Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

That's right Nichole. They actually have to move every few years so they don't draw attention to the fact that they don't ever age. Not just the kids but the adults too.

I will admit that I really liked this series. I've read a lot better books since but they are still a good read.

okay so Edward was around in the time of Jacob's great grandfather, isn't it a little kinky for him to hanging around with a high school girl? I understand he can't get someone his own age. but still high school age... hasn't anybody heard the phrase "17 will get you 20"?

Irene wrote: "okay so Edward was around in the time of Jacob's great grandfather, isn't it a little kinky for him to hanging around with a high school girl? I understand he can't get someone his own age. but sti..."

That's one of those things where you have to suspend disbelief and not think about it too hard. And "17" won't get him "20" because to everyone else, he is the same age.
Also, I think Meyer mentions in the books once or twice that when they become vampires, they sort of freeze both physically and emotionally - they don't change a lot, so I guess that's her explanation for it. He really is still 17.

that's a good point about the need to suspend belief- paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi whatever wouldn't be that enjoyable if you don't suspend belief for a little while-

So help out here- I just got to the part where Edward is quizzing Bella about herself. They're sitting in the silver volvo in front of the house. Charlie, Jacob Black and Billy Black have just driven up. Now, I know there's going to be a confrontation- this scene is not going to go well for the Edward and Bella relationship ala Romeo and Juliet... We've already been told vampires and werewolves don't get along and the Blacks are werewolves.

What I don't get is why was she hiding the relationship from Charlie all along? When Bella asked Charlie about the Cullens, I don't remember him saying anything negative about them. In fact, I remember being upset that Dr. Cullen and family was not liked in town.
Bella has lead Charlie to believe she's going to Seattle by herself. If I were a parent, I'd definately want to know the travel arrangements. Even if I liked her proposed travel companion, I'd have a hissy fit- if she wasn't straight forward about her plans. Letting people know your travel plans seems like a safety percaution to me.
So why doesn't Bella want Charlie to know she's made friends with Charlie?
As for the dance, why isn't she straight forward with Charlie and say "I'm not going because I don't want to" She's seventeen- there's no law that says just because it's a big deal at school, you must want to do it or there's something wrong with you.

I just finished Twilight. For as much snarking I did on this book, I have to now admit that I liked it. I may never be a true fanatic. I'm not running out to play role playing games... But yeah, it got pretty good about half way through.
I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to go on to the next one in the series but it's been my general experience that series get better as the progress. So I'm a little curious...

Irene, that's easy - she's a teenager, and she's embarrassed by the idea of having a boyfriend. Even when she does tell him, it's with reservations.

One thing prevalent thru the entire series is Bella's dislike at being noticed. Having a boyfriend brings her unwanted attention from her parents.

As the series progresses everything becomes more clearer, Stephanie Meyer had to leave several things in not-as-much-detail in order to continue on with the story line.
Twilight is the characterisation stage in the series where characters are introduced.
New Moon is the start of conflict and learning how to deal.
Eclipse is about choices and how they affect everyone.
Breaking Dawn is the conclusion as well as solution to the series.
Once you read the first book you have to read them all.
despite being a little too 'lovey dovey' its a good insight to what people experience whilst havign their first love.

I just finished Breaking dawn. I have mixed feelings about it.... Don't want to give details for those who haven't read it... I can tell you I felt it was more of an adult read rather than YA by that point. Not due to sex but the overall subject matter.

I know some didn't like the end of the book. I didn't mind it. Maybe it could have been more powerful, but then again, it fits her writing style.

My only real complaint with the entire series is that in the first half of the books, very little happens. It takes her a long time to setup.

I just heard on an entertainment news show that Taylor Lautner gained 30 lbs for his role as Jacob the Large in New Moon, LOL. Maybe he'll look like a man, LOL. Dakota Fanning's starring too. Looks like this installment might be better after all.

Yeah, I heard that too. He might not be as TALL as the book, but he's supposed to have bulked up alot.

Thanks heavens! And I guess he'll probably have short hair for most of it, so we won't have to deal with that wig... maybe it won't be so bad!

(Jacob the Large - tee hee!)

LOL, Nichole. ;) Yes, thankfully, I think he does cut his hair.

So, I'm coming to the End of New Moon- I'm sure this question will answer itself shortly but....
Bella is campaigning to become a vampire-
Carlisle has agreed to do it after she graduates-
Edward has just said he'll do it if she married him-
She's balking-
What's up with that? She wants to be a vampire immediately- a decision that can never be undone-
But this guy she loves more than life itself- she doesn't to marry him right away? She thinks she's too young to get married but not too young to become a vampire...
I've come to like this series more as I read more of it
But right now, I want to slap her.

Irene - Bella has negative ideas about marriage because of her mom and dad. There is also the fact that Bella doesn't consider anything about Edward or her relationship with him to be traditional, she has problems using the word boyfriend to describe their relationship, in comparison to something like soulmate. So deciding to spend eternity with him makes sense to her, more than the traditional convention of marriage. There is also the fact that Bella hates to be the center of attention and a wedding is all about the Bride.

I myself would be jumping at the chance to marry Edward, but that's why Bella is different than most girls. While other girls dream of a beautiful big wedding, Bella just wants to be with Edward. Think about it, she doesn't wear makeup, hates when Alice dresses her up. Spending eternity with Edward fits with Bella way more than a traditional marriage.

Does anyone know about the cover art on Twilight? I like it. It's striking two hands holding a red apple on a black backround. But I don't get how that relates in the book. I don't remember any particular talk of apples.

Irene - the apple goes back to the bible and the forbidden fruit, Bella is offering herself for Edward but he has to resist. She is the most tempting thing to him but he can't partake.

cool- I like that

Missy wrote: "Irene - the apple goes back to the bible and the forbidden fruit, Bella is offering herself for Edward but he has to resist. She is the most tempting thing to him but he can't partake. "

Nice! I woulda said maybe it has something to do with them being in highschool, apple for the"teacher" LOL. Which bothered me intensely when I first started reading it... I cursed my friend for recommending a "teeny bopper highschool" novel, until I started to get into it ;)

~Malice

I had issues with the teeny bopper stuff too. I snarked in a few threads about it. I have said in this thread I may never be a complete Twilight convert. But the series grows on you- like mmm apple cider.

I've just started reading Eclipse. Edward has forbidden her from seeing Jacob Black- for her own good- I'm just thinking that's going to get old. Don't marry a man who decides who you can be friends with.

Irene wrote: "I've just started reading Eclipse. Edward has forbidden her from seeing Jacob Black- for her own good- I'm just thinking that's going to get old. Don't marry a man who decides who you can be friend..."
Yea someone shoulda warned me of that before I got married >:|

What Bella is going through doesn't sound to me like the true love her teeny bopper mind thinks it is. It sounds like infatuation to me. Her whole world revolves around Edward- not healthy. Charlie is trying by insisting she have other people in her life- but there's not much he can do.

I don't think it was true love but the way it happened was what got to me, which is why the first book will always be the one I can honestly say I liked all the way until the end.

It's more a Romeo and Juliet thing. I loved that play by the way. Romeo and Juliet are a great romance but they too were young kids infatuated with each other. If they had stayed together long enough to actually get to know one another, they might have ended up tearing each other's throats out.
But for enjoyment purposes we the audience don't think that far into the future. For now it is true love.
The same is true with Edward and Bella. Some realism must be suspended to enjoy the romance. Ms Meyer may not be Shakespear but I do like the way she phrases things.
Still, when Edward pulled the battery cables out of her truck and prevented her from visiting Jacob, I had to take a break. That was wrong. It was not romantic. It was controlling and a warning sign of a potentially abusive relationship. We shouldn't tell our young women that this behaviour is a sign of love and that it is acceptable...

Irene wrote: "It's more a Romeo and Juliet thing. I loved that play by the way. Romeo and Juliet are a great romance but they too were young kids infatuated with each other. If they had stayed together long enou..."

I was in love with Edward but some of the stuff, especially that part, really did irritate me because he doesn't own her even though he'd like to think he does so I totally agree with you on that part.

You have to think about their relationship as something more than just teenagers dating. For a normal couple, the things Edward does IS going too far. However, this is not just a friend, its a young, unpredictable, werewolf and Edward's mortal enemy. We see from Emily that real harm can befall people who interact with them. He thinks he is protecting Bella and keeping her safe. Instead of seeing it as keeping her from visiting a friend, you have to see Edward's pov that it's like letting Bella go swim with sharks. He loves her and she has already been living for a while in a dangerous, supernatural world, he is doing his best to protect her.