The Twilight Saga Collection part 1(309)

Very serious problems. So why did they all suddenly seem insignificant when we broke through the last of the trees and I caught sight of the expression on Charlie’s purple face?

Edward squeezed me gently. “I’m here.”

I drew in a deep breath.

That was true. Edward was here, with his arms around me.

I could face anything as long as that was true.

I squared my shoulders and walked forward to meet my fate, with my destiny solidly at my side.





New Moon Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important that vampires can’t use their powers on Bella? Do you feel that this will hold true if she is bitten?

2. Discuss the dilemma that Bella faces having strong feelings for two very distinct enemies.

3. If Bella were to join Edward in the vampire world, what role might Charlie play in her life? Would he be in more danger, or would the Cullens feel a stronger obligation to protect him? And how would his role as “Chief” Swan be affected by her decisions?

4. Compare and contrast the traits of Jacob’s pack versus the Cullens and even the “Nomads.” How do those differences help and hurt them when they are up against each other?

5. Edward believes that there is no afterlife for vampires because they have lost their souls. Carlisle believes that his life can have purpose and has faith that there is a reason for it. What do you believe based on what you have read? Is there a different fate for the vampires who hunt humans versus the ones who abstain?

6. Throughout the novel, Bella often puts herself and those around her in danger. Would you characterize these actions as selfish? Why or why not? What impact is she having on Charlie? On Jacob? On her friends?

7. Despite his pack’s disapproval, Jacob still finds ways to help Bella. How will this affect his relationship with and status in the pack? Will he ever be able to convince them of the reasons why he needs to be around her?

8. Is Edward’s decision to leave the right one? And how do you feel about how he handles the situation—especially convincing Bella that he doesn’t love her? What else could he have done?

9. Bella and Jacob become fast friends, and while Bella needs him emotionally, she also discovers that being with Jacob helps her hear Edward’s voice again. Has Jake been able to help her heal or does he stand in the way, without even knowing? What will become of their relationship? Will being a sworn enemy to her Edward affect it?

10. Stephenie Meyer has noted that each of the novels in the Twilight Saga pays homage to other literary classics. For New Moon, she has said Romeo & Juliet was the key inspiration. Beyond the main characters and the theme of forbidden love, what other similarities did you notice between the stories? What are the differences, and how are they handled?





Acknowledgments

So much love and thanks to my husband and sons for their continuing understanding and sacrifice in support of my writing. At least I’m not the only one to benefit—I’m sure many local restaurants are grateful that I don’t cook anymore.

Thank you, Mom, for being my best friend and letting me talk your ear off through all the rough spots. Thanks, also, for being so insanely creative and intelligent, and bequeathing a small portion of both into my genetic makeup.

Thanks to all my siblings, Emily, Heidi, Paul, Seth, and Jacob, for letting me borrow your names. I hope I didn’t do anything with them that makes you wish you hadn’t.

A special thanks to my brother Paul for the motorcycle riding lesson—you have a true gift for teaching.

I can’t thank my brother Seth enough for all the hard work and genius he put into the creation of www.stepheniemeyer.com. I’m so grateful for the effort he continues to expend as my Webmaster. Check’s in the mail, kid. This time, I mean it.

Thanks again to my brother Jacob for his ongoing expert advice on all my automotive choices.

A big thank you to my agent, Jodi Reamer, for her continued guidance and assistance in my career. And also for enduring my craziness with a smile when I know she’d like to use some of her ninja moves on me instead.

Love, kisses, and gratitude to my publicist, the beautiful Elizabeth Eulberg, for making my touring experience less a chore and more a pajama party, for aiding and abetting my cyber-stalkery, for convincing those exclusive snobs in the EEC (Elizabeth Eulberg Club) to let me in, and, oh yeah, also for getting me on the New York Times bestseller’s list.

A huge vat of thanks to everyone at Little, Brown and Company for their support and their belief in the potential of my stories.

And, finally, thank you to the talented musicians who inspire me, particularly the band Muse—there are emotions, scenes, and plot threads in this novel that were born from Muse songs and would not exist without their genius. Also Linkin Park, Travis, Elbow, Coldplay, Marjorie Fair, My Chemical Romance, Brand New, The Strokes, Armor for Sleep, The Arcade Fire, and The Fray have all been instrumental in staving off the writer’s block.