Saturday, January 07, 2006

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I don't usually read YA books but Keishon recommended Twilight and I found the premise intriguing, so I decided to check it out from the library. The book is set in the rainy town of Forks, Washington, in the Olympic Peninsula. I'm familiar with Forks having visited the small town on our way through on a vacation trip to the Olympic National Park. I remember Forks very well because it was pouring rain that day. Pouring, as in just like standing under a waterfall!

Twilight is told in first person by 17-year-old Isabella Swan (Bella to her friends). Bella's parents divorced when she was very little and she lived with her mother in Arizona. Bella loves the sun and never really enjoyed her visits to her father in dreary, perpetually cloudy Forks where he is the police chief. However, when her mom wants to move to Florida with her boyfriend, Bella reluctantly decides to move to the boring town of Forks to live with her dad.

So the story begins with Bella as the new kid in town. Her first day of school is filled with the usual teenage fears and insecurities. In other words, your typical teenage story done hundreds of times. Bella meets a gorgeous boy, Edward Cullen, in one of her classes who seems to be furious with her and initially tries to drive her away. However, Bella is attracted to the pale, aloof Edward although his attitude toward her alternates between interest and rage. Bella discovers that Edward has a good reason to avoid her; he's a vampire and is torn by his attraction to her and his desire to devour her. Edward is the youngest adopted son of the wealthy mysterious Cullen family. They are a family of vampires, very unusual vampires, who chose to hunt wild animals rather than humans, although it's very difficult for them to fight their natural appetite for human blood.

So Bella feels safe with them but the story takes a very dangerous turn during a seemingly playful game of baseball when a group of vampires from out of town spot Bella in their midst and one of them decides he must have her.... for his next meal. This group of vampires are the real thing; they have no qualms about hunting humans and are fundamentally evil, taking pleasure in torturing their prey. The remaining 1/4 of the book provides some extremely scary, spine-tingling moments that kept me on edge.

Bella is very bright and seemed a bit too mature for her age but realistic nonetheless. I don't know many teenagers who love to cook so well at that age, but I'm sure they're out there somewhere (just not ever at my house, unfortunately). I enjoyed Bella's voice and her self-deprecation about her clutziness provided some light-hearted moments.

The book was long (512 pages) but the plot was very tight with no gaps or holes, fast-paced, and utterly gripping. I found it a wonderful blend of dark romance and vampire horror. There was no sex but lots of sexual tension as Edwin fights his desires to be with Bella and have her for supper, literally. Even though this book is considered young adult I suggest giving this one a try especially for those who love vampire romance.

My grade: A

42 comments:

ReneeW said...

Yes, I meant to mention that there will be a sequel. I'm looking forward to it and hope it's soon.

CindyS said...

Dang, a sequel. Remind me when that publishes and then I might just read them ;)

CindyS

Rosario said...

I'm not really much of a YA fiction fan, but this one sounds good! I'm off to get it, thanks for the rec!

Megan Frampton said...

Oh, now I REALLY want this. Thanks, Renee.

ReneeW said...

Cindy, Rosario, Megan - You must try this one and tell me what you think. I think it's extraordinary.

Keishon - Thanks for the rec.

I just checked out her website www.stepheniemeyer.com (I mispelled her name in the title but it's correct now). There is going to be a series of three books. The second one will be out Oct. '06 and has a working title of New Moon. The third book is tentatively titled Eclipse. I can hardly wait.

Tara Marie said...

Like Rosario, I'm not a huge YA fan, but this one I'm getting on my next trip to B&N or the library whichever comes first.

ReneeW said...

Tara - I think it's only available in HB (17.99) so I'd get it from the library.

BTW, Meyer's website says it has been optioned for a movie, although only a small percentage of those actually are made into movies. I hope it makes it.

Anonymous said...

This is one of the best books i have ever read! it had me glued to it everyday and nite untill i finished it! and now im reading it again! she is a wonderful writier and i can wait till the enxt ones! i only wished they'd come sooner! she has now started my new obsession with Vampires and im starting my own stpry on one! thx for the recomendation I LOVED IT

Anonymous said...

I just finished this book and I absolutely LOVED it! I can't wait until the next one comes out.

Anonymous said...

im in the middle of this book right now, and its very good i agree. just one thing; in the last paragraph you wrote "as Edwin fights his desires to be with Bella"...i thought it was Edward, but i could be wrong.

ReneeW said...

Yup, you're right. Brain dead sometimes.

Anonymous said...

I L-O-V-E twilight, it's my favorite book, and I'd read it again if I had to. I love her new book new moon and I can't wait for eclips to come out...I just can't wait *squeals*

Anonymous said...

STEPHINIE I HOPE YOU WORK FAST ON ECLIPS i have read Twilight and new moon and i am dieing to find out if Be;lla is turned or not! i can't wait till aprill of 07 that is when the book comes out saposovly.I want to read the book that is like the first but through Edwards eyes. CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

Name: Taylor Age:12

Anonymous said...

Ok, this is a while later but I've read the first two and they are amazing. I absolutely love,love,love these books. By the way a New Moon special edition will be coming out on May 5th and it will have the first chapter to Eclipse, Eclipse is coming out on August 5th... I think but I know it's coming out in August so I know I can't wait what about you all?!
P.S. Nothing yet has happened with the whole movie deal :( ...but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

ReneeW said...

Yes, Twilight was wonderful but after hearing some of the feedback from Keishon and DearAuthor about New Moon I'm not so sure I want to read it. I'll wait till Eclipse is released and see what people think.

Anonymous said...

To all of you,
twilight and new moon are by far the best books i have ever read. go get them. now. go. shoo. off with you.

Anonymous said...

Hey ya I just finished New Moon and Twilight I cant wait for Eclipse to come out to bad I half to wait till August well go get that book and read it it really got my attention I stayed up till 12:00 a.m. reading it!! It is so good and its really suppenceful! Well I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
P.S. I think Edward Cullen would make the perfect bf vampire and all!! They should make a movie about it I would so want to be Bella!!

Anonymous said...

this is a great book i REALLY recomend reading it! the sequel "new moon" is very interesting when bella finds herself faceing a wherewolf who is frankly Jacob Black. It will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time! even though im only 11 years old i REALLY liked this book!

Anonymous said...

DUDE! I am so obsessed with these books. I have read twilight exactly 10.5 times and new moon exactly 6 times. I LOVE THEM. They are my brand of heroin. (in books). yeah, I use like, phrses from them everyday and I always think about Edward.... i love edward. Seriously... if anybody hasn't read them yet, READ THEM NOW.

It will be the best thing you can possibly do to yourself... reading them. ECLIPSE COMES OUT ON AUGUST 7th... THREE DAYS AFTER MA B-DAY!

I LOVE TWILIGHT AND NEW MOON

LOVE THEM

LOVE

Anonymous said...

i love both Twilight and New Moon. Right now they are really big hits at my school. My friend actually started the whole obssesion. I only got the books a week and I've read them both about 50 times. I really reccomend these books to anyone who likes vampires, suspense, and romance. Everytime you read Twilight or New Moon you find little things that you missed. I have read EVERY little thing on Stephenie Meyer's website. Can't wait till Eclipse comes out on august 7!!!!!!!

Sarah said...

Hear hear! A great book, with a sequel that doesn't dissapoint.

Anonymous said...

OMG i read this book and i was stunned it is by far the best book ive ever read in my entire life. It hooks you from the very firs paragraph and it is so descriptive that you have a picture in your head the entire time your reading. I love this book and i cant wait to start reading the second New Moon and then the third book that comes out in August called Eclipse. I read this 480 some page book in a week if i can read a book that big in that short of time its a good book so you should read it.

Anonymous said...

All of my friends and I have read this book and We all LOVE IT!! We are teens, and we find that Edward is PERFECT. But it is a great read for all ages.

Anonymous said...

i'm so in love with this book! (the first one) i'm barroing them from a friend and there mind blowing!! and i love how you made it so detiled! i read alot but never have i read a book so captivating! i need to read the 2end one soon cuz i'm still on the 1st but its really amazing so far (i'm almost done) so ya just wanted to tell you you are really good at getting peoples attension (i think i spelt that wrong sorry:P)and thank you i've been looking for a good book to read and keep my mind off stupid things so ya thank you!

Anonymous said...

I really love your books. I can't wait for Eclipse to come out. It would be cool if you made these stories into a movie. I would totally buy them. I love your books again.

Anonymous said...

Awesome read, I love it a lot. Sadly it only came in to Malaysia 2 months ago and now I'm hunting for new moon, which would take a while. I novel I just can't put down.

Anonymous said...

Yes... the best book on the face of the earth! Eclipse comming out on august 7th and I WILL GET IT.
The next one after eclipse is called BREAKING DAWN and its coming out in the fall of 2008. THATS TOO LONG A WAIT.

Anonymous said...

oh my god!!!! i love twilight! it is the best book i have ever read, it is also my favorite! i cant wait to read the others! I LOVE EDAWRD CULLEN!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

OMG, this is the best book i have ever read really there both great if you like vanpires. I would love if they added witches in it wicca is most fun. i pratice it with my cuz we both love ghost, vanpire, witch books they but you on the the eage of the seat like twight and new moon. I would like it if bella becomes a vanpire it would be most fun. o and i think you should do a book in edward's point of view. I LOVE THESES BOOK!!! BUY THEM OR JUST TRY TO GET YOUR HANDS ON THEM THERE SO OVER THE EAGE:D

Anonymous said...

i LOVE this book !!!!! im so glad that they might make a movie!! i also cant wait till eclipse comes out! ^.^

Anonymous said...

This is one of the nest books i have ever read, i have even read it three times! I have read the second one and now waiting on the third one. So excited. I was really uninterested at first, but one i finally read it i loved it SO much!

Anonymous said...

My sister read this book before I did, and all my friends were raving about it, so I figured I'd read it as well. I am SO glad that I did because it is one of the best books I have ever read. I have also read the sequel, New Moon, and I am eagerly awaiting the release of Eclipse. =]

Anonymous said...

i usually dont like these types of books but i thought that this was one of the best that i have ever read. i used it for a book report and got an A

CocoD said...

I WORSHIP THAT BOOK!
I mean I can't get enough of it.
the best book like ever.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE EDWARD CULLEN!!!!!!!! IM in love with vampires now!!!! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Twilight is on of my all-time favorites.
Stephanie Meyer is working on her forth book of the series as well as a book from Edward's perspective. MTV is also considering making a movie of Twilight although it will be a few years if it does become a movie. I highly reccomend it. It gives a totally new view on vampires.

Anonymous said...

PLEASE MAKE THIS INTO A MOVIE!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

MAKE IT INTO A MOVIE PLEASE!!!
i couldnt put this book down...it took my 7 hours to read it and now i am buying all 3 of the books i cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

it will be a movie in April 2009 or 2010 they are casting soon check out stepaniemeyer.com it has all the answers to every question

Anonymous said...

omg i read all three of these books and i absolutly love them.
i can't wait for the fourth and the movie. I really believe that these books shud have won literary awards seriously i started a craze with all my friends. i only read them after seeing an icon on someones xanga site lol

Anonymous said...

this book is so wonderful. i love the suspense on every page and the way she writes it keeps me wanting more. i read this book five times in a row before i was finally able to put it down and wait for the next one, which is almost as good as the first. then i read the third book which is even better than the first or the second. i love these books.

Anonymous said...

I thought that was a pretty good summary!! Ive just finished reading this book and the second. Its just a shame I can't find the third ANYWHERE in english bookshops. Damn. Ive heard that the forth book will be titled Breaking Dawn, and the fifth and last book in the series will be titled Midnight Sun, and will be told from Edwards point of view. I personaly disliked the second book,1 because there was so little of Edward in it, and 2, I thought it dragged on abit too much around the middle, and only really got moving too near the end. I will NOT be watching the movie when it comes out in December: the actor they have chosen to play Edward doesnt do him any justice.

Wow, I haven't touched my blog in over 6 years and I'm still logged in!  Good thing because I have no idea what my password is.  In ...