Christian Goodreaders discussion

Many of you have probably noticed that, on one of our other threads, we've been having some energetic discussion of the Twilight series by Mormon author Stephenie Meyer. Since it wasn't strictly on-topic there, I've set up this thread as the place for people to continue that discussion. So if you have opinions --pro, con, or in between-- comments, or questions about the whole Twilight phenomenon, this the place to post them!

I read the first book and I loved it. I plan to read all the books. I will probably read The Host one day, but it's not as high on my list of books to read. I like the supernatural stuff more than sci-fi.

Same here --I plan to read the whole series, but I'm not as excited about The Host, despite having a Goodreads friend who recommends it highly. I like both SF and supernatural fiction; but other things being equal, the latter draws me to it more, too.

i am not quite as fond of the series, but i heard the books keep you on edge.

Timid, I read the first book in the series after I saw the movie adaptation, so I knew the general outline of what would happen --and I still found the last part almost nail-bitingly suspenseful! So yes, I'd say Meyer's plotting and prose can keep you on edge. The second volume, New Moon, also has an edge-of-your-seat quality in several places. (I've just started on the third installment, Eclipse.)

I have strong, but perhaps unfair, opinons about the Twilight series. I have a tendency to research books TOO thoroughly before I read them and, upon the suggestion of a friend, I started reading reviews. The reviews gave me an extremely negative opinion of the following: the quality (or mary sue lack of quality rather) of the main female character, the obsessive co-dependant nature of the romance, the level of writing and the inability of the author to be consistent when she's realized she painted her characters into a corner and may have to sacrifice something that her readers want.

I finally attempted to read the first book. I read part of a chapter, skimmed several and then handed it off to someone else as I was unable to appreciate it or be immersed in it. Therefore the perspective from which I critique is limited, but I found the reviews to be accurate at least regarding the writing style/maturity level of the book.

Yamit, thanks for sharing your opinion. Of course, it's hard to fairly evaluate something you haven't read completely; I have the same problem, not having read the whole series. And it's really hard to completely finish reading something you're not enjoying, as my own "started-not-finished" shelf indicates (though not all of the books there were unfinished for that reason!).

Judging a book by reviews can be helpful, but tricky as well; they're often essentially subjective, so the ideological background, experiences and tastes of the reviewer can make a big difference. (These books have sparked both savagely hostile and glowingly positive reviews, which proves their subjectivity if nothing else. :-)) Some reviewers who see a "Mary Sue" quality in Bella, for instance, see it as clearly proven by the fact that she's formed a monogamous and committed romantic relationship with a male; reviewers like myself who don't view monogamy and commitment as inevitably degrading to women see her through a different lens. (Personally, I was able to see a good deal of strength and spunk in her character in the first two books.) Reviews are usually most helpful when they can cite objective grounds or specific examples for general statements. Did any of the ones you read cite examples of inconsistency in the characters, or the "co-dependent nature" of the relationship? So far, I haven't picked up on either of these. (Co-dependency is a psychological condition associated with relationships where one party is addicted to substance abuse, but that isn't a theme here.) And what specific problems did you notice regarding Meyer's writing style?

On Stephenie Meyer's books I have to admit being a teenager I love the books. I've read all four books so many times that actually one of the books is falling apart I read it so many times. How she puts her main character Bella, she is a klutz. She uses Bella in some situations where some of us smile and nodding thinking 'I've done that one before' or 'That sounds just like something I would do'. Now I know there is no such thing as vampires and werewolves, but I think its the human mind to play the 'what if' game. It is very intensifying especially in different parts through out the Twilight saga. It depends really on what you like to read, for some people they love it and others they can't stand it. I guess its your preference.

I finally read the series a few months ago. I liked it. But, I kept the fact in mind it was geared toward teenagers more than anything. It was an easy, enjoyable read. As for the HOST...not a fan of it. I took me about 200 pages in to finally get into it. It was a really slow read. Maybe I had higher expectations of it since I like Twilight so much. It's not one I would personally recommend.