The perhaps too Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Twihard fans were queueing in bookshops on the 5th June for the release of the spin off to the successful Twilight franchise: ‘The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.’ However was this worth the wait? Worth the hype? Worth the £11.99 RRP?

No. It was not. Admittedly I was not that eager to sink my teeth into this book as I was disappointed with ‘Breaking Dawn.’ Plus, I don’t what’s so great about R Pattz.

The basic story is parallel to ‘Eclipse’ and if you decide to read this make sure that you have invested in ‘Eclipse’ first. Bree Tanner is a new born vamp who falls for another vamp for Diego. However, she is made to go and fight in a big battle against the Cullen clan on Victoria’s behalf. Told you it was basic.

Firstly, the book is predictable due to the poorly selected title. Come on Stephanie! Isn’t there a better title so that you don’t give the ending away? It’s not difficult. ‘Twilight’ doesn’t give much away. Surely, you can come up with something more imaginative.

Also when it says ‘Short’ in the title it means short. The book is only 192 pages of large font text. So you can read it in a couple of hours. Consequently, the book fails to go into much detail at all. It also doesn’t get too lovey dovey like the main Twilight books. Don’t know whether that is a positive thing. Anyway, I felt like half the story was skimmed over really and there were so many missed opportunities as a result. One character seems to remain nameless throughout as he is referred to as the ‘Spiderman kid.’ Coming up with a name isn’t difficult!!!

Furthermore, the book gives the impression that you must know all the Twilight mythology like the back of your hand as if fails to explain any of it. I feel due to this is due to the arrogance of Stephanie Meyer and her assumption that everyone has read these books and loves them. A basic description or perhaps prologue would be nice.

Also, the first person proves to be promlematic as well. Meyer wrote the Twilight Saga in the first person but this doesnt work for this book. First of all, Bree misses the big battle. Come on, that’s a pivotal part of the mythology. So that was a let down. Plus the ending, it just stops. So can’t really feel for what’s just happened. Perhaps if were not Bree in the first person it would have been somehow improved. Or maybe the third person would have been better?. Who knows?

Despite this, Meyer’s writing style is addicitive as you just can’t put the book down. I hate that! The pace of the book is fast (it would have to be at the shortness) which makes it so readable.

Overall, this book is solely aimed at the Twihard fans of the Twight Saga. That wasn’t me. Meyer’s arrogance leads to this alienation of casual readers. The shortness of the book also gives the impression it was rushed and not really important expect for the financial benefits of flogging a dead horse. Despite this Twihard fans will surely get a kick out of more Twilight action even though Jacob and Edward are barely in it at all.