Anticipating Twilight

By LISA GARRIGUES
NACHES VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer has everything you could ask for in a book: action, danger, romance and fantasy, all rolled into one.

So it’s no surprise the books can — and have — pleased a variety of people, including teens. The first three books of the series have sold nearly 8 million copies in the United States so far.

And the fourth book, “Breaking Dawn, is set to be released Saturday. (Aug. 2, 2008)

Like the earlier books, it’s sure to attract a broad range of readers with different interests and book preferences.

To catch readers up to date, here’s a quick recap.

In “Twilight,” the first of the series, Meyer quickly draws readers into Bella’s world and her troubles. The teen has recently moved from sunny Phoenix to the rainy, remote, small town of Forks, Wash., located on the Olympic Peninsula, to live with her lonely dad.

Bella gains immediate friends and popularity, which is a complete change from her outcast status back in Phoenix. But she is confused by Edward Cullen, who tries to avoid her the instant they meet.

Determined to find out why Edward hates her so much, Bella stumbles upon a secret: Edward and his family are vampires.

Eventually Edward and Bella fall in love and are forced to fight the perils of their doomed relationship.

In “Twilight,” Meyer creates interesting characters with an exciting plot. By the time vampires are introduced into the story, it seems perfectly natural for them to be there, almost as if they are a normal story element.

The series starts out on a high note: “Twilight” is a definite page-turner.

The next book is “New Moon.” It starts with the Cullen family moving away, leaving Bella in a heart-broken, zombie-like state. Eventually, she forms a friendship with Jacob, who lives on a nearby Indian reservation in La Push, Wash. He drags her back to the real world, and together they become happy.

But soon Jacob becomes detached and refuses to talk to Bella. This is definitely a moment of déjà vu. Jacob reveals the reason he has withdrawn from Bella: he is actually a werewolf.

The third book is “Eclipse.” This story consists of Bella’s attempts at convincing Edward to turn her into a vampire, Edward and Jacob fighting over her, and Bella once again being attacked by dangerous vampires. The suspense keeps building up.

Will Bella become a vampire? Will she stay with Edward or choose Jacob?

Bella experiences many problems teens can all relate to — and some that they can’t.

How will it turn out?

We’ll all have to wait and see. Just two more days.

— For more information, visit www.stepheniemeyer.com.