The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
| Company type | Novella |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | June 5, 2010 |
| Founder | Stephenie Meyer |
| Products | Novella |
| Website | web |
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is a novella set within the Twilight series authored by Stephenie Meyer. It centers on Bree Tanner, a recently transformed vampire introduced in the third installment, Eclipse (2007). Unlike the main narrative, which is told from Bella Swan's viewpoint, this novella presents the story through Bree's eyes. During the 2010 production of the film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Meyer shared early drafts with the director, screenwriter, and cast to foster a cohesive multimedia experience.
Plot summary
Newly created vampires Bree and Diego, both turned by Victoria, scour Seattle in search of human prey. Having been vampires for three and eleven months respectively, they reflect on their pasts and grow suspicious of Riley’s intentions, suspecting manipulation. They learn that sunlight causes their skin to sparkle instead of harm them. As their relationship deepens, they set out to locate Riley and their fellow newborn vampires.
Riley moves the newborns to a secluded log cabin to ready them for an impending clash with the Cullen family. The Volturi arrive with an ultimatum: Victoria must strike within five days or face execution. Under Riley’s strict training regimen, the newborn army prepares for combat, focusing on survival against elder vampires and understanding Bella's significance.
To strengthen their forces before battle, the army assaults a ferry. Riley leaves prior to the fight, leaving Bree uncertain about Diego’s whereabouts. During the confrontation, Bree witnesses the newborns being overwhelmed and suspects Diego was killed after defying orders.
Captured by Carlisle Cullen and restrained with assistance from Jasper and Esme Cullen, Bree overhears werewolf howls—information she is compelled to keep secret. When confronted by the Volturi, she deduces critical details about the Cullens’ abilities but endures torture at Jane’s hands seeking intelligence.
Feigning ignorance, Bree claims Riley deceived them under threat of death. Despite efforts by Carlisle and Edward to intervene, the Volturi opt to execute her to uphold their authority. Jane warns that Bella’s continued humanity jeopardizes vampire secrecy. Accepting her fate, Bree closes her eyes as Edward advises Bella to do the same before she is slain.
Characters
- Bree Tanner: A 15-year-old narrator turned vampire in Eclipse. After escaping an abusive household, she was found starving in Seattle by Riley, who brought her to Victoria for transformation. Initially fearful of vampire lore, Bree grows wary of Riley’s true intentions and bonds with Diego. Despite chances to flee, she remains loyal and ultimately surrenders to the Cullens before being destroyed by the Volturi.
- Diego: Bree’s companion and implied "mate," transformed at 18 years old. Rescued by Riley following his killing of a gang leader, Diego trusts Riley but questions his motives. He disproves myths about sunlight harming vampires and is suggested to have been brutally killed by Riley and Victoria.
- Riley Biers: Commander of Victoria’s newborn vampire army. He recruits troubled youths for transformation and is described as attractive. Though initially liked by Bree, she becomes distrustful as Riley withholds information. He remains loyal to Victoria and cares for Diego.
- 'Freaky' Fred: A vampire whose power repels others through illusions, causing him isolation. Bree uses him as protection against hostile newborns. Appearing handsome and college-aged, Fred is the only newborn who escapes the battle and invites Bree to join him; she declines in search of Diego.
- Raoul: Leader of a rival newborn faction disliked by Bree. His limited charisma influences only less intelligent individuals. He competes with Kristie’s group until Riley unites them against the Cullens.
- Victoria: The architect behind the newborn army aiming to defeat both the Cullens and Bella. She manipulates Riley and the newborns with false affection while mourning James, her original mate. She dies alongside Riley during the battle. The newborns never meet her directly; Riley claims it is for their protection but primarily shields Victoria from Alice Cullen’s precognition abilities.
Development
Stephenie Meyer began crafting this narrative during her work on Eclipse. Originally, the story was meant to be part of The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide, serving as a companion piece to Eclipse by unveiling information unknown to Bella. Due to its considerable length, however, it was ultimately published as an independent novella.
Release
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner debuted on June 5, 2010, with a first print run of 1.5 million copies. From June 7 through July 5, the novella was accessible for free online reading. For every copy sold, one dollar was contributed to the American Red Cross to aid relief efforts in Haiti and Chile, and online readers were also encouraged to donate.
Within two weeks of its launch, the book appeared on the USA Today best-seller list. Little, Brown, the publisher, reported sales of approximately 700,000 copies in the United States alongside 75,000 complete online reads. In the United Kingdom, it sold 89,549 copies in just nineteen hours—averaging about 79 copies per minute—making it the third fastest-selling hardback after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Lost Symbol. During its first full week in the UK market, sales reached 136,995 copies, establishing Meyer as the second top-selling author of young fiction there after JK Rowling.
Tie-in with movie
In 2009, Summit Entertainment requested a draft of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse from Stephenie Meyer. She shared copies with the cast, crew, and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg to provide deeper insight into Bree Tanner’s character. Elements from the novella were incorporated into the Eclipse film adaptation.
Reception
Fox News described the novella as a "riveting story," emphasizing its compelling mix of suspense, intrigue, and romance while following Bree and the newborn vampire army’s pursuit of Bella Swan and the Cullens. Similarly, USA Today offered favorable commentary, stating that Bree’s narrative adds depth to the Twilight saga and enhances viewers’ experience of the Eclipse movie.