Thursday, November 27, 2008

Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion

Twilight: The Complete Illustrated Movie Companion (Paperback)

Review:

Everything fans want to know about the hotly anticipated Twilight movie and much more!

Designed as a celebration of the film, this lavishly illustrated paperback edition is an exclusive behind-the-scenes guide featuring full-color photos of the cast, locations, and sets, as well as storyboards, interviews, details of the special effects, and much more.

Twilight "Rosalie's Necklace" Replica Jewelry

Twilight "Rosalie's Necklace" Replica Jewelry

Praise:

Beautiful JEWELRY & not a toy, November 7, 2008
By
Loscoz "Pupperdoggies Mummah" (Manchester, NH) -Durability: Fun: Educational: This just arrived and I am very pleased. So consider the options... on-line auction site for $40+ and it's 'inspired by'; making my own from craft store items about $12 + my time, or this one for $20... No brainer! It is listed under "TOY"??? OHHH so NOT! This item is a solid plated metal with a double chain (that's why the image looks like the chain goes from small to large). It is substantial in weight and comes on a display card that says "Rosalie's Necklace from Twilight" with her image from the movie posters (unfortunately my card was poorly printed and was off-register). I highly recommend this item if you have any interested in the movie or the novels ... the company that is making this, NECA (from what research I've done) is the same one who made the actual actors pieces for the movie so don't go for 'inspired by' go for this actual replica piece. - ENJOY :)

A Heavy-Weight Weapon, November 8, 2008
By
KatieDancer (Allentown, PA) -Durability: Fun: Educational: I ordered this product with standard shipping and had it in my hands in less than a week. Some of the chain links look a little flimsy, but on the whole, this piece totally rocks. And it's HEAVY...if it didn't take so long to take off, I'd say it would count as a defense weapon. Seriously, though, the attention to detail on this crest is great, and aside from being a little heavier (okay, a LOT heavier) than the standard necklace, it's decent for regular wear. And considering the actual size of the crest (about 2.5 inches from top to bottom), it's well worth the $20.

Twilight "Alice's Choker" Replica Jewelry

Twilight "Alice's Choker" Replica Jewelry

Prasies:
A Dainty Little Trinket, November 8, 2008
By
KatieDancer (Allentown, PA) - Durability: Fun: Educational: I ordered Alice's Choker with standard delivery and had it in my hands in less than a week. The ribbon is covered with gray felt, and the actual crest is just small enough to fit in the dip of your collarbone. The length of the choker is slightly long for me, personally, but that's definitely a smart move on NECA's part, as its size does lend itself to a broader scope of fans. It's a dainty, well-made little piece. Not exactly formal-wear, but it would be a nice accent to something a little dressier than casual.

Magnificent!, November 10, 2008
By
C. G. -Durability: Fun: Educational: This beautiful necklace connects itself with two sperate clips that will adjust to two different sizes which sits right at the clavicle. As in the picture above, the necklace is a dark grey color with the Cullen crest in the center (the material feels almost like velvet). The Cullen crest adds a little weight to the necklace, but this is not a hindrance. This is an ideal gift for any "Twilight" fan and lets you become part of Edward and Bella's adventure! It is simply magnificent and durable; but as with all necklaces, I would definitely be careful while wearing it. This particular necklace comes attached to a card with Alice's image on it. Again, this is the perfect gift and

Twilight Wall Scroll



















Stephenie Meyer: Twilight/New Moon/Eclipse/Breaking Dawn CD Ppk (Twilight Saga) [AUDIOBOOK]

Stephenie Meyer: Twilight/New Moon/Eclipse/Breaking Dawn CD Ppk (Twilight Saga) [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD)
by Stephenie Meyer (Author), Ilyana Kadushin (Reader)

Praise:


If you love the Twilight Saga, Go Audio - LOVED It, August 10, 2008
By
surprised reader (USA) - The Twilight Saga is one of my favorite series. I started this series reluctantly by being encouraged to read Twilight by a friend. I checked it out of my local library and knew that I had to own it. Half way through, I queued up New Moon and Eclipse to start immediately upon completion. I then waited for the arrival of Breaking Dawn, which I completed the weekend it was released. I have all the books on this series in audio and 3 in print, but I have to say, I prefer the audio by far. Ilayana Kadushin does a fabulous job giving Bella a voice and adds so much more depth and emotion to the story than I could personally get from print. Matt Walters is introduced as Jacob in the Epilogue in Eclipse and Book 2 of Breaking Dawn. He also does a great job of giving Jacob a voice. As for the series itself, I loved it. Twilight, Eclipse are my favorites in this series, followed by New Moon and Breaking Dawn. I won't give an overview of the plot of each of the books as I won't be able to do them justice individually with limited words. I will summarize series as a whole by saying the first 3 in this series are really about love, conflict, choices with a little bit of the supernatural and some action involved. The last look in this series takes an unexpected turn and is more of a fantasy type novel with a little romance - different than what was laid out in the previous three books. Breaking Dawn seemed to be received with more mixed reviews than the previous three because it deviated from the format laid out in the previous books. I had some mixed feelings about the story because of this, but I still enjoyed it. This is a fabulous series that is aimed at young adults (mostly female) but has held the interest of adults like myself, and a smaller male audience as well. While the last book in this series is quite a bit different than the previous 3, its still one of my favorite series. It's not a literary masterpiece and certainly has flaws, but the story laid out out and the world created are absoultely fascinating and highly entertaining. This is why is I think it deserves 5 stars....as well as the readers of the audio version. Great performances. The audio version is definetly worth the extra expense. If you loved the Twilight Saga, this is a must have in my opinion.

Twilight "Lion and Lamb" Keyring/ Bagclip

Twilight "Lion and Lamb" Keyring/ Bagclip
Other products by NECA

Praise:

Perfect for a "Twilight" Fan, November 5, 2008
By C. G. - Durability: Fun: Educational: I originally bought this keychain for a friend but decided to keep it. This keychain is for "Twilight" fans and the pieces symbolize the images displayed in the "Twilight" movie and book franchise. Overall, this is not a very sturdy keychain (so it should not be placed on a backpack, for instance, because a piece would break off easily). The little pieces are only colored beautifully on one side and are hollow on the opposite side. For the price, you get what you pay for though. One surprising thing to note, however, is that the image does not display how large the item is which is even better for advertising your love of this book/movie! I am absolutely in love with the series and cannot wait for the movie to come out, and this keychain makes the perfect gift for any "Twilight" fan. **Note: This is not to be used as a toy and should be given to children (teens/adults)only under the assumption that they will NOT put the keychain in their mouth as the little pieces could break off (and choked on).

Twilight The Movie : Soundtrack

Twilight Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK]
by Various Artists (Composer)

Advice:
Twilight Soundtrack, November 11, 2008
ByFallon Clark "theyignite" (South Burlington, VT USA) - The soundtrack to any work of film is something that all film buffs should have. In this case though, I think many in the Twilight world have previously created their own interpretations of the film by way of music and created their own soundtracks. In this sense, listeners may be somewhat disappointed and there are some track, like Perry Farrell's, that don't seem to fit the general tone of the novel or the film, but were added, presumably, because they were written specifically for the film. Bands like Paramore, Linkin Park, Carter Burwell, and Robert Pattinson himself, contributed some wonderful pieces of original music in which to indulge one's self in the captivating world of Meyer's vampires. Though this collection of music did nto adhere to my personal soundtrack, I am happy to have it in my collection of works and creations stemming from the original Meyers novel.

More Stephanie Meyer - The Host: A Novel (Hardcover)

The Host: A Novel (Hardcover)

Amazon.com Review : Amazon Best of the Month, May 2008: Stephenie Meyer, creator of the phenomenal teen-vamp Twilight series, takes paranormal romance into alien territory in her first adult novel. Those wary of sci-fi or teen angst will be pleasantly surprised by this mature and imaginative thriller, propelled by equal parts action and emotion. A species of altruistic parasites has peacefully assumed control of the minds and bodies of most humans, but feisty Melanie Stryder won't surrender her mind to the alien soul called Wanderer. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories of fellow resistor Jared, Wanderer yields to her body's longing and sets off into the desert to find him. Likely the first love triangle involving just two bodies, it's unabashedly romantic, and the characters (human and alien) genuinely endearing. Readers intrigued by this familiar-yet-alien world will gleefully note that the story's end leaves the door open for a sequel--or another series. --Mari Malcolm

Reader Praise:
Exciting and Thought-Provoking Post-Invasion Story, May 6, 2008
By
SciFiChick "www.SciFiChick.com" (Fishers, IN USA) - It's been years since parasitic aliens calling themselves "Souls" have invaded Earth and taken over. Once a "Soul" is placed in a human host, the alien takes over and suppresses the human's mind. But when Wanderer awakes in her new body, she finds that her human host isn't so easily overcome. Melanie, her younger brother, and the man that she loves have been in hiding; and she'll do anything to get back to them, even resist the alien parasite that has taken over her body. The parasitic "Souls" are easy to dislike at first. But Meyer has given the alien race such a rich and colorful backstory that is truly fascinating. And Wanderer is a unique "Soul" who soon finds herself caring for the same people as her host, and finding herself torn between ties to her own people and the humans. It's been a long time since I've read such a stirring, science fiction tale that has made me go through so many emotions. The Host is a deep and beautiful story, and very different from Meyer's popular, young adult series. This is a rare story that made me stop and think about the choices that are made and what I would do in their place. Intense, exciting, dramatic, and inspiring, I'd highly recommend this novel to any reader, not only science fiction fans.


What it means to be human PLUS some sci-fi excitement, May 22, 2008
By
Lewis Aleman "Author of Cold Streak, a Suspen... (New Orleans, LA) - Host is Stephenie Meyer's first venture into the adult mainstream, and, with a story that borderlines between sci-fi and literary, she's written a wonderful novel. The Host starts off with narration from the alien parasite host who has been implanted into a human body. Typically the human's mind slips away into the background never to be noticed by the new alien host, but sometimes a human spirit is so strong that it lingers and begins to communicate with the new being inside its body. This is the case with Wanderer, our alien host narrator, and Melanie, the human consciousness, which causes an ongoing internal battle throughout the story, both fighting over use of the body and Melanie's human memories. It's always wonderful to become immersed in a different environment in a book, where it completely takes you on an adventure outside of your ordinary life. The Host does this exceptionally well through its vivid descriptions of underground caves, a harsh desert, and even descriptions of the lives of beings on other planets. It's definitely a great getaway, so much so that it is hard to put the book down. You get the feeling of being right there with the characters in a strange environment, much like in LOTR, Chronicles of Narnia, or even Edgar Allan Poe short stories such as "The Pit and the Pendulum." If you're concerned about the quality of this novel because she has written primarily young adult previously, don't be. This is in every way a novel that can be enjoyed by both adult and young adult readers with appeal to any fan of sci-fi, the human condition, fantasy, and even literary. Meyer's writing is top-notch with colorful descriptions, inner dialog, and a smooth-flowing plot. The characterization is spot-on making you care about the main characters as the danger rises around them.

The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide (Twilight Saga)

The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide (Twilight Saga) (Hardcover)
by Stephenie Meyer (Author)

Review:

Fans of the #1 New York Times bestselling Twilight Saga will treasure this definitive official guide! This must-have hardcover edition--the only official guide--is the definitive encyclopedic reference to the Twilight Saga and provides readers with everything they need to further explore the unforgettable world Stephenie Meyer created in Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. With exclusive new material, character profiles, genealogical charts, maps, extensive cross-references, and much more, this comprehensive handbook is essential for every Twilight Saga fan.

The Twilight Saga: Slipcased

The Twilight Saga: Slipcased [BOX SET] (Hardcover)
by Stephenie Meyer (Author)

Praise:

The Complete Hardcover Twilight Saga, October 17, 2008
By
J. Evans (Los Angeles, CA) - This set includes all the books from the Twilight Saga, which includes; Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and lastly Breaking Dawn. The books themselves are exactly likes the ones you find at any bookstore, in hardcover. The case it comes in has all the book covers displayed on each side minus the names of each book. What is included that you couldn't normally get by buying each one individually elsewhere are 4 5x7-ish cards that have the cover picture on one side, then quotes from the corresponding book written on the other. for example: one 5x7 has a picture of the twilight cover, hands holding a red apple, then the other side it says, "About three things i was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him--and i didn't know how dominant that part of him might be--that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him." (I included some pictures so you can get a better idea of what they are) I would recommend this set to those who do not already own the twilight collection(like me) and would like to own all the books(i borrowed them all from a friend). Or of course obsessed twilight fans. There's nothing truly remarkable about the set so i wouldn't go buying this if you already own all the books. I am very happy with my purchase nonetheless. This saga is one of my favorites.

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4)

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) (Hardcover)
by Stephenie Meyer (Author)

Praise:

Relax and Enjoy the Fairy Tale, August 3, 2008
By
navyblue (USA) - Reading all these one star reviews is totally killing my post Breaking Dawn buzz, y'all. --Please note: this review contains spoilers, as most of the reviews here do. Bella's happily ever after is heart warming and tidy just like any other fairy tale you might enjoy from childhood, though with quite a bit more blood and (tastefully described married) sex. Many of these one star reviews criticize the happy ending, the early marriage, and motherhood in place of a college education, among various other complaints. I'm suspecting these reviewers would be much happier with an independent Bella who marches off in her human form to get a Masters degree in Psychology before marrying Edward. Or heck, not marrying Edward at all, and eschewing the idea of something so base and demeaning as becoming a wife or parent. Though perhaps it's more the youth of the heroine that causes their lament. I however, like happy endings and am thrilled she gets to be a mother. Yes, GETS to be a mother. Many people I spoke to who were in "Camp Jacob" expressed their reason: "Because she could have a family with Jacob". Well surprise, she had a family with Edward. Yes, Jacob imprints on Bella's daughter, but because imprinting on babies/children had previously been introduced in the series, I didn't find this at all unsettling. All this shouting about pedophilia is a little... intense for what really happens. Jacob makes it clear that it isn't a sexual thing at all while the object the affection is still so young. Jacob imprinting on "Nessie" means they all stay a family, which is what Bella wanted all along. Which brings me to another common complaint: Bella gets everything. Goodness! After fighting for it, tooth and nail, yes, she does. Isn't that what makes most of us smile at the end of Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty? Some have suggested that having Jacob imprint on someone else would allow Bella to make a sacrifice by finally fully letting him go as well as remove that feeling some reviewers have that she gets everything. I do see this point, and perhaps this happening would have made it a more critically acclaimed book, but as I was reading the story, I was fully involved in watching Bella's story unfold and these things did not negate my enjoyment of the book. As for the complaint that Bella should have gone to college first -- good grief, does she not have the rest of eternity to obtain as many degrees as she wants? This isn't real life, folks. For those worried about the impact this book may have on impressionable young teen fans, if you're allowing them to read the books at all (I know some parents aren't), why don't you read the book along with them and talk about the real life application of Bella's choices? Sounds like a great excuse for some good conversation. One complaint I completely agree with, Bella names her daughter Renesmee, which is hard to read, hard to pronounce, and impossible to spell. I'm amazed that made it past the editors. Critics argue that you can't shout "But it's fantasy" to cover gaping plot holes. Perhaps to a more critical, serious eye, plot holes exist and are bothersome. But I truly was lost in Bella's story and as I read, very little jumped out as completely unreal or impossible to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and consider this rating a 4.5 stars. Stephenie Meyer has been able to create characters that feel intensely real. I was able to lose myself in the story through all four books. While the first in the series remains my favorite, the characters remained almost tangible people that I cared about and rooted for throughout. Stephenie admitted herself that pleasing all of her fans would be impossible, but insisted that this was the story she wanted to write all along. I've been a happy voyeur for the ride, and remain a happy fan.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Twilight Collector's Edition (The Twilight Saga)

Twilight Collector's Edition (The Twilight Saga) (Hardcover)
by Stephenie Meyer (Author)

Review:

The book that started the phenomenon is now available in a deluxe collector's edition! Featuring a ribbon bookmark, cloth cover, ragged edges, new chapter opener designs, and a beautiful protective slipcase, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike.Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)

Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) (Hardcover)
by Stephenie Meyer (Author)

Some said very good :

Obsession- Preface of Breaking Dawn and First Chapter, June 1, 2008
By
4ever1 (NOVA,) - This review is from: Eclipse Special Edition (The Twilight Saga) (Hardcover) This review is about the first chapter and preface of Breaking Dawn - sold in the special edition of Eclipse. Stephenie Meyer gives us a sneak peak into what looks to be another wonderful addition to the Twilight series. The preface is intriguing and makes us wonder who Bella is with while she is thinking such dark thoughts. Clearly, this is another book about obsession. The first chapter is awesome. We see Bella has matured and is walking toward her chosen path trying to keep her head held high. The first chapter was unexpected as well. What is great about the first chapter is that Bella is alone outside her house engaged in an activity. Bella hasn't been alone since the middle of New Moon so this was an interesting scene. This sneak peak also gave us the reactions of Charlie and Renee to Bella and Edward's news and through Bella's memories we see how Charlie reacted when Bella and Edward told him of their plans. Unexpectedly, we see a friendship has formed between Esme and Renee amidst all the planning and Seth and Edward have remained friendly. We also get a bit of information about what Jacob has been up to since receiving Edward's invitation at the end of Eclipse. For Jacob fans this might be upsetting. There is enough vagueness to make one think Jacob will have a pivotal role in the fourth book in the series and the last book from Bella's perspective. It is disappointing that the publisher won't allow the author to post these chapters to her website which is seemingly related to them trying to get teenagers and adults to purchase Eclipse a second time. This marketing ploy is a tad upsetting. These books have sold very well on the first round and to try and get people to buy the book a second time because "we" are obsessed with these characters is a bit over the top and it appears a bit unethical. Actually, the behavior of the publishing company is a bit predatory. Personally, I went to the book store and read the chapters there and I recommend you all do the same. Breaking Dawn will be out soon enough and why pay for the first chapter twice and Eclipse twice? I work hard to earn my money, don't you?

Praise for Eclipse:

"Move over, Harry Potter." - USA Today

"Has a hypnotic quality that puts the reader right inside the dense, rainy thickets of [Forks]" - People Magazine"The legions of readers who are hooked on the romantic struggles of Bella and the vampire Edward will ecstatically devour this third installment" - Publishers Weekly

"[Stephenie Meyer is] the world's most popular vampire novelist since Anne Rice" - Entertainment Weekly"Meyer's trilogy seethes with the archetypal tumult of star-crossed passions, in which the supernatural element serves as a heady spice." - The New York Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) (Paperback)
by Stephenie Meyer (Author)

Some said very good:

Birthday nightmares, August 11, 2006
By
blbooks "Becky" (Texas) -This review is from: New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) (Hardcover) Life is far from normal for Bella Swan during her senior year of high school. True, her life is full of drama and boy troubles, but for Bella who sees herself as a danger magnet life holds much much more. Edward Cullen, her ever-handsome boyfriend who just happens to be a vampire, breaks her heart when he leaves after Bella receives a near-fatal paper cut at her eighteenth birthday party. Realizing that his family no matter how determined to avoid human blood, can within seconds be overwhelmed with tempation and violence leads him to place Bella's safety ahead of his own desires. To say that Bella is devastated is an understatment, she becomes zombie-like in her loss, a fact which is finally realized when Bella and one of her friends are watching a Zombie movie. "It wasn't until almost the very end, as I watched a haggard zombie shambling after the last shrieking survivor, that I realized what the problem was. The scene kept cutting between the horrified face of the heroine, and the dead emotionless face of her pursuer, back and forth as it closed the distance. And I realized which one resembled me the most. . . But it was ironic, all things considered, that, in the end, I would wind up a zombie. I hadn't seen that one coming. Not that I hadn't dreamed of becoming a mythical monster once--just never a grotesque, animated corpse. . . It was depressing to realize that I wasn't the heroine anymore, that my story was over." (106) But Bella's story is far from over. Reintroduce into the picture, Jacob Black, the young man who first shared with Bella the fact that she was falling in love with a vampire, this new friendship reenergizes Bella's existence and gives her a reason to continue on. But is her friendship with Jacob any safer for her than her relationship with Edward was? Or is Jacob hiding a dangerous secret of his own? Is Edward out of the picture for good, or will he make a comeback to try to reclaim her heart? Stephenie Meyer's novel NEW MOON, sequel to TWILIGHT, is an exciting read, and one that I highly recommend.


The Story Had to be Told, November 26, 2008
By
Heykate (USA) - But, honestly, this is my least favorite of the four books. The departure of Edward and the Cullens mystified me considering the oath of love between Bella and Edward and the developing relationship between Jacob and Bella also mystified me. I loved the vampire story so much that I guess I had less interest in the Jacob story. Just me. However, having read through all four books - and this is a spoiler - I can see how everything eventually fit together and that certain things HAD to happen for the finale to take place in Breaking Dawn. Nevertheless, I didn't know this when reading New Moon. Despite this, I feel that this book is still 99% better than most others out there. My opinion is that if we want real life downers - bad language, drug, alcohol and lots of depression (which actually Bella does experience in New Moon), we can LIVE our real lives and not have an Edward in it to at least dull the pain. So, I loved the essence of these books. No matter what your philosophies are, if you love a good romance that has lots of action and adventure and could also be put in the thriller category, but hate all the bad language and "out there" sex, these books are for you. A lot of people have mentioned the not-so-great writing style. Well, I am an avid reader - I read all sorts of books by all sorts of authors and I was totally entertained and addicted by and to this saga. I thought the writing was quite good, better than many books I have read for "adults." They have put this under teenage fiction, but I am 55 years old (I picked Twilight up on vacation because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, expecting to not even get halfway through it. Imagine me getting hooked and sneaking to the book store to buy the other three books in the series feeling slightly ridiculous). And some raters here picked on small things in the series - that is their right to do so, but you know? Take it for what it is. A fun romance/action/adventure/thriller and just have fun reading it. No need to take it apart and look for things that really aren't there or meant to be there. Exquisite fiction for all ages. Thank you, Ms. Meyers, for giving this old lady a week of pure literary joy!


Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) (Paperback)
by Stephenie Meyer

Some said very good:

Twilight is an unexpected surprise... An intense ride., November 26, 2008
By
Adelle (Clearwater, FL United States) - This review is from: Twilight (Twilight, Book 1) (Hardcover) Stephenie Meyer masterfully captured the mundane reality of high school with the familiar drama of teenage years (i.e. out of control hormones, tedious classes, annoying classmates, potential lasting friendships, challenging relationships with parents); the thrilling, emotional and exhilarating ride of first love; and the magic of those years of discovery - and added a twist. A captivating, leaving you breathless and wanting more kind of twist. Twilight is by far something I did not expect and one of the greatest pleasures experienced. Thank you Stephenie.
Very Hard Book To Resist, November 26, 2008
By
Kellie Cales (Munster, Indiana USA) - I tried to avoid jumping on the Twilight bandwagon and resisted for quite some time reading this book. However, curiosity killed the cat and the rest is history. This book is entrancing, and very hard to put down. Most who have been in the kind of love which is only more exciting because it is forbidden will be especially charmed by this story. Those who do not like it are probably not giving it a chance which is too bad. This is a story that is marked as Young Adult yet very readable and relatable to adults as well.