I will be one of the few people who will not write a rave review.
(I'm surprised so many people continue to do so... though I guess
that is the fervour of the fandom). As an adult reading this, I
have heard many of the justifications people have made for loving
this series... but the fact is I cannot get past seeing it as an
unhealthy relationship.
Perhaps I'm far too jaded or realistic, but it seems to that if
Bella and Edward were a real-life couple, everyone would be trying
to break them up. There would be whisperings about how Edward is
emotionally abusive, controlling and hyper-jealous. He is so
insecure when it comes to her relationship with Jacob, that Bella
actually has to ask permission to see him and on occassion even
sneaks away, evading the "bodyguards" he has set up for her. How on
Earth can anyone interpret this as a loving relationship? Because
he's a vampire? That's ridiculous.
This novel also reveals the "imprint" gem with werewolves. Not only
has Meyer cast aside the down-to-earth and personable werewolf in
favour of the brooding vampire, but has condemned the poor fellow
to possibly being a pedophile. One of the few characters with
actual substance and animation, and it is revealed that a part of
the wolf lore is that they could imprint anyone at anytime (even
while the girl is still a babe in diapers), meaning that they then
get to wait around until they can become old enough to become a
mate for life. WHAT?!
While the first novel was lovely, I think it has become clear
through the following novels that Meyer just got really lucky, as
I'm not sure she's much of an actual writer.