Midnight Sun

By: Stephenie Meyer

Narrated by: Jake Abel

Length: 25 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one best-selling 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, listeners 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 and brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.

An instant number one New York Times best seller
An instant number one USA Today best seller
An instant number one Wall Street Journal best seller
An instant number one IndieBound best seller
Apple Audiobook August Must-Listens Pick

"People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." (Time)

"A literary phenomenon." (New York Times)

©2020 Stephenie Meyer (P)2020 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"For ardent fans of the star-crossed couple, [Midnight Sun] offers a more richly detailed view of Forks, Wash., and its inhabitants, undead and otherwise." (The New York Times)

"[Midnight Sun] is more complex, more sophisticated and less innocent than Twilight. Although it was Bella's story that launched more than a decade's worth of young adult sci-fi and dystopian heroines, it turns out the narrative power - and compelling internal drama - was on Edward's side all along." (Time)

"Stephenie Meyer's Midnight Sun brings about a long-awaited consummation. It's not a climactic moment between teenager Bella Swan and the gorgeous vampire Edward Cullen but a consummation that reconnects Ms. Meyer with her vast and hungry audience.... Will gratify devotees." (The Wall Street Journal)

Great

Love the story but I honestly think that if Robert Pattinson read this it would be 600 times better

Martin

This is one Of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to! Mr Able’s inflections and his understanding of Edward was nothing short of outstanding! Going from smooth to inner monologue and angry to enraged made me feel with him. Also his understanding of the other characters were also great! Thank You Stephanie for finishing this story and I do hope you come back to the world you created to write other stories. Maybe not following the Cullens but other characters. There is so much you could expand on.

Stephenie Meyer is amazing. I love Edwards point of view and I think another too new moon is needed

I loved the way he cared and really worried only about her saving her protecting her

Reaffirmations of Selfishness

This is a change from my original review, I’d like to focus a lot more on the actual story, or more accurately the entire saga of Bella and Edward. This story just further proves my assessment of both Bella and Edward. They are both extraordinarily selfish. They both have a habit of doing what THEY want and what makes THEM feel good without a thought to the people around them, and at times without even a thought of each other’s wishes. That last part is especially true of Edward, as brilliantly displayed in New Moon. Edward failed or maybe even refused to realize or acknowledge the scope and depth of Bella’s feelings for him. He failed to realize that there is more than one way to destroy a person and that there are things on this earth that are worse than death. He should have known that better than anyone, as he constantly thought of suicide whenever Bella’s life was in extreme danger. I don’t know what made him believe Bella would fare any better than him once he took himself out of her life. He acted according to what HE thought was best for Bella, Bella’s wishes be damned… Which leads us to Bella’s selfishness. She constantly acts without a second thought to how her actions affect the people around her. She used Jacob and played games with him emotionally, and then acted as if he was the worse person in the world when he fell in love with her. She constantly put her father through the ringer emotionally, as if his concern for his only child is nothing but an inconvenience, which when you think about it was extremely hypocritical seeing how maniacal she got when she became pregnant with Edward’s child. Which leads us to the most selfish part of the entire series, the pregnancy and the emergency vampirism that was needed because of it. She gave no thought to Edward, Jacob, or her parents at all. She chose the one person that she knew didn’t really give a damn about her to help her nearly kill herself. If I was Edward, I would have told Charlie the truth and let Bella explain to HIM why she was doing what she was doing.

Gentlemen Beware

I am a twi-hard and a male, so am writing from a male perspective.

This book is Edward's view of the Twilight story. In some ways, it is very well done - in others... Well, not so much. There are a few general concerns and some accolades. The not so good first.

1) It is nearly a 26 hour listen. (Ouch) I did NOT finish listening to the entirety of it. I have ADHD and listened in smaller bites, but gave up. (I eventually skipped to the parts I wanted to hear - Meeting the Cullens, the Baseball game, etc.) I am not sure how this made it off the editor's desk in the incarnation it currently is.. Twilight is a robust (8 minutes shy of) 13 hours of Audio. Given that this has more things related to the Cullen coven, it is reasonable to expect a bit more length - but nearly double? Seriously?
2) The majority of the extra length is owing to Edward being mental in pain, trying to sort out his feelings, and swimming in a whirlpool of emotional imprisonment to Bella. He is attracted to her... (No, wait... OBSESSED with Bella). Even though he considers leaving to "protect her from the monster" he believes himself to be, he so enslaved by the desire to be with her, he simply can't... (So the takeaway, is he is weak and a slave more so than a person who makes a life choice - romantic, or messed up?) Much of this comes across as needy, co-dependant, weak-willed, not confident, and certainly not someone who deserves to have a relationship with the supposed love of his life. Bella is highly intelligent, kind, compassionate, has a great sense of humor... etc... Edward? Meh...
3) His perspective is not male - not even close. This is Stephanie Myers projecting a romanticized version of Edward so that is appealing to the female romantics reading this - She is not simply telling a story, she is zeroing in on her target audience.
4) The writing is somewhat uneven.

Now for the good...

1) The Narrator is wonderful. He does a very good job of reading at a decent pace.
2) The extra information regarding the Cullens' side of things is brilliant. It helps to open up the Saga even more.
(I am sad that Myers has not written a history novella of each one of the Cullens - that would be amazing)
3) When Edward is not drowning in mental conflict, you get to know what it is like inside his head in having to deal with his "special ability". This aspect of things was well done.

Overall, I would recommend this for the average Twilight fan, but keep in mind, it is written as a place to be submerged in Edward's prison of Bella - Romantic in someways, tedious and painful in others.

my favorite love story

I loved it ! didn't want it to end. I wish Edwards story could be a saga

Loved it. When is new moon coming !?

For starters.. I’m not crying, you’re crying! I feel like I’m in high school all over again! This book is the best thing to happen in 2020! Thank you a million times for giving midnight sun to us finally! I truly don’t think Stephanie could have chosen a better time. However, I’m now anxiously awaiting for new moon!!! Also, to the amazing actor who read this audio book... great job my friend. I’m happy you are a part of our twilight universe because I had pictured you casted in the movie some way ♥️.

Jake Abel Narration

Great book and loved Edward’s perspective and the back storylines of the other Cullens. Only thing that got annoying was the constant repetition on “what is Bella thinking” bit... but I have to call out the narration by Jake Abel was superb! If there are Oscars to give for narration he deserves it!!

loved it!!!!

I have been a fan of all the Twilight books and have been waiting on this one for years and was so worth it!! I HOPE HOPE HOPE she writes more as Edward!! fingers crossed!

Beautiful nostalgic escape

I binged this book over the last week, pacing around my apartment whenever I got a break from at home work meetings. As a 27F who was engrossed in the Twilight world as a teenager, this book was perfect. Yes, it’s darker, longer, and overall increased my personal anxiety, but it felt so RIGHT. I loved ‘hearing’ the full context from Edwards abilities as well as the many flashback/tangents he has. He provides so much more for the reader than Bella does in this first book.

My initial impressions from the audio sample were similar to many others that thought the narrator sounded too old. However by the end of the clip I was thrown so deep into memory lane that I knew I had to get the full audiobook. It makes sense since Edward is an old soul (not even counting his actual age). The performance made my experience 100% better than if I had read the physical book — Jake Abel brought all of Edward’s internal turmoil to life.

Don’t start this book expecting something different from Twilight. Go in with an open mind and prepare to experience all the emotions from when you first read the Twilight saga. Midnight Sun will not disappoint.