Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1) in All Challenges All The Time

Oct 02, 2013 Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} rated it did not like it

Shelves: for-snarking-purposes, for-the-lolz, books-i-read-with-red-wine, i-am-a-book-goat, young-adult, creepy, relationships, brb-bikini-kill-time, creatures, romance

Rating: 1.5 stars

Disclaimer: Snark and gifs. You've been warned.

Thank you Sarah for the picture. :D

I don't even know where to begin.

Bella was so bland and generic, so I can see why some people enjoy this book, because they can self-insert themselves as Bella. Not judging, but I call it how I see it.

How I feel about the characters Bella and Edward:

Am I going to hell if I said I wish Bella would have been hit by the car? TOO SOON?

Also, if I have to hear one more time how fragile~ and breakable~ sh ...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Diane rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, supernatural, romance, vampires

Oh Twilight. This review is going to be a long one.

I like the book and the series in general. I initially read it at the urging of my younger cousins. Their description of the plot was this: A vampire falls in love with this girl, Bella. The only thing is the vampire, Edward, is a vegetarian- he doesn't feed on people. My first reaction was...wtf? Sounds dumb. But I gave it a chance. I definitely enjoyed it much more the first time I read it than I do now. Since my first reading, many of my opi Oh Twilight. This review is going to be a long one.

I like the book and the series in general. I initially read it at the urging of my younger cousins. Their description of the plot was this: A vampire falls in love with this girl, Bella. The only thing is the vampire, Edward, is a vegetarian- he doesn't feed on people. My first reaction was...wtf? Sounds dumb. But I gave it a chance. I definitely enjoyed it much more the first time I read it than I do now. Since my first reading, many of my opinions of it have changed. This may in fact be due to the movies, which weren't great. I'm thinking of Twilight specifically because the other movies were better. That first movie was just....terrible. I was laughing in the theater because it was awkward and funny when it was supposed to be serious. This may have very much to do with Kristen Stewart, i.e. the most incompetent actress to ever appear on screen. I just keep thinking about that scene in the hospital when she seems to be having an aneurysm. It was just horrible. Either I can't watch it because I am embarrassed for her or I tune in to it on youtube when I am feeling down and need to laugh.

But I digress.

The book- Okay. The writing is always important to me as I enjoy writing stories myself and studied creative writing in college. It wasn't good. Definitely a lot of purple prose. I wish I could have been Stephenie Meyer's editor. But this aside, it was fast read because in essence, the story was enjoyable. Who doesn't love a good Romeo and Juliet-esque story? I know I do. The whole vampire thing- I'll admit it- it intrigues me. From my days of wishing Buffy and Angel could JUST WORK IT OUT!!! I have liked the whole supernatural/vampire and human love story. I'm a sucker for these romances. haha- see what I did there?-sucker.

anyway.

Yes, I think the whole "good" vampire thing works too....YES I LOVED ANGEL as a teenager OKAY???? No, but more than that- its interesting because it brings up questions of innate good/evil, of fighting to control a dark side, of determining your own destiny, etc... Although in here it is used for vampires these are fundamental questions in the real world concerning human beings (take Philosophy 101). The only thing I think is weird is calling them vegetarians. But I won't go into that lack of logic. Anywho, while I do give Meyer props for crafting her whole vampiric world and rules...I think its a bit frutty that Edward sparkles. He's pretty- yes I get it. Maybe it is my aversion to glitter (there was once a glitter INVASION in my house due to my sister) but his glittering skin is not a turn on. Nor is his obsessive controlling behavior. Alas, at first I did like Edward. Then I reread the books, read some blogs, and have come to agree that he shows definite signs of an abusive boyfriend. What pissed me off was when he took the engine out of Bella's truck so she couldn't visit her best friend. Was that this book? Probably not...I get them mixed up. Well anyway- he did it to "protect her." BITCH don't dismember my car!! And that whole protecting her thing is a croc of bull- she can protect herself. This issue- his abusive behavior- is a whole big thing about Meyer's responsibility to young girl readers and I absolutely do not want to get into that here. Honestly, Edward didn't bother me as much. I am also a big fan of Heathcliff's character and Heathcliff and Cathy's all encompassing, passionate, and dark love so again, the Twilight story was a good one for me. But then again I am not a teenage girl wishing for that kind of love....so I can see the danger in this.

Btw... I am team Jacob. I liked his character and his evolution. His dynamics with the other characters was interesting. Well done Meyers.

What also kind of bugged me was just how hopelessly handsome Edward is and how Bella is willing to give up her life to become a vampire for this beautiful specimen. How many times have I joked I'd do anything for Hugh Jackman? Many a time but I'd never actually do the things I say I would, especially not potentially giving up my soul to spend endless nights with his perfectly sculpted body and perfectly chiseled face. ::sigh:: But no, really...shes willing to give it up real quick for him and I just do not see that as being a good thing.

Speaking of giving it up...what the hell is that about Edward wanting to wait to have sex before marriage? I know, I know I'm talking about a later book in the series but lets be realistic I am not going to spend my time writing three more reviews for each book. Especially when I can't remember specifically what happens in which. But anyway, don't give me he came from a time when men were chivalrous and waited until marriage. Chivalrous my ass. Men definitely had penises back in 1917 and acted on desire. I mean come on, how many illegitimate children were born throughout all of history? Like 1917 was any different. I guess I buy that he didn't want to break her- that makes sense. But still. I know I know, this is a teen book and it has limitations. But if their love was that consuming, sex is def. a part of that. Especially at age 17/18. I am definitely not saying relationships are based on sex, but lezbehonest sex is a huge part of deep loves like this. I know- Edward and Bella end up having sex anyway- after they are married. Is this Meyer's way of doing damage control? Yes, give up your immortal soul for a beautiful vampire who often wants to kill you, but don't sleep with him until you are married. um....okkaaayyyy Stephenie Meyer.

Yes so I can go on and on about good and bad things about the books but I will stop here.
Again- I do like this series.

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