This was at least an entertaining read. I was relieved that it wasn't as skanky as the tv show was. I really didn't want to read about every little nu...moreThis was at least an entertaining read. I was relieved that it wasn't as skanky as the tv show was. I really didn't want to read about every little nuance of Jason Stackhouse's bondage tapes or the freaky vampire stuff. Some people like that, but it's just not my thing. I also heard the show was a lot different from the books so I was pleased to get a different take on the story from the books.
Since this novel came out first (I think), I realized pretty early on that Twilight had been a PG-13 version of Dead Until Dark. Similarities: Mind readers, strange abilities, vampire meets human girl, careful romance. Difference is: The vampires are more like the vampires you'll know and love and you won't get half the gripey circular arguments that filled the pages of the teen novel (though there are some stupid ones).
Bill actually has a dangerous feel about him at times, which helps him maintain the whole bad boy persona. And, from what I can tell, he doesn't carry around the guilt complex as heavily as so many other intolerably depressed vampire protagonists. Seriously, it's old.
Bottom line: Good trashy vampire novel. Fun characters. Somewhat risque but far more tame than the tv show's soft porn. Came before Twilight, but is basically Twilight for grown-ups.
I liked it, and will probably read the next in the series.(less)
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the quality of the characters. Though they had their flaws, these characters do not fit in ster...moreOne of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the quality of the characters. Though they had their flaws, these characters do not fit in stereotypes. Though Esperanza is rich, and can be a bit spoiled at times, the book also shows the tragedy in her inexperience and the embarrassment she goes through for being so privileged. She doesn't have a rotten heart. Rather, she is very realistic in that she has multiple sides. Despite the hardship, anger and bitterness was frowned upon. These characters thrived on love, even through their oppression and hardship.
The book doesn't really take sides and point fingers. Rather it demonstrates that almost everyone involved had to do what they had to take care of their families and each other, whether they had to keep working through strikes or whether they were out there on the picket lines. Sure, there are villains in this book, but those people are not the focus. Somehow this book weaves all those threads together and teaches an important lesson about thankfulness and richness of the heart over physical riches. (less)
So I finally got around to reading it. It was enjoyable. I burned pages as I went through it and didn't want to put the book down.
Sure, i think there...moreSo I finally got around to reading it. It was enjoyable. I burned pages as I went through it and didn't want to put the book down.
Sure, i think there's a few "oh brother" parts like the constant repetitive banter about why Bella and Ed shouldn't be together. Whatever...reading the arguments 20 times was getting ridiculous.
Still, it was fun. It makes me interested enough to muscle through book two and read on. I think I'm more interested in branching out of vampire drama and moving on to the Host. But whatever.
Anyway - not much in thought other than that. Time to catch up on sleep. (less)
I read this back in high school for my AP English class. Yeesh. Where do I begin? I was first attracted to it as a blessedly upfront dialogue with gri...moreI read this back in high school for my AP English class. Yeesh. Where do I begin? I was first attracted to it as a blessedly upfront dialogue with gritty language after abandoning David Copperfield in disgust. What do you know? He makes a funny little reference against the Charles Dickens monstrocity in the first few sentences. That almost gets Salinger one more star from me on principal.
However, I can't say that the interest stuck. This book is the epitome of depression-filled, angsty gobblety-gook that high schools shove down teenagers throats in an effort to make them think deep thoughts - or to attempt to relate to them somehow. It's true that there were many times that I felt depressed and alienated in high school. Somehow reading about it in literature did nothing for any sort of need for me. Maybe it does for some people, but I think it was bad enough dealing with it in reality than reading some dismal thing and exploring its dark depths of depravity.
I really don't know why they advertise such emotionally unstable stuff to a group of people with raging hormones anyway. I'm not saying to ban it. People should be able to read what they want. I just don't think it should be required reading. It seems to be fuel for more depression.
I mean this in sardonic facetiousness: it's not the swearing dialogue, or the character's behavior that makes it so inappropriate. It's the fact that one might want to slash their wrists after this read. We always talked about how we're supposed to talk about and reflect how literature affects us in school. Then we wonder why a huge percentage of people are pumped up on prozac and other happy pills. :P(less)
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