Truth of Card

Authorized Ender Companion

2009-04-06T16:48:00.002-05:00

It's coming out this stinking YEAR!!! WOOT

I am so ready for this book it has just boosted Card back to No. 1 in my head. I can't wait...

Okay...so release date is November 10th, 2009. It on amazon already...to preorder.

http://www.amazon.com/Authorized-Ender-Companion-Orson-Scott/dp/0765320622/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1239054246&sr=8-1

go there and order it...and bask in the joy of Carddom.

I can't believe how amazing it is to finally post again...but never fear...I'm getting my associates in four days and then I will have more time. So here's to Card love and Jake Black fantastic-ness. Yipee!

Ender In Exile

2008-11-21T09:55:00.002-06:00

Orson Scott Card--once again. Perhaps not at his best but ever present in the world. I loved everything especially the Ender-ness--yes, he CAN still do it.

2 Minor Complaints
--Can anyone say PIECEMEAL? I feel like I bought several of the chapters of EiE on IGMS already--and c'mon Taming of the Shrew? Is Card trying to promote his retelling in this book? Isn't this supposed to be A. NEW and B. about Ender NOT Card.
--And where was the grand build-up with lots of tie-ins and a beautiful plot resoulution that I have grown to expect from Card. I mean character development is what I read Card for (and that was awesome OSC, congrats!) but all of the sudden at the end its Ender finally meeting Arkanian and solving that without even thinking twice. Just a little let down...

Everything else was awesome and hooray for the new arrival in Enderverse. And read the endnote for clarification. More on that later...ENJOY!

In Wait for November Eleventh

2008-11-10T10:08:00.002-06:00

ENDER IN EXILE--Tomorrow!!!

This is so exciting! I can't wait to welcome a brand new Ender novel to the 'Verse. I am geared up and ready to get this book digested. I am so happy to have Card Love again. I have been so excited the last few days.

I made a deal with my husband in August that he could buy something or other in September if I could buy my book in November...so I have no restraints. Hopefully I will find more time to get this blog current and less crazy. Even more hopefully I will be able to do a review of the new book right here on Wednesday!!

Congratulations Ender and Mr. Card, on a new book!

No Posts in May

2008-06-03T15:25:00.002-05:00

So I must be a bad person or something...I can't believe I haven't posted since early April. So here are a few updates as I hear about them.

Exciting

Ender's Game Comic
New IGMS issue out (up to number 8)
Also the issue 7's Ender's Game story has been added!!

On that note it was awesome and finally makes some sense as to the fate of Ender

Random

I have been reading the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind--it makes me think of new parallels to EG. No surprise to me...but you can read it and think of ways that the story of Richard relates to Ender. I know I am having a blast doing it.
I also have started reading Neuromancer by William Gibson...Card "told" me to when I read Dogwalker in Maps in a Mirror. I am so excited to digest this book! I'll make sure to tell you all about it.

Been working hard and reading alot. I really enjoyed Keeper of Dreams...I can't seem to recall if I posted since I finished it. I really like the fantasy and mormon stories the most. Card really did a great job with those. I had a great time reading them...maybe I'll post specifically about my favorite short stories. Fuer grissa ost draucha. (ignore the spelling errors(i'm writing it from memory at work)) SMILE

Can you tell me how to get...

2008-04-05T16:07:00.002-06:00

So I am at work right now...at Discovery Gateway!! (yay)

I am sitting at the Sesame Street register and I have that silly song stuck in my brain! It only hurts a little--but nevertheless.

Okay so I was at Barnes and Noble yesterday. It was great...I haven't been "in" a bookstore in so long :(

I, in my diggings, found a copy of Asimov's stories called the Gold edition, which sounds completely random but Card had written the introduction to this story. I always have associated Asimov with Card due to the reasons that Card thought of the Ender's Game short story while reading Foundation...and having read that I read Foundation. So Card's reason for writing and my reason for reading Asimov all loop in a silly little circle. I think it's just pure awesome for
Card to be the one to have written the introduction to Asimov's work.

I didn't get the book, because I bought a journal instead. Which i feel is important for these first few weeks as a wife and over my lifetime. It's gonna be great. Just three more days left of my school year and then hopefully I will be able to write and post more.

Hoorah!

Something I May Have Neglected

2008-03-26T17:18:00.002-06:00

It seems that I may have neglected to inform you of the release of issue 7 of IGMS. I personally just barely realized it and am sorry for the delay of information. But it is...though without the Ender Saga story as of yet.

I feel neglectful of this blog...but at least I am not with my new husband. So...I have my priorities straight. Oh and I think I might finally get him to read EG. Finally.

I only have a few weeks left in the school year and I am still eagerly awaiting the arrival of Keeper of Dreams. Yay! Then I might have something to write about...then you might have something worth reading. (besides my life.)

So anyway...I am happily married now and look forward to starting my life with my husband. Thanks everyone in my family and everyone that is there to support us--thanks for everything!! SMILE!!!

9 More Days

2008-03-11T15:37:00.002-06:00

On a somewhat familiar note that has almost nothing to do with Card...(sorry again...there will be more i promise).

I am getting married in 9 days. One week from Thursday. Can you believe it? I am so excited I can't wait for it to come. Then life can become what it was always meant to be. And people will stop asking me when I am getting married.

I am so excited...this day might just beat the day that I met Card...okay so it definitely will beat that day. But then it should, right? Anyway I will try to keep you updated...if not on Card for the next week then at least on the events and things taking place as I approach my wedding day!!!

Hoo-rah!!

The Robot-a

2008-03-04T09:00:00.003-06:00

I have been trying to share the wonders of my Card shelf with everyone around me. I am very glad that I can announce that I have interested my friend who is also my roommates boyfriend in Robota. I was so excited for him. But he is reading the Invisible Man by Wells, and so will borrow it from me when he gets finished.

As for me I have been dipping my heels in a little blast from the past. No this will not be Card related. I am re-reading Animorphs. And now I have lost all of the credibility that I had. Animorphs is a great series. I don't care if you don't agree. The truth is it has made an impact in my life. Even if you would make fun of me for it.

Let me sum up...Robota is awesome and you should try it if you haven't read it yet...and the same goes for Animorphs (just ignore the 4th grade reading level).

IGMS/Keeper of Dreams/Books

2008-02-07T09:39:00.001-06:00

So I hear IGMS is doing something new. The chance to preview whole stories. Which just might be a ploy for the new book coming out. I hope it works.

I am so excited about a lot of things right now. There is perhaps 43 days left till my wedding...I'm not really counting down, but wouldn't you.

I am very excited about the Keeper of Dreams book. I haven't brought it up in a while, but this is going to be an amazing collection of short stories. --No kidding man.-- Now if only Card would finish his other series'.

Here's the List of Books still to be written:
Master Alvin
Rasputin and the book after it
Shadows in Flight
Ender in Exile
Pastwatch: The Flood
Pastwatch: The Garden of Eden
The Wives of Israel

I loved the new novellas that came out last fall, and while I am looking forward to this years new installments. I am dying to read these books that I just hope Card is working on. Please.

Exeunt.

Ender Trivia and Tabbing

2008-01-25T11:17:00.000-06:00

I think I want to do another side application that will be all about Ender's Game Trivia. There are a few things I already have on the list, but I would like any of you that want to contribute to post additional ideas. I can use all the help I can get.

Also my life has just been added the wonderful experience of tabbing my scriptures which makes me really want to tab my markup copy of EG. It would not be that hard--just a little time consuming. The first step is to find common points in the book. So if you have any suggestions about theme elements or important repeated messages it would be great to hear from you.

I am very excited about a lot of things--and I hope everyone is doing great! Smile!!

Speech Class

2008-01-22T11:29:00.001-06:00

I knew there was a reason that I took a speech class in college. Spread the Card love--that is my goal. It's really exciting! I am going to give another this is what Card has done for me speech. And those are just way too fun.

It's an object speech--so I think I will bring one of my copies of Ender's Game. Maybe the one I mark-up...or the first copy I ever got. Oh. Maybe I should take my signed copy...wow. I really need to figure it out.

Anyway, I am just excited to have other people know how I feel.

There are seldom things going on in the Card front with my friends right now. Currently everyone is passing around various distopia novels. Namely The Giver--but also Harrison Bergeron by Vonnegut. It is just so much fun to discuss distopias together. Um...I did give a copy of EG to my fiancee. He says he'll read it when he gets time. I think he better get time soon. jk.

More later--

Ahh! Failure...

2008-01-07T14:40:00.000-06:00

Okay, so there goes my every week promise right out the window. Sorry.

I haven't finished A Storyteller in Zion yet. Sorry.

I have just started another semester at the BC. (LDSBC). So I don't know how regular my posts will be. Sorry.

On a non-apologetic note: I have started thinking in Third person. So if I accidentally say "we" ...sorry. :P

Time for Card stuff! I have again lent out even more Card love to friends and family. My brother reveled in reading A War of Gifts and he is now reading Ender's Stocking online. I haven't been really successful in buying more books, but I will write some essays on what I've read. That way it'll be new stuff.

I want to have someone besides me on here, so I think that I will have a friend write up some reviews on some of the books. They will be outdated, but it will be more entertaining than listening to me...again. Thanks for reading!!

Back to the Bookstore

2007-12-14T11:52:00.000-06:00

The other day I went back to the Used bookstore. This time I went up to the LDS section. And I reaped the joys of Card-ness. I found a first edition of A Storyteller in Zion. It is in near perfect condition, and I can't wait to get eye tracks all over it. I know its just essays and such, but I am really excited. I feel like I haven't had a new Card book to read in ages.

I am planning on devouring it on my plane back to Illinois for Christmas. Hopefully (hoffentlich) I will be able to get quite far, so I can post a review. I am really excited...and I have an ample amount of time in which to do so since Jared has left for Oregon.

...By the way I would like to report successful brainwashing here in Utah. I have shared Maps in a Mirror with my roommates boyfriend. And currently he is quoting "But We Try Not to Act Like It" in a last-ditch effort paper. It's pretty amazing when you are not the one who says "I got to quote Card in my paper." It feels like a million gold stars!

An Update

2007-12-05T17:56:00.000-06:00

Wyrms 6 is out!!! I really enjoyed it. It's weird that it is not Dabel Brothers anymore, I had to get used to that. Nevertheless it is still the same kick-butt story. (Card wrote it and Jake adapted it, so why wouldn't it be awe-some.) And this time I actually bought it at a comic shop. Which is a funny story in it own right. I like comic shops--they help me get in touch with my inner nerd. Anyway, its a good ending to a great Card story. And not all that graphic either (could've been a lot worse).

Also in other news...I am engaged. And yes, I am shocked too. But mostly, I am really really excited.

Back to Card...there are people talking about A War of Gifts at my school. Finally. I always try to tell them that if they liked A War of Gifts that they really ought to read Ender's Stocking on IGMS. I think they work together perfectly. I am so happy! SMILE!!

My New Database of Love

2007-11-26T10:39:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I have made my life amazing easier...I am in a class here at LDSBC that teaches you how to use Word and Excel and PowerPoint. And Access. I had never even heard of Access until this class...but I love it! I have taken my entire collection of Card books and have made the most wonderful database in the world.

I am now organized. It's great. I can tell you all sorts of information and I know exactly how many books i own. I feel the great weight lifted from my shoulder. I only wish I had Access at home. This is a great program. I love my database!

Also...I realize that two posts a month is lame...and I apologize. You see I can blame it on a whole lotta things...but that wouldn't solve the problem. I am going to try for at least one post a week...though it may get a little crazy. I seem to be only weeks away from finals and Christmas is right around the corner. Also...I might be engaged pretty soon. Probably by my next post...

I am going to have a lot to do...but four posts a month from now on...I solemnly swear.

The Wonders of a Rare Bookstore

2007-11-02T11:15:00.000-06:00

There is something special when you find a place with first editions of Card books in an amazing condition...and you don't have to pay shipping! I can't get enough of the used book store here in downtown Salt Lake...in fact I think I am gonna go looking for more. I really think that there is nothing finer in life than a lot of happy book-crazed people.

The best part of the whole thing is finding the old magazines. Analog, Omni, Asimov's and more! I like them!! The happiness is beyond description. Forget Amazon.com and try an actual bookstore...you might regret it, but you won't forget it. Have a blast...try something new.

Oh and watch out for good deals all over...they are there waiting...
I really have to post more often, but I have been working on midterms and signing up for classes next semester...and spending a whole lotta time with my boyfriend...leave comments...and Smile!

Enderverse...

2007-10-30T15:00:00.000-06:00

Our beloved Ender Universe has just gotten a little bit larger. Please welcome the new addition of "A War of Gifts"!!!!

This Battle School story takes place while Ender is in Rat Army and centers around the practice of religion in the Battle School. It is so much fun to see all our heroes in a new and wonderful light. Ender as always is a master at solving any problem. And Dink is amazing to read--gotta love those Dutch kids. This story also corresponds well with the EG story in Issue six of IGMS, "Ender's Stocking." I actually thought that they were the same for a short while.

The main problem I had with this story is that Dink seems so concerned about trying to do what is best for the Bugger War...and he says in EG that he doesn't even believe that the Bugger War is real. It was incongruous and weird. I felt like i had to really reevaluate how I had thought of Dink. I really think that if Card says stuff like that then there ought to be more of an explanation of how Dink decided there really was a Bugger War.

Regardless of how disconcerted I felt...it was terrific. The only thing I can't live with is the length. Books really should be longer...

Also I want to apologize for the 2 week delay in this post. Sorry. I seem to have acquired a boyfriend and (believe it or not) I spend more time with him than I do with Card. So if the posts seems fewer and further in between then its because I finally have a shadow of a "life."

Please post your comments and your reviews of this novella! YAY!

Done the Impossible

2007-10-17T17:57:00.000-05:00

There is this documentary made for the T.V. series Firefly and it's companion film, Serenity. Called--Done the Impossible: A Fan's Tale of Firefly and Serentiy.
I have through some kind of fate aquired myself one of the DVD's. Fact it--Scard loves this show. And why shouldn't he? Everyone that actually watches three or four episodes does. Plus the show is totally character oriented...which is just like Card.

Firefly: (for those of you who don't know it) is about another part of the galaxy where the human race has fled after they destroyed "The Earth That Was." The story follows a couple of the most awesome characters in the 'Verse, Mal, Zoe (said Zo-e), Wash, Kaylee, Jayne, Simon, River, Book, and Inara. These space cowboys travel from outer planet in looking for any kind of job that they can get--legit or not. Mal is captain of the Firefly-class transport "Serenity." He is the fearless leader of the crew--Zoe the first mate, who is married to Wash the pilot, Kaylee the mechanic, and Jayne the mercenary. They bring passengers Simon and River Tam and Sheppard Book onboard. Simon and River are fugitives running from the government "The Alliance."

Firefly is fantastic and from a fan's POV--perfect! The people that watch this show are almost cultish...You can't help but love Mal and all the other characters throughout the series.

Now Serenity, the film, is no less fantastic and definetly shows the more interesting part of River's character...but I digress...the documentary is about how the fans reacted to the show and the movie and how dedicated they are. I really think that even if Card wasn't in it, it would be an interesting thing to watch. But Card IS in it and so I own it...and am defintly going to have to watch it again.
Likewise I own Serenity and Firefly and I love the shiny characters so much! If the Ender's Game movie is anything like Serenity--we all are going to love it beyond recognition. If only Joss Whedon could write an intro song for EG?

Capitol: An Analog Book

2007-10-14T13:24:00.001-05:00

So this book is by all means--absolutely amazing. The concept is pretty funny to me actually. An entire book centered around somec and not one mention of Jason Worthing.

So seriously, why hasn't the development of somec become one of those stories that is repeated in every volume? Or why is it that "A Thousand Deaths" is always forgotten as a somec story, even though it wouldn't make any sense without it?

Why is it that Abner Doon is assistant Minister of Colonization and Graff is the ColMin? Why is it that after reading this book I really want to write some essays about the world of Capitol. And why is it that "Breaking the Game" (the story about Nuber's Italy) is my favorite one?

So many questions...so many...

I think that at this time I am going to put up a poll to find out everyone's favorite somec tale...and I think that I will begin a few essays drawing ties between this book, Hot Sleep, and The Worthing Saga. It will be fun!

An Essay for the Doomed

2007-10-09T18:59:00.000-05:00

It is immensely hard to write a research paper about something that I absolutely adore and know a lot about. Currently I am writing one for my English class on science fiction. I bet you can imagine how it's going. (In case you can't...I keep trying to work in Card quotes, and I keep wanting to rant about how amazing SF is...)

Also I found this amazing book at the Salt Lake City Library about SF. Age of Wonders by David G. Hartwell. This has to be the funniest book I have ever tried to use to write a paper. I love it! I mean its like one of those satires that make fun of science fiction readers but in a way that only science fiction readers will truly understand. Its fantastic!

Furthermore, my roommate is up to her neck in Ender's Game...and loving it. We had an amazing literary discussion the other day about Ender and how he perceives himself. She's reading my copy of EG, with all my annotations and highlights, so she's getting a slightly different experience than I did my first time through. But then she's rooming with ME, so of course her experience will be tainted by my mere presence.

Oh and I have a friend who doesn't read SF, at all. But when I told her about my papers about EG and Card she decided to read it. She really had a good experience with the whole thing...she just really doesn't like SF that much. She really loved the character of Ender, but then how can you not? I really think she had a good time, and she said that she might read Speaker just to see what happens with Ender.

Drink deeply!

The Long-Awaited Arrival

2007-10-05T12:03:00.000-05:00

Hip hip hooray!

So finally all five of the books that I ordered on Amazon have arrived. Finally I am the proud owner of 80 Orson Scott Card books. I am so excited!!

I have finished Robota...and holy bovine! it was amazing! I can't believe 174 pages of pure awesome! I don't know how much Scard is in the book...but that is one sweet picture book. I really liked the character of Caps. He was very intriguing and I wish there was more about him.

Also I have started The Abyss. Yes, I have seen the movie and I do love it's very essence. I am so pleased with Card's adaptation of the screenplay. Personally it feels like he took the dialog and actions from the movie and wrote them straight from the book. I think James Cameron is a genius for getting Card to write this book. This is probably my favorite novelization of any movie!!

I have started An Open Book...but I really don't feel right about reading it all the way through (since it's poetry, and reading poetry straight through feels weird) There are some really great poems in there though. Even though some of them are depressing--that just makes it all the more Scard-like!

Also I bought Ainge which I am really apprehensive about and How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. I am writing a paper using How to Write Sci-fi and Fantasy for my English class...so I'll post that when I get it done. I hope you all have an Ender-rific day!

Water in the Corners of My Eyes

2007-09-30T21:34:00.000-05:00

Inter-Galatic Medicine Show issue six is finally out! Thank goodness! I have been waiting forever…seriously where else can you buy Card happiness for only $2.50? I was very pleased with the new Enderverse story…and I much appreciated that it was not about Christmas in the Battle School (it would have been less climactic…) like The War of Gifts will be. I was so happy to see Peter like that, yay!

Also, those of you debating Invasive Procedures…what are you debating? Talk about a fantastic book! I can’t wait to see what happens with the screenplay. The characters are as dynamic as ever…and the point of the book is reminiscent of those by Asimov trying to define what makes a man a human—a great read that I flew through.

Another note…I bet you’re wondering why in the world there hasn’t been anything on Space Boy yet, right? Well, that’s because I didn’t get it until the Friday before last. Shame on me, I know. I really had fun with it though. The main character really reminds me of someone I know, or he did until he started yelling at the gnome-elf guy. I liked the concept though of the family and the little brother was my happy friend! Yay!

Ever since I began attending college I have been looking all over the place for a couple of people who are crazy obsessed like me. Unfortunately for me and fortunately for the rest of the world…there aren’t a whole lot of people like me, but I have found the next best thing. Spreading the Card love! Currently I have my roommate reading Ender’s Game, her boyfriend, who I hand out with a lot, reading Empire, and the boy who I just went out on a date with reading Enchantment.

Which brings me to the next and probably most important topic--my date. It was relatively uneventful and was actually weird because he told me he didn’t like Ender’s Game… I recoiled and told him exactly why I like it so very much. I told him that the transformation of Ender from capertiller to butterfly is amazing and the single most important thing in the book. I love that Ender is so perfectly willing to submerge himself and become what they need him to be…sounds like a gospel lesson, don’t it!? Anyway…I was like all emotional and then we went and saw a movie and when we came out I told him that the thing I like most is when everything is happy and the characters are happy…I told him that makes life worth it. And then we got into another EG discussion and I wound up telling him that I would pretty much sacrifice my life for a character like Ender and that my only sorrow would be that I couldn’t save more characters. It was intense…and I really mean though. I would do anything for Ender’s happiness…anything except not have read EG.

Oh and thanks Jake for telling me about the link…I am so excited about it. I am so amazing!! Anyway…so yes my blog has been linked to Card’s webpage…by some awesome miracle that probably has a lot to do with Jake Black’s influence (thank you)!!!! And I have some new books on the way so be prepared for some awesome and wonderful reviews! They are…An Open Book, The Abyss, Ainge, Robota, and How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy. Look forward to it, and maybe I will have someone to share my anticipation with.

Oh and I bought more Red Prophet comics…so I will give you a feel for that soon too. Later…

Upon Recovery

2007-09-27T14:49:00.000-05:00

So I decided that eventually I would have to post over the most amazing post ever! Had to happen, right?
So here I am all Scard-amazing, and I personally don't know why life is worth living anymore, except to fulfill my wonderful Card-minion duties...All Praise Ender!!!
I have been...since I met Scott.
1. reading Invasive Procedures, and Space Boy.
2. buying and reading The Red Prophet comics--I hadn't realized that issues 7-10 were out)
3. basking in all that is CARD glory!
4. Pretending that I am just a normal college kid still
5. buying Card books on Amazon, and Abebooks (great website!!)
6. counting and re-counting the collection...
7. wondering where in my life this hobby will lead me?
8. ...bragging...nicely...mostly to my family and friends...
9. And playing AnsibleMOO!! Oh yeah!!

See, I haven't changed much at all...just completely! For those of you worried about a Card overload...don't worry so much(though your prayers would be nice)...I have been reading other people too...Long Live Robert Jordan!

It think the most surprising thing that I have done since I met Scard is...
getting on Hatrack.com every single day...and checking my mail for more Scard books...twice a day(even on Sundays)!!! Hip Hip Hoo-ray!!!!

There is no proper title to this post...

2007-09-14T21:31:00.000-05:00

So I woke up this fine morning and dressed in my orange t-shirt, my grey pants, my amazing converse shoes that are grey, orange, grey with Dragon Army on the sides. I pull on my grey and orange backpack grab my itinerary for the bus to get to Provo. I rode the TRAX and two buses down into greater Provo dedicated to go to the BYU Bookstore. I arrived, and I died.

I met up with Jake Black, who is amazing beyond all reason, and we went straight down to the bookstore and stood by the Scard section. Then we turned around and there he was. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
He was so amazing and in front of me and Jake introduced us and I died.

It really was very amazing talking to him and shaking his hand. He was there for a book signing, and he signed a few of my books, and I was in a state of euphoria. I talked with him and his wife, Kristine, who is a really wonderful person. The excitement is beyond me completely.

We stuck around for a while and tried to take some pic's with Scott--in the end we only got one, and a very funny video of us trying to take pictures...don't laugh to hard at us.

And Orson Scott Card decided that no blog is complete unless it has a mindcrush. Mindcrush, mindcrush, mindcrush...LOL

After all the excitement Jake, his wife Michelle, and I had lunch and then we went to his house. And I got to see the actual room where Jack Black is currently writing the Ender's Game Companion. Can you say, ahhhhh! I was having a blast as you can imagine. Um...anything else amazing to share???

Oh Jake is absolutely wonderful! I can't thank you enough Jake, for everything you did, said, and helped me do. You made a girl's dream today!!! You are my friend forever! Ahhhhhh!
Orson Scott Card, I have met you, and I still stand here untransfigured. Too bad for me...good for you. You get to hear me rant this amazing day for you. Bow down before all that is SCARD!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

God's Army

2007-09-10T18:26:00.001-05:00

Geoffrey Card must needs be commended for his great work with the novelization of the film God's Army. I loved the book! Way more than the movie! I was so happy to get some background from Elder Allen's life and his struggles and ahhhhhhh! I am so pleased with this book!

I love being able to imagine the missionaries out serving as we speak...my own brother is currently in the California, Carlsbad mission. I as so pleased with the book and with the talent of little Card. I expect more wonderful things in the future.

I am also pleased to bring to you the returnal of my human consciousness. Perhaps you have been wondering about the lack of posts this last week. There really is only one explanation. Stephanie Meyer. I couldn't help it! A certain friend of mine intimated that they were very captivating, written by an LDS author, and she LIKES scard. I really had to read them. And personally, In my own opinion, they were written well enough and Edward was captivating enough for the whole world to have a little piece, but I really thought of it as fun reading. Not serious reading at all--which is new to me...I like the topics that authors discuss and the way they develop their characters. There was a lack of this in the twilight series, so while I apologize to those of you who couldn't find a single flaw cover to cover, I must admit that the lack of thinking power that you need to read these books is laughable. Ha ha ha!