I arrived to the Twilight fandom slightly later than my peers, at the age of 19, and was always aware of the author's intent with Midnight Sun. Then the worst happened and it was leaked and Meyer announced she wouldn't be completing it.

I never read the leaked version and I'm now glad I didn't. I also never expected her to release this but I am glad she did.

So, 11 years after I read (and loved) the original Twilight book, why am I giving Midnight Sun three stars? For one its because I can't give 3.5 on GoodReads. If I could it would be a solid 3.5, not a 3.

Secondly I have to admit I have issues with the length and pace of the novel.

When I first realised that Edward's version of the original 450ish page novel would have an additional 300 pages I was interested - would he go into detail about his time in Alaska? Would we spend more time with the Cullens as a whole? What more had she added?

When I got to reading it I was disappointed to find out that the time in Alaska was two pages (if that) worth of info and found that much of the added info was stuff I felt I knew the answer to. A long stream of Edward playing through different ways he could get away with killing Bella while I'm sat there thinking "Okay, but you don't. You won't. I know this." Additionally frustrating was Edward's continual use of, and reference to, Hades, Persephone and the pomegranate - we get it. Okay?

However, looking back, it makes sense. He's a vampire who observes every detail and that's evident in the book. His observation is not only keener than Bella's (as a narrator) but also more accurate and tells us more than Bella ever did.

Pace wise, some of the extra mulling and woe during scenes which I've read felt drawn out and made the first half of the book (more like two thirds) feel slow and somewhat boring. It was saved, at times, by breaks Edward had away from Bella while with his family. Particularly the pre-meadow hunting scene which I enjoyed as a chance to get to better understand Edward and Alice's dynamics. The last third was great and really showed me new elements of the story. Its a shame that, once again, much of Bella's recovery was summarised in an epilogue, but it was interesting to see the role the family had in helping get Bella back to Forks.

It is a 3.5 star review so some other positives include the improvement in Meyer's writing. Twilight was, clearly, a debut novel. This is clearly the novel of a confident and established author and that makes for a better read.

Will I read it again? Probably not. Am I glad I read it? Definitely.