When 17-year-old Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father, she expects her new life to be as boring as the town. Despite her awkwardness and low expectations, she finds that the new classmates are fascinated by the new, fair-skinned girl in town. However, the Cullen family seems to prefer their own company and makes no exceptions for Bella.

Bella is convinced that Edward Cullen, especially him, hates her, but she feels a strange attraction to him, even though his hostility almost physically weakens her. He seems determined to keep her away – until, by chance, he saves her life from an out-of-control car.

Bella will soon discover that there is a very serious reason for Edward's coldness. He and his family are vampires – and she knows how dangerous it is for others to get close to them.