Book Review: New Moon

New Moon, a YA novel by Stephenie Meyer, is the second novel in the Twilight series and follows Bella as she deals with something she never thought she’d have to experience; life without Edward Cullen.

Having survived one vampiric attack life has returned to normal with surprising speed for Bella Swan. Edward Cullen is still with her and even though he is against it, she hopes that he will change his mind and turn her into a vampire so that they can remain together forever. However, when tragedy strike and Edward leaves Forks Bella is faced with a horrifying reality; life without him. As Bella struggles to withstand the devastation to her life an old threat looms. To survive it she may need the help of another Fork’s legend, one that has been under her nose the entire time. But there is another threat as well. One that poses an even greater danger when Bella must leave everything behind in a mad dash to save Edward’s life.

New Moon is a wonderful novel that not only picks up where it’s predecessor left off, but continues the elements that make the novel so intriguing. The first is the use of the preface–or prologue–to hint at the end of the novel rather than using it to set up the story itself. The brief insert not only gives you a sense of the danger that is lurking ahead but gets you emotionally invested in the book and willing to read it to the end.

I also like how just as the vampires were expounded upon in the first book Meyer came up with a unique way to portray the werewolves. Both creatures have been used repeatedly throughout fiction and coming up with a different way of portraying them can be challenging. I don’t know if there are actual Indian legends about turning into werewolves, but I liked how that was used to introduce the werewolves in New Moon and to give them a legitimate reason to be hunting vampires.

The first person narrative is wonderfully orchestrated, especially when it comes to Bella’s personality. For such a quiet, mild mannered girl she can be quite a fire cracker when her temper gets the better of her. It also doesn’t help that she’s apparently fearless when facing down monsters, but I guess teenagers can’t be sensible all the time.

New Moon ends with Bella and Edward reunited and the Cullens back in Forks. Bella’s future as a vampire seems secured but there are dark clouds on the horizon. Victoria is still on the loose, looking for a way to get to Bella and the tensions between the Cullens and the werewolves haven’t improved. There options are limited but Bella is willing to face face them so long as Edward is at her side.