Linda M. D’Alessandro

Teenage novels usually lack any sense of drama that is grounded in what the real world seems to be. A note left in a locker doesn’t cause the girl’s knees to buckle, a dropped tray in the cafeteria doesn’t cause the world to spin out of place, and finally a first kiss doesn’t make the world crumble down around you. It’s hard to find an exception to this rule within adolescent literature, and often most authors decide to embrace the melodrama and exploit it. Very few authors have decided to describe the world the way it really is even though they might have to add a small fiction twist. This is where Stephenie Meyer slips into the running.

“Twilight”, Meyer’s first novel, focuses on Bella, a 17- year-old girl moving from Phoenix to Forks, a tiny town in northeast Washington. From desert to temperate rain forest, Bella’s hopes and fears reflect the climate change that is taking place around her. As she’s trying to adjust, she catches the eyes of the gorgeous but mysterious Edward Cullen. She can’t get over his eternal beauty and his arrogant indifference. After the attempt of ignoring each other they become united. An almost fatal accident was to occur if Edward Cullen had not been able to save Bella from a car that was going to literally kill her.

Edward that is more than just a member of a strange family: he disappears on the occasional sunny days, has extremely quick reflexes, and even admits a supernatural ability. While in the meantime, Bella, with a little poking around finds out of a legendary treaty between the werewolves and the “cold ones” and finally makes the connection that Edward and the Cullens are indeed vampires. From there Bella and Edward’s feelings for each other spiral into a degree of romantic love usually only available in a book.

The story is told in first person from the perspective of Bella, making Edward and his family a mystery that is slowly unraveled through out the book. Even by the end of the book I was still thirsting for more of the Cullen family back story. Bella herself is a well written and realistic character, shy and lacking in confidence, her sarcastic inner voice narrates the story for the reader.

The romance between Edward and Bella is both touching and compelling. There is a melancholic feel to their impossible love, yet at the same time they both are unwilling to give up hope that their relationship is not doomed. The book reaches a high pitch of excitement as the romance between Bella and Edward turns into a frantic race to stay alive.

I have heard Twilight described as “a vampire story for people who don’t like vampire stories” and I think I would agree with that. This book really has something for everyone. Young adult readers, vampire fans or romance readers will all find Twilight to be an appealing story. For a Young Adult novel the book is quite long but don’t let that put you off reading it because each page is to be better until you get to the very end. Believe me, this is one book that you won’t want to end. It leaves you wanting more of the vampire romance story.

Thank you for your attention!