Sandy M’s review of Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer
Young Adult Contemporary Paranormal Fiction Hardcover released by Little, Brown 5 Oct 05, PPB 6 Sep 06, MMPPB 1 Nov 2008

I finally got my first look at the Twilight Saga sensation that (almost) everyone’s gone crazy over.  With the movie only days away from release, I had to get this at least this first book read before checking out the film.  I always like a book better than the movie, too much is left out for the screen version, and that would definitely be so in this case. So much happens in this book they’d have to leave a lot of it out, so I want my own interpretation before seeing the spin put on it by the producers and director.

I have to say that the characters in this book are quite interesting, and I like the different take Ms. Meyer gives us on the vampire.  Of course, the best part of the story are Edward and Bella.  The beginning of their relationship when they first meet and Bella is unaware of his background is well done.  I so liked the scene in their science class when it seems to Bella that Edward can’t stand being near her for some unknown reason.  There’s not many things that can throw Bella, but that seems to put a dent in her self-confidence, even if it isn’t for long.  There are very few scenes like this in the beginning, though, and I found myself wanting to skip ahead, things are just so slow moving.

Once past that I found the Cullen family fascinating.  I liked the dynamic of the family, how they came together and how they’ve chosen to live separate from their kind.  Even though most of the family is glad Edward has found someone to love, Rosalie is made that much more interesting because of her attitude toward Bella.  Alice and her visions, which change as life changes, is another intriguing part of the story.

Things begin to pick up once family introductions are made.  Another favorite part for me is the baseball game the family played.  I had to chuckle for the reason they played during a thunderstorm.  And this is where the book really takes off and keeps moving until the end.  I like that the family sticks together in protecting Bella, especially when it’s another vampire who is causing the problems.  This part of the story is really terrific.

I’m always up for a good vampire story, and while Twilight is one of those, I’m not sure I see where all the hype came from.  At first I thought it’s the fact that it’s a young adult and since I’m a good number of years past reading those and it’s been some time since I have read YA, and since a good book is a good book, and since there are certain parts I really like and others that didn’t do much for me, this one has to go in the good column for me, not a keeper at all.

There are other vampire books I like much better and other books in general I’d rather see adapted for a movie.  At least it will be interesting to see what scenes were pulled to be used in the movie, which weren’t, and how well the actors portray the characters.  My biggest concern is how Edward will be portrayed.  He’s given such a wonderful description in the book, I’m not sure there’s an actor on the planet who can do him justice.

Grade: B

Summary:

Deeply sensuous and extraordinarily suspenseful, TWILIGHT captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.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.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: