I read the book. I was somewhat engrossed into it, but not totally obsessed with it like I have with other books. (I didn't finish it on the trip, I could pull myself away from it and do other things. My kids didn't get ignored while I read it, though there were some extra long bathroom breaks.)
It was a pretty easy read. Every couple of chapters there was a word that wasn't in my common vocabulary but nothing like Swiss Family Robinson which I had read to the boys. The words were big and so the pages turned pretty quickly. There were very natural breaking points in the story and easy places to stop.
After reading the first book, Twilight, in the series, I have no plans or intentions of reading the other three. I was actually impressed that the book was clean. There was not foul language, there wasn't really violence and there wasn't any sex. It's a love story with a "twist".
Coming out of reading the book, I can see why some people like it. Someone falls head over heels in love and he's totally bad for her but she still so much wants to be with him. It's a romantic story. He's totally obsessed with her, and it all sounds really great...why wouldn't you want someone to be so into you and want to be around you all of the time? He says that she should run away from him, but there are really no bad reasons given for being a vampire except that maybe he'll want to drink your blook. So, I'm not sure why everyone wouldn't want to be a vampire except it's painful for a few days for the process of getting there?
Why don't I want to read the other books? I felt there was a very much a god metaphor happening in the book. I want a bigger god than someone who has super human physical traits. I want an infinite God and not a god who is finite - vampires can be finite even though it's hard. I want my God to always be good and not some exactly like my god to be bad.
I felt that the main human character in the book was looking to the vampire guy as a god. I put my faith, trust and hope in Jesus and not someone who happens to come into my path impersonating a human. I trust Jesus to be my savior and I don't have to scheme anything on my own to be saved from the bad guys. I can always trust in HIM and not feel like I have to do something on my own. (This may make more sense after reading the book.)
That being said, I wouldn't necessarily discourage anyone from reading the book. I've read much worse in the past year for sure - an Oprah book club book. If anyone would like my copy, let me know and I will happily give it to you. I'd be interested in your thoughts as well.
