Stephanie Meyer - Luck of the Draw?

[RobRoy]

With all the hype that has surrounded Stephanie Meyer, from articles and advertisements to in-your-face book displays , I have to admit that I was more than a little curious. I understand there is a movie in the works as well. My wife and her sister went beyond that, and we simply had to buy not just the first, but all of the Meyers novels to date, which included her entire Edward Cullen series and her newest series which started with The Host.

I, of course, had to wait until they were both done with the books before I could touch the first one, Twilight, which was fine since I've been lost in the world (in more ways than just entertainment) of Robert Jordan.

Now, the book is in my hands, and I've torn through the first hundred pages, and . . . nothing. The characters are blase at best, the plot slogs along as sodden as her rain-soaked Forks, Washington setting, and any "dark romance" has yet to seep into my soul.

Does anyone else have an opinion of these books? Is she really just a bland author who happened to get picked up by a publishing house? Is her momentum being carried forward by young adults awash in the vacuum of a post-Harry Potter world?

 

[Piscivore]

I haven't read any of the books, but I have seen the posters.

I just dropped in to say I'm stealing "awash in the vacuum of a post-Harry Potter world".

 

[quixotecoyote]

If only it was limited to young adults. My fiancee was a potterhead and now she's into those books. It would not be diplomatic to shout "YOU ARE AN ADULT" but sometimes I feel like it.

Especially when I offer her a Pratchett Discworld book or one of Eric Flint's Joe's World novels and she makes comments to the effect that she's not a fastasy reader.

 

[Professor Yaffle]

I felt the same when I started reading Harry Potter. Give me Lemony Snicket any day!

 

[RobRoy]

I haven't read any of the books, but I have seen the posters.

I just dropped in to say I'm stealing "awash in the vacuum of a post-Harry Potter world".

So what did you think of the posters? First year college photo class?

Especially when I offer her a Pratchett Discworld book or one of Eric Flint's Joe's World novels and she makes comments to the effect that she's not a fastasy reader.

Hmmm . . . yes. There is something of a disconnect there, especially when there is better depth available from almost any number of under-hyped, or appropriately-hyped fantasy/scifi efforts.

 

[Ixion]

Give me Robert Jordan or George R. R. Martin anyday.

 

[RobRoy]

Give me Robert Jordan or George R. R. Martin anyday.

Agreed. Except there is no new Martin until September, and no new Jordan until Fall 2009. I must read something. It's like breathing. If I stop, I'm certain I will die.

Usually, I can sate myself on Cornwell's latest effort, but his Sword Song fell well short of the mark. I was quite disappointed.

 

[Ixion]

I am looking forward to the A Dance with Dragons. My brother got to see George R. R. Martin in Wisconsin recently and got all his books autographed.

I tried reading Robin Hobb's book, Assassin's Apprentice, which was recommended by Martin, but I didn't like it. Maybe I didn't read enough, but I felt the characters were undeveloped and I disliked the main character's personality.

I fill my time reading alternating fiction and non-fiction. I just finished Next by Michael Crichton. I didn't like it either. Oh well. Now I am working through a book on C++ programming. Just a beginner at programming, but it is something to do.

 

[RobRoy]

Now I am working through a book on C++ programming. Just a beginner at programming, but it is something to do.

What do you think of the plot? I thought the characters were formulaic, but at least they grew and expanded!

 

[Piscivore]

So what did you think of the posters? First year college photo class?

Yeah, pretty much. The thing is, I noticed them, enough to remember them, and so did my son, who came over and asked me what they were about. So they are apparently doing their job.

 

[Ixion]

What do you think of the plot? I thought the characters were formulaic, but at least they grew and expanded!

So far, they are very formulaic, but I have been trying to string them together to compile a cohesive plot.

 

[RobRoy]

Yeah, pretty much. The thing is, I noticed them, enough to remember them, and so did my son, who came over and asked me what they were about. So they are apparently doing their job.

Did you notice them because of the artwork, or because they are so prominently, and forcefully displayed in a kind of bookstore ballroom blitz?

 

[Piscivore]

Did you notice them because of the artwork, or because they are so prominently, and forcefully displayed in a kind of bookstore ballroom blitz?

That's a good question.