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A review by reclusivebookslug
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Okay, I get it. The Twilight Saga is not among the world's greatest literature, nor is it the most unproblematic of franchises. But I believe that people can enjoy things while recognizing their faults. I grew up on this series, first the movies, then the books, and it has become nostalgic for me. And sue me, I find them very entertaining to this day.
This retelling from Edward's POV was nowhere near as good as the original Twilight book. This is probably because I find Edward very boring as a character. I love Bella, Charlie, and the rest of the Cullens, and I don't dislike Edward, but he's a bit dull for me. Another minus for me is the ending. In Twilight, there is some semblance of a happy ending, even though things are uncertain, but this ends with Edward dreading the moment he plans to leave Bella in New Moon.
But there are some positives and for them, I'm glad I read this. I appreciated the extra insight into both the vampire lore and the Cullen family. Edward's mind-reading abilities allowed me to connect more with secondary characters. Charlie has become one of my favorite characters.
There are some little details here and there that change how creepy Edward's behavior is to me, most of them for the better in my opinion. For example, Edward doesn't watch her sleep just because he's obsessed with her, but because he is anxious over her safety and wants to acclimate himself to being in her presence. It is confirmed that vampires' minds, as well as their bodies, are frozen at the time they were turned, making him still mentally her same age. He makes an effort not to intrude on people's thoughts in private moments, like if they are showering or changing clothes. On the other hand, it is also clear that he doesn't believe Bella is capable of making the best decisions for her own wellbeing, which sucks. He believes that he knows what is best for her better than she does about herself.
This retelling from Edward's POV was nowhere near as good as the original Twilight book. This is probably because I find Edward very boring as a character. I love Bella, Charlie, and the rest of the Cullens, and I don't dislike Edward, but he's a bit dull for me. Another minus for me is the ending. In Twilight, there is some semblance of a happy ending, even though things are uncertain, but this ends with Edward dreading the moment he plans to leave Bella in New Moon.
But there are some positives and for them, I'm glad I read this. I appreciated the extra insight into both the vampire lore and the Cullen family. Edward's mind-reading abilities allowed me to connect more with secondary characters. Charlie has become one of my favorite characters.
There are some little details here and there that change how creepy Edward's behavior is to me, most of them for the better in my opinion. For example, Edward doesn't watch her sleep just because he's obsessed with her, but because he is anxious over her safety and wants to acclimate himself to being in her presence. It is confirmed that vampires' minds, as well as their bodies, are frozen at the time they were turned, making him still mentally her same age. He makes an effort not to intrude on people's thoughts in private moments, like if they are showering or changing clothes. On the other hand, it is also clear that he doesn't believe Bella is capable of making the best decisions for her own wellbeing, which sucks. He believes that he knows what is best for her better than she does about herself.
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture, Blood, and Kidnapping
CWs are mostly for when James lures Bella into her old dance studio.