It is by now a well-known and widely accepted fact that Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series is complete trash. With over 42 million Twilight books sold worldwide and counting, it seems that any further popularity will only strengthen this evaluation, since trashy books are, by definition, exceedingly popular. 'Trashy', it seems, is a term used to describe fiction which, despite being of low literary quality, is particularly readable or addictive. Amusingly enough, it is a term used mostly as a disclaimer: "Yes, I'm reading that Eclipse book – but don't think any less of me; I know it's just trash!" A word to critics: tell yourself it's trash if it makes you feel better about yourself. That won't stop you from devouring Eclipse uncontrollably in long, greedy sittings. Like it's predecessors, this book is ridiculously readable. Its 600-page bulk will melt away in your hands and leave you ready for more, and, if you pride yourself on your good taste in fiction, quietly aghast at yourself for it. If there were a prize for stretching the least amount of plot into the longest possible novel, then Eclipse would be a shoe-in. Between pages and pages of unhurried dialogue, readers are treated to back-stories for Rosalie, Jasper and the Quileute werewolves. (Back-stories, I might add, in which Meyer demonstrates her decidedly irksome habit of using direct speech within direct speech!) Eclipse's languid style is often reminiscent of a soap opera. Through regular scenes of conversation, we are constantly made aware of how each character feels about the transpiring events – which is, of course, entirely appropriate. It may have scenes of action, but this book is a romance novel at heart. Feelings are what really count. Indeed, it is perhaps Meyer's feelings about her writing that make the Twilight saga what it is. Hundreds of authors worldwide set out to write 'trashy' novels with the same compulsive readability, and yet none of them wind up with the legions of hysterical fans that Meyer now commands. The difference? Stephenie Meyer believes wholeheartedly that she is writing an epic tale of singular passion and significance. Perhaps it is this depth of feeling that brings Meyer's world so absorbingly to life, thus saving it from the fate of so many Mills and Boon romance novels. One thing is certain: as far as 'trash' goes, it doesn't get much better than this.

I have sat and stared at this book for days now, have turned its pages and just could not find words to express how much it disturbs me. I can’t begin to describe my fears about the deeply held beliefs in this world that allow such a book to be so incredibly popular. I don’t even know where to begin to list all of its problems. I could understand the happy escapism of Twilight I could even begin to appreciate the attractiveness of the attention seeking self harm in New Moon, but there is nothing I enjoyed about Eclipse. It made me feel physically ill in my stomach to read it as all sorts of warning bells went off even more desperately than in Twilight, and without the hope of salvation that was in New Moon. So I will proceed with only a portion of my displeasure at this book, because its better than nothing. The abusive boyfriend signs were even stronger here than in past novels in this series. Bella has choices taken from her, is actually kidnapped at one point, has her car engine disabled at another and in every way is treated like a child by Edward. He keeps information from her that might harm her, he restricts her movements within her social circles, sometimes physically and once even in her own home. He makes decisions throughout that should not be his to make, but it is written off again and again as okay because he loves her. Jacob's character has taken a turn for the worst as well. His character turns abrasive and violent and he even forces himself on Bella at one point and when she attempts to defend herself and hurts herself in the process he laughs at his victim and blames her for broken hand that results. Her father joins Jacob in the laughing and in the blame further validating the misogyny behind the act. Other plot points develop including more back story on several of the characters and the world of vampires as a whole. Several of these reveal underlying racial prejudice, anti-catholic beliefs and yet more misogyny. The vampires in Central America are violent and volatile and need to be tamed by the Italian based Volturi, meanwhile the North American vampires sit and wring their hands over it all but ultimately do nothing, need I say more? The werewolves also are expanded on. Their history is explored and their characters developed. More disturbing themes come to light. Leah, the first female werewolf is hated because her fiance married her cousin when he imprinted on her and so the entire pack has to deal with her thoughts as she deals with her ex every day. The leniency given Bella when she mourned the loss of Edward is not extended to Leah. She is treated like, and so rightly becomes... well, a female dog. I have yet to speak on the imprinting. The concept of the male werewolf attaching himself to a mate and becoming fixated on them for the rest of his life robs him of the choice certainly, but the female is also assumed to not have a choice as well. The reason being, why would you choose differently? That non-decision apparently extends even to the youngest members of the tribe when a werewolf imprints on a two-year-old child. We are told this is okay because he will be the best friend a two-year-old could ever have and as she grows he will be the best big brother, the best father figure, the best everything until they turn eighteen. The age discrepancy is also waved away in much the same way Edward and Bella's is waved away. Edward looks seventeen, so he is essentially treated like he is seventeen. The werewolves also similarly do not age while they actively transform so when the child turns eighteen and the werewolf looks to be still eighteen that makes everything right and tight. The concept of pedophilia, of the very close similarities between what these werewolves that bond with toddlers and grooming seem to be lost entirely. I won't even really touch on the de-evolution of Bella's character. Her self-centeredness, her insistence on throwing gifts and parties and other things people do for her back in their face, her eerie pro-bigamy arguments and despair, her lack of self respect and the way she allows herself to be treated "for love" are all absolutely horrific to read about. This on top of everything else earns this book one of my rare one star ratings.