TWILIGHT vampire book!!!!!

[Jennasis]

Allllllrighty then....just wrapped up New Moon this morning (started yesterday). Sigh...

I think the real reason I'm continuing with the series is that NOW I need closure. New Moon had some serious issues, mostly with pacing. I'm wondering where this book falls for the big fans in order of enjoyment. Every fiber of my being wants to not go and pick up number 3, but I'm sure I will. I need the closure. I'm reminded of when I tried reading the Dragon Rider series by Anne McCaffery. My cousin's wife had gushed about how great the books were so I bought one to bring on vacation to the beach. No lie, I actually LAUGHED OUT LOUD within the first paragraph. not because something funny had happened, but rather because her writing style was LUDICROUS. The words she chose...the flow...just silly. I really WANTED to like the book but it was just utter nonsense.

These books don't seem to have that problem. I'm continuing on with them DESPITE their many...many flaws. I'm curious to see how it ends. Kudos to Stephanie Meyer for having sucked me in in that respect.

What I liked most so far was the ending of the second book. The relationship between Bella and Edward had evolved from their (almost sick) adoration/worship of each other...the droning neediness of it...to one that is beginning to resemble something real (ground rules, compromise).

I do NOT dig the entire Jacob/Bella thing. I think she WAS cruel to use him and lead him one while he clearly wanted more. Then to go on about how magnanimous of her it would be to settle for him (and drop him like a hot potato the SECOND the vampires showed up). Then again, this is probably some of the more believable character interaction because I watch my students do this to one another practically daily.

I think I will wait until I see Eclipse in paperback. I haven't seen it anywhere.

 

[Orange County Girl]

Happy Twilight Tuesday!

This week MTV is bringing us an interview with Cam Gigandet who plays James. I think after seeing that first picture of him months back, he became the vamp that we love to hate!

Today's Twilight Tuesday post from MTV:
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/06/03/cam-gigandet-joins-the-twilight-tuesday-festivities/

 

[BratTink]

Jennasis, I had much of the same reaction as you did when first reading these books. I can't explain it though, something happened to me and I LOVE them and am reading them a second time; this time slower so I catch what I missed on the first reading. I do not think they are vampire novels, I think they are a love story where one character happens to be a vampire. I like my vampires more evil (Anne Rice).

I also think its a little creepy that Edward is sooooo old with a 17 year old child. But I think because he was changed when he was 17 makes it a little easier to swallow.

SPOILERS COMING FROM BREAKING DAWN CHAPTER 1:

You guys have not said what you thought of the first chapter of Breaking Dawn. Is the Preface from Bella's point of view? Is it about Edward finally changing her? I think it is Bella and am hoping its the scene where she is being changed. I think the wedding will be thwarted by something and possibly happen at the end of the book. I don't think Stephanie Meyer is going to kill anyone but it would make it a better book if she did kill one of the Cullens. I think it will end up all tied up in a pretty little bow with Ed and Bella walking off into the sunset together.

 

[Jennasis]

Somehow it is possible to both like the books and be annoyed by them at the same time for me.

 

[celerystalker]

Allllllrighty then....just wrapped up New Moon this morning (started yesterday). Sigh...

I think the real reason I'm continuing with the series is that NOW I need closure. New Moon had some serious issues, mostly with pacing. I'm wondering where this book falls for the big fans in order of enjoyment. Every fiber of my being wants to not go and pick up number 3, but I'm sure I will. I need the closure. I'm reminded of when I tried reading the Dragon Rider series by Anne McCaffery. My cousin's wife had gushed about how great the books were so I bought one to bring on vacation to the beach. No lie, I actually LAUGHED OUT LOUD within the first paragraph. not because something funny had happened, but rather because her writing style was LUDICROUS. The words she chose...the flow...just silly. I really WANTED to like the book but it was just utter nonsense.

These books don't seem to have that problem. I'm continuing on with them DESPITE their many...many flaws. I'm curious to see how it ends. Kudos to Stephanie Meyer for having sucked me in in that respect.

What I liked most so far was the ending of the second book. The relationship between Bella and Edward had evolved from their (almost sick) adoration/worship of each other...the droning neediness of it...to one that is beginning to resemble something real (ground rules, compromise).

I do NOT dig the entire Jacob/Bella thing. I think she WAS cruel to use him and lead him one while he clearly wanted more. Then to go on about how magnanimous of her it would be to settle for him (and drop him like a hot potato the SECOND the vampires showed up). Then again, this is probably some of the more believable character interaction because I watch my students do this to one another practically daily.

I think I will wait until I see Eclipse in paperback. I haven't seen it anywhere.

I've felt most of the same things you have.
Eclipse is much better, in my opinion, but frustrating as all get out!

(don't hate me for saying this!!!!)
Edward is TOO perfect for me.
And his reactions in eclipse don't seem real.
but it's a good read. and draws the series together nicely.
I almost wish she'd stopped.

 

[Brier Rose]

I almost wish she'd stopped.

Well at least you said almost!

 

[BratTink]

I'm kinda happy that Breaking Dawn is the last Edward/Bella book.

On StephenieMeyer.com it was posted that the next book she'll complete is Midnight Sun!!!!!! I think I'm more excited about that than anything else.

 

[Brier Rose]

You know..something to consider is that Stephenie has said from the beginning that she didn't write these books for anyone.

She never even started with the idea of..hey..I'll be a writer..get published and be famous.

She had a dream..and wrote it down..for herself only. She let her sister read it..who loved it..and urged her to see where it could go.

When she writes she doesn't develop the story and then place the characters where they need to go. In her mind the characters are who they are..and the things that they do and say are just the way it would play out..in her mind..if all this were real.

She has also said that she doesn't write with her fans in mind..as far as what makes a better more dramatic story. Like I said..the story just plays out as she sees the characters in her mind..not like..Ooh..this will confuse people and make a better story. She writes for herself and her characters alone, and whoever likes it great.

Fortunately there are those of us who happen to LOVE her mind..and her stories.

Honestly I'm baffled by people that want the characters to act more "real". Or for the story to be more believable. It is fiction after all, and if I want REAL teenagers with REAL teenage drama I'll just go upstairs and hang out with DD and friends for awhile.

When I read or watch movies..I'm looking for an escape..something absolutely far fetched and not real..but that's me.

 

[Brier Rose]

I'm kinda happy that Breaking Dawn is the last Edward/Bella book.

On StephenieMeyer.com it was posted that the next book she'll complete is Midnight Sun!!!!!! I think I'm more excited about that than anything else.

It's the last book that is TOTALY about Edward/Bella..not the last book that we'll ever see with them in it.

Stephenie has said that she plans to write more books from other perspectives..Rosalie maybe..or Jasper perhaps..but that we would definitely have more Edward/Bella..they just won't be the focus anymore.

I am COMPLETELY and UTTERLY stoked for Midnight Sun myself!!

 

[BratTink]

What did you think of the preface and first chapter of Breaking Dawn?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

What did you think of the preface and first chapter of Breaking Dawn?

It leads me to believe that they'll be married shortly into the book, and the rest of the book will be mainly about Bella's transformation. That's what I'm hoping it will be mostly about at least.

 

[Brier Rose]

What did you think of the preface and first chapter of Breaking Dawn?

*****SPOILERS******

I don't know yet..

I think I keep overanalyzing it..

I'D HAD MORE THAN MY FAIR SHARE OF NEAR-DEATH experiences; it wasn't something you ever really got used to.
It seemed oddly inevitable, though, facing death again. Like I really was marked for disaster. I'd escaped time and time again, but it kept coming back for me.
Still, this time was so different from the others.
You could run from someone you feared, you could try to fight someone you hated. All my reactions were geared towards those kinds of killers-the monsters, the enemies.
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 your beloved, how could you not give it?
If it was someone you truly loved?

I believe that this could be Bella talking about Edward..with the much anticipated change about to take place.

The confusing part..for me..is where she says..How could you run, how could you fight, when doing so would hurt that beloved one?

We'll we all know at this point that Edward would be happy for her not to make the change..soooo..how could it hurt him if she chose not to??

The best I can come up with is that..she knows..eventually she'll die, and at that point he will end his own "life" somehow..so in a sense she could hurt him that way..if she doesn't change.

BUT..I keep going back to the fact that Stephenie has said that this book has loose ties to A Midsummer Nights Dream..so in that respect..is there something more twisted going on here?? Somebody playing mind games with Edward maybe? We haven't found out what powers some of the Volturi or the Denali clan have..maybe they might be involved somehow?

BUT...

Personally I hope the only Midsummer Nights Dream thingy we have going on is Jacob imprinting on somebody. That could sort of fit I think..he'd be basically falling in love with somebody against his will. Sorta like being under a love spell.

 

[Brier Rose]

*******SPOILERS*********


Oh..and as far as the first chapter goes..

I thought it was hilarious! How typical Edward to buy Bella a car that is virtually indestructible.

I just wish she would relax and enjoy everything a bit. The fact that she still seems to be in some sort of conflict over the wedding is just GETTING ON MY NERVES!!!!

I was pretty shocked at Renee's reaction to the news. SO glad that didn't drag on and on.

Charlie's reaction was pretty amusing. I love the dialogue between he and Alice!!

Not sure what to make about the Edward/Seth friendship. I mean..I'm glad..just wasn't expecting it. Maybe that will help smooth the way for a friendship..or at least greater tolerance for Jacob?

Maybe Jacob has been in Denali all this time. How funny would it be if he were to imprint on a vampire! You know Stephenie was asked if that was possible...and she wouldn't give an answer..so who knows!!

All I know is..I hope nothing goes wrong..and Bella gets to her "happy place" very early in the book.

I REALLY want the wedding out of the way..and the book to focus more on their new "life" together.

 

[BratTink]

Brier Rose, thanks for answering me and giving me a well thought out respone! heehee. love how you are more a freak than me.

I'm rereading the books and am on Eclipse. I just finished reading the chapter where Bella realizes graduation is one week away and her change is also ONE WEEK AWAY per Carlise's promise. She is very very scared and freaking out a little. I think this could lead into the preface and the fear of death. I do think the preface is Bella's voice, but am not convinced that its when Edward is getting ready to change her.
The tie to Midsummer makes me a little scared. Are you right and Alec's power is something that can mess with Bella's mind and trick her into loving another? Jake!!! I sure hope not but I don't think Breaking Dawn will be a sugary sweet love story about Bella's wedding and change and beginning as a vampire. The Volturi have to come into play at some point, I think. I also believe that we've not heard the last from Jacob and he will be back, not just missing. I can't wait for this book.
Have you guys watched all the MTV stuff? Kristen comes off as either really shy or rude, I can't decide which. I read that she has a long term boyfriend that was standing off to the side, hence her very uncomfortable answer to the question of whether her and Rob are a couple.
Stephenie Meyer's web site updated that Midnight Sun will be her next published book!!!!!

 

[Brier Rose]

Brier Rose, thanks for answering me and giving me a well thought out respone! heehee. love how you are more a freak than me.

Well in this case I think I'll take that as a compliment!

The tie to Midsummer makes me a little scared. Are you right and Alec's power is something that can mess with Bella's mind and trick her into loving another? Jake!!!

Well of course we don't know what exactly Alec's power is..only that it is something that is apparently very useful in battle..per Stephenie. Hmmmm..this is what makes me think it could be something dealing with mind control. Turning people against each other perhaps???

If it is..I think it may be something he uses on Edward rather than Bella. We do know that no "mind based" vampire powers work on Bella, and I can't imagine his powers being any different. They DO however work on Edward..remember what Jane did to him during his run in with the Volturi?

My fear is that Alec could somehow make Edward think he doesn't love Bella anymore..turn against her. If he doesn't have that standing in his way..the only thing left would be how much he wants to kill her.

He has spoken many times of how much physical pain his blood lust for her causes him.

I could totally see Bella just giving up and letting him have her if she thinks he is suffering and her blood is the only thing that can make it stop.

That kind of goes along with the Preface and the Midsummer tie in too..a lover turning against his true love.

I sure hope not but I don't think Breaking Dawn will be a sugary sweet love story about Bella's wedding and change and beginning as a vampire. The Volturi have to come into play at some point, I think.

I don't think so either..or at least I hope not! As much as I want the marriage/change to happen I'm definitely looking forward to more drama from the Volturi.

I also believe that we've not heard the last from Jacob and he will be back, not just missing.

Oh DEFINITELY so! I don't mind him coming back so much..just as long as the whole love triangle doesn't start back up again!

Have you guys watched all the MTV stuff? Kristen comes off as either really shy or rude, I can't decide which.

I know what you mean! Right now I'm going with shy..at least that's what I hope anyway. She and Rob both just come across as so awkward! I'm hoping they'll get better.

Stephenie Meyer's web site updated that Midnight Sun will be her next published book!!!!!

I reread the 1st Chapter of that last night. That is gonna be one awesome book. Let's hope she gets it published at vampire speed!

 

[AKpooh]

i saw everything on mtv and the clip made me wanted me more.

i think kristen was shy on the carpet for mtv. all the reports i have read she is over whelmed with all of this. from all the fans on the sets to just it all building up. she is doing the best she can.
robert on the other hand dealt with all of this with harry potter.

i loved the new chapter and i cant wait for the book to come out. we are going to get our happy ending but she is going to take us on a roller coaster before we get there.

 

[celerystalker]

Alright. Let's talk book cover interpretations. I'm currently arguing in email with two of my friends about it. Here's what we've said so far:

Me:

I haven’t read it yet, but the cover is crazy!

The red pawn has to be bella – and I think the king is the volturi guy – only I’m not 100% sure it’s a king – sometimes it’s hard to tell with certain chess sets if the king and queen aren’t beside each other – so it could be a queen in the volturi.

Anyway, crazy!

friend Lisa:

I think that its a white queen. I think that its bella after her change. The red pawn is someone that has to be sacrificed in order for her to become queen...just like the game of chess. however the pawn is a different color so it would be someone from the opposing team that is the pawn.

me:

Oh I disagree!

The red apple is held by female hands – therefore the red apple and forbidden fruit is bella’s blood and her humanity – she’s offering all of herself to Edward, but to kill her is forbidden and to let her in on his secret is forbidden.

The flower is white and represents the moon, but it’s bleeding, which represents bella’s pain at Edwards leaving. (not so set on the flower analogy, but go with it)

The ribbon is bella being torn to shreds because she’s being pulled in two different directions.



Alright.

With all three of these, bella is represented by red.

The pawn HAS to be her – she’s fragile (small) and red! The preface is usually a flash-forward of something towards the end of the book – and she’s still human – therefore the pawn is her (still human) and something white, cold and menacing is towering over her.

lisa:

No way man...why would the white piece be a queen then?...I think that if it was the Volturi it would be the white King. Who is the most important female character in the book to be represented as the queen?...Bella. I'm including Ben in on this email.

Me:

I said originally I’m not 100% sure it’s a queen. It doesn’t have the curves that a queen typically does.

But wouldn’t it be cool if there’s a woman volturi who is unknown who controls everything?

Ben:

Okay....let's say that the red pawn is Bella. I hadn't thought of all of those cover translations. Are you sure the previous covers mean that, Amber, or is that a hypothesis...because I can draw others. If the pawn is Bella though, considering how the book is starting off (even though I STILL haven't read the entire first chapter) could it be that the Stephanie is going to build up Leah as the queen of the Werewolves??? The book does start off building up their weird feelings for each other? They are showing two different colors and two different teams....maybe it's not vampire vs. vampire but vampire vs. werewolf???
It's most definitely a queen; that's not a question. The king in a traditional set, which looks like this one, always has the cross on top.
The only woman they've really talked about in Volturi is that lady that can make people hurt with her mind, right?

Lisa:

Her name is Jane.

We have to assume though that the BIG WHITE QUEEN has to represent a vampire b/c it's pale and hard...the obvious choice would be a woman...and I can't think of any female vampire that is that important to be compared to a Queen (Rosalie, Esme, Alice) unless it's Jane (like what Ben said). Red Pawn would be something that still has blood running through its veins...a human or a werewolf.

First and foremost I think that the reason there is a chessboard at all on the cover is to display that this is going to be a complicated journey for Bella. People are going to be lost in order to win...regardless of WHO the teams are.

thoughts?

Ben

I really believe that the Queen is Bella and that the red pawn is someone trying to lure Bella out so that the bad guys can capture her; just like in the game--and this is an ongoing theme in all three books...Bella being chased. We can't see the whole board so we don't know how many players are affected from the red team; however, when the Queen is that wide open it usually means that everyone else is pretty much gone.

Me:

The contrast of Leah is interesting, but she’s not strong enough to be queen of the werewolves.

She’s just vindictive and whiney.

Whiny?

How do you spell that anyway?

I really think the queen is a vampire like Lisa said.

Hmmm.

We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess!

 

[Jennasis]

Greetings ladies. I just wrapped up Eclipse, and I will say it was my favorite of the three books. Took a lot less time to get into the "meat" of the story/plot. I am STILL firmly on Team Edward.

What I like about this book, is that the relationship between Edward and Bella has become more mature. Lots of compromise. In the first book I had the distinct impression that Edward was a cat and Bella was a bag of catnip that he batted around (playfully), snuggled up with and just sort of rubbed all over like...well...like a cat with catnip!

I find Jacob to be, for the most part, almost completely unsympathetic, bordering on obnoxious. What part of "NO" didn't he get?? I was extremely miffed when the two were together (in Eclipse) and she's be holding his hand, leaning on him, his arm around her etc...she's a total tease to boot...then wonders why he's so obsessed with her.

The most likable characters in the book are Edward and Alice (and for the most part, the rest of the vampires...including the evil ones). You know what they want, you know what they'[re about, and what they are capable of.

I also do not, for the life of me "get" Bella's reluctance to be married. Like it's a dirty word. She wants nothing more than to be with Edward forever, but bristles at the thought of marrying him "so young"...puh-lease! When he mentioned that as a condition to making her a vampire I only thought...WOW, that's it?? DONE! But nooooooooooo...she's a complete loon you know.

Jacob insisting he was more human than Edward was hilarious. Hello? Your a friggin werewolf dude...who you foolin?

Lots better characterization in the book. I would have liked them to flesh out a bit more about the actual threat (Victoria and the newborns) rather than just suggesting the looming threat for all but the last 3 chapters. But the book is written in first person, so it's tough.

Face it folks...we all wanted to see Edward and Jacob go mano-e-mano didn't we? Just a little bit?

The first chapter of Breaking Dawn didn't seem as compelling. What threat could they be facing in the new book? I just really hope Bella quits her crying, marries the guy, has a memorable honeymoon and turns into a vampire already.

 

[Jennasis]

FWIW, I was looking at imdb and THIS: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1779996160/nm1210124 was not at all what I was expecting for Jacob. I suppose when they get around to filming New Moon, they will recast.

I'm still not entirely sold on the guy they have for Edward either. He's not pretty/perfect enough. Also, in the previews, the girl playing Bella has a very...well...manish kind of voice, though she certainly has the look.

 

[AKpooh]

i think they found the perfect cast. i think robert and kristen are going to do a great job.

if i remember correctly stephenie said herself that if they did the rest of the movies they would have to recast jacob. i think she either said that on her website or on twilightlexicon. sorry my brain is on pause LOL

i dont know what the pawns mean on the bd cover. i think there is going to be a battle with alec and the rest. we still dont know what alecs power is nor do we now what bella will have.

i think we are all going to have a lot of questions to be answered and that wont be till august 2nd.

i for one cant wait LOL