Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott (2005). Peeps. New York, New York: Razorbill

ISBN: 9781595140838

336 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Vampires, Parasites, Future, Science Fiction

Reader's Annotation

19-year-old Cal moves to New York from Texas and when he loses his virginity, he acquires a disease that leaves him with night vision, superhuman strength, and a craving for lots of protein, and as he tracks down the woman who infected him, he suspects a greater danger may be lurking in the city. 

Summary

Cal moves from Texas to New York City, and on his first night in the big city, he contracts an STD that leaves him parasite-positive, or "peep". When presented in full form, peeps are cannibals that hide in darkness and prey upon unsuspecting victims. Cal, however, has a more controlled form of the illness that leaves him with great night vision, superhuman strength, and a craving for lots of protein. After contracting the disease, he joins an underground agency that seeks to track down others of his kind. The more he delves into the mystery, the more he unfolds as he realizes that there may be something even worse than peeps in the city. 

Notes

Fans of Westerfeld's Uglies Trilogy or even Meyer's Twilight Saga will enjoy this take on vampire fiction. It presents an interesting take on vampire legend and does quite a bit explaining how and why parasite-positives exist in society. The mix of medicine and mystery creates a thriller that teens will pick up and not want to put down. 

Author Information

Scott Westerfeld's Website

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Meyer, Stephenie (2008). Breaking Dawn. New York, New York: Little, Brown and Company. 

ISBN: 9780316067928

768 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 3 stars

Subjects: Vampires, Werewolves, Marriage, Pregnancy, Relationships, Family, War

Reader's Annotation

Isabella "Bella" Swan gets married and finally becomes a vampire, but reconciling the human and the supernatural worlds may be more than even she can manage. 

Summary

This is the fourth and final installment in the Twilight Saga and it is packed with drama. Bella gets married and goes on her honeymoon, but there are some unexpected arrivals. She finally becomes a vampire, but not in the way that she expects, and with that comes a whole new set of problems and issues. Her relationship with Jacob continues to be problematic and Bella tries to find a way to keep her life the same when everything has changed. Most loose ends are tied up within the first 300 pages, and then Meyer creates a new conflict to keep the story going. Although it is the conclusion of the series and it wraps up some all of the loose ends, it doesn't feel as realistic as the other books in the series- and that's saying a lot. 

Notes

Many readers weren't totally satisfied with this conclusion to the saga, myself included. Things were wrapped up a little too neatly, and as it turns out, Bella is the best vampire ever! Compared to the other three books in the series, this one both has more action and less substance. It's an enjoyable conclusion, but it would have been stronger if everything wasn't quite so perfect. Then again, that wouldn't really be in keeping with the Twilight Saga as a whole, so I guess you can't have everything. 

Awards

New York Times Bestseller

Other Information

After the success of the film Twilight, it looks like New Moon, and Eclipse will both be gracing the big screen as well, but the same doesn't seem to be true for Breaking Dawn- at least not yet. Readers and fans of the series, I'm certain, will wait with baited breath for further information. 

Author Information

www.stepheniemeyer.com

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Meyer, Stephenie (2006). New Moon. New York, New York: Little, Brown and Company. 

ISBN: 9780316024969

608 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: Vampires, Werewolves, High School, Desertion, Relationships, Family

Reader's Annotation

Isabella "Bella" Swan deals with the repercussions of her interactions with another group of vampires with her father when Edward Cullen, her vampire boyfriend, leaves her and she must face high school alone. 

Summary

Shortly after this book begins, Bella finds herself in danger again by vampires. Edward Cullen, her vampire boyfriend, feels that it is his presence that has endangered her once again, so he leaves in an effort to remove any destructive presence in her life. This doesn't have the effect that he desired, as Bella seems to be a magnet for disaster. In his absence, Bella turns to her friend Jacob Black, who, as it turns out, is going through a lot of problems on his own caused by the presence of the vampires. As he undergoes a transformation and seems to be deserting her as well, Bella strives to find balance in her life and continues to face any danger head-on. 

Notes

The Bella and Edward story gets a twist when Edward leaves Bella. The strife and heartache at the center of this novel show Meyer's writing talent- she handles this very well, better than the lovey-dovey take on Bella and Edward's relationship. The conclusion is somewhat less satisfying, as it appears that all of the characters refuse to use any common sense- or verify facts before leaping to conclusions. Still, this is a quick read that has action and drama mixed together nicely. Readers will especially enjoy the growth (both literal and figurative) that Jacob Black undergoes through this novel as he asserts himself as a contender for Bella's heart. 

Awards

New York Times Bestseller

Other Information

The movie Twilight was a domestic and international success, and it looks like the sequel will be following in its cinematic footsteps. Currently slated for release in 2010, New Moon will keep stars Kristen Stewart as Bella and Robert Pattinson as Edward in this film. 

Author Information

www.stepheniemeyer.com

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Meyer, Stephenie (2007). Eclipse. New York, New York: Little, Brown, and Company. 

ISBN: 9780316160209

640 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: Werewolves, Vampires, High School, Relationships, Family

Reader's Annotation

Isabella "Bella" Swan finds herself caught between Jacob Black, a werewolf and her best friend who wants to be something more, and Edward Cullen, a vampire who is the love of her life, as she fights for her life with them by her side. 

Summary

This is the third book of the Twilight Saga and it finds Bella dealing with the repercussions of Edward's departure in New Moon. In his absence, she had turned to Jacob Black, and she realizes that, although she doesn't love him in the same way she loves Edward, there is a strong bond between them that isn't likely to be shaken. Bella needs to determine where this leaves her relationship with Edward, since Jacob and Edward, as werewolf and vampire, are mortal enemies. In the meanwhile, Jacob is dealing with issues associated with being part of a pack, and readers get to see more of the wolves in this book.

Notes

This book is heavy on action and emotional drama. Bella is caught in a love triangle, and although she is hopeless as ever, the dynamic between Jacob and Edward allows Meyer to really have some fun with the writing. It's not always believable, but this is an enjoyable book nonetheless and quite possibly the strongest of the series. 

Awards

New York Times Bestseller

Other Information

After the success of Twilight the movie, it looks like the other books in the series may find their way into production as well. New Moon is tentatively listed for release in 2010, so Eclipse could be on its way, too. There is a listing for a film titled Eclipse on IMDB slated for release in 2012, but whether or not that refers to the Meyer book isn't clear: Eclipse, the movie

Author Information

www.stepheniemeyer.com

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Meyer, Stephenie (2006). Twilight. New York, New York: Little, Brown, and Company. 

ISBN: 9780316015844

544 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: High School, Vampires, Relationships, Family, Outcast

Reader's Annotation

Isabella "Bella" Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington, where she must forge a relationship with her father, deal with a new high school and new people, and she discovers that the little town might be more interesting than she thought. 

Summary

Isabella "Bella" Swan moves from sunny Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington, leaving her erratic, harebrained mother free to travel with her husband, a minor-league baseball player. This finds her living in the cloudiest place in the continental United States with a relative stranger- her father, Charlie. Starting at a new high school, and armed with typical insecurities of a teenager, she faces life in Forks. While she struggles to adapt to life in Washington, she is immediately intrigued by the Cullen family- and specifically, Edward Cullen, a mysterious figure who seems to be repulsed by her presence. As she begins to learn more about him, she realizes that there may be more to him and his family than meets the eye- and she's dying to learn more. 

Notes

This book has a quick pace and a great introduction to the characters of Bella and Edward. The plot is pushed forward quickly, and although Bella can play the part of a damsel in distress a little too convincingly at times for modern young women to truly appreciate, this is a quick, enjoyable read. 

Awards

New York Times Editor's Choice

Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year

ALA "Top Ten Books for Young Adults" 

ALA "Top Ten Books for Reluctant Readers"

New York Times Bestseller

Other Information

This was recently released as a movie starring Kristen Stewart as Bella and Robert Pattinson as Edward. Readers may enjoy discussing and debating the merits of the books compared to the movie. See the following for information about the movie: Twilight the Movie

Author Information

www.stepheniemeyer.com