New Moon.

New Moon By Stephenie Meyer.

' Shoot,' I muttered when the paper sliced my finger, I pulled it out to examine the damage. A single drop of blood oozed from the tiny cut.

It all happened very quickly then.

' No!' Edward roared ... Dazed and disorientated, I looked up from the bright red blood pulsing out of my arm - into the fevered eyes of the six suddenly ravenous vampires.

For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous then Bella could ever have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realise their troubles may just be beginning ...

.... from the back cover.

'These violent delights, have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder
Which, as they kiss, consume.' - Romeo and Julie, Act II, Scene VI

.... from an inner page.

New Moon, Book two in the Twilight Series, sees the return of Bella, Charlie, Edward, Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper as well as several of Twilight's lesser characters who turn out to be not what they first seemed.

The book, though still very readable, is a bit disappointing in that the plot is very similar to the first outing - so much so that the author, it could be argued, seems to be following a very rigid formula. However, the story line then takes a turn in a slightly different direction which grabs the attention somewhat before, sadly, seeming to fizzle out. The characters though continue to go from strength to strength and I particularly like the inclusion of Jacob and his friends who bring some wonderful, dark humor to the proceedings. Edward, meanwhile, I am beginning to dislike as his actions seem to be ever more controlling.

Much warmer in tone then Twilight, New Moon is a story of friendship, divided loyalties, broken promises and love, but, perhaps, most of all it is a study of mortality and what it is that makes us human.