Spoiler Alert!

I know that there are a few of you out there who haven't finished the book. Too bad.
And here it is...a non-professional critical review of Breaking Dawn: Again, I am a fan of the series--probably even more now that I am a mom. Most of that is due to the fact that on any given day I would trade all of this to run away with a totally hot vampire and have some real adventure in my life. Adventure that doesn't involve wiping anyone's butt for at least six or seven months. For those of you who haven't started on the series (Sara Jane)--just do it. What's the worst that can happen? Your watch gets flushed down the toilet while you are trying to read about a vampire's love child?? Face facts, its going to happen anyway. Honestly, I think that you would have fun reading them.

Hum, where to begin...I have to say that I REALLY wanted to give this book the ultimate recommendation, but I just couldn't because I felt like there should have been a few chapters dedicated to Edward's point of view. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob,...come on already, we all know that Edward is the real hero of the story, let's see it from his perspective! I do have to give Meyer credit for putting in the alternate perspective. It makes for good literary connections and it gives you a break from Bella's martydom. I loved the wedding. I liked the honeymoon. I was a bit disappointed in the old lusty seduction category. The other books were better written when it came to this part. I didn't need any graphic sex, but to flip the page and have it be the next day...aauuggh. (now, I read your review Brooke and I think that you have been in Young Women's too long--ha.ha, those of us who just sit in the foyer need a little more spice than that!) Okay, what else...oh, I was totally excited about the pregnancy until Edward slipped into a literary coma. His thoughts, feelings, um, gone?? I was also a bit disappointed that Jacob didn't imprint on Leah. What the heck was that whole story line about if she wasn't ever even mentioned in the book after the baby was born?? Meyer wasted a ton of time talking about all of that when she should have spent a little more time on the ending. I didn't mind the name Renesmee until they shortened it to Nessie. barf bag, please. I loved the cottage that Esme gave them. I loved the descriptions of what changed for her when she became a vampire --that was my favorite part of the book. I also had kind of figured that she would be able to overcome her "man-eating" tendencies so I was fine with that, but I thought that Meyer cop'd out when she pulled in the whole "tell Charlie" bit. It should have just been a family secret. Bella should have had something to sacrifice. The ending of this book was the hardest part for me because it felt like a high school term paper. Like the student had dug a big hole and then realized that he was almost at the limit of the number of pages so he wrapped it all up with a big "all-righty" at the end.
Overall, I liked it. The hardest part was that I didn't tear into it for a second time. I was able to read it over a couple of nights instead of pulling an all-nighter...I couldn't say that about the other three. AND...I thought of at least a half-dozen other ways the book could have gone to make it more satisfying. Nonetheless, I give it 4 out of five stars and a high recommendation.

Feel free to post your comments on the book. I would love to hear others book reviews!!