If you haven’t, I recommend reading my review for Twilight before this one. That post will explain my history with the series and why I’m reading it again now.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer is one of my favorite books in the Twilight series. I would say it’s right up there with Breaking Dawn, my absolute favorite. This is the book where Jacob Black really becomes a key character and it’s the only one that Edward isn’t in for the majority of the story. I’ll get more into my thoughts below after the synopsis. There will be spoilers.

Synopsis:

I knew we were both in mortal danger. Still, in that instant, I felt well. Whole. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins again. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin. It was like there had never been any hole in my chest. I was perfect – not healed, but as if there had never been a wound in the first place.

My Thoughts:

I’m not sure if my anxiety because of the current world situation has just broken my brain or what but I cried while reading this book at least three times. I had forgotten how well Stephenie Meyer writes about grief. If for some reason you’re not familiar with this book, Edward leaves Bella because he thinks that’s what’s best for her. It leaves her a shell of her former self and that’s putting it mildly. She goes through the motions of life but doesn’t truly begin to heal until her friendship with Jacob Black begins.

Anybody that has experienced profound grief can probably relate to Bella’s feelings of emptiness. This book is HEAVY, though. It’s much more intense than I remember it being when I read it as a teenager. New Moon does NOT portray the ideal way to deal with a breakup. Bella becomes depressed to the point of being catatonic and then she pursues adrenaline rushes because they bring on auditory hallucinations of Edward’s voice…

However, along with all of that, this book is the start of Bella’s friendship with Jacob. I LOVE Jacob. He’s always been one of my favorite characters and that hasn’t changed. Of course, he feels more for Bella than just friendship but their dynamic together is so fun to read. Edward is intense and every part with him in it throughout the books is more on the serious side while Jacob is laid back and easy going. Sorry but… team Jacob forever.

This book also introduced the Volturi for the first time. I have always wanted to know more about the Volturi because they’re so interesting. If Meyer ever decides to release a novella or spin off series, I would love for it to be about them.   

Of course, as I’m sure you all know, this book does end with Bella and Edward being reunited. Things are more complicated because of her relationship with Jacob but who doesn’t love a sort of, almost love triangle? While overdone now, when this book was released, this kind of drama made my friends and I even more obsessed with this series. It was always obvious that Bella would choose Edward but it was clear that she loved Jacob and didn’t want to hurt him. This problem isn’t resolved until the end of the series and it’s a melodramatic ride until then.

Final Thoughts:

Just like with Twilight, this book has its issues when compared to today’s YA releases but it’s important to keep in mind that it was released in 2006. For that time, it was an incredible story and it’s still an entertaining read today. I’d love to know your thoughts about New Moon or the Twilight series in general! Thanks for reading and have a great day!