Twilight - Book One - 498 pages - Miss Simer's Rating: ***1/2
Seventeen-year-old Bella is dreading a move from living with her mother in Phoenix to staying with her father in Washington. The overcast, often rainy days in Forks, Washington, add to her gloom. She doesn't have trouble making new friends, but with the town's police chief for her father, some of the kids are a bit leery of her. Bella meets Edward Cullen in Biology class and is overwhelmed by his perfection - copper hair, flawless skin, golden eyes - he's stunning. Soon Bella learns a secret about Edward and the rest of the Cullen family. They are not who they seem to be. Edward warns Bella that he is dangerous and she is risking her life everytime she's with him, but she can't resist. She and Edward have an unbreakable bond, but will it be enough to save Bella from those who are out to hurt Edward and his family? This is the first installment of Stephenie Meyer's extremely popular series, and, despite having a fairly slow start, the ending was riveting and I can't wait to read the second!
New Moon - Book Two - 563 pages - Miss Simer's Rating: ***1/2
In this sequel to Meyer's Twilight, Bella and Edward are finally able to enjoy their budding romance. Bella is able to keep Edward's secret and his family grows to accept her. At Bella's birthday party, she accidentally cuts herself and Edward sees the true danger he has put her in by allowing her near his family. Jasper nearly attacks her, and Edward decides he'd rather leave her and be miserable than see her hurt. Devastated, Bella sinks into a deep depression and is only pulled out by her new friend Jacob. But Jacob has a secret too - one that makes he and Edward archrivals forever. Filled with romance, action, and an adventurous trip to France, this sequel does not let the reader down.
Eclipse - Book Three - 629 pages - Miss Simer's Rating: ***
In the third installment of the Twilight series, Bella and Edward are finally back together. Their time apart was beyond painful and Bella has decided she is ready to take the next step and commit "forever" to Edward. Edward has a few rules for her first - including a marriage between them before he will allow her to become a vampire. As things often do in Bella's life, the two hit a snag. An unexpected steak of violence and murders has been occurring in nearby Seattle and when someone sneaks into Bella's room and steals some of her belongings, the Cullen clan gets very anxious. Meanwhile, Jacob and his pack are also acutely aware of the impending doom for their town. The vampires and werewolves must finally call a truce to protect their town and Bella. Torn between her devotion to Edward and her affection for Jacob, Bella fights within herself to make a final decision between the two. Although I found this book to be a slow book, it definitely has its moments of romance, gore, humor, and more. It's worth the slow rate of reading!
Breaking Dawn - Book Four - 756 pages - Miss Simer's Rating: ***1/2
In this final book of the series, Bella and Edward are married. They jet off to a tropical island to enjoy their honeymoon so Bella can enjoy her last few days as a human before Edward turns her into a vampire. However, the couple hits a major snag when Bella becomes pregnant with a half-human/half-vampire baby (or "monster" as Jacob often puts it) and the Volturi catch wind of it. A showdown between the Cullens and the Volturi is set and the Cullens call in vampires from across the world to help. Who will win this battle - and will Edward and Bella ever get true happiness? This novel is more adult than the other three, so make sure you don't have a weak stomach when reading it!