Eclipse: 10 Years Later (Also, I hate Jacob… and Bella)

Well, well, well, re-reading this book was not what I was expecting. When I re-read Twilight, I expected to be kind of uncomfortable at how juvenile it was. But, because there was still a part of me that loved it, I figured I would feel the same about the rest of the books. I did enjoy New Moon, which came of no surprise to me. What I wasn’t expecting was how much I was going to dislike Eclipse.

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?

First of all, am I the only one who can never remember what Eclipse is about? 
Twilight: Bella meets Edward
New Moon: Edward leaves, Bella eventually goes to find him
Eclipse: ……
Breaking Dawn: Bella becomes a vampire. Baby thing. Happily ever after.

Even after listening to the audiobook, I still feel like I can’t quite put my finger on the main plot. I guess it’s Victoria getting her revenge sort of? Also a lot of love triangle weirdness.

Speaking of a love triangle, let’s just go ahead and jump to my thoughts of this damn novel.

My thoughts while listening to the audiobook: 

1. Whelp here we go. I can’t seem to remember anything about this novel so hopefully it will surprise me.

2. Jacob is annoying. Bella is way too forgiving of his assholery. Also she’s too forgiving of Edward’s controlling-ness (though at least he eventually apologizes for this).

3. This need to uphold the dumb treaty is a little over the top.

4. JACOB KISSING BELLA AFTER SHE SAYS SHE LOVES EDWARD IS NOT OKAY. WTF. He should lose his friend privileges SO FAST for crossing that line.

5. WTF. I knew Charlie was a horrible father, but WHEN HE LAUGHS AT BELLA BECAUSE SHE BROKE HER HAND DEFENDING HERSELF FROM JACOB THE PREDATOR OMG. I can’t. “Good for you kid” he says TO JACOB? For kissing his daughter WHO DIDN’T WANT TO BE KISSED? And who also has A BOYFRIEND? DAFUQ?

6. Bella seems to be quite moral for never having cared about religion ever before????

7. I’m sorry, why is Jacob so upset when he finds out Bella is marrying Edward? Um, hasn’t she said OVER AND OVER AGAIN that she chooses Edward?

8. WAT. Why is Edward saying “I know you don’t want an audience, no matter which way you choose”?CHOOSE? CHOICE? I’m sorry, hasn’t Bella said 1000 times that she chooses Edward? THERE IS NO CHOICE.

9. “Kiss me Jacob.” WHAT???? Sorry, if my best friend said he was going to go kill himself, I wouldn’t ask him to KISS ME. I’d be like, what can I do to help that isn’t KISSING YOU because I’M IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP AND YOU NEED TO RESPECT THAT. Right now the only person I like is Edward.

10. jk. Why is Edward consoling Bella when she is the one who cheated on him?

11. I am so irritated with the idea that Bella is in love with Jacob. That is a choice, not inevitable. It is also basically adulterous and NOT OKAY. You can love your friend, but you make the choice to fall in love. CHEATING BRAT DOES NOT DESERVE EDWARD. 

12. And why is it that Bella and Jacob can’t be friends because they love each other??? They can be friends. THEY DON’T HAVE TO GIVE IN TO THEIR LUST. Freaking children. I am so sick of them. They can have each other. I’ll take Edward. 

13. This book is just a ridiculous amount of flip-flopping of emotions. First Edward is like “oh on, we have to marry before we do anything else.” Then suddenly it’s Bella saying all of that? First it’s Jacob saying, “We can’t be friends I love you too much.” Then it’s Bella saying all of that? This book is just damn sloppy and all of the characters are annoying (….Edward being the least annoying of the bunch, because let’s face it, he’s the only one who acts like an adult… most of the time).

I will never read this book again. UGH. IT IS AWFUL.
And also, TEAM JACOB does not exist. It never did and those people who are okay with Jacob’s horrendous behavior come fight me, because I want to strangle that awful child. 

Were you Team Jacob? If so, please explain why (I’ll forgive you if you read the book forever ago). 

A.S. Thornton

A.S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. When not writing, she’s caring for dogs and cats as a veterinarian. You’ll never find animals at the center of her writing, though, because those fictional worlds don’t have veterinarians and her literal brain can’t accept that the poor critters would be without parasite prevention. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available wherever books are sold.