When I first heard of the book Twilight, I read the plot and found myself not as interested so I let it go. Before long, I heard the movie was coming out and I knew I had to get myself to read the book before seeing the movie, knowing I would end up watching it.
So when my book finally came in the mail, it took me awhile to actually sit down and get myself to read it knowing that I mostly knew the outline of the story because it was a bit obvious with the movie coming out and all.
When I started it went pretty good, I read a few chapters without stopping and I was able to put the book down. When I decided I wanted to start again, I couldn't stop reading it.
I had to know what was going through Bella's mind as she fell in love with the vampire, Edward. I could imagine what they look looked like, every scene, and every detail. I loved how detail oriented she was, like myself I can't help, but explain every detail because it only added to the importance of the story! I was so intrigued with every word and scene, I found it very hard to put down the book, but I had to sleep being in college summer school and all, plus work! I was already half way through the book and decided to buy New Moon the second book to the saga, hoping it would come before i finished.
Then it hit me when I continued to read, I was going to finish this book today, in a short few hours. I wanted to stop so I would be able to continue with New Moon, but knowing myself, once intrigued by a book, there was NO stopping and that was exactly what happened, I couldn't believe it, I finished it all in approximately a day, a new recored for such a big book. I was upset, I had to wait for my next book to be shipped, so I canceled my book and got the ebook (reading it this way was hard because its not as easy to lounge around with a laptop on your lap and according to my friends it was harder for them to concentrate looking at a bright screen, but I was fine and brave through it) and I also found myself not being able to stop and I had to get Eclipse (3rd book) and Breaking Dawn (4th book) ebook style.
So in other words, I LOVED all four books, some a little less, but nonetheless extremely satisfied with Stephenie Meyer and her imagination. I was an immediate fan for LIFE for Bella and Edward! Also I could understand why some people found the last book disappointing because they had to wait and anticipated and assume what would happen, but because I read all 4 in four days ( I know, I'm crazy =]) I knew exactly where she was going at and know finding myself wanting to re-read every book, but maybe the old fashion way, on paper!
For people who felt she was giving young girls a wrong impression, I got none and I'm 20 years old, I knew this was fantasy and imagined myself within that fantasy and not relating to the real world about the ideas, except I wouldn't mine finding myself a vampire like Edward, but we all know this isn't true and just for fun. So live a little and just let yourself get lost in this world. (well try not to be like me, I'm sure it's not healthy to read all 4 books in short periods of time since they are long!) I never write book reviews, and I found it within myself, that I MUST back up Stephenie Meyer and all her fans, and I'm glad I did. Hate all you want (bad reviewers, 1 star? come on!), but I am utterly in LOVE with this WHOLE saga and world!

This book is not a lot of things: linguistically complex, rich in description, full of well-developed characters. Lovers of vampire lore will find that it is not particularly dark or detailed - Meyer seems more interested in the way being a vampire might affect your relationships than any other aspect of the myth. On the other hand, it's very fun to read.

This book might not meet any definition of masterpiece: it would be fair to call the narrative simplistic and the style is meant for teenagers, and it's meant to entertain, not to challenge. The plot is not hard to follow or hard to predict. The characters are fairly one-dimensional, especially the minor characters such as the mother and father and the "ordinary" friends at school.

And yet, this is one of the literary confections I have most enjoyed in recent years. The metaphor for teenage love is apt: what teenager has not fallen recklessly for someone who clearly might hurt her? What teenager doesn't seem, at times, ravenous for destruction and a risk to himself and those he loves the most? As metaphors for different kinds of transformation, vampires and werewolves are very powerful.

It's light reading, to be sure, five hundred pages of Meyer's book fly by faster than fifty of a Jane Austen novel I recently read. More story could have been condensed into the pages, but to what end? I enjoyed how she lingered indulgently on moments that are meant to be satisfying and titillating.

Is this about inspiring young women? Does it need to be? The protagonist of this book is caught up in the events around her: rather than seeking adventure, she finds she has attracted it. She rises to the occasion in a believable way for a teenager, but she's not meant to be exceptionally gifted. She's good at biology and she's a loner, but she's not a hero figure. Her talent if any, is balancing two realities - something many children from divorced families know how to do well.

And that should be enough. There is something very pleasurable about the idea that you might be whisked away from ordinary life by coincidence or destiny. Having a heroine who is outspoken or remarkable shouldn't be a requirement for young adult reading. Some characters get to stumble into great lives, just like in adult fiction.

The character of Edward is more extraordinary and more noteworthy both - and for good reason - the revelation of his existence and the unraveling of his mystery are the real drivers of the plot. Full of self-restraint, he harkens back to characters in 19th-century novels. He is in control and represents the ideal of a man who can act for selfless reasons even while racked with selfish desires.

Is this an exaggeration? Of course. But it's a brilliant insight into a teenage (and adult) fantasy: to have a lover both young (seventeen) and mature (he's been alive for a lot longer); someone who is passionately in love with you and yet must express himself in the quaintest, most innocent ways. It may be ground well-covered, but it's ground that has been well-covered for a reason: it's a very appealing fantasy. Meyer picked an excellent and evocative premise when she chose the idea of a teenage vampire in love with a human girl, and she deserves credit for making the most of that premise.

With all this having been said, I feel obligated to note, I am a reader of romance novels and a lover of romantic comedies who enjoys stories that strike an emotional nerve and fulfill a fanstasy even if they do so at expense of realism, artistic vision, or meaningful depth. I know that it matters more, in some cases, how well a story meets my expectations for it than how well it is written. Great prose can also disappoint you with an usatisfying ending and still be worth reading. Really masterful prose can lack a beginning or ending and still be worth reading. But sometimes as readers, we'll trade a certain amount of quality for a happy ending.

As a fulfillment of a fantasy of being considered mysterious by someone mysterious, being drawn into a world that is unique and apart from the banal, being singled out as special - this book is magnificent.

When I originally heard about this series, I was like cool another Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But instead there is this insipid girl risking her life for so called love. The casual way she risk her life is misleading and dangerous, I was totally underwhelmed. I literally read the book out of stubborness and boredom but I was repulsed by the simpleness of Bella. To me it seems to encourage suicide.

Make sure you have a lot of time to read because once you start, it's hard to stop. I didn't think it would be as good as it was...If you are looking for something besides pure entertainment then maybe this isn't really what you want. It is pure fun to read.

My son read twilight last year and I wanted to see what he was reading so I went and bought the book. I am a sucker for sappy romance but this is 10 times better - no 100 times better. It is a romance with a twist! I loved the book so much I read for 2 days and then had to get the second book. I would definatly suggest this series as one that HAS to be read!

Yes, I'm one of those people who got sucked into the hype. I love reading fantasy/cheesy romance books as much as the classics: vampires, werewolves, witches, aliens, whatever. I'll read them. However, in this case, I have never disliked a book as much as Twilight. Bella, the "heroine," has no hobbies, dreams, goals, or desires outside of Edward Cullen the vampire. She is extremely clumsy: she trips, falls, breaks bones, and bruises constantly. I don't find it endearing nor human as the author attempts to portray her; it's like she has some nerve problem where her brain doesn't know how to coordinate. However, she does have one like and it's to read. I'd suggest that she pick up "Jane Eyre" and really pay attention. Bella is the anti-independent woman. She doesn't want to do anything but be with Edward and become a vampire so they could live forever. At the wrinkly old age of 17 she is terrified of out-aging Edward, who is perpetually 17. Their relationship isn't romantic - it's unhealthy. They're obsessed with one another. Bella "falls in love" with a beautiful face and she's willing to give up her entire family, friends, life, and soul just to be with him for eternity. How selfless! Also, lover-boy Edward is the same way: he's only in love with her smell. Smell! Edward is just as bad of a character as Bella. He's perfect, gorgeous, uninteresting, perfect, boring, and perfect. All he talks about is how much he loves Bella, he'd do anything for her, and about how perfect he is. Did I mention he's perfect? These two are extremely immature and stupid. For someone who is 110 years old or so, Edward is pretty vapid. Actually, these two are perfect (!) for one another.

The author reuses words/adjectives as if there are only 100 words in the English vocabulary. Bella sighs, grimaces, cringes, and smiles; while Edward sighs, grimaces, cringes, gives a crooked smile, and growls. Meyers describes his smile as "crooked" just about once per page; the intense repetition almost sent me on a killing spree! And instead of burning and dying in the sun, vampires glitter. Yes, they glitter in the sunlight. Oh Nosferatu, if only you had glittered! Ellen would have let you live!

Furthermore, the first 400 pages (about 500 total) is nothing but slow moving dialogue with a pointless ending. Instead of immediately killing the vampire James who wants to kill Bella, it turns into a huge and pointless wild goose-chase. Of course, Edward and his family save Bella just in time before she dies and turns into a vampire, to her utter dismay. At the end, there was no character progression and they were all static. The argument that "THIS IS A FANTASY!!1!ONE! LEAVE MEYER ALONE!!111!" is not good enough. Genre does not transcend logical decisions and actions.

I should've stuck with Bram Stoker and Anne Rice if I wanted a good vampire story.

I wanted to like this book. For one thing, it came highly recommended by reputable reader-friends (sorry guys, nothing personal). It took me a good 200 pages to even realize that I didn't like it, but as the pages slipped by, so did this book's potential to tell a convincing, complex and emotionally-gripping story.

I didn't mind the slow start. Bella Swan's teenage over-reaction that "the world is going to end, or at least suck for a while" when she moves from Phoenix to Forks, WA was a familiar yet believable theme for a young adult book. I forgave her silly name and her paralyzing (literally) clumsiness. For a while.

Then Bella discovers the attractive, standoffish, teenage vampire clique. Don't get me wrong, I knew there would be vampires. I had hoped they would bring some intrigue, interesting character interaction, and a few creative supernatural twists to the mix. I was wrong: Edward, the main vampire/love interest must be the most blatant example of author-male fantasy insertion in a story I have ever read--the way his beauty is praised ad-nauseum, as is his ability to out-play/perform/karate/run etc. every mortal/immortal on the planet in any game/sport/musical instrument/hand-to-hand combat/race etc. certainly attests to that. Edward and his (almost) equally Hollywood Hot family are less creatures of the night, and more a blend of Greek god and barbie doll whose baseball games are confused for thunderstorms by us mortals. They are also apparently perpetual high school students, moving to schools every few years to keep anyone from catching on. Is this consistent with Meyer's view of noble "vegetarian" vampires who only want to alleviate the mortal misery of their weak human neighbors? With Dr. Carlisle the one notable exception, I can't quite suspend my disbelief that a hundred years would NOT be enough time to fake your age, get into law school, med school, the foreign service branch of the state department...(or at least use certain inherent skills to become pool boys or tennis instructors).

All this was mildly irritating, but what really brought the star-count down for me was that this book had so much potential to challenge my perception of the world, to make me think. I kept reading because I expected there to be a twist...not a "gotcha" moment, but one where the characters grow too big for the box they've been placed in, where they become bold and try to deal with their issues. I wanted to Bella to challenge the emotionally manipulative hold Edward has on her. I wanted Edward to fail at something and discover humility, and even have to rely on Bella for a change. I wanted Bella and Edward to discover that there are consequences for misinterpreting an attraction based scent/beauty for one based on communication, compromise, and time. I kept reading, sure that something complex and meaningful would happen...

I hope I don't spoil anything when I say that the characters start off in the shallow end, and end up in the pool parking lot. When the action finally started at around pg 400, all I could think of was what one of the robots on Mystery Science Theater 3000 sarcastically remarked during a B-movie that was being thoroughly panned: "And the reason this part works so well is that we care about the characters!" If a random "bad guy" is suddenly going to appear at the end of a book and try to kill one of the main characters for no apparent reason, I want to at least care about them!

Finally, a brief note on the writing itself. I thought some of the mood-setting description was pretty well done, and honestly didn't notice anything truly jarring until after the appearance of Edward. Suddenly, cliches like "a carved statue", "an Adonis", "his angel face" surface at least every page or so, as do numerous purple descriptions of eye color meant to substitute for character depth. Over-dramatic facial expressions abound, especially in the more intimate moments: grimaced, shuddered, gaped, glared. And finally, the awkward dialog tags. Characters "demand", "chuckle", "mutter bleakly", but never "say" anything unless they say it "harshly", "quietly" or "tenderly". The line '"Yes", she agreed' made me laugh out loud. All these "little" things, once I started noticing them, made the character's actions seem even more inconsequential and ridiculous.

Bottom line: obviously this isn't literature, but neither is it a thought-provoking or even "fun" frivolous read. There just isn't any substance there to care about, no challenge, just a pretty boy and a "good-smelling" girl who needs to be rescued half a dozen times. Some other reviews have compared this book to fan-fiction, and I think that's a fair assessment. I've written overwrought fan-fiction in my time, complete with the "seagreen eyes" and "nymphlike shoulders" but that doesn't mean everyone's wish-fullfillment fantasy needs to blow into a doorstop of a book.

For a more convincing and complex approach to the violence and passion inflicted by one man's uncanny sense of smell, try Patrick Suskind's book Perfume.

All the fuss over this book was really making me curious to read it for myself. Romance is not my thing, but my curiosity wouldn't let me ignore the buzz. Killing some time as I was waiting to be seated at Olive Garden, I walked to a Borders Books in the same shopping center. In front of the store was a table dedicated to Twilight and the sequels. I gave in to my curiosity and decided to buy it. As I waited in the car for the restaurants pager to go off I started reading. Turned out my pager was dead so I got about 100 pages in. I guess I read close to another 50 later on that night. At this point I was totally baffled why this book was so successful. My journal entry for that day read "She is far from being the best writer in the world as some people are claiming. The whole premise is kind of silly. I'm not sure how much longer the book can go on before it is ridiculous."

Having just finished the book I agree with myself. The book is very cliché and predictable. Bella's name should be Mary Sue. I definitely feel the authors self insertion. Why doesn't Bella have any aspirations or dreams for her future? She acts like a house wife in the making. For being the main character her development is rather shallow. Besides being infatuated with Edward the only hobby she has is reading. How many times do we need a stock character that can't see her own beauty, has a man think for her, in love at first sight, pursued a male who has a secret, or is a damsel in distress? Young girls are swooning over Edward. Is he really someone you want a young girl to swoon over? He stalks and breaks in to watch Bella sleep. What 100+ person would even want to be around a teenager let alone date one? Supposedly he has hunted and eaten people, but he is 100+ year old virgin because he wouldn't have sex with someone he didn't love. Not to mention that he claimed he could accidently crush the person. Wouldn't he rather crush someone he had a one night stand with then a loved one? He could have a snack after too.

One thing that stood out when I was only 150 pages in was how everyone was depicted as beautiful. Pretty much the only people who weren't, the old lady in the book store and Bella's almost rapist. By using the Amazon search inside feature I found that she refers to how beautiful everyone is 50 times. That's a lot considering how thin the plot is. In a nutshell the book is, I hate the rain and Edward is a hot vampire. Eyes are also over mentioned. The word appears 293 times. Most of the sentences in the book start with "I..." It's like reading a diary of ditsy teeny bopper.

Up to page 375 there is hardly any action. This action ends on page 451. With 498 pages you think there would be more the 47 pages of something happening. This book should not have gone over the 200 page mark. Even with trimming off 300 pages there would still be a lot of filler.

Fans tell those who aren't drooling over the books to not take the book so seriously or to not suspect much from a young adult book. Have these fans not heard of C.S Lewis? Why can only Twilighties write a serious review? People read reviews to learn the good and the bad points. Not to mention criticism helps a writer grow.

Even though this was definitely not my favorite book my curiosity will drive me to read the rest of the series. I don't think the book is worthy of the fuss it gets, but there is something about it that makes me want to see how the story will unfold.

***Of course there are spoilers below, sorry!***

OK, so after hearing about this book for ages, after having dozens of friends recommend it to me and hearing them laud it as the "next Harry Potter", I decided to pick up Twilight. Some quick background info on me (not really important, but just so you see where I'm coming from): I'm female, in my early 20's, LOVE fantasy and YA, LOVED BTVS and ANGEL w/ a fiery passion. Anyways, so I, and many others who know me, figured I'd love this book to pieces. Just finished reading it, and frankly, I thought it was horrible. The issues I have w/ this book are plentiful, and, this late into the game, have likely been discussed in other reviews, so to be brief (ok, not that brief):

1) Bella is the worst protagonist ever. She is the typical "Mary Sue" character (a quick glance at 1 star reviews also mention this, so I won't go into definitions of what a Mary Sue is). She's a big city girl coming to live in a small town where everyone knows her name and wants to be her friend. Guys line up and actually fight for the "privilege" to take her to a dance, yet she dismisses these friendly advances as annoyances. Her only flaw is that she's hopelessly clumsy, but even this isn't really a flaw since it makes her endearing and provides ample opportunity for a dashing man to sweep her off her feet. Oh, and this happens often. My main beef w/ Bella is that, as a main character, she does absolutely nothing to resolve the main conflict. In my opinion, this is a big no-no, especially in YA literature. Protags should be the one to resolve the conflict and not rely on other characters so heavily to do so. Bella is the quintessential "damsel in distress" who seem to only exist to get into grave peril so her dashing man can rescue her. In a world of strong YA protags who make heavy, sometimes life altering decisions to resolve a conflict, this is such a cop-out. Bella is just a victim and I would have had more respect for her is she had found a way to outsmart the villain and save herself. Bella herself says it best, she is the perpetual Lois Lane, and there's a reason why Lois never starred in her own movie/show! (now, don't get me wrong, I'm not some zealous feminist that hates this archetype, I feel that characters like these can serve a purpose in a well written story, just not as a protag/MC)

2) Edward is unbelievably boring. For a mysterious "creature of the night", Edward is an incredibly dull "Gary Stu". He's perfect in every way: perfect looks; super powerful; perfect looks; super fast; perfect looks; can play the piano like freaking Mozart; perfect looks; sparkles like a giant diamond engagement ring in the sun; perfect looks; is, for some absurd, mostly chemical, reason, completely devoted to Bella; and oh, he has perfect looks. Meyer seems to think it is important to mention his beauty, his perfection, his angelic, Adonis-like, model looks on a VERY regular basis (I swear, it was mentioned almost every other paragraph in one chapter). He's so oh-my-gosh beautiful, Bella literally faints every time he even touches her (but that's ok, it gives him yet another excuse to sweep her off her feet!). We get very little about his past (should I hope to see more of this in the sequels?) even though we get an entire chapter, really, almost 1.5 chapters, on the origins of Carlisle, a vampire who plays a minor role in this story. His mood changes rapidly from anger to condescending, back to anger, to undying devotion, exasperation, then, again, back to anger w/ a bit of mockery. Other than his mostly chemical attraction (and really, it is mostly chemical. Bella seems to let off some sort of exotic smell that makes vamps go wild), little is known about him, about what drives him to do the things he does.

3) Sparkling vampires? Look, I know vampires have been done in all forms of media for decades and I appreciate some originality. But really, vampires that sparkle in the sunlight? Meyer gives us no reason why they should sparkle, doesn't explain how this works, really, just uses it has some vague excuse why the vamps can't go out in bright sunlight. So overall, besides the drinking human blood aspect, which can obviously be overcome, there is no disadvantage whatsoever to becoming a vampire. You remain young and oh-my-gosh beautiful for eternity, become super fast and strong, get cool powers like telepathy, clairvoyance, and, well, whatever it is Jasper has, drive around in luxury cars, and basically, other than a troublesome Native American tribe, can live the good life. I would have FAR more respect for this book if the vamps were hideous in daylight, or if they couldn't go out in daylight at all, but really, sparkly, glittery, diamond like vampires? It's like stuffing every teen girl/woman's fantasies (looks, wealth, diamonds, power, everlasting youth) into a dull boring package. Despite my complaints about the vampires, I do like the characters of Alice and Jasper, Jasper because he seems to actually struggle with his choice to abstain from human blood, and Alice because of her spunky attitude and her mysterious past that was partially reveled in the end (I'd love to read more about Alice)

4) The conflict doesn't kick in until the end. Yes, thanks to Alice, we get a lot of foreshadowing, but even this doesn't come until later. The main conflict w/ the other vamps could have been woven in much earlier into the story.

5) The overall writing is blah. First off, 1st person is very, very tough to pull off properly, and, in my opinion, this story would have been much better in a tight 3rd person POV. I think this story suffers from this point of view is because Bella is just plain boring who is ineffectual as a main character. I know she's supposed to be the normal, everyday girl thrown into a wild predicament, but her voice is just plain boring and at times, snobby and superficial. Another issue I have is the number of times Meyer uses a hyphen to break up a train of thought, which, in the beginning chapters, is very annoying. The characters are all mostly one dimensional, some border 2-D, none are fully fleshed out. Rosalie, one of the vamps, is just described as oh-my-gosh beautiful and jealous of Bella (*cough cough, Mary Sue alert, cough*), and little else is done with her, indeed, we only hear her speak a couple of measly lines in the whole book, which is sad because it would be nice to know exactly why she feels about Bella the way she does. All the human characters besides Bella are 1-D stock characters that the author (and Bella) could care less about.

In conclusion, not a great book in my opinion, though I was intrigued by the conflict of Bella wanting to become a vampire. It's such an immature request, but that's why I liked it, because it was a way to remind the readers that Bella, is in fact a child tossed into a relationship with a much older boyfriend, a child who doesn't quite understand what she has gotten herself into or the potential consequences. The only time I ever liked Edward in this whole book was when he refused her request, despite the benefits to their relationship. A truly selfless act that sadly doesn't excuse the 450+ pages of drivel that came before it.

I will read the next book, not only because I'm the type of person that must finish whatever series I begin, not only because I truly want to see what the hype about this series is, but mostly because I hope that the flaws in this first book are remedied later in the series, hope the characters gain more dimensions, hope to learn more about Alice and see Jasper wrestle more w/ abstinence. And while I know Twilight is Meyer's first novel, it just doesn't excuse the excessive faults I found w/ this book. The next "Harry Potter" this is not, and frankly, there are other, far better written YA books out there that deserve more fanfare than what Twilight is getting

I didn't think i would like this book (even though it was constantly suggested to me on Amazon) because i never was a "vampire" fan.

I was completely wrong, and if you are trying to decide whether or not to get the book and read it, JUST DO IT.
Trust me.

i loved this book and for me it should have ended here. SM killed the series with Breaking Dawn.

I remember easily how it felt when I first read Twilight in June 2007. The book had already been out for quite some time, and a friend referred it to me knowing that I was intrigued by vampires. This book had me interested by the end of the first chapter, and hooked by Port Angeles. I've recommended this book to all of my friends, and the 5 that has read it, enjoyed it.

Maybe Stephanie Meyer isn't the next Shakespeare or Anne Rice, but I think her series has a charm all of its own. I admit that Twilight is my guilty pleasure, because it isn't the most profound thing I've read literature wise, but I can't put the books down. I'm reading them for a second time, because it is easy to immerse yourself in a world that you can relate to. I live in Washington, I'm clumsy, and I am a hopeless romantic. The relationship Edward and Bella have is something that I think everyone wants out of life, a love that transcends all boundaries. Even though he has a "natural" urge to kill this girl, Edward finds himself more enthralled to protect her because she is to him everything he's never had. He's been alone so long, and he finds in her something extraordinary because she is unlike anyone he has met. I think that we all, deep down inside, strive to feel like Bella does when he tells her he loves her: Lucky.
The sad thing about most of the people who don't like these books is that they have let themselves become jaded. I don't know anyone personally who doesn't like Twilight, and I could see why they may not enjoy how the story is written, but it's sad to be so critical of such a beautiful story. What more to life is there than love? Pure love, something so rare? To deny the very instincts imbedded in your body to love someone that is "taboo" by your society's standards? Their relationship is about trust, because they both have many things to lose if anything goes wrong.
I recently heard of a group on Amazon that is trying to protest the last book of this series, and I think it's ridiculous. They think that Stephanie Meyer's is trying to send a political message through her story
of Edward and Bella, and yet it seems like only people who are overly critical are the ones who support that theory. I believe most people in Bella's shoes would do the same thing, and while I won't ruin the story for anyone who hasn't read it, I think it's incredibly childish for people to return the book because they don't like how it's written. Would you return Titanic because you wanted a happy ending? Would you take back the Bible because you don't agree with its content? Would you get pissed by The Notebook because it doesn't end like the movie? No.
Why protest a book that so encourages people who never read to pick up a book and do so? Or to give people like myself, who normally read things like Jordan and Brown and Austen, a break from a ramble of words to a clear and concise story of pure love? It's simple, and simple is beautiful.

I have read all 4 books in this series and I would not recommend them to anyone. I am 36 yrs old and this series is for the young adult crowd so maybe I am too old to enjoy it. I found the main character Bella so annoying I had a hard time reading the books. The story took a strange direction in the last book (I thought way too out there for teens). I read the books because I saw a preview for the Twilight movie which I hope is not as bad as the books. I recommend checking them out from your local library before you waste your money. Just a side note- this is the only time I have ever written a review about books or anything, that is how bad I thought the books were.

Awful. At times it read like fanfiction, most memorably a scene where Edward (super hunky vampire love interest) shows off his powers to Bella (self-insert awkward bookworm protagonist who all the boys at school want). Or the scene where Bella goes to watch the vampire family play baseball and they hit the ball SO HARD and then Edward runs SO FAST to catch it. And Edward drives a really nice car and he drives it SO FAST but he never crashes because he's so smooth.

The book has a passable setup and a passable ending, but there are 300 pages in the middle of intolerably bad "romance". There's a painfully bad scene where Edward and Bella aks one another if they've ever 'done it... you know...'. (Of course he hasn't even though he's 109 years old, he has never wanted to be with any girl before he met Bella).

It's like the author read Interview With A Vampire and thought 'This book would be great if it didnt have all the sex and violence!' I at first blamed the sanitized writing style on the fact that it's aimed at teens, but I can recall reading far less childish material in my youth.

At several points I almost quit reading the book, which is rare for me. I only soldiered on in the vain hope that a heavily alluded to plot twist was going to pay off.

Twilight was a really outstanding written book,Stephanie really made you feel as they felt.The plot was excellent,each character had there own defined personality.I was on the edge of my seat constantly.So that's why i am highly recommend this book for all readers.

I love this book!!!I have not read any books as intresting and not being able to put it down in years! I have read all 4 books and I have to say it is the best series I have ever read in my life! Thanks Stephenie!!!

This book was beautiful from the first page all the way to the last.
I love Stephanie's writing stile & her characters, although creations of fiction feel like they could be real people. If you get this book, get the others from the series, definitely worth adding to your home book collection.

i have never read a book and lost all track of time and place because, i was so interested. i think everyone should read this book

"Twilight" is basically a vampire themed love story - kind of like Romeo and Juliet with fangs. :) While the book is directed towards young adult readers, it's definitely worth reading for all ages. The story boils down to a romance between a young girl and a boy who turns out to be a vampire. While the backdrop of the story is fictional, it does deal with themes relevant to any teenager: love, family, friends, relationships, and high school, with all of its concerns. The story takes place in a small town in the North West and in Arizona (Phoenix???). "Twilight" starts off with the main character of the story (Bella) moving from Arizona to a small town where her father lives. While at her new school, she comes in contact with Edward, the boy with whom she falls in love. Without giving away too many details, the story revolves around their complex relationship that stems from the fact that he is a vampire. In a way, it's a story about forbidden love.

I love vampire stories, and naturally, I couldn't help but compare the novel to others in the genre. Unlike Anne Rice and Poppy Z. Brite, "Twilight" is completely devoid of questionable acts of sexuality (don't get me wrong... I love most of Anne Rice's work and some of Poppy Z. Brit's stuff). "Twilight" does lack the depth of other vampire novels, like those written by Anne Rice. There is no "wheels- within-wheels" plot, and you aren't pulled into some lush and lavishly created place in the past. It's simply a modern story in a small town that could be anywhere. There is no real "excitement" until the end of the story, and then it's nearly impossible to put the book down. The ending is really great.

I would recommend this book to people that like vampire stories, and would like something without so much overt and over-the-top sexuality. The ending of the book more than makes up for the lack of much excitement in the earlier parts, which are filled with the day to day problems of a young high school girl. I, myself, can't wait to read more novels in the series, and I look forward to seeing the movie adaptation this year.

I was apprehensive after reading the negative reviews. I'll agree that Meyer spends a lot of time telling us how perfect Edward is over and over again...but I honestly didn't notice until I was 300 pages in. Then I went...oh yeah..that does kind of get old. With that said, the intensity and the passion completely had me hooked. Oh...and I'm 37 ;) I read the book in two days (only because work interrupted me). I would have read it straight through otherwise. Huge Anne Rice fan so I wasn't sure how I'd take to this but it is a love story first and foremost. Magical chemistry is a severe understatement. I cannot wait for the movie. Oh..and going to buy the rest of the saga now.

Twilight outlined for me two different meanings of the word Fantasy. Being a fan of JK Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Susanna Clarke, et al, I bought the book expecting "imaginative fiction featuring especially strange settings and grotesque characters." I'm sorry but Forks, or the description of Forks does not necessarily transport me to another world. And as for Edward and his family, how many ways can you say they were perfect? Seraphic, Adonis-like, a Greek God, a model, chiseled chest, good at everything, etc.

But I can see how it would be popular. It does cater to another meaning of the word Fantasy. As in, "the power or process of creating especially unrealistic or improbable mental images in response to psychological need ; also : a mental image or a series of mental images (as a daydream) so created ." This is the fantasy of an unremarkable girl from the big city who moves to a small town where she is suddenly every boy's dream. And surprise, surprise, the most mysterious and good-looking of all falls for her, too! Every time the klutz and the coolest boy in high school walk together EVERYONE stares at them. And, oh joy, she is even welcomed into his family, the coolest, most exclusive club in all of Forks.

I took out 1.5 stars out of five because in half of the book Bella and Edward did nothing but talk talk talk. The other 1.5 I took out because I was horrified at what kind of relationship this book was promoting.

"I'm the world's best predator, aren't I? Everything about me invites you in -- my voice, my face, even my smell... As if you could outrun me."

- Bella, who has never dated before, is going out with a much much older man.

- On the first date, she felt compelled to lie to her father and friends about where she was.

- Bella is constantly being saved by Edward. In the book's high point, it is Edward that puts Bella in danger and then has to save her.

- We are never clearly told what Bella brings into the relationship. Only that he can't read her mind, that she smells floral and that her clumsiness is somehow endearing. It seems to me Edward started dating in the wrong era.

- Bella is being constantly reminded that she could get killed. So of course this attracts her even more. Oh, you do know how to play the "I'm not good enough for you" card, Edward.

So a clearly older, dangerous man is attracted to a helpless, hapless teenager who seems to have no hobbies nor interests of her own, has almost no parental supervision and has no deep friendships (neither in Phoenix nor in Forks). Oh, and he spies on her while she sleeps and can also deliver her truck to her no matter where she lost her keys.

This book may as well be titled, "How to find a willing victim: the sexual predator's guide to hunting."

I leave two stars because I am always in awe of authors anyway. Stephenie Meyer has done a good job in getting people to read. And, if she really wanted to, she could write a compelling piece. My reading kicked into high gear when Bella was being hunted by some wild vampires. She was still insipid as ever, being carried everywhere, but the family/pack seemed to get a bit more exciting in trying to protect her.

Also, wow, that's a really good cover.

I initially read this book to see what the hoopla was all about. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I believe that any woman could appreciate the story of a young girl (17) and her first love. Sure, our first loves were not vampires, but that doesn't make it any less nostalgic. Stephenie Meyer did a great job of writing this story in a way that grips you in and makes you truely feel for the characters. As I was reading, I could feel the inner torment Edward felt towards his relationship with Bella. I could understand why this was a such a difficult relationship for both of them, but why they couldn't fathom the idea of being apart. This is the first book of a remarkable series! Overall, I would tell you not to dwell on the fact that it is located in the Teen Fiction section. Pick it up and give it a try, you'll be pleasantly surprised!

I did not want to read this young adult book about vampires let alone LOVE it! I read all 4 books in the series within a matter of a week; I was addicted.

When it comes down to it, this is a love story... star crossed lovers I guess you could say. The vampire aspect plays into it, but it is not about creatures in the night feasting on humans. It focuses on the development of the relationship between the vampire (Edward) and the new human in town (Bella). He's the epitomy of the perfect man (except he's not... a man that is), and she's the ordinary girl.

SPOILERS.The first half of the book i enjoyed. Isabella Swan moves to Forks WA the cloudiest, rainiest town in America. She makes new friends meets a mysterious boy who seems to hate her. But after two brushes with death of which he saves her from Bella and Edward start gravitating towards each other and that is where i started getting annoyed. Bella and Edward (Who is described as SOOOOOO beautiful countless times) are sooo sappy.
"I will die without you"
"i'm too dangerous stay away"
"i cant"
"neither can i"
UGH.
Also the WISH FUFILLMENT aspect of it just annoys me.
Bellas got a great, mellow dad who stays out of her business.
Edward has a GREAT and Hot vampire family that love Bella, Except one sister who i think Bella will win over eventually.
They can even walk in the sun??? What kind of Vamp is that???
The only thing that kept me reading is the EVIL VAMPS coming to town and targeting Bella.
Unfortunately this wasnt as exciting as it sounds.
Once the EVIL VAMPS get sorted i just had to stop reading. Once Bella started saying "i want to be a vampire NOW! IM GETTING SOOOO OLD! (18) DONT LEAVE ME!!! ILL DIE WITHOUT YOU!!!!
I just couldn't read any more. As for Stephanies writing i will totally pick up THE HOST but not the rest of the twilight series.
EP.

the book that started it all...

the story was so beautiful written and i loved every minute that i spent reading this book.. there's a lot of depth in the romance between bella and edward that after reading the whole series, it's hard for me to pick up another romance novel as i am not sure if they have enough depth for me..
can't stop rereading this book..and can't stop gushing about this book to everyone who's willing to listen..

there's also an innocence to their romance that keeps you wanting more..

I am an adult and almost didn't read this book because it is listed as being for teens. I am so glad I decided to check it out. It has been a long time since I read a book that I hated to see end because I had gotten so involved with the characters. I have since read all the books in this series and enjoyed every one of them as much as the first. Looking forward to further adventures of the Cullen clan! Hope we won't have long to wait!

I am sure many reviewers have summarized this book adequatley, so I'll jump right in to my review.
One thing that anyone reviewing this book should acknowledge is - it is huge. Twilight has gone everywhere it could go - four books (and a companion book in the making), huge throngs of screaming fans, an already successful yet not yet released Hollywood movie, and who knows what else. So it's no wonder everyone has been reading it, and that includes me. I had heard the words 'Twilight by Stephenie Meyer' combined with phrases like 'gorgeous', 'fantastic', 'amazing' and so on and so forth in every possible website... And though I convinced myself a vampire book probably wasn't my style, I caved in eventually and asked my father, who was conveniently going to London (the only place I could possibly get it) at the time, to look around for it. A week later I got the book, and though I was already in the middle of another book, I cracked it open in 2:00 in the morning and started reading, promising myself to stop immediately once I finishd the first chapter... But I couldn't. I was up all night.

In a nutshell, Meyer has woven a wonderful tale, with a great setting and a heartbreaking story. But, inevitably, it has its flaws. I might be repeating this (I know some reviewers had said it many times), but Meyer had probably failed to realize that a protagonist of a book HAS to be utterly and totally likable by the reader, unless there's some pretext that can justify or explain WHY he is so unlikable. Sure, this hasn't stopped this book from flying off the shelves - it truly does deserve it, with all due respect - but it is a constant annoyance. Bella, the protagonist, is not likable at all and feels many of the times like the girl you won't like in school. I'm sure the state Bella is instantly in once she steps foot in Forks High School - where she is Queen Popularity and hounded by boys on an annoyingly regular basis - is meant to be charming and amusing, but it is simply irritating to the average young girl. Not to mention how unrealistic it is. I can understand why Edward - who is, by the way, the most enticing character I've read about since the fictional Latino god Jesse de Silva - falls in love with her (her blood draws him in, but her fearlessness and amusing adoration toward him makes him fond of her), I really can't possibly believe everyone thinks Bella is such a special little snowflake. Sure, she has her moments, but she really ISN'T that beautiful (at least according to Edward in Midnight Sun) and is always either shy or secretive or indifferent to everyone around her. I was bothered by this. Putting Bella's poor character aside, this book was marvellous. I fell in love instantly with Bella's easygoing dad and friends, grew to unlike Forks's terrible weather, and most importantly, fell madly in love with Edward and his vegeterian vampire family. I literally could not put the book down, and I'm ashamed to say I didn't savor it one bit by finishing it in one day and reading it all over again the minute I turned the last page. Edward's love for Bella and hate at his own vampiric nature is poetic (though cliche) and the self control he manages to hold around her is reflective of the self control many ACTUAL humans are daily forced to hold. The plot fits in very nicely (in this installment, anyway) and the way it develops is charming and sweet, and every word Edward utters, every time he touches Bella, speeds my heart rate as it does hers. What can I say? Every girl needs a wonderfully unrealistic man once in a while, and Meyer's provided this along with some lovely action through the ferocious and cunning character of James. I can't wait to see this on screen and read the companion book (though I won't recommend the next books). A very fun beach read with a very slight moral. HIGHLY recommended!

What a roller coaster of emotions. I vested in every character and devoured the remaining books in the saga in days. Stephenie Meyer has created a group of indelible characters for all ages. My only regret is I can't experience the book for the first time ever again. As a mature woman, I enjoyed remembering the joy and pain of my first love.

I'm squarely with "gaimangirl" on this and could just copy and paste her review here. There are many problems with this book and this series in general, where do I start? I'll start with the protagonist. SM gave us Isabella (Bella) Swan, a character who showed some potential in the first few pages but none after. As this is a young adult novel I may not get it I guess, but I loath to think this is what would have fueled my youth and am thankful for what I had in my younger days. Bella is not interesting, or nice. She is full of faults but no qualities, we all have at least one. She has no ambitions, goals, hopes, nothing for her future, and that is the biggest, glaring problem we have. Even as a young girl, ESPECIALLY as a young girl we all have hopes and dreams, and as someone young by the end of this books should have grown, she should have learned something from this 'journey' and her relationship with Edward (more on him later) The only thing I will give a pass on is that because this is her first love, her first real relationship and a VAMPIRE no less, she does put a focus on his beauty and abilities and thinks of him non-stop. Okay, that's fine. But can Bella fear for her future? wonder about what it would be like to be with him? discuss something even remotely serious? To be so willy nilly about becoming a vampire so she can be with him forever is INSANE! and I don't think any teen girl would do so so easily with friends and family to think about even if they did love a vampire. It is like Edward has her under a spell, speaking of...Edward is beautiful and perfect, as we're told constantly, but that's all he is. I love his protectiveness of Bella and do find sexy his almost murderous jealousy, but there are times he treats her like she's five, or stupid and can be very condescending. "Silly Bella" shut up! And he's an enabler. Yes, he WANTS her to leave of her own accord, but that ain't gonna happen. Buffy and Angel they are not--no love, no substance, no passion, no believability of any kind. I went up and down with liking some parts, but others were so laughable I almost stopped reading. I really don't like how Bella is transfixed and almost possessed with his beauty and that crooked smile, and of course his beautiful face in case I didn't mention that. What is beyond his beauty? Is she not worried that he holds himself back from KILLING HER? No? Not an issue? Okay. And enough with her being clumsy. Is she mentally retarded? Meyers filled a void in the writing world with a vampire romance for young girls and she got lucky. This is over hyped and of low story quality. The writing is okay, but the story, the characters--gah! I can only wonder how the movie will be. I borrowed these books from a friend who can't get enough, I might read the second, wonder if it gets better. Probably not.

Twilight is hands down one of the best books I have ever read. Is Stephenie Meyer the best writer, no - but she is one of the best at capturing the essence of the "first true love." The descriptive writing makes you think you are watching a movie. While reading the book, I was planning bathroom breaks (to not miss the action) until I realized I was actually reading a book and could stop reading anytime I wanted. I am VERY happy that she decided to write this book. I am ecstatic that I finally got around to reading it. Try it!

I was glued to this book from beginning to end and couldn't wait to get the next one

Bella Swan is the type of woman who sends marriage proposals to men in prison.

That pretty much sums it up.

Even when he's a hot vampire, Scott Peterson is not palatable.

excellent book. Very hard to put down. Easy read and fun to read. Lots of mystery and never a dull moment.
June

Twilight is the best book ever created. Twilght,New Moon,Eclipse and now Breaking Dawn are books that just grab attention to anybody that reads them. Once you open the first page to the first chapter you enter the twilight world which is all about love and fantasy. What else can i say?? I mean these books are breath taking. Twilight is my favorite book out of the four because thats were the whole saga began and the following books are just as amazing. Just waiting for the movie --December 12,2008.

Some of the people writing these reviews need to get over themselves and take their master degrees with them. I'm not in love with Edward Cullen but I thought he was a great character. Have a little fun with your reading. Don't over analyze. This book shows how captivated Isabella and Edward are by each other's worlds. Bella is in love, and yes she is consumed by it. Yeah maybe she shouldn't be so attached to a man, but she's young and she's learning. I think we can all relate to that. Edward is often confident (that's what makes him captivating) and thinks he knows what's best but he always tells Bella the consequences of their relationship; that he won't let her change her world for him the way she wants to.

I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the second. If you want a fun read, this is it. If you want to critique the heck out of it to declare yourself a literary marvel then you might want to read it too. For heaven's sakes just relax and enjoy.

Stephenie Meyer's flagship is still the best in the series -- some of the best writing in the genre.

Two thumbs way up!!!

Twilight introduces to the literary world Bella and Edward. Bella is the sweet teen coming of age and Edward is your stereo typical vampire hunk. Stephenie's Twilight Saga really steps out on the right foot.

....An almost perfect novel....

Twilight was a really good book. I am a person who likes a lot of different genres, so it has to be a really good book in order to keep me interested. I have read a lot of vampire books, and Twilight was one of the better ones. Though I have never heard of that specific reason why vampires couldn't go outside. I think that this book is a great read.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I worked 60 hours that week. I read all 4 books with almost no sleep. I just couldn't stop. I liked them so much I am re-reading them. I urge everyone that wants to sit down with a great book to pick this saga up!

I am a 28 year old woman and I found myself completely taken with this book series. I know the writing is geared towards young adults but it is definitely something people of all ages can enjoy. I picked up the book the first night and couldn't put it down. I was completely lost in the books and then realized it was almost midnight and I needed to get up for work. I had a hard time tearing myself away and couldn't wait to finish it. I was kind of late joining the bandwagon but the books were so good that I started Twilight on a Sunday evening and was finished Breaking Dawn that following Saturday. Once you start reading you find yourself completely enthralled and time just flies by. I enjoyed this whole series so much and while the books may have their flaws they are easy to overlook. As pure enjoyment goes these are a must read. Be careful though you will get addicted. In the end I felt sorry for my husband because I was a zombie for a week barely speaking a word that wasn't related to the books. I think he was happy when I finished and joined the "real world" again.

I loved all 4 books in the series but Twilight is still my favorite!!

Let me first say, I did enjoy "Twilight". It was creative, inventive, and clean of smuck. An easy going read with interest. The character's were as odd and intriguing as Margaret Atwood's amazing character creations, and story was simple as Scholastic Childrens Publications. The story line had a nice plot structure. And her use of lore was definiatly not over the top. Good Teen Vampire Romance.

But... (Yes there is a "but")

Was it a Global Series Hit Wonder like Harry Potter? No. It wasn't. Such was suggested to me by many. I wasn't let down per se, but neither was I excitedly agawed by it.

(CAUTION, some spoilers) If this is not the first (negative) review you have read about the book, you know the shortcomings others have mentioned. Let me help to decide if this book is still for you, based on your own personality and preferences:

YOU MAY WANT TO READ THIS BOOK IF

- No matter how emancipated and self-sufficient you are on the outside, you are really craving a beautiful, strong and dangerous man, who takes away the tedium of making decisions and who loves and protects you irregardless of your mortal flaws.

- You really love vampire stories and are looking for ANY new angle or ideas in that genre, no matter how inadequately they are delivered. (Vampires can go out during the day but they glitter in the sun, so they have to stay hidden, vampires are venomous, don't sleep, don't breathe, etc).

- You are looking for a teen romance story for you or your teenager that offers a new reason for keeping the relationship platonic. (Vampires could crush the human with their strength if they get too excited).

- You are a literature teacher and want a book that illustrates many mistakes of beginning writers all in one convenient package (Mary Sues, telling and not showing, prose that doesn't advance the plot, stilted dialogue, uneven pacing, overly predictable plot twists, bad character development, grammatical errors, etc).

- You are a teenager, all your friends rave about this book and you want to have something informed to say. (Read some of the reviews here, that will give you an indication of how controversial the opinions will be - and how to respond to them).

YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THIS BOOK IF

- You believe that a relationship between two people is most promising if they are partners with equal rights, responsibilities and the amount of humor, knowledge, sense, affection, etc. they contribute is balanced. (Edward is beautiful, strong, caring, decisive, mature - well, he is about 90 years older. Bella brings her worshiping love - and apparently her fantastic scent).

- You want to be able to relate to the protagonists and especially care about the individual who writes in the first person. (Bella is portrayed as an inept, naïve and boring loner.)

- Although you like fantasy, you want the plot and the characters to be plausible in their respective context. (Why is Bella so popular in the Forks HS and why does Edward fall for her - the description of Bella doesn't reveal anything special about her other than her bumbling clumsiness and inexperience that keep her in constant need of rescuing. Why would Bella love Edwards family enough to give her life for them, after having known them literally for one day, etc)

- You get bored with details that are unimportant for the story or utterly redundant (How Bella gets ready in the morning, how she marinates steaks for dinner, and how perfect, perfect, perfect Edward's face is)

- You crave a bit of plausible suspense, unpredictable twists and especially some gripping action. (Bella walks into a dark, villain-infested alley in an unknown city, then she gets rescued by simply driving away with her. During the promising chase of good versus evil in the final chapters, the reader gets to stay with Bella in a hotel room for days, getting news only through a few phone calls or Alice's visions. Then Bella makes some utterly inane decisions that lead to entirely transparent and equally foolish actions. Finally, instead of the showdown with the terrifying fiend, the reader gets to witness the patching up of the silly girl)

- You can't excuse un-teenager-like dialogue and you really hate sloppy editing. (The mostly stilted conversations are not justified by overall brilliant prose or stylish writing. On the contrary, the number of grammatical errors in the book teeters between careless and offensive).

Well, at least in the case of Twilight, the director will have no trouble making the movie so much better than the book ...

I began reading this book because I knew the movie would be out in December and I wanted to read the book before the movie came out. Little did I know that I wouldn't be able to put the book down for more than five minutes until I was done! I think that this is a wonderful beginning to an intense romance that can never be.

Bella with her clumsiness and Edward with his absolute perfection seem to compliment each other wonderfully. We see from the beginning all of the reasons these two shouldn't be together, yet, they have to be together. NEED to be together. I think that it's sweet and refreshing to read and I was definitely left wanting more!

I decided upon seeing the August release for the final book of the series, that maybe I should try this book. I was actually disappointed and not wholly pleased with the main character Bella. I thought she was whiny and angsty at the beginning. Yes I know she's a teenager but still I thought Stephanie Meyer would eventually have the character develop and become something more.
I read the next book New Moon as well hoping well maybe Bella would develop in this one. Not really.

Bottom line: If you enjoy paranormal fiction, its overall entertaining but you might feel like the author should kill the main character off