Review: The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer (Part 1)

​       I’ve been involved with the young adult community for over two years now, and in my time here, I have felt a little guilty for not reading Twilight. I mean, we’ve all heard about it; people who’ve read it say it’s fantastic and people who haven’t say it’s terrible (Which is odd. Can’t we give the book a chance before we judge the vampires?). Anyway, the time has come, and I have taken the plunge into the world of Bella Swan and her mythical friends.

(PS - Since I know many people have read this series, I’ve decided to combine the reviews for Twilight and New Moon, and the same goes for Eclipse and Breaking Dawn after I read them. Don’t worry, though, both reviews will be spoiler-free just in case.)

Click Here to Read More

Twilight
by Stephenie Meyer

       About three things I was absolutely positive.
       First, Edward was a vampire.
       Second, there was a part of him—and I didn't know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood.
       And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
       In the first book of the Twilight Saga, internationally bestselling author Stephenie Meyer introduces Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, a pair of star-crossed lovers whose forbidden relationship ripens against the backdrop of small-town suspicion and a mysterious coven of vampires. This is a love story with bite.

Goodreads

Book Depository

Amazon

New Moon
by Stephenie Meyer

       I knew we were both in mortal danger. Still, in that instant, I felt well. Whole. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins again. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin. It was like there had never been any hole in my chest. I was perfect - not healed, but as if there had never been a wound in the first place. 
       For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella could ever have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning...

Goodreads

Book Depository

Amazon

Overall Thoughts

• It turns out that Bella and I are the same person. We both are in high school. We both like to read. We’re both owners of old red pickups. The list goes on, but I had no idea we would have so much in common.
• Edward is HILARIOUS. His dry sense of humor made me laugh out loud and added some great depth to his character. (Also the banter between these two characters was great.)

• This one was much slower than it’s predecessor, but it makes sense considering where it’s located in the overall series arc.
• Bella, we get it. You’re sad. GET OVER YOURSELF.
• Yay for Jacob! Even though he is super cute in this book, I’m Team Edward all the way.

Likes

• I like how Bella and Edward grew together slowly. I sometimes think in YA books, the authors force the romance to happen too quickly, but this story felt natural.
• Even though I knew the essential story elements in the series because it is popular, the storyline still surprised me a little. I was not expecting there to be that much drama in the vampire world, but I absolutely loved it!
• Jacob didn’t have a significant role in this first book, but I think it was for the best. I expected a bigger “love triangle” aspect, and I’m glad it focused on Edward and Bella.
• I am usually easily annoyed with the “one true love” trope, but Team Edward captured my heart. It’s apparent they’re supposed to be together despite the obstacles, and it doesn’t ever feel cheesy.

• Alice and Bella are becoming besties, and I love it! Bella needs a BFF in her life, and I think Alice is the right person for the job.
• We got to see more of Jacob in this book! He’s so pure and awkward, and he and Bella fit together perfectly. 
• Hello to the werewolves I thought were going to be introduced in the first book. I can’t wait to see how the "werewolf vs. vampire" conflict comes into play in the second half of the series.

Dislikes

• The plotline wasn’t the best, but this book is built around the characters rather than its plot. But some plot development is appreciated.
• Overall, this book isn’t a great piece of literature; it is supposed to be fun and full of teenage romance. I don’t think this bothered me as much as it should’ve, but my initial expectations were pretty low, so I didn’t mind as much.
• Bella isn’t the strong and independent heroine of today’s YA books, but I can see how she was a predecessor to all our favorite female protagonists. 

• If Twilight had a static plot, then New Moon flatlined. It felt like Bella’s depression went on FOOORRRREEEEVVVVEEEEEERRRR. Lots of people have been telling me that New Moon is by far the slowest, so I can only hope that Eclipse picks back up. 
• Why is Bella so whiney sometimes? As soon as I thought she was over the whining, she had another “episode” of self-pity. It wasn’t so annoying that it took away from the whole book, but I think the story would’ve moved right along without it.
• I didn’t like how Bella felt the need to do a bunch of reckless things to “hear” Edward. SPOILERY DISCUSSION: I thought that since Edward can hear and project thoughts, that he had figured out how to propel his feelings to Bella. I didn’t think this subplot ever had a purpose, so all of the events that contributed to it were unnecessary.

Bonus Thoughts

• I’m waiting to watch all the movies after I finish the books because I have a sharp picture of Forks and the characters in my brain. I don’t want to ruin that by watching the adaptations in between each book. 
• I half read, half listened to these books because my schedule has been hectic and it was awesome! Ilyana Kadushin is forever the voice of Bella, and she did a great job adding life to the story.
• These books are a lot different than what I expected. People (unfairly) bash Twilight all the time, which made my expectations lower than usual for a book. Even though this was the case, I think these expectations made for a great reading experience so far. I can’t wait to keep reading!

---

       Have you read any of the Twilight Saga? Let me know your thoughts on the first half so we can discuss in the comments!

Your newest Twihard,
Ashton

​I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.

― Stephenie Meyer, Twilight