I will rate the series and give a brief review of each book. But fair warning: I have seen the movies and they color my reviews. I did not like the movies as much as the books. The best movie was the last one and that was only because of a fight scene—a scene that doesn’t even happen in the book! So, if I was rating the movies alone, which I’m not, the series would be 2 marbles. The books were good. I liked each book and, as a series, I give it 4 Marbles. ~Timmy
The Twilight Series is available at all major retail outlets
Book 1: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
The book starts with us meeting Bella, a seventeen year old with parents who are divorced. Though she starts out living with her mom in Phoenix, she moves to Forks with her dad. She is very unhappy with this and whines a bit. (Sorry I had to add that)
Though she thinks she will hate it there, she soon meets Edward, and oddly falls instantly in love with the vampire. Now, I know that seems like I don’t like it, but that’s not true, I do like the book. There are things about the story that annoy me, such as: even though Edward is a bit stalkerish and very over protective, Bella can’t see beyond his looks. I think that is a bit shallow. Now that I have said that, let me tell you what I liked. I LOVE Jasper. Even in the book, and before I saw who played him on screen! He is a great mysterious character. The story isn’t about him, so we really don’t learn much about him, but I think that lends to the mystery of him. I love the romance part of the story. It wasn’t hard for me to get sucked into the story and feel right along with the characters. I give this book 4 Marbles.
About Twilight:
About three things I was absolutely positive:
First, Edward was a vampire.
Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.
And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
When Bella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.
What Bella doesn't realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back…
Book II: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
In this book, Edward is an ass and leaves Bella for her own good. I hate when people do something and say it’s for your own good. Anyway, while he’s gone, Bella does stupid stuff so she can see him in her head. That is weird. Jacob becomes her best friend and they hang out a lot. He has a crush on her but she is still too in love with Edward to see it. I did like Jacob and the friendship they had together. I was thrilled to later learn about The Pack. I must say that the way she described the wolves was great. I had a clear picture in my head and loved the look of them. I also liked the stories about the pack and the other pack members.
After that part of the story, the book gets good. We meet the Volturi and they are not people I want to meet. #Scarythings! Anyway, Bella saves Edward and they are back together! It was a another sweet romance story and added to that was Jacob trying to deal with his feelings for Bella as well. I give this book 4 Marbles.
About New Moon
I knew we were both in mortal danger.
Still, in that instant I felt well. Whole. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, the blood pulsing hot and fast through my veins again. My lungs filled deep with the sweet scent that came off his skin.
It was like there had never been any hole in my chest. I was perfect - not healed, but as if there had never been a wound in the first place.
For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning...
BOOK III: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Something that annoys me through these books is that Bella seems to only be in love with Edward's beauty. I mean, is this a girl thing or a teen thing? I’m not sure, but this seemed to escape me. To me, the person is way more important than the way they look. I think there must have been a “How to Be a Proper Teen” book that I wasn’t given on my 13th birthday. Sigh…. Back to the review.
I liked the argument between Jacob and Edward. I also liked hearing all the old tales of Jacop’s pack. I mean, how is it not romantic to have two guys fighting over you? Any book wins with this scenario. At least for girls. But Jacob really disappointed me in this book. He was mean and hurtful to Bella. He tried to force himself on her! I mean, wow! And he says he would be the safer choice? I think not. Sorry Jacob, but you lost my vote in this book.
So, the story in this book is about people who are disappearing and we don’t know why. But, of course, it was an army of vampires! Victoria has come back to play! I loved this part and the fight seen. It gave us more than just Edward is hot to think about. During the the pre-fight there is a time where Edward and Jacob spend some time talking in the tent. I really liked that part. I think it was the second best part of the book, and I’m glad the author wrote it. They, of course, don’t change their minds and still hate each other. I mean, they both love the same girl, but it was a cool scene.
Now, the best part of the book, is when we learn more about Jasper! I have to admit, I cried a bit hearing his story. Good book! 4 Marbles
About Eclipse
In the dead silence, all the details suddenly fell into place for me with a burst of intuition.
Something Edward didn't want me to know. Something Jacob wouldn't have kept from me...
It was never going to end, was it?
As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?
Book IV: Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
This book is, BY FAR, the best out of the series. First, the wedding and drama with Jacob, then the honeymoon where OMG! vampires can still get girls pregnant! LOL Sorry, had to!
Anyway, they go home and Carlisle works to see what can be done about the baby and what it...IS. Rosa is all besties with Bella now because this is what she has always wanted and, no, there will be a baby! So, there is a huge struggle where Edward and Jacob are on the same side (odd, that) and want Bella not to have the baby.
I loved getting to see Jacob's perspective in this book. Because Jacob is not willing to lose Bella, he leaves his pack to defend Bella against them. Seth and Leah join him and I have to say I love those two! Awesome characters. Seth is just great!
Anyway, Bella has a horrible pregnancy and even worse birth where she dies. When she next wakes, she has a baby vampire, and Renesme is healthy and growing quickly. Oh, and Jacob has imprinted on her daughter. @.@
The next part of the book is all about the Volturi coming to kill Renesmee so they can acquire the vampires they want from the Cullen family. So, the Cullens band together and go in search of people who would be willing to stand with them. There are so many new vampires, all with awesome gifts, that Jacob's pack members begin changing into wolves by the dozens and even at a younger age. This whole part of the book leads us up to the big fight scene that doesn’t happen in the book but does in the movie. I must say, when I read the book, I was disappointed by that, but then I saw the movie and saw what would have happened! I am more than ok with no fight scene now! 4 Marbles.
About Breaking Dawn
"Don't be afraid," I murmured. "We belong together."
I was abruptly overwhelmed by the truth of my own words. This moment was so perfect, so right, there was no way to doubt it.
His arms wrapped around me, holding me against him... It felt like every nerve ending in my body was a live wire.
"Forever," he agreed.
When you loved the one who was killing you, it left you no options. How could you run, how could you fight, when doing so would hurt that beloved one? If your life was all you had to give, how could you not give it? If it was someone you truly loved?
To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both fantasy and nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black, a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife have led her to the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or to pursue a fully human life has become the thread from which the fates of two tribes hangs.
Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating, and unfathomable, consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life-first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse-seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed... forever?
