So, on a dare, I decided I'd try to read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I went into it expected it to be awful, and anticipating that I'd have to struggle my way through it just to get to the end.

I wasn't too far off, although it really wasn't that terrible of a read. It's easy and quick, and if it weren't for the fact that the characters are incredibly two-dimensional and really boring and have absolutely no character growth throughout the entire thing, I'd actually be a nice, easy read for when you're in the mood for that sort of thing. The characters are what ruined the whole thing for me. Edward and Bella don't seem to change in the slightest throughout the whole book - well, they fall in love, but if you ask me, that seems to set them back a few paces in terms of positive character development. The fact that Edward takes the role of domineering man in the relationship, in a situation where it's always "you have to do what I say because it's best for you," really, really squicks me. It just doesn't sit well. He seems controlling and possessive and she's too despondent on him. There's only once in the whole book where she goes against his desires for something she decides all on her own, and that's something she decides to protect him.

The best part of the book, I will have to admit, are the Cullens (minus Edward). His family is pretty awesome, and I always love a good vampire story. Actually, the book would probably be good if Bella and Edward weren't in it and the whole thing was just about the Cullen family and the other vampire families they meet (and probably the werewolves, too). As long as Meyer, you know, figured out how to develop interesting, deep, three-dimensional characters. Which I have no hope for.

tl;dr: If Stephanie Meyer can write five books and get it published and be "the greatest thing since Harry Potter," then so can I, dammit.