Okay, so I may have been the first person to finish the book ( I just
couldn't put it down, and we were on Spring Break, so I didn't have
to.), but I'm the last person to post. Like most of you, I LOVED
IT! As soon as I finished it, I got in the car and went to buy New
Moon. I've read everything that there is to read on S.M.'s website,
and fantisized about how much fun it would be to go to the
Twightlight Prom. My husband has even read the books because I read
outloud to him in the car while were were traveling. I haven't been
so engrossed in a book since the last Harry Potter book came out.
Anyway, enough about how much I loved the books.
I believe that the reason that the love story is so appealing is
because it reminds us of what new love feels like. It was fun to be
a teenager again even though I was annoyed at times by how stupid
Bella can be. I too fell in love with Edward. He's so noble and
patient.
I too, have spent time wondering if becoming a vampire would be too
great a sacrifice. Living on the earth forever is appealing in
someways, and not so appealing in other ways. I can understand her
wanting to be with him forever, and not wanting to grow old while he
stayed young, but always looking so young would have it's
disadvantages also. Edward had two doctorate degrees, but no way to
do anything with them.
As for him being in her room watching her sleep...I couldn't help but
wonder if he was ever turned off by her morning breath, and the sleep
in her eyes.
I really don't have anything to say that hasn't already been said.
Thanks for the great selection! I can't wait until August. I'll
have to re-read the first two in July in preparation.
Saturday, April 14
Thursday, April 12
Twilight
Ladies,
I decided to post my review before I read the others, so I apologize in advance if I am repeating. When I first realized that this was a "vampire story," I called KT because I am not a vampire-story-fan like my husband (and I found out last week, my son, Eric). She told me I would love it and she was right. Rod & I actually competed with each other to see who would get to read it. (I guess I should have bought a copy for each of us!) I bought New Moon as soon as I was done and finished it on the way to and from Chicago last weekend and Rod is just about done with New Moon as I write :) I will be passing both books on to Eric & Carolyn.
Now for my thoughts (I have so many) and some of Rod's as well. First, when I bought this at Barnes & Noble, it was in the teen section, so I wanted to look at it as a work of adolescent literature. It is so relevant to that audience: the insecurities, the struggle to fit in, the who-am-I-really stuff, the what-people-see-on-the-outside-isn't-really-who-I-am, etc. My middle school students are all of the characters. In addition, Rod made the connection with Edward's struggle to control his vampire instincts to an adolescent boy learning to control his sex drive. I thought Bella's lack of understanding of what she did to Edward when she kissed him "like that," is like my teen-age girl students who drive my teen-age boy students crazy! They think they know what they are doing, but they really haven't got a clue!!
It isn't just "kid lit," however. The struggles of all of the Cullens are so instructive. Carlisle faced it first when he decided that just because he WAS a vampire, he didn't have to BEHAVE like one. Isn't that what an alcoholic has to decide? How about someone who is challenged by same sex attraction? How about someone who has been abused, but wants to break the cycle? To a lesser degree, all of us have "thorns in the flesh," things that we are born with or ways that we are "wired" that we can either give in to or learn to overcome. I thought Meyer did a great job of developing her characters so that you feel their struggles and you see their victories.
Her characters are complex. When I told Eric I was reading a vampire story that I thought he might like, his reaction was reserved. The first question he asked was, "Is the vampire the bad guy?" When I told him, "Not really," (I didn't want to give away too much), he told me he hated vampire stories that made them out to be totally evil because he found them to be interesting characters. I guess that is part of what draws me to Meyer's characters. They aren't perfect, neither are they totally evil (with the exception of James who chilled me to the core).
And then there's Bella . . . it will be hard for me to separate Twilight from New Moon. I can't tell you how frustrated I was with the dumb, dangerous things she did. However, that penchant for danger is what allows her to fall in love with a vampire, so I really can't complain. It's just hard to watch, when I really believe the instruction that we should stay as far away from the edge of the cliff as we can in life, instead of seeing how close we can get to it. But she is heroic in so many ways, that I have to admire her independence and her willingness to take risks.
And finally, I am an incurable romantic . . . I want this to have a happy ending. But, how? I'd like to gloss over the issues and hope that they just make her a vampire so she can be with Edward. But, Rod and I were just talking about this tonight. She won't just become like the Cullens instantly. She would have to learn how not to give in to what every instinct is driving her to be . . . someone who kills people and drinks their blood. She abhors that reality. And then there is the issue of her mother and father. That really isn't one to take lightly. I'll tell you what Rod thinks has to happen: He thinks the only really happy ending would be for Carlisle, with his hundreds of years of medical training, to find a cure so that Bella and Edward could be together as mortals. Otherwise, the Cullens have to violate their own ethics and Bella has to place her soul in jeopardy.
I can't wait for August. :) Twilight was a great choice!!!
--Karen Smith
I decided to post my review before I read the others, so I apologize in advance if I am repeating. When I first realized that this was a "vampire story," I called KT because I am not a vampire-story-fan like my husband (and I found out last week, my son, Eric). She told me I would love it and she was right. Rod & I actually competed with each other to see who would get to read it. (I guess I should have bought a copy for each of us!) I bought New Moon as soon as I was done and finished it on the way to and from Chicago last weekend and Rod is just about done with New Moon as I write :) I will be passing both books on to Eric & Carolyn.
Now for my thoughts (I have so many) and some of Rod's as well. First, when I bought this at Barnes & Noble, it was in the teen section, so I wanted to look at it as a work of adolescent literature. It is so relevant to that audience: the insecurities, the struggle to fit in, the who-am-I-really stuff, the what-people-see-on-the-outside-isn't-really-who-I-am, etc. My middle school students are all of the characters. In addition, Rod made the connection with Edward's struggle to control his vampire instincts to an adolescent boy learning to control his sex drive. I thought Bella's lack of understanding of what she did to Edward when she kissed him "like that," is like my teen-age girl students who drive my teen-age boy students crazy! They think they know what they are doing, but they really haven't got a clue!!
It isn't just "kid lit," however. The struggles of all of the Cullens are so instructive. Carlisle faced it first when he decided that just because he WAS a vampire, he didn't have to BEHAVE like one. Isn't that what an alcoholic has to decide? How about someone who is challenged by same sex attraction? How about someone who has been abused, but wants to break the cycle? To a lesser degree, all of us have "thorns in the flesh," things that we are born with or ways that we are "wired" that we can either give in to or learn to overcome. I thought Meyer did a great job of developing her characters so that you feel their struggles and you see their victories.
Her characters are complex. When I told Eric I was reading a vampire story that I thought he might like, his reaction was reserved. The first question he asked was, "Is the vampire the bad guy?" When I told him, "Not really," (I didn't want to give away too much), he told me he hated vampire stories that made them out to be totally evil because he found them to be interesting characters. I guess that is part of what draws me to Meyer's characters. They aren't perfect, neither are they totally evil (with the exception of James who chilled me to the core).
And then there's Bella . . . it will be hard for me to separate Twilight from New Moon. I can't tell you how frustrated I was with the dumb, dangerous things she did. However, that penchant for danger is what allows her to fall in love with a vampire, so I really can't complain. It's just hard to watch, when I really believe the instruction that we should stay as far away from the edge of the cliff as we can in life, instead of seeing how close we can get to it. But she is heroic in so many ways, that I have to admire her independence and her willingness to take risks.
And finally, I am an incurable romantic . . . I want this to have a happy ending. But, how? I'd like to gloss over the issues and hope that they just make her a vampire so she can be with Edward. But, Rod and I were just talking about this tonight. She won't just become like the Cullens instantly. She would have to learn how not to give in to what every instinct is driving her to be . . . someone who kills people and drinks their blood. She abhors that reality. And then there is the issue of her mother and father. That really isn't one to take lightly. I'll tell you what Rod thinks has to happen: He thinks the only really happy ending would be for Carlisle, with his hundreds of years of medical training, to find a cure so that Bella and Edward could be together as mortals. Otherwise, the Cullens have to violate their own ethics and Bella has to place her soul in jeopardy.
I can't wait for August. :) Twilight was a great choice!!!
--Karen Smith
Friday, April 6
Twilight Thoughts
I too love this book and I read New Moon as soon as I finished Twilight. I hate starting a series before it is finished. I am so impatient waiting for the next book! Hopefully August will come quickly. :)
First of all- I moved to the Seattle Area from sunny California in the middle of high school. Unlike Bella though I did not find Seattle depressing and dark. It actually rains more in the Midwest than it does in Seattle. I was a little offended by her negative Northwest comments but I got over that quickly. :) I love the characterizations in this book. Bella is great. She is so passionate and focused and dramatic and drawn to the dangerous. Totally 17. I get a little annoyed - like Laurenda- that she doesn't understand the thirst or that when Edward talks about making mistakes he is talking about people dying. It is more evident in New Moon that she just doesn't really get what it means to be a Vampire for all of her desire to be one. She sees Edward and his family and how powerful they are and how beautiful they are and wants that but doesn't understand the price that Power and Beauty comes at. I love her insecurities about how she looks. Stephanie M. doesn't overdo them they are just right. Bella just kind of takes for granted that she is not as beautiful (although it is pointed out in the book that she is much more beautiful than she realizes). My favorite description of Edward is in the meadow when he tells her that he is the perfect predator. He is attractive(bait) and fast and deadly. I wondered at his intentions with her in the meadow. It seems amazing to me that someone with one hundred years to mature would fall in love with a 17 yr old- even one as self-less as Bella. BUt now he has saved her too many times. I think he is noble and genuine but still deadly. I want them to have a happy ending but I'm not sure how - since becoming a vampire is not the best idea for Bella. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
I love love love the way that Alice sees the future. I love that it changes from decision to decision rather than staying firm. It's perfect. It is so true to life that our outcome relies on the decisions that we make- sometimes seemingly inconsequential decisions can change our whole future because of the chain of little decisions that result.
On a funny note, I thought it interesting that when first describing the Cullens Stephanie M. describes the dark circles under their eyes and then continues to describe how unhumanly beautiful they are. I think it gives hope to all moms or students with no sleep that you can be unhumanly beautiful and have dark circles under your eyes. :)
I wonder how much if anything should be read into the dark skinned hot Indian/werewolf vs. pale white cold refined/vampire. It is set up to be good vs evil but she twists it so that there is no good side or bad side. It is unclear still who is the monster- if anyone. Everyone has the capability to be a monster or to control the monster. Bella is a monster to her Dad when she throws her Mom's words back in his face. She chose to let the monster out for his protection. The men on the street in Port Angeles who almost attack Bella are monsters and just as dangerous to Bella as Edward. Edward chose to unleash his monster for a while in his youth but only on Human Monsters. Which begs the question of is there a place and time when it is appropriate to act monstrously? Or is it just a slippery slope? It seems that over and over again when the characters act monstrously they just create more problems and more hard questions for themselves. Edward stopped being a monster because he wasn't sure if he was avting any better than the people he killed. He wasn't sure if his victim's intended victim would look on him as a savior or as an equal threat. Bella keeps trying to sacrifice herself to take away the danger and causing more danger. I can't wait until the third book to see the direction that Stephanie takes it. I love that I can't predict it.
I love the flow of this book, the passionate force behind it and the characterizations. Even her two-dimensional characters- like Jessica and Mike- are interesting. Well, Bella's interactions with them are interesting which makes them interesting. This is my kind of fateful romance.
First of all- I moved to the Seattle Area from sunny California in the middle of high school. Unlike Bella though I did not find Seattle depressing and dark. It actually rains more in the Midwest than it does in Seattle. I was a little offended by her negative Northwest comments but I got over that quickly. :) I love the characterizations in this book. Bella is great. She is so passionate and focused and dramatic and drawn to the dangerous. Totally 17. I get a little annoyed - like Laurenda- that she doesn't understand the thirst or that when Edward talks about making mistakes he is talking about people dying. It is more evident in New Moon that she just doesn't really get what it means to be a Vampire for all of her desire to be one. She sees Edward and his family and how powerful they are and how beautiful they are and wants that but doesn't understand the price that Power and Beauty comes at. I love her insecurities about how she looks. Stephanie M. doesn't overdo them they are just right. Bella just kind of takes for granted that she is not as beautiful (although it is pointed out in the book that she is much more beautiful than she realizes). My favorite description of Edward is in the meadow when he tells her that he is the perfect predator. He is attractive(bait) and fast and deadly. I wondered at his intentions with her in the meadow. It seems amazing to me that someone with one hundred years to mature would fall in love with a 17 yr old- even one as self-less as Bella. BUt now he has saved her too many times. I think he is noble and genuine but still deadly. I want them to have a happy ending but I'm not sure how - since becoming a vampire is not the best idea for Bella. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
I love love love the way that Alice sees the future. I love that it changes from decision to decision rather than staying firm. It's perfect. It is so true to life that our outcome relies on the decisions that we make- sometimes seemingly inconsequential decisions can change our whole future because of the chain of little decisions that result.
On a funny note, I thought it interesting that when first describing the Cullens Stephanie M. describes the dark circles under their eyes and then continues to describe how unhumanly beautiful they are. I think it gives hope to all moms or students with no sleep that you can be unhumanly beautiful and have dark circles under your eyes. :)
I wonder how much if anything should be read into the dark skinned hot Indian/werewolf vs. pale white cold refined/vampire. It is set up to be good vs evil but she twists it so that there is no good side or bad side. It is unclear still who is the monster- if anyone. Everyone has the capability to be a monster or to control the monster. Bella is a monster to her Dad when she throws her Mom's words back in his face. She chose to let the monster out for his protection. The men on the street in Port Angeles who almost attack Bella are monsters and just as dangerous to Bella as Edward. Edward chose to unleash his monster for a while in his youth but only on Human Monsters. Which begs the question of is there a place and time when it is appropriate to act monstrously? Or is it just a slippery slope? It seems that over and over again when the characters act monstrously they just create more problems and more hard questions for themselves. Edward stopped being a monster because he wasn't sure if he was avting any better than the people he killed. He wasn't sure if his victim's intended victim would look on him as a savior or as an equal threat. Bella keeps trying to sacrifice herself to take away the danger and causing more danger. I can't wait until the third book to see the direction that Stephanie takes it. I love that I can't predict it.
I love the flow of this book, the passionate force behind it and the characterizations. Even her two-dimensional characters- like Jessica and Mike- are interesting. Well, Bella's interactions with them are interesting which makes them interesting. This is my kind of fateful romance.
Wednesday, April 4
Twilight: Completely obsessed now...sigh.
Well, it's just been about forever since I posted. Please accept my apologies.
Okay, that being said, I just have to say I really really really enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's Twilight! (and yes, I finished New Moon, too, but I'm re-reading Twilight even now because I zipped right through it the first time--much like the Harry Potter books!). And can I just say, I'm so glad we are "talking" about it because no one else around here has read them. Let me amend that: Both Twilight (currently #6 in paperback) and New Moon (currently #1 chapter book) are on the NYTimes Best Seller list for "Children's Books". When I called my local bookstore to try to get a copy, he asked me if I was doing it for school! I guess it's on a reading list for several schools in the area. So, I should say that my local peers have not read it, though it is, after all, an ALA Reluctant Reader book as well. Now I see why!!!! Regardless, I finally found a copy at a bookstore in a mall...it was their last one. I had a sense that it would be good simply because I couldn't get my hands on a copy (and they were all out at the libraries I looked into!)!
ANYWAY. You should know this about me: the topic of vampires has FREAKED me out since I was 5 when, for whatever reason, I was up past beditme and caught a tidbit about vampires in the movies (this should be a huge lesson to me on what I let my girls see when I've got the tv on to some random thing). Suffice to say, my childhood was spent with me sleeping with the covers UP TO MY CHIN and my blankets in a type of cocoon around me (as if a monster couldn't just rip them right off...but I digress). Many a night I was awakened by the desperate need to use the bathroom, but I wouldn't get out of bed for fear that some loathesome creature would get me if I left my cocoon before the sun shone. Ugh. It's true. So with that in mind...
You should also know that this has not kept me from being strangely drawn to this topic. I, too, was an avid Buffy/Angel viewer. However, I never read any of Anne Rice's stuff because of the topic. So when I saw all the connections, I was like, Yeeks! But I was having a bad day and I was already so far behind with book club, I just took the plunge back in. And I'm so glad, because I really liked both books, even though they are what I would call, "Pee Your Pants Good." What I mean by this is that they were so good that I a) couldn't put them down and b) had some of that childhood fear tapped into and so found myself getting up to nurse my baby in the middle of the night walking to her room with a little faster step in the darkened hallways. Ridiculous, I know. But true. (New Moon is scarier to me, though).
The book has been likened to Romeo and Juliette, and I do appreciate that romance and suspense (in fact, LOVED it...favorite scene was when they were in the field...and I liked the baseball stuff before the visitors arrived, then I got freaked out!!!!!!). But I have to admit, I do have *some* problems. For instance, Bella always seems to need rescuing, bless her beating heart. AND, she does dumb stuff (granted, it gets the plot moving and gives a reason to rescue her, but still!) DUMB DUMB DUMB stuff--like walking alone/not paying attention to her surroundings with the warehouse scene, going by herself to face James, cliff diving (in New Moon) to name a few. I know in Fablehaven, I too was annoyed when young Seth kept disobeying...wasn't Bella doing the same thing in a way? But like I said, it did add to the romance part of "The Damsel in Distress" and I appreciated her desire to keep those she loved "safe"...but still. Also, I thought it was very convenient of Charlie to be so...distantly busy with sports and fishing.
BUT, here's my biggest bugaboo, which I'm sure will be touched upon at some point: Bella's desire to become a vampire. I TOTALLY see where she is going with this (because she LURVES him!!!! She doesn't want to appear old without him. He is her world and visa versa and yadayadayada), but I'm with Edward. I don't think she should be so hasty--at all. What makes her think that she would be a vampire with the same determination as the Cullens to be a "vegetarian"? Why would she not choose to be more like Laurent, James and Victoria? Nature vs Nurture? Hmmmm. I read the first chapter of "Midnight Sun" which is Twilight from Edwards perspective and it shows how much Edward really struggles with his vampire nature (totally a must-read if you haven't already). I don't think Bella appreciates this. Her idea to just "be changed" is rather symbolic. Like anything where the "grass is always greener", we don't fully comprehend the consequences, good and bad, until we sometimes force the issue.
Loved the writing throughout--each character had a voice and a personality that you wanted to get to know better (well, maybe not everyone, but you know what I mean). I really liked the names she picked, too. LOVED the names Esme and Carlisle, have to say. And Edward. I was really on the edge of my seat and even rereading it now, I'm still so pleased with the pacing of Twilight (New Moon is a bit more sluggish, but I didn't really care). I have to say, if you haven't already been to her website, she's a very generous author there as well. She has "outtakes" from Twilight (like where Edward sees her for the first time when they are going to Prom) that may make your inner romantic and fan "sqee!" with delight. :)
Thanks again for suggesting the book. August seems far far away. At least we have Harry in July. :)
Okay, that being said, I just have to say I really really really enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's Twilight! (and yes, I finished New Moon, too, but I'm re-reading Twilight even now because I zipped right through it the first time--much like the Harry Potter books!). And can I just say, I'm so glad we are "talking" about it because no one else around here has read them. Let me amend that: Both Twilight (currently #6 in paperback) and New Moon (currently #1 chapter book) are on the NYTimes Best Seller list for "Children's Books". When I called my local bookstore to try to get a copy, he asked me if I was doing it for school! I guess it's on a reading list for several schools in the area. So, I should say that my local peers have not read it, though it is, after all, an ALA Reluctant Reader book as well. Now I see why!!!! Regardless, I finally found a copy at a bookstore in a mall...it was their last one. I had a sense that it would be good simply because I couldn't get my hands on a copy (and they were all out at the libraries I looked into!)!
ANYWAY. You should know this about me: the topic of vampires has FREAKED me out since I was 5 when, for whatever reason, I was up past beditme and caught a tidbit about vampires in the movies (this should be a huge lesson to me on what I let my girls see when I've got the tv on to some random thing). Suffice to say, my childhood was spent with me sleeping with the covers UP TO MY CHIN and my blankets in a type of cocoon around me (as if a monster couldn't just rip them right off...but I digress). Many a night I was awakened by the desperate need to use the bathroom, but I wouldn't get out of bed for fear that some loathesome creature would get me if I left my cocoon before the sun shone. Ugh. It's true. So with that in mind...
You should also know that this has not kept me from being strangely drawn to this topic. I, too, was an avid Buffy/Angel viewer. However, I never read any of Anne Rice's stuff because of the topic. So when I saw all the connections, I was like, Yeeks! But I was having a bad day and I was already so far behind with book club, I just took the plunge back in. And I'm so glad, because I really liked both books, even though they are what I would call, "Pee Your Pants Good." What I mean by this is that they were so good that I a) couldn't put them down and b) had some of that childhood fear tapped into and so found myself getting up to nurse my baby in the middle of the night walking to her room with a little faster step in the darkened hallways. Ridiculous, I know. But true. (New Moon is scarier to me, though).
The book has been likened to Romeo and Juliette, and I do appreciate that romance and suspense (in fact, LOVED it...favorite scene was when they were in the field...and I liked the baseball stuff before the visitors arrived, then I got freaked out!!!!!!). But I have to admit, I do have *some* problems. For instance, Bella always seems to need rescuing, bless her beating heart. AND, she does dumb stuff (granted, it gets the plot moving and gives a reason to rescue her, but still!) DUMB DUMB DUMB stuff--like walking alone/not paying attention to her surroundings with the warehouse scene, going by herself to face James, cliff diving (in New Moon) to name a few. I know in Fablehaven, I too was annoyed when young Seth kept disobeying...wasn't Bella doing the same thing in a way? But like I said, it did add to the romance part of "The Damsel in Distress" and I appreciated her desire to keep those she loved "safe"...but still. Also, I thought it was very convenient of Charlie to be so...distantly busy with sports and fishing.
BUT, here's my biggest bugaboo, which I'm sure will be touched upon at some point: Bella's desire to become a vampire. I TOTALLY see where she is going with this (because she LURVES him!!!! She doesn't want to appear old without him. He is her world and visa versa and yadayadayada), but I'm with Edward. I don't think she should be so hasty--at all. What makes her think that she would be a vampire with the same determination as the Cullens to be a "vegetarian"? Why would she not choose to be more like Laurent, James and Victoria? Nature vs Nurture? Hmmmm. I read the first chapter of "Midnight Sun" which is Twilight from Edwards perspective and it shows how much Edward really struggles with his vampire nature (totally a must-read if you haven't already). I don't think Bella appreciates this. Her idea to just "be changed" is rather symbolic. Like anything where the "grass is always greener", we don't fully comprehend the consequences, good and bad, until we sometimes force the issue.
Loved the writing throughout--each character had a voice and a personality that you wanted to get to know better (well, maybe not everyone, but you know what I mean). I really liked the names she picked, too. LOVED the names Esme and Carlisle, have to say. And Edward. I was really on the edge of my seat and even rereading it now, I'm still so pleased with the pacing of Twilight (New Moon is a bit more sluggish, but I didn't really care). I have to say, if you haven't already been to her website, she's a very generous author there as well. She has "outtakes" from Twilight (like where Edward sees her for the first time when they are going to Prom) that may make your inner romantic and fan "sqee!" with delight. :)
Thanks again for suggesting the book. August seems far far away. At least we have Harry in July. :)
Tuesday, April 3
How had I never read Twilight before?
Amanda and I have this unspoken rule when buying books - if words like "erotic" or "sensual" are used to describe the book; it's probably not something we want to read. Being a HUGE fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, I was drawn to this book. Amanda and I were at the book store together when we picked it up, then put it back down... I think the word "seductive" on the back may have frightened me away, or maybe it was the comparison to Anne Rice (I threw away Interview with a Vampire). However, when Michelle announced this book and mentioned the author had gone to BYU, I felt safer. How I loved this book.
I was immediately drawn to the characters - Stephenie M. has a fabulous talent of bringing her characters off the page and into my imagination. And, like Gina, although I am several years out of high school, I totally related to many of the characters - good writing can do that. I think that's why Buffy and Angel were so successful as well because, although the heroine was in high school/college, the themes of the series hit home for teenager and adult alike.
I kept waiting for "that phrase" in the book that would sound so "Mormon." But it never came. If I didn't know Stephenie M. was LDS, I would never have guessed it from the book. That's not to say that she was raunchy, as some authors can be. I was quite pleased with the clean language, lack of sex, etc.
I told Amanda that I was going to wait for the sequel(s) to be out in paperback before I bought them, but I was so drawn into Bella's and Edward's lives, that as soon as I finished Twilight, I drove to the nearest bookstore and bought New Moon. I was in Seattle at the time, and it was a good thing I rented a GPS unit with my car so I could find the nearest Borders. Eclipse is out in August, I'm so excited.
Maybe it's just me, but even though Stephenie M. brings her characters to life, I have a hard time picturing Edward. Maybe he's too perfect? I am totally in love with him. So, now I'm looking for a combination of Mr. Darcy and Edward Cullen. Yummy.
Just an aside - Amanda found some other vampire/werewolf books that take place in her hometown. Coming off the Twilight and New Moon high, I bought the first book - it's called Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. Fascinating story line, but what I found most fascinating were some attributes of the main character - she kneels to pray at night, she doesn't like foul language; she doesn't like crosses to symbolize Christ. So, jokingly, Amanda and I wondered if the author was LDS. I found her website, and a blog from her husband mentioned their son on a mission in Cleveland or something. So, my guess is that she is LDS. So, if any of you are interested in some other cool fantasy stories, Moon Called is followed by Blood Bound, both very interesting.
I was immediately drawn to the characters - Stephenie M. has a fabulous talent of bringing her characters off the page and into my imagination. And, like Gina, although I am several years out of high school, I totally related to many of the characters - good writing can do that. I think that's why Buffy and Angel were so successful as well because, although the heroine was in high school/college, the themes of the series hit home for teenager and adult alike.
I kept waiting for "that phrase" in the book that would sound so "Mormon." But it never came. If I didn't know Stephenie M. was LDS, I would never have guessed it from the book. That's not to say that she was raunchy, as some authors can be. I was quite pleased with the clean language, lack of sex, etc.
I told Amanda that I was going to wait for the sequel(s) to be out in paperback before I bought them, but I was so drawn into Bella's and Edward's lives, that as soon as I finished Twilight, I drove to the nearest bookstore and bought New Moon. I was in Seattle at the time, and it was a good thing I rented a GPS unit with my car so I could find the nearest Borders. Eclipse is out in August, I'm so excited.
Maybe it's just me, but even though Stephenie M. brings her characters to life, I have a hard time picturing Edward. Maybe he's too perfect? I am totally in love with him. So, now I'm looking for a combination of Mr. Darcy and Edward Cullen. Yummy.
Just an aside - Amanda found some other vampire/werewolf books that take place in her hometown. Coming off the Twilight and New Moon high, I bought the first book - it's called Moon Called by Patricia Briggs. Fascinating story line, but what I found most fascinating were some attributes of the main character - she kneels to pray at night, she doesn't like foul language; she doesn't like crosses to symbolize Christ. So, jokingly, Amanda and I wondered if the author was LDS. I found her website, and a blog from her husband mentioned their son on a mission in Cleveland or something. So, my guess is that she is LDS. So, if any of you are interested in some other cool fantasy stories, Moon Called is followed by Blood Bound, both very interesting.
Monday, April 2
Oh, Dear Twilight, what did you do to me?
When Katie told me that this book was about vampires, I immediately thought, “Oh great... fantasy. How am I going to get through that book?”
The joke was on me. I was pleasantly surprised how I got sucked into the story. The author’s goal (as stated in the back cover) was to create situations of impossible fantasy, and then add characters so deeply human that their perspectives make the situation believable. Of course the order was reversed. She gave us Bella first... the most human high school transfer in the universe. Her thoughts were in parallel with some of mine at that age when I would switch schools. I related to her.
THEN came Edward.
I never suspected that at my age and status, I’d be swept back to high school and given the opportunity to vicariously fall in love for the first time all over again! Can I just say that I am in love with Edward Cullen? All vampireness aside, he is amazing. Granted he’s had nearly a century to perfect himself, but wow, I wouldn’t mind having him for dinner (pun intended).
I’ve read a 500 page book and the story was so good, so detailed, so emotional, that it feels like my own memories… a blur of memories. I thought I would be able to give a detailed review, but I can’t. Plain and simply, this book is captivating. I am worn out from reading it, I was so wrapped up in it... but alas, I want to read New Moon as fast as I can. Not something I predicted.
Stephanie Meyer is an amazing talent. What a debut she’s made here!
Credible… I never thought I’d find fantasy credible.
The joke was on me. I was pleasantly surprised how I got sucked into the story. The author’s goal (as stated in the back cover) was to create situations of impossible fantasy, and then add characters so deeply human that their perspectives make the situation believable. Of course the order was reversed. She gave us Bella first... the most human high school transfer in the universe. Her thoughts were in parallel with some of mine at that age when I would switch schools. I related to her.
THEN came Edward.
I never suspected that at my age and status, I’d be swept back to high school and given the opportunity to vicariously fall in love for the first time all over again! Can I just say that I am in love with Edward Cullen? All vampireness aside, he is amazing. Granted he’s had nearly a century to perfect himself, but wow, I wouldn’t mind having him for dinner (pun intended).
I’ve read a 500 page book and the story was so good, so detailed, so emotional, that it feels like my own memories… a blur of memories. I thought I would be able to give a detailed review, but I can’t. Plain and simply, this book is captivating. I am worn out from reading it, I was so wrapped up in it... but alas, I want to read New Moon as fast as I can. Not something I predicted.
Stephanie Meyer is an amazing talent. What a debut she’s made here!
Credible… I never thought I’d find fantasy credible.
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