ATOM Twilight Tenth Anniversary/Life and Death Dual Edition

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2.5*Bella’s not like other girls... she reads classics.But in all seriousness this book is bad.Yet... I’m struggling to give this book a rating. There’s no doubt in my mind that if this was the first time that I’d read this book it would be a one star rating.However, it’s not the first time I’ve read this book. Me and this book, we have history.I remember the first time I read this book as clear as day, with my tattered, borrowed copy from my school library. As soon as I met Bella and the Cullen’s I fell in love with a book for the first time. I also related to Bella (please forgive me, I was 10 years old and didn’t know any better) because like her I didn’t fit it; I loved books and the strange and mysterious fascinated me. 10 year old me would have jumped at the chance to become a vampire, and Edward’s “overprotectiveness” was seen as only charming.Now, at 19 (God, has it really been 9 years), Bella’s character is insipid and 2-dimensional. Edward is controlling and toxic - he constantly calls her silly, absurd and ridiculous when she raises genuine concerns - and the only saving grace for this book is the Cullen family. The story is even worse with no compelling plot, and a lot is made to propel the story forward while lacking any sense. For example, when Bella was on the phone to James and Alice was in the room, how was it that with her [Alice’s] superior hearing she couldn’t tell that it was James on the phone rather than Bella’s mother?There are so many things wrong with this, so when I give this book 2.5*, I’m more than aware that this is more than it deserves, but this book holds a grudging place in my heart and I can’t deny the love I once had for this series.

I first read this book about two years ago, having heard all the hype about it. After reading all the reviews, I realised it was one of those 'you either love it or you hate it' type things. Like Marmite. Personally, I detest Marmite and I had geared myself up to hate Twilight, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I actually really enjoyed it. I originally borrowed the series from the library, but I have recently purchased it for myself, so I decided that I may as well put my new books to some good use and read them all again. It has been two years, after all.Forks: A small town in Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula- the coldest, cloudiest, wettest, most miserable place on earth. This is Bella Swan's new home. Exiling herself from her mother, Phil, and sunny Arizona, Bella knows that she'll likely live to regret the decision.But beneath the surface, Forks is not quite as dull and mundane as it seems. For the town is home to the Cullens- a family of pale skinned outcasts, with eyes the colour of topaz. Bella is instantly enchanted by them all- especially Edward.As he and Bella grow closer, it becomes apparent that Edward is even less ordinary than he first appeared, and that to continue their forbidden romance means putting Bella's life in mortal danger...Ok, fine. It's not the most fabulous book ever. I accept that as romance stories go, it is not the most potent (I'm sure none of us can have failed to encounter the 'Still a better love story than Twilight' gags) but I still enjoyed reading it. It may be just another 'tragic vampire romance', but you have to remember that at the time it was written, it was one of the first of its kind. (Obviously vampire romance had been covered before, but it was this franchise that popularised the genre, so I suppose you could consider it somewhat original).I think it is actually written pretty well. I know that a lot of people have complained about the overuse of purple prose, but I personally like it. After all, it's better to be overly informed than to be reading a book filled with ambiguity. Although, it's clear that Stephanie Meyer got a little overexcited with the thesaurus. It should be used sparingly, not for every other word. Nothing kills the reading experience like having to ask Siri what something means every two minutes.Aside from this, I think the detail Meyer includes is what makes the book memorable, because the romantic aspect and characterisation (or lack of it) certainly aren't.Which brings me to my main complaint: Bella. It isn't that she doesn't have a personality or anything, because she does. It just happens to be an exceedingly irritating personality.I mean, it was fine before she met the Cullens, but then...well, it all went downhill from there. Bella is obsessed with Edward. And I don't mean the usual, 'Oh, his eyes are so dreamy!' or 'I wonder if we like the same breakfast cereals?' type thing. I mean LITERALLY obsessed.She's always thinking about him, and gets physically depressed if she doesn't see him for a day. When they're together (which is most of the time) she says things like 'Would I ever get used to his perfection?' and 'I looked at his gorgeous profile and tried to remember how to breathe', amongst other comments.And to be honest, I don't see the big deal about Edward. Aside from the odd witty remark, he's a bit lacking in character- like a robot, who speaks in the way of a 1920s American. And he goes on and on about how he couldn't bear to lose Bella, but not once does he show us any sign of real passion or love for her. It's just bloodlust. And I mean that literally.It's Team Jacob all the way (although he doesn't make a significant appearance until the later books, but still).I feel as though I have to give this book a fairly good rating, if only for the nostalgia of reading it again, and enjoying it again. It is actually a nice read- and it kept me entertained whilst I was reading it, though I have to say, it is my least favourite in the series, simply because not a lot happens aside from Edward and Bella falling in love. There was only one dramatic showdown in the final couple of chapters (not described in much detail, since Bella was unconscious for most of it) and even that could have been avoided if Bella wasn't so ridiculously naïve and oblivious. But still an enjoyable read.I'd rate this book...7 out of 10 stars.

This magical tale will take you to great places if you give your imagination permission to run riot. If a sense of the different gets you going, this is for you ..Edward is the loveable unwilling vampire, the adorably sensitive hero who will steal your heart. The goodness of his nature shines through as Stephanie lovingly creates his multi faceted character, including his gifts, his love of listening to & playing classical music, his expressionate colour changing eyes, seductive innocence, his confident authoritive ways of influencing others, melodic voice, yes! He is a hot guy! He is a well rounded and complete character who you share emotion with as you get further into the book.Bella is a bit of a clumsy mundane character by comparison, I don't mind this as it balances out Edwards' otherworldliness very well. She does however show amazing courage & intellect later in the book, her character develops throughout. The thing that stands out about her, however, is her unconditional deep love for Edward, which could lead her to a bad place but despite this, she feels his deep love and has no fear.Favourite parts of the book for me are when Bella goes to his house, is shown his & his Fathers extraordinary family history & larger than life beautiful house & the parts where Edward learns to show his affections & he shares with Bella many magical moments as he expresses his deep, poignant love for her. The part where he plays her his own sweet magical tune on the piano was just awesome and when he sings her to sleep. His internal struggle between his love for Bella & his natural calling, which means it would be best to leave her is so beautifully expressed.This book is for young adults but is well written and deep enough for older people to enjoy, as myself!There have been a lot of bad reviews on this book, which I find very unfair. Most of them seem to be from people who lack sensitivity. They will pick out individual pieces of the book as unfavourable, rather than sinking into it and enjoying it for what it is. For example, it has been said that 'how can Edward be so gorgeous if he purple skin under his eyes?' well.., it is a vampire tale .. Bella's character has also had some stick as 'obsessed' - the people saying this have obviously never let themselves be carried away beyond all sensibilities, or maybe this is a side to themselves they would rather deny or forget

I have read this so many times, it's an easy to read story and I'm rereading the whole series in anticipation of Midnight Sun being released. I don't think it was as good as I remember it being, I was 25 I think when I read this first and it was escapism in it's finest form. Now I'm 34 and it's still escapism but not as powerful. The story will always stay with me though and there'll always be a part of me wanting an Edward or a Jacob to come along and make me feel like the centre of the universe

I was sceptical in buying this given the films were iffy. But as an avoid lover of both fantasy and romance, this surprised me with some interesting developments:Namely, the characters have deliberate flaws which are fully flushed out and explained over the series, but right from book one it works as a way of making you so addicted to reading so you can see how these complex characters react.Perfect lore, amazing fantasy elements, and a very tense romance - all of which get better over the course of the series.I wouldn't say a full 5 stars for the 1st book as it does have a bit of a dragging section in it, but some subsequent books can get a 5. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed