I just read all three books in preparation for my store's Breaking Dawn midnight release (our theme is Vampire Wedding).
It's one of those books that's sucks you in and sort of gets under your skin. I think that an author succeeds when they are able to get their readers engaged into the world that they created. In that, I think Stephenie Meyer has definitely succeeded. She does have a great way of writing the mood and atmosphere, and there were times where I really felt the characters and it sort of surprised me. An example of this would be Bella's reaction to what she sees in Italy in the end of New Moon. That whole sequence was pretty amazing to read.
I also loved the themes of temptation and sacrifice and identity. You really could get a lot of this series if you're willing to look at the series as something more than just a teen-aged fantasy vampire romance.
However, I found that I had major problems with some of the themes and messages of the books after I read them.
Some spoilers below.
By the end of Eclipse, I found myself not really caring about the characters anymore. I wish Stephenie Meyer didn't feel the need to stunt the growth of the characters and therefore have them repeat the same problems over and over again. I mean, I want to like the character of Bella and I did after reading Twilight and New Moon. However, she's still incredibly insecure (even after everything) and she totally teased Jacob on and her admitting it and feeling bad just reeked of self pity.
The character of Edward is so freaking possessive that it makes me feel that the books are misogynistic to a point and I hate that so many young girls are eating it up. I feel that it's going to encourage damaging behavior where many of them will excuse their boyfriend/husband's behavior because they will misconstrue unhealthy behavior as being romantic or loving.
That ties into the whole idea that these books are glamorizing codependent behavior, and if you think about it, it really is. I don't care how many times Edward says that he's not trying to be possessive, but that he's just afraid of losing her or when Jacob Black says that he'd be a healthier choice because Edward is like a drug Bella is addicted to, because when you come down to it, this book series is celebrating Edward and Bella's relationship.
That doesn't mean Jacob Black is any better. Yes, I loved the epilogue where we finally see his POV (I think that the whole series should've been from other people's P.O.V because it would then be a more interesting book) and I do see where his desperation is coming from and that he's a young teenager. However, his whole "courtship" of Bella is basically him not respecting her wishes at all and knowingly making her life as hellish as he can just so he can tire her out and have a chance with her. I hate that some girls out there actually applaud this behavior. I mean there was one part that could be seen as him forcing himself upon her and Stephenie Meyer plays out the events afterwards in a humorous way (Bella fights back but breaks her hand), but I didn't think there was anything funny in that situation at all.
I know I may overcritical in this part, but I hate how Stephenie Meyer is always mentioning food in the books, but it's the lack of food she always mentions. Bella always eats a bowl of cereal or a granola bar and calls that enough for a meal. Edward even tries to encourages her to eat and she always seems like he's forcing her to eat but then always talks about how unappetizing everything looks. Yes, having a gorgeous vampire boyfriend who doesn't eat is going to make her not want to eat too based on issues of vanity and being influenced by those around you (her vampire family), but still...I think the demographic is very susceptible to these things.
I also fail to see how these books are cinematic. I mean the storylines and characters aren't that interesting to be a character study, and I can't imagine that they'll be able to add that much more to make it an interesting film. However, I will be watching it just because I liked the series enough (and I'm crushing a bit on Robert Pattinson).
With all that said, I am totally looking forward to Breaking Dawn and can't wait for the Vampire Wedding (we'll be cutting cake, etc.).
"[Gore] was widely perceived as arrogant. If you know something, you're not smart. You're a smarty-pants. It's annoying. People get annoyed with your knowledge. It goes back to high school, to not doing your homework ... 'There's something I should know, I don't know why I should know it but someone knows it and I don't. So I'm going to have to make fun of him now.'"
-Sarah Vowell, The Partly-Cloudy Patriot
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