Stephanie Meyer - Luck of the Draw?

RobRoy · 6th June 2008, 09:47 AM

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 · 6th June 2008, 09:56 AM

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 · 6th June 2008, 10:18 AM

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 · 6th June 2008, 10:31 AM

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

RobRoy · 6th June 2008, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by 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".

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

Originally Posted by quixotecoyote

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 · 6th June 2008, 11:24 AM

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

RobRoy · 6th June 2008, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ixion

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 · 6th June 2008, 11:52 AM

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 · 6th June 2008, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ixion

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 · 6th June 2008, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by RobRoy

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 · 6th June 2008, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by RobRoy

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 · 6th June 2008, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Piscivore

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 · 6th June 2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by RobRoy

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.

6th June 2008, 09:47 AM	#1
RobRoy Not A Mormon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the sandbox Posts: 4,454	Stephanie Meyer - Luck of the Draw? 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?
	__________________ Some of this is true / Some of this is better - Too Much Joy Between subtle shading and the absence of light lies the nuance of iqlusion. All your base are belong to us.

6th June 2008, 09:56 AM	#2
Piscivore Smelling fishy Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sunnydale Posts: 20,671	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".
	__________________ Take it from me, there's nothing more terrible than someone out to do the world a favour. "...untrustworthy obnoxious twerp." - CFLarsen

6th June 2008, 10:18 AM	#3
quixotecoyote Howling to glory I go Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 7,772	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.
	__________________ If people needed video games to live, a national single payer plan to fund those purchases would be a great idea. Thank you for the avatar xkcd.

6th June 2008, 10:31 AM	#4
Professor Yaffle Butterbeans and Breadcrumbs Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Emily's shop Posts: 8,701	I felt the same when I started reading Harry Potter. Give me Lemony Snicket any day!
	__________________ I think you'll find it's a little bit more complicated than that.

6th June 2008, 11:23 AM	#5
RobRoy Not A Mormon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the sandbox Posts: 4,454	Originally Posted by 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". So what did you think of the posters? First year college photo class? Originally Posted by quixotecoyote 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.
	__________________ Some of this is true / Some of this is better - Too Much Joy Between subtle shading and the absence of light lies the nuance of iqlusion. All your base are belong to us. Last edited by RobRoy; 6th June 2008 at 11:25 AM.

6th June 2008, 11:24 AM	#6
Ixion Inquiring Mind Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,336	Give me Robert Jordan or George R. R. Martin anyday.
	__________________ Non sum qualis eram "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley Avatar animation kindly provided by Paulhoff.

6th June 2008, 11:30 AM	#7
RobRoy Not A Mormon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the sandbox Posts: 4,454	Originally Posted by Ixion 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.
	__________________ Some of this is true / Some of this is better - Too Much Joy Between subtle shading and the absence of light lies the nuance of iqlusion. All your base are belong to us.

6th June 2008, 11:52 AM	#8
Ixion Inquiring Mind Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,336	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.
	__________________ Non sum qualis eram "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley Avatar animation kindly provided by Paulhoff.

6th June 2008, 12:49 PM	#9
RobRoy Not A Mormon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the sandbox Posts: 4,454	Originally Posted by Ixion 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!
	__________________ Some of this is true / Some of this is better - Too Much Joy Between subtle shading and the absence of light lies the nuance of iqlusion. All your base are belong to us.

6th June 2008, 01:17 PM	#10
Piscivore Smelling fishy Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sunnydale Posts: 20,671	Originally Posted by RobRoy 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.
	__________________ Take it from me, there's nothing more terrible than someone out to do the world a favour. "...untrustworthy obnoxious twerp." - CFLarsen

6th June 2008, 01:58 PM	#11
Ixion Inquiring Mind Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,336	Originally Posted by RobRoy 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.
	__________________ Non sum qualis eram "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley Avatar animation kindly provided by Paulhoff.

6th June 2008, 02:33 PM	#12
RobRoy Not A Mormon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In the sandbox Posts: 4,454	Originally Posted by Piscivore 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?
	__________________ Some of this is true / Some of this is better - Too Much Joy Between subtle shading and the absence of light lies the nuance of iqlusion. All your base are belong to us.

6th June 2008, 03:21 PM	#13
Piscivore Smelling fishy Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sunnydale Posts: 20,671	Originally Posted by RobRoy 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.
	__________________ Take it from me, there's nothing more terrible than someone out to do the world a favour. "...untrustworthy obnoxious twerp." - CFLarsen