Let's start with Touched By A Vampire;
People all around the world are enraptured with Edward and Bella's forbidden romance in the Twilight Saga, a four-book serial phenomenon written by Stephenie Meyer. The bestsellers tell the story of a regular girl's relationship with a vampire who has chosen to follow his "good" side. But the Saga isn't just another fantasy - it's teaching girls about love, sex and purpose. With 48 million copies in print and a succession of upcoming blockbuster films, now is the time to ask the important question: Can vampires teach us about God's plan for love?Touched by A Vampire investigates the theme of the Twilight Saga from a Biblical perspective. Some Christian readers have praised moral principles illustrated in the story, such as premarital abstinence, which align with Meyer's Mormon beliefs. But ultimately, Beth Felker Jones examines whether the story's redemptive qualities outshine its darkness.
Cautionary, thoughtful and challenging, Touched by A Vampire is written for Twilight fans, parents, teachers and youth workers. It includes an overview of the series for those unfamiliar with the story line and a discussion guide for small groups.
It's no secret that I'm a Twilight fan. I read the books about a year before the movie came out and wasn't the least bit surprised when it became a "phenomenon", anyone who was a fan before the movie can attest the fandom has been strong since it was published in 2005. I've never taken into the debate whether the Twilight Saga was ~evil or whether it was ~good. To me, the Twilight Saga was an interesting, exciting series but it was just that - a book series. I do not take it literally and I am not taking life lessons from it. That's why when asked my opinion, I always recommended the parents reading it first than deciding whether their kids should or not. So you can understand my skepticism when Touched By A Vampire clearly states the goal of the book was to see if, "the story's redemptive qualities outshine it's darkness".
I was pleasantly surprised. I found that Ms. Felker Jones, unlike many other Christian commentators about the Twilight Saga, had a strictly professional and unbiased opinion on various aspects of the series. Not only does she outline and summarize the series but points out the specific themes of the book. There was no slant - you know the kind - the author has already decided it was a ~good//bad~ book and just points out whatever fits their point; instead, Ms. Felker Jones talked of Twilight for what it is - a book series.
Overall Rating: 5/5
I definitely would recommend this to anyone who has questions about the Twilight Saga, especially parents. As a fan of the series, I give this my stamp of approval!
Now on to Thirsty;
"Hello, I'm Nina Parker... and I'm an alcoholic."
For Nina, it's not the weighty admission but the first steps toward recovery that prove most difficult. She may face her ex-husband, Hunt, with little hope of making amends, and try to rebuild a relationship with her angry teenage daughter, Meagan. Hardest of all, she is forced to return to Abbey Hills, Missouri, the hometown she abruptly abandoned nearly two decades earlier - and her unexpected arrival in the sleepy Ozark town catches the attention of someone - or something - igniting a two-hundred-fifty-year-old desire that rages like a wildfire.
Unaware of the darkness stalking her, Nina is confronted with a series of events that threaten to unhinge her sobriety. Her daughter wants to spend time with the parents Nina left behind. A terrifying event that has haunted Nina for almost twenty years begins to surface. And an alluring neighbor initiates an unusual friendship with Nina, but is Markus truly a kindred spirit or a man guarding dangerous secrets?
As everything she loves hangs in the balance, will Nina's feeble grasp on her demons be broken, leaving her powerless against the thirst? The battle between redemption and obsession unfolds to its startling, unforgettable end.
I was disappointed, at first. From looking at the cover and reading the summary I was excited to read a "Christian Vampire Novel" - a oxymoron in most instances. It's safe to say that it's still an oxymoron for me.
Thirsty is an interesting, complex novel that follows Nina Parker as she navigates the pain and anguish of staying sober. Her character was so relatable that I was struggling right along with her - and I've never tasted alcohol. However, to say that this was a vampire novel would be misleading. It's a story of mystery, suspense and triumph - with a vampire twist. But that's all it is - just a twist, another part of the already crazy life of Nina Parker.
Overall Rating: 3/5 out of 5
The story in itself is incredible, as I said before Ms. Bateman wrote very believable and compelling characters. However, since it was treated as a vampire novel while it seems not, I have to take points off for false advertisement. Not to say you shouldn't check it out - by all means! I completely recommend it! It truly is an amazing novel, just not a vampire novel.
For more information on how to purchase these or other titles like them, please go to:
www.waterbrookmultnomah.com
Me ke aloha pau ole a hui ho.
