A REVIEW FOR CONCERNED PARENTS: 
 I have read a great deal of criticism of these books. From the 4 stars I gave this one, you can see I liked it. But I think there are some things concerned parents should know about the books that are not getting represented in the discussion. 
 This is a good book for parents to read with young adults and discuss together. These are discussions many parents WANT to have. Discussions about morality, beliefs, sex, decision making, etc. It is also a good series for book club discussion. Simply rejecting the books out of hand is, in my opinion, foolish. Meyer has created complex characters, with a complex plot line, in a complex, fantastical world. But the real gem here is the ability to examine moral dilemmas in the context of relationship. Some examples: 
 * Can a vampire be good? This was one of my areas of resistance to the books. I thought Edward was to be evil. But, he wants to do the right thing. He is horrified by his vampire identity, and Meyer has set up her vampire characters with unique stories in which they are not culpable for their transformations. In other words, "what would you do if, one day, through no fault of your own, you woke up to discover you are a vampire?" Edward's personal wrestling with the strong attraction he feels for Bella and the self-control required to keep his vampire tendencies in check is an intriguing examination of the role self-control plays in all our lives - of how we respond to challenges in our lives and try to overcome situations that are far from ideal, externally and internally. In many ways, Edward's vampire characteristics mirror our sin nature. Now, the answers in Twilight are purely humanistic, but the examination of the role temptation, sin, redemption and salvation play in our lives are illustrated in a way that can generate a lot of discussion. 
 * If a vampire could be good, how does one live that out in a world populated by "bad" vampires? What does that look like? The Cullens don't want to live as monsters who take human life, and the fight between good and evil becomes one in which the Cullen family is on the "good" side, often fighting against other vampires. That twist made the story appealing, and opens the door for a lot more discussion. What does it mean to try to live a different way, when your nature (sin) and environment are against you? 
 There is much more than can be discussed such as: 
 * Characteristics of Bella/Edward. What makes her/him appealing to readers? What are her/his strong points? Weak points? In what ways is she/he the typical teen, what is exceptional about him/her? NOTE: These characters do develop, so answers to this question will change over the course of the books. 
 *How does Bella embody today's ideas about the role of women in society? How does Edward embody the time period in which he was born and lived before becoming a vampire? How do Bella and Edwards perceptions of the role of men and women differ and how does this impact their relationship? How does the time/ culture in which someone grows up shape their relational expectations? 
 * What about Bella's human friends. Why doesn't she 'click' with them? Is she using them? Are they good friends to her? Is she a good friend to them? 
 * What are the strengths and weaknesses of Bella's relationship with her parents? Compare and contrast the Cullen's and the Swan's. Which is more typical of families today? How does the authority structure differ? After examining these two types of families, what are the strength and weaknesses of your family of origin? 
 * Love: What is true love? Is true love more about feeling or commitment? Why? How is God's love different from ours, such as what are our limits/ in what ways is God not limited? Were Romeo & Juliet wise people? Is their example something that should be imitated? Why or why not? Does such passionate love require youth? How would this story change if Bella/ Edward were in their 50's? Does love change over time? If so, how and why? 
 The world of Twilight is such that it is difficult to discuss many of these questions in the context of one book. For example, on the topic of sexual purity. In Book 1, Bella understands that Edward is disciplined about physical boundaries because he is afraid he might hurt her. I have read criticisms that abstinence is only advocated because he is a vampire. But it is not until Book 3, when they know each other better, that Bella starts to realize that Edward is morally conservative, and a discussion of purity and virtue ensues, which leads to a discussion of salvation. A discussion that I think is a highlight of the series. I thought this discussion was critical in understanding how society's view toward sexual purity has changed: 
 "Bella: "That's it, isn't it? The short laugh that escaped me was more shocked than amused. "You're trying to protect your virtue!" I covered my mouth with my hand to muffle the giggle that followed. The words were so... old-fashioned. "No, silly girl," he [Edward:] murmured against my shoulder. I'm trying to protect yours. And you're making it shockingly difficult." 
 Therefore, this series allows for discussion to develop as the readers get more information. 
 This is a good way to interact with young adults. Parents, if your kids are interested, don't miss the opportunity. Sure, you won't agree with everything in the books, and you also probably won't agree with everything your teen thinks/ believes. But you can get to know them. You can examine some of your own ideas about life, relationships, love and spirituality. You can shape what your teens are thinking about. And you can grow your relationship together and as individuals. Take the chance. 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF TWILIGHT: 
 I liked this book. I enjoyed it on many levels. Sure, the characters are a bit stilted initially, but I thought it added to the mystery and discovery. I found Meyer's brand of vampires unique. The plot line of discovering who they are, how they became the way they did and what their life was like was as intriguing as the relationship between Edward and Bella. The plot pacing was excellent. Just when you are starting to get a handle on the relationship between Edward and Bella, the plot goes crazy vampire! 
 Some more comments: 
 It's true that Bella's harping on Edward's physical perfection gets tiring and is not a good role model for young adults. However, it was credible to me. IF a vampire, one of whose characteristics was physical perfection, fell in love with an ordinary teenager, certainly said teenager would be insecure about her physical ordinariness. 
 I enjoyed the supernatural elements of the vampires, and found the entire family intriguing - and I am not a big sci-fi, horror, vampire, not even gothic kinda gal. I thought the idea that they were ravishingly beautiful and rich, yet isolated and lonely was clever and fit well with the idea that "everything about me is designed to lure in my prey - you". This also creates a positive instruction for young people - even people who 'have it all' need to connect with others and can feel alienated by the very perfection others covet. And, sometimes the external things we covet can hide inner realities that aren't desirable. 
 There is a sense in which Edward and Bella's relationship can cross the line into idolatrous worship. This is dangerous, but not uncommon when in the throws of first love. I'll have to see whether or not this continues. 
 In other young adult books I have read, I have been bothered by the teen-centered action, the assumption that all adults are hopelessly inadequate to the challenges of teen world. While it is true that Bella works around her parents, the vampire plot line does lend itself to being exceptional. And the other adults, Charlie, Renee and Billy Black, specifically, are treated respectfully. Edward consults his family, particularly his father, Carlisle, regularly. That was welcome. However, behind the scenes reality is that Edward is a 100 something year old vampire and his family structure reflects a group of interdependent adults, thus softening the adults are valuable to the teen experience message. The negative side of this is that the Cullens lie to and work around Bella's parents repeatedly. It's true, this is for both Bella and their protection. But transporting her to other states and continuing to keep them in the dark about her safety, as well as encouraging her to behave in a way that is hurtful to them is not an example to be encouraged. Of course, things could have been dealt with much more efficiently if her father, especially, and her mother, not so essentially were 'in on it', but that would lessen the drama... 
 I appreciated the lack of swearing, sex, crime, etc. 
 I found it interesting that it rained for 2 days straight when I read this book, it was a lot like living in Forks! 
 I loved the comedy. The banter between Bella and Edward - their ability to laugh about how weird life is when two different people come together (so much of what was going on between them happens in real life when two people connect on a truly deep emotional level!). It was realistic that some of their jokes fell flat if the other wasn't on the same page, or found a topic too sensitive. My favorite line was written when Bella is stomping through Port Angeles, trying not to think of Edward and spots his silver Volvo in town. Haven't we all had that experience of trying to forget about someone/ something only to have it keep inserting itself in our mind through random occurrence? Bella's thought is: "Stupid, unreliable vampire, I thought to myself." I laughed out loud! Apparently, Stephanie Meyer doesn't take her story TOO seriously. 
 Certainly there are reflections of other literature here. Bella's absolute trust in Edward's goodness made me think of Marie's character in Ludlum's Bourne Identity. Of course, the dark super naturalism and war between good and evil has often been compared to Harry Potter. The fairy tale Thumbelina came to mind in regard to the role of sunlight in the story. Bella's melancholic paranoia scented to me of Jane Eyre, even before I read Stephanie Meyer's web page where she declared Mr. Rochester of Bronte's Jane Eyre, and Mr. Ferras of Austin's Sense & Sensibility as her inspiration for Edward's name. Yet Meyer has combined these elements with her own ideas to create something entirely new and I think the work has the substance to stand on it's own. 
 I'm not ready to scream on the street, go get autographs, and camp out overnight awaiting the next release, but I thought this book was engaging and unique. I'm looking forward to reading more. 4 stars. 
 There's more, and I hated Book #2 
 New Moon (Twilight #2), Meyer, 2006 
 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...