Bella Swan, an average teenage girl, reluctantly moves from the sun scorching Phoenix, Arizona; to the dull town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, Charlie Swan. Bella struggles with her insecurities and fear of not gaining any friends at her new school. All worries are suddenly forgotten, when she falls for vampire Edward Cullen.
Stephenie Meyers is an American author and producer of the Twilight film series. The series was published with Little, Brown Company and was named “Best Book of the Year” by Publishers Weekly. The success of the saga obviously draws in many critics, including my self. Many feminists complain that Bella’s damsel in distress persona; leave her being an anti-feministic character.
Though the series has a talent of drawing you in with the passion and lust for the vampire-romance, it is also frustrating to have Bella always at the mercy of others. Bella’s entire life revolving around Edward is almost toxic. In the book New Moon (2nd Book), Bella’s three month depression after the departure of Edward shows just how unhealthy that attachment is, and to be honest, it’s a little pathetic.
I give the series a (C).
The Hunger games: by Suzanne Collins
16 year old tomboy Katniss Everdeen, lives in the desecrated 12th district in the country of Panem. Every year, the Capitol forces each of the 12 districts to participate in giving up 1 boy and 1 girl, as punishment for an earlier rebellion. The 24 tributes then fight it out to the death in an arena; one to remind the districts the power that the Capitol has, and two for pure entertainment. When Katniss’s sister, Primrose, is picked as tribute, Katniss volunteers for her place.
The American TV writer, and novelist Suzanne Collins wrote the The Hunger Games trilogy, that was published by Scholastic in September of 2012. The books were very well received by critics. The New York Times, John Green, wrote that the trilogy was “brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced.”
Not only that, but Katniss is a great role model compared to most heroines we read about in books today. She is ready to step in for her sister Primrose, when she volunteers as tribute. Katniss is the main supporter of her family because of the death of her father, and her mother’s crippling depression. Katniss has dared to take a responsibility that most can’t imagine, and she has yet to succumb to the weight on her shoulders. Her character deserves nothing more than admiration.
I give the trilogy a well deserved (A).
Katniss Everdeen proves to herself, and to others, that she is tougher than she looks, and that though it might be hard, good always prevails. In the end, there just can’t be a comparison made about her character and Bella’s, because Katniss’s strong conscience, and will to live for her family, will always overrule Bella’s immature love and lust for Edward Cullen.