|  | Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
List Price: $10.99
Buy New: $3.61
as of 11/22/2009 23:03 CST details
You Save: $7.38 (67%)
New (241) Used (692) Collectible (5) from $3.45
Seller: abookarama
Rating:  4538 reviews
Sales Rank: 14
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: First Paperback Edition
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 544
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.5
ISBN: 0316015849
EAN: 9780316015844
ASIN: 0316015849
Publication Date: September 6, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 4538
 WHAT is the big deal? November 20, 2009
E. Hibbard (Seattle, WA USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I understand that I might be offending a few people, since a lot of people like this book. But after reading it, I really don't understand what the big deal is. It's very poorly written, especially in comparisons to books that were bestsellers 50-100 years ago (Have any of you Twilight fans ever read Lolita or Great Expectations? That was art worth reading.) I understand that it's supposed to be told through the eyes of a young girl, but the dialog, the descriptions, everything is cheesy and unrealistic. I can't stand it when characters in the books say stuff like: "The only guess I have is that maybe your mind doesn't work the same way the rest of theirs do. Like your thoughts are on the AM frequency and I'm only getting FM." (Edward.) Sorry, but NO ONE talks like that. Okay, maybe a sparkly vampire does... who knows?
Besides the poor writing, the unoriginality of the story is astronomical. How many times have we heard this before? Dozens. Even if you haven't heard of them, they're out there. Even Anne Rice's "Interview with a Vampire" was more enjoyable than this trash.
And no, no one made me read it, this is true. I read it because my sister had said I should give it a try, but from the moment I started, to the moment I finished, I couldn't stand it. I only finished it because I enjoyed disliking it (as strange as it may sound.)
And to anyone who says I couldn't do any better: I can't argue, but I'm not going to say that you're right. There are so many talented people out there that aren't recognized, and then somehow, someone who sucks as much as Meyers does, ends up getting her books on the shelf and making thousands off of crap.
(Sorry to have offended anyone; truly I am.)
Deja Vu anyone? November 19, 2009
CaramelDiva (Ohio)
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Twilight trailers are causing deja vu...wait I know why!! Laurell K. Hamiltion already wrote the adult version
Between the movie trailers and talking with people who had already read Laurell K. Hamiltion's Anita Blake series sounds like Stephanie Meyer's just gave the story a "whitewash" that easily fits in with teenage angst and the unsteady highs and lows of teen hormones.
I can't see myself reading the books, but because I love Sci-Fi and special affects, I guess I will have to give in and watch the movies.
This book draws you in November 18, 2009
E. Irwin (California)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had never planned on reading this book, thinking that it would be too "young adult" and silly but my boyfriend picked it up on sale so I gave it a chance. After the admittedly boring set up was over, I was completely sucked into the book and characters. So, yes, I'm a 30 year old woman and I loved this book.
Now what is also true, interestingly, is that almost all of the negative comments about the book are correct. The writing is not great, it does get a bit sappy at times, Bella is annoying, etc. but I enjoyed it despite all of these things.
I'm not going to do a plot summary or gush over the romance or refute all of the negative comments but I have a few thoughts that I would like to share.
I think that those readers that enjoyed this book were able, with the help of their own imagination and insight, to really step into this world and the character's minds. I don't mean to imply that those who despised the book have zero imagination, but that they were unwilling or unable to make the leap that the author asked of her readers. That being said, a truly great author wouldn't have needed as much help from her readers.
Despite the flaws of the book, the author did create compelling characters in this book and she did tell us gripping story of forbidden love but you do have to do a bit of work for yourself. One reason that I'm convinced that this is true is that, after reading Twilight and New Moon, I went on to read Midnight Sun off of her website. MS is part of the story of Twilight from Edward's perspective. As I read that piece, nothing about Edward surprised me. Only his actions outside of Bella's presence and the exact moment he realized he loved her were new to me. Somehow the author had conveyed to me Edward's character through Bella's eyes in Twilight and I was right there with her on Edward's motivations as they are revealed in Midnight Sun. A completely incompetent author wouldn't have been able to do even that. However, as I alluded to before, I did my own analysis of Edward and some character development of my own but it was all based on information that the author had provided. I worked within her framework and understood where she was going. I believe this is what others consciously or unconsciously did when they read the book and found that they enjoyed it.
With regards to the annoyance that the love story comes out of no where, I would argue that all epic loves seem to come out of no where. Romeo and Juliet fall in love for absolutely no reason. Even Elizabeth and Darcy's love is random. Darcy hates everything about Elizabeth (her family, her situation, the country) and then all of a sudden she has fine eyes and she's witty and he's violently in love with her. Now, obviously, the feel of Pride and Prejudice is much different and Jane Austen (the wonderful writer that she is) walks us through everything much better but all of her love stories include people who fall in love each other without much basis. That's just how love works sometimes.
In addition, some people tend to take these books far too seriously. To me the author is just telling a good story, not unlike some of the fanciful stories I told myself in my youth, without regard to any over arching message. I also don't believe that these are actually young adult books at all and I suspect that the author didn't really write them to be. It is the publishers who categorize books not necessarily the authors. The writing in the book is at the YA level but the subject matter is clearly not. These books say something completely different to adults than they do to adolescents.
So for whatever reason it is important to me to defend this much at least: the book is not utterly devoid of value and that those of us who enjoyed it are not all easily amused teenagers.
Bottom line: those of us who were able to meet her half way were able to appreciate what she accomplished despite her amateurish writing ability.
 There are better ways to kill brain cells... November 17, 2009
Sacha (Somewhere)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but it's the truth.
TWILIGHT IS THE MOST POORLY WRITTEN BOOK I'VE EVER READ.
It has absolutely NO plot whatsoever. Additionally, both the characters and events are unbelievable. I understand that it's a fantasy, but, come on, even fantasy books have to be slightly believable, or at least have believable characters.
The main character, Bella Swan, is incredibly stupid and seems to brain-dead, as she trips or gets hurt in some way every other page! Isn't she great?
The other main character, Edward Cullen, is even more unbelievable. He is not only perfect in every single way, but a vampire to boot! But, instead of burning up in the sun, he sparkles!!!!111!!!1
After they've known each other for about 2 days, they fall instantly in love, for the most shallow reasons!
When Bella is about to be killed by the "bad guy" Edward comes and saves her!
It's true love!
Sorry, Stephanie Meyer, not gonna work.
This book has plot wholes galore. I'm not even sure if it can be counted as a book. It reads more like a diary, as it describes EVERY SINGLE thing that Bella does EVERY SINGLE day. I don't really care about what happened in biology class, or where Bella sat during lunch, or how hot Edward looked today, thank you very much.
As, previously mentioned, Bella is INCREDIBLY stupid and shallow. She takes it as compliment when she finds out that Edward not only stalks her, but breaks into her house every night and watches her sleep. And, when she finds out that Edward is a vampire, she isn't scared at all. Not one bit. As long as he's beautiful and perfect, she's in love with him.
"Twilight" doesn't even have a real climax. It's never really explained why James wants to eat Bella other than "she smells good". Wait a second....isn't that exactly why Edward loves her? I think it is! Yet, James is labeled as the "bad guy" and, of course, must be killed on the spot. Makes perfect sense, right?
If you want to kill a few brain cells, I think Twilight is the best option. I know, I'm probably going to get tons of down-ratings by angry fan girls, but please, at least listen to what I've just spent 15 minutes typing.
(And advice on how to write better reviews would be very helpful; I'm new to this kind of stuff.)
-Sacha, 13 years old, Edward-hater forever
 Twilight BOOK! November 16, 2009
Amanda M. Shipton
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
The book arrived in EXECELLENT CONDITION! Would definitely recommend this buyer! Shipping could have been a little faster though, but other than that it was okay!
Showing reviews 6-10 of 4538
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