What's a girl to do when her choices of guys to date are either a vampire or a werewolf? Teenaged Bella does not seem to make wise choices when it comes to boyfriends in this sequel to Twilight. The original book focused on Bella's relationship with her "good" vampire boyfriend, Edward. Nevertheless, in this novel, the vampires only appear in the beginning and the end; in the middle, the action grinds to a halt. The story starts out with Bella and Edward splitting up; Bella spends the next 100 pages or so mourning his loss. Gradually, the sullen teen rekindles her interest in a friend, Jacob Black, who lives on a nearby Indian reservation. Still depressed over Edward, she initially resists Jacob, and just about the time she wonders if she might be falling in love with him, she finds out he is not quite who or what he appears to be. The last portion of the book primarily focuses on Bella in a race against time, trying to locate Edward. Edward believes that Bella has died when she has not--ala Romeo and Juliet--and he is determined to end his vampire existence. Readers who have not read Twilight may find some of the references to previous relationships and plotlines hard to follow. This is an overly long novel with a minimum of action. The ending makes it clear that there is another sequel to follow.

While I can honestly say I am not the biggest Twilight fan, I did enjoy the story. However, it took me almost a year to pick up New Moon and I was sad. While the Jacob storyline pulled me in and captivated me to the point I couldn't put the book down, even though I needed to sleep, when Edward came back the whole story became somewhat pathetic and disturbing. Jacob was no longer important to Bella and her life was once again one-dimensional. I love Jacob and his protective drive with Bella...but also his softer side, which comes through just as much. Meyer did an excellent job with Bella's father as his character grew as a father and showed depth and parental intuitiveness.

I HATED the ending. It was like Meyer said, ok enough I need to wrap it up in the middle of nowhere. This book was definately a love/hate relationship to the point I'm not sure I can pick up the 3rd book in the series. I love Jacob and his protective drive with Bella...but also his softer side comes through just as much. He's always been my favorite.