Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Series shows a normal side to vampires

By: Tara Cegla

Posted: 9/4/08

Many of my friends became obsessed with both the "Twilight" series and Edward over the summer and insisted that I start reading it as well. I heard it was going to be made into a movie coming out over Thanksgiving break, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I never thought I would be so infatuated with two people that don't even exist.

Stephenie Meyer so meticulously describes each character and their quirks, that I felt like I knew them down to their favorite brand of cereal. Bella Swan, the overly clumsy main character who lacks self confidence, and Edward, the most ideal man that no woman will ever get to encounter in her lifetime.

The book starts with Bella moving from Phoenix to the small town of Forks, Wash. This area of the country is the perfect place for a vampire to live, as they can't be in the sun. Not because he will melt or whatever it is vampires supposedly do, but for other reasons I won't disclose. This is one myth busted about vampires that Meyer concocts and each one revealed is more interesting than the last.

When the couple first meets each other, Edward appears to have a strong distaste against Bella. But in reality, we find out it is only because he finds her so enticing, not in a romantic way, but in a vampire sort of way. Edward doesn't think he can be with a human so he tries everything to stay away from her, but nothing works. He fails at avoiding Bella and the two fall in love, nothing of a surprise if you've seen the movie trailers.

Edward does everything for Bella that he possibly can. He can't sleep, so he always stays with Bella at night and watches her sleep. Yes, this may sound creepy, but it is too cute to read, as Bella is almost too excited to fall asleep. Bella always weakens at the knees everytime Edward cracks one of his half smiles.

Not spending as much time as possible with each other is the least of the couple's problems, as they embark on a life or death journey. Edward constantly feels guilty for bringing Bella into his world, as he is one of the few vampires in the world that doesn't hunt humans and Bella, unfortunately, sees the evil side to his secretive world.

The ending to "Twilight" does not disappoint, and it kept me intrigued enough to finish the book in about four days and to start the second book immediately.