by Kelsey Opel

Created on: July 12, 2008

*Book Review: "Twilight" by: Stephanie Meyer"*

With the interest in reading books decreasing in today's population, it's hard to write a book that will hold the interest of an audience and entertain them for hours as they flip through the pages; however, Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series succeeds. Almost five hundred pages, "Twilight" readers can easily finish the book in no time, depending how deeply they connect with the story and characters, which isn't hard at all.

Young, timid Bella moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, Charlie, the police chief of the town. After Bella's mother, Rene, remarries and travels with her husband, Bella decides that moving with her father to Forks is the only alternative. Unhappy in Forks, Bella soon fits in with the "in-crowd" in high school, unlike her friendless loneliness at her previous school. Quick to catch her eye are the isolated Cullen family. Known to have been adopted, each of the five siblings share topaz-colored eyes, pale skin, and unnatural beauty. Bella soon becomes amused by the youngest of the five, Edward. Though he ignores her rudely, her fondness of him grows stronger and stronger.

Soon a story of young, forbidden love unfolds between timid, beautiful Bella and gorgeous, isolated Edward. Chemistry connects the two, but secrets lie underneath. Bella soon learns that Edward is a vampire; half of him thirsty for her blood, while the other half falling head-over-heels in love with her. Edward is relieved, but cautious, of Bella's acceptance to who he is and the dangers of being around him. She explains she is a danger in life, due to her often klutziness.

Once appreciated by Edward, Bella is taken home to meet his "family". She learns that Edward and his vampire family snack no longer on humans, but animals. They can also live for the rest of eternity. Bella is trusted with these dark secrets, and is only drawn closer to Edward.

Danger soon follows Bella after gaining the acceptance of most of the Cullen family. James, a tracking vampire who travels to Forks, finds Bella's scent and is thirsty for her blood. The Cullen family must protect Bella and stop James as he pursues to take her life.

"Twilight" grips readers wanting more from the beginning to the end. Meyer's touch of affection between Edward and Bella has the audience feel the emotion playing through the characters. With a terrific beginning, middle, and end, "Twilight" will leave the readers grasping for the next book.

Learn more about this author, Kelsey Opel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.