Twilight

By: Stephenie Meyer

Narrated by: Ilyana Kadushin

Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

About three things I was certain.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him, and I didn't know how dominant that part might be, that thirsted for my blood.

And Third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

Isabella 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, Isabella'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 Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife, between desire and danger.

Deeply sensuous and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Don't miss the other titles in the Twilight Saga.

©2005 Stephenie Meyer (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

A waste of my time this wasn't.

For months I'd gone back and forth with myself about whether I was going to read the Twilight novels. But being blind, my only options were to either find them in braille, a medium which I find extremely tedious to be quite frank, or to listen to them. I tried at first to listen to the Library of Congress version, also known as the Talking Book version specifically recorded for us blind folks, but the narrator's voice ruined the story for me. But as is often the case in these situations, the commercially available audiobook was done much better. The story itself was far more interesting than I was expecting, always a plus, but Ilyana Kadushin's narration added just that little bit more to the pie, so to speak. Her smooth, slightly husky voice doesn't seem out of place, particularly when the character speaking is Edward Cullen or Jacob Black. I didn't hear the flatness that another reviewer complained about. I don't think they could have picked a better narrator unless perhaps it were Stephenie Meyer herself. Needless to say I'm glad I spent the two credits on this program, although I'll say right here and now that I messed up my sleep cycle for the next several weeks reading the entire series.

54 of 58 people found this review helpful

My Not-So-Guilty Pleasure

At this point everyone knows what Twilight is about and very little needs to be said about the characters or plot. What does need to be mentioned, though, is Ilyana Kadushin's unparalleled performance as Bella. After listening to this book I had a hard time believing Kristen Stewart's performance in the films. She just falls short of what Ilyana is able to accomplish here. Fantastic.

56 of 62 people found this review helpful

Vamped up twist of love and compassion

This book was great! I listened for hours because I couldn't put it away. It's an excellent flashback to high school for a 30 something book lover. I initially listened to review the content for my niece, but now I'm hooked and will finish the series. It's vampire lore without all of the descriptive gory details. Vampires with compassion! Can't wait to download the next one!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Compelling listening

For some reason this very simple and beautifully written story was very hard to put down. I am an older reader and have "read" many excellent audio books and this is one is such a lovely story with an excellent narrater and highly recommended.

22 of 24 people found this review helpful

True Vampire Romance...

First off, I would like to say how I have always been fascinated with vampire lore and the mere thought of undead creatures that live by night and feed on the blood of others. With that said, Twilight was a bit unexpected in that the book's main focus was about true love found between a mortal girl and a vampire. I was easily pulled into Stephenie Meyer's world of Forks, Washington where most of the story takes place. The author develops the characters very will and goes to great lengths to explain and point out vampire strengths as compared to humans. Twilight revolves around a sea of anger, inner conflict, and unexpected, undying love that will keep you listening into the late hours of the night. Personally, I loved this book!

P.S. For those of you who are looking for just another vampire slasher, check out Anne Rice's books. This one would not be for you; however, if you want a great vampire love story, I suggest checking it out.

21 of 23 people found this review helpful

Suprisingly good

Book review: I watched the movie first, and reading the book filled in all the gaps in details that wasn't covered on film. It's very mild (PG wise), but well written, and really leaves you wanting more. Some phrases are extremely repetitious, and I did get tired of hearing how 'perfect' Edward was. If you're an adult and looking for a little more heat with the same subject matter (vampires/supernaturals) try the Sookie Stackhouse novels.
Narrator review: After getting used to Kristen Stewart it took my ears some time warm up to Ms. Kadushin, but after reading the entire series, Bella wouldn't be right read by someone else.

20 of 22 people found this review helpful

Wow

I am not a teenager. I do not read fiction. I did end up reading all four books and loved them! I do not want to leave this world. Which is why I am rereading breaking dawn. So..Waiting for Midnight Sun! The movie does not do this book justice and the narrator of this was awesome. I am looking for more books with her as the narrator!

27 of 30 people found this review helpful

love that's sweet and deadly...

I was pretty late to jump on the Stephenie Meyer bandwagon, but luckily when i did all three of her books were available on Audible! After listening to Twilight i couldn't get the characters out of my head... the love story is beautiful and sweet, and the tension between love and blood-thirst is dizzying... WARNING: you WILL fall in love with these characters, so be prepared to read all three books in rapid succession!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

bloodsucking but not literature

I enjoyed this book a little too much. I actually feel guilty. It's a little bit immature and predictable but a nice example of the gothic romance type of vampire fiction popular today. . So it's not a literary masterpiece - so what. Lighten up and practice a little escapism if you like. I've read worse.

45 of 52 people found this review helpful

Terrific story; fabulous narrator

This is a wonderful story. I think it's almost better hearing it read rather than reading it yourself. And the narrator is absolutely fabulous. I fully enjoyed this and highly recommend it to others. Beware, though: it's addictive.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

It sucks you in

I will admit the first time I listened to this, I got a few hours in, and I had to turn it off. It had nothing to do with the narrator, because she perfectly captures the voices of the various character, but the story was tiring me out.

But strangely enough over the week, when I didn't listen to it, I kept on thinking about it, wondering how is it going to end, and to remind myself that this is a book for Young Adults not the normal audience of the Christine Feehan or Sherrilyn Kenyon books that I normally read or listen too.

So a week later I found myself starting from the beginning, and within 2 days I had finished it, and I have gone back to it more times then I can count. Excellently performed it's a story that will suck in you even what you don't want it too.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

more than surprisingly amazed!

When I realised I had downloaded a 'kids' book I was mildly annoyed, and the inital focus on 'high school' life filled me with some concern, and if I'm honest it was probably the fact that I listen to several hours in one sitting that got me hooked. The narration is excellent, the story pace fast, and despite some quite exceptional acceptance on the part of the main character Bella I found the story more than captavating - in fact I have listened to it 3 times - something I have never done in many years as an audible regular. If you listen to audible for mindless escapism then this is a winner.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I gave it a fair try

Sorry, it's a crap story, poorly written. The reader does her best (she gets the stars) but you can't make a silk purse from a sows ear.

Positively moronic

I listened to this to see what the hype was about and am appalled. Before anyone protests that this is a 'young adult' book, lets just remember that young adults are not complete morons. Sadly, Stephanie Meyer seems to believe her reader has the vocabulary of a 7 year old. The language is truly awful, the storyline is very questionable and sets a wholly unlikeable and empty character up as a dangerous role model in terms of abusive relationships. Really, don't bother.

Oh yes, there are some nice twangy guitar bits at the start of each section - presumably because its 'for kids'. Doesn't make up for its rubbishness.

Brilliant Listen!

Definitely one not to miss! Can't wait to listen to the next in the series.

Twilight

I discovered this wonderful series last year. I bought them on CD initially and spent many sleepless nights caught up in the story and afterwards I bought them as downloads so I could take them on holiday. Twilight is the first of Stephenie Meyer's epic romantic fantasy saga about Bella and her vampire lover Edward. The books have already enjoyed best selling status and I happen to believe they make up the most wonderful romance I have ever read. My imagination and my heart were alike captured from the start. Buy it and lose yourself in this story and its delightful and human characters.

Almost exactly the same as the movie

Having seen the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it I had to listen to the book. The two tie in almost exactly with very few changes to the plot, which made the listening experience that much richer and more enjoyable as you had concrete images of the descriptions. I can't wait for the rest of the series on film but in the mean time I will just have to make do with the books.