I finally bought the books at the end of August. Starting the night I received them, I proceeded to read the books straight through 4 times in a row (and have since read them twice more). I was completely absorbed and obsessed with them. I literally couldn't put down the books. I read Twilight (the first book, not the whole saga) through overnight the first time I read it. I had (and still haven't) read any book like them. Stephenie Meyer is an amazing writer with a writing style that completely draws you into the story. She has a great imagination (one I'm quite jealous of). She puts a whole new twist on the idea of the vampire - their physical qualities defy much of the previous stereotypes used in books and movies, making the story much more intriguing.
In case you haven't heard what the series is about, here goes a synopsis, of sorts: The story centers around 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to Forks, WA from Phoenix, AZ to live with her father. While there, she learns that vampires, werewolves (or "Children of the Moon"), and "shape shifters" (who refer to themselves as "werewolves") exist. She struggles to survive as a human in the world of vampires - because humans aren't supposed to know about vampires - they must either die or become one - until she can become one of them (because of her love for one of the vampires: Edward Cullen). He, in turn, struggles with her desire to become a vampire because he does not want Bella to lose her soul, as he believes she will (as he and the rest of vampire-kind did upon becoming vampires). Although the shape shifters and vampires are enemies, they band together at two different times to save Bella and the Cullens. And, of course, everyone lives happily ever after!
And, of course, romantic that I am, I wished very hard that I would find my Edward at some point in my life.
The Movies:
Twilight: The storyline is pretty much kept to, as far as what things are supposed to happen. However, the director took a few too many artistic liberties (in my opinion) with certain aspects of the story. This did not make me happy. I would have preferred the movie to follow the book more closely. (And, yes, I realize that because of time restraints movies made from books will never follow the book exactly and that some liberties will have to be taken - like rearranging some scenes to go earlier or later. However, this movie removes scenes that should have been put in and changes others so that those of us who've read the books think "Ummm, ok, and you did that because...?") As far as acting goes, Kristen Stewart could have done better, especially with what was supposed to be a long dialogue near the end of the story and she just stutters through it... disappointed!
New Moon: This movie followed the book much better than Twilight did. I was very happy. The new director for this movie was excellent. The special effects required for the shifting of the men to wolves was perfect. (Comes out on DVD March 20th.)I am looking forward to seeing Eclipse this summer and can't wait for Breaking Dawn!
On a side note: If you read (or have read) the Twilight Saga and like Stephenie Meyer's writing style and imaginative story, you should check out her other book: The Host. I read that one twice in a row once I finally got the chance to read it. It, too, is really amazing. Her ability to create stories is amazing. This particular story, as was described to me by a friend before I read the book, is similar to the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", and though I've never actually seen that movie, the title says enough. Again, after finishing the book, I wished I could find a love like that. ...Sometimes being a romantic stinks!
~E
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