Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer
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Book Reviews of Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)
Book Review: Everyone should read this, including Christians
Summary: 5 Stars
To my understanding, this is a teen saga (four books in a series). It's a romance, it's a suspense, and it's about vampires. Through all of the debates that I read. One topic was on whether or not as a parent you should allow your teen to read these books. Well, they are meant for teens, which should mean sure they'd be okay. But today that is not always the case, so my best advice and pre-read opinion was to read the book first and discuss it with your teen if necessary, or to read it in cue and the same, discussion, etc. The best comment that I read from someone who had read the series was how to first realize that it is fiction, and not something to "change your theology about". And then, she went on to highlight her opinion that the book was about abstinence as a main theme, and how can there be something harmful in that! She said that the book is about a vampire boyfriend who desires his human girlfriend in a vampire thirst and how he works to abstain from hurting her and going about what is best for both of them. Imagine! So, with this thought in my head, as well as all of the people screaming, burn the books, I jumped in to read.
Wow. Stephenie Meyer is a new favorite author for me. I am just plain ecstatic that I already have the rest of the saga to read, because if I did not, I would be on my way to the store to buy them immediately, before they are sold out! Call it a teen read, I do not care. I would say that it is an everyone read, but that definitely a teen could read it (safely) and love it. This is another one of those books that pulls you into their world and takes you on an adventure ride of love, friendship, family, jealousy, fear, and chills. It is a fact that a main theme through out is to live by what is right and not by what you simply and ultimately desire. There is a path for life and even though you may change it at your will, your efforts may cause more harm than good if you follow yourself instead of what is true and just.
As a reader, I was fully enraptured in the day to day life of Bella and her emotions for Edward. I cannot wait to read the rest of the saga and I cannot wait to see the film! I do hope that it does it justice. Bella is an average teen. Going between parents in two states, and being a klutz prone to humiliation, she just rides on the sidelines of life with her good grades and normal behavior. Her story is one that any romantic girl who has loved or desires to love can fall into and be held to the pages as the story unfolds.
I recommend this book for anyone and everyone. It truly is a keeper for my shelf. Put into the realm of the supernatural, this story portrays all that is dear and near as any Romeo and Juliet story in a different atmosphere can. There will always be two people that by appearances should not be together. It is in the making it work and love enduring that proves that there is a way for anything to happen when you follow what is good and not evil.
Book Review: Twilight, not just for teenagers.
Summary: 5 Stars
I had come across this book over and over again. I had passed it up because I thought it was for teen agers. I was so wrong. The person who changed my mind was Justin Furstenfeld, Blue October's front man and Entertainment Weekly. Justin was opening up for Stephanie Meyer's book signing sessions. He commended her writings on his website as well. After viewing this I was intrigued. A week later the movie was on the front cover of Entertainment Weekly. Although the cover does no justice to Edward Cullen, the handsome, model looking vampire. That was it. After viewing and reading the article. I had to get the book. In the article the author states she was writing for herself and not in particular to teen agers. I was sold. I ordered the book and I have now read the whole series.
This book is about eternal love. A love that lives on forever. Literally. It's about acceptance. And it's about the love of family. The Cullen family is a great family of vampires. A handsome father and beautiful mom and four beautiful vampire babies that are perpetually teen agers. This modern story of vampire amour isn't your Nesferatu type. There are no coffins and they don't prey on humans. They are vegan vamps. Yes, indeed.
This is a classic girl meets vampire, girl falls in love with vampire story. However, there are complications. What is life with out complications ?? What can you do ? You will love this story and get caught up in it. Be prepared to fall in love with the heroine, Bella Swan and her boyfriend, Edward Cullen. You will giggle when she ogles his body and chest. And you will love him when at a restaurant the waitress is falling all over him but he doesn't even notice. He only has eyes for Bella. MERCY ! Where can I get one ? Don't you just hate when those skanky waitresses start coming on to your boy friend ?
You wouldn't have to worry if you had a boy friend like Edward.
The writing in this book is impeccable. My hat is off to Stephanie Meyer whom I pray keeps on writing. Her writing will make you cry and touch you straight in the heart. She is a jewel of a writer and I hope she continues to bless us with her talent. There are no graphic sex scenes here. It doesn't need it. It's perfect just the way it is.
Get this book and get ready to be swept away to a world where you can fall in love with anyone. Okay, so what if he has fangs. He's worth it. Mortal men could take a few lessons from the ever dapper, ever eloquent, ever attentive, ever a vamp - Edward Cullen.
If you want to enhance your reading. Read this book while listening to Enrique Inglesias' "Insomniac" c.d. He has songs about vampires, in some you can hear some wolves howling, and in one song he even sings about "Sweet Isabel". With Enrique or without him you will totally fall in love with this story. Enjoy and get ready for an adventure.
Book Review: A Students Perspective on Twilight
Summary: 5 Stars
In Twilight, Stephanie Meyer engrosses readers with the atypical love story of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. At the beginning of the novel, Bella reluctantly decides to live with her father in the small, rainy town of Forks while she completes her last two years of high school, so that her mother will be free to travel with her new basketball-playing husband. When Bella starts school she is surprised when after previously being a social outcast, she is the center of attention. Everyone seems drawn to her except Edward who tries to avoid her completely because, as she later finds out, he is afraid that he will be unable to resist the extremely appealing smell of her blood. Luckily, Edward tames his thirst, and a deep curiosity forms between the two. Bella knows that behind his gorgeous face and perfect figure there is something different about him but she cannot figure out exactly what. Edward is driven crazy when he cannot hear her thoughts (one of his supernatural abilities) and cannot understand how one ordinary girl can affect him in a way that he never has been before. As the story continues, their curiosity quickly grows into love that opens up a new world to Bella that she never knew existed and that threatens to pull the two apart.
Some of my favorite aspects of Twilight are the characters of Bella and the Cullen Clan, Edwards's vampire family. Bella is a shy, quiet girl who is very mature for her age and never really fit in at school but never really wanted to. This type of personality allows many girls to connect with her character. One thing I disliked about her was her complete lack of confidence in herself and how she constantly thought that she was not good enough to be with Edward no matter how much he told her otherwise. I thought the characters of the Cullen Family, Edward's "parents", Carlisle and Esme, and his "siblings", Alice, Jasper, Emmet, and Rosalie, helped make the book more unique. In most books vampires are evil, malicious creatures but in Twilight the Cullens choose to live off the blood of animals, have superhuman strength and speed, and go about their lives pretending to be normal humans. I also thought Stephanie Meyer made a good choice concerning the setting of Twilight. Forks is a small, rural town in Washington where it is almost always raining. The town's gloomy days and dense forests create a great backdrop for the story to take place.
Overall, I think Twilight is a great book that can appeal to all types of readers, even those who never would of thought that they would enjoy reading about vampires. The suspenseful plot and interesting characters keep readers hooked from the first page to the last word. Although sometimes Edward and Bella's relationship seems unrealistic and some people feel that the book lacks depth, I would still highly recommend it.
Book Review: The summary makes all the difference
Summary: 5 Stars
I won't give a rundown of the plot like a lot of other people do. You've got that. I'm going to tell you the difference between loving and hating this book: the summary. But before I go into that, let me tell you this: above all else, this is a love story. If you don't like love stories, then you will probably hate this book. Now, on to that back cover:
"About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him -- and I had no idea how dominant that part might be -- that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."
Now, to enjoy this book, you have to accept those three things. In the world of Twilight, these are scientific laws. They are unquestionable fact.
I think the reason that you hear people complain about the Edward/Bella relationship, is because they only accept the first two laws. They don't buy in to the idea that these two are soul mates. It's supposed to magical, all-consuming true love. I don't believe in that kind of love in real life, but I'll buy into it for a movie or a book. That's part of the beauty of the world of fiction: anything is possible.
It's funny how you see people complain about Edward and Bella falling in love so suddenly, but I never hear anyone challenge Edward's status as a vampire. Now...wait a second...that's not realistic! Vampires don't exist! But it's a book.
It's a BOOK. It is a parallel universe in which the author gets to make his or her own rules. And in the Twilight universe, Stephenie has at least one other pair of soul mates...
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Alice and Jasper, for example, are fated. When Alice wakes up, Jasper is the first thing she sees. He is her future. No decision she makes from that point onward changes her vision of him. If you have read the book, you know that Alice's visions often change because people change their minds and it takes them down a different course. And with Alice later deciding that they need to find the Cullens, you could say that their family was destined too.
END SPOILERS!!!
So, I guess that's the fourth law of the Twilight universe: some things are meant to be, like Edward and Bella. That's why she's so attached to him. They're destined. Part of the magic of this series is their deep connection and devotion to each other.
P.S. As for the name complaint I read in another review...it's just a name! Jeez. And her name isn't "Bella Swan", it's "Isabella Swan". "Bella" and "Bells" are her nicknames. So what if her name did (or does) mean "Beautiful Swan". Author's tend to get picky about their character names, but, in the end, it's the character that you love or hate, not the name, just like in real life.
Book Review: One of the greatest books I've read
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read the Twilight books and Midnight Sun and given them a significant amount of thought. I'm 32, have a BA in English and American Literature and a Master's in Library Science. My favorite book in addition to the Twilight series is "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" by Suzanna Clarke.
I absolutely loved the Twilight books, the plot, the pace, the characters, the setting, the rebellious writing style - warts and all. I could see that according to accepted writing norms Stephanie's writing was lacking on a number of levels. I found it intriguing that these perceived shortcomings did not hinder my reading experience in any significant ways.
The arguments that prove Stephanie's writing flaws are obvious to many of us. The reasons why her writing was able to grab so many people despite its flaws is elusive and more interesting to ponder. Discrediting the masses of teenage girls and other people who loved these books is meaningless. Teenage girls also loved Elvis and the Beatles. While the way that teenagers express their adoration can be questionable the focal points of their crazes are not always without quality.
I am glad that we live in a country where people can express their extreme dislike of an author's writings. When I have encountered something popular that appears to be completely without quality, I do feel the urge to argue my point of view. But in general it is much easier to argue against something than it is to argue in favor of it.
The fact that so many people are feeling passionate about reading and writing as a result of these books in a time when entertainment is dominated by screens is unequivocally wonderful. The fact that the books expose young girls to a male character who has a sense of chivalry and morality - in a time when highschool boys are not as concerned with manners and morals - is a great thing. I believe these books will help young girls understand the nature of healthy romantic love far better than they otherwise would. I think we all know that Twilight does not celebrate or teach abuse in romantic relationships.
I'm sure that if people who dislike these book's read this review they will find it quite easy to rationalize why my opinion is unimportant and unintelligent. I wrote it for myself because I love these books and think they are worth spending time thinking about and defending. I am grateful to Stephanie for consciously or inadvertently breaking so many literary rules and reminding people that rules are meant to be broken. The rules are a means to an end, not the end itself. Sometimes people find new ways of doing things successfully. Stephanie created a very vivid, positive, engrossing adventure out of mere words -and to me that is what truly matters.