So, all of you know that I have a wee bit of a Twilight obsession. So, when I heard about the Southern Vampire Series (which HBO series True Blood is based on) I decided to give it a shot. Actually, you see, I heard that Dead until Dark (the first novel in the series) was like the R rated version of Twilight. An even sexier Edward Cullen? Sign me up!
So I read Dead Until Dark and it was definitely an engaging and quick read. It is, just as people say, a sexier and more violent version of Twilight. Or, since Dead until Dark was published FOUR YEARS before Twilight, I should say Twilight is the kiddie version of Dead until Dark.
I felt the writing in Dead until Dark also had its flaws, but was overall was of a higher caliber than Twilight. However, my level of general obsession with the Southern Vampire series pales in comparison to Twilight. Then again, I re-read Twilight books to literally turn off my brain after a stressful day, which you could say is kind of a back handed compliment.
I compiled a list of similarities between the two books below, I think it is a pretty comprehensive list. I added a few of the major differences at the end of the table. Some of the similarities are just general vampire-y type things, but there are so many "coincidental" similarities between the two books that I have to say Meyer MUST have read Dead Until Dark (no matter how much she denies it). However, the general vibe and actual main plot of the two books are quite different. I would recommend checking out Dead until Dark, unless like Meyer, crazy S&M sex offends your sensibilities.
WARNING *spoilers ahead* but I don't give away the biggest plot points.
So I read Dead Until Dark and it was definitely an engaging and quick read. It is, just as people say, a sexier and more violent version of Twilight. Or, since Dead until Dark was published FOUR YEARS before Twilight, I should say Twilight is the kiddie version of Dead until Dark.
I felt the writing in Dead until Dark also had its flaws, but was overall was of a higher caliber than Twilight. However, my level of general obsession with the Southern Vampire series pales in comparison to Twilight. Then again, I re-read Twilight books to literally turn off my brain after a stressful day, which you could say is kind of a back handed compliment.
I compiled a list of similarities between the two books below, I think it is a pretty comprehensive list. I added a few of the major differences at the end of the table. Some of the similarities are just general vampire-y type things, but there are so many "coincidental" similarities between the two books that I have to say Meyer MUST have read Dead Until Dark (no matter how much she denies it). However, the general vibe and actual main plot of the two books are quite different. I would recommend checking out Dead until Dark, unless like Meyer, crazy S&M sex offends your sensibilities.
If you are reading this on my blog, I have no idea why there is this big ass gap before my table...sorry folks,just scroll down, its there, I swear...
| Dead Until Dark/ True Blood series Published 2001 | Twilight "Saga" Published 2005 | |
| Vampire-Human-Shapeshifter Love Triangle | Vampire-Human-Shapeshifter Love Triangle | |
| Clairvoyant human falls in love because she cannot read her lover's mind | Clairvoyant vampire falls in love because he cannot read his lover's mind | |
| Set in small town America: Rural Louisiana | Set in small town America: Upstate Washington | |
Adele Hale Stackhouse | Jasper and Rosalie Hale | |
Trio of vampire baddies one black, two white one female, two males | Trio of vampire baddies one black, two white one female, two males | |
Powerful elder male vampire has a bit of an obsession with the human girl | Powerful elder male vampire has a bit of an obsession with the human girl | |
Synthetic Blood never quite satisfies the vampire, but keeps him alive | Animal Blood never quite satisfies the vampire, but keeps him alive | |
Human girl is deflowered by vampire lover | Human girl is deflowered by vampire lover but not until they are married | |
Vampires cannot go out during the day: the sun will kill them | Vampires can go out in the day, just not the sun: the sun will make them sparkly | |
The vampire thinks his love's blood is especially unique and tasty | The human's blood smells so yummy it drives the vampire wild with blood lust | |
Vampires "galmor" people into doing what they want | Vampires "dazzle" people into doing what they want | |
Vampires are rich and beautiful and love nice cars | Vampires are rich and beautiful and love nice, fast cars | |
In the last scene of the first book, the woman lies in a hospital bed, horribly injured as an indirect result of her love for a vampire. Her vampire love is there to comfort her. | In the last scene of the first book, the woman lies in a hospital bed, horribly injured as an indirect result of her love for a vampire. Her vampire love is there to comfort her. | |
Sex, Sex and Deviant Sex | Chaste Mormon-style lovin' | |
Everyone knows about vampires | Nobody knows about vampires | |
Vampire Lead played by Stephen Moyer in HBO Series |
Image from D-listed
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1 comment:
Wow, there are a LOT of similarities between the two!
I haven't read either series, so I can't really comment on the books, but I have spent the past week watching the first season of True Blood! I love it, but it's definitely not for the younger fans of Twilight. It's on HBO for a reason. haha
Twilight never really appealed to me, which I guess is a rare thing these days, but I really do like True Blood.
I guess I like my vampires gritty rather than sparkly?
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