Revenge is a recurring idea in the novel because it is the motivating factor behind the crisis that brings Bella and Edward to the brink of death once again. In a previous novel, Edward was forced to kill a vampire named James when he attacked Bella. This murder has caused James's lover to seek revenge, not by killing Edward, but by taking from him his love, Bella. For more than a year Victoria has stalked Bella, waiting for her chance to take her life.