The Twilight Saga Collection
by Stephenie Meyer
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Book Reviews of The Twilight Saga Collection
Book Review: Overrated, Insipid, Trite, Banal...
Summary: 1 Stars
Not Shouting Here, just making certain People read the most important details of the Warning ::
* The Following MAY Contain SPOILER's About ALL Novels In This Series. Please Do Not Read Unless You've Read The Entire Series. Thank-you, Very Much! *
:: My Personal Opinion On The 'Twilight' Series ::
Although my sister is In-Love with this Series (She's 36 & I'm 28 BTW!), I cannot even enjoy them at all!
For myself the first [novel] was interesting, but {very, very, Very} slow-paced. As that Can be acceptable when it's the first novel in a new series, I didn't mind so much but 'New Moon' was honestly just Painful in it's insipid manner! Painfully slow, boring, and in the end I forced myself to finish it --- which is never a good recommendation.
I also forced myself to read the last two books in the series as I'm a firm believer in, "When You Start a book; You Finish it! And... If you Begin a series you must read them all!"
That having been said, these 'Twilight' books are severely overrated.
When I read, I want a story that grabes me, tosses me in head-first to another world, and makes me Want to finish the novel as quickly as possible because I actually Care about what happens next to the character's. Isn't that what makes an excellent book or series?
These 'Twilight' novels do Not fall into that category. Not at all!
The Biggest Pet Peeve On My Part ~ Yes, yes already Mrs. Author: I Get The Love Between Bella & Edward is F-o-r-e-v-e-r ---- Sorry though, I'm just not Sold! I found their Love not Romantic, but rather boring and indeed childish. It didn't make sense for Bella to be such a pushover for Edward all the time. I get the guy is like Gorgeous, but come on! Even somebody hotter than an angel shouldn't be worshiped to such a infantile degree.
Bella's no cupcake either! In the end I couldn't tell Care Less what happens to Bella. She's annoying, and she never grows up, but rather stays a Selfish Spoiled Brat!
I mean come On --- she Chooses to Never See her family Again! People can make the {Selfish} argument that it is "to protect them", but she Choose, Begged, Pleaded for that Life knowing what would happen, and she enter's into it without even more than a single second-guessed glance back as to what her loss would mean to her family, her lonely father * in particular.
* I Will grant you that it seems the author tries to say that Bella can visit her father, because she (the author) has turned him into an idiot that will "ask no questions". I found that frustrating in the extreme!
My final view...
... It was almost like the Author was trying to imitate the Classic Romantic author's style of writing that can be found in a bygone age. But such character's are impossible in this century, and her writing just comes across flat, boring, and slower-paced than a snail bred to a sloth.
For the life of me I cannot see the attraction that people have to these character's, and novel's. Do people just not think anymore? Are people just slow? *Sigh*
Now I just do not have the Heart to tell my sister how much I loathe this style of writing, and these books. Normally, anything (& Everything) she loves, I love ---- as in my eyes, my sister can do No Wrong. But these novels are where I draw the line! I just cannot Love the Gosh-Awful things. I've tried for my sister. I tried Very Hard to at least Like them, but I failed miserably ---- I just cannot Stand the 'Twilight' Series! I'm at a loss as to why anybody enjoy's them? Honestly...
Book Review: Beautiful Books - Amazing Series!
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, this is a beautiful set! The dust covers are very pretty & sturdy. The little cards that come with the set are nice too. This boxset looks beautiful on my bookshelf. The books themselves were very well thought out and help with the experience of the story. I like the font that the publisher chose and the use of italics to distinguish between diolouge and thought. I borrowed a different version of Breaking Dawn from the library and the "feel" of this set is much nicer.
There were a few things that I did not care for though. At the end of my paperback versions there is the first chapter of the next book. This set does not have that. I suppose that's fine since you obviously have them all, but I really liked having the preview chapter. Another thing I did not like is that the graphic is only on the dust cover. The books themselves are just plain black under the cover. Overall I think this is a very nice product and worth the money.
Now, about the stories:
I am a mom/wife in my late 20's and I LOVE this series. It was a nice, easy, enjoyable read. I have a paperback set, this hardcover set, and an audio set. I have read the series several times and read it again when I am in between other books. I am a huge Jane Austen fan and I love the references and the obvious inspiration the author takes from classic literature (Pride & Predjudice, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and a lot of Wuthering Heights). She drew inspiration from the classics, but did not model her storyline on any one story in particular.
Meyer is a wonderful writer and creates a world the reader can get lost in. I did not find her writing style or her descriptions to be a distraction from the story. She created a realistic world, with real characters. The love story between Edward & Bella starts with just enough tension and builds throughout the series. I felt their love was believable and it captivated me. The kisses & intimate scenes were extra steamy, but in a pure way. It was innocent and lovely. It was the essence of first love. It was enough for me as a wife to enjoy, but not too much for an older teen to be exposed to. The violence was the same way. It was described accurately enough to get the feeling across without being too graphic. Meyer does an excellent job at balance in my opinion. The series was safe, but still stimulating.
I believe that one thing that really sets Meyer's Twilight series apart from others in this genre is the background she gives her characters. Even the supporting characters in the series are real. They have a past, a realistic personality, they have thoughts that you only get hints at. These characters do not only exist on the page they are on. She knows who they are and therefore I feel like I do too. The supporting characters, especially the Cullens, are wonderful. I felt they were complex, likable, and interesting.
Now, about Bella - I have read a lot of criticism about her being whiney and dull. I, however, disagree. She is an excellent main character. Her stability is a great backdrop for the rest of the characters and the complex storyline. She is well developed and shows a realistic amount of growth throughout the series. I must say that I liked her throughout, but really LOVED her at the end of the 4th book.
I am a Twilight fan. I love the series and I love this set. I am ardently hoping that Meyer will come out with more books to add to this amazing series. I have heard the rumors that there will be more and am anxiously awaiting their release.
Book Review: Twilight versus Bram Stoker's Dracula
Summary: 4 Stars
Although I am 28, I have been interested in death, the afterlife, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, mummies, voodoo, and zombies since I was a little girl. I have read numerous books on the subject of the paranormal and I have a master's degree in thanatology, which is the study of death and dying. Thus, Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series caught my attention. The series itself is well worth the money one spends to read it because it sucks you in like a vortex and does not let you go until you leave satisfied. It has lots of danger, violence, psychological conflicts, sexual tension, betrayal, and unique relationships to keep one occupied for 2500+ pages.
In other words, Stephenie Meyer messes up everyone's perception about vampires because Bella does not end up becoming Edward's dinner! Ed does not suckle on human blood, but animal blood to survive. Amazingly, Eddie falls in love with Bella, marries her, and impregnates her with his magic dead/undead sperm. Heck, Bella and Edward even remain chaste until their wedding night!! Edward, unlike Dracula, can move freely during all hours of the day and night due to not needing any sleep. Lastly, what is up with the adonis appearance and the gay disco sparkling skin from the seventies. The man never ages and his skin sparkles when exposes to sun. I know Edward is dead/undead but everything does not smell or look hot after 108 years.
First of all, in comparison to Edward, Dracula burns to a crisp when he is exposed to the sun and he seriously digs killing off humans for their blood. His appearance is just as flawless as Edward's except he becomes a 500 year-old corpse when he has not received enough human blood. He also needs alot of beauty rest to maintain his manly figure so he sleeps in a coffin during the day and parties at night. As far as love goes, Dracula may have hooked up with Bella's friend Angela for a few "good times" and a nice blood milkshake before getting to know Bella. Let's face it Dracula was out to get some action, while Edward is just plain too virginal! Of course, Dracula would have stalked Bella out, have taken control of her mind and body, and made her want to be in love with him. Dracula would even entice her into a life of vampirism by having her suck his blood instead of him sucking her blood. There would be no preservation of Bella's humanity with Dracula because she would be the reincarnation of his wife that committed suicide 500 years before.
When it comes to Bella, she has some serious self-esteem issues when the only two guys who like her are a werewolf and a vampire. Aren't other "human" guys aside from Mike interested in her? Even Mina, from Dracula, has a "human" fiance named Jonathan Harker before she gets involved with Dracula. Bella also appears to like guys who stalk her, appreciate her b.o., morning breath, pms, and hairy legs. Edward is with her ALL the time and she can NEVER BREATHE without him! Talk about a serious delusion of granduer and an obessive-compulsive relationship, Bella should be dating a lot of other guys, sowing some wild oats, and having some alone time before she marries Edward! Who in their right mind wants to be stuck with the same guy for infinity without seeing all of the other men and stuff out there? What set of parents would encourage their relatively, isolated teenage daughter to marry at the age of 18 in today's world!!
Finally, Stephenie Meyer's characters have such intriguing and controversial flaws that one really needs to read this series through to determine how and why the story is so cohesive and addictive.
Book Review: As a book overrated, too much hype...
Summary: 1 Stars
I've read this after I watched the film and this would probably be the first time in my life that I would actually strongly recommend that you watch the film first before reading these books. The film would set a nice scene for you to fall into if you like...
If it wasn't for the film with two very easy on the eye leads in the shape of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, I really don't know how I would cope with these books. I only bought them to find out what happens next. If this wasn't the driving force behind my purchase and I somehow stumbled upon these books before the film, I have to say they would be abandoned mid-way through the first book.
The idea is great but it's never developed properly by the author. Her characterisation is pathetically weak and you will never get to find out anything about Edward, Bella, Jacob or anyone else apart from the fact that they are all beautiful and she wants both of them in her life while keeping the rest of the population as far out of it as possible.
The writing is so bad that the author struggles to describe the main characters beyond phrases like "he was marble white, his skin was ice cold, he was beautiful Adonis-like, perfect" and the actions never go beyond, "he glared at me and growled". And this is literally in every chapter of every book.
The first book is full of, "I love you, you love me, we love each other and it's all going to last forever" and this is probably where the author should have ended it instead of going on and on, and on for another 3 very thick books where she repeats the same thing in the same way over and over again. The books are pretty thick, well over 500-600 pages each, so that is a lot of glaring and growling from the sparkling Adonis.
By book 3, you still have no idea what is the driving force behind their love apart from the fact that Edward is beautiful and Bella smells nice. And I do accept the fact that love is unconditional and cannot be any other way. However, fictional books are for entertainment and we all would like something more from them, which this never gives.
Book 4 should never have been written. In fact, book 3 was already overdoing it. I don't know if the author was paid to stretch it as much as possible but, whatever the reason, she has completely killed what could have been a perfectly nice story. And my gripe isn't with the fact that it lacks even the most basic vampire logic. I actually really don't mind how closely it does or doesn't follow what vampires and werewolves should be doing. In fact, I completely accept this as a love story only but even as that alone, it's so weak and pathetic that I really struggle to understand how she managed to write 4 volumes! The quality of writing makes Mills and Boon novels look like they are worthy of the Booker Prize!
I can see how certain type of teenage girls and certain type of adults may be crazy about these books but if you are not one of those, I would generally recommend that you don't waste your time and money on this and watch the films as they come out. You won't miss anything. Mr Pattinson and Miss Stewart will continue being easy on the eye, the soundtrack to the first one was gorgeous, what more do you need for a Hollywood love story? With some luck, the remaining films will live up to the expectation. Don't bother looking for something more in the books because there isn't anything there. At least in the film, even when Edward growles and glares repetitively, it doesn't look so odd.
Book Review: Not all the reviews should be believed- The books are great
Summary: 5 Stars
REVIEWERS - please disclose sex and age
Don't believe all teh reviews about Twilight Series- All 4 books are great
A Comment by AnnaR Haze
I think there should be a requirement that reviewers of our books (Chic lit or Young Adult fiction) would have to state their age and confirm that they have read the book or seen the movie.
I am so tired of older guys attempting a review and misinterpreting our emotions or trying to understand why we feel like we feel at different ages as we grow through the teen years. The reviews of Twilight, the book and the movie and the series were particularly galling. Not universally by all reviewers but by a number of male reviewers. I am sure there are a few men that might understand but they probably have daughters or observed girls when they were in school.
I am not researching this or trying to find example quotes but will from memory give a few indications from my memory of these reviewers confusion.
Some reviewers of Twilight the movie discussed that Bella as played by Kristin Stewart was uncommonly clumsy and this was overdone. Being totally clueless and impossibly clumsy I could so relate to Bella's condition,. They also said that teen girls were not preoccupied with falling in love with vampires. We are interested in falling in love and often select impossible situations when we yearn to date and get our first kiss and gain the attention of the cutest guy.
We are not completely single minded - or, oh well, yes we are. Edward was so romantic. We live in awe of Romeo and Juliette and a reference to that impossibly romantic love in a review is not something that is bad or beyond understanding. Many reviewers misunderstood the entire series and the love of Bella and Edward. To say that twilight was a story of teen angst among humans, vampires and werewolves and clumsy girls is like saying The Hunchback of Notre dame is a story about a bell, or Romeo and Juliette is a study of balcony architecture, or Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was a travelogue of denim, - Twilight is a love story. Allegorical and brilliant and romantic, traveling Pants is a story of sisterhood and love and togetherness and BFF...
Some reviewers placed Mama Mia the movie as one of the worst of the year. They reviewed that the dancing and singing was not professional. Yet we loved the movie - just because it was real and spontaneous and not ultra staged and was romantic and real for us.
It is impossible to think that producers were unsure how High School Musical would be received. Duuhhhh! Or didn't know how we would flock to Twilight- despite the reviews that it was insipid. If you build a field "they will come", if you release a movie for us, "we will come."
I don't know if the publishing houses have studied how they are developing the readers of the future. And that publishing houses like Simon Pulse are providing well written novels and writings for us- the future readers of the world.
It is my opinion that YA and chic lit novels are being written by the best authors now writing. They are so much better than most adult novels. They help us understand the writings of sentences and chapters and character development and real dialogue- speaking as we speak.
I digress- I just wish the ages of the reviewers would be listed. I am much more willing to believe a review by a girl near my age than any guy or older woman who can't remember her high school years.
Anna R. Haze, 16 (soon to be 17)