When I found out there was going to be another installment in the Twilight Saga, I was beyond excited. I couldn’t believe it. What I didn’t understand was the excitement and the hype involved in the main character of this novella. Bree Tanner, a newborn that had all of five lines in the Eclipse novel, and less than that in the movie, had a book dedicated to just her.

However, when I heard of the book, I went right to amazon and pre-ordered it. Anything that would allow me another piece of the vampire saga was worth the purchase. The time came and the book came. As you can tell by the new layout of this and the Beauty Brat blog, I love the black, white, and red colors used in the covers. This novella was what came out of a writing session where Stephenie started writing out some of the background information of Bree. Instead of the usual points authors write out the background characters, she started writing dialogue. Before she knew it this novella was finished.

So I read this in a very short period of time, on the car ride to and from Richmond. It was neat to see what a newborn vampire had to go through – I appreciated Bella’s control in Breaking Dawn after she became a vampire. I loved finding out more about the Volturi and one line in particular that Edward speaks when talking to Jane clicked and made more sense after reading this novella and after hearing Jane say:

“Quite a pity how things turned out, isn’t it?”
   — Jane  

I agree with Stephenie Meyers when I read this story. I wish she had ended Eclipse differently and let Bree live. It was very interesting to see that Bree had already learned so much and wanted to escape from Riley and her. I enjoyed reading Bree discover that she didn’t have to let the thirst dominate her and that she could find happiness with Diego. The character Fred was interesting as well, considering he had a talent much of the caliber of Alice and Edward.

As far as I am concerned Stephenie needs to drop the Aliens, drop the Mermaids she’s been speaking of in interviews, and get back on the vampire ball. I’m still waiting for companion novels telling the situation from Edwards perspective. It’s time for her to pick the sparkling cold one’s back up and tell the rest of the story that needs to be told. I loved this novella – the only thing I didn’t like is that it was one long book – no chapters at all. For me that was weird.

All and all I loved it.
Have you read it yet? What were your thoughts on it?!

While writing this, I was listening to “Jacob Black” from the Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack composed by Howard Shore

Charlaine Harris did what few authors have done. She listened to the begs of her fans and she made a book that covers the missing times that are in between the books. After reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, this book was a Touch of Relief!

Amazingly easy to follow, I read this in maybe a total of 90 minutes. Here and there for a few days, and this book was read from cover to cover. There are a total of five short stories that are more like chapters from her books. The language is simple to read and easy to follow along. The hardest part is remembering the synopsis of each book and figuring out where that particular short story falls in with the characters.

For instance when I read Fairy Dust, I am introduced to Claude, Claudine, and Claudette. I had to remind myself this story is from the past and is being told as if it were being plucked from Sookie’s diary (now THAT would be an interesting read!). Knowing the future outcome of the above mentioned fairies, I had to make sure I kept those facts straight.

What I will say is this: if you are a Sookie Stackhouse fan, then you will want this book. It was worth every penny. I just hope Charlaine Harris keeps it up and writes more. I loved the introduction she wrote letting everyone know how hard it was to write these little pieces of Sookies life. In my own writing, I have thought of events that I mention from the past that would make an excellent chapter in a book such as this or even a prequel. I would love for Charlaine Harris to do a prequel. Something from Sookie’s past – before Vamps and such.

What author or characters would you like to see a book such as this one of? I’d LOVE to see Stephanie Meyer visit the Twilight Saga – at least the characters – and write a novel about some of the stories they referred to – Edward when he first turned – Carlisle while he lived with the Volturi, etc.

Not a lecture. Just a thought.
xoxo
Nat