#IReadsYou Book Review: TWILIGHT

TWILIGHT (The Twilight Series Book One)
LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY

AUTHOR: Stephenie Meyer
ISBN: 978-0-316-16017-9; hardcover (October 5, 2005)
544pp, B&W, $22.99 U.S., $28.99 CAN

Twilight is a 2005 young adult novel written by Stephenie Meyer.  A vampire romance, Twilight focuses on a 17-year-old girl who falls in love with a 103-year-old vampire who looks like a 17-year-old boy.  Twilight is the first in the four-book “Twilight series.”  It was also adapted into the hit 2008 film, Twilight, which became the first entry in a five-film franchise.

When Isabella “Bella” Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, a small town in the Olympic Peninsula of northwest Washington state, she thinks that her life will be miserable until she graduates from high school.  Forks is not unfamiliar to Bella, as she was born there.  After her parents divorced and she followed her mother, Renée, to Phoenix, Bella often returned to Forks to spend summers with her father, Police Chief Charlie Swan.  Now, however, because of her mother’s new marriage, Bella is moving in with her father full time.

Adjusting to her new school is not as much as a problem as Bella thought.  In fact, the very things that made her unpopular in sunny Phoenix, makes her attractive to the high school kids in this remote rural area.  Bella makes, or rather tolerates friends, but then she sees him, Edward Cullen.  This pale-skinned Adonis, so beautiful and graceful that he seems supernatural, captures Bella’s attention and imagination.  She can’t stop thinking about him, but he’s distant, even hostile towards her.  Then, Edward saves Bella’s life in an act of bravery that is as shocking as it is impossible.  What is Edward Cullen, and why does he make Bella feel so madly in love and out of sorts that she can’t seem to live without him?

THE LOWDOWN:  Since its debut in October 2005, Twilight, the young adult (YA), fantasy, romance novel by author Stephenie Meyer, has been a favorite with teen female readers.  Twilight spawned three follow ups (with the four books forming The Twilight Saga) and recently became a hit movie.  I am of the mind that novels that are hugely popular and that also spawn a devoted following or fan base might actually be quite good, although many pop novels are really trash.  Twilight, however, is a damn good read.

The books strength comes from two strong elements:  strong characters (especially the leads) and a deeply seductive romance.  Bella and Edward are strong individual characters, but as a pair, they are magic.

Bella comes across as a modern goth-type girl, more stubborn and individualistic than sullen, but she has a romantic’s heart and a generous spirit.  She doesn’t dislike people so much as she prefers her solitude.  Simply put, Edward is chivalrous.  Loyal and brave, his protective way towards Bella may seem odd in this era of the independent woman.  On the other hand, it is also easy to see why young women would be attracted to the character of Edward, especially in an era in which young men consider loutish, self-centered behavior to be cool.

How does an author bring the girl who loves solitude and the boy who seems to be a gentlemanly hero from a 19th century romance novel together?  This is where the seductive nature of Meyer’s writing comes into play.  Meyer builds so much of the text on dialogue, and all that talk gives the novel such warm colors.  Even in the cold and damp setting of the evergreen forests of Washington, the way Meyer has Bella and Edward talk to each other brings a heat to the story that the reader feels.  In his own way, Edward seduces Bella, and in turn, Bella seduces him in her own way.  Their verbal play is searing, and although their conversations run for pages on end, it’s attractive the way real conversation was in the movies, Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.

The majority of the last act becomes a twister of suspense running on the razor’s edge.  Still, the thrills exist in the context of this dangerous, but alluring romance that will have readers flipping pages.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers who enjoy a well-written romantic novels, even a supernatural romance, will like Twilight.

A-
7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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Bluewater Announces Lautner Sell-Out and New "Cast of Twilight" Book

"FAME: TAYLOR LAUTNER” COMIC BOOK BIOGRAPHY SELLS OUT

The "FAME” comic book biography series continues to sell out, Taylor Lautner's issue has officially sold out.

Our upcoming graphic novel “Fame: The Cast of Twilight” will be the only way you can get a copy of the Taylor Lautner issue . The book will be in stores at the end of the month and will include the other sold out biographies of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Stephenie Meyer and Taylor Lautner.

The book is described as, homemaker Stephenie Meyer made history with her best-selling Twilight Saga books. Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner played out her captivating icons seamlessly, earning each a definitive FAME status. Though Twilight was the catalyst, read more to learn why each is deserving of their A-list status through their other ventures as well.

Readers can pre- order Fame: The Cast of Twilight at Amazon.com http://amzn.to/a3Gmr5 , or call their local comic/ bookstores. The suggested retail price (SRP) for the upcoming graphic novel is $14.99.

The Fame titles are 32-page issues and bring to life in graphic form the stories of the world_s biggest celebrities. In stores next month is “Fame: The Cast of Glee” & “Fame: Lady Gaga: The sequel”. You can still pre-order these.

“The majority of our biography comic books have sold out, despite many shops still under-ordering. Readers have contacted us still trying to find our books,” said publisher Darren G. Davis. “It just goes to show that you don't have to be mainstream to reach the market. Readers just want great stories with great art, and if you can deliver that to them, they'll come back for more every month.”

For more information about the company, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/


About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.

Bluewater Biographies Sell Out

"FEMALE FORCE: ANNE RICE” & POLITICAL POWER: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER" BIOGRAHY COMIC BOOKS SELL OUT

Bluewater Productions' hit biography comic book series continues to sell out. Today two more titles are added to the list. “Female Force: Anne Rice” and “Political Power: Arnold Schwarzenegger”.

“A lot of our biography comic books have sold out, despite many shops still under-ordering. Readers have contacted us still trying to find our books,” said publisher Darren G. Davis. “It just goes to show that you don't have to be mainstream to reach the market. Readers just want great stories with great art, and if you can deliver that to them, they'll come back for more every month.”

We have heard from Ms. Rice who said that she “appreciates Bluewater's graphic novel of her life”.

As for a new printing, there is nothing planned for the “Political Power: Arnold Schwarzenegger” but as for the Anne Rice biography it will be available next month in the graphic novel “Female Force” Best Sellers”. The collected life stories of JK Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Anne Rice, and Charlaine Harris in this broad examination of strong women that have made a difference in today's literature.

Readers can advance order “Female Force: Best Sellers” at Amazon.com http://amzn.to/cDFb3L or by calling their local comic book shop. To find a comic book store near you go to ComicShopLocator.com.

"Each of our biography comics takes a different approach in bringing stories to life," said Darren G. Davis, president and founder of Bluewater Productions. "If you compare the Lady Gaga comic with the one on “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson or even with the Oprah bio, you'll appreciate that these books are being crafted with a great deal of creativity, research and vision…they are not cookie cutter productions.”

In the last month, “Fame: Lady Gaga”, “Fame: Kirsten Stewart” and “Fame: Taylor Swift” have sold out in record time. Upcoming titles for the biography series are comic book biographies of Taylor Lautner, Justin Bieber, Bill O'Reilly, Meredith Vieira, David Beckham and Betty White. All of them are available for pre-order.

The comic book series has drawn considerable media attention, including features on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, “The View” and “Live with Regis and Kelly.” It has also been featured in such periodicals as People Magazine, OK! Magazine, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today and thousands of blogs and other media outlets.


About Bluewater Productions
Bluewater Productions Inc. is one of the top independent production studios of comic books, young adult books and graphic novels. Its extensive catalog of titles includes the bestsellers “10th Muse” and “The Legend of Isis” ”Bluewater publishes comic books in partnership with entertainment icon William Shatner (“TekWar Chronicles”), legendary filmmaker Ray Harryhausen (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sinbad: Rogue of Mars,” “Jason and the Argonauts,” et al) and celebrated actor Vincent Price (“Vincent Price Presents”), Additionally, Bluewater publishes a highly successful line of biographical comics under the titles “Female Force” and “Political Power.”

Bluewater aims to unite cutting-edge art and engaging stories produced by its stable of the publishing industry's top artists and writers.

For more information, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/.

Bluewater Productions Announces "Lavish" Stephenie Meyer Book

TWILIGHT AUTHOR, STEPHENIE MEYER GETS LAVISH TREATMENT FROM BLUEWATER.


Vampires, werewolves and, of course, the people who love them have been very good to writer Stephenie Meyer. The writer, creator of the mega-selling Twilight series of vampire novels, has achieved that rarest of feats for modern authors: She's become a celebrity, a household name.

Meyer's comic biography resonated with fans of the Twilight novels and movies. Bluewater, in fact, sold out of several runs of the comic, making it one of the most successful of the company's hot-selling line of biography comics. That's why, this edition called “Twilight Unbound: The Stephenie Meyer Story”, will release a new hard cover version of Meyer's story.

Last year, Meyer also became a comic-book star. Bluewater Productions in November released Female Force: Stephenie Meyer, a graphic biography detailing Meyer's rise from unknown writer to the guiding force behind one of the book industry's top-selling franchises.

This new version will include updates on the success of New Moon, the most recent Twilight film, and a look at Meyer's future plans for Edward and Bella, the romantic leads of her vampire books. The book will also be stuffed with extras, making it a must-buy for Twilight fans.

The collectable version with new features will be the first hard cover for Bluewater retail for $12.99. Written by Ryan Burton with art by David McNeil, the comic is just the latest in Bluewater's popular biography line. This series of biography comics has already highlighted such influential women as Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling, Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton. The series' goal is to examine the lives of these important figures in an objective and balanced manner without resorting to sensationalism.

“The fan reaction to our original release of Female Force: Stephenie Meyer was amazing,” said Darren G. Davis, president of Bluewater Productions. “The positive response took even me by surprise. That's why I'm so excited to release this new version of Meyer's story. I hope her fans appreciate the new information and extras we were able to dig up for this edition of the book.”

Bluewater's biography comics, which include the Female Force, Political Power and Fame lines, have been credited with bringing new readers to the comics industry. Many of these books have sold out of their initial print runs. Such mainstream media as MTV, Rolling Stone, Time Magazine and People Magazine have run stories on the books.

The book is scheduled for a release in May in time for the “Twilight: Eclipse” film. The book is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

For more information about Bluewater and its non-traditional biography comics, visit http://www.bluewaterprod.com/