I liked Breaking Dawn. It wasn't my favorite out of the series, not by a longshot, but I still like the book.
This long review of the book is my feelings of it. I am not a rabid, blind fan who would love anything SM writes. I have reasons for what I say. I respect those who think Breaking Dawn was terrible; they have their reasons, which I have read. All I ask is that those people out there read this, and my explanation. My goal is to get people to respond to this who disliked BD, but understand my side of the story, no pun intended. So far, many discussions are very rabid, from both sides. I have not seen one person from one "side" comment kindly towards someone on the other "side" that they propose a very good argument, and they understand where they are coming from. Hopefully, this post will work towards that. *deep breath* Here goes...
I kind of fell in love with the idea of Bella being the fravile human and Edward being the strong vampire who had to protect her, so BD took a while to get used to, since Bella is transforming into a horny, vampire mother through the book, who also has quite a temper. She may seem like she is not Bella anymore at times, but this is simply because she has overgone so many changes. She is a vampire now, on the same par as Edward, finally. Some people don't like the fact that she is a vampire, with which I strongly disagree. It had to happen. I just reread twilight, and I don't know how I would have been able to stand it if Breaking Dawn was completely about Edward having to be careful around Bella all the time! It was nice to see him let loose, and not be so frustratingly restraining. He was finally able to not worry all the time around Bella. He can just love her.
The whole birthing scene was radical, but again, had to happen. How else could a vamp/human baby be brought into the world, but very dramatic?? The Jacob imprinting issue is not as bizarre as I first thought, since technically Edward is a lot older than Bella; Jacob and Nessie's situation isn't much different - Jacob just gets to see her as a baby, while Edward didn't. It is a little creepy that Jacob seemed to fall in love with Bella, and then imprint on her daughter in a seemingly "I guess you'll do" fashion. However, and I'd really like to ask Stephenie this, Did he ever really fall in love with Bella? Was he always just attached to her because it was her destiny to marry Edward and have Nessie? The first time Jacob sees Bella in Twilight and she flirts with him to get info about Edward, Bella has already become involved with Edward. So maybe since she met him, she is now destined to have Nessie, which makes her appealing to Jacob, perhaps? Just a theory that could help the controversy of the whole thing being "sick and wrong," as some have stated.
The fight scene at the end, or lackthereof, was expected, for me. There have been so many fights in the past books, does Steph really need to end the series in another instance where Bella is rendered helpless, since she does not know how to physically fight yet? It would have been pointless to have a fight instead of the mental battle that took place, because Bella wouldn't have been able to have finally been the heroine for the people she loved, instead of the burden she felt she was as a human. Bella's game is mental, so to end the series, Meyer had no choice but to take advantage of Bella's new "vampirism" and end it with what we all thought we'd never see: Bella protecting Edward. I thought the scenes at the end were ingenious of Steph. Way to go!
And finally, the last 2 pages, Meyer's favorite of the entire series. Another thing we thought we'd never see: Edward finally understanding how much Bella loved/loves him. That's priceless.
For those who thought this book was out of character for SM, I disagree completely. Bella had to grow up, and quickly if she wanted to live some human experiences before she turned. She got married and pregnant at 18 because Meyer had to fit in Nessie before vampirism, and after they were married so it would be pure for them both. This is a special case, not like the real world where getting married and knocked up at 18 is frowned upon. This is about vampires who cannot age, as girl who doesn't want to ever get any older because her loved one is forever 17, and a biological clock that is about to be smashed to the ground through the weapon of vamp venom. Give SM a break... she couldn't have Bella wait any longer to have a baby. There was no time . Bella wanted to become a vampire.
I'll admit, the book was a shocker for me when I read it, and several times my jaw dropped to the floor and my head shook back in forth at what had happened. I couldn't believe it as I read it, but now that I think about it, it was actually predictable. Think about it - marriage, baby, Jacob's happily ever after, vampirism, mental power saving everyone from the most feared and powerful vampire coven. It's not that out there. In fact, both of my adult parents read the book, and guessed many of the events that occurred and were not surprised at all at the ending! This goes to show that yes, maybe the book should have been rated as a book for adults, instead of young adult fiction, but not for the reason everyone thinks. It's not because it's too gruesome and deals with topics teens can't handle; it's because not all teen readers are mature enough to absorb the outcome well enough, not be outraged at it, and forget the ending you WANT and think clearly about what will probably BE the outcome. It's the only possible ending for the series, in my eyes. Thanks for a great series, Stephenie Meyer.
I don't mean to try and "convert" anyone to my "side". I just had to get this out there, for the lovers and haters alike. And partly for myself. what can I say, i'm a little outspoken.