when to leave a good thing alone. In the case of Breaking Dawn such is the case. While books 1-3 were quite enjoyable, book 4 becomes an insult not only to the readers but to the feel of the whole series. It is predictable and just plain silly. Skip this one, if you can resist the temptation of one more visit with Edward, Bella and company, and enjoy books 1-3. Maybe, Midnight Sun (the story through Edward's point of view), if it is published, can help the author redeem herself and the series.

I'm a 31year old mother of 3 (triplets), so I may not be the standard 'teenager' these books are assumed to target. But Breaking Dawn the conclusion to the series definitely delivers. (mind you my favorite genre is Sci-Fi and I just LOVE a great romantic plot, and I'm a sucker for happy ending). Breaking Dawn to me seemed more mature, more complex, though I have to say some parts were entirely predictable. I liked Breaking Dawn better than the other books in the end. (though Twilight was probably the next runner up).

In Twilight you have the 'heat', of a new relationship. Dizzy headspins over sweet kisses, full on infatuation. It tugs you right along with it.

In New Moon the relationship is challenged, neither sure how much really the other loves them. Heartbreat rings out and you suffer, only later to be pulled out of the flames. Here the relationship is tested.

In Eclipse it's well established that Bella and Edward adore eachother, though Bella is torn by her love also of Jacob. She hurts those she loves, and struggles to make her choices.

Breaking Dawn brings their relationship to maturity. You see more of the sweet, loving, passion, tempered, knowing they can depend on eachother FOREVER love. Knowing your love is knit and will last just like a marriage should be. Edward fearing for Bella's life, haggard, destroying himself by seeing Bella slowly fade away is absolutely moving, her loving sacrifice, his adoration and deep love it shook me to my core. It stands in sharp contrast to happier times.. you see love from all angles.

Sure, there's a 'clean/neat' resolution to the problem that begins in the beginning of the book, before we move onto new problems. Now that Bella and Edward's relationship is knit. And Bella FINALLY seems to have everything she ever wanted. A horrible opponent threatens to take it all away. Not just after her this time, but intent on destroying everything she holds dear. The relationship of all of the Cullen family becomes closer, you see the tenderness, you care so deeply for all of them and you feel pain at the thought of loosing any of them.

(NOT to mention Bella isn't the only perspective from which this story is told.. and it is SOOO SOO FREAKING cool .. to experience the vampire mythos from the eyes of someone exploring a new life for the first time, it really opens up so much more.. you see everything at first from the human perspective then you can see through a vampires eyes.. a werewolf's eyes, and you see Bella through other's eyes too).

Here's a little clippet:
"It was not going to be the end of the world. Just the end of the Cullens. The end of Edward the end of me. "

"I prefered it that way - the last part anyway. I would not live without Edward again; if he was leaving this world, then I would be right behind him."

I understand that the core of the series is about a teenage girl falling in love and discovering an everlasting love. I, however, did turn a blind eye to the teenage angst and hormones(despite the multiple references that she is supposed to be a woman-child and wise beyond her years) because the main character is a teenager. Overall, I really liked the first three books, especially the third book. Yet, I was really disappointed with the last book. I'll try not to be redundant and will only write about my top three disappointments.

1. Like other reviewers, I lost interest in the book when Bella became pregnant. It just didn't make any sense---women vampires can't have a monthly cycle but vampire men can have sperm (by the way, the book references Charlie Chaplin, a human, not a vampire).
2. I was also very sad and disappointed that Bella and Edward's love was poorly written and very neglected (especially compared to the previous three books).
3. I guess my biggest disappointment with the book was that I really was hoping that Bella wasn't going to be turned into a vampire (maybe it was inevitable). I hoped that Stephanie Meyer was going to allow Bella to actually be wise beyond her years in that she accepts herself as a human and the fact that she will age, but also realizing that her love for Edward (and vice versa) is eternal, regardless of her human "flaws." I guess I was hoping for a different kind of happily ever after.

I started this book the day before Thanksgiving. My daughter and I were both reading it at the same time, unfortunately, she left it at school. She called her older sister in tears after I chewed her out (I was so looking forward to reading it over the four day weekend). Her sister kindly drove over in the pouring rain to let us borrow her copy. Wow, I'm so glad she did, I couldn't put it down. Isn't it interesting that me (47), my stepdaughter (23) and my 11 year old daughter all are reading the same series. What a phenomenon! Yes, I know there are some minor flaws in the story but still an amazing read.

Honestly, when I read the reviews for BD I wasn't excited as how I saw many negative reviews it had since it came out. I had to read it for myself to know & I'm glad I did because I loved it. Yes, it is different from the other 3 books but a good kind of difference. I suppose the only thing I didn't like is the fact Stephanie patched things up with one big happy ending and also dragging a scene around 200 pages with the Voltori which came up to be nothing in the end.

For Breaking Dawn, I will say it is either a love or hate book & I am the ones who love it.