A clumsy girl, a vampire who craves her blood, and a love that could kill her.
Who drives the story
Seventeen, clumsy, self-effacing, newly arrived in Forks to live with her father Charlie. She falls in love with a vampire and keeps choosing him over safety — even walking alone into a trap to save her mother.
A mind-reading vampire who drinks only animal blood and finds Bella's scent nearly irresistible. He saves her life repeatedly while fighting the urge to take it, and refuses to make her a vampire like him.
A nomadic tracker vampire who becomes obsessed with hunting Bella after catching her scent. He lures her to her old ballet studio with a recording of her mother's voice and nearly turns her.
The patriarch, turned in 17th-century London, who chose medicine over feeding on humans. He treats Bella's injuries after the ballet studio and embodies the family's conscience.
Also in the story
Bella's friend from the Quileute reservation at La Push. He tells her the legend that his ancestors descended from wolves and that 'cold ones' once haunted the area — the clue that unravels Edward's secret.
Forks' police chief and Bella's father, a quiet, steady presence in the rain-soaked town.
How they are connected
Seventeen, clumsy, self-effacing, newly arrived in Forks to live with her father Charlie.
A mind-reading vampire who drinks only animal blood and finds Bella's scent nearly irresistible.
A nomadic tracker vampire who becomes obsessed with hunting Bella after catching her scent.
He treats Bella's injuries after the ballet studio and embodies the family's conscience.
Bella's friend from the Quileute reservation at La Push.
He tells her the legend that his ancestors descended from wolves and that 'cold ones' once haunted the area — the clue that unravels Edward's secret.
Go deeper
Love as appetite · Choosing your nature · Agency and sacrifice · The ordinary and the extraordinary
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
Open the summary