Welcome back to Mes Curls Reads!
Before we dive into New Moon, I recommend reading my previous blog post, "A Nostalgic Return to Forks: Reviewing Twilight (Book 1 of the Saga)," for a quick recap of the first book in the series. Click Here to Read it.
Love is irrational, I reminded myself. The more you loved someone, the less sense anything made.
Buckle up, Twi-hards! Our journey through the Twilight Saga continues with New Moon, the 2006 sequel that takes the emotional intensity to a new level. If Twilight ignited the spark, New Moon fueled those flames with emotional intensity and gripping drama.
New Moon takes us deeper into the life of Bella Swan, who is once again grappling with the complexities of loving a vampire. The storyline begins with Bella's 18th birthday, a day she dreads as it marks her human trait of growing older while her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen, will forever be a 17-year-old.
Moreover, an unfortunate accident at her birthday party hosted by the Cullens forces Edward to make the heart-wrenching decision to leave Bella, believing it's the best way to protect her. He disappears from Forks, leaving her world a barren wasteland. But his goodbye is laced with a pain that cuts deeper than Bella can imagine. (Mhmm, curious about the incident, aren't we? What darkness did this incident unleash which forced Edward to leave Bella? Let me give you a hint without a spoiler: Edward's brother attacks her.)
Bella's world shatters as Edward leaves, plunging her into a deep depression. Meyer's portrayal of Bella's grief is raw and poignant, capturing the agony of first love lost. Bella's pain is palpable, and readers can't help but empathize with her as she navigates this dark period.
As the title suggests, mirroring the moon's darkest phase, the first lunar phase, Bella plunges into a period of depression. But a glimmer of light emerges in the form of Jacob Black, a childhood friend from the Quileute tribe. Their rekindled friendship offers warmth and a much-needed distraction to our protagonist. This is where things get interesting – Jacob harbours his own supernatural secret (no spoilers, but it involves fur, not fangs!).
Jacob brings warmth and comfort back into Bella’s life, providing a stark contrast to Edward’s cold absence. As their bond deepens, Bella finds herself developing feelings for Jacob, creating a delicious internal conflict; she gets torn between her unwavering love for Edward and her growing affection for Jacob. Meyer expertly explores the complexities of love, loss, and loyalty, masterfully weaving a narrative that will have you rooting for Team Edward or Team Jacob (though we all know who deserves the sparkly trophy *wink wink*).
Desperate to feel Edward's presence again, Bella engages in reckless behaviour, with each act a desperate cry to hear his protective voice ring in her ears as if he is around her. This leads her to a series of adrenaline-fueled escapades, culminating in a daring cliff dive that nearly costs her life. This further results in Alice Cullen’s return, and her misinterpretation of Bella’s dive as a suicide attempt set off a chain of events that bring the Cullens back into Bella’s life.
The climax of New Moon takes Bella and Alice to Italy to save Edward from exposing himself as a vampire to the human world—a suicidal act intended to provoke the vampire ruling class, the Volturi, into ending his life because he believes Bella is dead. Bella races against time to prevent Edward’s tragic mistake, leading to a heart-pounding confrontation with the Volturi.
Bella’s journey through heartbreak teaches her about her own strength and capacity for love. While Edward's return rekindles their romance, it’s Bella’s growth and her relationship with Jacob that add depth to her character.
New Moon takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, blending romance, heartbreak, and adventure. It’s a powerful exploration of love and loss, showcasing Meyer’s ability to capture the intricacies of human emotion. Whether you're Team Edward or Team Jacob, this book will leave you hungry for more. (I am Team Edward)
I hope you enjoyed this review of New Moon. Stay tuned for our next journey with Eclipse, where the love triangle intensifies and new dangers emerge.
Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? Do comment and let me know your thoughts!
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Happy reading!