First off, this is the sequel to Twilight. While Stephenie Meyer has technically made it possible to read and understand New Moon on its own, I wouldn't recommend it. You won't be as into the Bella/Edward romance, and that's a key component of the enjoyment factor.
Ya got me? Read Twilight first.
On to New Moon...
Due to a bloody accident at Bella's eighteenth birthday party, Edward breaks things off with her, tells her that he doesn't love her and the Cullen family leaves town forever.
To say that Bella is shattered is an understatement.
Eventually, she finds comfort in reckless behavior -- which seems to always result in auditory hallucinations of Edward -- and her friendship with Jacob Black.
But Edward Cullen wasn't the only dangerous thing in Forks, and his leaving may have put Bella in even more danger than before.
I had the same reaction to New Moon as I did to Twilight: I had some issues, but they didn't stop me from reading the entire book -- 563 pages -- in one sitting.
My main issues (There are some minor spoilers here.):
The writing still isn't so hot. It's a bit bodice-ripper-y. But after thirty pages to get back into the groove, I was so engrossed in the story that I stopped noticing or caring.
Bella takes way too long to figure things out. COME ON. Jacob TOLD you the wolf-man legend in the first book. You're a smart girl. You could have figured it out a little sooner.
That's it, though. It may bother some readers that Bella spends a good part of the book channeling Season Six Buffy (read: v. reckless and v. depressed), but it made sense, character-wise, so it didn't bother me.
It's a solid sequel, and I'm already waiting for the next book.
I'm so jealous.
Posted by: Naru | 01 September 2006 at 08:23 AM
It's out there. Your library must have it. (If not, make them buy it so you can read it.)
Posted by: Leila | 01 September 2006 at 08:26 AM
My library has...issues...with getting YA books in a timely manner. (It's still on order, and I'm 19th in line for it). I nearly bought it at the bookstore, just because the first was so compelling, even though I had a lot of issues with it.
Posted by: Emily H. | 01 September 2006 at 03:15 PM
Oh, my library also has... issues with getting books on time. Happily, Little, Brown (those fabbity-fab-fabbers) sent me a copy for review.
Posted by: Leila | 01 September 2006 at 03:22 PM
I really enjoyed New Moon while reading it. It wasn't until after I had finished reading it and looked back on it that I started feeling there were a couple of nitpicky parts that I did not like... but overall it was very, very good.
If she's going to do Twilight from Edward's point of view, I'd like to see this one from his point of view as well.
Posted by: Courtney | 01 September 2006 at 09:40 PM
i live in australia and im not sure but i think the release date here is later. besides my library just got twilight last month or something. it'll take a while before they get this one. i'll probably end up borrowing it from a friend (like last time) or buying myself.
Posted by: Naru | 02 September 2006 at 03:56 AM
Oooooh. I hate that -- it happens to me a lot, too, Naru. Books come out in Britain and then don't show up here for a whole year sometimes! So annoying.
Hope you get your hands on it soon.
Posted by: Leila | 02 September 2006 at 07:55 AM
Your kindness is not helping the jealosy one bit.
But thanks.
Posted by: Naru | 02 September 2006 at 11:47 PM
omg. twilight and new moon are the best books ever! i can't wait until eclipse and midnight sun are published. hopefully they make a movie. sorry to everyone who can't get a hold of the books. Stephenie Meyer rocks!
Posted by: Kelsey | 25 September 2006 at 09:35 PM
when does New Moon come out in Australia!!!! I need to know!!! i cant wait any longer!!!
Posted by: Rachel | 26 September 2006 at 05:52 AM
in new zealand new moon is no where to be found!! and its really anoying cause i just loved twilight
Posted by: jinda | 26 September 2006 at 07:41 AM
man my libary has issues too im the 22 person on the list its gonaa be for ever!!!! :[
Posted by: samim | 01 October 2006 at 07:25 PM
i dont think new moon comes out in aust til lk march sorry:( which absolutely SUX coz i luvd twilight sooooooooooo much!!!!!! cant wait to read new moon=) my town kinda doesnt hav a library atm so im just screwed:( but i was gonna buy it anyways=) lol
Posted by: manda | 24 January 2007 at 06:24 AM
GOD THIS IS HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am so bugged that New Moon hasn't come out in Victoria (in australia) yet!! grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
true, it comes out in ... 8 days ...
see - i've been counting!!!
Posted by: Jo | 29 January 2007 at 09:09 PM
hey
I tried to get new moon off angus and robertsons they said it wouldnt be in till JUNE!!! i think i might order it from the states coz that is ridikulas. grr...
Posted by: sarah | 15 February 2007 at 02:14 AM
You are all lucky, I live in The Netherland and I have to wait until March.
Posted by: yasmin | 16 February 2007 at 11:53 AM
I can't wait until August when Eclipse comes out! It's so nice to have books that actually take place in Washington! I live there and I know what the places they go look like. ^_^ Yay. Oh! New Moon was really good, but I still prefer Twilight.
Posted by: Alyx | 02 April 2007 at 08:56 PM
I went into Angus and Robinson and they said New Moon would be release in Australia around June Julyish
Posted by: Miranda | 11 April 2007 at 12:01 AM
i had to cry in new moon b ella got annoying after a while i own both the books twilight was and is the best book ever!! you must read it (new moon) but bella is very stupid in the book edward was too for leaving her ggggggggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr jacob and bella should be friends she is a great writer and i cant waint for the other books to come out :]
Posted by: heather | 27 April 2007 at 04:21 PM
my whole school fell n love wth this book every one wants to read eclpse!!
Posted by: kim carreto | 02 June 2007 at 10:13 PM
my whole school fell n love wth this book every one wants to read eclpse!!
Posted by: kim carreto | 02 June 2007 at 10:14 PM
I loved this book! It wasn't as great as Twilight, though. I think the reason for that was... there wasn't enough Edward, and I'm completely and irrevocably in love with Edward. :) I only had enough money to buy Twilight... so that's the only one I own right now. I've been dreaming about New Moon, though... About the end of it. I read the book before, but it was the library's, so I HAD to give it back. But, I think I'm gonna have to buy it because I've been dreaming about it for literally 3 weeks straight.
I just wanted to post a comment about it because I'm so happy that Twilight series has such a huge fanbase. Where I live, only 2 people have read the book, myself included, and they have no idea what they're missing. Everyone who's commented on here, and everyone who loves the books are awesome!
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~IM GOING 2 FALL IN LUV WITH TH3S3 BOOKS~!!!!!
~EDWARD&&ISABELLA U ROCK~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~EMMETT U EXSPECIALLY ROCK~!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~ALICE U ROCK,2~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DONT FORGET 2 READ DA BOOKS && C DA MOVIES 2
BUT, U HAV 2 B A TWILIGHT FAN 2 GET IN 2 DA MOVIE && BUY DA BOOKS 2
GO TWILIGHT/NEW MOON/ECLIPSE/BREAKING DAWN GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO TWILIGHT FANS DONT FORGET 2 READ DA BOOKS && THEN C DA MOVIES!!!!!!!!!U HEARD!!!!!!!!
PEACE-OUT TWILIGHT FANS/STRANGERS I DONT KNOW
Posted by: VALERIE | 11 December 2008 at 06:21 PM
new moon is cool..i've just finished reading the book last night..hmm. captivating..^^>
Posted by: rizzei | 14 December 2008 at 04:00 AM