Every book in this series blatantly references a theme from another book. The first book, Twilight, leans toward Pride & Prejudice, and I have to say there's nothing more fascinating to me than Mr. Darcy, outside of Mr. Poppins that is, but we won't be talking about that here. Although I will mention that I had a dream the other night in which Mr. Darcy begged me to leave Mr. Poppins and I was actually considering it because Mr. Poppins had grown indifferent to me.
Humph.
Anyway, if I were a teenage vampire, I certainly wouldn't bother with high school, but Edward (our stand-in for Mr. Darcy) does and he gets a horribly inappropriate fancy for Bella, a human girl who just plain refuses to be impressed with his brooding and disdain.
Romance ensues.
Of course it does. Isn't that what high school is all about? I mean, even Diosa has one of those evil love-hate relationships in her past and she's the most practical person I know. There's just something so tantalizing about mixed emotions. More about that, and what Mr. Poppins has to say about it when we discuss Eclipse.
Anyway, clearly there are overwhelmingly obvious reasons why a vampire should never date the lunch, umm, I mean human. But Edward just can't help himself. He's smitten. For the first time in 117 years. And I thought Mr. Poppins was patient for waiting for me until he was 31.
Personally, I probably would have settled, but hey, vampires have nothing if not time, so I choose to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story. Of course, as Bella is inappropriate, Edward does his best to resist, but like our Mr. Darcy, he just can't manage it.
And if dating a vampire weren't enough, there's more peril to be had. Plenty more. I mean Edward isn't the only vampire in the book. Not everyone can forget that Bella would make a great snack. So there's all kinds of protecting to be done, which only makes Edward hotter because even though Bella can take care of herself in the human world, she's a little out of her depth when it comes to taking on immortals.
Can't fault a girl for that.
But the best part--The Very Best Part--is all the sneaking in and out of windows. Takes me right back to the summer of 1992, people. Back when Diosa and Bookgirl's moms used to worry about letting them sleep over my house because, and I quote, there just wasn't enough supervision.
Ah. The good old days. Back when supervision mattered. Nowadays, I can be left unsupervised for years at a time and manage to avoid even a hint of mischief.
Pity.
In anycase, I loved this story, can't wait to hear what you all have to say about it, and someone please remind me to install an alarm system before Secret Lulu turns twelve.
Ok, screw it - I read ahead. I'm sorry to say I'm going to have to sit the bench for this series. I tried, kinda. I just can't get into it, I'm not a vampire girl. Grrrrr.
Have fun, ladies.
Posted by: Liz | July 01, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Okay Polly, I have my whole book club reading Twilight. A couple of the girls aren't fantasy fans, so it will be interesting what they have to say. Not sure when we're meeting again yet, we're in the process of trying to land a date between all the vacations and summer activities.
I read half the book the other night. I'm loving it, drew me right in.
Posted by: Diosa | July 03, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Oh Hank, Polly. I bought the book yesterday afternoon, started it at about 10pm last night intending to get through a couple chapters before bed. Now it's noon and I've finished it, read every page. Needless to say, I'm not exactly well-rested today. But the goth girl at Borders was right. Wow, I loved it. Now I need to go buy the other two today!
Posted by: The Model | July 03, 2008 at 09:16 AM
I'm all excited because my Barnes & Noble has a book club based around the series and I'm going to the next meeting. I also preordered the next book and am going to the B&N midnight celebration to pick it up. The thing is, each book (so far)is better than the last with Book 3 being the super awesomest so I have high hopes for book 4. Sweet Hank, I hope they start having sex soon.
Posted by: Polly Poppins | July 03, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Oh. My. God. Nobody better call me or try to get me to do anything pointless like dishes or care for my child. I am reading Book 2 right now and I don't have time for human tasks. Must read!
Ok, I'll just take one moment here to express deep sympathy for Liz who couldn't get into Book 1. That is very, very sad.
Posted by: The Dol | July 06, 2008 at 12:12 PM
These books are like crack. I'm done the first 2 and ready to start the third. I've read very few series so voraciously - Harry Potter, Ender and Bean. This is, I think, the third series in my adult life to completely suck me in like this. Curls, who doesn't even like fantasy, is also starting "Eclipse". She managed to get there ahead of me.
I'll have to post on this too. I could possibly leave everything in a comment.
Posted by: Diosa | July 06, 2008 at 12:25 PM
or rather, "couldn't possibly"
Posted by: Diosa | July 06, 2008 at 12:26 PM
I think it needs to be said, for the record, that I don't think it would be fair to call me a lecherous old woman if I happened to think Edward Cullen is hot. Technically, he is much older than I am. Just want to make that clear.
Posted by: The Dol | July 07, 2008 at 10:43 AM
They really are like crack. I'm waiting for Polly to release her review of New Moon until I buy Eclipse (hint, hint, Polly!). I bought New Moon on Saturday and, despite being the sole caretaker of my kids all day, and doing errands like going to Costco, and going to a pool party that evening, I finished it before going to bed (at a reasonable hour, even!). I couldn't put it down.
It's not really Great Literature or anything, and if I have to hear about Jacob's "russet skin" one more time I might scream, but man, I do love these books.
Posted by: The Model | July 07, 2008 at 12:28 PM
I'd like to put myself firmly on the side of all the loving and fawning and fussing. I got up early to come into work and prep for a 9:30 meeting, and instead finished the book before work, and rescheduled the meeting for the afternoon. I lent a coworker my copy of Eclipse because I wasn't going to get to it right away, and she's not done it yet. Oh, the tragedy. If she's not done before the weekend, our friendship might be permanently compromised.
Posted by: Bookgirl | July 08, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Have you seen Sue's review of Twilight - over at Navel Gazing at its Finest? Hee hee!
Posted by: The Razzler | July 10, 2008 at 02:56 AM
Razzler,
I can't tell if she likes it or not. Too vague.
;-)
Posted by: The Dol | July 10, 2008 at 07:34 AM