Saturday, November 21, 2009

"Touched By A Vampire" Book Review and Giveaway!


Book: Touched by a Vampire

Author: Beth Felker Jones

Summary:

EXAMINING TWILIGHT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS

People around the world are asking the same question, 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 is the first book to investigate the themes of the Twilight Saga from a Biblical perspective. Some Christian readers have praised moral principles illustrated in the story, such as premarital sexual 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 pop culture enthusiasts. It includes an overview of the series for those unfamiliar with the storyline and a discussion guide for small groups.


MY REVIEW:

With the release of the movie, "New Moon" this week, the hype surrounding the Twilight series is at a high right now. I have not read the books myself, I have too many great Christian books in my to-be-read pile to spend time on non-Christian books, but I did break down and see Twilight after it came out on dvd, and I'll probably do the same for New Moon. But I was really curious as to what this book, "Touched by a Vampire" would have to say about the series when I got it. I was not disappointed. What Beth offers the reader in this book are some great thought provoking questions and statements regarding Stephanie Meyers' books and movies. A lot of people defend the books with the argument that there is no pre-marital sex between Edward and Bella, Beth goes into that with some great insight. She also looks in depth at marriage, parenting, dangerous romance, the ideal family, abstinence and more.

This book is a valuable tool for sparking discussion within yourself and also teens and friends you may have that have read the books. I wouldn't take everything in this book as gospel, anymore than I would take everything Stephanie Meyer's writes as gospel... but it is fantastic for getting you to really think about what you are reading!

***********Thanks to Liz Johnson from Multnomah for my review copy of this book. If you would like an opportunity to win it then leave me a comment telling me who this book would be good for in your life (you, a daughter, friend, sister, etc..) and leave an email and I will enter you. Good luck!

22 comments:

Lady Araujo said...

I think that book will be good for myself. I've read the four books. And I'd love to read this one. It'll be great see the whole thing from a Bible perspective.
Please, enter me.
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Goat Gal said...

This would be a great book for my sister.

hippmom said...

I'd love to read this book and also pass it along to my daughter. And then on to anyone else I find who is concerned about what influence these books/movies are having o our teen daughters! I'm anxious to read it. THanks for your review, Janna.

angelahipp (at) charter (net)

Anonymous said...

I would enjoy reading this book...and pass it on to my friend, Nancy.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)Com

Anonymous said...

Because I've read all the Twilight books I would like to win this book for myself to get another perspective on this type of books.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Winning Readings said...

I haven't read any of the Twilight books - it just seems wrong, but I have no specific reason for it... It'd be interesting to read this book myself

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings:
http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/touched-by-vampire.html

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Milka said...

I love the Twilight saga and I have read those books many times so I think this book would be good for me. It would be also great for my friend who is obsessed about the Twilight saga.

milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi

Beth (BBRB) said...

This would be perfect for a friend who loves the Twilight series.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Carolynn said...

I work with a few teens who love the Twilight series, this book would be great for them. I would also love to read it.
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Julie said...

My sister-in-law loves the Twilight series-I would give the book to her

aunteegem@yahoo.com

plb8156 said...

I would love to read this myself & see what its all about & then I would pass it on to my sister who loves vampire books :)
plb8156@aol.com

Aik said...

I'd love to read this myself, because I'm a great fan of Twilight.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Jennifer said...

Book would be for myself since I love vampires!

melissa said...

this looks interesting because its from a biblical perspective, something very unique

Linda Kish said...

I would want to read it myself.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

mandala said...

I am very curious and would love to read this myself. My youngest sister also would like this.

mandalarctic@gmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

What a fascinating way to look at the Twilight series. I'd like to read this.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Diana D said...

My daughter is into the vampire books. I'd like to win this for her.Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

Virginia C said...

I have a very dear friend who trusted me enough to loan me her whole collection of "Twilight" books. I'd love to win and surprise her with this book!

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Ginny said...

Probably my daughter

Anonymous said...

I think this would be good for me. I've read a couple of the Twilight books.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Janna said...

And the winner is...

Diana!