I have started this post about six times now and still hesitate about what to say and what not to say. I, like many (or most, I guess, if not all) children’s book bloggers don’t want this to be a particularly negative place. I read tons of galleys I hate – books I think are badly written, or badly plotted, or just so horrifically bad I wonder what crack the publishers were smoking when they bought them. It is (still) part of my job to give the owner of the store where I used to work my opinion on what I think she should buy and not buy of the galleys I’m reading, but if I hate a book, should I also say that here? I don’t know. So, for now, I’ve chosen not to do that. At least not with galleys. And especially not with first-time authors.

But what about the fourth novel in a blockbuster bestselling series? If I didn’t like it, is it okay to say that here?

I think it is.

I did not like Breaking Dawn.

Please know that I think the first two books are fantastic and liked Eclipse far more than my friends did. I am generally a happy member of Team Edward. I’m excited for the movie. And I thought BD was for the most part melodramatic, anticlimactic, and about a hundred pages too long. The Jacob section was by far my favorite part of the book, and I think it is the best part of the book. It is unfortunately bookended by two perfectly tied up in a neat little bow Bella sections in which so many things happened that had me scratching my head in disbelief that in the end I must say that overall I did not really enjoy it that much.

Meyer is a very good writer. She’s also a lovely person and very generous with her fans, which I was fortunate to see up close once. I look forward to what she does next, and I am happy that this saga has come to a close.