It has long been rumored that Stephenie Meyer, the author of the bestselling, pop culture-defining supernatural teen romance book series, Twilight, had one additional Twilight book in the works. But, instead of being from high schooler Bella Swan’s perspective, as the rest of the Twilight series was, this other novel was rumored to be written from Bella’s vampire soul mate, Edward Cullen’s, perspective (not that vampires actually have souls, according to the Twilight series, but her metaphorical soul mate).
However, the rumors of a new Twilight book had started to die down in recent years. Meyer hadn’t indicated to fans in any way that “Edward’s” book was moving forward after initial chapters of the project were reported leaked in 2008. And, given that the last installation of the series, Breaking Dawn, was published over 12 years ago , it seems likely that Edward and Bella’s story had truly ended with Breaking Dawn.
But, as they say, there’s often an atom of truth to every rumor and in this instance, to the delight of Twilight fans the world over, the saying has proven correct. Stephenie Meyer has, indeed, written another Twilight book, titled Midnight Sun, with the story told from Edward’s perspective, the LA Times reports.
Is there a new Twilight saga book?
Yes. In May 2020, eagle-eyed fans noticed a countdown clock on Stephenie Meyer’s website and when the countdown ended, Meyer announced the news on the site posting the book title, release date and cover art.
Under the announcement, in a letter addressed to “friends and readers,” the author opened with a thoughtful nod to the current coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, saying she hoped everyone was “safe, healthy, and in a good place.” Meyer then went on to reveal that “Midnight Sun is finally (very close to) ready! And will be in bookstores on August 4th.”
The author further wrote that she hopes her announcement doesn’t feel “ill-timed” amid Covid-19 and had considered postponing the release: “I hope this announcement doesn’t seem ill-timed; I really considered delaying the release until the world was back to normal. However 1) who knows when that will be? And 2) you guys have waited long enough. Much longer than long enough, actually.”
Meyer’s consideration for her fan base is unsurprising; the author is famous well-connected to her online fan base and has been involved in all aspects of the Twilight universe since the first book in the series, Twilight, debuted in 2005. From making cameos in the hugely popular film adaptations of the books, to host a number of “promotional proms” for her fans during the height of Twilight mania in the late ’00s, Meyer is highly invested in the Twilight story.
What is the plot of Midnight Sun?
The new Twilight saga book will be told from Edward’s perspective and, per Meyer’s letter on the website, it apparently heads back to the small rainy town where it all began, Forks, and “the beginning of Bella and Edward’s story”.
Just prior to the release of the new book, The New York Times spoke with the author, who shared that although the main plot of the book is known—“spoiler: Edward falls in love with Bella,”—readers will gain insight into the love story from Edward’s point of view as well as discover new scenes that Bella wasn’t present for and thus weren’t included in the original series.
Meyer also revealed that fans will be surprised by how “anxious” Edward really is, with this character trait becoming evident in the new book. She also shared that she thinks fans might come to “like some characters more, and… like some characters less” after reading Midnight Sun, “because not only is [Edward] spending time with them that way [without Bella], but he is reading their minds all the time.”
What date is the new Twilight novel being released?
August 4, 2020 in the US (August 5, 2020 for Amazon Kindle orders in Australia).
Will there be a series of Midnight Sun novels?
No. Meyer told The New York Times that Midnight Sun is “it for Edward” in part because she found herself feeling “extra anxious” when writing from Edward’s point of view.
Other than Midnight Sun, there will be more novels in the Twilight series?
Yes, Teen Vogue reports Stephenie Meyer revealed at a virtual book event that she is working on two more Twilight novels. “I have got one of them outlined and a chapter written I think of the first one, so I know it’s there. I am not ready to do that right now, I want to do something brand new,” the Twilight author reported said.
However, it’s unknown what form these new installations will take, given her response to The New York Times about writing Midnight Sun from Edward’s perspective, it seems likely the new novels might be another character’s story and perspective.
