Midnight Sun by award-winning author Stephenie Meyer is an additional novel in the Twilight saga, an all-time favorite. Twilight told the story of Bella Swan, a young girl who moves to Forks, a rainy and gloomy town hiding a dark secret. She lives with her divorced father in a selfless act to allow her mother to pursue a carefree life with her new husband. As Bella starts school, she meets the Cullens, a quiet and aloof family with a far darker side than they appear to have. Edward Cullen is the only member of the family without a partner. That quickly changes when he meets Bella. Their first interaction begins a whirlwind romance that still resonates even two decades after its release. Before Midnight Sun, readers only experienced Bella’s point of view. This novel finally offers the other side of the story.
Midnight Sun is more than just a new addition to this iconic series. It proves that even in an age of advanced technology, true authors remain unmatched in creativity and style. While I enjoyed the book, I found some characters to be a bit two-dimensional. Edward’s thoughts did not entirely match the mental image built in the earlier books. At times he took melodramatic to a whole new level. This was entertaining at first but eventually became frustrating. Bella seemed placed on a pedestal, and those around her were painted in a worse light that made her appear better by comparison.
In contrast, this novel gave me a new admiration for Emmett with his spontaneous and snarky nature. Despite the questionable character portrayals, Midnight Sun rounded off the series well. The Twilight saga now feels complete. While there has been mixed reception to this addition, I would still recommend Midnight Sun. I recommend it more for nostalgia than for literary strength, but it remains a satisfying read for long-time fans.
📚 About the Book
- Author: Stephenie Meyer
- Genre: Young Adult / Paranormal Romance
- Themes: Love, Identity, Perspective, Belonging
- Published: 2020
- ISBN: 9780316707046