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With the premiere of the anxiously-awaited Twilight movie just weeks away, I figured that it was about time I picked up a copy to see for myself what the Twilight frenzy was all about. And though I’ll admit that I was still a bit skeptical when I started reading, it didn’t take long for Stephenie Meyer to win me over.
The first book in Meyer’s beloved teen vampire romance series tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan, who reluctantly moves away from her home in Phoenix to live with her dad in a tiny town called Forks, Washington.
On her first day at her new school, Bella discovers that, for the first time in her life, she’s actually popular. Though she always saw herself as average and awkward, the kids in Forks seem to be fighting to get close to the new girl. The only ones who show absolutely no interest in her are the Cullens—a group of five superhumanly gorgeous kids who always stick to themselves.
Bella is drawn to the mysterious Cullens—especially to Edward, her biology lab partner, who seems to be totally repulsed by her. But she soon discovers that he’s only trying to protect her—because he’s a vampire, and his overwhelming attraction to her could be dangerous.
After reading Twilight, I can definitely understand what all the fuss is about. Despite the book’s rather intimidating bulk, I found myself flipping through pages at breakneck speeds, unwilling to set the book aside. Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear that the pages were laced with some kind of addictive chemical. Sure, the rather large young-adult-book print doesn’t hurt, but the story is so heavy with tension and suspense that I couldn’t wait to see how everything would end.
Meyer spends most of this first book in the series developing her fascinating cast of characters. Since the book’s targeted to teenage girls, readers will have no problem relating to Bella (even if, like me, they’re not exactly teenagers anymore). She’s a good kid—independent but respectful of her parents. Like most teen girls, Bella feels awkward and out-of-place, and she’s not sure who she is or where she fits in. She’s also naïve and reckless—a dangerous (and sometimes frustrating) combination that tends to get her into a lot of trouble. Still, despite her flaws, you can’t help but like her.
And then there’s Edward. He’s moody and mysterious—and don’t forget dangerous. But he’s also sweet and loving and incredibly romantic. Oh, yes…he’s more beautiful than any human could ever be. And he loves Bella for who she is—even though he knows he shouldn’t. What could be more romantic than that? And what naïvely reckless teenage girl could resist?
But, of course, there’s also the other side of Edward—that intriguingly dark, bloodthirsty side, which gives the book its dark, haunting suspense. Though Edward and his clan are “good” vampires, able to live quietly among humans, there’s always a little bit of danger lurking in the background.
As the suspense builds—and as the dangers get closer and closer—the story picks up speed before coming to a satisfying conclusion that’s sure to leave you gasping for breath and dying to find out what happens next.
Even if you’re not a teenage girl, I still recommend checking out Twilight before it hits theaters. Its intriguing characters are sure to pull you in—and its eerie, supernatural suspense will keep you reading well into the night.
