So Bella has made up her mind to become a vampire, as soon as possible if she can have things her way. She desperately wants to sleep with Edward too. Nevertheless, Edward wants to get married first before transforming Bella and doing anything with her. Bella thinks that getting married right after high school would initiate unwanted gossip among her high school friends and other people. She’s also worried about what her parents might think about her.

If you have read the previous two books, you’d know that a wild and vicious vampire called Victoria is after Bella. She wants to finish off Bella just like how Edward destroyed her mate, James. In short, Victoria is just looking for revenge. So during the whole book, Edward’s family and the werewolves are spending most of their time protecting Bella.

Besides that, Jacob, Bella’s best friend who can also turn into a werewolf, is determined to win Bella’s heart. He keeps hinting to her that she harbours feelings for him too although she adamantly denies it. Even though Bella insists that she only has eyes for Edward, Jacob won’t give up and is willing to fight for her until she becomes a vampire. Even Bella’s father, Charlie prefers Bella to spend time with Jacob and not Edward. You have to give credit to Edward who is way too polite and decent towards Charlie despite Charlie treating him like part of the wall.

What’s fascinating is that there are stories in this story. Rosalie ends up being quite nice to Bella and shares her story. Jasper who’s had a terrifying past also shares his own story to make Bella understand more about vampires and territories. During a bonfire party at Jacob’s place, the elders of the council told the history of how werewolves came to be in their tribe.

There wasn’t a dull moment in this book. I enjoyed reading the conversations between Edward and Jacob. I thought Edward quite selfish when he totally forbids Bella to visit Jacob fearing that she might get hurt since Jacob’s part werewolf. And did Bella have to take so long a time to finally realize the way she feels for Jacob? I’m also appalled at the way Bella treats Jacob. She was rude to him, kept scolding him and basically insults him whenever she can. I’m surprised he took it all so well and continued being easy going.

The ending was absolutely heart-wrenching though. I have to get Breaking Dawn and see how things continue for the humans, the vampires and the werewolves.

Other Reviews: alisonwonderland

‘But that’s not a reason to duck out of life, sweetie. So, you’d be hurt. Big deal. That’s the chance we all take. What’s the point in being alive at all if you’re so afraid of pain that you can’t appreciate the rare gems when they do come along?’

Louise Canova finds a second-hand book simply entitled Elegance written by Madam Antoine Dariaux in a second-hand bookshop. Louise looks up to Madam Dariaux completely and turns to her book as a guide to improve her fashion as well as to turn herself into an even more elegant lady than she is now.

Louise decided that it’s time to change her fashion sense and lose some weight after being mistakenly perceived as a pregnant woman! Her husband, however, does not care how she dressed and looked. In fact, Louise just realized that their love life is starting to deteriorate.

So, she started by sorting out her wardrobe and threw out the ones, which might be deemed unfashionable in Madam Dariaux’s eyes. As her fashion changes, her life changes too. She’s beginning to attract men who might not have bothered to look at her twice before. Unfortunately, her husband does not approve of the new ‘Louise’ and so begins their fight.

One day, Louise could not take it any longer, packed her stuff and moved in with her friend, Colin, who’s a homosexual, by the way. Ria, the artistic one is also their flatmate. Louise learns more new things and discovers more about herself while living with them.

Kathleen Tessaro inserts in bits from the original ‘Elegance’ book by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux into this novel of hers. This is Tessaro’s first novel and I think it’s a fine book and easy to read. Her style is straightforward and captures the reader’s attention entirely.

Other Bloggers’ Reviews: KittyCat