by Amanda Hanes

Created on: November 21, 2009

New Moon(2006) by Stephenie Meyer is the second installment in the bestselling Twilight Saga. New Moon starts where Twilight left off with Bella celebrating her birthday with the Cullen family. When Bella gets a paper cut, spilling her blood. Jasper, Edward's "brother", is overcome by his instincts and tries to attack her. The rest of the Cullen family manage to get Jasper out of the house and away from Bella before he can hurt her, but unfortunately she is accidentally injured in the process. Edward, overcome by guilt, begins to distance himself from Bella, until the day comes that he tells her the Cullen's are leaving-and she isn't going with them. In Edward's absence, Bella falls into a depression and it isn't until she beings to see her long time friend, Jacob Black, that she is able to smile. Bella, who never got over Edward, is happy to see Edward's "sister" Alice, until she finds out that Edward is trying to get the Vulturi (powerful vampire family in Italy) to kill him. Edward thought that Bella was dead and didn't want to live without her. Bella, of course, decides to go to Italy and save Edward. Bella's decision to leave Forks puts a rift between her new best friend, Jacob Black, who coincidently is a werewolf, the mortal enemy of vampires.

There is a lot more to the story, but to be honest I didn't enjoy it so there is no sense getting into every detail. In comparison to the first book of the series, Twilight(2005), New Moon pales in comparison. The story is weak and rather sad. Bella's character, always so independent and in control in the first book, seemed feeble and awkward. New Moon also highlights the controlling nature of Bella and Edward's relationship. Bella doesn't do anything without Edward's approval. Even the mere fact that he waits for her in the parking lot suggests that he doesn't want her to see anyone else. Of course, there is his temper as well. We see it more when the couple come back from Italy, and Bella decides she wants to become a vampire too. Edward leaves the room to break something before screaming in her face in front of his entire family. I know I wouldn't put up with that kind of behaviour. Edward seems so unstable, controlling and even obsess with Bella; and in an unhealthy manor.

Jacob Black's character is introduced in the first book. He is a family friend who Bella has known all her life. It isn't until the second book that we really begin to notice him. Jacob is in love with Bella, but Bella doesn't feel the

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