Quantcast
Girls*Heart* Books: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer: Group Book to Movie Review & Giveaway

Monday, June 18, 2012

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer: Group Book to Movie Review & Giveaway

Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devour Eclipse, the much anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob --- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which? (from Goodreads)

Well, now that you've read about our feelings on Twilight and New Moon, it's time once again to move along in the series to one of my personal favorites, Eclipse. This book, for me, was where ALL the action was in the series.  This is the 3rd book in the Saga and it's my second favorite out of them all. I loved the suspense and the romance.  However, there were things I didn't care for. 

I didn't enjoy Edward's attitude in this book at all. Honestly, why don't you just put a leash on Bella and get it over with? You understand that he's only trying to keep her safe, but, at the same time he knows how Jacob feels about her and it scares him to think he could lose her.  In my opinion, Edward lost some of his 'white knight' allure in this book because of his controlling behavior.  Also, Jacob got on my last nerve in this book! How many times does Bella have to say, "I'm with Edward"? I felt bad for him for a little while but after the "I'd rather you were dead" comment I have to say I was pretty pissed off. How can you claim to love someone, even as a friend and make a statement like that to them? 


 I loved the suspense in this book. It really keeps you on the edge of your seat as the story progresses.  Not knowing who is stalking Bella is a little nerve-racking, to say the least. I loved the banter between Edward and Bella as they discuss the ahem "terms" of their deal. I will say, I never thought Jacob had a chance of winning Bella, honestly. It is just so obvious to me that she and Edward were meant to be. It didn't seem like much of a triangle to me. Even when she admits to herself that she loves Jacob, she doesn't even consider staying human and being with him. She feels like she knows that she cannot live without Edward. To her, there was never a choice. 


Taking the good with the bad, I have to say I still LOVED this book. You learn SO much about the wolves, Rose and Jasper. I loved the talk between Charlie and Bella, and Alice begging Bella to let her plan a wedding . Overall, this was a must read in my opinion.
My Rating:


Now onto the movie. Honestly, I thought they did a much better job with this than they did with New Moon and Twilight. There were still low points, but they weren't as numerous in my opinion. I loved so many things about it, it's hard to know where to start. 


I loved the opening scene in the meadow. It was absolutely perfect, much better than the sham of a meadow they gave us in Twilight. With all the colors and Edward sparkling, it was visually beautiful. And then we have their conversation. It was fantastic. For once, I didn't want to throttle the screenwriter..at least not at that particular moment. The training for the fight with the newborns, was so well done, probably my favorite part of the whole movie, aside from the 'talk' with Charlie & Bella and the scene where Bella accepts Edward's proposal. 


Now onto the negatives. Even though I loved this movie, there were still quite a few moments where I just cringed. The end in the meadow where Bella gives her little speech. Ick. That is all I can say, ICK. It was just BAD. Then we have her horrible wig, I mean, come on, it was very obviously NOT her hair. Ick. And poor Alice, why do they give her grandma hair? Aside from that, I didn't love the tent scene. I thought that scene in the book was so perfect, they didn't do it justice.  And lastly, there was the scene at the end where Bella tells Jacob that she's choosing Edward even though she loves him. I really was hoping to see her heart break here; in the book, she has to pull over on the side of the road and Edward comes and brings her home.  He really redeems himself a lot, in my eyes in that part of the book and leaving it out was just wrong, in my opinion. I think it's important to show that she did love Jacob, too. And that choosing Edward did hurt her. 


One last complaint, and it's a BIG one. Why oh why did they recast Victoria?? I did not like Bryce in this role AT ALL. I'm sorry but Rachelle Lafevere was perfect! I hate when they change the actors in the middle of a series! I don't care what the reasons are, honestly. I just do not like it. 


Overall, I have to say this movie was well done. I liked David Slade's vision, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking and overall, I thought he stuck close to the book. So thank you, sir, for making Eclipse a great movie! 
My Rating:





Eclipse is the third novel in The Twilight Saga, and my least favorite of them all.

I know, I’m probably alone, but really. I loved the part where the Volturi came in, and I loved when Jasper was teaching the Cullen’s their fighting, but the rest? I was bored. Honestly? I found myself skimming paragraphs just to end a chapter, so I could go do something else. I was drifting off in my head for most of the scenes with the wolf pack, and any time Edward and Jacob found themselves in the same room on the same page I wanted to strangle myself.

Because really, that’s what this book is about. It’s Bella being in love with Edward, but not wanting to let Jacob go and therefore leading him on further by giving him a false hope that everything would be okay between them, and then rushing back to Edward when he got grouchy. It just frustrated me, because there was so much hope there, but Bella is on a deadline and doesn’t know how to see that Jacob is a better choice for her.

Sorry, I’m being harsh, but I just didn’t like this one novel.

Allow me to discuss what I did enjoy from Eclipse—The spinoff we got of it! The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is the best thing we ever got. I loved Bree in Eclipse, even if she was only there for about 30 seconds, I wanted to jump into the book and beat Jane to death when she used her oh-so-wonderful gift. @#$%^… Ahem.

All in all, I didn’t really like Eclipse at all… But I love Bree.
My Rating: 



As for the movie, I liked it much more than I liked the book. Surprisingly. Though I was still wincing at the make-up. But I think Bella’s sexual tension and hesitation about Edward was brought into the light, and Jacob practically screaming that she had another choice was bluntly obvious.

I also loved how Rosalie’s story was depicted, and how we got to go see what happened in her head. I was sitting there trying not to vomit actually it gave me that many chills. This is where I fell in love with Rosalie, where she proved to me she has a story too and it would’ve been nice to see more of it.

But I have to say, a props to the casting directors for the newborns, but what in the world is this new redhead doing as my Victoria? She was far too docile and sweetie-pie and not nearly vicious enough. She looked SCARED when Edward was talking to Riley, like she thought this would ruin what she had…No. No, no, no, just NO. I understand the original Victoria (a MUCH better one, in my opinion) wasn’t able to film but… But why this chick? Why? I do not approve.

I’m nitpicking. I know. But it annoyed me. A lot.

Other than Victoria, I enjoyed the movie, much more than the book. So.
My Rating: 




Second best book of the series; Meyer has a knack for getting better as she goes.. Breaking Dawn, I rest my case! My favorite part in this book was the time Bella spent with the wolf pack and how the wolves and the vampires came together to protect the one thing these sworn, born enemies have in common; Bella. So much good stuff happens in this book; Jasper’s story, Rose’s story, wolf history and we finally meet the Clearwaters!

Another good thing with this book is that both Edward and Jacob are present. Although quite different, both add interesting elements to the story as we delve deeper into this fantastic love triangle Meyer has created.

So, the whole Newborn Army aspect played out more intensely on paper than in the movie. I was sitting on the edge of my bed, bug eyed, flipping pages, anxiously awaiting what would come to life on the next page. It is sometimes difficult to translate such things onto the screen. It’s funny to me that in book 1 & 2 Edward is trying to make Bella realize that she has something to LIVE for, he’s trying to help her grow up and realize there is more to life than just Bella/Edward… it’s actually Jacob in Eclipse that helps Bella realize this. Isn’t it ironic, don’t ya think?!

Alice and Bella, OhMyGod, I LOVE Alice in this book. “Don’t you love me Bella?” as I was reading this I could just SEE Alice whimpering, batting her eyelashes at Bella and I was laughing so hard I was crying. This whole chapter in Eclipse is one of my favs in the book; Edward whispering in Bella’s ear “Vegas” hysterical. Again, I could just SEE Alice rolling her eyes at Edward and giving him an exasperated sigh, with her little hand placed perfectly on that hip, eyes rolling. I’m rolling on the bed laughing my ass off now just remembering.

The cookout on the reservation with the wolfpack; I LOVED IT! Again, I was on the edge of my seat. So well written, so descriptive, Chapter 11.. Legends. Best damn chapter in the entire book! Tahi Aki and the third wife, cried like a baby. It was the perfect set up for this chapter, the cookout, sitting by the fire while Billy Black shares this prolific piece of the Quileutes history. You can tell at this part of the book that he still loathes the Cullens and probably always will, you almost hate them along with him this chapter is so well written!



Fav quotes: “What do you mean by ‘keep an eye on things’?” “I mean that if you see a wolf running around your house, don’t shoot at it.” Don’t know why exactly but maybe just a vision of Jacob as a wolf running circles in Bella’s backyard while Charlie is cleaning his gun had me about to pee my pants!

“That’s it, isn’t it? You’re trying to protect your virtue!” “No, silly girl. I’m trying to protect yours. And you’re making it quite shockingly difficult.” “Of all the ridiculous…………….” I can’t tell you how disappointed I was when Edward didn’t break a damn headboard in this chapter!

“You said you needed a space heater, and here I am!” Holy crapsicles! Again, I was laughing so hard I was crying; all I could see in my mind whilst reading this was a 7 foot tall Taylor Lautner standing at the entry of the tent with his arms spread wide and a shit eating grin on his face! This was an excellent chapter in the book as well, I think this is where Edward and Jacob actually bond; or as close as these two can get to bonding. The surprise for me at the end of this chapter is realizing Bella has been awake the entire time; I loved that part.. well done Meyer!

Jacob,

I’m breaking the rules by sending you this. She was afraid of hurting you, and she didn’t want to make you feel obligated in any way. But I know that if things had gone the other way, I would have wanted the choice.

I promise I will take care of her, Jacob, Thank you – for her – for everything.

Edward

Yeah, bawling like a baby again! This book ended harsh with Jacob trying to run away from himself.. I did, however, like that all his pack mates were right there “So sorry” Embry whispered “Wait for us” Quil complained. I’m tearing up again just thinking about it.
My Rating:



“Some say the world will end in fire, some say with ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire, I hold with those that favor fire”………. My favorite opening of all the movies; loved the actual Eclipse action and this opening line from Bella. Here we have our young lovers in their meadow as Edward is still begging Bella to marry him “Well, where I come from, at my age, it means I just got knocked up!” Charlie and Bella, once again going over the top to have this elusive Father/Daughter relationship and it’s so awkwardly fabulous you can’t help but be drawn into it. Holy shit, the scene in the kitchen “Dad, I’m a virgin” “Aahahahaha okay glad we covered that.” “Me too!” “Virgin, liking Edward a little bit more now.” I was laughing so hard in the theater people were staring at me! At the police station when they are talking about Bella going to Jacksonville. “That makes me so happy!” LOVE Charlie, he is just written and acted in both the books and movies as a very stereo typical father; absolutely clueless yet painstakingly trying with every fiber of his being to be a good father. Meyer really nailed this one, and thank god the directors and screen writer kept that going in the movies.

Bella’s visit with her mom; CRYING! Congraduation! OMG the blanket with the tshirts, wow another epic moment in our wonderful Twilight series J Renee has one of the best lines “You’re like magnets, he moves, you move” friggin loved this line. It is spot on of their relationship! Moms see more than you think they do, like it or not, we carried you for 9 months we have a connection and this is one of the rare moments we get to see this connection between Renee and Bella, I loved it! “Alright, enough with the heavy” showing her young spirited side, showing that oh so very brief glimpse of the part of her that Bella took with her, so much alike in this moment.

From here on out, it seems like 5 minutes pass and the movie is over, the train ride begins! The wolfpack and the Cullens aren’t just quite yet ready to play nice and you see that with Emmet and Paul (hate Paul, sorry but I really do!). He’s just trying to kill the bitch you stupid jackass wolf, stow your pride and step aside! Anyway………… the scene between Bella and Jacob “rather you really be dead than become one of them” WOW, my heart hurt when he said this, I can only imagine what Bella felt! And the banter between the wolves “I’m glad you’re here Bella, I wish Bella would call, I wish Bella wouldn’t call, maybe I should call Bella, maybe I should call Bella and hang up!” Comic relief. So, was it just me or, as Jacob is describing the imprinting (since I’d already read Breaking Dawn) I was actually seeing him imprint with Renesmee. Enter Riley, in Bella’s room, hovering over Charlie, I think I actually stopped breathing during this scene. Oh, Carlisle “who is it, someone we know?” ROSE “a passerby wouldn’t have left Bella’s father alive” and so it begins; the obviously strained “working” relationship between the wolves and the Cullens; YES!

“Something terrible is coming.. and we must all be ready, all of us.” Never taking his eyes off Bella. Poor unfortunate soul is all I can think about Billy Black at this moment!

Did anyone aside from me catch the 2 second look of pure hatred on Jasper’s face when Edward is talking about the Volturi wanting him and Alice but knowing they’ll never choose them as long as their family is alive. And now we come to it.. Jacob kisses Bella, and she breaks her hand, hitting his face, total misunderstanding. Charlie a/k/a Billy Burke didn’t even need any dialogue, his facial expressions said it ALL in this scene.

My beautiful bitch on wheels, Rose! Of course I’d love her part, where she tells her story “I was a bit more theatrical back then” she storms in on him in her wedding dress with her eyes glowing red. “That’s what I will miss the most, the possibilities. Sitting on a front porch somewhere, Emmet’s laughter, surrounded by our grandchildren.” Goddamn, I’m crying again! Did you catch it? Right before she says she was a bit more theatrical there is this crooked smile, evil grin thing… later on in the tent, when Edward momentarily contemplates the thought of killing Jacob, he has the exact same evil grin! Cinematic genius!!!

Graduation is significantly shorter and less engrossing in the movie; it’s still cute though “This isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions, this is the time to make mistakes. Change your mind, then change it again, that way when somebody asks who we want to be; we won’t have to guess.. we’ll know.” Well, we are forced to like Jessica for 5 seconds!

Jasper is hosting our first annual “newborn” killing training expo! WooHoo!! The look on Jasper’s face “oh, one more thing. Never turn your back on your enemy.” Holy Christ, priceless! And then he tells his story to Bella “I didn’t know there was another way, until I found Alice. Oh, she seen me coming of course.” “You kept me waiting long enough.” “My apologies ma’am, I don’t know what I’d have become without you.” “Shhhh, you never have to be that again.” Such a private moment that Bella has to look away, we have one of these in every book and thank you god; they left these private moments in the movies!

“Isabella Swan, I promise to love you every moment of forever, will you do me the extraordinary honor of marrying me?” GASP, JesusMary&Joseph, squeeee, swoon, eeck! The tent scene, too funny! “I can’t sleep with all that teeth chattering going on.” “Forget it” “She may need her toe’s someday, and let’s face it, I am hotter than you.” So, with Taylor Lautner not being 7 feet tall this scene was bound to be difficult to film; they nailed it anyways! I did not, however, like how the “kiss” scene played out entirely differently in the movie than in the book.

Well, now we come to the end………….. “Jacob, I love you, you know I love you so… don’t make me choose. It will be him, it’s always been him.” Taylor Lautner should have gotten an Oscar for the look in his eyes, the pain and suffering he conveyed without even saying one word. Wow. Of course, we end with our young lovers and Bella’s speech about how she wasn’t ever really alive until she met Edward. “I’m gonna need that ring now; good thing your bullet proof.” Hahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
My Rating: 






*Please remember to complete ALL mandatory tasks or your entries won't count.  Winners will have 24 hours to respond before they forfeit their prize*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

28 comments:

  1. I really look forward to these contests. In this economy, you have no idea how nice it is to have the opportunity to win something that you otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. Plus its really fun. So thank you. Heather Heslip Alexander

    ReplyDelete
  2. Okay so I really had to think about which character I really disliked throughout the books and I honestly couldn't think of one, but if I moved on to the character I disliked the most in the movies I would have to say Mike Newton! Ugh! Isn't his name enough to explain why I disliked him so much in the movies and while we're at it Jessica can be lumped right in thee with him!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Okay, redoing my comment. The character I hate the most is probably Jessica because she's just sooooo selfish. I mean, I don't particularly like the Volturi's, but I feel like I'm more incline to forgive them as they are vampires hahaha Jessica just thinks about herself and she's frankly not a good friend.

    Thank you for doing this contest. So much fun :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yea I don't particularly like Paul either but I dislike Victoria the most.She uses people and she is just plain mean and hateful.Plus her mate tried killing Bella first so Edward had a right to kill him.She just needs to get over it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I disliked Jessica and Jane in the movie and the books. Jessica was a brat and Jane was just evil.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved Eclipse the book. The movie was really good the way they shot it, but I have to agree, Bella's wig was awful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have to say Caius. I hope I spelled that right. He his just so rude and annoying always trying to start stuff up. I do not like him at all!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would have to say the character I dislike the most would be Lena because she is one of those who thinks she can do anything and needs no help doing it. She is very self centered.
    Thanks for a great giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  10. It would have to be Victoria! I understand wanting to get even and all, but I think she went a bit overboard with it... So many lives lost/turned just to get Bella..

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Totally Victoria because i think she went way overboard with the revenge!

    Thanks for the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. There isn't a character that I don't like.
    thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Theres none I loathe but I did dislike Jessica. I dont know if its the way she is portrayed in the movie but she comes across as selfish and not very nice. Thanks for another amazing giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I must say Im not over fussed oN Jessica either. Her attitude - just her in general I think.. I found her in the movie to be self centred and worried about Bella taking her man lol.. Overall, A character I must say I didnt click with at all. Thanks again for the giveaway ! ;) kat

    ReplyDelete
  15. I LOATHE ARO with all my soul!!!!!!!!! he was/is all kinds of twisted and scary...and the fact that he smiles gives me the creeps... X_X I hate him!

    ReplyDelete
  16. There are so many things I love about the eclipse novel it is difficult to know where to begin! This was one of the funnier books in the series and in some ways had the most action! However, what I love is the interaction between the characters seen in the light of the new historical insights into them; that we as the audience were given! I love the relationship development between the Olympic vampire coven and the La Push wolf shifter pack! I love the insights into Jasper and Rosalie! I love the conversation in the tent between Jacob and Edward as you finally understood the depth of the decisions made by Edward and come to realize just how young Jacob really is! I also love the way Jacob finally for me starts to really come into his own and discover who he wants to be as opposed to who he currently is at the time of eclipse; though I find his manipulation of Bella utterly contemptible! My absolute favorite scene has to be Alice begging Bella not only for a real wedding, but to let her be the wedding planner! This was beyond priceless! The movie version kept so much that I loved but lost some of the things I most wanted to see! Having said that, I still loved this movie! It was asked earlier why they replaced the actress playing Victoria; the answer is because she didn’t leave them a choice; and in fact she forced their hand! I loved Rachel as Victoria, having said that however; she was not as much like the Victoria from the books as Bryce was! Bryce captured the face, the personality, and most importantly the irritating, innocent sounding, disturbing, bubble gum voice of Victoria the way Rachel never did! I loved that the atmosphere of this movie captured the ever growing sense of darkness and dread that was gripping Bella’s world! I loved the fight training scene as well as the actual fight scene! The question you posed earlier was, who did we not like in this story? Well for me there are several, but in the end I have to go with Riley! I felt so sorry for him when I read Eclipse, that he had gotten so used by Victoria! Then I read the novella “The Short- Second Life of Bree Tanner”! After reading this, I couldn’t help but wish even worse things would have happened to Riley as he deserved everything he got and more; once you learn what cruel and wicked crimes and sins he committed, out of his sick obsession for Victoria! So that is what I loved about the book and the film! My favorite part however will always be Alice; “Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

    ReplyDelete
  17. I guess if I had to pick it would be jessica she was obnoxious and nasty and didn't care about anyone but herself. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Omg I So Can Not Stand Victoria She is So Full Of Her Self Its Always About Her And Nothing Else Soi What That The Killed her Man If He Was Stupid Enough To Try To kill Bella Who By The Way Did Nothing To Him He Just Wanted To Hunt Her Down Like A Dog And Kill Her For The Sport Of It So He Got What He Had Coming To Him. So In The End SO Did You For Doing The Same Thing To Bella And For Making A Vampire Army That You Was So Not Allowed To Make Against The Rules And SO You Were Punished And Your Army Killed. Bella Is Safe Again With 2 Sexy Men Fighting Over her I Really Did See An Issue With The Men I Would Love It If 2 Men Fought Over Me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOOOOOPS That Was Supposed To Say I Dint See An Issue With The Men Lol.

      Delete
  19. Who do I loathe most eh? Well that's a tough one because there are at least 4 characters that I hated, all for their own reasons. But the one I dislike the most would have to be Jacob. I know, I know, he's not the one most people would choose, but COME ON! How many times does Bella have to tell him that she's with Edward and that she's not changing her mind about becoming a vampire?? GET OVER IT!! lol anyway, that's what I have to say.
    Thanks for the giveaway ladies & good luck everyone!!! (:

    ReplyDelete
  20. I haven't read the books and I haven't seen the movie. I'm waiting for the last movie to come out so I can watch them all, one after the other. So, I can't really say which character I hate from Eclipse.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The person I hate , jessica , her character in the movies , they could have picked a better person , cause in the books she is annoying , but her voice in the movies unbelievable annoying .
    I cant wait till the last movie that comes out in 6 months , such a long wait , guess i will have to re read the books over again for the million time.
    great giveaway! good luck to everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I don't dislike nobody. Cuz every charachter has his own story.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is one of my favorite books out of the whole series. New Moon being my number one favorite. I think my favorite character is Jacob Black, though. I hated him until I read Eclipse, then I fell in love with him. I felt so bad for him!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jessica, this girl is so hypocrite! Since day one all she wanted was to have attention like Bella had. And I have to say, Bella with her attitude toward Jacob made me hate her sometimes. Ok, I'm TEAM JACOB, so I prefer a hot man, than a cold one :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would have to say Victoria! I think her anger/revenge was out of place.

    Thanks Ladies <3

    ReplyDelete
  26. I disliked Riley - with Victoria a fast second! Great book and great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  27. You know what, I have to be completely honest: I really hate Bella. She's a doormat and she's willing to give up her entire life for a man. What's that teaching young woman, that we have to cater to someone else in order to feel loved? I don't think so. I really enjoy reading the books, however, but I just wish Bella wasn't so stupid.

    ReplyDelete

We love to hear from you!