I read the book yesterday after reading many spoilers through my own decisions as I was afraid this book might spoil the visions I had in my head of Twilight and the saga. The spoilers made me so curious I just had to read the book to find that I was wrong to be fearful.
The book itself was no where near long enough, and I'm hopeful that if this is as much of a success as I think it'll be then it might persuade SM to write more novella's from different characters POV. It was strange at first getting into a book written by SM about vampires but not including our favourite characters. I loved seeing into Bree's world and it reminded me of parts of Eclipse where I maybe felt confused about things.
The hunting trip I found fascinating. SM was very careful not to add in the previous books anything about hunting humans, and left most of it to our imagination but to see how some treated hunting as a childish like game and others felt the need to clean up after them. The ferry incident was almost frightening, the thought of a vessel that big being isolated and cut off from the world so easily was kinda scary, but finally we got to hear about what non vegetarian vampires did.
Diego seemed a cool character, although we ( well I) didn't hear enough about him to ever really completely trust him. Maybe if the book had been slightly longer, possibly starting from the moment the newborns were being created I could've known enough to see him as I think he was meant to've come across to me. When he disappeared although I think I knew he'd been dealt with I still had this nagging thought that he'd done a runner. And I mean completely done a runner leaving Bree to fend for herself after using her to bounce his ideas off then taking off on his own. I can understand why Bree was so nervous of Diego originally, afterall they were on a hunting trip and as Edward had explained to Bella in Twilight, when vampires go hunting they give themselve over to their senses instead of their minds and could easily make a mistake with their kill.
Fred seemed awsome. I loved the idea that everyone forgot about him because of his talent, or felt sick if they were too close. His talent seemed to be a cross between James' and Bella's, and it could've been exciting to read more about him and how he dealt with life once he's escaped. Like others have said I'd love to think that he met up with the Cullens and explained to them about Bree and her life before the fight, how they were all bred for that one fight and trained etc. And then for Edward to tell Fred, Bree's last thoughts about him and how she asked for him to be treated well.
Riley really didn't affect me like he did others. (whenever I think of Riley I have Draco Malfoy in my head and have done since he was introduced to us in Eclipse) He felt some kind of connection with Victoria but he was confused by it, and I think he put that down to either love or fear. While he behaved the way he did around Victoria he was safe. I felt a small twang of guilt for him during Eclipse, but not as much as others had, and this book proved that he was as bad as I'd previously thought. I'm not sure if he believed all the myths about vampires or whether he'd been raised believing them too, afterall Victoria may've told him all that bumf so he was sincere when he passed it on. (If he'd been the one who went through Bella's room, then wouldn't Alice have seen the decision to go in or something?) I only wish Bree had been able to see his demise, although again her logical thinking once she'd realised what was going on I found strange. When Edward killed James I was under the impression that the revenge for Victoria took over her and that was all she could do, work out ways to make it even. Yet when Bree discovered Diego was gone she was upset yes but was able to think logically through her grief and through her burning desrire to kill Bella. (Again, I might've mis read something here)
Carlisle annoyed me during Eclipse with his idea's for Bree's preservation. She'd been brought up to kill, and she was behaving in such a way I kept thinking 'Carlisle, let Jasper deal with her, don't look or anything but just get rid', now after reading this book I totally get his compassion and why he felt the way he did. In fact now I think Jasper was too harsh on her when he was dealing with her especially when the wolves were nearby and he covered her ears etc. I had never considered Edward hearing her thoughts before, and her acceptance that she was going to die were very sad, and it reminded me of why Edward was always so thoughtful, and why he went through his speech about when went through his rebellious patch and he killed humans, (even if it was monsters) and how it affected him.
I really did enjoy the book, and I hope and pray that SM decides to write more. I's love to read a book about Carlisle, although his story alone could be a saga considering his life is still what 350 years? I'd love to read the stories from any of the vampires POV. I'd like to see what they make of Bella, of Jacob and the pack, or of Victoria etc etc etc.
A fantastic read! I've probably missed off most of what I wanted to say, and probably not written it as I want it to come across, but fingers crossed people will be able to understand some of what I've said