hirikosaunders (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hirikosaunders) wrote2009-08-31 09:19 pm
hirikosaunders) wrote2009-08-31 09:19 pm
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First: Semi good news on the job front. I talked today to apparently the new hiring manager at Hastings and I left my number with her after telling her I have open availability, and that some time ago I worked in a similar set up (the bookstore at Berea College). She said she's going to track down my application so I'm cautiously optimistic that we might get to an interview.
There are two other places in the same shopping plaza that are taking applications/hiring that I will be checking on tomorrow probably. Wednesday at the latest.
Now, I know that my friends list is somewhat divided on Twilight. I've accepted this and am not really bothered either way and have fun with the ones who enjoy it. However, last night I managed to finally finish Breaking Dawn so I thought I would give my thoughts on the series:
Cutting for those who don't care. I am warning for spoilers though I'm pretty sure that it won't be a big deal at this point.
I am doing this basically taking a few of my observations and using a ten point system to see how well I think certain things were carried out. I am not not any sort of vampire expert, but I do know many books and movies so this might be a long list (it might even be added to at some point). I am not taking on grammar or anything like that, because I am not an editor and I don't feel comfortable with my own grasp to nit-pick another person's.
1. How original was her take on vampires? Considering that Anne Rice's take was the most original for her time I would say Stephenie Meyer has a very interesting view on them. Not only does she come up with a new reason for them to avoid sunlight, but she creates a whole new way of making vampires (venom). 8/10
2. Vampire Hybrids. Okay, this one I have to say she didn't bring anything new to the table. Accelerated growth has been done before (V and V the Series). And Poppy Z. Brite did the vampire hybrid being possible and killing the mother at the moment of birth. Now, I do not think it likely that she would have come across the book, but still it was foremost in my mind when reading it. 5/10
3. The idea of imprinting. Now, some people have found this a bit iffy and a little squicky. I didn't, though I do agree it could have been handled a little better. In the end I found it interesting and something that she could have explained more to give more detail to the world, but I understand why she didn't. After all the people who it is happening too aren't really sure what is going on. 5/10
4. Vampire powers. This was done very well. As someone who has been exposed to a lot of super heroes I know it has to be hard to come up with original abilities, or new takes on familiar ones. I think she did have a fresh approach to all of the powers, and if I'm not mistaken she came up with some new ones. 7/10
5. Werewolves. I don't usually like were-creatures, especially when they are pitted against a vampire, but I have to admit that they didn't annoy me, though I didn't care for the romance that felt a little forced in New Moon anyway, I ended up enjoying that side of the story, especially when we get the legends that explain their dealings with previous vampires. 7/10
6. The bad guys. Yeah, for the most part pretty standard fair. First, another vamp who wants to kill Bella, then his lover..etc..etc..The Volturi are interesting and don't come across as one dimensional, though they aren't quite three dimensional either. 7/10
7. One 'bite' kill. I did appreciate a new take on how vampirism exists, but I have never liked the 'oh well one bite and they are a vampire, unless you kill them that is'. If this were the case a vampire would always be forced to kill and part of their inner struggle doesn't quite mean as much. 5/10
EDIT: 8. I liked there were two very distinct parts of the vampire society, and I'm only partially talking about the feed off of humans vs the not feed off of humans. As someone who has played Vampire quite a bit it was good to see her setting up rules, those who would carry them out and yet they still have their own agenda. 8/10
I know I was going to say more, but I couldn't get to the computer in time to get it all out. I welcome any sort of respectful discussion and disagreement with my numbers since it's kind of me just looking back on things.
There are two other places in the same shopping plaza that are taking applications/hiring that I will be checking on tomorrow probably. Wednesday at the latest.
Now, I know that my friends list is somewhat divided on Twilight. I've accepted this and am not really bothered either way and have fun with the ones who enjoy it. However, last night I managed to finally finish Breaking Dawn so I thought I would give my thoughts on the series:
Cutting for those who don't care. I am warning for spoilers though I'm pretty sure that it won't be a big deal at this point.
I am doing this basically taking a few of my observations and using a ten point system to see how well I think certain things were carried out. I am not not any sort of vampire expert, but I do know many books and movies so this might be a long list (it might even be added to at some point). I am not taking on grammar or anything like that, because I am not an editor and I don't feel comfortable with my own grasp to nit-pick another person's.
1. How original was her take on vampires? Considering that Anne Rice's take was the most original for her time I would say Stephenie Meyer has a very interesting view on them. Not only does she come up with a new reason for them to avoid sunlight, but she creates a whole new way of making vampires (venom). 8/10
2. Vampire Hybrids. Okay, this one I have to say she didn't bring anything new to the table. Accelerated growth has been done before (V and V the Series). And Poppy Z. Brite did the vampire hybrid being possible and killing the mother at the moment of birth. Now, I do not think it likely that she would have come across the book, but still it was foremost in my mind when reading it. 5/10
3. The idea of imprinting. Now, some people have found this a bit iffy and a little squicky. I didn't, though I do agree it could have been handled a little better. In the end I found it interesting and something that she could have explained more to give more detail to the world, but I understand why she didn't. After all the people who it is happening too aren't really sure what is going on. 5/10
4. Vampire powers. This was done very well. As someone who has been exposed to a lot of super heroes I know it has to be hard to come up with original abilities, or new takes on familiar ones. I think she did have a fresh approach to all of the powers, and if I'm not mistaken she came up with some new ones. 7/10
5. Werewolves. I don't usually like were-creatures, especially when they are pitted against a vampire, but I have to admit that they didn't annoy me, though I didn't care for the romance that felt a little forced in New Moon anyway, I ended up enjoying that side of the story, especially when we get the legends that explain their dealings with previous vampires. 7/10
6. The bad guys. Yeah, for the most part pretty standard fair. First, another vamp who wants to kill Bella, then his lover..etc..etc..The Volturi are interesting and don't come across as one dimensional, though they aren't quite three dimensional either. 7/10
7. One 'bite' kill. I did appreciate a new take on how vampirism exists, but I have never liked the 'oh well one bite and they are a vampire, unless you kill them that is'. If this were the case a vampire would always be forced to kill and part of their inner struggle doesn't quite mean as much. 5/10
EDIT: 8. I liked there were two very distinct parts of the vampire society, and I'm only partially talking about the feed off of humans vs the not feed off of humans. As someone who has played Vampire quite a bit it was good to see her setting up rules, those who would carry them out and yet they still have their own agenda. 8/10
I know I was going to say more, but I couldn't get to the computer in time to get it all out. I welcome any sort of respectful discussion and disagreement with my numbers since it's kind of me just looking back on things.
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I tend to be pretty forgiving which is why I wouldn't make a good editor. Plus I speed read so I miss some of the awkward I think.
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My big problem with Breaking Dawn (and I know I'm not alone with this) is the total lack of sacrifice. Bella was supposed to have to sacrifice a lot to be with Edward, like her relationship with her parents and mortal friends, her ability to have kids, her friendship with Jacob, and, for a few years, her sense of self and everything that means something to her-- the blood lust would be dominating her life as a newborn until she learned how to control her thirst. Did she have to sacrifice any of this? No.
She got supernatural self-control so she could skip everything bad about being a newborn, she could keep seeing her dad and her friends to some point, Jacob got miraculously cured from his heartache and became "family" without having problems with her vampire nature, and yeah, she got Renesmee. Plus Edward and his family. It's the perfect HEA with some drama that turned out to be nothing to worry about (no one died except Irina-- Irina who??), and Bella's life is perfect.
I have nothing against happy endings, and I was hoping that this series would have a happy end, but not like this. I wanted something more. Sacrifice. Character development. Real angst with real consequences. But no, that was too hard for Stephenie Meyer.
/rant. Sorry. XD
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She will have to give up her mortal family though eventually, even though we don't get to see it.
I think Bella still could have gotten everything and it be made to feel more realistic, but I haven't thought it out yet. *grins* My sleeping patterns are so off so yeah I'm not quite as coherent as I'd like to be yet.