Finished Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. This post contains some spoilers so if you haven’t read the book yet, you may want to skip this one.

This is a young adult novel about Bella Swan, who goes to live with her father in Forks, Wash., and falls in love with Edward Cullen, a beautiful boy who just happens to be a vampire. I’d heard a lot of people raving about this book, which is why I decided to read it (Hi, Chasity!).

I can see why people love the book so much. Bella is a great character with a wonderful voice. She considers other people’s feelings before her own and tries to do what’s best for everyone. Like telling her classmate Mike that her friend Jessica likes him when Mike asks Bella to a dance. Or going dress shopping with her girlfriends even though Bella isn’t going to the dance. She even makes her father, Charlie, dinner almost every night.

It was really refreshing to read about a teenager who is smart, thoughtful, and not obsessed with designer labels and being prom queen. Bella reminded me a lot of one of my favorite heroines of all time — Beauty in Beauty by Robin McKinley (If you haven’t read that book, go get it. Now.)

But I also had some serious problems with Twilight.

The first half of the book was entertaining, as Bella adjusts to her new life in Forks and the horror of humiliating herself in gym class every day (sports rackets become deadly weapons in her hands). Bella also slowly realizes that Edward isn’t human and tries to figure out what he is — and soon becomes obsessed with him.

And this is where the book goes downhill for me.

At its heart, Twilight is a modern, angsty, fairy tale version of Romeo and Juliet, except with vampires instead of feuding families. Romeo and Juliet is a story/concept I’ve never particularly cared for, which is probably one of the reasons I didn’t love Twilight. I’ve never understood the appeal of obsessive love. Also, I’m a little burnt out on vampire books right now.

And then, there’s Edward. He’s smart, he’s gorgeous, he does everything well — he’s perfect. Even his breath smells good — all the time. And I didn’t like him for that. To me, the most interesting heroes are the ones who have some weakness. Edward doesn’t. Sure, he has to resist eating Bella, but that’s about it. As one of the other vampires says, they don’t have any weaknesses. Even their beautiful appearance is designed to lure in their prey (humans).

Then, there’s the way Edward treats Bella. He alternates between aloof and cold and warm and adoring. He watches her while she sleeps and goes berserk if someone (even Bella’s father) tries to interfere in their relationship. Creepy, not romantic, but Bella gives herself over to him with no reservations.

Edward also feels because he’s a vampire that he knows what’s best for Bella — always. Another thing I didn’t like about him, especially since Bella demonstrates time and time again how brave and smart and thoughtful she is.

Bella says it herself best near the end of the book, when she tells Edward that people have to be equals to have a real relationship. Bella and Edward aren’t equals, and they never will be – which is why Bella wants him to turn her into a vampire. So they can be together forever.

Me? I want Bella to remember how smart she is and find a healthier relationship. But I know it won’t happen.

So, I’m going split decision on this one. Thumbs up to Bella and the first half of the book; thumbs down to the rest. (Don’t hate me, Chasity!)

Up next: Probably Don’t Look Down by Suzanne Enoch.