I'm well aware that I'm not the target audience for this book. But after repeated requests by friends to give it a shot, I acquiesced. I wish I could say this was something other than a YA romance novel with pretty vampires, but then I'd be lying to you. Filled with 100's of pages of teenage angst, (The back and forth between Edward and Bella in a scene that takes place in a diner is particularly insipid. He's how old?) Occasionally interspersed with Meyer's own peculiar additions to vampire mythology, (They sparkle in sunlight, they like baseball?) this novel safely defangs one of horrors truly evil creatures and transforms them into superheroes with "life" issues. Yes, there are bad vampires too, but I'm sure they'll be vanquished at some point as this book has as much tension as overcooked pasta. I am assured that the next two books improve the series significantly, but to be honest I'll never find out as getting through this one was painful enough.