Twilight (novel series)

For other uses, see Twilight (disambiguation).

Twilight

File:Twilight Boxed Set.jpg Image of the boxed set that contains all of the released books within the Twilight series.
Author	Stephenie Meyer
Language	English
Genre	Romance/Horror/Fantasy/Young Adult
Publisher	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)

Twilight is a series of vampire-based fantasy/romance/horror novels by American author Stephenie Meyer. It follows the adventures of Isabella Swan, a teenager who moves to Forks, Washington and finds her life turned upside down when she falls in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen.

The series is told primarily from Bella's point of view, with the epilogue of Eclipse and a portion of Breaking Dawn being told from the viewpoint of Jacob Black. Midnight Sun, a future companion book to the series, will be told from Edward Cullen's point of view.

The series are currently some of the most popular books written for young adults, with sales exceeding 10.7 million and over five million sold in the U.S. alone.

Plot

Twilight

Isabella (Bella) Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington to allow her mother, Renée, to travel with her new husband, Phil. After moving to Forks, Bella finds herself drawn to a mysterious boy, Edward Cullen, who turns out to be a 'vegetarian' vampire, (a vampire who drinks animal blood, as opposed to human blood). They fall in love, and must fight off a rival clan of vile vampires who want to drink Bella's blood. Bella escapes to Phoenix, Arizona where she is tricked into confronting James, an enemy vampire of the Cullens. Bella is severely hurt, but Edward and his family save her. After Bella recovers, she returns to Forks.

New Moon

Edward and his family leave Forks, Washington, because of his belief that he is constantly endangering Bella's life by his presence. Bella falls into a deep depression for several months after he leaves, until she develops a strong friendship with werewolf Jacob Black. Jacob and the other werewolves in his village must protect her from Victoria, an evil vampire who intends to avenge the death of James, her mate, by killing Bella. A misunderstanding occurs, and Edward is led to believe that Bella is dead. Edward decides to commit suicide in Volterra, Italy, but Bella, with the help of Alice, stops him. They meet with the Volturi and are let go with the condition that Bella will be turned into a vampire. Once the Cullens return to Forks with Bella beside them, Jacob breaks his friendship with her because of the hate that vampires and werewolves have towards each other.

Eclipse

Bella is still being stalked by the vampire Victoria, who has amassed an army of "newborn" vampires. Meanwhile, Bella is forced to choose between her relationship with Edward and her friendship with Jacob. Edward's family of vampires and Jacob's pack of werewolves join forces to fight Victoria's army of vampires. Before the battle, Jacob tells Bella that he will join the fight with the intention of dying unless she kisses him. Bella accepts and, while kissing him, realizes that she loves Jacob, but not as much as she loves Edward. The battle then begins and Victoria and her army of vampires are destroyed. In the end, Bella chooses Edward's love over Jacob's, and Jacob is devastated to hear of Bella's choice and her decision to become a vampire.

Breaking Dawn

Bella and Edward marry. Jacob comes to the wedding but becomes angry and leaves. Bella and Edward, as planned, have a "real" honeymoon involving sexual intercourse while Bella is still human. The honeymoon is cut short by Bella's realization that she has become pregnant and the newlyweds return to Forks. The second part of the book is from Jacob's point of view. The pregnancy seems to be destroying Bella, and the werewolf leader plans to destroy the Cullens and the infant, which is growing at an unnatural rate. Jacob refuses, becoming the Alpha of a second pack and going to warn the Cullens. Seth and Leah Clearwater join Jacob, and they all act as guards patrolling and watching for signs of the main pack's attack. Jacob visits daily, and Bella appears to be dying until the vampires realize that she may need to drink blood to satisfy the child. The birth nearly kills Bella, who is barely saved by being turned into a vampire by Edward with Jacob's help. Jacob goes to kill the infant, named Renesmee after Bella's mother and the matriarch of the Cullen family, and imprints on her instead. Irina, a vampire from the Denali clan, comes to avenge her bonded partner Laurent, and sees the child, who is still growing quickly. She reports the child, who is thought to be an "immortal child"--a normal child turned to a vampire--to the Volturi, who sentence the entire family to death. The Cullens gather witnesses who can verify that the child is growing and is not one of the destructive "immortal children" and train Bella to use her talents as a shield to protect them from the Volturi while Bella secretly makes plans for Jacob to be able to spirit Renesmee away should things go badly. In the final showdown, they convince the Volturi that Renesmee is not a danger to vampires or their secret, and all the gathered vampires return to their homes.

Main characters

See also: Minor characters in Twilight

Isabella Marie Swan - The protagonist of the series, Bella is perpetually clumsy and a "danger magnet". Her life turns upside down when she falls in love with vampire Edward Cullen. Eventually, her feelings for werewolf Jacob Black grow far beyond friendship, and she is forced to make a choice between her two loves. One important trait of Bella's is her immunity to supernatural abilities that involve the mind, such as Edward's mind reading. Bella is often portrayed as not valuing herself, nor can she seem to grasp Edward's love for her. Bella has dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes.

Edward Anthony Masen Cullen - Edward is a vampire who lives on animal blood instead of human blood. He lives with a clan of like-minded vampires known as the Cullen family. He loves Bella Swan, and feels great mutual dislike/revulsion towards Jacob Black due to both the love Jacob feels for Bella and the natural animosity between vampires and werewolves. Like some vampires, Edward has a supernatural ability; his gift is mind reading. He can read the thoughts of anyone within a few miles of himself; however, he can only read what the person is thinking at that moment. Bella is currently the only known individual who is immune to his power.

Jacob Black - A minor character in the first novel, Jacob is introduced as a member of the Quileute tribe. He resurfaces in New Moon with a much larger role, becoming a werewolf and Bella's best friend as she is going through a depression and being hunted by Victoria. Although he is in love with Bella, she initially sees him as just her best friend. In Eclipse, Bella realizes that she loves Jacob as well; in fact, her love for Jacob is only eclipsed by her love of Edward Cullen. Later in Breaking Dawn Jacob imprints on Renesmee thus getting rid of his heartache for Bella.

Mary Alice Brandon Cullen - One of Edward's adoptive sisters. She is described as "pixie-like", and her movement is noted to be very graceful. Her special ability is seeing the future as soon as someone makes the decision to head down that path. This ability is very useful, as it gives the family forewarning to any dangers. However, she cannot see the future of werewolves. She is married to Jasper Hale, who is her soul-mate, and she loves Bella as if she were her own sister.

Jasper Whitlock Hale - One of Edward's adoptive brothers, and Alice's husband and soul-mate. He can sense and influence the emotions of people around him. He has the most trouble with the Cullens' "vegetarian" lifestyle, since he and Alice are the newest members of the family, and before joining them he spent almost a century living off human blood. He became a vampire sometime during the American Civil War. He was initially involved in vampire wars, creating new vampires and forming them into armies, until he met Alice and became a part of the Cullen family.

Rosalie Lillian Hale - Edward's adoptive sister, who is self-absorbed and described as being the most beautiful person in the world. At first, she appears to play an antagonistic role in the story. She became a vampire when Carlisle saved her life after several men, including her fiancé, beat and raped her, leaving her to die. She is the wife and soul-mate of Emmett Cullen. Rosalie dislikes Bella because of Edward having an interest in Bella while he never showed any attraction whatsoever to Rosalie and for Bella's willingness to give up her humanity for an eternal life as a vampire.

Emmett McCarty Cullen - Edward's adoptive brother, and Rosalie's husband and soul-mate. As a human, Emmett went hiking and ran into a large grizzly bear. Provoked, the grizzly attacked and nearly killed him before Rosalie, who was hunting, interceded. She saved and carried him 100 miles to Carlisle, in hopes of saving his life by turning him into a vampire. He is described as being extremely muscular, with dark curly hair and dimples.

Dr. Carlisle Cullen - The adoptive father of the Cullen children and husband of Esme Cullen. Born in London as the son of a Anglican pastor, he is around 360 years old and works as a doctor in Forks. After becoming a vampire, he spent hundreds of years resisting the smell of blood so that he could become a doctor. He changed Edward, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett into vampires to save their lives.

Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen - Carlisle's wife, who was found by Carlisle and changed into a vampire after a failed suicide attempt following the death of her baby. She is the mother figure of the Cullen family, and has a strong ability to love passionately.

Charlie Swan - Chief of Police in Forks, he is Bella's overprotective father. Though he is unaware that Edward is a vampire, he doesn't completely trust his daughter's boyfriend and would much rather have his daughter date Jacob Black.

Renesmee "Nessie" Carlie Cullen - daughter of Bella and Edward Cullen. She was conceived on their honeymoon, and even though Edward thought it would be best for Bella to have Carlisle get rid of the baby, Bella insisted on keeping it. Renesmee's birth nearly killed Bella, but Edward and Jacob kept Bella's heart going long enough for Edward's venom to change her into a vampire. Jacob imprinted on the baby. Renesmee's special gift is to make others see/hear what she is thinking/feeling when she touches their cheek. She is 1/2 vampire, 1/2 human, and the Cullens find out that she is immortal after 7 years of maturing at the end of Breaking Dawn.

Setting

The story is set primarily in the town of Forks, Washington, where Bella Swan and her father, Charlie Swan, live. Other cities in Washington briefly appear in the series or are mentioned, such as Port Angeles, Olympia, Seattle and La Push. Some events in Twilight take place in Phoenix, Arizona, where Bella was raised. Volterra, Italy is featured in New Moon, when Edward travels there to commit suicide and Bella goes to save him. Jacksonville, Florida is mentioned in Eclipse when Edward and Bella visit her mother, who has moved there with her husband.

Future books

On Stephenie Meyer's website, she has confirmed that there will be a companion book to Twilight called Midnight Sun. Midnight Sun will be the story of Twilight told from the point of view of Edward Cullen. The first chapter of Midnight Sun can be found on Meyer's website. However in multiple interviews she stated she will not continue the series through Edward's Point of View due to the depression he faced in New Moon. She claims she does not want to be in that place at the moment.

Also confirmed on Meyer's website were two companion books to the Twilight series: The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide, due to come out December 30th, and Twilight: The Official Illustrated Movie Companion, due to come out in November of 2008.

Stephenie also recently reported that she had outlines for a fifth and sixth book. She wont be following Bella and Edward, but they will be a part of the story. She would like to get Midnight Sun out first, then begin on these. It is not confirmed that they will come out yet.

Film adaptation

Main article: Twilight (2008 film)

Twilight is being adapted into a film by Summit Entertainment. The film is being directed by Catherine Hardwicke and stars Kristen Stewart (Into the Wild) and Robert Pattinson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) as protagonists Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen. It is set to be released on December 12, 2008.

Song Playlists

Stephenie Meyer has created playlists for each of the books in the Twilight series.

Twilight

 1. "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" — Travis
 2. "I’m Not Okay (I Promise)" [video edit] — My Chemical Romance
 3. "Creep" — Radiohead
 4. "In My Place" — Coldplay
 5. "By Myself" — Linkin Park
 6. "Dreaming" — OMD
 7. "Please Forgive Me" — David Gray
 8. "Here With Me" — Dido
 9. "With You" [reanimation remix] — Linkin Park
10. "Time is Running Out" — Muse
11. "Dreams" — The Cranberries
12. "Tremble for My Beloved" — Collective Soul
13. "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" — Billy Joel

New Moon

  1. "Do You Realize??" – The Flaming Lips
  2. "Papercut" – Linkin Park
  3. "Hyper Music" – Muse
  4. "Apocalypse Please" – Muse
  5. "Time Stands Still" – The All-American Rejects
  6. "Empty Room" – Marjorie Fair
  7. "Unwell" – Matchbox Twenty
  8. "Pain" – Jimmy Eat World
  9. "Ride" – The Vines
 10. "Fix You" – Coldplay
 11. "Blueside" – Rooney
 12. "Over My Head (Cable Car)" – The Fray
 13. "Going Under" – Evanescence
 14. "Tautou" – Brand New
 15. "Be My Escape" – Relient K
 16. "Never Let You Down" – Verve Pipe
 17. "Sing For Absolution" – Muse
 18. "Ya Mamma" – Fatboy Slim
 19. "Stare" – Marjorie Fair
 20. "Memory" – Sugarcult
 21. "The Truth About Heaven" – Armor For Sleep
 22. "The Scientist" – Coldplay
 23. "Sound of Pulling Heaven Down" – Blue October

Eclipse

  1. "Mexican Standoff" – Elbow
  2. "Hamburg Song" – Keane
  3. "Clocks" – Coldplay
  4. "The Small Print" – Muse
  5. "Stab My Back" – The All-American Rejects
  6. "Overweight" [edited] – Blue October
  7. "Mr. Brightside" – The Killers
  8. "Newborn" – Muse
  9. "Love Me Like You" – The Magic Numbers
 10. "Vindicated" – Dashboard Confessional
 11. "*Hysteria*"– Muse
 12. "Uninvited" – Alanis Morissette
 13. "Yes Please" – Muse
 14. "Infra-Read" – Placebo
 15. "The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot" – Brand New
 16. "Luv" – Travis
 17. "Blackout" – Muse
 18. "It’s A Disaster" – Ok Go
 19. ?

Meyer is asking for input on the last song of the Eclipse playlist and has asked readers in the forums on the series' website to pick the last one out of these five songs:

   * "This is How I Disappear" – My Chemical Romance
   * "Sleep" – My Chemical Romance
   * "Falling Away With You" – Muse
   * "Accident & Emergency" – Patrick Wolf
   * "The Well and the Lighthouse" – Arcade Fire

Breaking Dawn

Book I

   * Beach Boys — Wouldn't It Be Nice
   * Billy Idol — White Wedding
   * (INXS — Never Tear Us Apart)
   * (Muse — Can't Take My Eyes Off of You)
   * Blue October — Congratulations
   * Plain White T's — Take Me Away
   * Jack's Mannequin — Dark Blue
   * Coldplay — No More Keeping My Feet on the Ground
   * Fuel — Hemorrhage

Book II

   * Nine Inch Nails — Down In It
   * Aerosmith — What it Takes
   * Incubus — Earth to Bella (part 1)
   * Interpol — No I in Threesome
   * Korn — Twisted Transistor
   * TV on the Radio — Wolf Like Me
   * My Chemical Romance — The Sharpest Lives
   * Motion City Soundtrack — Point of Extinction
   * R.E.M. — Accelerate
   * Blue October — My Never
   * Jimmy Gnecco — Someone to Die For

Book III

   * Smashing Pumpkins — Today
   * Right Said Fred — I'm Too Sexy
   * (Jimmy Eat World — Chase this Light)
   * (Jackie Wilson — Your Love is Lifting Me Higher)
   * Linkin Park — Pts. Of Athrty
   * 3 Doors Down — Duck and Run
   * Simon and Garfunkel — Hazy Shade of Winter
   * Death Cab for Cutie — I Will Follow You Into the Dark
   * Muse — Intro [Absolution]
   * Muse — Take A Bow
   * Muse — Assassin
   * Ok Go — Invincible
   * Travis — Safe
   * Arcade Fire — No Cars Go

External links

• Stephenie Meyer's website
• The Twilight Series's official website
• Twilight Lexicon
• Twilight Saga Wiki
• The Twilight Series' Polish official website