The Twilight Companion: The Unauthorized Guide to the Series    by Lois H. Gresh Order:  USA  Can Griffin, 2009 (2008) Paperback Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Those who can't get enough of the blockbuster Twilight series, or simply like digging their fangs into books on vampires, will enjoy this updated edition of Lois H. Gresh's The Twilight Companion: The Unauthorized Guide to the Series. In her Introduction to her guide, 'written by a fan for a fan', the author speaks of the immense popularity of the Twilight series (especially with teen girls) and credits author Stephenie Meyer with creating 'an explosion of interest in vampires' and in werewolves. Gresh addresses her subject with a light touch, with chapter titles ranging from Bite Me to The Final Twilight Book: All the Answers You've Been Dying to Learn. Chapters are interspersed with quizzes (with answers at the end) including questions like 'What are you most afraid of now that you're a vampire?' Gresh takes the approach of contrasting different aspects of Twilight with other books about bloodsuckers, for example looking at the Cullen family's ethical form of vampirism. She tells us what they have in common and what is unique in Stephenie Meyer's writing, such as the fact that Edward Cullen is Mr. Perfect. In addition to the Twilight movies, she explores standards of beauty; forbidden love; the Quileute Indians (a real tribe); vampiric viral venom; good and bad vampires in books, movies and mythology; sex appeal of vampires vs. werewolves; good and bad werewolves in popular culture; vampire vulnerability; immortality; and psychic powers. At the end of The Twilight Companion, Lois Gresh also talks about reactions to the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, and plans for a fifth, Midnight Sun. As this author says (something that a multitude of fans will applaud), 'It's not over yet.' Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews