Twilight Cliff Notes

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Jenni Elyse

A few years ago when Twilight had just started to gain readership and the movie was in the very beginning stages of production–I’m talking no-actors-cast beginning stages–my friend Tarl started working on this little animation project in his spare time. (He’s the same friend who illustrated the characters in my awesome header.)

My friends and I, thanks to his wife and my good friend Debbie, got to see the first few minutes of it when Tarl had just started his work. I thought it was awesome even when it was less than a quarter of the way done. Now, the animation is finally finished and I think it has surpassed the potential I originally thought it had. I absolutely adore it! Tarl is a very funny guy and his humor really comes out in this, which makes it all the better.

I wanted to share his talents with you. Even if you’re not a Twilight fan, you should take the time to watch it; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Unfortunately, I can’t embed the movie, but you can watch it here. After you watch it, come back and let me know what you think! (If you want to check out more of his work, you can go to his website Tarl’s Scribbles.)

Breaking Dawn, Part 1 Theatrical Trailer

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Jenni Elyse

Before I saw this trailer, I wasn’t really looking forward to the Breaking Dawn movies because I thought they’d be long and drawn out. (Mainly, my beef was with the fact that the book is being broken into two movies and I didn’t think Breaking Dawn needed to be.) But, after watching this trailer, I’m getting kind of excited now, and I think two movies may not be so bad.

In this case, the movie may actually be better than the book. (I love the book, but I was a bit disappointed with the anticlimactic ending.) At least the movie has more action!

Twilight Reread-Along: Chapters 21-Epilogue

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Jenni Elyse

The Twilight reread along is hosted by Ginger, Yani, Jacinda and Jasmine, and Lisa. If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up here.

Last week’s reading covered chapters 21 through the epilogue and here are the discussion questions:

In chapter 21, James calls Bella telling her he has her mother and the only way he won’t kill her is if Bella comes alone. What would you do in that situation? Come alone or tell Alice and Jasper?
Was everyone else as shocked as I was when I first found out about the Alice/James situation? Do you think this adds to the story line or was it not needed? Why do you think they chose not to include these details in the movie?
Edward had to do something extremely difficult in order to save Bella from becoming a vampire. Have you ever had a similar situation in your life where you had to push your will power to its limits?
Bella and Edward get into the “to change Bella or not to change Bella” argument in the hospital. If you were Bella, would you want to become a vampire? Why or why not?
Twilight ends with everyone going to the prom. Did you go to your prom? Was your experience similar to Bella’s? Feel free to include pictures.
Extra: It’s over … final thoughts?

My Answers

I’m not sure. I think I’d want to tell Alice and Jasper because they’d have the better resources to protect me and save my mother (and it’s just more logical). But, I know one of Bella’s fears is that one of the Cullens would get hurt in all the falderal with James. With that being said, I’d probably want to do the same thing Bella did, but I’d be too scared to do it.
I was very shocked to find out that James had something to do with Alice’s transformation. I don’t think it was absolutely needed and that’s why it was left out of the movie. Personally, I like back story like that, though; I like finding out more about the Cullens. And, since Alice’s transformation was a mystery, I think James having something to do with it is a perfect way to integrate it into the story.
No, I haven’t ever had to push my will power to its limit like that. I don’t know how I’d do if I ever had to.
If I were Bella, I’d want to be a vampire to be with Edward for eternity. However, as myself, I wouldn’t want to be one. I’d rather be some other type of mythical creature, like a witch from Harry Potter or a Shadowhunter from Cassandra Clare’s series. I could still live, age, grow, and be a part of the mythical world. (And, no, I don’t have any desire whatsoever to be a werewolf. Werewolves are my least favorite mythical creature.)
I went to my senior prom as a junior. I’m very much like Bella and hate to/can’t dance. But, I caved into peer pressure and went. I had a pretty good time, but definitely not as good as Bella had with Edward. It’s all about your date, and mine left something to be desired.
I’m so glad I participated in this reread-along. I wouldn’t have reread Twilight any time soon if I hadn’t participated. Rereading it helped me realize that I love this story every bit as much as I did when I first read it. I now plan to do a slow reread of the other books in the series. Thank you to all the hosts for such a fun reread along and great discussion questions!

Twilight Reread-Along: Chapters 16-20

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Jenni Elyse

The Twilight reread along is hosted by Ginger, Yani, Jacinda and Jasmine, and Lisa. If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up here.

Last week’s reading covered chapters 16-20 and here are the discussion questions:

If you where in Carlisle’s position, do you think you would’ve been able to fight off your vampiric urges? Would you ever bring someone into that life as he did with Edward and Esme?
We are introduced to Edward’s playful side in these chapters, before he gets all manic about the new vampires. I think we have a better picture of who he is. If you had to describe him in five words, what would they be? Good and bad qualities, whatever you like!
While rereading, I’ve been taking notes: observations that I’ve come across and comparisons to the movie. One of my notes deals with page 383 in which Edward screams at Alice there’s no other option. The first time around, I didn’t get that he meant the future that Alice saw for Bella as a vampire, but now that I know the whole story I see that’s what he meant. Has this happened to you? Do you have any examples of things that are clearer now, or things that you have realized while re-reading?
We haven’t talked about this yet, but I think the idea of your human gifts amplifying in your vampire life is interesting. What do you think your gift(s) would be?
We’re coming to the end of the book. What is your opinion of it on this reread? First, when was the last time you read it? Second, do you feel you like it more, the same, or less this time around?

My Answers

Knowing what I’ve learned about myself in the last few years, I tend to give in to instant gratification. It’s my addiction in life. Because of this, I don’t think I’d be like Carlisle. However, if he sired me and told me about his lifestyle, then I might be able to resist my instincts. I think if I were as lonely as Carlisle and I encountered someone on their death bed, like Edward or Esme, then I’d change them.
Intense, loving, protective, old-fashioned, chivalrous.
Yes. Many Breaking Dawn haters don’t want to admit that Stephenie Meyer had planned Renesmee from the beginning. They feel as though Meyer came up with the idea of a half-vampire/half-human baby out of nowhere in regards to the rest of the series. However, as I’ve reread Twilight, there are tiny hints that plot Meyer’s course. For example, when Bella is researching vampires on the Internet, on Page 133, she says: “It seemed that most vampire myths centered around beautiful women as demons and children as victims; they also seemed like constructs created to explain away the high mortality rates for young children, and to give men an excuse for infidelity.” I realize this refers to the immortal children more than Renesmee, but that’s because other than Nahuel, half-vampire/half-human babies didn’t exist. And, the whole reason the immortal children are brought up in Breaking Dawn is to prepare for what’s coming. I don’t think Meyer would’ve mentioned these myths if she hadn’t planned Renesmee from the very beginning.
I tend to worry a lot about how others are feeling. I want everyone to be happy and not feel left out or sad because I know so well how that feels. I think I’d have a similar gift to Jasper’s. However, I don’t think I’d be able to control the emotions around me; I’d just be able to feel them and know how to act accordingly.
The last time I read Twilight was in 2008 when Breaking Dawn was released. However, I did listen to the audiobook at the beginning of last year. When I listened to the audiobook, I found myself getting annoyed with the descriptions because I was around a lot of Twilight haters at that time. And, I was still trying to decide whether I was going to give up on the series like most of my “Twilight” friends already had. Now, that I’ve decided that I don’t care how other people feel about Twilight, for good or bad, and that I still love the series, this reread is going a lot smoother. In fact, I feel the same giddiness I did the first time I read it. And, I’m glad to be there again.

Twilight Reread-Along: Chapters 11-15

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Jenni Elyse

The Twilight reread along is hosted by Ginger, Yani, Jacinda and Jasmine, and Lisa. If you want to join in the fun, you can sign up here.

Last week’s reading covered chapters 11-15 and here are the discussion questions:

Do you think the name “Twilight” for this book is fitting with the story? Do you think a better name could have been chosen? What about the series and the names as a whole?
On this re-read, what’s your favorite part of the book? Is it the vampires, setting, plot, characters, Edward, or something else?
Edward shows his stalkerish/controlling tendencies during these chapters for the first time (at least Bella is aware), did this bother you the first time you read Twilight? Does it bother you now that you’re re-reading it? Should Bella be more worried about it?
Do you find yourself, during or after reading another paranormal/supernatural book, comparing it to Twilight? If you do, why do you think that is? Is it because it’s popular or because it’s just a book that makes an impact?
Bella is introduced to the Cullen Family in chapter 15, who is your favorite Cullen and why?

My Answers

I think “Twilight” and the rest of the names fit the series really well. They give the reader a sense of what to expect in each book. “Twilight” is the end of Bella’s old life and the beginning of a new one. “New Moon” is the darkest period in Bella’s life, just as a new moon is at night. “Eclipse” is the eclipse of one love over the other. And, “Breaking Dawn” is the beginning of Bella’s life as a vampire (and mother).
Each time I read Twilight, my favorite part is the interaction between Bella and Edward. I love the conflict their relationship has because, at this point, it doesn’t involve a love triangle. (I hate love triangles.) I wish more YA romances had this type of relationship conflict. I also love the draw Bella and Edward have to each other. And, I love the sexual tension described so well between Bella and Edward. I think this tension is, by far, better than just giving in to those feelings. Once you give in, there’s nothing more to anticipate.
Edward’s “stalkerish” tendencies have never bothered me because it’s just a story. Also, the circumstances of the story kind of dictate that Edward be a little over protective of Bella–she’s accident prone, hangs around a bunch of vampires (and werewolves), and is a magnet for danger. If I were Edward, I’d be a little concerned about her safety too. Now, if this were a real relationship and this book was contemporary fiction, not fantasy, then his controlling behavior (and Bella’s obsessive infatuation) would definitely bother me. But, being the type of story Twilight is, it doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, I’m always shocked when someone talks or complains about it.
I compare most YA romances to Twilight because it was the first YA romance I ever read. I don’t compare writing; I compare the feelings in each book. If I feel the same angst and conflict that I did when I first read Twilight, then it’s a safe bet that I’ll love the book I’m comparing to Twilight.
I love me some Jasper Hale! I think his character is intriguing. I love that we don’t know much about him, at this point, other than he has a hard time with the Cullen’s diet and he can manipulate emotion. And, I love his and Alice’s relationship. It’s so sweet and cute.