Parents' Guide to

Eclipse: The Twilight Saga, Book 3

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Love is a bit obsessive in suspenseful 3rd vampire book.

Book Stephenie Meyer Fantasy 2007
Eclipse: The Twilight Saga, Book 3 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 37 parent reviews

INMH
INMH Adult
March 24, 2012
age 14+

This Book Disgusts Me. Seriously.

Parents, seriously talk to your kid when they read this book. Edward and Bella do NOT have a healthy relationship: He bribes his sister to hold Bella hostage for a night, and dismantles part of her car engine so that she can't go visting Jacob. At one point, he even stalks her in his car as she's driving to a friend's house in a scene that would not be out of place in a Lifetime movie about a crazy ex-husband tormenting his wife. And also, in this book, Jacob becomes just as bad as Edward- He LITERALLY forces physical contact on Bella and breaks her wrist in the process. I don't even see how this book is supposed to be romantic: It's disturbing. The most troublesome thing about this book is that all of this behavior is normalized. No one ever really, SERIOUSLY calls Edward or Jacob out on their behavior (and I'm reasonably certain that the word "abusive" is never used), and they're the MAIN MALE LEADS. They ARE the role models, and their behavior is barely addressed. Make sure your kids understand that Edward and Bella's (as well as Jacob and Bella's) relationship is NOT something they'll want in real life. If they're mature enough to see it for what it really is, then by all means, let them have a go at it.

This title has:

Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
haybay158
haybay158 Adult
February 12, 2019
age 11+

Wow

This book was amazing! It is probably the best book I ever read. But you need to be mature to be able to handle it. There is a lot of violence and blood, so if you can’t stand blood find another book. Other than that this is the best book I ever read!
See all 37 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Bella and dashing vampire Edward are back together, but Jacob (the teen Native American werewolf) wants to win Bella over for himself. Of course, she wants to become a vampire right after high school graduation, much to Jacob's horror -- but Edward refuses unless she marries him first (much to Jacob's even greater horror). Meanwhile Victoria, the vengeful vampire, is still out to get Bella, and Seattle seems to be infested with new, young vampires on a killing spree. And the two problems may be related. So ancient enemies, vampires and werewolves, join forces to protect Bella and solve both problems -- before the ancient Italian vampires intervene.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (37):
Kids say (172):

Those who don't find hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds) of pages of mooning over hunky vampires appealing will read the plot synopsis, roll their eyes, and move on. Those who enjoy moody fantasy romance, though -- and we know there are lots of teens that do -- will find that ECLIPSE is very well done. Author Stephenie Meyer's writing style will keep readers turning pages even when there is nothing much happening (which is most of the time). Plus, there is a lot more suspense in this entry than in last two in the Twilight series, as well as a pretty entertaining climactic battle (though much of it happens offstage). Fans won't find a final resolution here, so they will be eager to bite into Meyer's fourth book to see what happens next.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Bella's relationship with Edward. It is portrayed as romantic -- do you think it is, or is it more like obsessive? Is it healthy?

  • Why do you think the Twilight series, with the books and now the movies, is so popular, even with adults?

Book Details

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