Book Reviews

This month, I only have two book reviews for y'all, but they are quite in-depth! For the first one, I'll talk about the book I am currently reading: a young adult fiction novel by a fantastic author: Shannon Hale. Secondly, I'll discuss a highly debatable modern classic (that I've reread numerous time since I first read it in sixth grade). Hope you enjoy!

Let’s start with the setting. Though the main character, Bella, came from Arizona, she moves to the book’s main setting at the very beginning of the book: Forks, Washington. Forks is a tiny town, located basically in the middle of a giant forest. It is always wet and rainy, and everything is green. (As in the trees, moss, grass, any vegetation.) So maybe I am just a sucker for any setting that is dark, stormy, and rainy, but this setting seemed perfect for this story. Not only this, but the entire book was very atmospheric, and helped in crafting a certain “vibe” in the novel.

Secondly, let’s discuss the plot-line. If you have ever seen a paper copy of Twilight, you will know it is very lengthy. It is a total of 544 pages in the paperback version. Though this may lead you to think it’s too slow-paced or boring at times, I would have to disagree. I think this plotline is perfectly paced, switching between the inner monologues of our main character--there’s a lot--and action in the story. Though this book is so long, I can easily finish it cover to end in one boring, rainy day. (And I most certainly have. . .) It is only lengthy because there is a lot of story to cover. The first book takes place over several months, though readers get a glimpse into many moments of the main character Bella’s life over that period.

Third, let’s talk about characters. This is the thing I mainly hear being complained about regarding this book; I mean, just take a look at the Goodreads reviews. You won’t need to scroll very far before you are bombarded with passionate one-star reviews by readers. Many claim that Bella, the main character, is pretty much as dull as characters go. And, yes, while I can agree that she does have some moments where it can appear that way, I would also argue that is only perceived as a valid point because she doesn’t act the way typical YA main characters would. In many young adult novels, teen characters will act as you would expect teenagers to. Regardless, Bella is a little bit different, and that is exactly how S. Meyer intended it. Bella is described as an “old soul,” and she is significantly more mature than many of her classmates are described. This is actually part of what I believe fueled the chemistry between Bella and the love interest, Edward. They were both on the same intellectual level, and that set them far apart from their peers. Now, some angry Goodreads reviewers would argue that this only proves their relationship is cliched-- that these characters were so dramatic and infatuated with one another that they pulled away from other people that considered themselves their friends. Yes. That is the point. This story depicts how young love defies all odds and pulls characters together against their better judgment. It is the main conflict. In fact, both main characters struggle throughout the entire saga. It is this internal struggle that can sometimes create a ridge between Bella and her friends and family. This is where many readers find fault: they say that this relationship is toxic and it only points out the weaknesses in both characters. I will remind you once again, readers, that faults in characters is not a bad thing. Why would it ever be a bad thing?

I can assure you that perfect characters will only make the most boring books. This novel’s entire purpose is to point out the blindness that love can create in susceptible characters, and how much these characters are willing to sacrifice for their partner or their family. Additionally, I’d love to point out a different relationship developed mainly in the first book. Before this book began, Bella hadn't spent much time with her father, Charlie, yet the very beginning of the novel is explaining how she is going to live with him full time. The relationship between Bella and her father was, admittedly, awkward, but it led to so much development between the two. Though it is never outwardly acknowledged, they feel incredible companionship, where Charlie feels responsible for Bella and making her happy in her new home, while Bella feels fondly for him and his odd life alone at home, though she has not even seen him in years. There is a point towards the end of the book that tugged on my heartstrings, where Bella is forced to betray her father in the worst way possible. I won’t go any further into that to protect those who have not read the books, but I felt like this was an incredible detail that S. Meyer included that did not have to do with the classic love tale the book entails.

So. . . that concludes my in-depth review for Twilight! Of, course, I could go into much further detail about specific scenes or characters, but I will keep it pretty short for this review. I hope I have convinced you all to consider either reading the book for the first time or perhaps even to re-read it with a new attitude in mind. Anyhow, you must be aware of one more thing: DO NOT watch the movies before you read the books. You have been warned.

Finally--since I referenced it so much--here are the Goodreads reviews, as well!

The following story, due to its lyrical form, is the first musical I have reviewed- which means you can expect more reviews and ratings on musicals in the future. This musical play follows two brothers, Ferrell and Lawson Prodigal, in the biblical retelling of the Prodigal son in a Victorian set era, which means I give extra points for creativity. It truly shows the old story’s lesson, applying to any age and any time with different characters varying in intention, personality, and personal conflicts that arise frequently throughout the overarching plot. Out of all scripts that I have read, this one has proved to be the most inspirational and heart-wrenching, as it overflows with emotions of love, liveliness, faithfulness, and forgiveness (what did you expect me to say? It’s right in the title!).

This script has obtained the perfect score in my heart, which is mainly due to the fact that I was astonished by how wonderfully and eloquently the play was written by a local author. It captures the setting perfectly and implements original music into each scene that makes you walk out of the theatre humming the tunes for days ahead.

Playing devil's-advocate against a musical I absolutely adored is very difficult, but there are some minor things that rubbed me the wrong way while reading this script. Only one thing really stood out, and it was the fact that quite a few of the songs were sung or centered on a particularly minor character, whereas some of the more prominent leading characters did not have as many solos as I would have expected. A specific character I will use as an example is the slave owner, Bond, who enslaves Ferrell Prodigal after he goes destitute in the city of Permission. He has a few solos himself, while Ferrell, the main character, has very few and mainly sings with another person besides himself.

Besides this detail of sorts, my biases got the better of me. I can say with certainty that this is one of the best scripts I have read from a local author, and I believe anything else this author writes will be pure gold.