New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer is the second book in the Twilight series. The book begins with Bella celebrating her birthday with the Cullen family. Through a series of unfortunate events, Bella ends up with a severe cut that almost gets her attacked by Jasper - who is relatively new at being a 'vegetarian' - and sorely tempts the rest of the family. Edward sees this as a sign of their relationship is not meant to be. Edward promises to remove himself from Bella's life in order to keep her safe, against Bella's wishes. The entire Cullen family abruptly leave Forks. Literally, the next day.

Bella is devastated beyond belief. This is where I think Stephenie Meyer employed a very cute tactic. She proceeds to title chapters by months. However, these chapters have no words. Basically, it is implied that those months passed by like a blur. I have to admit that when I saw those pages, I gasped with foreboding. When Bella finally wakes up, she realizes that she lived those months like a zombie, trudging through life, completely in despair.

Bella makes an attempt to re-enter life, but has trouble. Bella is driven to do risky things because when she does, Bella "hears" Edward admonishing her. In order to hear his voice more, she gets the bright idea of riding a motorcycle when she spots two run down motorcycles for sale. Having not a clue of how to fix a motorcycle, she goes to Jacob Black who is a handy mechanic. Bella finds that the more time she spends with Jacob, the less she is distraught about Edward's absence. Jacob is her sun that keeps away the darkness and shadows. This is not to mean that she is falling in love with Jacob. Although Jacob would love her to do so.

Bella pushes to do more dangerous things. When Bella sees some guys cliff jumping into the water, she wants to do it, too. Jacob is able to hold her off, promising to take her.

Meanwhile other things are happening in Jacob's world. One of his best friends has joined with a cult-like group of young men. Jacob's hates the leader, Sam, for isolating his friend from him. Then suddenly, seemingly overnight, Jacob joins this group. Bella is left confused and in the dark. We soon discover that Jacob, along with his 'pack' of new friends, is a werewolf. Probem - vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies or should I say, immortal enemies.

Anyway, without Jacob to hold her back, Bella attempts the cliff jumping on her own. Fortunately, Jacob is there is rescue her from the water. She is fine but not for long. She gets a surprise visit from Alice Cullen - who has arrived to comfort Bella's dad, Charlie. From what? From her vision of Bella's death. Unfortunately, Edward has mistakenly thought the same. He rushes to Italy to ask for death from the Volturi. Because he cannot live in a world without Bella. Alice and Bella rush to save Edward from his foolish mission. Though the Volturi refuse Edward's request, Edward still plans on provoking them to kill him by exposing himself to the Italian public. The Volturi police the vampire world and they make sure that the secrets of vampires is not compromised. Of course, Alice and Bella arrive just in time. But not early enough to escape the notice of the Volturi.

In the presence of the Volturi, we find that Bella is also immune to the special powers of the minions of the Volturi. We also find that the Volturi had taken notice of the special powers of Alice and Edward. Edward, Alice and Bella only manage to escape, with the promise of making Bella a vampire soon.

This is the least of their problems. Due to a series of mysterious murders that has been occurring in the metro area, the vampires and the werewolves deduce that there is are vampires on the loose. It is determined that Victoria, James' mate, is out for revenge. She is after Bella, Edward's mate for killing her mate (in book #1, Twilight.)

Edward and Bella work through some misunderstandings and the Cullen family return to Forks. Edward promises to never leave or hurt Bella again. And they focus on the threat of Victoria. Bella continues to push Edward on her desire to become a vampire.

New Moon left me wanting more. Not getting sucked into the Twilight until now is a good thing. It's a good thing because now I do not have to wait for each book to be published. I can read one book after another. But I will not. I will not. I will not. I will restrain myself. I do not want to get too obsessive. Although, one easily can...