...for this "holy crap I'm addicted" book post.
Let's talk about three things: Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse.
People, I got the first book a week ago (they're easy reads, but short they are not--500 to 600 pages each) and within an hour of finishing it raced out to buy the next two. I just finished the last a minute ago, and rather than do the wise thing and go to bed, I feel that geeky yet undeniable urge to bloggity blog blog. If you're planning on reading the books and you don't want anything spoiled, you might wanna ignore this post.
Twilight had me pretty much from the first chapter. It was glorious. I'm still not sure exactly what it is about this book (and the others) that captivates me (and everyone else, apparently) so much--because I can see how I might have read books like these at another time and been utterly annoyed with them. But, like every other person with a uterus (and some without), I instantly fell in love with lusted passionately for enjoyed the character of Edward. The crash scene mostly did me in. I never once felt uninterested while reading this book. ...Not sure what else to say, honestly. Fantastic.
Loved: Edward, Edward and Bella, the mystery and intrigue!
Not So Much: I would love to know how many times the words "eyes" was used--good gravy. I recognize the necessity and the lack of another word, but man--it was like, three times a page.
As I said, I rushed out to buy this and Eclipse immediately after finishing Twilight. I had a busy weekend though, and was a bit slow starting it, but was loving it during the chances I did have to read.
And then: Edward left. And Jacob entered the picture. And I patiently waited for that whole situation to correct itself--100 pages, 200 pages, 300 pages without Edward? (I'm not sure I'm overestimating that, either.) Aside from my favorite character's absence, I impatiently waited for everybody to figure out the werewolf business; pardon my harsh criticism, but I thought it was poor writing to clue the reader in so early and then draw out the characters' confusions. (Then again, maybe it just felt like it was so long as I was irritated with no vampire lovin'.) Making the situation worse, I couldn't get on board with Jacob. I didn't dislike him, I just had no interest in him, and thought Bella's intense interest was a bit forced maybe. I dunno. I did not enjoy the book from the moment Edward left to the moment he returned--just like Bella! Hey-o.
Loved: The intensity of the scenes in Italy--holy crap, those chapters were superbly done. I couldn't read fast enough to satisfy my brain!! Also, Alice, who became even more adorable in this book than before.
Not So Much: Bella's codependency, lack of Edward, Jacob, seemingly unnecessary drama creation and drawing things out much longer than need be
Ah, Eclipse. I went into this book fearful, not knowing what to think. Twilight had sparked in me a love for a new series, something I've enjoyed only once in recent years (Harry Potter, natch), but then New Moon planted some serious seeds of doubt as I wondered if the next two books would follow in its path of... annoying me. I was pleasantly surprised to find it didn't. As with New Moon, though, I felt I was in a constant state of suspense (a good thing!)--this book was not so predictable, at least not for me. I was very pleased with it as a whole, and almost feel like it's the best book in the series so far, though I'm not sure it tops Twilight in terms of how much of the warm fuzzies it gives me. I do have some issues, not specifically with the book but with things it brought to light in terms of the series as a whole, but I'm getting quite tired here and I think my thoughts are incoherent enough without me going on a thoughtful rant.
Loved: Alice more than ever, Edward more than ever
Not So Much: Bella's low self-esteem--after three books, I get it. Stop talking about how inferior you are to everything. Cheer up, emo kid! (I still like Bella, but I can only handle that kind of self-deprecation so long before it overpoweringly annoys me.) Also, I can't help but feel that Bella's reluctance towards marriage is... strange for her, at least, for her relationship with Edward.
Loathing So Intense It Warrants Its Own Point in Bold: Jacob. A thousand times, Jacob. Holy crap. I'm pretty sure I've never been so aggravated with a protagonist in the history of any book ever. What an obnoxious, immature brat! I'm not sure what the Twilight fan base is like, but from what I understand there are some die-hard Jacob fans out there, and I just can't see it. If you threaten to kill yourself/let yourself die so that the person you supposedly love will feel miserably guilty and risk things with the person that she wants and needs to be with in the vain hope that maybe she'll pay you attention, you fail at life. Here's my harsh moment: when they made it seem as if he'd been killed, I felt nothing. Sorry if I'm offending the Jacob-ers, but seriously... the kid needs to grow the eff up.
Now all that's left is to wait until August 2nd...