Spring Break
Twilight's cult following rightfully won
By: Alexa Blair Miller
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: WildLife
Every few minutes a new "Twilight" bumper sticker appears on Facebook's newsfeed. These bumper stickers display quotes ranging from "Only a vampire can love you forever" to "What do you mean Edward isn't real?" There is one quote in particular that reveals the root of obsession with the series perfectly: "Edward Cullen is for women what sex is for men: on our minds every seven seconds."
That is exactly it. From the instant a girl picks up the first book, "Twilight," she can do nothing but swoon over Edward, the gorgeous and chivalrous vampire, while feeling extremely jealous of his undying love for Bella Swan.
Wait, vampires? Aren't college students a little old for vampire stories? This series proves that no one is ever too old for legends and folklore. The Twilight Saga engulfs you in a tale of romance, suspense and adventure, always leaving you thirsty for more.
In "Twilight," Bella moves from Phoenix, author Stephenie Meyer's hometown, to live with her father in Forks, Wash. Here she meets Edward, whom she believes is too perfect to be human. She's right. The affection brewing between them is far from conventional. Edward's passionate love for Bella outweighs his continuous, burning craving for her blood. Being clumsy and always accidentally getting herself into danger, Bella is Edward's damsel in distress. As the saga continues, the action and suspense thicken.
After complicated twists and turns in the plot, Bella now deals with the depression of losing the one she loves most, Edward. In the second book, "New Moon," Meyer enthralls readers with the mess Edward leaves in his absence. Bella, a magnet for the supernatural, acquires a new admirer: Jacob, a werewolf. Jacob acts as Bella's knight in shining armor, keeping her from the wrath of Victoria, a vampire looking to kill Bella because Edward killed her mate. Bella, who never wants anyone to be in danger to save her, shows her courageous side when she puts herself in peril to save Edward from the most powerful vampires in the world.
Constantly having her life in danger doesn't bother Bella, because there is nothing she wants more than Edward - except for one tiny thing: to be a vampire. In book three, "Eclipse," Bella makes two vital decisions: between human life and vampire life, and between Edward's love and Jacob's friendship. Meyer hooks in the suspense of the adventure as Bella is saved from the same vindictive vampire, Victoria, and her new army.
Meyer wraps up her saga skillfully in book four, "Breaking Dawn." Edward finally gets Bella as his bride. Meyer maintains the anticipation and adventure with an upcoming battle between the Cullen family and old rivals. The battle's resolve leaves the reader in an interesting state of combined emotions - from relief, to bliss, to yearning for more of the glimpse into the life Edward and Bella have created for themselves.
Over the course of four hypnotizing books, Meyer illustrates a wonderful adventure full of love, lust, vampires, werewolves and family. The world she creates is mesmerizing, explaining the mutual obsession all readers have with Edward and Bella's saga. No one is too old for legends - and who wouldn't want a beautiful and gallant vampire climbing into her window every night?
Star Rating: 4 out of 5
That is exactly it. From the instant a girl picks up the first book, "Twilight," she can do nothing but swoon over Edward, the gorgeous and chivalrous vampire, while feeling extremely jealous of his undying love for Bella Swan.
Wait, vampires? Aren't college students a little old for vampire stories? This series proves that no one is ever too old for legends and folklore. The Twilight Saga engulfs you in a tale of romance, suspense and adventure, always leaving you thirsty for more.
In "Twilight," Bella moves from Phoenix, author Stephenie Meyer's hometown, to live with her father in Forks, Wash. Here she meets Edward, whom she believes is too perfect to be human. She's right. The affection brewing between them is far from conventional. Edward's passionate love for Bella outweighs his continuous, burning craving for her blood. Being clumsy and always accidentally getting herself into danger, Bella is Edward's damsel in distress. As the saga continues, the action and suspense thicken.
After complicated twists and turns in the plot, Bella now deals with the depression of losing the one she loves most, Edward. In the second book, "New Moon," Meyer enthralls readers with the mess Edward leaves in his absence. Bella, a magnet for the supernatural, acquires a new admirer: Jacob, a werewolf. Jacob acts as Bella's knight in shining armor, keeping her from the wrath of Victoria, a vampire looking to kill Bella because Edward killed her mate. Bella, who never wants anyone to be in danger to save her, shows her courageous side when she puts herself in peril to save Edward from the most powerful vampires in the world.
Constantly having her life in danger doesn't bother Bella, because there is nothing she wants more than Edward - except for one tiny thing: to be a vampire. In book three, "Eclipse," Bella makes two vital decisions: between human life and vampire life, and between Edward's love and Jacob's friendship. Meyer hooks in the suspense of the adventure as Bella is saved from the same vindictive vampire, Victoria, and her new army.
Meyer wraps up her saga skillfully in book four, "Breaking Dawn." Edward finally gets Bella as his bride. Meyer maintains the anticipation and adventure with an upcoming battle between the Cullen family and old rivals. The battle's resolve leaves the reader in an interesting state of combined emotions - from relief, to bliss, to yearning for more of the glimpse into the life Edward and Bella have created for themselves.
Over the course of four hypnotizing books, Meyer illustrates a wonderful adventure full of love, lust, vampires, werewolves and family. The world she creates is mesmerizing, explaining the mutual obsession all readers have with Edward and Bella's saga. No one is too old for legends - and who wouldn't want a beautiful and gallant vampire climbing into her window every night?
Star Rating: 4 out of 5
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
Atlantan
posted 10/08/08 @ 3:20 AM PST
Wow - what a wonderful review of the stories and an incredible outline of these characters. I was first introduced to the Twilight Saga by a friend. I believe your use of "mesmerizing" might easily explain why the series have a strong following. (Continued…)
Rachelle Colavito
posted 10/08/08 @ 3:16 PM PST
The relationship depicted in the book Twilight is an abusive and unhealthy. The protagonist of the book, Bella, falls in love Edward, a boy who stalks her, breaks into her house, and watches her sleep while she sleeps without her knowing. (Continued…)
Yuki
posted 10/08/08 @ 3:42 PM PST
I would like to point out a few flaws in your review.
"Wait, vampires? Aren't college students a little old for vampire stories? This series proves that no one is ever too old for legends and folklore. (Continued…)
Wolfthroat
posted 10/08/08 @ 9:51 PM PST
"That is exactly it. From the instant a girl picks up the first book, "Twilight," she can do nothing but swoon over Edward, the gorgeous and chivalrous vampire, while feeling extremely jealous of his undying love for Bella Swan. (Continued…)
Kaya
posted 10/08/08 @ 9:55 PM PST
First off, Twilight is a terrible book. I read the entire series recently and disagree with many of the points you've made.
Edward and Bella's "love" is based only on looks and Bella is abused and manipulated throughout the series. (Continued…)
pterodactyly
posted 10/09/08 @ 1:50 AM PST
College students are not too old for vampire stories, but a seven year old should be able to see that the Twilight series is awful. I've read them all and I'm not in love with "Edward the gorgeous chivalrous vampire" (actually a manipulative, controlling, irrational DULL character) or jealous of his weak-willed, brainless, whiny Mary-Sue of a girlfriend. (Continued…)
Kelalo
posted 10/09/08 @ 6:46 AM PST
I'm sorry, but this review made me alternately sick to my stomach and laugh out loud. Did you read the series? Really?
1. It's terribly written. Meyer is one of the worst offenders in terms of writing purple prose. (Continued…)
shmeiliarockie
posted 10/09/08 @ 10:37 AM PST
Oh yes, all women want a stalker climbing in their window and watching them sleep without their knowledge, because in real life that sort of behavior NEVER escalates to rape and murder. (Continued…)
Segniust
posted 10/09/08 @ 10:57 PM PST
In my opinion, I believe people who speculate too much will not enjoy this story. They will complain about mary-sues and grammar errors as if they are looking for something wrong with the book. (Continued…)
Sammers
posted 3/19/09 @ 7:20 AM PST
In my opinion, the Twilight series in amazing but I don't understand why everyone obsesses over Edward. He may be perfect in his apperance but he has many flaws to his personality which makes him unworthy for obsessing over. (Continued…)
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