Midnight Sun (Twilight Saga, #5)

by Stephenie Meyer

It's here! Number one bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with this highly-anticipated companion; the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view.

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 readers and brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

• ISBN10: 031670704X
• ISBN13: 9780316707046
• Publish Date: 4 August 2020 (first published 2008)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 672
• Language: English

Reviews

[Marissa Lupe Author]

I never could have imagined that reading essentially the same story in three different ways, could remain so.. captivating. With talent and skill @stephenie_meyers has accomplished just that, three captivating reads that left me enthralled.
#twilight had me falling in love. #lifeanddeath had me wrapped in a warm embrace like seeing an old friend after a long time. #midnightsun had me on the edge of my seat!!! I truly hope the saga is continued.

[nora]

3.5, rounded up

This was honestly enjoyable, and I’m saying that as someone who used to be an ardent Twilight-hater. I would spend my teenage years on the TwilightSucks forums, critiquing the writing and joking about the characters. So while I did rate the entire series one star, this was an oddly nostalgic read for me.

The story is the same, but Edward’s mind reading gives additional insight into every character’s motivation. I feel like I enjoyed the writing style more in this one, but it’s kind of hard to compare with the audiobook at x2.5 speed. (Also it’s been 15 years…) Charlie is still my only favourite and I still think the romance is garbage. You should read it.

highway run into the midnight sun, wheels go 'round and 'round you're on my mind

[haenj]

Amazing book by Ms. Meyer again. Seeing things from Edward's perspective is really neat, but now I can now fully understand why Bella was so frustrated!

[Berls]

Worth the wait! I know people have varied feelings about the Twilight series - from loving it to mocking it - and while I recognize that there are some serious problems, I fall in the love it camp.

I read the leaked chapters years ago and was sad that Stephenie Meyer wasn't planning on releasing the rest of the book. I gave up on it and was pleasantly surprised when she announced that she would at last be releasing Midnight Sun.

So I think she definitely changed some things -- or more accurately, added to -- in the leaked portion. I kept thinking I had passed into new material and then something would happen that I was pretty sure I remembered. So even if you read the leaked parts, it's really new.

Getting everything from Edward's perspective added so much depth to the story and the experiences. I kind of wish I was reading Midnight Sun side-by-side with Twilight, especially at some of my favorite moments (like the whole Port Angeles section or the meadow). And it was so cool to see character's with Edward's unique ability to read minds. You get to know them in an entirely different way.

And then the whole last bit - when Bella and Edward are separated and you don't have Bella's perspective to fall back on - that was so exciting to read. Bella's experience of the last quarter of the book and Edward's are so incredibly different.

I'm kind of gushing but when a series that you've enjoyed reading over and over again gives you a fresh perspective to some of your favorite moments, well, you gush. I look forwarding to doing a reread sometime and maybe doing it side-by-side with Twilight. Maybe someone will publish a guide of chapter reading orders or something...

[Chelsea]

I was excited to relieve my high school days while reading this and I expected it to be bad/cheesy but I wasn't expecting quite HOW bad??
95% of this book is Edward's thoughts. Just him thinking about how much he should leave Forks and how much he's in love with Bella before even talking to her. I'm not exaggerating. SO MUCH THINKING. The only action was near the end with James and even that couldn't revive this book. I honestly skimmed so much because it was so repetitive and boring.
The only part I liked was getting to see the Cullens in a different light. I've always been interested in the family more than the rest of the book. I wish we had gotten even more of them but of course Edward was only focused on Bella.
I knew I'd be disappointed with this book but I at least expected a fun read which was not the case.

So much angst and self hatred...I had to have a break halfway through to read something cheerful! If this book was half the length I would have easily given it 4 stars on behalf of my 16 year old self, however 756 pages of Edward's inner monologue was too much for 31 year old me to bare.

[ladygrey]

I had read the leaked version of Midnight Sun so a lot of the beginning was familiar. Still, there were glimpses of a bit more depth or a bit of detail. And then beyond that section the parts I liked the best were the glimpses into the other characters—when Edward came back to Carlisle and Emse, Emmett’s point of view about protecting Bella, Alice planning out their cover story, Jasper especially what he does in the field with James and in the car to go get Bella, the nuances of his power are fun even if she figured it out years later.
The boring parts are actually the baseball scene which just has way too many plays and the chase with James which is a bit monotonous and nothing really happens despite all the running.

And it’s interesting to get Edward’s thoughts and perspective on the whole thing. But I don’t think it would have been as successful if it had first been told from his pov. The first person voice of Bella absorbing his adoration and attention, despite its flaws, is what engages readers and only after you’ve fallen into the story do the side stores, the other characters and the other points of view become interesting. After all these years, Edward’s pov is definitely interesting.

[Ashley]

3.5 stars.

Interesting, but SO WORDY! I was also desperate for more dialogue -- especially in the first half.

[cornerfolds]

I might change it to 4.5 stars. I don't want to hear it.