The Twilight Saga Collection
by Stephenie Meyer
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Book Reviews of The Twilight Saga Collection
Book Review: Great Idea, but...
Summary: 3 Stars
I plowed through all four books in eight days. That might indicate an obsession, a speed reader, an easy read, or some combination thereof. In the case of Twilight, it's a combination.
I'll say up-front that I recommend these books, at Amazon's amazing price, for anyone interested in Vampires-meets-90210. It reminded me of a coming-of-age, Dawson's creek-style story with supernatural elements.
The books are very easy to read. The first-person narrative, written like a journal or diary, gets you into the character's head and keeps you turning the pages. Though the perspective changes between characters later on; I found that switching to be a weakness. You can't bare a character's mind and soul, then suddenly switch to a new mind and soul and ignore the previous one--the readers are cheated out of a deeper insight.
The plot is interesting enough to want to finish the books; however, it does kind of eye-rolling at certain points. There are definitely a few teen drama moments and more than a few repetitive statements. Those episodes of juvenile insecurity and monotonous dwelling weaken the story; thankfully, it's not often enough to ruin the entire series.
Mrs. Meyer gives us an amazing glimpse into the main character's life, and the author can write some pretty enticing--but not too explicit--sensual scenes. Vampires and sensuality go hand-in-hand, and the author ties them together well.
Lastly, the overall quality of writing is mediocre. While I'm not a professional, I do understand the basics of grammar and voice enough to know that Twilight, and its successors, displayed plenty of weakness in mechanics. There is a lot of adverb and adjective overkill; the proverbial "Show; Don't tell" was abandoned in many, many scenes. The use of tag lines (she hissed, he chuckled, she replied, he retorted) is abused throughout the books. When in doubt, use "said" to tell us who is talking.
Grab the books for the price; don't expect the next Harry Potter or Anne Rice-caliber novel, but take the story as is and you'll enjoy it.
Book Review: A review of the collection, not of the book's content.
Summary: 4 Stars
Since I work at a bookstore, I've sold quite a few of these things. I'm constantly having people come up to me & ask them what the difference is between the box sets & whether they should purchase this rather than the individual ones. I'm not going to review the books, but rather the set itself. (I assume that if you are purchasing it, you have read the books. If not, then I recommend reading the thousands of reviews for the books on amazon.)
The amazon price for this is very good. At my store, we sell it for the full original price unless there is a sale going on. A few of us did a calculation as to what the difference is between the price of the set & the price of the hardbacks individually & there is no real difference. This is at the individual hardback regular prices & does not take into consideration whether the books are on discount or not. The price difference on amazon is about $2, with this boxset currently being cheaper. Since prices can fluctuate here, I recommend looking up the various prices yourself & doing the math.
The only reasons to choose this set over the individual novels are the lithographs of the book covers (which are lovely) as well as the box itself. The set comes in a decorative box that shows all of the various covers of the series, which is a plus. (I may not have liked the books, but the covers have all been beautiful!) If you want to show off your books, this is the best way to do it. The only thing I would recommend is that you be a little careful with the box set- it's not as sturdy as some of the other boxes I've seen out there. (The box is made of a thin cardboard like paper & will withstand some abuse, but I wouldn't leave stuff on top of it when the box is not filled with every book.)
If all you want are books to read, then you will probably be better served collecting the books individually as you could probably find them at local stores for cheaper than this box set. If you want something to collect and/or show off, then I would recommend this box set. It's a good way to get all of them at once for a decent enough price.
Book Review: Original is Always the Best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I received my Twilight Saga Collection today. It arrived early than I expected, so even better (Christmas came early)! I read the first 3 books on my language - Portuguese, so this will be the first time that I will read the originals. I bought it because I really liked the story and was tiered of the stupid Portuguese translation not making sense (original is always the best!) and not that being enough... Breaking Down will only be realise in Portuguese in June 2009 (stupid translators!). Reading in English is not a problem n_n! Lucky!
I should have just bought the books in English to begin with!!!
Sooo... I'm really happy I bought this! The four books are really light, not like my old ones. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn are all hard cover. They are about 21,5 x 14,5 cm and the wide variates from book to book. The 4 fit perfectly in the slipcase (almost to perfect - you have to push it down a little so you can slip your finger in and take the book out).On the sides of the case you can see the book covers.
The prints, that the collection also includes, are also just like the covers of the books... even so pretty! On their back they have a little exert of each book (Twilight - "About three thing I was absolutely positive (...)").
I'm a super Twilight fan... so I'll try to be impartial about it: (How am I kidding? ...I can't! -_-)
I wound recommend this collection to all the young girls that like romance and fiction (the story circles around a girl and her love for a vampire - boys may not like that). The feelings that the main charter experience are very real, and deep. I wound find hard to understand some of her feelings, if I was younger, so maybe I would classifie it as a young adult kind of book. It's pretty more deep than boy meets girl love story.
If you already own the books, it cloud be a little more disappointing, because you wound just have more of the same. Maybe, if you already own them, you should wait for the complete collection - with Midnight Sun included (surely they will make one of those).
Book Review: Twilight Saga
Summary: 5 Stars
I personally thought these books were great, with that said...I have had enough of all the whining about how ppl expected more from the last book! Hello, for entertainment purposes only & written from the view of a teen! Of course there are things that make you go 'Ugh!, did I really just read that!' (remember, teen views) but its balanced well thru Edwards more mature character. What is really childish is everyone pretending to be the author or editor, whichever applies. If you dont like it, do the ADULT thing and give the book(s) to someone who does!
These books have passed thru many fingers in the tiny town I reside, all of us pushing 40+! Everyone here who has had the pleasure of reading them all have the same initial response...'Wow!' followed by 'Is there more? When will the movie be out?' And now, the news of the partial rough draft (Midnight Sun) on Meyer's site is spreading like wild fire...I cant speak for others but I read for the pure enjoyment of it. I like a good story and these books grabbed my attention, could not stop reading til there was nothing left to read, rough draft included! Would I like to see more along these lines - Of course I would! Would I like to see a more adult theme - Again, Yes! But I cannot bad mouth these books in any way, shape or form because I was quite entertained as I read them and as they pass from hand to hand around our small town they have generated a lot of talk (some of us have read all there is to read, and some not) those of us who have read everything talk quietly amongst ourselves, so as not to blow it for others, avoiding questions that would give things away to those not finished yet...I find it irritating that ppl feel the need to complain about an ending that did not suit their ideals, blowing the story wide open all over the net for others. Like it, dont like it - fine! It is your right to say so, either way. What you have no right to do is sit around and bad mouth someone elses hard work and time spent, ruining things for everyone else. Its inconsiderate and rude!
Book Review: Unconditionally and irrevocably in love!
Summary: 5 Stars
After failing to understand the massive hysteria around Harry Potter, I never expected to get into Twilight. I was that person who would scoff at the Hot Topic merchandise, feeling very superior about being so above these "teenybopper" books. After all, I am a college educated 24 year old woman, not a silly fangirl. Boy, have I learned a lesson!
It started with an unexpected Christmas gift. My sister bought me Twilight just knowing it is a huge seller and I am a bookworm. With nothing else to lose, I started reading. By Chapter Thirteen ("Confessions", also known as the Meadow scene) I knew my life was changed.
I finished Twilight at lightning speed and then had to decide how to get the rest of these books. I was an addict! I literally had the shakes just waiting to find out what happens next. This gorgeous boxed set was PERFECT! (although I scared my mailmain by exclaiming "you don't know how long i've waited for you!" when my package arrived!)
I didn't read these books - I devoured them!! They are so rawly personal and emotional, it's like reading a diary. A chapter will begin with Bella waking up, the days events will be narrated, and then the chapter ends with Bella falling asleep. I fell in love with all hese characters and I was left breathless by the epic romance between Bella and Edward.
Yes, Stephenie Meyer likes to overuse ccertain words, and yes the prose may be "too purple" for some, but nobody, I mean NOBODY can beat her as a storyteller! Whatever she lacks in technical perfection, Meyers makes up with her ability to paint a raw, emotional picture. As soon as I finished Breaking Dawn, I experienced a common sympton called PTD (Post Twilight Depression) but happily was able to recover by simply rereading them all over again! Until Midnight Sun gets published, I will happily read this saga over and over again.
I cannot say enough about how achingly beautiful these books are, and this boxed set is definetely the way to go!