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Eclipse book 3 by Stephenie Meyer
01/03/2008 . Source: Sue Davies 
Pub: Atom/Little Brown. 628 page hardback. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-904233-89-3. Buy Eclipse in the USA - or Buy Eclipse in the UK  check out websites: www.atombooks.co.uk www.littlebrown.co.uk www.littlebrown.co.uk and www.stepheniemeyer.co.uk www.stepheniemeyer.co.uk
This third instalment of the teenage soap that is Bella Swan and her unnatural selection of boy-friends sees her starting the countdown towards immortality with her beloved Edward and his family. It's what she wants although Edward is reluctant. Since her encounter with the Volturi and the revengeful Victoria, it seems Bella surely would be better off dead or rather undead. But would she really be Bella once she becomes one of the beautiful stone-like vampires she so envies? She would lose her family and friends and be forever outcast with the Cullen family that she is so desperate to join. Bella feels ready to make this move into the great unknown but then there is Jacob.
Proud, fierce Jacob is her cuddly and fluffy alternative. A werewolf in sheepish clothing, he is totally in love with Bella and totally opposed to the road she is choosing to travel. Bella is torn between the two monsters in her life.
Meyer has created a superb dynamic between the opposing forces that operate on Bella Swan. Her vampires are constantly struggling with their inner demons, trying to be pure and good, but never knowing whether what they do will save their immortal souls. This instalment of the three books to date also brings much more in the way of background for the Cullens. Members of the 'family' get to tell their individual stories creating embedded narrative within this thoughtful book.
The good news is that the story continues to surprise and intrigue the reader and although you should not expect an ending just yet, the continuation is welcome rather than dreaded.
I have been impressed with the series as it continues to tackle the difficult aspects of using what could be clichéd characters. Instead, it addresses them clearly and refreshingly and this book has been a breath of fresh air. Heavily introspective and focusing on the morbidity of Bella and her clumsiness could be a depressing read. It is lifted by the relationship dynamics and dialogue that makes it an easy and worthwhile read.
Sue Davies
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