Spoilery Book Reviews

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Back of book

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.

When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

What Bella doesn'trealise is that the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself andthose around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back...

My thoughts

Disclaimer to starting this review: I like this book, and the entire series. I babbled about it more in my previous review, however it must be mentioned because it severely impacts my ability to critically review the book. This was probably my 20th time reading the book and I've never had to think so hard about it, but here we go.

The falling in love sequence is shoddy. It doesn't feel natural, or flow well. One moment Bella and Edward are strangers who had a rude first meeting and next moment they spend every possible second together declaring how much they love each other: "You are my life now.". I guess it makes sense from the point of view of getting a crush on the idea of a person, someone you don't actually know (been there, done that). Yet I expect when reading a book written in a first person POV, to also fall in love, and I kinda didn't (disregarding my already established love for Edward).

It felt like there was a lot of dialogue, moreso than for a normal book? Perhaps this stands out to me more because I've recently been reading fantasy and so many things happen the characters rarely have time to chit chat. A lot of the dialogue scenes were about getting-to-know-you, yet their love arc still seemed rushed and forceful.

The one other gripe I could come up with for the book, was some of the descriptors felt a bit overused. The one that bugged me the most was comparing the Cullens to runway models, looking as though they should be on a magazine cover or in an advert for something. Those kinds of descriptors didn't help me imagine their beauty or otherness, instead distracted me from the immediate scene. Other overused descriptors were marble, granite and white (oh god the rant I could have about the constant reminder of their whiteness).

In conclusion, I'm not sure I'd recommend this book. As a young teenager (edit: first read the series as an 11yo) I absolutely loved it, so perhaps there is something that appeals to younger readers. As a romance book I feel it lacks build-up of chemistry and there are more gripping and swoon-worthy romances out there. As a vampire/fantasy book it is also lacking, because it's set in a modern-day high school with the barest hint of suspense and intrigue to give it mysterious draw-in. One aspect of a vampire book that probably draws people in is the different way they live their life. Other than going through high school more than necessary for absolutely no reason (and they all seem to really hate it), these vampires aren't living a unique life, just a spoilt rich one. If you loved Twilight, that's great. If you hated it, I can totally understand that too.

TL:DR

Twilight is an average book with pacing issues and little 'wow' factoror uniqueness. The overarching concepts can come across as bland (boring lovestory + boring vampire theme does not = stunning book) but all that aside Istill love it.