Twilight (1) by Stephenie Meyer
Many of you know this book, but I'll review it anyway - here's Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, part one of the Twilight-Series (in German Bis(s) zum Morgengrauen, in French Fascination). I read it in English, where it contains 434 pages. Originally published 2006. Age: 14 to death (girls)
Bella finally moved to her Dad in a small town, Forks, Washington D.C. Bella hates everything about Forks, from the climate to the size. Until she meets him - Edward Cullen. Even though she never did anything to him, he looks at her like he wants to kill her. And saves her life, even though it should have been impossible. Why? And how? Even though Edward does everything to frighten her off, Bella is strangely fascinated. And realises there's more to it - more to him: Edward is a supernatural. He's a vampire. And she falls in love with him, even though it is the most stupid and most dangerous thing she could do. But he isn't the only crucial danger for Bella...
I really love this book. It's well written, the characters are great, it's emotional, tense from page one to the very last and there are many good ideas in it (even though a sparkling vampire is... something very, very special). I love how the vampires manage in real life, the whole little things they do in order to live unnoticed: No sports class, ditching when it's blood typing in biology etc. And Carlisle's story is so fascinating!
Additionally, it's great how the Cullen's all react differently to Bella: Jasper cautious, the parents very gentle and loving, Rosalie with open hate, Emmett actually with humour and Alice... well, is Alice. I love that girl, by the way, she's so amazing. So full of life – even though her heart is not beating any longer.
Who is also really well done is, of course, Bella and her family. Bella is one of my favourite heroines. She knows what's right and wrong, she's brave and altruistic, honest and determined, tough, independent and brave. And, of course, observant and occasionally intelligent. Nah, that was fun. She really is intelligent, just not very wise. Falling in love with a vampire? Running to one to get killed? Not. Very. Wise. But I also like about her that she's too clumsy for life and that she doesn't see herself clearly at all. That makes her more human and makes it easier to love her – even though it wouldn't be hard if she didn't have these mistakes. She's just the everybody's darling type, even though she's so humble.
Her mother is funny. I love how Bella cares for her, because she's so lost in real life. But Renee is also really hyper-intelligent, as you can see in Eclipse. However.
The rest of the characters are wonderfully done as well. And the romance, of course.
Edward is really the perfect match for Bella: He's as – if not even more – altruistic, brave, independent and caring than her. And it's totally cute how he stays in her bedroom (and she flips out when she heard that).
I'm kind of sorry for Edward – and Jessica. Edward, because no matter how hard he tries, he can't make Bella stay safe and Jessica because of Mike. And Bella doesn't even want to have anything to do with the boy – except being friends with him.
That's another point I love: How Bella just doesn't notice how she turns all heads. It's very real-life-ish.
I'll give this book four stars: One for the ideas, one for plot, another one for style and the last one for characters.