The Twilight Saga

I've been a fan of vampire stories for as long as I can remember. But there was something about the Twilight Saga that kept me at bay. Perhaps, it was the untimely release at one of the busiest times of my life or the fact that people were pushing it all over me. And then there is the Harry Potter comparison that drives me crazy. Whatever the reason, I could not bring myself to read the series. I was so opposed to it, that I even saw the movie Twilight months ago before I dared to read one book in the series- something that I just don't do.

However, recently something changed. I needed a distraction. I needed something to do. So, I picked up Twilight (Book 1) last week, dove in, and read all 4 fours between Thursday night and the following Monday morning. I don't know how I just sat there and read them, but I did. It felt good to focus on something else. To challenge my reading skills that have been dormant for so long. It was also nice to read the story from beginning to end instead of waiting for the next release. If I had to rank the books in order of preference it would be Twilight, Breaking Dawn, Eclipse, and New Moon (although New Moon is a far last in the list).

Stephenie Meyer, in my opinion, does a good job capturing that first "teen love." Although Edward is not technically a teen, Bella is his first love so the fresh feeling is still there. That feeling of obsession, desire, separation anxiety, the addition of something new, pure happiness untainted by troubles that can come later in a relationship. The pure elation that only the first love can provide. I feel as though the romance is strongest in Book 1- at least the heady romance of it all. Then love & commitment reign supreme in later Books. However, the love between Edward & Bella is constant. Their need for each other never wavers. But it goes beyond need and choice. It's a WANT that they share equally. In writing, it's actually beautiful.

Words cannot describe how many times I wanted to kill Jacob Black myself. He's selfish, he takes advantage of Bella's friendly love for him, he takes advantage of her trust in him, he only cares about her happiness as long as it suits what he wants. So basically, typical teen boy. Of course, Edward leaves her susceptible to it by leaving her alone. New Moon was like torture for me; I could only finish it because I was waiting for when Edward would return like I knew he would. And then the entire 200 pages "Book 2- Jacob" in Breaking Dawn as well.

There were also times when I wanted to kill Bella. I thought it was unfair how she was stringing Jacob along at times or how much pain her indecisive behavior was causing Edward. I say behavior because her heart and mind knew what the answer was, but she wasn't acting like it at times. This is much more common in Eclipse when she is quite literally in the middle of Edward & Jacob since Edward is now 100% back into the picture and Jacob somehow managed to stake his claim.

The series is not nearly as racy as people make it sound. It's written more like "we kissed and then he carried me to bed" (insert paragraph break) "I woke up wanting eggs." So I really don't what the fuss is all about. I am glad the Bella finally got her wish to become a vampire and spend forever with Edward. I am also glad this didn't happen at the beginning, it would have been kind of boring. I also like how his need to protect her never swayed. Even though she is now a vampire and able to protect herself.

I felt the series had a satisfactory ending, but that there were things that could have gone deeper. More into how Bella keeps Charlie in her life as she never ages. How it works out with Renesmee and Jacob. Any other adventures (minus the Volturi, I'm over that) that they could have. But if she doesn't write a 5th book, I think that's not a bad way to go. More idea into how The Cullens, as a whole family, live together. I do not think a 5th book giving the same story from a different point of view is interesting though. I don't think I want to read about how much Edward hates himself in between his thoughts about desire for Bella. And God knows I could NOT read a book from Jacob's point of view.

I see why teens gobble this up with excitement. I can certainly see why even adults gravitate towards this series. people in relationships yearn to feel that spark again (or for some feel it for the first time). the spark that pulls you toward each other no matter how hard you try to stay away; that causes you to put their safety & happiness first; that ignites all of your senses driving you crazy with the mere thought of them. the spark that makes you realize you were incomplete before they came into your life. Although, if you read this series in the frame of mind I was in when I read it, it might screw with your head. Like it screwed with mine. I almost have Twilight out of my system.