'Twilight' Primer: A-Z

Twilight' A-Z

A Guide to All Things 'Twilight'

You've seen the books, with their distinctive and eerie covers.

By now, you've seen the cast, the trailers and the TV ads too. But many people continue to resist the phenomena that is 'Twilight.' If you're reading this, you may be one of them, but now it's high time you entered the 'Twilight' zone.

That's why we've designed the A-Z guide to the hit saga -- so you'll finally have an answer to that age-old question: Team Edward or Team Jacob? -- By Elisabeth Rappe

Summit Entertainment

A Is for Arizona

The story begins when a teenage girl, Isabella "Bella" Swan (Kristen Stewart, left), moves from her mother's home in Phoenix, Az., to live with her father so her remarried mother can travel with her hubby. She was an outcast at her old school, clumsy and pale where her classmates were athletic and tanned. She wasn't meant for desert living.


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B Is for Bella Swan

The central character of the 'Twilight' series, Bella causes a stir in her new school, with several boys vying for her attention. She only has eyes for one: the pale and brooding Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson, near left). Initially, she's convinced he hates her -- but after he saves her life, she realizes that he's quite fond of her ... and that he's something very unnatural. Bella's mere presence drives Edward wild, as her blood sings to him in a way no other human's does, and her thoughts are closed to his psychic talents. Though he warns her to steer clear of him for her own safety, Bella's love and faith in him overcomes the danger of their relationship.


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C Is for Cullen family

The Cullens are led by adoptive father Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli, far left) and his wife Esme (Elizabeth Reaser, near left). Edward has two siblings -- Alice and Rosalie, and two brothers-in-law, Alice's husband Jasper and Rosalie's husband Emmett. Dr. Cullen turned his wife, son and daughter Rosalie into vampires to save their lives. In Edward's case, it was during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1901 when Carlisle met a dying mother who made him promise to save her boy.


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D Is for Dream

The story behind the series is almost as interesting as the books themselves -- author Stephenie Meyer had a vivid dream one night of a human girl and a vampire who was in love with her, and struggling not to drink her blood. Possessed by these two mysterious characters, Meyer began writing the first chapters in what would become a worldwide tween sensation.


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Albert Ortega, WireImage

E Is for Edward Cullen

To 'Twilight' fans, he's the perfect guy. And how can he not be? Meyer based him on the hottest hunks of English literature, like 'Pride and Prejudice''s Mr. Darcy and 'Jane Eyre''s Edward Rochester. He's flawlessly handsome, unfailingly kind and courteous. There's just one small problem -- Edward Cullen is a vampire, with icy skin, razor sharp teeth and the taste for blood typical of his kind.


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F Is for Forks, Wash.

The town where the action takes place. What is it about the gloomy, rainy Northwest that makes it an ideal setting for occult action? Perhaps the fact that it's as gloomy as Southern California is sunny. Forks is a real town, incidentally, that's experienced a tourist boom due to its association with hot vampires and werewolves. No word on whether fans have found undead boyfriends there, but you can't blame anyone for trying.


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Ted S. Warren, AP

G Is for Gigandet, Cam

Best known for playing 'O.C.' heavy Volchok, Gigandet (left) is set to hit the big time as another baddie -- James, the leader of the nomadic "tracker" vampires who come to town. He wants nothing more than to drink Bella's blood, which sets him in direct odds with Edward, who'll do anything to protect the beautiful object of his affection.


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H Is for Heavy makeout sessions

The 'Twilight' series has been praised by many fans and critics for having its romantic leads, Edward and Bella, abstain from sex before marriage. But that doesn't mean they aren't sexy -- erotic tension builds up throughout the books; each make-out session or touch of a hand is an explosive experience for fans. Reportedly, babies have been conceived thanks to the novels -- author Stephanie Meyer has told reporters that she meets many babies named Bella who owe their existence (and their name!) to her series.


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I Is for Insanity

When the 'Twilight' cast was brought onstage at San Diego's Comic-Con in summer 2008, the deafening screams of the some 6,000 fans assembled made it clear that this 'Twilight' thing won't be going away any time soon. Pattinson has reportedly been asked by fans to bite them. If that's not insane fanaticism, we don't know what is.


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Albert Ortega, WireImage