New Moon Casting News

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20234559_20234565_20273159,00.html

Follow the link to an Entertainment Weekly photo gallery of 15 of the new cast members for the film version of New Moon.

What happens next?

As much as I loved the ending to the series, I can't help but wonder what will happen next.

Bella has made the transition from human to vampire as seamlessly as possible, I think. She has adapted to vampirism so well, at least in part, because she essentially has given nothing up. Her transition was all gain. She has the child she didn't even know she wanted (who will be fully mature and virtually invulnerable in an astonishingly short time), her husband, and she gets to keep her family in her life, at least to a limited degree.

What will happen to Bella when the reality of vampire life sinks in? Although she and Edward should always have each other, Bella has never been all about Edward, despite criticism to the contrary. Charlie, Renee, Jacob, even her high school acquaintences have always been concerns for her. What happens if Renee gets hit by a car and is paralyzed? Or Charlie gets cancer? Will Bella still be "Bella" and try to fix everything by turning one or the other of them?

Let's say nothing like that happens: how will Bella deal with it when everyone she knows and loves dies? Or, more immediately, when they finally do have to leave Forks? Even with Charlie's limited knowledge and acceptance, they can't stay in Forks forever. Will Bella be able to deal with watching everyone around her grow old and die?

The Vampire Bella

One of the things I really liked about Breaking Dawn was the ending section, after Bella becomes a vampire. I've understood that Bella's unique affinity for vampire life and her special power have become a source of criticism for some readers, who believe her ease in adjusting to vampire life was too "pat" and made for less drama then they wanted from the end of the saga.

I have to say, the main thing I loved about Breaking Dawn was the transformation of Bella. I think her strength and power was foreshadowed throughout the series, so I have no problem with her being an amazingly strong shield. I also didn't have a problem with her self-control; she was the only one of all of them who was prepared for her life as a vampire beforehand, so she was able to temper her natural instincts with thought.

I think Bella was always destined to become a vampire. Edward was 100% wrong: he wasn't some aberration who showed up and ruined her life, he was the one who was destined to bring her into the life she was always meant for.

I'm interested to see what others think.

Why Did She Fall For Him

I've been enjoying the fact that my 62-year old Mom is now starting the saga and loving it. In perfect "Mom" style, she wants to know "is that girl stupid- running around with a vampire?"....she doesn't quite get how someone falls for a vampire.

Which got me to thinking. Did Bella fall for a man that just happened to be a vampire OR did Bella fall for the man because he is a vampire. That is, did his vampiric qualities (his charm, his looks, the mystery, the danger...the list goes on) actually cause her to fall in love.

-Robin

Age Of Readers

I teach elementary school, and my fifth graders are nuts over Twilight. They've read all of the books, seen the movie, and collect all of the memorabilia.

5th graders are 10-11 years old.

Is that too young? I know the series is marketed toward young adults, but is it really a series of books for kids? What do you think?

Deb

Most Compelling Secondary Character

If you could choose to have Stephenie Meyer write a spinoff novel about a secondary character, who would you choose, and why? The possibilities are many:

1. Jasper/Alice

2. Rosalie/Emmett

3. Carlisle/Esme

4. The Volturi, together or separately

5. James/Victoria

6. The Denali Clan

7. The Irish Clan

8. The Amazons

9. The rogue vampire who was Nahuel's father

And I could go on...

Personally, I'd love to see Carlisle's full story, along with how he and Esme fell in love. I'd also be fascinated to read the history of the Volturi from Aro's perspective, which would fit in nicely with his "histories" mentioned in the series.

Mary Sue?

I have often heard that Bella is a Mary Sue.

First off, I've never had a Mary Sue explained to me in the same way twice. From what I gathered this is what it means:

Mary Sue is a character who has no flaws or her flaws make her endearing. She is a "perfect" character that is supposed to be the culmination of the author's self-desires.

I cannot agree that Bella fits this definition. Her clumsiness is endearing, but she is also stubborn, untrusting, and oftentimes wrong.

I don't think I really have a grasp on what a Mary Sue is though.

So, I ask you:

What is a Mary Sue to you?

Is Bella a Mary Sue?

Does it matter?