Coming Clean
So, I did it. I finally gave in. I bought Twilight.
Let me first say that I resisted mainly due to the fact I'm an incredibly picky reader, and since the books are aimed at a younger audience I didn't think I'd like them. Also due to my pickiness, I tend to be wary of anything that has such mass appeal. I wouldn't call myself a book snob, but something about hysteria always makes me suspicious. I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books, for example. But then I got to thinking about it. I write about vampires, and I read about vampires. Why wouldn't I check out one of the most successful additions to the vampire fiction canon?
I recently bought a Kindle, and have been using it to try out all sorts of books since the book versions are cheaper. I'm finding it's a lot like my iTunes addiction. So easy! So cheap! Why not? So I downloaded Twilight.
People, I couldn't put it down. Not because Meyer is a genius at word craft, although I think she gets a worse rap than deserved. Not because I wanted to figure out why the books were so successful. But because I kept waiting for Edward and Bella to get it on. The tension was sharp-edged and heightened by the complication of Edward's blood lust. And it kept me turning pages into the wee hours.
Haters say what you will, but I love some good sexual tension. And Meyers delivered it in spades. I'm not saying this is why other people enjoyed the series. I'm also not saying it was a perfect read. I'm certainly not a convert to Twilight hysteria. But I enjoyed the book and will continue to read the series. In fact, I'm already halfway through New Moon.
Has anyone else out there resisted the siren call of Edward and Bella because of it's popularity? Or those who have read it, what did you think about the tension. Was the lack of (ahem) consummation refreshing or a let down?
Now, before you answer, a caveat: Twilight is obviously the subject of lots of debate, especially in UF circles. But I would ask that you refrain from author bashing. If you didn't like the books, that's cool. But I don't think you'll find much support here for personal attacks against a fellow scribe.
Let me first say that I resisted mainly due to the fact I'm an incredibly picky reader, and since the books are aimed at a younger audience I didn't think I'd like them. Also due to my pickiness, I tend to be wary of anything that has such mass appeal. I wouldn't call myself a book snob, but something about hysteria always makes me suspicious. I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books, for example. But then I got to thinking about it. I write about vampires, and I read about vampires. Why wouldn't I check out one of the most successful additions to the vampire fiction canon?
I recently bought a Kindle, and have been using it to try out all sorts of books since the book versions are cheaper. I'm finding it's a lot like my iTunes addiction. So easy! So cheap! Why not? So I downloaded Twilight.
People, I couldn't put it down. Not because Meyer is a genius at word craft, although I think she gets a worse rap than deserved. Not because I wanted to figure out why the books were so successful. But because I kept waiting for Edward and Bella to get it on. The tension was sharp-edged and heightened by the complication of Edward's blood lust. And it kept me turning pages into the wee hours.
Haters say what you will, but I love some good sexual tension. And Meyers delivered it in spades. I'm not saying this is why other people enjoyed the series. I'm also not saying it was a perfect read. I'm certainly not a convert to Twilight hysteria. But I enjoyed the book and will continue to read the series. In fact, I'm already halfway through New Moon.
Has anyone else out there resisted the siren call of Edward and Bella because of it's popularity? Or those who have read it, what did you think about the tension. Was the lack of (ahem) consummation refreshing or a let down?
Now, before you answer, a caveat: Twilight is obviously the subject of lots of debate, especially in UF circles. But I would ask that you refrain from author bashing. If you didn't like the books, that's cool. But I don't think you'll find much support here for personal attacks against a fellow scribe.
Comments
I am glad for the author, she has found a niche and has profited. My reading time is too precious and my book $$ too thin to add to her coffers. She has plenty now and will get more.
I'd rather spend my $$ on the not so famous and monied authors whose stories I dig much more.
That said, I do enjoy the Harry Potter series, much better written and more to my liking. I listen to them rather than handhold the hewgah book. I get the FAB Jim Dale telling me the story of Harry and the gang. He makes the story even better.
Enjoy your Kindle. I may have to get one someday if only for the books that I can't find in affordable MPB size.
The romance was pure and very addictive. I enjoyed the first book the most but the rest feel short for me. I hated New Moon....I'm an Edward lover not a Jacob lover!
What did get to me however, was Bella's character change in the final novel which I didn't feel was a positive message for the young female readers. I felt that she should have been more like the original Bella than the drone she became. But thats my own opinion.
But the book still annoyed me, too. Because I really don't like doormat characters like Bella.
I had other complaints about the book, including characterizations and motivations for the relationship, but that's off-prompt.
I read UF because I like heroines who fight back, take charge, and have personalities. Bella doesn't sound like that sort of heroine.
I love some good sexual tension, as well, but going into a book knowing there's no payoff kills that tension for me. Which is more the fault of me reading spoilers than it is the fault of the author, but it is what it is.
I really don't read YA. I've read one YA in the last year. I'm so behind in current UF series that it'll take me a year of reading 16 hours a day (gotta sleep) to catch up. And this isn't a slam against YA, because there are several series/authors I want to read (House of Night, for example), but I need to get through the mountain of books I own first.
Plus, I'm more of a werewolf person than a vampire person, and I know poor Jacob didn't get the girl, so...
I also have to say that I kept thinking thru the whole set that the true monster in the books wasn't the vampires or the werewolves. It was Bella. I really didn't care much for her.
And last, it got me reading again, something that I'd abandoned in my hectic life. In fact, the next series I read was Jaz Parks, which I loved immeasurably more than Twilight.
I personally think the tension is going to be awesome for other authors. I have a friend who was sucked into Twilight, but once she was done, she wanted to know what else was good and maybe ones with a little more action. I sent her towards the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine and she's loving that one as well. She's been raiding my library constantly every since. I now have her hooked on the Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Seriously, EDWARD IS COLD AND DEAD. Jacob is where it's at. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Jacob . . .
*rolls around in the worms from the can she just opened*
"Janyan"
"Capimoo"
Ryuiggan"
But all in all I enjoyed the series. Breaking Dawn.. not as much. But Hey I had to find out what happened.
I like my MC (male and female) to be butt kickers, action oriented and going for glory, baby. No submissive/passive-agressive MCs for this guy.
I was in a similar mode for the first four Harry Potter books, then I sucked it up and read them and now I'm a total convert. However, I don't think I'll become a Twilight convert. I would have loved them when I was in high school 15 years ago, but now? Now, I've read vampire books for twenty years and I've become a snob about them. An author really has to wow me and I'm just not into that "ohmygod, I'm in high school and I love you FOREVER" kinda mode. So while I may eventually give in and try it, I certainly am not pushing anything back in my queue of tried-and-true authors. Or those that just have such great titles as "Red-Headed Stepchild." I'm telling ya Jaye, I bought that one for the title and cover alone (with a little bit of favoritism for my reluctant adults addiction).
There WAS good sexual tension but I don't like Edward and I'm not that into Bella either. I'm more a fan of Alice and Emmett (weird? probably).
And, for the record (no spoilers, I promise) I felt Breaking Dawn to be a big let-down, mostly because there was minimum sacrifice and the stakes didn't feel high enough.
I have a degree in English Literature. I’ve read and enjoyed more literary classics from the beginning of English to modern times than I can count.
But I finished the fourth Twilight book last week after devouring them in almost as many days, and I couldn’t put them down. While Meyer will win no awards for literary finesse, she’s continuing the immensely important effort that J.K Rowling undertook – getting kids to read.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Harry Potter or Twilight it’s undeniable that having more kids get their first glimpse at an amazing world of literature is good for us all.
I did however by that Red Headed Step Child book. :P It's next on the TBR after Turn Coat.
Jana
New Moon was even better. Love Edward and love Jacob. Bella...not so much.
*slurp*
The final book I could take or leave but I really didn't want to put the other three down. Yes, there were places that weren't all that much and it could have used a good edit. But it's getting people reading again.
My local independant bookstore constantly gets mums coming in, asking for something for their daughters to read now that the Twilight saga is over. They're usually referred to Richelle Mead. :)
Someday I plan to reread at least Twilight and try to figure out how she did it. But at the rate my TBR pile is growing, that may not happen.
I'm not into the whole mania thing, and have no desire to see the movies. I read them without ever really liking Bella. I kept wanting to smack her upside the head to knock some sense into her. And I never cared that much for Edward; who wants to cuddle with someone as hard and cold as marble? As for vampires that sparkle in the sun - don't get me started. I liked Jacob better, but he's too young for me to lust after.
Never will.
Proud to this day I haven't seen "Titanic" either.
Classic.
I have to admit that I'm still a Twilighter and going strong.
I've the first 3 books about 6 times and the 4th one 2ce.
I've been too busy to re-read them again.
I don't like how people judge them on how popular they've become. ):
So anyways. I love Twilight (: