love for Edward, and later a love for her child. Rosalie would probably have not minded Bella dying so much so she could have Renesmee all to herself, but, as I can say from personal experience, being an aunt isn’t too bad either. Bella allowed Rosalie to have something she thought was impossible, a child in her world. The whole family is able to delight from Renesmee, so they were right to protect her. Alice was not as important because her vision was messed up cause of the wolves and Nessie, but she still played a large role in the finale. I would have liked a little more Emmett, but of course he would make the sex jokes, trying to make Bella blush even when she couldn’t. I thought it was hilarious when Bella beat him so easily at arm wrestling!

I was slightly frustrated in Bella as a vampire, because I felt I didn’t know enough. Everyone seems to be complaining that all we heard was how awesome she was. Well, I’ve been waiting for this event since the first book and she better be something awesome! I really liked how since she was so clumsy before that she is scared to try things. To me, the book wouldn’t have been right if Bella was a normal newborn. I had assumed that we would have a several year gap in the story to cut it out of the story, but SM came up with a very reasonable set of actions. Bella is changing herself for love and has made up her mind the way she wants to live her “after”life. She was so scared of being a crazy newborn, why wouldn’t her shield protect her from that? I would have liked to see her develop her powers more. I’m sure she’ll have fun messing with Edward by shielding everyone’s minds.

And now for Renesmee Carlie. And I must say I don’t understand the ridiculous comments about the name. It was constructed in true Bella form, always pleasing everyone. If it was her boy she dreamed of, she would have used Edward Jacob, which would have pleased herself. And seriously, it’s not that hard to say. When they introduce the name, they spell it like you say it first…duh! I liked that Bella’s second book started with the delivery. I really wanted in on that part. I think it’s funny how Renesmee bit Bella when she held her. Just a baby trying to suckle, right?!

I was just as frustrated as Bella to not be able to see Renesmee right away. I totally understood her frustration at “Nessie.” How would any mother feel knowing that everyone knew her baby better than her (since she hasn’t seen her in three days) and they even already had a nickname!! I don’t think Bella had a problem with the nickname, she was being possessive. Once she knew Jake imprinted, she knew he would be there always. Most women don’t like someone else claiming their child before they even get to hold it twice. I loved that Nessie was so immediately concerned with Bella. She desired to be with her just as much as Bella wanted it. Nessie having Edward and Bella’s “reversed” powers made sense. She is their offspring. I was a little put off by how Charlie can still be Grandpa without seriously questioning the situation more. But, just like Edward did, it was mind over matter. When I saw people complaining that Charlie shouldn’t have just know halfway, I wondered if anyone read the book! Of course Charlie couldn’t know, he would have to be killed or made immortal too! It was still a little weird.

I do agree with the criticism of the gather of the covens. We did seem to get a lot of detail with little result. I don’t think SM could have left out those details. We, as readers, got to understand the differences between the vampires, which parallels them to humans (since we’re all different). I think it helped in showing all the Cullens’ characters as well. We got to see who considered them friends. Who Alice sent, who Carlisle knew. The detail helped to show the intricacies of Renesmee’s ability. She was such a perfect little creation (by theory, since she was made by the truest of true loves) everyone understood her once she got in her two cents. I think it showed the unity of the Cullens in that they had so many friends who became willing to risk their lives for this little girl and her family. It shows how much they’ve made an impact on the vampire world. I know they made an impact on me.

And that is the end of my rant on Breaking Dawn.

[Engtchr]

I agree, I just finished the book, and while I couldn't put it down, I did find it annoying. It is just so convenient. Jacob is no longer unhappy...blah blah.
I agree she is no Jk Rowling. Meyer's writing isn't as gripping or basically as good as Rowling, who did set the standard. There were times when reading the series, I found it so sloppy. I didn't love the books, but did like them just enough to want to know what happened.

[Julie]

I agree...this was by far the weakest book. Aside from plot points I didn't like, it just didn't seem like SM's writing. Bella sounded so different...I know that she would change when she became a vampire, but SM kept going on and on about how she was so much the same that she should have sounded the same. Also there were little inconsistancies that bothered me...like nowhere in any of the other books does anyone call Jasper "Jazz" and Emmet "Em." And, while I would have loved a fight sceen, I think that them holding back and trying to talk there way out of it was one of the few things that was consistant from the other 3 books. None of the Cullens (with maybe the exception of Emmet) like violence, and Carlile always prefers deplomacy over violence. I also wish that the rest of the Cullens played a bigger part in the book...it felt like, besides Rosalie, they were barely there. I LOVED the other three books, but I think SM could have done a better job with this one.

[Brittany]

Great review- it's pretty much exactly how I felt about the novel as well. Disappointing.

[Alison]

OKay so first off...HP and Twilight are totally different and therefore really shouldn't be compared!!Well maybe some people feel the need to do so but HP and Twilight are both distinctive with both of them having insanely huge fan bases!

Anyways... I thought that Breaking Dawn was amazing! Sure the name Renesmee was bit of a mouthful and all but hey its sweet Renee and Esme are nice names you know so why not be different and put them together!! And yes Jacob imprinted on her but hello what was that Bella said? They were meant to be in each others lives!! And little Nessie was that connection!!I thought that that was genius!!XD Jacob was meant to be near Bella and he knew that he couldn't have her because of Edward but hey! And why be so shocked that he imprinted on a baby Ouil imprinted on Claire and she was only two!

Bella a vampire...W O W!! I loved that!! She fit it so well!!And I was already speculating that her self control would be like no other so it was only a mild surprise for me! I thought that her shield was a great idea how she was able to take it away at the end so Edward could finally see her mind!The wrestling of mountain lions was great too!! In the very beginning when she woke up I loved how she was so distracted by all things that she'd seen before but how new they were because hey we'd be like that too! i mean I if i saw an eighth colour of the rainbow I'd be fascinated!

I was uberly happy for Jake though!Finally finding happiness and how he was still friends with Bella!And the fact he was his own Alpha was nice!!:)I loved Jake and was so happy that he could have a future that didn't necessarily surround Bella... entirely!

I was a little disappointed that there was no major fight at the end but supremely happy that no one died! I was so hoping that no one would die and they didn't!!XD I think if there was another book I'd want a big bust up with the Volturi cuz they need a good butt kicking!!!

But all in all i actually really liked it and felt complete and had the closure that SM said she had at the end. The closure and happiness i felt I feel are what she wanted her fans to have!

[Cat]

I despise being called ignorant, or dense, or tasteless, simply because I enjoyed the ending to the book. It was a love story, not a "coming of age, good vs. evil, this is what you were destined to do" Harry Potter-esque story. They are compared to one another because they've both made a lot of money and they've both successfully reached out to youth in a big way. Stephenie Meyer produced a beautiful ending to what was initially just a simple dream. For her, she didn't need blood, or war, or some epic loss, the story was hers and you could feel her intensity with every word. If that's not talent, I don't know what is. I won't try and convince anyone to change their minds, because, let's face it, a sappy ending just isn't "cool" enough for a lot of people. It's intellectually unacceptable to enjoy something without their being real misery mixed in with the joy. As if everything has to be that complicated.

[E. Shelton]

You took the words right out of my mouth. Anticlimactic is the correct word indeed. I also would like to ask why Meyer felt as if she needed to mention romantic tragedies in her other books, yet this one is nothing but a 13 year olds birthday cake with all her presents wrapped with care.

As far as this book goes, I was too eager for such disappointment. I am now sad.

[u rn't the only male twilight fan]

hey ppl i may be a guy, but i personaly thinkthat this book was pretty good, and i thank meyer for skipping those nine pregnant months and keeping the pace really, really fast. if i had had to read about her stomach getting bigger really slowly, or about renesmee growing to 2 or 3 years old,or more, i would have puked! For a book to be good it doesnt have to be fillled with bloodshed! i personally think rowling(as much of a potter fan i am myself) went just a little over board killing fred, so i think that as far as similarities and differences between those 2 books go, meyer did it exactly right!

[Regan]

Seriously, people.

I can explain Bella's powers. Bella was already special when she was human. She could smell blood already -(You didn't notice this?!?!?!)- and didn't like the smell. Hence the self-control. She also, when she was human, was immune to vampire's mind powers. It was enhanced. She could use her shield to protect others, too.

I can explain the pregnancy. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! Bella wasn't the only exception to that! Remember Nahuel? Or did you not read the whole book?

Stephenie said that a vampire and a VAMPIRE could not reproduce. If the mother is human, then she can produce a child. There were four other known children besides Renesmee.

And people, Renesmee is a cute name. Get over your prejudices

If an eleven year old can explain this and understand it, then a twenty year old should be able to. I am 11.

[NancyJo]

Personally, I loved the entire series.........including Breaking Dawn. I loved the way the book ended and yes, I can see more books coming. I'm glad there was no blood and gore at the end. If you were looking for a true vampire book with all the gore that goes with it, you picked the wrong series to read. Hello !!! The Twilight series is a love story for heaven sake! Hurray for Stephenie Meyer. I will be watching for and reading all of her books after beng introduced to Twilight.

[Andy H]

Thank you for the brilliant review. I'm glad I'm not the only fan disappointed by what I hoped would be a wonderful end to a great series.

The end was a complete buildup and SUPREME let down!!

However, there was enough ickiness in the book to last me a lifetime- the whole birth scene...way too descritpive in my opinion.

[Brandi]

Okay, so I finished Breaking Dawn two days ago, and I have been trying to process my feelings ever since. Before I share my thoughts, I would just like to say that I admire Stephenie Meyer and what she has accomplished. Shoot, she’s a cultural phenomenon now with a best-selling book series—that’s more than I’ve accomplished in my non-existent writing career. However, as a devoted fan and someone who majored in literary analysis, I think I have a right to share my opinions:

1. I felt that everything just fell into place a little too neatly. In an attempt to make a happy ending for everyone, it just felt forced. I was so forced, in fact, that I had a little trouble continuing with it. I even had to sit it aside for a while—nothing I’ve ever had to do with any of the other books in the series.

2. It bugged me that Bella decided she wanted to be human for a couple of more years. All that time, she was desperate to be a vampire because she didn’t want to be older than Edward. Then, during the honeymoon, she decides she wants to stay human for a while longer—nineteen or twenty wouldn’t be so bad, I think she said. Then, she gets pregnant, the next quarter of the book is told from Jacob’s point-of-view, and the next thing we know, Bella’s talking to us again as a vampire. What was the whole point of her wanting to stay human longer if she wasn’t going to get to? Where were Bella’s thoughts during that whole time? Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE hearing Jacob’s side of things—and I don’t know how anyone could walk away from that part of the book without liking Jacob Black. In fact, I was a little sad when his POV ended. But, I felt that I really missed something by not getting to hear Bella’s thoughts on the whole situation.

3. I read in a review that it was as if the characters had lost their voices and personalities, and I completely agree. I was really having a difficult time reading Bella’s POV as a vampire; the voice just didn’t seem natural to me, and I didn’t like that her human memories were clouded. I mean, COME ON! The first three books were so detailed and vivid. Bella’s thoughts in those books were what made the books the success that they are. How could her memories of them be clouded?

4. Did anyone feel that Edward was no longer like Edward at all? I think part of that was because Bella became stronger than him, but I think another part is that all the mystery and angst was gone. We no longer had any of the tension or the longing between them. That, I think, was what made so many love Edward—the fact that he was untouchable. Bella wanted him so badly, but ultimately couldn’t fully have him because they were part of two different worlds. In this book, that all just ended, and Edward didn’t seem the debonair heartthrob he always was before (perhaps that’s because Bella’s heart was no longer beating—haha—I know, lame pun).

5. I can’t even begin to express my thoughts about Renesmee. I felt this was just another attempt to make everything perfect. It was as though Stephenie couldn’t stand for Bella and Edward not to have a baby together, so she had to find a way—even though it contradicted everything we had been led to believe about vampires and reproduction from the first three books. I think it stands to reason that if vampires’ bodies don’t change, then they’re probably not going to be producing semen. Wouldn’t all the venom in their bodies destroy the semen anyway? And, it took away from the sacrificial component of Bella’s choice to be a vampire. She knew she would be giving up that part of her life, and that’s what made her choice even more special. It also seemed like Nessie was another helpful tool in making Jacob part of Bella’s life forever. I’m a HUGE Jacob fan, and I would have rather she chosen him, but she didn’t. With that said, I thought it was kind of creepy that he imprinted on her daughter. The whole imprinting on a baby thing didn’t bother me. The fact that it was Bella’s daughter bothered me. What’s he going to tell Nessie someday? Yeah, I used to be in love with your mother. In fact, we had this big passionate kiss at one point, and she even realized that a small part of her was in love with me, too. But, that’s all gone now because after realizing she was in love with me, she immediately forgot all about it, and I did too because I imprinted on you. And now, we’re all one big happy family. Even your dad loves me now, and calls me his brother and his son. WHAT?!? That just wasn’t working too well for me. And what about Nessie’s immortality thing? She’s going to live forever. Is Jacob? I think Jacob explained to Bella in New Moon that he wouldn’t quit aging until he decided to stop phasing. So I’m guessing he’ll have to remain a werewolf/shape shifter for the rest of eternity.

6. I was a little disappointed with Bella and Edward as parents, although Bella redeemed herself and became more involved with her daughter as the book progressed. I was a little disappointed in Edward as a father, though. He really didn’t seem to have much of a relationship with his daughter. In fact, in the last couple hundred pages or so, it was more like Jacob and Bella were Nessie’s parents. Once Rosalie calmed down, Jacob and Bella were always the ones holding her and looking out for her. Nessie dreamed the most of Jacob and Bella. Jacob and Bella took her out hunting. I thought Edward could have been a little more involved. Nessie wasn’t a daddy’s girl at all; she was a Jacob’s girl.

7. I thought it was ridiculous how Bella just no longer had any feelings for Jacob. I mean, Stephenie has told us that she was in love with him, too—just not as much as she was in love with Edward. But still, she was in love with him! Bella even explained in Eclipse how the pain she felt over Jacob would always be a part of who she was. His pain was her pain, he was her sunshine, her soul mate in the sane world—blah, blah, blah. But, after she became a vampire, she didn’t feel anything for him anymore. This just didn’t make sense to me, but whatever. It works for plot development, I guess.

8. Here’s the thing about plot. Stephenie has said over and over that she is a character-driven writer rather than a plot-driven writer, and I agree with her. She spent the first three books developing these complex characters that we know and love so much. Then, it seemed like she had to rush this book and focus more on the plot so she could get everything to work out just right. In doing so, I think she lost her characters. Like I said before, none of the characters were the same as they used to be. Even Alice was different.

9. As mentioned before, Bella as a vampire just didn’t work for me. I could have accepted her being changed, but I think reading about it and experiencing it along with her took away from the awe and mystery of it. I was kind of anticlimactic, I guess.

10. Another anticlimactic component was the Volturi scene. I was wanting a big fight. The whole last half of the book had been leading up to a fight, but then everyone walked away peacefully. However, I kind of liked that the Volturi weren’t destroyed it leaves it open for more stories.

11. I was not pleased with how easily everything fell together. Like I mentioned earlier, it felt forced and unnatural. Charlie’s reaction was ridiculous; there’s no way he would have accepted that so easily (again, the plot overriding the character). And what kind of mother is Renee? I mean, seriously. I guess she doesn’t need to have any contact or any kind of relationship with her daughter anymore.

12. In my personal opinion, I wish Meyer would have just ended the books after Eclipse—adding a few scenes from Breaking Dawn. She could have included the wedding scene and given some more detail with that (the wedding, too, felt rushed). Jacob would have showed up (and made all us Team Jacob fans cry) and not lost his temper but graciously let Bella go. Then, we could have had a honeymoon and then the book could have ended with Edward getting ready to transform Bella—without the description. Again, the description lessoned the mystery and experience. In my opinion, this would have been the perfect ending to a perfect series. As it was, everything was too “perfect” and there was no pain, sacrifice, or loss. I want my heroes to suffer a little, dang it. That’s what makes their stories so special. I wanted to be moved to tears. Oh well.

I know I sound critical, and I’m sorry. I still admire Stephenie Meyer, and I feel she is a fantastic writer. The way she ended it left it open for more, so I guess that’s an okay thing. Meyer has said Breaking Dawn is the last book from Bella’s POV, but she has outlines for a fifth and sixth book if she ever decides to write them someday. I’m hoping these stories will be about Nessie and Jacob. As much as I wanted Jacob and Bella to be together, and as much as I thought it was kind of silly to bring a child into the picture, I’ve accepted that it’s not what happened. So, I might as well look forward to another love story involving my favorite character: Jacob Black.  Plus, I kind of liked the kid. I think I could really enjoy a love story told from Nessie’s point-of-view.

[emily h]

i adored the twilight series and after a 6 month wait breaking dawn was amazing. i thought steph did an amazing job, i thought the way eclipse ended was stupid, with us not knowing, and at least in breaking dawn there is a clear ending. twlight involved us with the charcters in such a way that i just had to know what happend.
i admit that some parts were strange, for instance the baby, but its Stephanie's series and she can do what she wants, and tbh i liked it. if you think about it stephanie had been preparing us for it the whole series, whats rosalies need for a baby. besides, for breaking dawn to end successfully we had to know that bella had not lost out on anything, including a baby.
The only thing that bothers me is that this is the end. we will NEVER know what happens to them, which i find upsetting as after re-reading the entire saga a million times i feel like i know the character's well, but now we will just never know

Basically, twilight saga is with out a doubt the best set of books written in my opinion, and breaking dawn has finished it off nicely, and i can sleep easy now i know that Edward is happy.
Obv all that was just my opinion, but please everyone be fair to Stephanie, there really wasnt a way to finish off the saga which made us all happy.
I will miss reading about edward. . . :(

[smeson]

It isn't wrong to compare Harry Potter and Twilight because "it's mean" or because "books shouldn't be compared"; it's a bad idea to compare them because they're not in the same genre. Harry Potter is a middle-grade fantasy novel series, while Twilight is a teen romance series. You might as well compare Twilight to the Da Vinci Code on the theory that they're both popular — you can do it, but it's unlikely to be illuminating. The review reads as if it was written by someone whose entirely knowledge of books for the younger market consists solely of Harry Potter and nothing else.

[Cindy Garrard]

I guess with the numbers of responses--and the LENGTH of the responses--we can say this work provoked thought, even if folks didn't like it. Work of fiction, remember? Does anyone else see parallels between the Cullens' struggle for acceptance of their peaceful but, by "mainstream" standards, weird lifestyle and Meyers' religion (she is a devout Mormon)?

[Kendra Dumbledore]

I agree with your review completely.

[fan]

ive got one word for breaking dawn and that is BEAUTIFUL..........
sm ended the book well..........i personally cant see how else she could have ended the story

[Lindsey]

I disagree totally with all the parallels drawn with Breaking Dawn and Harry Potter - Sex was never once mentioned in Harry Potter - nor the fact that Bella and Edward are just plain horny in Breaking Dawn - sorry for the vulgar outlook on it - but it's true!

[Lauren]

Happy endings come about in fairy tales after the characters have endured much suffering and struggles. Everything was a bit easy for Bella and Edward at the conclusion of Breaking Dawn. The allegedly fearsome Volturi slithered away without a fight, and the protagonists did not have to face much more than a few hostile words. The plot was somewhat predictable from page 250 onward. But that's the thing about the fairy tale genre-- it tends to be predictable. We knew Meyer was going to give Bella and Edward a happy ending, but we just wanted them to have to try a little bit harder to find it.

Yet aside from this common complaint, I was very surprised that the second "book" tells the story from Jacob's perspective. And I am very glad Meyer decided to use Jacob as a narrator. It allows the reader to see more into his psyche than in the past. Jacob was often given too little credit by the audience, though I think he is actually Meyer's favorite character in the story. He is the only "teenager" who actually speaks like one. His point of view is unique from the rest of the protagonists, and Meyer tells the story from his eyes beautifully.

The comparison between Meyer and Rowling is a fair one. How else can we judge writers, besides contrasting them to one another? In this case, both authors create a world full of supernatural beings and occurrences. Meyer creates a different type of vampire than those found in Dracula and other "traditional" stories. Rowling creates a world of witches and wizards that is governed by its own unique laws of magic. It takes great creativity and charisma to develop a world of fantasy that can seem real and engaging to an audience. Yet Rowling does much more to tie up the "loose ends" of the questions raised throughout the H.P. series than Meyer does for Twilight. Meyer leaves many things unanswered, such as why vampires have 25 chromosomes, why Jacob's pack has 24, and why Renesmee grows so fast. This simply leaves room for more discussion, and it makes me wonder if the story of Bella, Edward, Renesmee, and Jacob is actually going to end where we think it has.

[sissy]

why the hell are you comparing this to harry potter?

aaany way, i'd just like to put my two cents in and say NONE OF BREAKING DAWN WAS PREDICTABLE OR A DISAPPOINTMENT.
sure i can understand how some people think it was crazy or weird or they didn't like it, therefore it was a dissappointing book. to them.
but it was sooo not predictable. i mean, come on! i had a spazz attack nearly every other chapter! none of it turned out how we thought it would.

okayyy here's the deal.
not everyone was happy with harry potter 7 either. not everyone was happy with lemony snicket's final book in the series too.
final books are always hard to write. you've got to wrap it up, but try to answer every question your dedicated fans have had. there's the pressure of making sure its the end. and there are several hundreds of fan fictions floating around, and a whole nother hundred theories.
no duh its not gonna be the best book for everyone. stephenie would be god if she could do that.
i think we really need to stop putting down steph's work on breaking dawn and just give her some fairness and respect.
go ahead. shout your hate for breaking dawn. officially remove yourself from the fandom. but don't hate on stephenie.

there's my two cents.