Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight is the first novel out of four in the series, and it is told from the perspective of seventeen-year-old Isabella (Bella) Swan. Bella has moved from sunny Phoenix, Arizona to rainy Forks, Washington to live with her father while her mother travels with her new husband, a minor league baseball player. Although Bella is clumsy, shy, and a very ordinary teenage girl, she easily befriends several students at her new school, including a few boys who compete for Bella’s affection. The only boy Bella is interested in, however, is the mysterious Edward Cullen, a student who seems repulsed just by the sight and scent of her. Bella is very aware of Edward’s strange behavior, and she tries to get to bottom of the mystery of the Cullen family. She observes that Edward’s entire family is extremely beautiful and have very pale, ice cold skin. She also observes Edward’s strength and speed when he saves her life from a fellow classmate’s van in the school parking lot. With the help of Bella’s family friend, Jacob, she discovers the truth about Edward and why he is so different. He is an immortal vampire who wants Bella’s blood more than anything. Edward’s family is a civilized clan of vampires, and they therefore drink only animal blood. Edward struggles to overcome his thirst for Bella’s blood, while Bella comes to accept the fact that Edward is a monster. Over time, Edward and Bella fall in love with one another. Their relationship is conflicted not only by Edward’s desire for Bella’s blood but by another vampire coven whose hunting trip leads to them Forks. Edward must not only protect Bella from himself, but from other enemies including dangerous vampires. Every second that Bella is with Edward is a second her life is in danger.

I first heard about Twilight from many of my obsessive friends. The thought of reading a vampire love story didn’t sound very interesting, but with all the hype surrounding the series, I decided I should read the book. When I first began reading the novel, I thought it was a great story, but a bit overrated in comparison to all the praise it receives and what every teenage girl says about it. It took a while to get into the story, but once the plot picked up, I was captured by Stephenie Meyer’s combination of romance, suspense, action, and adventure. Bella is a character who is easy to relate to, although most girls cannot say they are dating a vampire. Twilight leaves the reader with high expectations for guys, as Edward is a hard character to live up to. Meyer uses great descriptions that make the reader feel as if you are in Forks listening to Edwards “honey smooth” voice. Twilight unravels the mystery of the Cullen’s and keeps you glued page by page. Twilight is a book that you never want to put down. Although I am only on the third novel in the series, Eclipse, I can’t wait to finish the saga, and I would recommend Twilight to anyone!