Eclipse

Title: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
My rating: ***

I picked it up in a hurry not realizing that this was the third and final book of the Twilight saga. But it's so beautifully written that one doesn't necessarily need to read it in order. With the help of the flashbacks and very little help from the internet, it wasn't too tough to follow this intriguing and yet bizarre love tale or should I say triangle between a vampire, human and a werewolf. After all how often do you come across anything with all three thrown into the party!
The story builds on to the already brewing love between Bella and Edward Cullen from the vampire clan. During his long absence, Bella grows closer to Jacob, the werewolf never realizing that what she believed to be close friendship was after all more than that. The story unfolds into this emotional upheaval where Bella is torn in between her love for Ed and liking for Jacob. The historical animosity between the vampires and werewolf - their co-existence made possible only because of a conditional truce - doesn't help either. She is also preparing to give up her human form and be eternally together with Ed. If that was not enough there's threat from another vampire called Victoria who wants to avenge her lover's death at the hands of Edward by killing Bella. As Alice sees the danger coming, and realizing that the Cullens can't alone take the Victoria army, the vampires and werewolf forge into an alliance. As the climax prepares for the fierce war, the two non-humans develop mutual understanding and respect. Together they eliminate the vampire army. While Jacob manages to convince Bella of their mutual love and the "more complete" life they would have together, gives up in the end as she sticks with her "bloodsucker" as he calls him.
The story is nicely woven together with the history of the two clans and their coming along. Waiting to read the first two parts now.

~Ashish