Twilight
Published: 5, October 2005
Author: Stephenie Meyer
The Twilight Saga, Book 1
Genres: Contemporary, Dating & Sex, Dystopian, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Romance, Teen, Vampire, Young Adult
Check the summary of this book here:
Twilight Summary
The Review:
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is about an adolescent girl named Bella who has two bad, divorced parents, and she picks the least of two evils by moving north to Forks, Washington to live with her father. Except for a terrible meeting with an ethereally handsome boy named Edward on her first day of high school, she is curiously popular. Bella is captivated by him despite his treatment of her as an outcast.
Bella loves Edward with a slavish, blind-eyed devotion that is unique to young lovers after Edward saves her life (first of many such instances). Edward, of course, is not who he appears to be, and the first half of the novel is devoted to discovering his secret.
I found this to be a really entertaining read on its own, but it's much nicer and more meaningful as a companion to the films because it answers a few points in depth that aren't addressed in the films. I recognize now that, as with practically any book-related film, fans of the book would have known the specifics going in if they had read the book first.
Stephenie Meyer is a wonderful storyteller, and the prose is clearly geared toward a sixth-grade reading level, approximately. When compared to a full-blooded paranormal romance, the relationship plays out like every adolescent girl's ideal, but the physical aspect is wonderfully mild, and I won't be offended if a little girl wants to read it.
I enjoy the first-person narrative since no one could describe Bella's story better than she could, making this a fresh, light read, an appealing plot, and a romance for readers of all ages.
You must understand the series for what it is while approaching it. Young females in their mid-teens and up are the intended audience. More than action and adventure, it focuses on the emotional journey and physical mysteries of youth.
It's a clean novel with no profanity and an immediate love tale about two individuals who get fascinated with one other, one because of Edward's immaculate beauty and a hint of danger, and the other because he can't read her thoughts and her blood speaks to the creature inside him.
There will be a deceptive love triangle in the series as a whole, which was emphasized much more in the movies, and even an advert as team Edward and team Jacob.
Again, it's not supposed to be a high-octane trip with a scary and mysterious romantic interest that the reader, if they're truthful with themselves, knows how it'll end, but we'll enjoy the journey anyhow.
Stephenie Meyer is an excellent writer, despite the fact that it may appear like I am whining. She writes in an easy-to-understand style and from the viewpoint and thinking of a young lady.
That does not necessarily imply a reasonable young lady who makes clear and logical judgments, but rather one who is clever and, despite her shallow love, is a selfless individual.
I didn't know how skilled she was at writing from the viewpoint and not exposing her hand to the audience until book three when we get many chapters from Jacob's perspective where we glimpse the thinking of a Young Man.
Bella's interactions with other characters hide something I hadn't observed until I revisited the story a second time: Bella has no interest in, or at least appears to have no active interest in, anything other than Edward.
She enjoys reading romance novels, but she has no enthusiasm for life outside of Edward, no interests, and no meaningful aspirations to work for. This is something that novice readers may not notice, but it is a thorn in the eye for those who have read a lot of fiction.
The mythos she weaves into the plot develops throughout the course of the series and seems authentic to the world she portrays. In her debut novel, she exposes vampires to be more than terrible creatures that lurk in the shadows, but rather attractive predators who are meant solely to seduce and murder their prey but have a morality that drives them to desire to be more than mere monsters.
In fact, given the vampires' physical strength and special abilities, they may have been genuinely scary if the series had continued with a different writer or a different sort of plot. However, it was a great smash for the genre and intended demographic, earning Stephenie Meyer millions.
While I enjoyed the plot, as I learned more about the genre, I realized that the Twilight series was clean and intended for a younger age. The stories evolved with time, but not to the point where they were improper for high school students.
I also recognize that it was originally intended to be mostly a romance. However, the movies made me dislike Bella because of how she was portrayed in the movies, whereas the book was perfect in terms of who she was.
While Bella Swan had a rocky start in terms of personality development in the first book, I believe she develops into a new kind of hero by the conclusion. She isn't a sword-wielding warrior, but she possesses the power, tenacity, and bravery that make her approachable.
In terms of the writing, I can't claim we're reading Shakespeare or Hawthorne here because I'm a literary aficionado who enjoys reading big historical novels for enjoyment, but the books kept me turning pages.
I had a great time reading it. Yes, the "wonderful" thing grew old after a while, and there were a few flaws here and there, but not enough to distract me from the story.
Stephenie Meyer produced some wonderful characters and gave each one a distinct personality; there is a lot of comedy and intelligence in this book, and the characters go through a lot of growth, which is not an easy task for an author.
I loved reading the book since it was written as though the author enjoyed writing it. She's not flawless, but she's competent, and she improves as the series progresses. I've liked seeing Stephenie Meyer develop as a novelist, and I'll most likely read anything she publishes next.
Final Thoughts:
Generally speaking, books are superior to movies. Needless to say, I was enamored with it and devoured the entire book in a single day. I couldn't put it down since it piqued my curiosity.
This novel is for fans of charming high school romance, a touch of the supernatural (such as vampires and werewolves), and a little intrigue. I saw the movie a long time ago, and I don't think it did Edward justice in any way, at least in this section of the narrative.
I do agree, though, that it is not appropriate for teenagers. The relationship is a little shaky, and Bella is a complete masochist, and I believe she is suicidal. In any case, I strongly suggest it.
To sum up, if you're seeking for a romantic fantasy, this was a great book to read. If you're going for it, I recommend reading the full series.
We get to observe Bella develop from an uncomfortable teenager with an inadequacy mentality and weak decision-making abilities into a competent young woman thanks to Stephenie Meyer's creation. It was enjoyable to read, and I'm pleased I did.
Synopsis:
“Fall in love with the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire with the book that sparked a "literary phenomenon" and redefined romance for a generation (New York Times).
Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn.
Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.
Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.
It's here! #1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with the highly anticipated companion, Midnight Sun: the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view.
"People do not want to just read Stephenie Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time
"A literary phenomenon." -- The New York Times”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:
Bella And Edward, Bella Swan, Billy Burke, Breaking Dawn, Catherine Hardwicke, Drama, Eclipse, Edward Cullen, Even Though, Ever Read, Fall In Love, Fantasy, Harry Potter, High School, Kristen Stewart, New Moon, Robert Pattinson, Romance, Stephanie Meyer, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight Saga, Young Adult Audience, Young Adult
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 90/100 Yes.
Buy the Kindle Version Here
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The Twilight Saga Complete Collection
Twilight (2010) (PG-13)
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