Breaking Dawn: The End of the Fairy Tale

On Friday, August second at midnight, the most anticipated book of the year was released. By the end of the week, close to four million copies will have been bought and read. As of Saturday at 7am, there were 21 reviews of Breaking Dawn on Amazon.com. As of Friday night on August eighth, the reviews had grown to 1,800. What was it about this book that made people want to read it all through the night and quickly make it known how they felt?

By now there has been a mass posting of reviews on the internet and I for one tried very hard not to read any. The joy in reading a book like this is not knowing what will happen. I was excited for that surprise and unaware what would be in store for Bella, the human girl, and Edward, the beautiful vampire who loves her. Unfortunately that was not the case. I made the mistake of going to Amazon on that Saturday morning, only seven hours after Breaking Dawn was released and the very first review posted gave away everything. My surprise was ruined, the gift I had promised myself was no more. And what I found out was a bit shocking and appalling.

For those who have not had the chance to read Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, it is basically the story about a human girl and the love she has for her vampire boyfriend. The three books (Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse) before Breaking Dawn are about their bumpy road to love. These are two star crossed lovers who need each other desperately, but because of what they both are, that is virtually impossible. Edward longs to drain Bella dry because her blood is his food, the highest aphrodisiac he craves. The moral implications in their relationship is always utmost on their minds. When they are not busy trying to deny their own baser urges, Bella for sex and Edward for her blood, there are those who are trying to separate them either through death or that of another suitor trying to steal Bella away from Edward. Breaking Dawn is supposed to be their happily ever after. The road to their HEA is still very rough and not all that certain, but Meyer makes sure to give her readers a story they will never forget, no matter how strange it may seem.

Breaking Dawn is broken down into three parts. Part one begins where Bella and Edward are now engaged. This is told from Bella’s point of view. She may only be eighteen, but she knows what she wants, and that is to become Mrs. Cullen. Bella Swan has been waiting for years for Edward to make her his own, meaning sexual intercourse. The only way Edward will give in, is if they are married and soon after she will be turned into a vampire. If she is undead like Edward, she will no longer be in danger and they will be together for all eternity. And quite honestly, what young teenage girl wouldn’t want to be eighteen forever with the man she loves, always by her side? We see her planning the wedding, her marriage and finally her honeymoon with her new husband. The first one-hundred pages or so really shine here. This is what I have been waiting for. This is Stephenie Meyer at her best. But then something happens to Bella on her honeymoon because of the intimacies she and Edward share. What happens to Bella is not planned and throws both of them for a loop. Because of this, the whole tone of the book changes and enters in the Twilight Zone territory. *cue spooky theme music*

Part two is from Jacob Black, the werewolf’s view. Jacob was the other suitor vying for Bella’s affections. Bella and Jacob are not meant to be because werewolves have an imprinted mate, and Bella is not this mate. Jacob still cares deeply for Bella and when he finds out she is home and in danger, he rushes to her side. This is where he will come in contact with his own imprinted mate and that in itself stunned me speechless and made me more than a bit uncomfortable. Whereas in the past, Jacob was the enemy of Edward because he wanted Bella’s love and because werewolves and vampires are sworn enemies anyway, Jacob is now part of the family that is Bella and Edward because of this new character. This new character gives all three of them an unbreakable bond. (This new face is such a big spoiler. If you really want to know who it is e-mail me or go to Amazon. BAD AMAZON! :P)

Part three is back to Bella’s view where the action seems intense while Meyer begins to close things up into a happy little proverbial bow. The enemies we have read about in the past books come to reak havoc, but because understanding, acceptance and good prevails, all is right in this supernatural world that Meyer has created. Bella and Edward’s happily ever after is now set in stone. The fairy tale has come to an end.

Breaking Dawn is a fairy tale, much like a Grimm Brothers’ story. There is a character who is given a choice, a path they must take. This path will be dangerous and decisions must be along with sacrifices that they won’t see coming. Bella is this fairy tale character, who, because of her actions, decides on the outcome and the finality of the Twilight series. Everything she has done from her marriage, to the intimacy she shares with Edward to the cause and effect of that intimacy is what Breaking Dawn is about.

I really wish I could say this is a 5 star, A+ book that you all must run out and get as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I can't give that recommendation. Why? Well, the tone of this book is so very different from the last three books and a bit disappointing. I found the story to be too convoluted, the chemistry that I have grown to love between Bella and Edward is lacking. There are too many shocking twists that simply don’t make any sense to me. Everything is coming from all different directions and I honestly can’t say what Meyer’s ultimate plan was. Even though the tension and drama seem intense on the surface, it feels very stilted and a bit dull. Some things that that characters do seem so out of place, especially Charlie's reaction to Bella's new married life. And I can't find myself to agree with the mate Jacob has been given. That is bound to upset some readers and for a better lack of a phrase, a major WTF moment. I almost stopped reading and would have given Breaking Dawn a DNF (do not finish), but I waited way too long for this book and I was going to finish it!

As a thirty something reading a young adult novel meant for teenage girls, I must say Meyer handled the sexual intimacies between Edward and Bella very well. I remember what I used to read at thirteen and when these two engage in their lovemaking, it is well written. The fade to dark lovemaking is what I have been expecting. As for the violence, there is a bit too much for my tastes where I would be wary for a young girl to read. There is a lot of blood spilled within these pages.

The Twilight series is truly the end of a fairy tale, the likes I have never seen. It was a wonderful journey of love and devotion between two people I wanted to be together forever in my memories. I can’t help but compare Bella and Edward to Catherine and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights is a heartbreaking romance where two lovers are separated because of their own greed and obsession for one another, which ends in one of their deaths. The ending always gets to me where we see Heathcliff walking through the Moors looking for his beloved Catherine. When he does find her, they are reunited in death, to walk the Moors forever and at peace. Stephenie Meyer has done the same thing here with Bella and Edward. Both are together, and from all intensive purposes, now at peace. Breaking Dawn is certainly not the masterpiece I was looking forward to and I could say I wished Meyer would have taken her story in another direction, but at least she gave Bella and Edward their small, but perfect piece of forever.

Breaking Dawn may be a disappointment to some and not the best in the series, but Meyer finally ended the story of two lovers as it should be, with their arms around each other, staring into each other’s eyes, knowing they will never be separated.

2 stars of out 5 stars.

Katiebabs (KB)

**For those who were less than pleased with Breaking Dawn? Why not see what Edward thinks in this funny Live Journal review. (Thanks Ana!)**

Review: The Host By Stephenie Meyer

“Sometimes, fact missed with fiction so thoroughly that, though no lies were told, it was hard to remember what was strictly true” –page 18 from The Host

The word “classic” is one I don’t use too often when I discuss books. Only a select few can be given that term. In my case, I have one such book that I compare all others to. If any book I read can come close to my number one cherished book of all time, than that book will be given the “classic” label. My favorite book of all time is The Stand by Stephen King and The Host by Stephenie Meyer came so close, after fifteen years, to knocking The Stand off its pedestal and becoming its replacement.

Stephenie Meyer is on her way to becoming one of the most influential authors of this decade and quite possibly this century. You think her Young Adult vampire series is amazing? With The Host, she has written a near masterpiece about the worth of an individual, the importance of a person’s soul and a spiritual element that most can only find within ourselves. I would not be surprised if this book is eventually taught in schools and is considered as one of the most influential novels of the 21st century.

The Host is a spin on aliens taking over the Earth, much like the sci-fi movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. These beings travel from planet to planet, in order to bring peace and well-being to the creatures that live there. The aliens do this by inserting their souls, through the necks of the host body and essentially eliminate the original being’s soul. From that point on, this new alien soul lives the life of the former soul, but filled with tranquility and happiness. These invaders have been successful on multiple planets and now they have set their sights on Earth. Humans are known as being very destructive. They enjoy killing and starting wars. These invaders will take over the humans and make Earth a balanced planet full of peace and joy. Murder and killing will be a distant memory.

It has been five years since the invasion and most of humanity has been overtaken. On this day, a new soul is one of many to be inserted into a host. The host was a young girl, who rather than be taken alive, killed herself by jumping down an elevator shaft. But the aliens have a higher form of medicine and are able to save the girl’s body. The soul they have placed inside is called Wanderer. Wanderer is a special type of soul because she has lived on more than six other planets. Wanderer has been a Flower, Bear, Sea Weed and even a Dragon. Yes, there are many other life forms in this huge universe and Wanderer is lucky enough to see and be many things. When Wanderer awakens, she (you will come to find out why Wanderer is female) is very much out of sorts. She knows she would experience the memories and feelings of her host body, but something is so very wrong. In the past, when a new alien soul takes over a host, the host’s original soul lies dormant or is erased. But this is not the case with Wanderer. Her former host’s soul, which was once Melanie Stryder, talks to her in her mind and won’t go away. Wanderer may control her new host, but Melanie is an annoying voice in her head and won’t leave Wanderer alone.

Wanderer is a very kind and essentially, a peaceful being. But with Melanie, Wanderer can’t stand her. Wanderer just wants to live a simple life as a human till she can move onto her next life cycle. But Melanie wants out and because Wanderer feels the same things as Melanie does and experiences Melanie’s memories, she and Melanie decide to go on a journey. Melanie wants Wanderer to find her people, meaning her younger brother Jamie and Jared, the young man who has helped Melanie and Jamie survive from the aliens. Melanie is in deep love with Jared and yearns for him. Since Wanderer is being pulled towards, much like Melanie into finding her family, Wanderer will go and search for these humans even though it is very dangerous and they could end up killing her.

Wanderer will travel from Chicago, Illinois to the arid deserts of Arizona where her Uncle Jeb may be hiding out along where Jamie and Jared. Wanderer treks through the desert and comes close to death until she is found, by Jeb. Wanderer’s life is soon on the line. Jeb doesn’t kill her right away and brings her into his “house” where he lives in some intricate, man made caves, where other humans also live. That is where Wanderer finds Jared, Jamie and other humans, who want her blood. That scene alone will rip your heart out by the shear emotion that is felt by Wanderer, Melanie and especially Jared. She is the enemy and must be killed because they believe she may have brought the seekers (the alien police who round up the humans) to their hiding place. Jeb won’t put Wanderer out of her misery but leaves that decision in the hands of Jared.

From that moment on, Wanderer is caged much like an animal is or some could say a possible terrorist. This group wants her gone and Jared is the one who holds her life in his hands. But there is one who doesn’t want to see Wanderer killed and that is Jamie. Jamie believes Melanie is still inside her body, and will not allow any body to harm his sister, even if it is only her body that remains.

As things progress between Wanderer, or as Jamie comes to name her, Wanda, she and some of the humans have a tentative truce. Jeb does his best to assimilate her into their clan, but always with and eye and a gun pointed at her. There are Kyle and Ian, brothers who have very different distinct feels for Wanda. Kyle wouldn’t mind bashing her head in with a rock, while Ian becomes her protector. There is Doc, their healer, and Sharon, Melanie’s cousin and her mother Maggie who give Wanda the evil eye whenever they can. This group initially thinks of Wanda as an “it” but as time goes on, “it” because a “she” to them. By Wanda talking about her past lives, and working alongside them, she becomes more human to them. And that is where Wanda’s beliefs and ideals change. She is becoming more human everyday and even though Melanie is so very much alive in her head, speaking to her; Wanda has become her own person. Whereas she has feelings for Jared because Melanie does, she has new feelings for Ian who also returns them.

But the outside world is still overtaken by Wanda’s people and the seekers are looking for her and the humans still in hiding. She must make a decision whether to stay within the body she was given or let Melanie come back. Wanda’s decision doesn’t only include herself, but that of Jamie, Ian and even that of Jared.

At over 600 pages, The Host raises so many ethical and moral questions about the importance of a life and human nature. One such statement tuck out at me that fits the tone of the book perfectly:

“Who among us would not volunteer if asked to do something for the greater good? But is that really the case here? Is the greater good served by this? The question is not her willingness, but what it is right to ask any soul to bear.”

These questions are asked of Wanda and her sacrifice for the greater good. But is the greater good served by eradicating a race of beings just because another set of beings believes it is their right?

This is one of the many situations that arise that will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning page after page as you try to find out what will happen to Wanda and her new found friends. Some will remain enemies, while others cross that line into love. Love is so very much alive when it comes to Wanda. Jamie comes to love Wanda as much as he loves his own sister Melanie. Jared, even though he wants Melanie back, finds Wanda to be a close confidant. As for Ian, he is a man after all and his way of treating Wanda as a woman he cares for is so very foreign to her. He wants Wanda to stay and won’t allow her to leave because she has become important to him just, as Melanie has become important to Jared.

There is a great deal of violence, and the topic of murder and killing is always on the minds of the characters. Stephenie Meyer has written an adult book, make no mistake about that, and is one that will haunt you long after you finish reading. But there is hope and again the thing about love and acceptance holds true, much that yin and yang concept. With death and violence there is a balance of hope and peace.

Stephenie Meyer has tapped into the human psyche with The Host. She brings to light so many things. Wanderer is the storyteller and through her eyes we see the truth and a yearning to belong and at peace within ourselves and those around us.

If I could give a book a perfect 10, an A+, 5 out of 5 stars, The Host is the book to deserve it.

Katiebabs (KB)

*EXCLUSIVE COVER* BREAKING DAWN!!

**EXCLUSIVE COVER**

BREAKING DAWN BY STEPHENIE MEYER

Such a lovely cover! Whatever could it mean??
My inner 4 year old is screaming- "ME WANT NOW!!" To be released on August 2nd.

Any thoughts?
Katiebabs (KB)

**EXCLUSIVE** The Host Contest

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away.
Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.
When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves—Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

Attention all Stephenie Meyer fans! We have two copies of The Host (in hard cover!) to give away!

Need a little pick me up till Breaking Dawn is published in August? This is the place to come to :)

All you have to do is to leave a post here. If you are like me, you are probably wondering what is going to happen between Edward and Bella in Breaking Dawn. So, give me your best speculation on how the Twilight series is going to end. I have some ideas myself, but would love to hear yours.

You have till Friday to post.

Katiebabs (KB)