Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

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Title: Midnight Sun
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Series: Twilight #5
Published by: Hachette Audio
Release Date: August 4, 2020
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Jake Abel
Length: 25 hours and 49 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Source: Libby
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2020 Audiobook Challenge, Lenoreo's 2020 New Release Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ IndieBound ✩ iTunes ✩ Book Depository ✩ Libro.FM
My rating:

Blurb:

When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?

In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of listeners and brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

My Review:

3.5 stars — I’m not a huge Twilight fan, though I enjoyed the stories and the movies (to some degree).  They’re very much a guilty pleasure, and for all their faults I am entertained by the series.  I will admit though, that when I got the audiobook from the library and saw that it was almost 26 HOURS LONG I may have choked a bit.  And when I figured out that those 26 hours were only going to cover the first book of the quadrilogy??  Well, I knew it was going to be a long ride.  In the end there were parts of this alternative POV that I absolutely LOVED.  But there were also a LOT of spots where I felt the story could have been edited down.

First, Jake Abel as the narrator did an AMAZING job.  I looked him up, and apparently he’s an actor.  Not sure if he does audiobooks a lot, but he has a knack for them.  His pacing and emotion were fantastic.  But what shocked me was his fantastic range of voices for different characters.  They were always consistent, and quite often I even felt like they matched up with the actors from the movies to a small degree.  He made the book easy to listen to, even when it was drawn out.

I’m also glad I ended up listening instead of reading, b/c since I knew most of the story, I was able to sew at the same time and thus the book went by a wee bit faster.  I think I might have given up otherwise.

I loved the new bits we got about Edward’s past, and the insight into his early years and how the Cullen family evolved and such.  Those were some of my favourite parts.  I also ended up with some additional insights into quite a few of the rest of the Cullens that made me wish to know more about their stories.  Particularly I’m fascinated by Jasper and Alice, their past, their abilities, etc.  I mean, I was already fascinated by them from before, but now I’m MORE fascinated if that makes sense.  I also adored Emmett more than I was expecting.

And because of Edward’s mind reading ability, I ended up learning more about Charlie, Renee, Bella’s high school classmates, and particularly Jake.  I’m fascinated by the Charlie partial block, and the Renee shout, and can’t remember if I already knew that or not…but it was interesting to see from his perspective.  And I actually really adored the way Jake’s thoughts were portrayed through Edward.  Edward may have been jealous, but it was nice to see him admire Jake in some way as well.

As for Edward?  I really enjoyed seeing just how hard Bella’s scent affected him.  It was something that I don’t think you get a good view on without watching him experience it.  It was kinda fascinating.  Other than that?  Meh.  I didn’t really fall in love with him or anything, but I wasn’t really in love with him before.  I just enjoy the story.

The downside to this book is there is a LOT of repetition, and an ungodly amount of back and forth within Edward.  Honestly, I got whiplash.  I think it made me like him less actually.  And, I don’t know, I guess because I’m older and I’ve read different opinions on the story, I really noticed how unhealthy the relationship is.  I mean, I guess it’s not supposed to be healthy, and Ms. Meyer does lampshade that at times.

In the end, I’m glad I read it, because my curiosity abounds.  And the parts that expanded my knowledge I really enjoyed.  But I desperately wish someone had felt comfortable enough to suggest editing it down…like, for realz.