I posted this before the Lex went down but I added a bit to it before reposting
I absolutely loved Breaking Dawn! I was so glad to see the characters grow and change. I have to admit that I was a little worried for the last book that the story line would get stagnant and that it might just be more of the same with a new reason why Bella could not be changed, why Bella and Edward could not be together, more high school more brooding, or something. I am absolutely impressed with how this last book turned out though. Not only did Bella and Edward's love grow stronger for each other (who could not wish this for them especially after they got married) but they learned how to love another in a completely new way when they became parents. As if they did not already have a good enough reason to enjoy eternity. For me, the introduction of Reneesme, like the inclusion of Jake in New Moon added a new level of interest.
When I realized that part of the book was from Jacob's perspective I thought that that specific part would not be as interesting to me. However I was left wanting more. The perspective was so different, so witty and so much more engrossing than I would have ever guessed. I have to admit that when he imprinted on Nessie and that all came together I felt pretty warm and fuzzy inside. When I got the Team Edward Team Jacob iron-ons in Eclipse I was kind of baffled. Since I read the books all this summer I was not cued in to the overwhelming fandom of the books it was not until I went looking for the date for Breaking Dawn that I found all of the discussion forums RPGs etc. But the iron ons baffled me then. Before that, even in New Moon, I never really thought that Bella giving up Edward for Jake was an option. I loved Jake as a character but really there was absolutely no way I could see Bella and Jake together. Even if Edward died I felt like it was clear that Bella would die as well. Why then would I choose a team? I loved both characters, I wanted both to be happy.
I loved that Bella became a mother, like so many other things she would have never known how much it would mean to her until it actually happened. The scene when she was holding Nessie's hand to her face to watch her dreams melted my heart. It was a beautiful depiction of this new love that Bella was experiencing. Again, not being particularly interested in the fan RP make believe world even though I read that Stephanie Meyer said Vampires could not get pregnant I did not fell mislead or tricked when Bella got pregnant. I felt like if SM had said that it was possible, when asked well that would be all but giving away what was happening in the new book. I was happy to be surprised.
The wedding and the honeymoon certainly did not disappoint either. The "sex scenes" were tastefully done and I am sure that my imagination can fill in the gaps. The wedding was great and I am glad that Bella was able to really be happy (for most of it at least). I loved the scene when Bella saw her self in the reflection of the glass wall. I believe that she was finally able to see herself "clearly" and how beautiful she was because she was finally confident with Edward. It was not only Alice's ability with hair and make-up that allowed this to happen I really think that this was a depiction of change taking hold in Bella's personality.
Edward even grew in this story. It was so great to see the joy he felt when he was finally able to stop worrying all the time. In this way, as he grew he also became more childlike and carefree. I also think that he proved that he was the one who loved Bella the most and was who she was meant to be with as he fought, all alone, to save her life after Renesme's birth.
One thing that I liked as well was seeing Bella become a vampire. I think that it was so easy for her because it was always meant to be. For me this saga was a lot like a fairy tail, and as such there are things that are just written in the stars, maybe inexplicable. Bella's gift finally made her as strong as she had always wished to be, the way she wanted to be not because she craved power, but because she wanted to protect those she loved. Another aspect that I liked about her change was how she too became a little more child like. Her enthusiasm for her new strength, grace and power finally gave her that carefree perspective that she lacked as a human. She had been an adult with adult worries most of her life even though she was in reality just a child. I believe that the new childlike perspective gave he an opportunity for a more full eternity.
I have noticed that a lot of younger people felt that they could not connect to this story as well as the rest. It is my hope that they will give it another chance when they get a little older. (Note I am not meaning this to sound condescending or rude, I am not meaning it at all as a hit on any one's intelligence, taste, etc.) I just know that for me (24 and married) this did seem like a logical and fascinating step for the series (and a brave one at that). I hope that other fans will be able to appreciate it more when they feel that they can connect to it better.
There is so much more that I liked about the book. I am really glad that I happened to read this series (just read Twilight for the first time about two months ago). This has become one of my absolute favorite series. I will have to read The Host and keep an eye out for new books by SM in the future.
Last but not least, as a resident of Title Town, Florida I could not help but smile when I read "Go Gators!" Hey maybe they could have cast Tebow as Emmett when they make Breaking Dawn the movie (Just Kidding). Anyway, Go Gators! Go Twilight! Good Going Stephanie Meyer!
I have more thoughts but not really for the Lex if you want to check them out see "A Few Interwoven Thoughts" here
http://trufflesforthought.blogspot.com/
