I was “roll my eyes” suspicious, to say the least, that this young adult novel would be worth my “sophisticated woman” time. I mean high school romance, vampires, etc. Even the aesthetics of the words on the page had an elemental “largeness” about them that said, “How old are you, Piper?!?!” But, before I knew it, Stephenie Meyer’s novel, Twilight, had me enthralled! I hadn’t read a book that quickly in ages! The main theme that I took away from Twilight is that there is a fine line between good and evil. But, no matter what, love endures and wins over all adversity, even if that adversity comes in the form of your true love.

Enter Edward Cullen!  This character draws from the typical “bad boy” persona that all the good girls (and bad girls for that matter, including this one) absolutely CRAVE, and he’s a vampire to boot.  Nothing sexier!  My raw draw to Edward was based on his inability to fight the “thirst” he has for Bella.  There is no greater turn-on than a man who has no power over his need for the woman he loves.  However, she also arouses his blood lust, and that adds an air of danger to their budding romance.  Needless to say, you can cut the sexual tension with a knife. It drips off the page. Yes, it’s drippy sexual tension, the very best kind.

This book’s easy writing style and “falling in love with a vampire” story line made it a seriously fast read. Don’t get me wrong! There were times when I’d get to a part where I’d throw my head back and laugh to myself with embarrassment that I was reading this book about high schoolers. But I think that was more of the label I put on the book from its reputation of being young adult. The appeal definitely crosses the age barrier between teenagers and adults. It’s written from Bella’s perspective,  so it’s very easy to fall in love with Edward right along with her. There are aspects not only of new love and romance, but also of danger and self-sacrifice. I was intrigued with how this fantasy has such a strange way of fitting so nicely into a real setting. Once I was finished, I felt a genuine ache for more. I missed Edward and the love between him and Bella.

While I was “roll my eyes” suspicious when I first picked up this novel, now I’m “eyes rolled back” in love with Edward. I give Twilight 5 outta 5 PUMPS! Definitely HAWT, Baby!

If you’re an Edward fan like me, then New Moon may leave you slightly sour on account of its “severe Cullen deficiency”. Stop Googling ladies, it’s not a disease! I’m talking about the lack of a certain sparkling vampire with great hair and a dazzling smile. (Insert heavy sigh here) Our lovable Cullen’s were missing from almost the entire book, in fact, they didn’t make a significant appearance until the last 100 pages! I cry foul to that SM!

On a good note though, where the story lacks in “brooding vampires”, it totally makes up for with wolf-charm! The Quileute tribe and wolf pack were an exciting addition to the story. I found myself getting completely sucked in to the tribal legends explaining the history of the wolves, which were passed down from many generations.

New Moon provides us with some of the best emotionally charged scenes in the series. The pain that Bella feels when Edward abandons her is extremely well written; totally capturing the type of heartbreak and misery a teenage girl would experience when losing the love of her life. I found myself on the verge of cursing Edward for all that gloom. So, if you’re an emotional wimp like me, than get the Kleenex ready!

Bella maintains her annoying charisma throughout the story, while Jacob turns out to be surprisingly decadent in all his wolf-charm. The relationship that develops between Bella and Jacob in New Moon was very passionate at times, leaving me wanting more. Though part of me felt like I was betraying Edward until I quickly realized that with Bella and Jacob together, I could have McSparkle to myself! NAUGHTAY!

New Moon introduces some new and intense characters towards the end of the story: the Volturri. This clan makes up the oldest of the vampire race and are the keepers of the vampire justice system. It is in Italy, at the residence of the Volturri, where we finally get our glimpse of Edward again. ABOUT TIME! This is where the real drama begins and the story really takes off.

Reviewing this book presented many challenges for me in that my favorite character (Edward) was missing for 3/4’s of the story. At times, i found myself losing interest and wondering when the hell he was going to return to the story, rather than giving my full attention to Jacob and Bella. All considered, New Moon may be filled with heart break and sorrow, but the struggle through the first 500 pages turned out to be worthy of the last 100. I give New Moon 4 out of 5 pumps! 1 pump taken away for its lack of Edward appearances.

My favorite book of all would’ve been Eclipse if it hadn’t been for Breaking Dawn. Eclipse is the most developed book thus far because I truly felt as though I knew the characters inside and out. Also, by this time most readers have chosen sides; Team Edward or Team Jacob? Is there really a contest?! I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fan of self-loathing boys who sparkle! Also, to say the least, this book pulls at your heartstrings in both directions. It leaves the reader feeling completely and utterly exhausted and even, dare I say, sexually aroused! That’s right ladies; hold onto your knickers because it’s like THAT in Eclipse!

In the third book of the Twilight Saga, Bella’s desire to be changed into a vampire takes over every rational thought in her mind. Trust me, if I had my very own Edward I would’ve found ways to pounce on his face until he bit me already! Someone really should have given Bella a lesson or two in manipulation! Still, her persistence does become annoying in this book but I think she was quite justified in her irrational vampire-crazed state of mind.

Then of course, there’s Jacob. Ugh, his name alone makes me shudder. The sexy, tall, dark skinned, hot-blooded Quileute-slash-werewolf boy who is infatuated with Bella, is still around to complicate things in Eclipse. Even Edward can’t blame the kid for his persistence and devotion! One thing I can appreciate is Jacob’s sarcasm and charisma; he’s quite refreshing and even welcoming in contrast to the other more dramatic and somber characters like Jasper. If you’re like me, and there isn’t anything romantically enticing about Jacob, just you wait! Out of the entire series, Jacob is part of the steamiest, most passionate, pleasurable, and that’s right, wettest romantic scenes! He will surely get your blood boiling and make you crave a cigarette afterward… Whew!

Ah, and of course it wouldn’t be a Twilight book if it weren’t for some bad guys. The fight scene that ensues in Eclipse is Stephenie Meyer’s very best in the entire series. The battle lines have been drawn and the reader is surprised by the players on the Cullen’s team. But with the steamy love triangle and endless choices that Bella needs to make, who really cares about vampires coming to kill her?! Let’s get back to the scene in the tent with Jacob and Edward shall we? Bring on the good stuff, baby!

This third book is a fantastic read! I couldn’t have been more pleased with the creativity and energy that went into the storyline. The reader feels captivated by the characters, and longs to accompany Bella on her journey to discover where her desires will lead her. I give Eclipse 4.5 out of 5 pumps, because it was one of the best books in the series, but I had to take away half a pump for Jacob, and not my man Edward, having the sexiest scene in the book.

Sigh… we can’t believe we’ve finished all of the books!  What are we going to do without HIM?!  Breaking Dawn, the last installment in the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, was by far the best of them all in our consolidated Vixen opinion.  Bella and Edward’s relationship comes full circle, and she gets what she’s wanted all along.  But is the price too high?

The story was full of sexual innuendo and mouth-watering teasers!  YES, they finally DO IT!!  HELL, it only took 3 books, 1,690 pages and 422,500 words to relieve that palm sweating, heart racing, sexual frustration!  Although, we realize this book was written for a younger audience, it didn’t stop our lower lip from turning down at the lack of details given about their seemingly incredible mattress mambo!  I mean come on, what TWIGAR wasn’t hoping for super juicy, window-steaming details of exactly which way they did it and how many times?!  Nevertheless, when we finished throwing our temper-tantrums, we had to acknowledge that even with the lack of ‘steam’, SM delivered an incredibly written story about two lovers willing to sacrifice anything for love.

There are so many new characters introduced in this story, from the new members of the wolf pack to entire family branches of the Vampire race.  Each new character is gifted in their own diverse way and truly adds to the storyline.  Jacob of course, maintains his obsession with Bella, but the readers are finally enlightened as to why their connection is so strong.  This revelation is shocking and quite disturbing to say the least.  Edward remains his perfectly dreamy self, stealing our hearts all over again; while Bella finally becomes the woman she was meant to be.

We give Breaking Dawn 5 outta 5 pumps because of the great conclusion to an even greater love story.  But beware!  The twists, turns, and surprises will leave you sleep deprived and late for work!

While reading Twilight did you ever think to yourself, “Bella is so naive and immature! I wonder how a grown up would think or act in this position?” Well, you’re in luck! The soon-to-be fifth book in the Twilight Saga, called Midnight Sun is Stephenie Meyer’s finest, yet unfinished work, because it’s the Twilight story from Edward’s perspective. He is what the series is all about anyway, right? Now, I know what you’re thinking; “Why in the hell didn’t Stephenie put this out instead of Twilight?!” Your guess is about as good as mine! And as great as Twilight has done, I think Midnight Sun is going to do just as well.

In the beginning, we discover that Twilight is about the relationship dynamics between sparkley vampire hottie Edward, and the average human teenager Bella. However, what Stephenie Meyer offers in Midnight Sun is the realness and the urgency behind Edward’s obsession with Bella. Every awkward moment is clarified, and just when you think you can predict Mr. Perfect’s next thought, he offers up a surprisingly different side of himself. Because the other books are written from the perspective of Bella, I don’t think that they provided an equally authentic depiction of the essence of Edward. Every self-loathing moment that crushed my heart, and every romantic scene that made my loins call out to him for more is magnified and enhanced brilliantly.

Even though this book is only a draft, we hope that Stephenie Meyer has every intention of finishing this project one of these days. While part of me thinks we should all cut her some slack for delaying the release of this future literary masterpiece (that’s right, I said it), the other part of me thinks, “What are you waiting for, you crazy woman?! You’re depriving me of the very thing that gets my blood boiling!” Sigh, well for now, I guess I’ll have to stick to staring at the pictures we have posted on For All the Stupid Lambs and dreaming about MY Edward coming to life in the written word again very, very soon.

At this time, I predict that some of the very best parts of this book will include more character development of the Cullen family. We are given a small taste of this during the short 264 pages of the current draft. But I think we’ll get much more of Carlisle, Emmett, Alice and the gang, than we ever had imagined! Additionally, I think this book will be far more romantic and heart-pounding than the sometimes weak and fragile depiction that Bella offers up. Based upon what I have read, I don’t want to rate this book quite yet, because I don’t think that’s fair to the author and her characters. However, prepare yourself, because this book will leave you wanting more….