Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer
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Book Reviews of Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
Book Review: I'm surprised at all the anger some people have over this series...
Summary: 5 Stars
In Defense of the Book...
Alright, alright. Calm down. So, some of you didn't enjoy the book.
The biggest downfall to this series is not that it is jam-packed with cliches, or that Bella is completely hopeless. The biggest downfall has got to be the marketing--the fact that every one of you disappointed readers had gotten your hopes up for 'the next big thing,' only to find that it wasn't to your liking.
Let me point out that 1) this was written for teenagers. And not in the sense that Harry Potter was written for teenagers--because it wasn't--but this was made specifically catering to the girly longings most teenage girls have. Yes, it appeals to some of us adults. I found it a refreshing change from my complex, heavy-plotted novels that I've grown bored of as of late. 2) Yes, Bella is hopeless. She doesn't think there is an interesting speck to her. Honestly, do any of us think such things? Bella would HARDLY be interesting if she knew she was beautiful. If she had one talent to her, aside from the protection her mind has from any sort of assault, everyone would be griping about that. I remember reading a book about a woman who had a dozen talents. I hated her for it. and 3) Yes, of course the book is remarkably cheesy at times. Sometimes, it's what we want. The series only gets cheesier, mind you. And I loved every moment of it. Almost. (I found myself angry with a certain character in 'Eclipse.' But not angry with Meyer. Still, the anger lasted for quite some time.)
I'm a writer, too. It's made reading books a little less enjoyable, because I'm constantly picking at other novels. I barely finish them nowadays, and if I do, it takes me ages. Of course there were problems with Twilight. There are problems with every novel. And I can see why some people wouldn't enjoy the book just as I can see why so many girls adore it. If you take the book too seriously... if you expect something life-changing, of course you aren't going to like it. But the book was fun. I had fun. Amazingly, I finished all three books in less than a week. I couldn't put them down.
My Review
Despite some flaws in the novel... and I'm not talking about grammatical or spelling errors, I'm talking about odd glitches in the plot... I ADORED it, Stephenie Meyer. I'm amazingly picky about vampire novels, and I HATE romance novels right down to my core. But I loved this series. I loved Bella... she was human to me. She was selfish, and she struggled to be seen as good while all the while letting her desires win over. I loved her attitude, and her sarcasm. I love that she was very weird. And of course, I loved Edward, but that I won't get into. That's only because I'm a girl.
There was never a boring moment, to me, in the entire series. I devoured each book in record time... and quickly moved on to the next. Now, I'm left with a horrible ache as I wait for August to roll around. Maybe I'll try The Host next, to ease my longing. In fact, that has to be one of my complaints--where ARE the dull moments? Do you realize, I stayed up until four AM to finish Twilight, because there was no place I could easily stop reading and fall asleep? I'd be awake, too anxious to sleep... wanting to know what happened next. Now I'm all done with the books released right now... now, I have nothing to do. Some who are not Twilighters would tell me to go read other books. Ha. What a silly thought. :D
I wonder if Stephenie Meyer reads these reviews. If she does, I want her to know I liked the series more than Harry Potter. I could list my reasons why, but that'd take too long. Those comparing the book to Harry Potter also should get something in their heads... it's like comparing Underworld to 'My best Friend's Wedding'. Two completely different types of books, only brought together with the illusion that both series are made for young adults. *shakes head*
Oh well. I guess I'm a twilighter now. *shrugs*
Book Review: Relax and go with it
Summary: 5 Stars
'The book, essentially a teen romance, is told from the point of view of
Isabella Swan (Bella) a seventeen year old high school student from
Arizona. She has left her mother and new step-father to visit her father in
Forks, Washington.
Forks, located in the Olympic Peninsula and Rainforest, is one of the most
cloudy, overcast and drizzly towns in Northern Washington state. Near
Forks, on the coast is La Push, WA, a Quileute Indian reservation town
included in the story.
At Forks High, she meets the Cullens; three boys and two girls who are the
adopted children of one of the town Doctors, Carlyle Cullen and his wife
Esme.
The Cullen children, also enrolled in Forks high school, are different. They
are all beautiful and aloof, but mysterious in some way and the objects of
speculation amongst other students. Suspended disbelief is necessary for
the reader since this family consists basically of what might be called
Vampires who have rejected the victimizing of humans and found another
way to exist. Since nobody believes in Vampires there is no reason for
other students to doubt their charade as normal human beings --
regardless of their strangeness.
Almost immediately Edward Cullen and Bella are attracted to and repelled
by each other . Bella is a sensitive and awkward sophomore. Edward is
graceful, socially adept and way too good looking. However, he seems to
Bella as rude and surly, angry even (at least when he is around her). But
there is a reason for his behavior which she cannot understand until much
later in the first book. His self-loathing is complicated and interesting and
better understood as the book continues.
Fantasy, terror, myth and tribal legend are used as effective tools to
heighten both danger, suspense and inner turmoil of the characters. The
three literary themes of person against person, person against self, and
person against nature, are also used.
Meyers has the ability to extend the period of each character's heartache,
mourning and emotional pain for many pages -- even chapters.
Misunderstanding, or misapprehension, is a huge sub-theme. Bella's inner
voice and thoughts can go on so long at times that you wish you could
shake some sense into her, and yet you cannot help but care.
The reader is alerted thought context clues that there is a chance that
things may work out differently than the characters believe -- which adds to
the suspense and hopeful anticipation. The constant turn of events and
inner difficulties work to character development and maturity -- but, as with
real people, this development is often two steps forward, one step back.
The book's end seems unresolved in some ways -- a sort of heartache and
longing lingers.
Within the second book, New Moon, much of the first book is resolved only
to open new and suspenseful action. The introduction of another
mythological creature (specifically connected to tribal legends) is at first
annoying since it is even more fantastic than the first -- however it
eventually works well as the two antiheroes and their families give the story
a lot of good dynamic tension. The use of legends and mythological
characters are only tools to flesh out a much deeper story. Love and loss --
and unrequited love -- are major themes. The reader in tune with the
characters will be pulled into both the devastating and the miraculous. The
lack of any real sex scene or the sexual consummation of desire, is
unusual but brilliant for this particular story, underlining and symbolizing
the extreme self-restraint and love of Edward Cullen for Bella.
Book Review: A new addiction
Summary: 5 Stars
I buy a lot of books (mostly within the fantasy genre), and some of them end up on my book shelf for months or years before I feel inspired for that type of reading material. There are definite reasons for my method, so if the book ends up being terrible, I don't get too upset about wasting the money since I bought it so long ago. On the other hand if it's excellent (especially if it's a series), then there is a high probability that by that time the author released more books. Therefore, even though I purchased the Twilight by Stephanie Meyers quite a few months back, I only got to it a few days ago and am currently flying through book 3. Needless to say - I loved it and having the whole series there waiting for me is a happy bonus.
This book, and consequently the Twilight Saga Series, reminds me of the peaceful and utterly tranquil sensation I get while watching a river (one of my favorite activities). It's a weird analogy but that's exactly how this book made me feel - serene. I'm not usually a fan of overly descriptive narratives, but Bella's tale worked for me. Every line in this wonderful story became so vivid in my mind that I truly felt like I got to experience Bella's world first hand. May be it helped that not too long ago I was a teenage girl myself - just as impressionable, trusting and awkward at that tender age.
Now on to the actual review. Bella is a product of a broken home. She has a very distant and uncomfortable relationship with her father, a sheriff in a small town where he's lived all his life. Her mother is like a kid herself with a very whimsical personality which contradicts Bella's quiet and reserved nature. Having decided that her mother needed some time alone with her new husband, the seventeen years old Bella exiled herself to live with sheriff Swan in a perpetually rainy town of Forks, Washington. There Bella starts going through the difficult and somewhat depressing adjustment to a new life and a new school, since her insecurities and quiet personality have always made it hard for her to fit in. But her dreary and monotonous life comes to an end the first time she walks into her high school cafeteria and notices THEM. She finds out later that the five unearthly beautiful and ethereal people that captivate her dreams from that point on are adopted children of a local doctor, but as she soon learns they are a lot more then they appear to the rest of the people of that small town. Little does she know then that as of that moment her destiny is forever intertwined with one of the boys of that spectacular family.
This is not your average vampire story and is not filled with endless conflict and gore. As I said before, Bella's reflections take up a large portion of the book and any real action only starts more than halfway through the novel. I'm glad the author did not rush the beginning, since I loved seeing the world Ms. Meyer created through Bella's teenage eyes. A number of people felt that Bella was a weak protagonist having to be continuously rescued, but I completely disagree with that assessment since I believe that human strength comes in different shapes and sizes. Bella had to become an adult too early and always felt obligated to take care of her parents. She learned to never fully rely on anyone emotionally, physically or financially, becoming self-sufficient and reclusive. And like a normal teenage girl she was swept up by the excitement and danger Edward brought to her ordinary life. There was never any fear in her, just utter fascination with the mystery he represented. Bella's strength is evident in her consistency, trustworthiness and absolute loyalty that she displays to those she loves. You cannot help but to fall in love with this clumsy and intelligent girl - and this spectacular book.
Book Review: Pretty darn good!
Summary: 5 Stars
I must say that I LOVE this book (and its two sequels). I am not a teenager enamored with the idea of vampirism, but I am an avid reader who looks for a story with characters I can care about. Stephenie Meyer has created this.
In reading reviews I saw that one criticism is that this is a love story about static teenage characters who have no self-control. I disagree. This book is all about self-control...whether the characters are successful or not. The struggle Edward has with denying his desire to kill Bella, Bella's struggle against becoming completely co-dependant, the struggle of both to keep their physical relationship from going further than it should shows American youth that self control is essential to life. And, that there is a time and a place for certain appetites to be sated. There is too much in the media that suggests otherwise and Meyer's depiction of these struggles is accurate and offers young readers examples of the dangers and benefits of losing or having self-control.
This series is much like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings in that each installment is only a portion of the story. While I have read (listened to...I LOVE the audio book) the series 3.5 times so far, I have only completely read the second book (New Moon) once. It is the darker portion of the story (much like HP 5, my least favorite Harry Potter book); very depressing and my least favorite. That being said, it is essential to the rest of the story. It describes Bella's darkest trials that will give her the strength the to endure the situations that are ahead.
These are not the best written books I have ever read. There are words Meyer uses that seem like...word dropping..."I know a big word...I'll put it in here." However, what Meyer does with such a degree of talent is create a number of characters with whom I can identify, sympathize, and empathize. I care what happens to all the characters and I can hardly wait until the day after my birthday to download the 4th audio book to hear the conclusion of the saga.
While some reviewers have labeled this series as being shallow and too "dreamlike" or idealistic, I think the have missed many, many important points and issues that Meyer has addressed in her books, whether consciously or not. It is a complex and intricate story, packed with actions and their consequences. Meyer does not excuse her characters from the consequences of their actions, but makes them face the bitter realities their actions create. Bella has to make some very difficult choices created by consequences of OTHER peoples' choices. Meyer does not take the easy way out, either. She forces her characters to meet these challenges.
I was not surprised to see that Orson Scott Card is an author who has influenced Meyer as a professional writer. I have attended writer's workshops hosted by Card and I see elements and principles that Card teaches in her stories. She has created a story about people I care about. I want them to succeed and overcome their trials. I can't get them out of my head. That is what successful writers do. Her characters are flawed (even Edward) and that helps me identify with them. There are times when I want to tell Bella to SHUT UP! Get over it! But, aren't there times in our own lives, where people must say that to us? (Or, at least they should)
I would reccommend this book. Overlook its flaws and search for how the lessons apply to you. Allow yourself to feel for and care about the characters. It is packed with real situations (even though it's a vampire book) and how people have to make tough choices and deal with the consequences.
Book Review: The Sun sets...
Summary: 5 Stars
I could never get into the whole vampire thing. I tried watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and the movie Queen of the Damned. And the whole thing just struck me as disturbing. No kidding. I'm a fantasy fan, good-against-evil type of thing, and the drinking-blood, lusting turned me away immediately. Than one day at school one of my friend's was going on and on about this new book she recently picked up. She acclaimed that it was awesome, and it clicked into Twilight, a new "so-called," chick flick that popped onto shelves to stand as a popular (get teenagers who don't normaly read) Harry Potter, Eragon blood-thirsty fans. How lame I thought to myself, since I was a major bookwurm. I tried to steer past those over-popular novels, because I found that 1). I could never get into them, and (2. the whole crowd of fans turned me away as obsessed teenagers with nothing better to do but read what everybody else is reading as the newest trend.
I realized how wrong I was when I finally went into Books-A-Million and picked up Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I tucked myself into an empty aisle of bookshelves and started reading, and immediately wanted to buy it. I did some research into Meyer's Vampire, Romance novel, and read the reviews on Amazon. When I was finally able to buy a paperback copy of it, I tucked myself onto my bed in my room and almost read non-stop till the last page was turned.
This series is one of the most engrossing I have ever read. The series somehow connects with you, filling all the questions we teenagers have and showing us what we have experienced ourselves. And the romance of Bella and Edward is one of the best I've read in a long time. The only series that has struck me more deeply and made me feel for the characters is The Symphony of Ages by Elizabeth Haydon. But enough of that, back on subject...
The Twilight Saga is based on Isabella Swan, who leaves her mother in Arizona and moves to the wet and very green town of Forks with her police dad, Charlie, where the sun rarely shines and it rains almost non-stop. Twilight sets over her life where she is steered off into the dark, but beautiful world of Edward Cullen, a vampire. In a new school where she is treated as an alien at first, Bella meets up with the stunningly beautiful, tempting but disturbing Edward who treats her as the most repulsive thing in his world.
Stunned into thinking she had done something wrong, Edward disappears from school for a while which leaves Bella wondering in worry. When Edward returns, things take interesting turns and Bella soon finds herself falling in-love with him, and he to her. One day, she runs into Jacob Black, who tales her stories about his Native American Legends and that the Cullens are Vampires. Interested, Bella goes home and does some research behind the vampire, but doesn't find much except a description similar to the way how the Cullens appear. And how a vampire can be good, saving lives and drinking the blood of animals to feed his thirst.
Dramatic events carry her into the uncertain arms of Edward, who saves her life many times and warily shows his love back to her. But on the horizon, a new threat arises that will haunt Bella for the rest of the Twilight Saga. A vampire thirsty for her death and revenge.
If you enjoyed such titles as Harry Potter series, The Inheritance series, and Ugly's than you will like Twilight. The rest of the series is just as fantastic as the first book, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. I strongly suggest this series to any teenager or young adult or likes a dark star-crossed romance.