Twilight (Twilight Saga, #1)

by Stephenie Meyer

Fall in love with the addictive, suspenseful love story between a teenage girl and a vampire with the book that sparked a "literary phenomenon" and redefined romance for a generation (New York Times).
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.
Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.
It's here! #1 bestselling author Stephenie Meyer makes a triumphant return to the world of Twilight with the highly anticipated companion, Midnight Sun the iconic love story of Bella and Edward told from the vampire's point of view.
"People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -- Time
"A literary phenomenon." -- The New York Times

• ISBN10: 0316007447
• ISBN13: 9780316007443
• Publish Date: 18 July 2007 (first published 27 September 2005)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Format: eBook
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Twilight is a hard book for me to review. I’ve read it twice and enjoyed it a lot both times, but there’s so much about it that bothers me, that I feel like this might read as a negative review rather than a positive one. It’s just hard to put into words how much I do like this series, despite its obvious problems. It holds a special place in my heart though, since it’s the book that got me back into reading.

For such a thick book, it’s a surprisingly fast read. That’s probably mostly do to the writing being very easy and everything just flows nicely. Is the writing particularly good? Well, no, in fact it’s extremely repetitive. It also doesn’t help that Bella has a one track mind: Edward, Edward, Edward!

On my second read through, my immediate first (second) impression was that Bella is actually quite unlikeable and has no real personality. She’s only memorable because she’s Bella Freakin’ Swan! She’s extremely judgmental and complains about everything, and I believe she’s a closet mean girl. She silently thinks she’s better than everyone around her, and smarter, too. She also manages to be quite manipulative when she wants something.

Then she admits that she doesn’t like to make decisions, but when she does make up her mind she sticks with it whether or not it was the right one, and then whines about being depressed instead of doing anything to change it! She also has absolutely no reaction when Edward admits that he wanted to kill her and everyone around her to get to her blood. No reaction at all! Same when James is after her. All she can think about is being with Edward. She’s barely present in her own life. No wonder her only goal seems to be to get into Edward’s pants.

I think I ended up liking Edward better this time around though. Sure, I still found it extremely creepy that he broke into Bella’s house almost every night since meeting her and watching her sleep (something else Bella no reaction to other than being embarrassed that she talks in her sleep!). He does attempt to get to know her though, once his big secret is out, and they can be together publicly. I noticed that all Bella wanted to know was how to become a vampire, rather than learning anything about Edward as a person. So bonus points to Mr.Cullen!

As for the plot…well, there isn’t much of one until the last 100 pages. Even then it seemed like kind of an afterthought. There was no real reason or explanation as to why James was so adamant to kill Bella. He’s a tracker, so what? What does that mean exactly? This desperate situation didn’t have any sense of urgency about it. There was some tension when Bella was out of town, but that’s probably due to having no idea what James was up to. Then it just ends abruptly. Edward saves the day without even breaking a sweat. One page Bella is dying, and the next she’s healing in the hospital. Not very exciting.

Basically, Twilight is nothing more than a very intense love story with the worst possible female role model. It’s so much fun to read though! There’s some very funny moments sprinkled through out that kept a smile on my face, and I couldn’t help but grin like a maniac whenever Charlie or Alice made an appearance. I must say that I definitely prefer the movie.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[nitzan_schwarz]

YOU CAN ALSO FIND THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG; AFTERWORDS

Yes, I consider Twilight a five-star read. In fact, it's one of my favorite series. I read all the books in five days, re-read them countless times in the following couple of years after and they share an honor with HP - they got me into reading. While Harry Potter did start it all, Twilight rekindled that love.

The first book in the saga is my favorite by far; It was before we encountered SERIES SPOILER annoying love-triangles and abandoning boyfriends. Before unplanned pregnancies and imprinting on babies. It was the simplest and purest of the four.

If you don't know the heroine of the Twilight Saga, you've been living under a rock. Her name is Bella Swan, and in this book she is very likable; she's smart, active, knows what she wants and pretty much goes after it. Even if it's a hundred years old sparkling vampire.

Her love interest is Cedric Diggory I mean, Edward Cullen. I think he's pretty swoon-worthy in Twilight. Definitely one of my earliest book boyfriends. He is sweet and caring, always putting Bella's safety first - even if the biggest danger to her is he himself.

The romance between these two is pretty sweet - it really does feel like they're meant for one another. And every turn, they chose each other. She chose to sit with him after she had a good idea of what he was. He chose to stay with her even when he knew things will never be easy. And nothing is too big a sacrifice to help each other.

All those are surrounded by colorful supporting characters from the bitchy friend to the cool sister, who add volume to the story. Which was, admittedly, a pretty simple one. It's not meant to be serious or anything like that - it's a book that's fun to read. A book that's there when you need a break from life and just want to read about two people finding each other.

Anything else is just decoration, and in this particular story I couldn't help but love it #sorrynotsorry

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Old Version
To read this review organized and formatted, and for other reviews, check out my blog; Drugs Called Books

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer The Twilight series is one of my favorites. I have a lot of issues with the following books, but that doesn't change the fact I enjoyed all books immensely and that they are one of those series I read and re-read many times.If anything can be said about Twilight - is that it got me back to reading after a couple dry years. It reminded me why I liked reading so much and sent me flying back in, and for that I owe it a lot.The first book of the saga is my favorite, and the only one in the series I gave 5 stars to. It was before we encountered annoying love triangles and abandoning boyfriends. Before unplanned pregnancies and creepy imprints. It was the simplest, purest of the four, and therefor my favorite.The heroine of the story is Bella Swan, and the story is told from her point of view. I find her very likable in this book; she's smart, active, knows what she wants and pretty much goes after it. One might say she's pretty courageous as well--even though sparkling vampires are not really the most frightening creatures one can think of.My impression of Bella changed drastically the following books, which is a shame, but lets not talk about that now.  Then there's the love interest, Edward Cullen. I think he's pretty swoon worthy this book. He's sweet and caring, as different from a cold blooded killer as can be. He thinks he's got no soul, but acts so much differently. He tries to scare Bella away - but it doesn't work.The supportive characters are also well done and add volume to the story. Emmett and Alice are my favs here, for sure ;)
The bad guy is... meh. I've seen a lot worse. But this story isn't really about fighting the bad guy, so that's okay. The Romance in the book is pretty sweet - they feel like they're meant for one another. It was so lovely to see Bella sit with Edward after she knew what he was, and their kisses were so sweet. The way they're ready to sacrifice for one another is also very sweet. The Plot as I said before its pretty pure and simple - it's a love story between two people with a paranormal edge to it, that's all. It's not meant to be serious and deep, or anything like that. It's a book that's fun to read, a book about the kind of love we want to have. All those people making a big deal of it - how sparkling vampires are silly and all that... I don't look at it like that. I look at it as a book I enjoyed reading very much. A book I couldn't put down. That's all. I'm not going to try dissecting the plot because really - it's pretty simple. Still, I loved it. In conclusion; I loved the first book of the Twilight Saga. I don't look too deeply into the book, because I think it's just a fun, simple love story - and it isn't meant to be more than that. 

To read this review and more, click here!

[layawaydragon]

I had to read this whole series under protest due to the fact that every girl I knew was reading this shit. Every time I criticized it they all shrieked "You're just a hater, you've never even read it." So I read it. It's without a doubt the worst thing I've ever read. The only good thing that came out from reading it is that I can critique it from its terrible writing, cheesiness all the way down to the fact it's moron absentee porn.

Originally posted on my blog: Oh, For the Love of Books!

Yes, I know you've probably seen about a bajillion of these dang things but by golly, I figured it was about time I put up my own opinion! I recently found a blog (Cuddlebuggery) that, to be honest, kept me laughing non-stop. It can be crude, snarky and sarcastic but goodness is it funny. Well, one of the reviewers recently did this thing called Project Hindsight where she went back to re-read a popular YA series and see how her opinion differed. Well, I'm not going to re-read the series, but I did decided to reflect back on it.


WARNING: IF YOU LOVE TWILIGHT, TURN AWAY NOW. STOP READING! LEAVE!!!!!!!!!


....I can't believe I actually took the time to read this book. That's two days I'll never get back. *hits self on head* Gah!!! ASLDFKJSKLJEFSLKE!


Okay, I'll freely admit that I loved (yeah, you read that right) Twilight when I first read it. Okay, love isn't a strong enough word. Devoured (tehe) is more like it! My sister actually owned these books before they even became popular and handed it over to me saying she thought I might like it. Now, this was before I started reading. When I was younger, my sister and brother were the readers. I would've been a reader (and i really regret not getting into reading earlier) but my sister is rather...persistent? Okay, that's nice. She got downright annoying. She would constantly throw books at me and say "read, read, READ!" and well you can understand that I simply refused. It's one of those instances where someone keeps telling you to do something and you keep saying no just because they are annoying and you want to spite them? Yeah, not my proudest moment, but whatever. However, I finally decided "what the heck" and picked it up and loved it. But the thing is I don't know why! Okay, at the time I read Twilight I had only read, probably 3 other series. The only books I've ever read! I look back on those series (HP, Tortall and Charlie Bone = ♥) and I still love them. But I look back on this series and I just want to throw the book across the freakin room.


*Note: I haven't read these books in a while so I can't remember everything I hated about this book, but hopefully you'll get my point.


Bella. Oh, Bella, Bella, Bella. *shakes head* What am I gonna do with you hon? You anti-social, passive girl with no-self esteem. How did I ever come to love you? Perhaps if you had had some growth and changed into this confident young women I could understand. But you didn't. You see this guy ONE TIME and became obsessed. *looks around* I don't know about y'all, but I don't think that's normal. Except in Disney movies. Insta-love at its finest people! Omg......I look back and there are so many times I just want to smack her. Edward treats her like crap and yet she still bows down at his feet. Okay, I'm not a crazy feminist or something, but this book brings it out in me. If a guy ever treated me like that I would a) do the good thing and just ignore him and never talk to him. He's not worthy of the awesomeness that is me (I never said I was modest :P). Or b) I'm turn around and smack the crap outta that boy! Okay, I probably would just forget "a)" and go straight to plan "b)"Goodness, if someone ever treated my like that I would give a lashing to them. Yet she just turns around and sucks it up and does everything in her power to be with him. He told you that he's not good for you and that you should't like him and even tries to prevent you from liking him and you still go after him. I really think she's missing the hint. It's not like it was exactly "subtle". Fine, you know what? She's never fallen for someone and I guess first love can be all "googly eyes" so I'll be nice and give her a break. Or else I would have if the guy she fell in love with was, ya know, not a sparkly stalker.


Edward: He sparkles. 'Nuff said.


Okay, I'll give you more explanation that that. His sparkly self isn't even what really turns me off now that I look back. It's the fact that HE'S A FREAKIN STALKER! What is wrong with people that think breaking into a room and watching someone sleep is normal?!? I would've maced the guy! Which, now that I think about it probably wouldn't work with him being a vamp and all but you get my point. Watching people sleep is not in any shape or form "normal". Okay, now back the the sparkles. I feel like when I say he sparkles, I should add jazz hands or something.



*Jazz hands*
Look, she even sparkles like him!!!!!!!
XD

So, when I first read that he sparkled, I was like "okay, every girl like things that sparkle right?" and I thought it was pretty unique. However, as I've come to learn, I'd much rather have the blood-sucking, kick-butt vamps over sparkly men any day. Oh, yeah, another testament to his character - when he tells her he wants to eat her but won't. *whew* crisis averted!

One thing I do remember liking about this series? The Cullens. They were so nice! Especially Alice! However, I definitely could have done without Jasper. But, I don't really remember too much about them so I guess that says something. Ugh....

Plot:

Um...to be honest I don't even remember what happened during this book. XD Some crazy vamp thinks Bella smells good and a chase ensues! Yeah, you'd think there was a lot of action but no. I remember the book glossing over all the good stuff. Seriously, at the end, I was psyched! I was like "yes, finally some action instead of teenage angst!" *happy dance*....disappointment doesn't even begin to describe how I felt. It was all this build-up and then *BAM* conflict resolved...*looks around* um...am I the only one missing something? I mean, there was a little action, but there could've been so much more! Ugh...Oh well.

And don't even get me started on the writing! Well, too late now. ITS CHEESY! Like seriously cheesy. If someone ever said some of that stuff to me, it would be almost impossible not to just burst out laughing. Oh, I'd feel really bad afterwards but I just couldn't help myself. The thing is, it's not even the "aww that was kinda corny/cheesy but cute" sort of cheesy. No, this was just plain cheesy.

Overall:

Look, I know there are a ton a people out there who absolutely adored this book but now that I look back, I can't even fathom why. To be honest, I could go on and on but I decided to try and shorten it as much as possible while still getting my point across (I think I accomplished it...sort of?). Bella is an absolutely passive and annoying and dependent and just plain crazy. Edward is a stalker. Do I really even need to give another reason?! And the plot was lacking...a lot. I can't believe I wasted my time! No, scratch that. I can't believe I actually liked it.
*takes self to mental hospital*

I first saw Twilight in theater and thought the premise wasn't bad, so I went and bought the whole series because in my experience the books are better than the movies. I do like the vampire genre so I wasn't a stranger to vampire myths and how other authors portrayed them. I can give Meyer props for trying to put a new spin on vampires and these aren't the best vampires books I've ever read. But this book isn't as bad as some like to make twilight out to be. Some characters are just not written very good and that is where the bad ratings come from in my opinion. I do love the Cullen family, minus Edward, and Charlie. Overall it's just an easy read and if you don't take it too seriously and just read it for a fun read, it's really not that bad.

[kimbacaffeinate]

what a wonderful story. I was completely drawn into the world Meyer's created.

[angelarenea9]

I felt that this was the hardest of all the Twilight saga to get through. I did not like the way Bella and Edward were opposed to each other on one page and in love the next. It felt fake. But it sets up such a wonderful series that it's worth getting through, and to be honest once I finished the rest of the series I had a new love/respect for it to the point that I have the urge to re-read it.

[celinenyx]

It was a fast and light read, but found it rather disappointing. Don't know what all the fuss is about, it's just another teen-falls-in-love-with-dangerous-vampire book.

[maeyuka]

First part of Twilight saga I get one day from my parents, so I started to read. At first I wasn't excited at all, but I bought all parts and read all of them. By every book it was better and I started to like it more. I must say I like a bit more the book than the movie, I don't know why but Robert Pattinson wasn't the right way. Taylor Lautner was awesome, that was good, Kristen Stewart wasn't bad, but still it have got some 'but'. I am reading these books a lot, I finished with the last book, after some days I am going to read it again.

[mary]

This book was just an okay read for me. I still don't understand why people are so obsessed with this series- it is something I will never understand. I couldn't stand the main female character. Get over yourself already. It almost became unbearable with how selfish she was. The writing is terrible in my opinion. Just the overall writing mechanics are atrocious. The story is pretty typical as well. Nothing about this book is outstanding in anyway. I have all the rest in the series and it doesn't get any better. Typical YA vampire series... not much else to say.