Parents' Guide to The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Book Stephenie Meyer Horror 2010
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Common Sense Media Review

By Debra Bogart , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 13+

Twilight series offshoot has heavier doses of horror.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 13+?

Any Positive Content?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

 

 

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age 12+

Based on 41 kid reviews

Kids say this book offers a darker, more violent perspective on the vampire lore familiar to fans of the series, focusing on Bree Tanner's tragic story intertwined with romance and gore. Many readers appreciated its engaging narrative and emotional depth but noted that the book is more suited for older teens and contains elements that could be unsettling for younger audiences.darker tonestrong emotionssuitable for teensvampire violenceengaging narrative
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What's the Story?

The title says it all: 16-year-old Bree Tanner was introduced briefly in Eclipse, and this explores her experiences as she learns how to be a vampire, under the direction of Riley, also introduced in Eclipse. Riley's Seattle coven is made up of turned teen street kids, still learning to control their blood lust; they hunt without remorse. When Bree meets Diego, a supernaturally beautiful vampire (surprise!), they spend a day together and find an intense romantic connection. Diego shares his own discoveries about being a vampire. But then Riley's plans for this army of newborn vampires to attack the "yellow-toothed" vampire coven (the Cullens) sends Bree and Diego in different directions and soon it's all over. The book was made available for free online at www.breetanner.com through July 5, 2010.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 2 ):
Kids say ( 41 ):

It's tragic, it's short, it seems like a good idea for a story, but Bree's life before she is turned is never explored. Her intense but innocent romantic interlude (gotten over with right at the beginning) mimics all the other romance in the saga, and the vampire violence is heavier and darker with none of the redeeming sympathy we came to feel for the Cullens. An interesting new vampire, Fred the freak, is introduced, but like Diego, we never learn where his supernatural power came from or who he is.

Fans looking for more Cullens will get a glimpse of them near the book's end. The rare fan who's in it for the horror and battle scenes will get a big build-up to the final battle.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how this novella compares to the rest of the saga. Is it an important chapter in the story or just a fun add-on? Were you expecting more romance?

Book Details

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