3. The Cullens and the Quileutes come together over a common goal—to kill the attacking vampires. How will this newfound camaraderie affect the original treaty? What changes should be made and what parts should remain as they are?
4. Bella seems adamant that she will become a vampire, even though she knows her family and friends would be very much opposed to the idea. Do you think Charlie or Renée will figure out what Bella is planning? What about Mike and her friends at school? How will they react if they discover her intentions, and do you think that they could change her mind?
5. Victoria’s character represents a real physical danger to Edward and Bella. What other dangers exist for them that aren’t as apparent as Victoria? Will running away to Alaska keep them safe? What other options do they each have?
6. What do you think the next headlines will read in the Seattle papers now that the killing has stopped? How will the authorities explain what happened?
7. Why do you think Leah turns into a werewolf when none of the stories ever have mentioned a woman wolf before? How will her presence be significant to the pack? To Sam? To Emily? To Jacob?
8. Does Rosalie’s story change the way you feel about her? What insight do you now have into her character and personality? What more still remains a mystery? Despite how it turned out, was it hypocritical of her to change Emmett?
9. Does Jasper’s story change the way you feel about him? What insight do you now have into his character and personality? What more remains a mystery? Will Peter and Charlotte or Maria come back into his life?
10. Stephenie Meyer has noted that each of the novels in the Twilight Saga pays homage to other literary classics. For Eclipse, she has said Wuthering Heights was the key inspiration. If Bella were assigned the role of Catherine Earnshaw, which character would be Heathcliff—Edward or Jacob? What aspects of Edgar Linton can be found in either Edward and Jacob? Is it possible Meyer intended Bella to play the role of Heathcliff? Are there other characters from Wuthering Heights who could more accurately represent the complex relationship among Bella, Edward and Jacob?
Acknowledgments
I would be very remiss if I did not thank the many people who helped me survive the birthing of another novel:
My parents have been my rock; I don’t know how anyone does this without a dad’s good advice and a mom’s shoulder to cry on.
My husband and sons have been incredibly long-suffering—anyone else would have had me committed to an asylum long ago. Thanks for keeping me around, guys.
My Elizabeth—Elizabeth Eulberg, publicist extraordinaire—has made all the difference to my sanity both on and off the road. Few people are lucky enough to work so closely with their BFF, and I am eternally grateful for the wholesomeness of cheese-loving Midwestern girls.
Jodi Reamer continues to guide my career with genius and finesse. It is very comforting to know that I am in such good hands.
It is also wonderful to have my manuscripts in the right hands. Thanks to Rebecca Davis for being so in tune with the story in my head and helping me find the best ways to express it. Thanks to Megan Tingley, first for your unwavering faith in my work, and second for polishing that work until it shines.
Everyone at Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers has taken such amazing care of my creations. I can tell it is a true labor of love for you all, and I appreciate it more than you know. Thank you Chris Murphy, Shawn Foster, Andrew Smith, Stephanie Voros, Gail Doobinin, Tina McIntyre, Ames O’Neill, and the many others who have made the Twilight series a success.
I can’t believe how lucky I was to discover Lori Joffs, who somehow manages to be both the fastest and the most meticulous reader at the same time. I am thrilled to have a friend and accomplice who is so insightful, talented, and patient with my whining.
Lori Joffs again, along with Laura Cristiano, Michaela Child, and Ted Joffs, for creating and maintaining the brightest star in the Twilight online universe, the Twilight Lexicon. I truly appreciate all the hard work you put into providing a happy place for my fans to hang out. Thanks also to my international friends at Crepusculo-es.com for a site so amazing it transcends the language barrier. Kudos as well to Brittany Gardener’s fabulous work on the Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer MySpace Group, a fan site so large that the idea of keeping track of it boggles my mind; Brittany, you amaze me.
Katie and Audrey, Bella Penombra is a thing of beauty.
Heather, the Nexus rocks.
I can’t mention all the amazing sites and their creators here,
but thank you very much to each of you.
Many thanks to my cold readers, Laura Cristiano, Michelle Vieira,
Bridget Creviston, and Kimberlee Peterson, for their invaluable input