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Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

About three things I was absolutely positive:

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him… that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Grade: A

There hasn’t been a book in a while that really, totally slayed me like this one did. Everything in this book is just so absolute, so “love me forever or I’ll… just die, die, I tell you!” and so angsty and terrible and beautiful at the same time. Ah, young love. I’ve grown cynical in my old age and completely forgotten what it was like to have such a major crush on somebody that the very nearness of that person made me hyperventilate or throw up in nervousness. This book evoked that feeling in me and I found myself sighing over… nay, yearning… for the hero, Edward. For us veteran romance readers, the plot is pretty much old-hat: girl moves to a new town, becomes instantly attracted to the most mysterious guy around, is initially thwarted by mysterious guy “for [her] own good”, but the two of them get together anyway, and it becomes the ultimate “no one else GETS me like you do” story. But I have to admire the passion with which Stephanie Meyer imbues this story so that it doesn’t seem so old hat. You won’t care that you’ve read this same damned story a hundred times before… you’ll be so swept up with her two romantic leads and how in love they are with each other that you won’t even notice Meyer owning your ass for the next five hundred and something pages. Her prose is clean, nothing fancy… but evocative and beautiful in its simplicity. Damn it, I wanted to be Bella. I wanted Edward to be my boyfriend. He’s the new Derek Craven! I… I just love this book so much! *sobs*

Seventeen year old Isabella Snow has been taking care of her loving, but absent-minded mother for most of her life. But now, her mother has gotten remarried to a minor-league baseball player and since Bella’s mother will be traveling with him, there just isn’t room in her life for Bella. The solution is for Bella to move up to Forks, Washington to live with her estranged father. Bella balks at this at first, but she is smart enough to know that there is no use protesting. It really is the best option. She says goodbye to her tearful mother, flies up to Washington, and immediately assumes the caretaker position for her gruff, but loving father who is the town’s chief of police. She enrolls at the local high school and is surprised by how well the other students take to her, especially the male students. She considers herself average-looking, but the local boys appear to be lining up to ask her out. And there is one boy she can’t quite charm.

His name is Edward Cullen, a ridiculously handsome boy who is a bit of a loner and only hangs out with his “brothers and sisters”. He and his siblings are all preternaturally beautiful, don’t talk to anyone else, and strictly keep to themselves. Naturally, Bella and Edward are paired together in Biology class, but Bella is confused (and excited) by Edward’s obvious and instant antipathy towards her. He won’t talk to her and takes great pains to avoid her. That is, until Edward saves her from a potentially fatal accident with his preternatural strength and skill. Bella swears she won’t tell anyone what she has seen, but Edward is distrustful and skeptical of her. Still, he seems to show up wherever Bella just happens to be, alternatingly cold and sexy-hot towards her. As Edward continues to thaw towards her and Bella gets to know him better, she finds herself falling passionately and obsessively in love with him. It seems the two of them are destined to be together, but what kind of life could a seventeen year old girl possibly have with a hundred year old vampire? And what would her father Charlie say when she brings him home? Will Edward ask her to the prom? Will she even live to see… twelfth grade?

This story definitely wouldn’t have worked without Bella’s strong, likeable voice. It is told from Bella’s first person point of view, so it is important that the readers like her from the get-go. And Meyer succeeds with this by giving us a female protagonist who is very practical, very clever, but emotionally vulnerable because she’s never really fallen in love before. It’s easy to relate to Bella because she isn’t a lobotomized, wide-eyed, big-breasted beauty queen type who rushes headlong into danger and screams helplessly for the hero to save her (though she is accident-prone). She’s crazy-stupid over Edward, but manages to keep a level head around him and is more than a match for him when it comes to thinking up of schemes whether it’s to save their asses or what they’re supposed to do on their first date. And this girl is beyond unflappable. Boyfriend can lift a van with his bare hands and wrestle with mountain lions? No problem. His entire family is a pack of vampires, one of whom doesn’t like her very much and could possibly tear off her head at the neck? Bella is cool with it. A trio of crazy-ass vampires strolls into town and decides to hunt her down for food? Hell, Bella is the only one who stays calm and devises a brilliant get-away scheme that, for the most part, actually works. There’s no way you couldn’t like this girl. She was that chick in high school that was so super-cool and you had a little bit of a heterosexual-crush on and was totally nice to you, but you couldn’t help but hate her just a little bit ’cause she’s so nice and so super-cool. Not to say that Bella is perfect. She has a couple of dumb-dumb moments, but hey, she’s just a human girl! And a teenage human girl at that. It was vital in this story for her to be the only sane entity in a whole world gone mad and girlfriend makes it work!

And then there’s… Edward. *swoon* For the entire premise to work, everything hinged on Ms. Meyer giving us a hero that can make our level-headed girl lose her head. Bella is clever, practical, mature… what kind of guy will make her go nuts? The kind she couldn’t figure out, of course. It is a testament to the author’s talent that I was able to see Edward fully realized as a character even though the story is told entirely from Bella’s point of view. He is menacing, dangerous, scary as hell at times, but when he’s in his sweet, protective, thoughtful mode… *falls down* Edward has his issues. He isn’t just your standard-issue love interest for the heroine. He’s as fully developed as a character as Bella is. We know how he thinks, how he feels about Bella, and even though he’s a vampire, he’s got other modes besides brood-growl-fuck. I also thought it was interesting that even though he’s a hundred years old, he still has your average high school joe issues. He worries that Bella may like someone else, what people may think of him… he seems larger than life, but also accessible. He isn’t Mr. Perfect, but he’s… well, he’s wonderful. He’s like Angel minus the angst and the occasional bad Irish accent and obsession with crazy, clingy blondes. At times, Edward could be too cool for school, but damn it, he was that guy… the untouchable James Dean type you masturbated over while listening to “I Touch Myself” by the Divinyls. Or… you know, “Alone” by Heart.

The secondary characters weren’t too shabby either. I loved Bella’s gruff, but lovable dad. Bella’s mom, his flighty ex-wife, had left him because she didn’t want to be stuck living in a podunk town, and I couldn’t help but think, “Dude, you wouldn’t be out of place in a Harlequin NEXT. When’s your story coming out?” It’s so cute how he’s not quite sure how to deal with Bella, so he just allows her to take care of him. Even though their relationship is awkward at first, I love the way it develops into a friendship of sorts over the meals that Bella prepares for dinner. Bella cooks, they eat together making small talk, and he washes the dishes. So cute. I was also very intrigued by Edward’s creepy-ass family. Seriously, they’re like the Addams Family, but ridiculously good-looking. I liked that they seemed like these people who were just looking for a place they could call home and settle down. I think we’re going to see more of them in the next book (honestly, Ms. Meyer, when’s the 3rd one coming out? I’m dying.) and I can’t wait to read it. I have it on my TBR. There are also Bella’s school friends, particularly a girl named Jessica who is super-impressed that Bella is dating the hottest guy in school. Bella can’t exactly tell her what’s going on, but I do like that there are other people in Bella’s life other than Edward.

Another aspect of this story that I truly enjoyed is the setting. It’s a small town outside of Seattle, so it’s always so gloomy and rainy and foggy. Perfect for vampires! It lends to the almost gothic feeling of the story. I dug it. I couldn’t see it being set anywhere else because in a way, the town IS a character in the story.

All and all, this book is just so… dreamy. The writing is good, the dialogue is snappy (lurved the quiet scenes between Bella and Edward), and the atmosphere as well as the storytelling just sucks you in. I know this is a YA novel, but honestly, Bella is more mature and more kickass than any of the romance heroines I’ve been reading lately. I just love her and Edward together. *sigh* Seriously, if you’re looking to recapture that “crazy crush” feeling you had in high school, definitely read this book. In fact, if you’re just tired of the shag-a-thon that permeates the paranormal romance genre and are looking for a creepy, yet romantic tale with the hero and the heroine never going past the second base, go for this book. MAN, I can’t wait to get home (from school) so I can lay down in my nice warm bed and read the sequel already!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 at 9:17 am and is filed under Books, Grade: A, Young Adult. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

26 Responses to “Twilight by Stephanie Meyer”

  1. shuzluva
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 11:35 am
    1

    In fact, if you’re just tired of the shag-a-thon that permeates the paranormal romance genre and are looking for a creepy, yet romantic tale, go for this book.

    Not that I’ll ever really be tired of a well written shag-a-thon, though. I’m just sexed-up that way. Or is it sex starved? Can we just settle on me having sex on the brain most of the time?

    It is a testament to the author’s talent that I was able to see Edward fully realized as a character even though the story is told entirely from Bella’s point of view.

    You have me here. I am running out NOW to buy this. Well…after the next conference call.

  2. Jackie
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
    2

    I’m not even reading the review. An A from Bam? It goes on my “to be bought” list.

  3. Ms.Isabella
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
    3

    Honey, I’ve been a lurker on your site for a little over six months now, and I’ve been hoping you’d get into the Twilight series… just b/c I wanted to see if I was the only snarkaholic in LOVE with Bella and Edward.

    As far as book three goes, from Meyer’s site: Eclipse continues the story of Bella and Edward, along with their friends and family in Forks. Expect it in stores in late August/early September.”

    Also little FYI (although I feel like this is probably redundant, but just in case) Meyers has posted several–some of them very long–extras on all books. Like the first chapter of Twilight told in first person from Edward’s perspective.

    Good stuff there.

    Glad you liked it as much as I did, and I look forward to hearing what you thought about New Moon.

    Ms. I

  4. Maria Duncan
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    4

    This is the second great review of this book I’ve read today. I’ll have to go order it now

  5. dl
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
    5

    Yeah, the first two are released and very good…#3 is due in the fall, I believe.

  6. Estelle
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
    6

    Oh Bam,

    I’ve been a lurker here too and I’m very happy that you decided to review Meyer’s series.

    I can only second Ms Isabella’s rec about that first chapter from Edward’s point of view. You know how it could just be a boring retelling of Twilight? Well, not at all. It’ll make you love Edward even more–yes I know that seems impossible but…trust us, you won’t be disapointed. Edward’s book will be called Midnight Sun. Meyer said that she hopes to publish it after the fourth book is written. If she can’t publish it she’ll make it available for free on her website. How cool is that? an author after my own heart.

    Anyway, I also wanted to say thank you for your wonderful lengthy reviews. I love me some good snark when it comes to romance reviews.

    I hope you enjoy New Moon. I didn’t like it as much as Twilight but it has some very powerful scenes.

  7. E.D'Trix
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
    7

    Oh. Em. Gee. I LOVED these books. I agree, Bam, when I read Twilight I was all “where have you been all my life, Ms. Meyer?” — my fave new author discovery from last year. I agree with Estelle that New Moon was not quite as good for me as Twilight, but after digesting it for a few months, I think the main reason was that I was irritated that Meyer took the series in a different direction than I wanted. In other words, she chose the hard path, and this lazy reader wanted the easy one.

    I absolutely cannot wait for Eclipse this fall. W00T!

  8. Estelle
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
    8

    Quoting E.D’Trix here:

    “I think the main reason was that I was irritated that Meyer took the series in a different direction than I wanted. In other words, she chose the hard path, and this lazy reader wanted the easy one. ”

    What a great way to put it without giving away spoilers! :o )

    I agree 100%

  9. Eva Gale
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
    9

    Oh I LOVED this book. So glad you thought so too. I have to admit, when I heard the amount of her advance, I was GREEN, especially for a new author, but she deserves it and more. Brilliant freaking book.

  10. Darragha
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
    10

    It’s a small town outside of Seattle, so it’s always so gloomy and rainy and foggy

    I live in a small town outside of Seattle where it’s always raining…and yes, I’m pretty sure we do have vampires here.

  11. Shiloh Walker
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
    11

    I haven’t read a YA since I was one. But this sounds good.

    There was this one vamp book, and I can’t remember the name, ages ago. A YA book and it was soooo good. Reading this makes me want to read it but I can’t remember the frickin name!

  12. KL
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
    12

    *small voice* Really?

    I think I might be one of the few people who didn’t like this book. I started out loving it, but it lost me somewhere at midpoint.

    And I really, really WANTED to love it. There’s something about young adult supernaturals; they have a flavor to them “adult” books don’t that just… fits so well with the genre, which is why I think Buffy worked so well while they were still in high school.

    Ah, well.

  13. Annie Dean
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
    13

    I’m not gonna read this book and you can’t make me! I’ve had it up the wazoo with pretty-boy bloodsuckers who’ve been alive for hundred(s) years and still don’t know how to find their asses without both hands and a roadmap.

    I would read that stupid zombie book before I read this. And I am NOT prejudiced against vampires, some of my best friends are vampires. I have a vampire living next door, he is from Nepal and I sometimes even speak to him when we both go out at night at the same time, but not if I’m carrying out the trash cos I throw away a lot of meat and it gets him all horny in teh worst way which isn’t good cos he’s an old dude and kind of squirrelly looking. He also thinks we’re having an old school vendetta because our trash basket is spiked into the ground too close to his front gate and this is a dire insult in Nepalese culture. He’s always yelling at me and waving his arms, but I would totally stop to be polite if he wasn’t in his drawers. I wasn’t really gonna run him down with the car that one time anyway, just scare him a little. You can’t let these Nepalese vampires can’t get complacent. We’ll just see about that trash basket, cos there’s no way I’m moving it. I’ll hang him on the spike instead. Hmf.

    In conclusion, vote for Dennis Rodham in 2016!

  14. Annie Dean
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
    14

    PS For those of you who don’t know, that’s your future president, Hilary Rodham Clinton’s head grafted onto Dennis Rodman’s shoulder. I have seen the future, brother, and it is murder.

    Give me crack and anal sex
    Take the only tree thats left
    And stuff it up the hole
    In your culture
    Give back the berlin wall
    Give me stalin and st. paul
    Ive seen the future, brother
    It is murder

    *Goes off humming Leonard Cohen*

  15. bam
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
    15

    Good god… I think Annie’s been smoking crack again. CRACK IS WACK, ANNIE!

  16. Annie Dean
    Posted: Feb 7th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
    16

    The sad part is that most of that first post is true, except for the Nepalese dude being a vampire. Though come to think of it, I don’t see him around much in daylight…

  17. bam
    Posted: Feb 8th, 2007 at 8:59 am
    17
    Author Comment

    I hope you enjoy New Moon. I didn’t like it as much as Twilight but it has some very powerful scenes.

    I’m in the process of reading it right now. I’m not sure I’m liking it too much. Bella’s gotten a little whiny. But then again, look at the situation she’s in.

  18. Jane
    Posted: Feb 8th, 2007 at 10:42 am
    18

    Wow. Late to the party much? and yeah on New Moon. Was tres disappointed in it.

  19. LorelieLong
    Posted: Feb 8th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
    19

    I really liked the first 2/3rds of Twilight but started to fade in the last part. Cant put my finger on why, I was just magically able to put it down every three pages when before I’d been putting off everything to finish “just one more chapter honey”.
    I still wanna read the sequel but I’m waiting ’til it’s at least in trade paperback.
    (And if most of Annie’s first post is true, I find myself wondering why she throws out that much meat. . .)

  20. Keishon
    Posted: Feb 8th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
    20

    New Moon, yeah, yawn. I liked the beginning and end. Of course, Ms. Meyer recommends that you read it TWICE to understand it fully for the characterizations.

  21. Ann(ie)
    Posted: Feb 8th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
    21

    Well, if you really wanna know… I used to have this tendency to do HUGE grocery shopping. The idea was, if I bought enough junk it would last a month. Then we always end up going out or going to a party or ordering in more than I think we will. So then, after a couple of months of this, I have a bunch of freezer burnt meat (or stuff I’m not brave enough to test to see if it’s still good), so then I do a clean sweep and throw it out.

    Probably not as exciting as you thought, huh? I wish I could make up some big exciting story about were-panthers in my backyard, but I used all my crack yesterday. :(

  22. a lurker
    Posted: Feb 11th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
    22

    KL, you aren’t the only one. I’m surprised by this review of Bam’s, since usually I agree with her. I thought Bella was TSTL, and boring (how many scenes did we need of her brushing her hair?). I had to read this sentence:

    “It’s easy to relate to Bella because she isn’t a lobotomized, wide-eyed, big-breasted beauty queen type who rushes headlong into danger and screams helplessly for the hero to save her (though she is accident-prone).”

    twice because I thought Bella WAS all those things. Especially at the end. People recommended this book to me all the time, and I was so disappointed. I didn’t find the writing any great shake, either.

    Having said that, I thought Edward was a great character, and loved the first chapter written from his POV.

  23. KL
    Posted: Feb 12th, 2007 at 12:33 am
    23

    High-five, a lurker. Not that I don’t still worship and adore Bam (and her reviews), but something about this book turned her crank where it left me feeling… eh.

    I definitely thought Bella was TSTL — I’m sorry, what? You go wondering off in a strange city at night why? — and I’ll admit that even Edward got on my nerves (though moreso in the second book) with the whole “No, you don’t have a say, I’m the vampire and I’ll make the decisions in this relationship” shtick.

    Ah, well. Seems I am doomed to be unsatisfied with any YA vampire books not written by Annette Curtis Klause.

  24. web
    Posted: Feb 14th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
    24

    Other awesome YA vampire book - perhaps Sunshine by Robin McKinley? Not that there aren’t a gazillion possibilities…

  25. Isabella Snow
    Posted: Feb 19th, 2007 at 8:56 am
    25

    Lovely name for a heroine. ;)

  26. LissaNY
    Posted: Mar 17th, 2007 at 9:14 am
    26

    My friends made fun of me reading a YA Fic until I bribed them with cupcakes to read it. Now they can’t wait for #3 either!!

    Do the Audiobooks for Twilight and New Moon. You will fall in love all over again!! Also, definitely check out the author’s website - great additional material. Also some wonderful fan fic out there, specifically on fanfiction dot net.

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