The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is a short novella set in the Twilight world - but specifically taking place throughout Eclipse. In it we meet Bree Tanner. She is a newborn vampire with little knowledge about the new world she has awakened into. All that she is sure of are her supernatural powers and the ravaging thirst for blood and what little else she knows she has learned from Riley, the leader of the newborns. Then there is "her" (Victoria, of course), the one who turned them. But Bree knows little to nothing about "her" except that Riley reports to "her". Through "her" and Riley they know that they must stay indoors when the sun is out and must avoid being staked through the heart or they will perish.When Bree and another newborn, Diego, get caught outdoors and must hide in an underground cave to avoid the sun's rays, they end up striking a friendship. But as they both begin questioning some of Riley's instructions they find that they might not be all in the know but instead pawns in a deadly game.
Poor Bree - I mean we all know what happens to her in Eclipse. I couldn't help but read this and hope that things somehow changed - what can I tell you, I'm optimistic like that. I loved the cover of this book. I thought it was very fitting. I also loved the fact that reading this (too short) story made me once again fall into the world of Twilight, with its shiny vampires and klutzy leading ladies. I also enjoyed the different take on the events that we all know occur in Eclipse, the newborns, the war, Victoria, etc.
For those of you who are questioning whether you must read this before Eclipse (the movie) hits theaters, I would say that is a negative. Yes, it is a different side to the tale, but not one that I think will make much of a difference to what you learn from the book (Eclipse).
With that said, and I'll be honest that it could be that I am over those days where I was entranced by the Twilight Saga, but this was mediocre for me. It was okay. I mean yes, I can definitely recommend this to fans of the series because if you've read the whole Twilight Saga, you might as well read the 170+ pages that is Bree. But if you are over the series or weren't a big fan of it in the first place, you will be missing out on nothing if you skip this one. It is a quick, easy read but it definitely is not a masterpiece. I personally have never thought Stephenie Meyer's writing is spectacular, but I still really like her stories, this one just fell a little flat for me. Sorry die-hard TwiFans, please don't hate me!
I could never hate you. Thanks for the honest review. I look forward to reading this one :)
ReplyDeleteKinda mediocre for me too. I just reviewed it this morning. I liked that it was short, though. Maybe other writers, like Suzanne Collins could write novellas? I'd totally read one about the avox girl in the Hunger Games series.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. I loved Twilight when I first read it. Wasn't so crazy about the rest of them and now that it's been a couple of years, the magic is certainly gone. I almost bought this one today, but then I realized I didn't even remember Bree's character in Eclipse, so that was the end of that.
ReplyDeleteGlad you reviewed it, though....makes me feel better about leaving it at the store today.
I'm curious to read this one. Like you, I never thought Meyer's writing was that great, even though I loved the series. She's much, much better at telling stories than writing, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
I might pick this one up, still undecided about it though...hmm. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. I was underwhelmed by Bree Tanner. In my opinion, the movie probably wanted scenes of the army of newborn vampires, and instead of dealing with rabid Twihards screaming "that wasn't in the book!" Meyer put out this novella. Which came first? The novella or the movie? Hmm.
ReplyDeleteI've been on the fence about reading this one. I enjoyed the Twilight books when I was reading them, but when I finished the fourth one, I was glad to be done and move on. I'm not sure if I really need to go back into the story and read it from a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteNely, I agree tha while I too am over the series, enjoyed the reads but wont read them again, I did pick up this book. I was curious to see what the take is on it, and it is a short read so might as well add it to my shelves next to the series. :)
ReplyDeleteI wana congratulate you for such a wonderful and excellent work keep it up though its awesome.
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