Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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115 of 132 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bite me!................, 7 May 2009
This is YA fiction and I'm not even close to the target audience. It's been a lot of years since I belonged in the 'teen' category BUT... despite that, I loved this book! I think it might be because the 17 year old that I once was is still fresh in my mind, and if I squint when I look in the mirror I can still see her (she just got better looking over the last couple of decades *grin*).
A five star book for me is one that I have to tear myself away from and this has to be one of the better 5 star books I've read recently. I could not put it down, regardless of whether I fit in the target deomographic or not. I have no idea why I was so enamoured with this particular story but it just grabbed me, literally from the first chapter. It has it's flaws, and at times those flaws tried to pull me away from the pages while I wrestled with my beliefs but never did I feel like I couldn't go on. I'm actually mystified why this is such a great book, I wish I could put my finger on it but it escapes me. I am fond of a bit of vampire lit, it's true, but this goes beyond that....I think. I can't say the writing is superlative so it's not that.....but what is it? I wish I knew. Answers on a postcard, please.
Bella is a complete feminists' nightmare and I can see why that would put a lot of people off of her, but at 17 love is blind so I'm willing to forgive Bella on that score. Edward is so uber male that he fairly reeks testosterone and again, that may grate on some readers but lets put things in perspective, he's the ultimate predator and has had nearly a century of dominating his prey so on that score I'm willing to forgive him his overly masculine nature for now, this nurture/love thing is new for him too.....he'll get it right eventually I expect.
Ultimitely, lets not forget that this is a tale of vampire love which is aimed at teens/young adults and the usual complexities and concerns that come with real life won't apply here. I for one am glad to slip into Bella and Edward's world and remember what it was to be young and in the throes of first love. If you have an imagination and are willing to suspend your disbelief then you might enjoy this story. It's an enjoyable bit of fulff to while away a few hours/days but if your usual reading material tends to be the classics and nothing more, then you probably will feel the need to return here with you own 1 or 2 star review.
I have books 2, 3 and 4 lined up here, ready to devour and if they go as quickly as Twilight then I'll have completed all 4 in about 3 more days. I want to tell everyone to read this as I loved it so much, but I realise that everyone has different tastes so all I can recommend is that you read the reviews and make your own mind up from there.
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136 of 171 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic start to a new series, 25 Sep 2007
Bella (Isabella) Swan moves from living with her mum in bustling Phoenix to sleepy topwn Forks. She is spending some time where she grew up living with her dad while her mum and new partner look for a new job in Florida. She starts at the local school and makes friends, is a hit with the boys and also encounters Edward. He has pale skin, dark hollows under his eyes and he doesn't associate with anyone else at school apart from his family. She is immediately drawn to him. What she doesn't realise is that he is a vampire. Every step she takes getting closer to him, the more she puts herself in danger.
I really enjoyed this book. The style of writing was very seductive and really drew me in as a reader. It changes some of the essential vampire ideas, giving it a fresh take on an exhausted subject. It isn't "just another vampire book" by any means. It's mostly about relationships and Bella getting to know Edward. The last 100 pages or so take a different turn when an outside threat enters the neighbourhood and Bella's life is at risk. The tone of the book changed which I wasn't sure about at first as I liked the gentle building a lot.
I will definately be reading the rest of the series and have New Moon to start when I get time. If you like a good story, vampires or teen dramas than I recommend this to you.
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131 of 171 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly good!, 20 Mar 2008
First off: I'm 20. With that in mind and the fact I'm an obsessed bookworm (reading as much literature as I do for example Sci-Fi) I wasn't sure this book was up my "level." I know that sounds arrogant. But haven't you ever read a book meant for the lower part of your age 'group' that you thought it was too easy? Dissatisfying. I see I have as much trouble explaining myself as Bella.
Well, I can tell you that wasn't the case with Twilight. Usually, I avoid popular books. They rarely live up to the hype. I took the chance with Twilight. I'm happy I did. I'll tell you why:
First off: if you're not into romance novels: skip this one. Passionate is written all over it. And that's the strength of it (for me.) The story revolves around two impossible lovers, meant to be together. The only problem is that he's the Lion and she's the lamb. A bright one like you should be able to figure out what kind of threat that poses.
It's written in first person, Bella's POV. I've read some reviewers say they didn't like Bella much. I can tell you it's just jealousy. Hell, I'M jealous. Edward Cullen is, gorgeous and perfect, but also impossible which makes their struggles with eachother even more interesting. They take the front seat in the story and you might even think the (also interesting) supportive cast is kind of left out. I must say I usually detest little subplots in books (exceptions are present ofcourse.) It makes me skim over pages until I've reached the part where my favorite characters interact again. If you feel differently, then this might also be a reason the book is not for you.
The reason I liked it so much is because I could really, (almost to a scary extent) empathize with Bella. If her name was changed in mine, highschool was switched for College and Forks was replaced by the little town I live in (rain stays about the same) you'd pretty much get me. Except that I don't have an Edward Cullen to spice up my life.
He's dazzeling but dangerous. He's like the adrenaline rush skydivers feel when they jump out of a plane. Addicting, exciting, lethal. You come back for more, knowing in the back of your head that one mistake could end your life. Yet you feel that if you'd turn your back and walk away, it would be like you didn't have any life at all.
That's what attracted me to this book. I've been reading it everywhere. In the train, at work (sneaking in a couple of pages) in my room....and I always have to restrain myself from smiling when I read in a public place. It manages to lighten my mood. I'm not destined to meet someone like that, but atleast I can dream and read about it. Romances in novels are usually so alike. They can be well written, but similar nevertheless. This is a new take on it for me and it works out really well.
So, anyone interested in an orgional lovestory with an edge to it should get this. Right now.
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by Stephenie Meyer
by Stephenie Meyer
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