Twilight
(The Twilight Saga #1)
by Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Publication date: Sept. 6, 2006
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Rating:
About three things I was absolutely positive.
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him—and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
Deeply seductive and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight is a love story with bite.
I can’t believe in all the years, and all the re-reads I’ve done on this book, I haven’t actually reviewed it! I guess it’s probably because I read the book before I started the blog, but still. Now, the reason why I reread this book, and ultimately the whole series, is because Midnight Sun was finally released and I want to get back into that world before I read Edwards book.
One thing I was very nervous about was that my tastes would change. I remember when I first read Twilight. I was so against it. I mean, the first two movies were out and every where I turned it was Twilight this and Twilight that. All the hype really turned me away and something about vampires just didn’t appeal to me. However, when multiple friends (some guys, and others who I didn’t even knew read books) started recommending it to me, I gave in and rented a copy from the library. I tell you what… I didn’t leave my spot on the couch until I finished that book. I was completely immersed in the world the author created and I couldn’t get enough of it. However, we are talking about a decade ago. Twilight is ultimately what got me into reading because I just loved the story so much. However, I’ve read thousands of books since then, and my tastes have changed over the years. So, how would I react to Twilight now that I am in my 30’s?
I didn’t need to fear because I loved this story just as much as the first time I read it. Sure, I recognized the cheesy parts a bit more, and Bella’s inability to talk on a flat surface without injuring herself was a bit eye rolling, I still didn’t want to put the book down. Even knowing how everything was going to play out, I still couldn’t seem to rip myself away from the story. The world the author created, by mixing modern day with paranormal creatures was brilliant. Knowing that there’s something mysterious about Edward and his family, and then seeing all the signs lead to them being a vampire was intense. I mean, when you picture a vampire, you picture Dracula, you do not in a million years think your doctor is a vampire. The fact that the family was able to blend in so well without anyone suspecting anything was up with them was just crazy.
Of course there is a romance to this, and I still really like it. It could be a little intense at times, and for Edward, homie is 300+ years old and just met the love of his life, so of course he is going to lay it on thick. However, Bella’s intense reaction to Edward still is a bit jarring. It’s like she lived under a rock her entire life and Edward was the first boy she laid eyes on. I know that everything wraps up nicely in the end, but it still doesn’t make my initial response to Bella’s over the top reaction to Edward any less eyeroll-y.
I don’t care what anyone says, this is a solid story. There was young love, mystery, suspense, bad guys, and just a lot of juicy drama. All these years later, I still recommend this story to anyone who I think might be interested in it. It’s what awakened my love of books and ultimately started me on the path of starting the blog.
i hadn’t gotten caught up in the hype until a year or so ago and watched twilight on cable. then, i bought my first dvd ever, the cheap version, then i bought the white set, then i checked it out from the library because i didn’t want to crack the seal on the books. LOL i was disappointed so i never reviewed it, intending to come back to it. probably would have been best to read the books first, but i watch it over and over and over again. and those books are sitting there…waiting…for a binge worthy day!
sherry @ fundinmental
I was a paranormal romance binge-reader back when the first Twilight movie released but I’d never read the books… I didn’t read anything in the YA bracket really but I liked the look of the movie trailer and went to watch the movie as a “yeay! You finished your autumn semester exams” treat.
I liked the movie and decided to read the book… Long story short, I inhaled it in a day and was surprised how close the film was to the source material. I went to the bookstore the next day and bought New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn and read them all over Christmas break.
I guess I understand why people have issues with them for they’re far from perfect but I enjoyed them for what they are, you know? I’ll never understand why people are so determined to hate them…
I’m glad that re-reading them in your 30’s hasn’t changed your enjoyment of them. I haven’t re-read them in years but they’re still on my bookshelf. 🙂