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georgiabelle -> Twilight Series (8/11/2008 12:43:47 PM)

I have several friends who are reading the Twilight Series. These are Godly people whose opinions on reading material, movies, etc., I respect, but I was hesitant when they told me they were reading a book about vampires!!!!

One of them gave me the first book, and I read it. I agree there is nothing "bad" in the book, but I am still not sure how I feel about the series. I would like others' opinions. Do you think it is just another book on the struggle between good and evil and vampires happen to be the main characters? Do you think we as Christians should not read it because it is about vampires? Just curious.



Restored_Heart -> RE: Twilight Series (8/11/2008 12:53:52 PM)

I (and my daughters) have just finished reading all of the books...

It is a good - moral story - one that shows that just because we are born to sin, we don't have to give into temptation....

Also, its a GOOD love story....

No graphic gore - it focuses on romance and self-control - not sex....

Yes it is about vampires, "were-wolves" and humans... but the focus is on the human condition and how we rise to meet challenges... Also - how we struggle against "evil" both from within and from the world....

My 2 cents anyway



floydette -> RE: Twilight Series (8/11/2008 7:22:49 PM)

My dd (as well as all her friends) are reading the series - and loving it.



kohls356 -> RE: Twilight Series (8/12/2008 7:57:19 PM)

I am reading book two now and so far I am enjoying the series. My oldest finished the last book a few days ago and really liked them.

I haven't had any uneasy feelings about reading them.



stateofgrace -> RE: Twilight Series (8/12/2008 8:09:11 PM)

Warning - minor and vague spoilers may be ahead....

It's not explicit, only condones sex within marriage and it's pro-life. The (vampire) hero's adopted father, who was raised a Christian in the Church of England, believes that vampires still have souls, and has taught his adopted "children" (they were all turned in their late teens, actually) to seek nourishment from hunting animals instead of humans.

On the other hand, it's firmly in the realm of fantasy (actually, this would be considered "urban fantasy" - set in a contemporary world just like ours but with some fantastical elements), so if you have issues with fantasy in general, this isn't for you. There are some Native American legends associated with the werewolves. Also, although the hero wants to wait for marriage, the heroine isn't so set on it. And they are very passionate, both before and after marriage (although, again, not at all explicit). There's a love triangle that is resolved by the 4th book, but is somewhat unsettling in the third book. In the second book, the heroine goes through a serious depression and as a result, engages in some heavily risk-taking behavior. There's also the question of whether or not the hero's and heroine's relationship is really all that emotionally healthy for either of them (although that is no longer an issue as the 4th book progresses). The werewolves also "imprint" on their future mates - to explain that further would spoil a lot of major and minor plot points in the series, but that brings into play issues of free will as well as other issues. The last book is also rather bloody in one section...perhaps somewhat unavoidable given the storyline at that point.

Of course there's a lot of hoopla over the series as girls have really gotten into the romance of it. And there will be a movie based on the first book that is going to be released in December. It's already gotten a fair amount of buzz (an Entertainment Weekly cover, for example).

I've heard Stephenie Meyer described as a very good storyteller whose actual writing craft could stand some improvement. I guess that's a fair evaluation. The books are certainly a lot better than much of the junk out there for the Young Adult Market.

I'd suggest reading the series before giving it to young to mid teens and discussing some of the themes with them. Many of those themes are important things to discuss with teenage girls.

I enjoyed the series. My 19 yo loved it. My 15 yo disdains anything to do with "fandom" - she read the first book when practically no one knew anything about it, but since the series has become such a big deal among her peers, she's avoiding the rest of it.



VivaRonaldo7 -> RE: Twilight Series (8/12/2008 10:45:46 PM)

They do mention sex, but it's not graphic or explicit in any way. Stephenie Meyer does a really good job of hinting stuff like that without having to go into vast detail about it, which really makes the series for me.

The Twilight Saga is really a great read, if you don't mind the fantasy thing. Definitely worth the money/time. [:D]



rae_of_light -> RE: Twilight Series (8/14/2008 8:07:31 PM)

I am, I suppose, in the very demographic that is devouring these books. And yet I can't understand what the big deal is. What is it in these books that has teen girls so enamored with the series? As far as I can see, the books are just so much garbage. Badly written, and c'mon, couldn't the premise have been something OTHER than a girl who is seriously crushing on a "bad boy"? Vampire or no, it's been done before. There are many AMAZING well written (and original) teen fantasy books out there, it sickens me that crud like "Twilight" is the stuff that gets wide acclaim.



stateofgrace -> RE: Twilight Series (8/15/2008 4:36:23 PM)

Rae, I really wonder if you're even very familiar with Twilight, because the way you described it is not very accurate, IMO. Edward is about as un-bad-boy as a vampire character could possibly be. He's mysterious in the beginning of the series, but that is because the story is told in Bella's first person POV.

I'm not saying that it's not ok for you to dislike it...everyone has their own taste in genres and styles of fiction.

You've got me curious, what teen fantasy books do you like?



Scraggles6 -> RE: Twilight Series (8/28/2008 7:40:10 AM)

Both of my teenage daugters have read the series - and I am a Twilight mom.
I think the books are wonderful - they really do have a good moral message done with
fantasy.
By the way - if anyone has read the books you would know that Edward is not a bad boy.
We are anxiously awaiting the movie!!
Team Edward!!



kohls356 -> RE: Twilight Series (8/28/2008 1:15:42 PM)

I was thinking what and had to laugh when I read Edward was a bad boy.

I am now reading the third book and also looking forward to the movie.



MeganRenee -> RE: Twilight Series (8/28/2008 2:56:04 PM)

I would have to agree with the majority of posters so far. I think they are great books. I saw alot of girls in our youth group devouring the series, so I thought that I would see what it was all about. They don't have mild or graphic sex in them like a lot of "teen" romance books do. In fact, I love the fact that Edward and Bella seem to be waiting to have sex until they're married. I say "seem" because I'm waiting until my future SIL gets done with Breaking Dawn, so I can finally finish the story!



raivyne -> RE: Twilight Series (11/26/2008 11:06:49 AM)

just dredging up this old topic. I just finished the series and it was fabulous. The love between the two main characters is so endearing, its difficult not to get lost in the story.



JP67 -> RE: Twilight Series (11/29/2008 10:49:37 AM)

I'm a Twilight Mom [:)]
I read the books because my oldest son read them at the request of his then (long distance) girlfriend. My other 2 decided to read them. I'm very picky about what my kids read. We tend to stick to the old classics for the most part.
But we love this series. We can't get enough. For me, an adult, I've not thought this way of 2 characters probably since Scarlet & Rhett! Not that you can compare the two but my feelings and the passion towards the stories for me personally is comparable.
My boys have seen the movie once and my DD & I have seen it 2x already and would go again if movies weren't so darn expensive [;)]

As a mom I'm thrilled Stephanie wrote this book with the boy wanting to wait for marriage!!!
I'll agree it's a very easy read but I don't think the writing is horrible. Stephanie says she had a dream and wrote it down then just elaborated on it. That's how Edward & Bella were "born".

I love it and can't wait for the next movie "New Moon" and I'm stoked they are going to have a bigger budget for the next film. [:D]



seekingwisdom -> RE: Twilight Series (11/29/2008 4:41:04 PM)

I read all four books. I enjoyed them and I personally was very impressed with the writing. I think the author has a great talent for setting the stage and bringing her characters to life and I also applauded her decision to have her main characters wait until they were married. However....

Im curious if I am the only Christian who has read the series who was able to see just how wrong and twisted Bella and Edward's love is from a Christian stand point. If one is looking at their love from that angle it will not take long to see how they made eachother GOD by a very obsessive and spiritual sick desire for one another so much so that it is depicted many times in the story that they can barely live without eachother. This kind of love is exactly what is depicted in almost every love story that romance novels or even Hollywood for that matter shells out, but I thought Stephanie's story in particular amped it up to the INTH degree.

I guess I'd ask the moms (not one myself) if you are okay with your kids reading this, are you counseling them on the difference between romantic love blessed by God where he is the center and the author of that union and obsessive addictive love where the object of affection is the center of the union and therefore God has no room to be any part making it a godless union.

I want to end this sharing that I grew up in a very secular home, where my parents often used the T.V. to pacify me and keep me out from under their feet. I grew up watching shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie so much so that when I was 5 years old and old enough to wonder and ask about God and my grandmother tried to answer all my questions, I remember my first question was, so is God like Samantha on Bewitched? Does he have that kind of power? It was easy to compare and get confused between the two ideas when there was no one really making any effort to seperate fact from fiction.

Because God knew I needed to be shown fact from fiction, as an adult He has many times lifted the veil off of the glamour the world wants me to see and shown me what is ugly and wrong and false about love stories like this one. And, as I read all four books, I did not see Bella as the heroin that I am sure so many others see, but as a sick obsessed sad and misguided young girl in desperate need of a Saviour who's name was not Edward.

Just my 2.



stateofgrace -> RE: Twilight Series (11/29/2008 5:35:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: seekingwisdom

Im curious if I am the only Christian who has read the series who was able to see just how wrong and twisted Bella and Edward's love is from a Christian stand point. If one is looking at their love from that angle it will not take long to see how they made eachother GOD by a very obsessive and spiritual sick desire for one another so much so that it is depicted many times in the story that they can barely live without eachother. This kind of love is exactly what is depicted in almost every love story that romance novels or even Hollywood for that matter shells out, but I thought Stephanie's story in particular amped it up to the INTH degree.

I guess I'd ask the moms (not one myself) if you are okay with your kids reading this, are you counseling them on the difference between romantic love blessed by God where he is the center and the author of that union and obsessive addictive love where the object of affection is the center of the union and therefore God has no room to be any part making it a godless union.



I think you bring up some fairly valid points. That's one reason why I've suggested parental guidance for this series at least for the early and mid teens. However, I think there are many books that aren't necessarily inappropriate reads for mid to late teens that are going to have some things we disagree with. I wouldn't prohibit my kids from reading or seeing a performance of "Romeo and Juliet" for example.

I do think that Edward's and Bella's love matures over time. They both make bad judgments and mistakes, especially in the first two books. While God is not a factor in the books except for Carsile's background and the vampires questioning whether or not they have a soul, in time their love becomes more balanced. Maybe it's a good springboard for discussion. the difference between devotion and obsession?



JP67 -> RE: Twilight Series (11/29/2008 5:41:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: seekingwisdom
I guess I'd ask the moms (not one myself) if you are okay with your kids reading this, are you counseling them on the difference between romantic love blessed by God where he is the center and the author of that union and obsessive addictive love where the object of affection is the center of the union and therefore God has no room to be any part making it a godless union.


Done as with all the books we read in this house. ;) I have my children home 24/7 and have for the last 10 years. I'm very involved in what they read, watch, listen to and websites they visit. I can only be responsible for my own children. My children are also 18, 16 and 14. If i had a 10 or 12 year old, we'd probably not be reading this series or seeing the movie.

quote:

I did not see Bella as the heroin that I am sure so many others see, but as a sick obsessed sad and misguided young girl in desperate need of a Saviour who's name was not Edward.


This could also be said about so many other classic books. I do believe at some point we have to say it's just fiction and define and remember what fiction is. I believe it's important that they read fiction and enjoy it but to remember it's fiction.

I'm glad that the authors beliefs lead her to write a good, clean fiction book for teens to read. There are plenty of other vampire series books in the teen section of the book store that I cannot say the same for. My children will not be reading those - nor do they have the desire.



Sideways -> RE: Twilight Series (12/1/2008 2:00:34 PM)

I just finished Book 1 of the series, but Book 2 is a little hard to find these days, so I went the easy route and ordered from amazon.

I also noticed the how incredibly intense Bella's love becomes so quickly. In fact, I'd more call in infatuation rather than love, though I'm leaving room for maturity in the later books. But is a little disconcerting that Edward is tailor-made to attract his prey, so one wonders how much choice Bella really has in the matter. She states several times that she would abandon the whole world to follow him.

But, much of that is rather typical of teen love that needs time to mature. It's only been amplified by the vampire/danger elements, but much of Bella's personality rings very true (feeling lonely and that no one understands her). I am curious what about Bella attracts not only Edward, but most of the boys in school and later on Jacob, the werewolf (I already know a few spoilers). Seriously, the girl is a walking pheromone and I'm not exactly sure why.

All that being said, it is quite clean, and I'm not looking for every book I read to be a perfect, little Christian book where the heroine gives her heart only to Jesus and asks Him to only give it away to the right man in God's perfect time. I'm sorry, but that would be boring if book after book were like that.

I enjoyed the book a lot; it was a smooth, addictive read, and I finished it a lot faster then I thought I would.



stateofgrace -> RE: Twilight Series (12/1/2008 4:25:32 PM)

Sideways, I'm going to be interested in hearing what you think of the second book!



JP67 -> RE: Twilight Series (12/1/2008 5:36:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sideways
But is a little disconcerting that Edward is tailor-made to attract his prey, so one wonders how much choice Bella really has in the matter.


This is interesting. I had not thought of this.

quote:

But, much of that is rather typical of teen love that needs time to mature. It's only been amplified by the vampire/danger elements, but much of Bella's personality rings very true (feeling lonely and that no one understands her).


Um, I don't think of Bella being lonely or feeling no one understands her. While her love for Edward I do think is very typical teen (fast, furious, consumed by it) she is far from a typical teenager. I feel the character is very much in tune with life, she's okay being alone, she's the one that made the decision to go to Forks so her mother could be with her new husband for a while. Not many teens I know IRL would be so mature to make a decision such as that. She wasn't looking for anything. She was very content just being Bella.

quote:

I am curious what about Bella attracts not only Edward, but most of the boys in school and later on Jacob, the werewolf (I already know a few spoilers). Seriously, the girl is a walking pheromone and I'm not exactly sure why.


Well, what attracts Edward is all animalistic I think. Sounds sick but remember it's fiction - however the character of Edward who happens to be a vampire is attracted to Bella's smell. The book goes quite a bit into how she even smells differently (stronger) to him than the other vamps. And on some level they just connected.

No so sure about Jacob - but we do find out later that Bella is not the one he's to be with.

As for the other boys. Personally, I can totally connect with this one - being raised in a town of only about 3K myself all my life. When a new boy or girl moves into town - EVERYONE is attracted to them...they are new. I guess I didn't read into it too much. I remember a couple boys moving into town in high school and trust me.....all the girls wanted to get to know them. ;)

quote:

All that being said, it is quite clean, and I'm not looking for every book I read to be a perfect, little Christian book where the heroine gives her heart only to Jesus and asks Him to only give it away to the right man in God's perfect time. I'm sorry, but that would be boring if book after book were like that.


I totally agree!

I'm 1/2 way through Breaking Dawn (again).... my kids and I are on our 2nd read through the books. We've seen the movie 2x (daughter and I anyway) The boys have each seen it once. We can't wait for it to hit DVD and if I didn't think my husband would think I had lost my mind, I'd go see it again in the theater LOL!!!



Sideways -> RE: Twilight Series (12/1/2008 6:14:02 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JP67
Um, I don't think of Bella being lonely or feeling no one understands her. While her love for Edward I do think is very typical teen (fast, furious, consumed by it) she is far from a typical teenager. I feel the character is very much in tune with life, she's okay being alone, she's the one that made the decision to go to Forks so her mother could be with her new husband for a while. Not many teens I know IRL would be so mature to make a decision such as that. She wasn't looking for anything. She was very content just being Bella.


I suppose it's more accurate to say she's feels isolated sometimes. I know that she is content being alone, but I did sense a desire for a kindred spirit, someone beyond the typical teenage prattle. It seemed like she started to sense that in Jacob before things became more heavy with Edward. She loved to read and didn't feel as though she fit in with a lot of typical HS stuff. In that way she reminded me of myself in HS. I think she did feel the fact that she didn't fit in, even though she wasn't going to turn into someone totally fake in order to fit in.

And yes, she was definitely more mature then the stereotypical teen; she reminded me a lot of teens are burdened with responsibility a young age (taking care of her mom).



JP67 -> RE: Twilight Series (12/2/2008 10:07:48 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sideways
I suppose it's more accurate to say she's feels isolated sometimes. I know that she is content being alone, but I did sense a desire for a kindred spirit, someone beyond the typical teenage prattle.


True. That maybe be one of the things that drew her to the Cullens, particularly Edward but later the whole family - they were certainly in a sense isolated.

quote:

It seemed like she started to sense that in Jacob before things became more heavy with Edward. She loved to read and didn't feel as though she fit in with a lot of typical HS stuff.


There's a scene in the movie when they are fleeing from Forks where she sees the other kids coming out of the town diner, and she has a look on her face seeing them, almost like she's wondering why she isn't normal (maybe?). Not sure if you seen the movie. I don't remember that being in the book.


I just want to add that it's been nice to find a board that can talk about this reasonably and intelligently. The other boards I typically frequent talk about this book and these characters but want to totally change who they are and how the author wrote the book. [8|]



raivyne -> RE: Twilight Series (12/2/2008 11:58:03 AM)

quote:

Im curious if I am the only Christian who has read the series who was able to see just how wrong and twisted Bella and Edward's love is from a Christian stand point.


I did notice that they put their love for each other before Christ (and everything else). However, it's not a Christian series; that was expected.



Sideways -> RE: Twilight Series (12/7/2008 9:28:05 PM)

Well, I finished Book 2 pretty quick. Those little books are rather addictive.

Much darker then the first, but I definitely enjoyed it. I'm still trying to formulate a articulate review of the book, but my mind is a little mushy these days (less then 5 weeks till my new baby arrives and my toddler is sick, plus Christmas preparations).

Of course Bella's reaction to Edward's leaving was downright disturbing, but I did like the Romeo analogies (both are incredible idiots - I've never been a huge fan of R&J for that reason). I really liked Bella's move to "put (her) mortality to a vote". I was chuckling at that one.



JoeyWest -> RE: Twilight Series (12/7/2008 10:48:30 PM)

ok the series is a vampire series. not exactly a Christian series. got to wonder how a Christian can be a vampire.

but i bought the set for my daughter for xmas. hope she likes it



stateofgrace -> RE: Twilight Series (12/8/2008 10:45:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JoeyWest

got to wonder how a Christian can be a vampire.



They can't...because real vampires don't exist?

Real Christians can't be aliens from Planet X, either.



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