TWLGHT by Stephenie Meyer

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Meyer, Stephenie. 2005. TWILIGHT. Maine: Little, Brown Young Readers. ISBN 0316015849

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This vampire themed fantasy novel tells the story of Bella.  Her parents divorced at an early age and eventually she moves from Arizona to Washington to live with her father.  Bella finds herself attracted to a boy named Edward.  From here the book and Bella’s life take an interesting turn.  Edward is actually a vampire and comes from a family of vampires who drinks animal blood.  He has always been able to keep his secret quiet until now.  Bella and Edward fall in love, and Edward wants nothing more than to protect Bella.  James, another vampire, wants to hunt Bella down and kill her.  Even though Edward and his family long to protect Bella, James is able to get his hands on Bella and wounds her badly.  Edward is able to rescue Bella.  Out of anger Edward has James killed.

Meyer’s writes this novel primarily from the perspective of Bella.  This novel has the perfect mixture of romance and horror making this book enticing.  One of the restrictions on Edward and Bella’s relationship is not having sex despite their desires. Throughout the novel Bella describes her desires and Edwards attempts to curb these desires.

Readers will be able to relate to trying to fit in at school, love and relationships that occur in this book.  The events in this novel will keep readers intrigued and on the edge of their seats.  In a 2005 review, School Library Journal states: “As a result, the novel's danger-factor skyrockets as the excitement of secret love and hushed affection morphs into a terrifying race to stay alive.”

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review: “The novel’s danger-factor skyrockets as the excitement of secret love and hushed affection morphs into a terrifying race to stay alive.  Realistic, subtle, succinct, and easy to follow, Twilight will have readers dying to sink their teeth in to it.”

*PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review: “Propelling by suspense and romance in equal parts [this story] will keep readers madly flipping the pages of Meyer’s tantalizing debut.”

*BOOKLIST starred review: “In the tradition of Anne Rice…this dark romance it gripping.”

Exemplary or Favorite Lines

*“Surly it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved.  Noble, even.  That ought to count for something.”

*“I said it would be better if we weren’t friends, not that I didn’t want to be.”

*“I was prepared to feel…relived.  Having you know about everything, not needing to keep secrets from you.  But I didn’t expect to feel more than that.  I like it.  It makes me…happy.

*“I don’t seem to be strong enough to stay away from you, so I suppose that you’ll get your way…whether it kills you or not.”

*“I love you.  I will always love you, no matter what happens now.