Book Review: "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer

     In the fourth and final installment of the Twilight series, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen are engaged to be married.  If Edward's fashion-loving sister, Alice, has anything to do with it, it's sure to be the event of the year in sleepy little Forks, Washington!  Everything is going well, and Bella has all she could wish for – her happily ever after with Edward. And yet . . . .

     During the couple's honeymoon on Isle Esme, a private island owned by Edward's vampire “parents”, he and Bella realize something has happened.  They must get home to Carlisle, Edward's father, immediately!  But they disagree on what to do about the situation.  Bella's health takes a toll – has the time finally come for Edward to change her into a vampire, in order to save her life?

     The Cullen family's circumstances have not escaped the notice of the Volturi, the ruling class in the hidden world of vampires.  Alice, who has the gift of visions, has seen them coming when the first snow falls in Forks.  Can peace be maintained, or will the Volturi destroy what they don't understand without giving the frightened Cullens time to explain?

      What of Bella's relationship with Jacob Black, her best friend?  Can they heal the rift created by her love for Edward?  Will the treaty of peace between his tribe and the Cullens be maintained despite bruised hearts and strong emotions?

      Stephenie Meyer brings her fans a fitting ending to the story of Bella and Edward, two lovers whose lives were never meant to become entwined, but who found each other irrevocably attracted and bonded to each other.  The novel is a conclusion, yes, but also the story of the beginning of their life together as a married couple.  Loose ends are tied up.  The fate of the treaty between the wolves and the vampires is sealed forever.  Excellent writing, as always, flows from this author's pen.  She presents another page-turner which will have you intrigued and flying through the book at record speed!

      This novel was published in 2008. I requested it through the local library system and ended up with the large print version, which was published in 2009 through Hachette Book Group, Inc.  ISBN-13: 978-1-4104-1353-6 (large print, hardcover edition).  Look for the movie version of Eclipse, the third book in the series, in theaters now.  The film version of this novel, Breaking Dawn, will be released in two parts in theaters in the near future.