Here’s the thing about the Twilight series – most people have an opinion on it. They either seem to be completely in love with the books, or they completely hate Twilight and all it stands for. As for me, I’m somewhere in the middle. So, when I picked up The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner I wasn’t sure what to think.
Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Myer is a novella. This short novella tells the story of who else, but Bree Tanner, a newly turned vampire who had a small role in the third Eclipse novel. Honestly, before this book came out I had never given Bree’s character a second thought. She was just some nameless face that had a short, unimportant part. That is, she was nameless and unimportant before I read this novella. Now, after reading this book, I have to say that I’m glad to have learned about her.
Before turning, Bree was just a teenager living on the streets trying to make out an existence for herself. After turning into a vampire, Bree is thrust into a vicious world of survival. One where all of the vampires don’t act as a family, but as rivals. Gangs form, fights ensue, and it’s not unusual for Bree to find a smoldering pile of ashes on the floor. She is one of the many that Victoria has turned in order to get revenge on Edward, but Bree doesn’t know that. She’s kept in the dark by Victoria’s second in charge Riley. Riley feeds their lies and paranoia, and Bree does her best to remain invisible to everyone around her. That way she isn’t the next pile of ashes forgotten on the floor.
Bree wasn’t like all of the other mindless drones that Victoria created, and I really started to like her character. She had an inner strength that was enviable. When confronted with the fact that she had been lied to by her creator she didn’t breakdown or become incensed. She fought her own instincts to feed in a way that few vampires that age are capable of. I couldn’t help but wonder that if she didn’t have such a horrible ending if she would have developed her own abilities.
By the end of the book, I was really hoping that the Cullens would stand up for her a little more. Even though I knew that that wasn’t going to happen, I found myself empathizing with her. Her situation wasn’t normal and I wanted her to be the exception to the Volturi’s rules.
Obviously if you don’t like the Twilight series, then The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner isn’t for you. It is set along the same lines as the other books. However, if you have even a smidgen of love for Twilight, then I think that The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Myer is a must read.
Read Order:
Twilight
New Moon
Eclipse
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (a novella)
Breaking Dawn
Also reviewed by:
The Crooked Shelf
All About {n}
BSC Reviews
Tez Says
YA Book Reviews
Like you, I’m somewhere in the middle with the twilight books. A friend of mine told me that this one was good and since I just finished the series I think now is a good time to check it out. ^_^
Having liked the Twilight series I have to say that I really am not interested in this story at all. Especially since it came out AFTER the series instead of a novella in between.
What I really found interesting was Edwards point of view, and wish she had written the other books that way as well.
I agree about the Twilight books lying in the middle. Honestly after reading the first Twilight I really wasn’t a fan of Bella and Edward (still am not) but what kept me reading was Jacob. He was interesting, as well as Alice and a few of the other Cullens. After reading this I was more interested in the vampires that aren’t ‘so good’ like these guys. Getting inside the head of a newborn was to me one of her best piece of works and makes me almost forgive her for the train wreck she gave us in Breaking Dawn.
You gotta say this about Stephenie Meyer: she knows her characters. Even the minor ones.
I liked the Twilight books but struggled with this one…. no idea why other than the fact that I think I like my vampires umm…. well done… as in – no blood :D
Hmm ok you guys are making me want to pick this up lol