Customer Reviews

Eclipse (Twilight Saga)

5 star:		(344)
4 star:		(63)
3 star:		(36)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

I have kept up with these characters, Bella, Edward & Jacob, for three books now and I am finding it hard to find my objectivity these days. Was this book good? Yes, they all are. Could I put `ECLIPSE' down once I picked it up? Absolutely not! But this was not my favorite book in the series.

Now before you all start throwing tomatoes (because I know many people think it is the best thus far), this goes back to my objectivity being compromised. There were so many great aspects of this book, for example, the flash backs as to how the rest of the Cullen's became vampires (loved that!), the history of the Quileute tribe and the story line about the newborns (which, in truth, I had higher hopes for but I liked it overall). But in my head there is a certain outcome that I would prefer for Bella, but by the end of `ECLIPSE' it became pretty clear that what I want and what is actually going to happen are two very different things. It is like watching a good friend make a lot of decisions that you know are really bad. It is frustrating.

Also, Bella was a little hard to deal with in this third book. She was whiney and selfish , in my opinion, quite often I wanted to slap her (smile)! I found her treatment of everyone from Edward to Jacob to Charlie off-putting and I often found myself screaming at the book for Bella to "stop being so selfish!!" Nonetheless, this book is just as engrossing as the rest, that point I cannot deny. I found myself reading 'ECLIPSE' faster than I have ever ready any other 600+ page book before. And I am waiting not-so-patiently on the edge of my seat for the fourth and final book in the Twilight saga `BREAKING DAWN'!

I have to say it, painful though it is, I found this book disappointing. It was a fantastic page turner - but it was only that. Meyer strings this one out until the very end. Good for sales and the continuation of the series, but bad for us. Don't get me wrong: I love the whole series and Meyer continues to write about the characters in a passionate and engaging way, it's just not as tight as the first two. Give the whole series a go though; as an English teacher I've encouraged dozens of teenage girls to read these and they've all become avid followers, although the rows over Jacob and Edward do get a bit heated. I'm a Jacob girl for the record!

Eclipse was my favourite in the Twilight Saga, I loved the fact that it was most exciting out of all four. I found myself truely engrossed in the storyline. I loved the way that Meyer dipicted Bella and Edward's relationship and it's problems. I enjoyed the fact that Edward proved himself to care about Bella more that Jacob does, and to me Edward really triumphed in this book. There is lots of action and tension in the story and I thought it was the best for keeping your attention. I would say this is one of the books to look forward to.

This was my favourite book in the series, and I believe was where all the pieces of the plot began to really fall into place.

We pick up where New Moon left off, Edward has asked Bella to be his wife - what will she say? We also pick up with Victoria burning for Bella's blood. Can the Cullen's protect Bella on their own? Will they turn her into a vampire?

I love Jacob Black, and he is a big feature in this book again, I find his utter selflessness so endearing. He, in my eyes, is a far more loveable character than Edward or Bella who are selfish in their approach for each other; and their lack of regard for everybody else their love might hurt.

The culminating action with Victoria and her army is compelling, and lots of new characters such as young werewolve Seth are introduced. If you are into Twilight you will read this and love it! If you aren't familiar with the series, do start at the begining - but look forward to book 3!

After reading the not so encouraging reviews on amazon, I have to say that I was a little less than excited when faced with the prospect of reading Eclipse. But, to my great delight, I was proved completely wrong, as Eclipse has turned out to be my favourite one yet.

As Bella is faced with the prospect of choosing between Edward and Jacob, I felt myself feeling more and more sorry for her, as she got into the situation through no fault of her own (afterall, she didn't know she was in love with Jake) and has to make a descision that will break her heart.
I know some people think she's a whiny brat, but I have to disagree, even though I was shouting at the pages in some parts at the descisions she's made.

But, one of the major plus points for this book is Edward. I love Edward, and unlike New Moon he's in this book a lot; at his funniest and most romantic best. And although I found the love triangle a little unbelievable (due to my intense hatred of Jacob)I still thought it made for an interesting plot-line, and one which I'll look forward to reading on in Breaking Dawn.

I can not believe that I'm really hooked on The Twilight Saga after all I'm 50 years old for goodness sake, but there is just something addictive about them and I'm not the only 'oldie' to feel this way, my friend, a professional person of the same age recommended them to me. Eclipse is my favourite of the series so far its more gritty than twilight and new moon with more action, the love triangle carries on from new moon and you are constantly wondering just who she will pick in the end Edward or Jacob. Granted as others have commented Bella does appear more selfish in eclipse and manages to hurt both Edward and Jacob with her dithering, however she is young and confused so i think she can be forgiven. The book is full of suspense and very hard to put down. I have just started to read breaking Dawn and am disappointed that its the last book in the series but then everything has to end sometime and I'm sure the ending will be happy.

For me this book had quite a few problems with it and the main one is Bella. Now don't get me wrong I don't dislike Bella, she is humble, hardworking and brave, but there is something about her attitude that leaves a bad taste in the mouth. When somebody attempts to do something nice for her (Alice throws her a party) she acts incrediably ungrateful; Edward damages her car so she cant see Jacob and she cant even remain mad at him and her endless obsession with her age and willingness to end her own life. Is this really a strong heroine? I dont think so.

Okay, her love for Edward. The scenes between them are very intense and the dialogue is captivating, however, after New Moon, where Bella repeatedly risked her life because she was so heartbroken, she feels uncomfortable about marrying Edward. Huh? Dont get me wrong I am not advocating anybody getting married at that age but she is willing to die for him but does not want to marry him?! I know its a hang up from her mum but, still, a little perspective please.

Now I undersatnd why Bella loves Jacob. New Moon was enough to convince me of that. And I really like Jacob...that is until *Spoiler* he threatens to kill himself unless she kisses him. I'm sorry, but I found this scene so ridiculous. And it really highlights Meyers faults as a writer. Everything is so melodramatic and Bella's constant bouts of feinting or weeping really begin to get on your nerves.

The action was also limited and I find Victoria as the main baddie unelievable. Considering she has been hanging around now for three books we dont really get to learn anything about her.

At the end of the day if you liked the other books in the series the chances are you will like this one too. And, for all my complaints, I did enjoy this book, but I am not blind to its faults. It is definately an entertaining read. I just wish that I knew why Bella and Edward loved each other and I dont. But really I just want Bella to grow a back bone. Give me a heroine I can be proud of.

I always find it hard to write a review about a book that's a sequel, because presuming the readers have read the other books in the series, then there's not much to tell without giving the plot to the new story away. So I'm not going to say anything as to what the story's about. Basically if you enjoyed Twilight and New Moon chances are your going to love this as well. Personally for me it's my second favourite in the saga so far (Twilight being first) but with one more book to go (Breaking Dawn) that could all change. Team Edward fans prepare to see a whole new side to Jacob at the end of this book. I hated Jacob in New Moon and at the start of Eclipse, but by the end I did start to see a new side to him. I'm still definitely team Edward but I do have a new found empathy for Jacob. All in all I would definitely recommend this to all who enjoyed Twilight and New Moon.

I had read the first two books, then unfortunately saw this particular movie before reading the book. I wish the movie would have played out the whole Bella-sleepover at Alice's house because I thought that was extremely important. Let's face it, most of us enjoyed the Bella/Alice friendship more than we enjoyed the rest of the relationships. I mean, who can deny that Edward is ugly and overbearing or that Jacob has family issues - but Alice is a true friend and she's cool. I wish the movie played out more of this and less of the war at the end. Simply put, the book is better. Twilight (book is better), New Moon (movie is better), Eclipse (book is better), and I don't know about Breaking Dawn yet.

In my personal opinion this is by far the best of the first three books in the saga. A thoroughly enjoyable read, I couldn't put it down (even reading it on tea break at work). I don't usually read this genre/type of novel and in particular Vampire books but I was drawn into the characters from book one, the author has perfectly encapsulated the roller coaster of emotions and the intensity of love/life experienced in late teens.
Highly recommended for all ages mid teens+