Many people tell me that these books are written for young adults, therefore I am not the core audience. I shouldn't get this book since it is not written for me. Sorry, I don't buy that. I have read many young adult novels and I have NEVER been as nauseated by a bunch of characters in my life. There is not one redeeming quality amongst any of them. They are the most annoying group I have ever had the misfortune of meeting in a book. I would never recommend this book to anyone except for what not to do with character interactions.
The story takes place in a small town and revolves around an uprooted teen. This normally would not be a problem, except that the book is written in first person. When your character is an angst ridden, spoiled, petulant drama queen, this is probably not a good idea. While angst ridden, spoiled, petulant drama queens could identify with Bella, the rest of us are out in the cold. By knowing intimately what is in her head, we are forbidden to have any kind of sympathy for her. If we could have seen her through the eyes of the people who love her, we may have been able to connect to her more.
Normally vampires are not an issue considering they are popping up in all genre's of fiction in today's society. There are many that have girl meets vampire, girl falls in love with vampire, vampire bites girl and has her for lunch story lines that are well written and interesting. This is not one of them. Consider the fact that Edward is a hundred year old vampire. In order for the two main characters to have any connection, he has to act immature. Key word is ACT immature. Unfortunately, the author decided to MAKE him immature. In order to sell the story line of a 17 yr old girl and a 100 yr old vampire being in love, she has made them the same age emotionally. I realize that it takes some men a long time to grow up, but come on, 100 YEARS?
There are a few more characters and interactions, but who really cares? Insert besotted love loser teenage boys name here can't get the girl of his dreams,. insert clueless bimbos name here. They have some kind of cliched interaction and some kind of drama happens out of it. Oh wait! There is one car crash! Sort of....but a knight in a vampire cape shows up and rescues the klutzy drama queen and then they go to chemistry class. Or lunch. It's interchangeable.
I could probably spoil the story line for you, but let's face it. There really isn't one in this book, unless you count the "love" story angle. 17 yr old girls are a mass of hormones. They will fall in love at the drop of a hat, usually with the hat. I remember knowing everything at that age and Bella is true to form. It would be so much more appealing to go on a journey of self discovery with her, if I didn't know what the brainless little dweeb was thinking or not thinking as the case may be.
The movie may or may not be better. I couldn't stomach the thought of going to it considering how much I loathe this book. My review is better written than Twilight and I'm half asleep while writing it. I wish I was fully asleep while I read it. Well, if the goal is to have your work stick in people's heads, I can tell you Stephanie Meyers is an unqualified success in that area. She just may wish it was in a more positive aspect. But given the popularity of the Twilight series, I'm sure she will consider this review briefly and promptly forget about it as soon as she makes another fat deposit in the bank.
