Twilight (The Twilight Saga, #1) in And So It Begins Reading Challenge

Jan 20, 2010 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, vampires

I absolutely love this book, despite the fact that people think it's overhyped. It truly deserves to be hyped up, though to an extent which has already been surpassed. Stephenie Meyer has an amazing way of writing that really brings out the human element in her characters and her story. And even though we only get the point of view of Bella, hers is the one that matters the most, although I'm sure we'd all like to know what Edward is thinking a good amount of the time.

I think one of the reason I I absolutely love this book, despite the fact that people think it's overhyped. It truly deserves to be hyped up, though to an extent which has already been surpassed. Stephenie Meyer has an amazing way of writing that really brings out the human element in her characters and her story. And even though we only get the point of view of Bella, hers is the one that matters the most, although I'm sure we'd all like to know what Edward is thinking a good amount of the time.

I think one of the reason I really liked this novel is because I can relate in a way. Bella moves to a new place that is completely different from her old home, which I have done a few times, and she's had to make new friends which is always hard when you're shy. And then there's the cute guy that your new friend tells you to not even bother with because no one has gotten his attention yet. Now I never got the guy's attention, but you get the point.

Some people feel that Stephenie Meyer puts too many details and emotions in her book, which I agree with a little. Sometimes there are details that simply aren't necessary and do nothing for the plot. But I actually appreciate that she's put in so much detail, especially how Bella's feeling about everything. I know that I wouldn't have had the patience for that! And it makes you feel for a little while that you actually are Bella.

The only thing that bothers me is what has happened because of Twilight. Now everyone is leeching (excuse the punn!) off of the whole vampire thing, but the truth is Twilight isn't as much about vampires as it is about "forbidden" love and that's what people don't understand and why they decide not to give the series a chance. Bella really shouldn't be with Edward, but neither of them can stay away. It's a truly classic love story with a fantasy twist to it. I think that if a lot of people that are so against it put their differences aside and actually tried to enjoy it they might end up liking it.

If you haven't given this book a chance, please reconsider. You may like it, you may not. But at least you won't be one of those people that never tried it just because you didn't want to seem like you were following the crowd or because of what you've heard. It's really a beautiful novel and the place Meyer has created for her readers is somewhere we can all relate to in some way. ...more

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Nov 15, 2011 Renee rated it it was amazing

Reread and loved every minute! It's still magic. Midnight Sun is coming!!!!!

Loved my re-read 1/15/2016 ...more

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May 19, 2011 Darlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

This is the first book in The Twilight Saga. I think I am one of the few that has not seen the Twilight movies or read the books!

This book is a lot more tender – more innocent -- than I expected, but then again it was marketed to the Young Adult demographic so maybe that has something to do with it. It is filled with teen angst, and the star-crossed lovers have so much sexual tension that it is palpable.

Edward is very charming, and Belle is the typical damsel-in-distress. Even though I have not This is the first book in The Twilight Saga. I think I am one of the few that has not seen the Twilight movies or read the books!

This book is a lot more tender – more innocent -- than I expected, but then again it was marketed to the Young Adult demographic so maybe that has something to do with it. It is filled with teen angst, and the star-crossed lovers have so much sexual tension that it is palpable.

Edward is very charming, and Belle is the typical damsel-in-distress. Even though I have not seen the movie, I have seen from magazines and newspapers the photos of the characters that play the roles in the movie which is unfortunate. I much prefer my own mental imagery. While reading, I couldn’t help but picture Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, although I have no idea what actors portrayed the other characters which was nice.

The book builds up slowly, and I enjoyed that because I became immersed into their characters.

Did you ever read a book with a smile on your face? Well, this book did that for me. I think the innocence of “first love” was portrayed very sweetly. It wasn’t until the last third of the book that it became suspenseful. I was totally captivated, and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next!

The ending was bittersweet, and I was sad to see the book end. I was happy to have the second book, New Moon, to start on right away!

I don’t normally read the same book over again, but I can see that this is one of the select few that I could read again and enjoy it just as much.

Because it is marketed to the Young Adults, I think a lot of adults wouldn’t think to pick it up for themselves which is a shame because it is so good.

I am a pretty tough critic and don’t hand out five-star ratings lightly (the only other one for adult literature being The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society).This book is very deserving of its 5-star rating!!

I enjoyed Ilyana Kadushin's narration. I hope she does the rest of the series.

MY RATING: 5 stars!! Loved it!! ...more

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Dec 15, 2010 Quantum Thief- Behind the Mask added it

AMAZING!!

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Feb 28, 2008 thuy rated it really liked it

I know, I know, the writing's not very good and the characters are pretty shallow. However, I could not help but get hooked. The Twilight mania that swept through my friends and I was a fun ride. While the book doesn't really hold up well to multiple readings (the dialogue is much cheesier the second time around) I still enjoyed it quite a bit and will always remember the fun I had reading it and sharing it with my friends. ...more

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