Article contributed by Annie McCann
“Love does not always come in convenient packages…”
You have read Bella’s story through in Twilight, ow it’s Edward’s turn.
Over a decade ago, Stephenie Meyer took the world by storm when she told the iconic love story of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan through Bella’s eyes in the Twilight Saga. But it has taken over a decade for fans to learn Edward’s version of events in this newly released Midnight Sun. This unforgettable tale, now told through Edward’s eyes, takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. We learn from Bella in Twilight that yes Edward was a vampire and part of him thirsted for her blood, but just how big, she didn’t know, although what she was sure of was her unconditional and irrevocable love for him. In Midnight Sun, we learn the fascinating details of Edward’s experience as a vampire starting from his first meeting with Bella (which was unnerving yet intriguing).
Although I was a devoted Twilight Saga fan back in its hey-day, I have since moved on from reading paranormal romance, so when I heard this book was to be released this year, I was not only keen to step back into an old fandom but I was keen to see whether Stephenie Meyer had changed as a writer given the 10 year gap between Breaking Dawn and Midnight Sun. I still remember like it was yesterday when the first part of Midnight Sun was leaked around the world and I refused to read it then and was glad to see it retracted from publication. Fast forward 10+ years and the release of Midnight Sun comes in the middle of a global pandemic. Personally, having the opportunity to revisit an old fandom is just what fans need for a reprieve.
To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for this book, but I was still keen to read and I must admit the book did not disappoint. I also had the pleasure of running a reading along with a small group of friends to share a fun reading experience with them.
What impressed me most in Midnight Sun was how well Edward’s voice is captured. In some books, particularly books with multiple perspectives, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between voices. However in this one, I was able to tell straight away that it’s Edward. The way he converses, it clearly demonstrated he is an older person trapped in the role of a 17-year-old boy. Edward’s complex character was illustrated so well through his inner monologue. Whilst it was a grind to read at times, I felt for once I was getting to know an honest Edward. Midnight Sun shows us a very different Edward to the one we meet during the Twilight Saga. In Twilight, we see a vampire in control, the one who called the shots in the relationship, a very strong, confident guy. In Midnight Sun, we meet the real Edward beneath the layers of confidence and for the first time, we see the real Edward and understand the inner struggles he faces each day throughout his existence, made even more challenging upon Bella Swan’s arrival in Forks.
Midnight Sun also gave me insight into characters we thought we knew so well. I was blindsided in learning the true personality of the characters and I was truly impressed at how cleverly we were able to learn the truth of these characters through Edward’s gift of mind reading. Edward’s relationships with his coven (or siblings) was also very interesting as I came to realise that there was so much about Edward and his coven that I didn’t know simply because the Twilight Saga is through Bella’s lens. I really enjoyed learning whom Edward is closest with in the coven and how each sibling came to came together to form Cullens.
Although this book takes place at the same time as Twilight and we follow the same storyline as we did in Twilight just through Edward’s lens, we are blessed with insight into Edward’s history as well as the backstories of other characters. My personal favourite is Carlisle’s backstory. Whilst the book fills in a lot of blanks and we see what was really happening in scenes that didn’t feature Edward in Twilight, I would have loved to have seen more of Edward’s history. Being immortal, he had a long history to share.
Yes, it’s over 700 pages long, Yes, it’s been over a decade since I was really into this series, but if you were a fan like me back in the day, I do recommend this read. I truly had a lot of fun getting back into this saga and I feel it is really worth the read.
Who’d of thought my obsession with this series would land me in the newspaper over a decade later!?
Midnight Sun is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore. I would like to thank Date a Book YA (Hachette Australia) for sending me a copy of this book.
Will you be picking up Midnight Sun? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.
This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?
