RonVitale: April 2008

Several weeks ago I started reading Stephenie Meyer's "The Twilight Series" and I was thoroughly engrossed in reading the first two books. I passed the book on to my wife and she read the first three pages, thinking that the writing wasn't that great, but then after the first 20 pages she couldn't put the book down. I can't remember how I found out about these books--I think I read a review about them in the SFWA's The Bulletin or someone in a forum had mentioned that they were well worth picking up. I had not known what the books were about, thinking that they had something to do with Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series.

Ah, now I remember: Life's been a bit hectic lately. I was on a plane coming back from a business trip to Atlanta and I was listening to a podcast that was an interview with Jacqueline Carey. I've really enjoyed her Kushiel series and one of the podcast hosts had suggested Stephenie Meyer's trilogy. I had no idea what the books were about so I picked them up and put them on my shelf. Imagine my surprise when I started reading them and realized that these books were written for a teenage audience. The books are essentially romance/fantasy using fairly simplistic themes: A young woman falls in love with a vampire and he with her. On paper the premise seems fairly simplistic, but Meyer builds such intensity in her characters that I also couldn't put the book down. I'm currently reading book 3 "Eclipse" and I would highly recommend the books.

Why? Well, if you're a writer, you can learn what is selling these days ("Twilight" [the first book] made the New York Times' best seller list) and also what is being purchased by publishing houses. Another tidbit of information: The book "Twilight" is currently being made into a movie. Not bad for a first time writer. She not only is able to get published right out of the gate but I believe her contract was one of the highest young adult contracts to date.

But don't take my word for it. Read it. Don't delay!

Ron Vitale is the author of the young adult fantasy novel "Cinderella's Secret Diary" and a proud Twilight fan since April 2008.