It's almost pointless to review this book (which is why I've held off for so long) because most people have already read it, and people are either going to like it or they aren't. There isn't really a middle ground.
The thing about Twilight is... if you were, or have ever been a 13 year old girl there is appeal there. I was a 13 year old girl once, and it totally spoke to that part of me.
On the other hand, the whole way through I found myself completely frustrated with the way it was written. There was seemingly no plot for the first 300 pages, just Bella describing Edward and her deep feelings for him. Lots of teenage angst, etc. etc.
You only really get to know the characters on a superficial level. The backbone of most good stories is character development, and the way those characters interact with the things and people around them. There's a TON of room to do this since vampires are a classic tragic character. Living forever, watching everyone you love eventually die, dealing with the slow loss of humanity, craving human beings as dinner - the very beings vampires once were. There's a lot there. Unfortunately, if you can't relate to the character's and the character's feelings/emotions/motivations none of that is very effective.
And really, I find myself unable to describe any of the characters in the book without mentioning their looks or actions. The best I can come up with (as far as the main characters) Is that Edward is mopey, and kind of a stalker, and Bella is clumsy and really whiney. But man, I could write a thesis on Edward's Topaz eyes.
It was also seriously annoying that Bella spent the whole book whining about how everything sucked when like... every person in her school went out of their way to be nice to her. Although, that is often how teenage girls act (I know that's how I acted) so maybe Meyer accomplished her goal here.
When it comes down to it, this is a quick and easy read that you don't have to devote too much brain power to. If you want to satisfy the 13 year old inside you who just wants to date a super cute boy who spends 24/7 (literally... he doesn't sleep) obsessing over you and doting upon you then this is probably a great read. For me, I moved on from that part of my life 10 years ago, and am interested in reading something a little deeper.
The thing about Twilight is... if you were, or have ever been a 13 year old girl there is appeal there. I was a 13 year old girl once, and it totally spoke to that part of me.
On the other hand, the whole way through I found myself completely frustrated with the way it was written. There was seemingly no plot for the first 300 pages, just Bella describing Edward and her deep feelings for him. Lots of teenage angst, etc. etc.
You only really get to know the characters on a superficial level. The backbone of most good stories is character development, and the way those characters interact with the things and people around them. There's a TON of room to do this since vampires are a classic tragic character. Living forever, watching everyone you love eventually die, dealing with the slow loss of humanity, craving human beings as dinner - the very beings vampires once were. There's a lot there. Unfortunately, if you can't relate to the character's and the character's feelings/emotions/motivations none of that is very effective.
And really, I find myself unable to describe any of the characters in the book without mentioning their looks or actions. The best I can come up with (as far as the main characters) Is that Edward is mopey, and kind of a stalker, and Bella is clumsy and really whiney. But man, I could write a thesis on Edward's Topaz eyes.
It was also seriously annoying that Bella spent the whole book whining about how everything sucked when like... every person in her school went out of their way to be nice to her. Although, that is often how teenage girls act (I know that's how I acted) so maybe Meyer accomplished her goal here.
When it comes down to it, this is a quick and easy read that you don't have to devote too much brain power to. If you want to satisfy the 13 year old inside you who just wants to date a super cute boy who spends 24/7 (literally... he doesn't sleep) obsessing over you and doting upon you then this is probably a great read. For me, I moved on from that part of my life 10 years ago, and am interested in reading something a little deeper.
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