Book Review - Twilight

I have just completed the book everyone is talking about - Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer. I am an avid reader with favorites that include the anything from the Star Wars and Harry Potter books, to Sci-fi time travel romance novels and mid-evil era books about Highland Warriors and knights to books on professional cycling, history and real life stories - my favorite being A Mighty Heart, by Mariane Pearl


In my vast interest of all kinds of books, never once have I ever read, nor been interested in reading about vampires. I was going to be a tough sell on this Twilight book!




The book is set in Forks, Washington on the Olympic Peninsula. A lush, green area in the Northwest that holds the honor of the most annual rainfall in the United States. Seventeen year old Bella Swan has just moved to Forks to live with her father and finish her junior year of high school, while her mother travels with her second husband to Florida.


Bella is a quiet, accident-prone, sun loving girl. The weather in Forks is her nightmare and mood is directly impacted by the constantly overcast, rainy days. From the first day she starts her new school, everyone is interested in the 'new girl'. With just over 300 hundred students in the school, everyone knows everyone. During lunch, Bella notices the Cullen family: Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice and Edward. An odd lot who keep to themselves, they are all breathtakingly beautiful, well spoken, smart, and the adopted children of Dr Carlisle Cullen and his wife Esma.


Told from Bella's perspective, the reader sees what it is like to be the new kid in school, trying to fit in, and struggling to understand the strong 'pull' towards the mysterious, beautiful Edward Cullen - whose mood swings towards Bella leaves her bewildered, uncomfortable, yet intrigued.


Stephanie Meyer does an excellent job of developing the character of Edward Cullen; it is hard not to be taken in by this extraordinary individual. She does a good job of developing the character of Bella Swan, and quite a bad job of developing any other character in the book.


As I read the first half of the book, I couldn't help but imagine what could have been. Subplots that could have been formed, characters that could have been developed, back stories that could have been revealed. The potential is phenomenal.


The story did get better as the book went on; the writing got better, as well.I couldn't help but get sucked into the romance of Bella and Edward. It is for that reason alone, I am giving the second book in the series, New Moon, a chance.


Once I accepted the book for what it was, I really liked the book. Edward is a great character. Not only does he have surreal looks, he is well spoken, highly intelligent, and a true gentleman. Further, he has what all of us women love: a vice. And a big one at that. His struggle to suppress his needs, to suppress his very nature is heart wrenching at times.


If you are expecting intricate story lines, multiple well developed characters, and complex themes, this book is not for you. Go read the Harry Potter novels. But, if you love a good romance with a tall, dark haired, soft spoken, beautiful guy, then you should give this a try.

So, your visiting my world...

Welcome to The Galaxy Review! My little place in this world where I can bring to light daily observations, weather happenings,books, movies and music, travel and culture, and most importantly, cycling!



As a gypsy at heart, limited in geographical movement due to the responsibility of paying for the lifestyle I have grown accustomed, I am only following my dreams in stages. Don't get me wrong - I have a great life, with great people surrounding me. But, I always felt that, maybe, just maybe, I was really meant to travel the world and live it's pleasures and challenges.



I got the travel bug from my father. We traveled a lot when I was little. Camping on the weekends, South Carolina every summer, and, once, he loaded up the family in an Econoline Van, and, taking 11 days to complete, drove us to California. At 12, I didn't appreciate that trip. Now, 25 years later, I cherish it. I didn't realize that not everybody got to do what my family and I did all the time.



I got the tough work ethic from my father as well. My mom, too. There was no messing around. If something needed done, you did it. Quit your bitchin' and just get on with it. Get it over with. The great thing is, we play just as hard. I suppose my organizational skills came from the nature of my job. I am a Smalltalk programmer, and as such, I not only extract requirements from the business to get something coded, but I find myself extracting requirements from family and friends! 'Okay, you are having a party and, you would like me to bring something'. 'What kind of party? How many people? Any food allergies? Appetizer, salad or desert? Okay, appetizer. Hot or cold? Finger food or dip?' Oh yeah, the self diagnosed OCD seems to get stronger with age.



I come from a large, Irish Catholic family (oldest of sixteen 1st cousins) and a grandfather who hailed from Scotland. We are loud. We are welcoming. And we are completely crazy. But, it is who I am, and it is what shaped me.



I thought I would get the excuses out straight away - ya know, just in case some of the postings left you scratching your head!!



The Galaxy Review will be my vehicle to share my experiences, and to plan future endeavors. Most importantly, it is a vehicle to share information, observations, and my passions in life. So, feel free to hang out, get inspired, look at life in various ways, and, maybe, even laugh a little.