Breaking Dawn [Twilight, Book 4]

Considering I went into reading this book hearing everyone call it an epic fail, I really didn't know what to expect from it. Not that I really knew before it leaked, either, but I was actually pretty surprised by the turn the story took. I think I felt more confused than anything, wondering how this could happen.

The odd thing about Book 1 was that I felt like I was rereading a fan fiction story because it was very similar to a couple of stories I've read recently. In some ways I think the fan fiction was better, as far as the writing goes, but I'm a sucker for sap at heart, so I couldn't be too upset, I suppose. I really enjoyed the wedding and was so surprised to see Jacob there. I don't know what I was expecting to come of that, but I guess I didn't really think he'd show up for the wedding. The honeymoon was interesting. Call me pervy, but I wanted to read about ~teh secks~ which obviously was only really eluded to. I guess I can understand why. Kiddies are reading these books too.

The honeymoon was fun, but I couldn't help but feel like Bella seemed off somehow. I guess I didn't expect her to be willing to stay human for another six months in exchange for sex, but then again Edward might have been pretty amazing and worth it. I wouldn't know since I, sadly, didn't get to hear too much about that.

I thought the whole missed period thing was a bit cliche, yet effectively confusing for both Bella and the reader. Pregnancy was pretty much the farthest thing from my mind until I read the quote "Carlisle: I've seen vampire venom work miracles, but there are conditions that even venom cannot overcome." It just got me thinking, and then I wondered if Charlie's declaration of "You're pregnant" in the first chapter was some form of foreshadowing. I know it seems like a leap, but I guess after hearing a pregnancy always being called a miracle that it just felt like the natural conclusion. At least for me. Then as I read more of the book and the mentions of Edward wishing Charlie had been right, Bella's dream and the story about immortal children, I was pretty sure I'd reached the right conclusion.

I liked that the news of the pregnancy really sort of set things in motion. It was obvious that this wasn't going to be some happy or normal pregnancy, considering the rate of the pregnancy. And, more than anything, Bella calling Rosalie of all people for help only seemed to further my worries.

Then I think I was just really stunned about the change from Bella's perspective over to Jacob's. Honestly, though, I think that my favorite part of the book was Jacob's book. He's one of my favorite characters, and getting into this head and seeing the story from his side was incredibly interesting. It also helped to move the plot along in a new way. It seemed appropriate, in a way. We got a taste of it in Eclipse, and we'll get Edward's point of view with Midnight Sun, so why shouldn't Jacob get his say?

I liked seeing him take over as the Alpha. It was good to know that Stephenie had given us the bit of information in Eclipse, and that she really did have a plan in place for the story. And can I just say that I love Seth Clearwater. What a great kid. Leah was interesting, too, and I feel kind of sad that her character seemed to fall into the background after the conclusion of Jacob's book. Speaking of, that ending was a real kicker! Wow! I would say it wasn't expected, but I had feeling that things might go that way after Bella's reaction to Jacob's presence. I know a lot of people seemed really freaked out about Jacob imprinting on Renesmee, but in a way it sort of made sense. Like why Jacob and Bella were so drawn to each other, and how quickly the feelings of love they had for each other transformed into their friendship once again.

I was also shocked about how Bella's change came about. I supposed I'd always pictured a situation where it was calm and planned out, and not something rash and sudden like it was. Of course, I'd never taken the pregnancy aspect into account for either. I can't help but feel so proud of Bella as a vampire either. I know that's a weird thing to say, but I just always felt like she would have a good sense of control over herself. And seeing that even though she was different, she was still Bella. I think it really would have bothered me if she weren't the same after the change.

But I think the most interesting part of the book was Nessie. Okay, I don't like the nickname. I'm with Bella on this, but just the thought of a vampire hybrid is interesting to me, and I think I like it because I wasn't expecting it. Even though my mind did go there, although completely speculative and doubtfully, it definite took the book in a direction I probably never would have considered. I guess I was just thinking it would be more of the same with someone trying to hunt Bella down and kill her before she was turned to a vampire. Obviously, not the case.

I liked getting to see Bella develop as a vampire. My only complaint is that it almos seemed too easy for her. I guess I would have liked to see her struggle with the change some more. Also, Edward's reaction was weird too. I guess I expected to see him have more remorse about Bella "dying." He was always so conflicted about it and fought her on it from Twilight to Eclipse, but I guess considering the circumstances, turning her was his only option for saving her.

But getting to see Bella kick some ass, figuratively more than physically, was probably my favorite change. After three books of seeing her being rescued, it was just nice to see her hold her own. Also, the abilities of her mind were really cool too. I wondered how they would factor in, and I liked that it went beyond just her and that was able to be the protector for once.

I think I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of Edward and Bella as parents. Since children were thought to be impossible, the idea of it is still weird. But, like I've said, I'm a sap, and I'm happy that Edward and Bella were able to have that. Nessie is also really interesting. Her gift and grown rate and intelligence was an interesting twist. In a way she reminded me of Bella, since she always said she was born 35 and got more middle aged every day.

I think right now I'm just so overwhelmed by the whole experience that I'm not even sure how I feel about the book. I know I don't hate it, which is a relief. I'm not screaming epic fail by any means. I don't think I loved either. This book just seemed so different from the others. And, of course, there were some parts that just really annoyed me. Like the whole Charlie situation. It just seemed to be resolved far too easily. Of course, I guess Edward did say in the past that Charlie liked to pretend to believe Bella's lies, so maybe he knew that there was something bigger going on around him. I don't know. And Charlie + Sue = unexpected. I think Charlie stole her from Billy. That seemed to be what was being alluded to at some point. Weird.

I felt a little let down by the showdown with the Voltouri. Of course I was glad that Bella was able to use her power to protect those she cared about, but I would have liked to have seen a little more fighting. The mind stuff was fun to see thwarted, but there was such a build up where it seemed like there were really going to be a fight, and I wanted to see the Voltouri brought down for their corruption, but it just seemed to be resolved too easily. But I guess they were brought down a few notches, so that's some form of compensation, I suppose.

Like I said before, I'm still a little overwhelmed by the book so I can't really express my feelings about it clearly. I think I'll have to reread it before I can really decide. Twilight is by far still my favorite of the series, but I feel like Breaking Dawn by an interesting sense of closure to Bella and Edward's story. When Stephenie Meyer said that she might revisit this universe, I can't help but think that it would be Jacob and Nessie's story, which might prove to be something interesting. Once she's grow up, anyway.