| |  | Author: Stephenie Meyer
Category: Book
Buy New: $19.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  2507 reviews
Sales Rank: 7155443
Media: Library Binding
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 498
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.5
ISBN: 1435244931
EAN: 9781435244931
ASIN: 1435244931
Publication Date: April 18, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Twilight October 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have to admit, the thought of reading a teen lit novel was not too compelling to me. However, the more I heard about this novel, the more interested I became. So, I took the plunge and dove in. I have to give it 4 stars because I believe the author did a fantastic job presenting this novel to teenagers and wrote it in a way that teenagers would understand the novel. It does not get a 5 because in various parts of the book, the author worded phrases that could have been worded a little better for a teenager to understand. Often I caught myself having to reread a sentence myself- trying to understand what exactly the author was trying to portray because the sentence did not make sense. Overall, I liked the book and could not put it down. I hate for a sentence to break up my reading when I am interested in a novel.
Bella Swan, a young somewhat troubled teenage girl, moves to Forks with her Father - Charlie. The relationship between Father and daughter is not strong, however Charlie seems to try to make Bella feel welcome. Bella is reluctant to go to Forks but feels the need to go because her Mother travels often.
The first day of school, Bella notices Edward. He is compelling and the most extraordinary person that Bella has ever seen. He is sitting at a table with a few people, who look the same as he does. Bella notices that Edward is different and is caught in the moment, not being able to take her eyes away from him. Edward's eyes are intriguing, but scary to her. Still, she cannot quit thinking about Edward.
Bella gets the impression that Edward does not like her at all. He will not look at her, nor will he speak to her. Finally, the two of them speak and the connection is there. Bella is so intrigued by Edward that he is in her dreams and thoughts constantly.
Bella knows that Edward is different but cannot place her finger on it. Bella is standing by her truck in the school parking lot, on a snowy day, and a truck is heading straight toward her. Bella is so stunned that she cannot move. Edward somehow manages to get beside her and protect her. Bella swears that he lifted the van off of her. She is unsure though.
Without ruining anymore of the story, it is obvious that Edward is a vampire. Bella finally gets it out of him, but the love story is quite compelling for a teen lit novel. However, there are a few minor details that are disturbing for a child to consider, such as Bella, but overall - it is a good read. I do recommend this book to teens and adults. I could not put the book down and it kept my attention.
 Twilight October 9, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It was captivating & entertaining; I couldn't put it down.
Twilight October 9, 2008
it was a really great book i couldnt put it down. i read the entire thing in a day
Better then expected!! October 9, 2008
I have never been one to pick up a book and read from start to finish until "Twilight." Vampires never interested me at all, and I had the same fairytale" outlook on them that Im sure most have. Stephenie finds a great way to make her characters come to life. You second guess yourself if Vampires really could be amongst us, as she makes them closer to human, rather then some kind of dark night time creature. From the beginning, Stephenie Meyer pulls you in and makes you feel how the characters are feeling.
I find myself feeling very close to Bella, as a teenager. She is very quick to act on impulse, especially when it has to do with love.
Absolutely wonderful book! I read this book and New moon within 2 days, and now am searching for Eclipse which is hard to find.
Twilight was a wonderful way to start out the saga. I loved it!
 Teenage fantasy, not an adult book. October 9, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I should probably begin by stating that this is not my usual genre. That is not to say I have no experience with fantasy. In fact there is so much of it saturating the media, games, entertainment and literature these days that it is altogether impossible to avoid. I grew up reading historical novels, classics, and page turners with mystery and suspense. However, I still picked this book up with an open mind and full of curiosity as to what exactly the buzz was all about. I got through it in 3 days, not because I couldn't put it down, but because it was a very simple read. Almost disappointingly simple. Here's my honest take away message for this book.
I know why it sells like hotcakes, and it is not because of the author's genius, exceptional writing talent, understanding of human character, imitation of realistic and deep romantic involvement, or any other such qualities assigned to it by so many. If this book, for someone, is indeed the epitome of all or any of the above, I would strongly urge them to expand their literary exposure. The reason this book sells, is because it is a word to word transcript of a standard, typical 16 year old girl's fantasy.
Let me explain.
As I mentioned before, the writing style is extremely simple and average at best, the characters and are very flat and immature as well, and for me THAT was the greatest let down of all. I can overlook the fact that Bella is a superficial, immature teenager who's only preoccupation is to spend her day evaluating who looked at her which way and how she glared back at them.... aside from obsessing over Edward of course, because he's so gorgeous that he makes her heart stop often enough to warrant hospitalization. That's allright I suppose, since it IS intended for teenage audience and I we have all been there once. It helps the readers relate, so by all means. What I -can't- overlook, despite my best efforts, is that even though she is described as special and different, the -ONLY- thing that appears to draw her to Edward is his appearance. He's Hot.. he's gorgeous, he's a model, he makes her heart stop, she cant think when he's near, she has no self control around him... he's hot... all right we get it! I kept waiting for her inner voice to get past that phase and move on to other qualities like, he's smart, he's cultured, he cares about her, he treats her well, he's got depth of character (well we can pretend right?) etc. Nope, he's hot and that's good enough to die for.
We don't quite know what Edward finds in her either, but the author makes us believe she's somehow special and he is intrigued by her, even though the ONLY conversation they ever have is devoid of ANY theme or purpose. Their entire dialog comes down to a question game. That's something you may do on a first date, for an hour, but if you can't have a more meaningful interaction with a person, even at 17... something is very wrong. What's a little more disturbing is that his treatment of her borders on an abusive relationship, where he is constantly ordering her around, manipulating her, controlling her and always seems to be angry with her for no reason (reminding her every moment that he can kill her at will). I understand the element of danger, but i think it could have been presented more artfully than an abusive boyfriend and a submissive, timid, passive girl.
But here's the part that makes HIM sell this tale. He is obsessed with her (for no apparent reason) just as much as SHE is obsessed with him (because he's hot). He hangs on every insignificant thing she says, or does, and would never glance at another woman. All he ever wants to know or care about is if she's allright and what she is thinking. That is the be all and end all of his existence. It nearly offends me to hear this plain and shallow dynamic be compared to classics like Jane Austen's elaborate development of character in Pride and Prejudice, or Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette. It makes me wonder if the critics read their work at all. A great author is one who understands the complexity of human character, ego and motivation, and I find all those factors entirely removed from the story in favor of a simple infatuation. (I cant even call it love)
Last but not least, I find myself mourning the idea behind this story and how much more it could have been developed. The author took a subject with enough potential and only dipped into the 10% on the surface. The book is literally a transcript of ongoing conversation between the two, devoid of any depth, meaning or character development.
The idea was interesting, but the delivery is definitely lacking.
Not a bad teenage flick but definitely not an adult book.
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