Harry Potter and Twilight: A Definitive Comparison

Nearly everyone is aware of the two book series, "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling and "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer.

While both have drawn criticism and praise, Rowling's books are a well paced, fulfilling read that introduce flawed but strong characters and well developed story lines that grow with the audience. It presents the readers with compelling conflicts and triumphs.
The terrific use of foreshadowing indicates that while she might not have had all the books written in full, she at least had it planned out enough to put in several clues about what would happen later.
Rowling was not afraid to sacrifice her characters. Overall, 44 characters, both major and minor were killed.
Though it's clear that the series would have a happy ending, the journey was satisfying and emotional which made the books worth reading.

Rowling's creativity and versatile vocabulary shows that she has put a lot of thought into her world.
For example, the companion books 'Quidditch Through the Ages', 'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' and 'The Tales of Beadle the Bard' proves that the author thought up a much more involved world than the one we glimpse just by reading the books.

The series has been translated into 67 languages, which places Rowling amongst one of the most translated authors in history. Due to the book sales, rights for the film adaptations, video games and action figures, Rowling has become the first and so far only billionaire author.
The series has received over a dozen awards, including the coveted Hugo Award. They also have been cited on numerous best book lists such as Editors' Choices, The American Library Association, The New York Times, Chicago Public Library, and Publishers Weekly.

In The August 2007 New York Times Review of The Deathly Hallows, Christopher Hitchens praised Rowling for "unmooring" her "English school story" from literary precedents "bound up with dreams of wealth and class and snobbery", arguing that she had instead created "a world of youthful democracy and diversity"

Stephen King praised the books by saying, "A feat of which only a superior imagination is capable", and that "Rowling's punning, one-eyebrow-cocked sense of humor is remarkable".
However, he wrote that he is "a little tired of discovering Harry at home with his horrible aunt and uncle", which is how all seven books start.
King has also said that, "Rowling's never met an adverb she did not like!"
Despite the criticism, King believes that Harry Potter "will indeed stand time's test and wind up on a shelf where only the best are kept; I think Harry will take his place with Alice, Huck, Frodo, and Dorothy and this is one series not just for the decade, but for the ages."
"Wild About Harry" The New York Times 2000-07-23

Despite the accolades, the series does not come without criticism, though it is sparse.

Washington Post book critic Ron Charles observed that the adult fan base may represent a "bad case of cultural infantilism." He also called the theme of good vs. evil "childish". Another argument he made was that the marketing hysteria of the later books "trains children and adults to expect the roar of the coliseum, a mass-media experience that no other novel can possibly provide".

In November of 2002, Chris Suellentrop wrote in Slate Magazine that Potter was just "a trust-fund kid whose success at school is largely attributable to the gifts his friends and relatives lavish upon him".
He also disagreed with the concept that magical ability is something you are born with and not taught.
He also noted that while Dumbledore's preached that "It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities" is hypocritical, since "the school that Dumbledore runs values native gifts above all else".

In stark contrast, Twilight is very poorly written.
Stephenie Meyer's overuse of double-hyphens, poor dialogue, improper sentence structure, and use of the same phrases and words over and over prevent the story from flowing.
Overall, the series lacks any real conflict, which is a major element in literature.
The exception of this is in "New Moon," when Edward decides that he and Bella should not see each other. He leaves for a few months and Bella grows attached to Jacob Black and learns more about the world of the supernatural.
Aside from this, Bella never has any real enemies or faces any major hardships.

The Cullen Family aren't involved in conflicts.
In different parts of the series, there does appear the "good vampire vs. bad vampire" subplot, however it's never expounded upon. The human world, from which they are "hiding" isn't a threat to vampires because of their superpowers. The Volturi aren't a threat either because they're not actually evil. The werewolves aren't in great enough numbers to be a threat and are even friendly to a point.
Therefore, - What's the point of Cullens existing as vegetarian vampires? And what exactly are their morals?
The Cullens don't see other vampires as evil, and in Eclipse, the only reason they fight against the newborn vampire is because they don't want to be held accounted for the massacre that could happen - not because they think it's amoral or bad.

There is a plethora of fiction about "good" vampires who decided not to hunt humans. They use surrogates, donor plasma or synthetic blood.
In each of these stories, those vampires, eventually become faced with the consequences their choices - they either become vigilantes, trying to bend the "bad" vampires to their cause or become outcasts while, trying to fight their barbarian counterparts. Or they do it for some other reasons such as redemption or duty. Elements like this create conflict and show the morality of the characters.

Another problem is that Meyer ignores Vampire cannon and introduces "Vegetarian vampires which can enter homes uninvited who do not have fangs and sparkle in the sun."
Twilight has disturbing underlying themes such as abuse, pedophilia and stalking all sugar coated under the guise of "true love".
The main characters have low self-esteem and are self-deprecating and Meyer puts little imagination into her world.

Meyer has stated that her characters "tend to think more about where they came from, and where they are going, than might be typical."
She further states that her Mormon faith influenced her writing, especially the issue of free will.
However, Bella doesn't have much opportunity to use free will since Edward is controlling and often decides what is best for Bella.

Despite the moral lessons, the series has drawn backlash from feminist groups.

Professor Christine Seifert wrote an article that appeared in Bitch Magazine's December 2008 Issue; "It's clear from both the books and the fan fiction response to them that Edward has taken on the role of protector of Bella's human blood and chastity, both of which, ironically, are always in peril when Edward is nearby. Bella is not in control of her body, as abstinence proponents would argue; she is absolutely dependent on Edward's ability to protect her life, her virginity, and her humanity. She is the object of his virtue, the means of his ability to prove his self-control. In other words, Bella is a secondary player in the drama of Edward's abstinence.

Even Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson who portray Bella and Edward in the movies have said in numerous interviews that they don't like the series and feel the relationship is unhealthy."

When Meyer was questioned about such criticisms, she replied, "The thing about Bella is her story isn't finished yet."

Yet, at the end of Breaking Dawn, you see Bella as a boring teenage mother. The heady romance that seemed to exist between the couple dies once they have left high school.

Noted authors such as John Green, Sue Corbett and Stephen King have spoken out against the series.
Sue Corbett is "disheartened" at Meyer's popularity. She has said, "Bella is constantly in need of getting rescued. She moves in with her father and immediately starts cooking for him and doing his laundry. She's on track to go to an Ivy League College but doesn't because of Edward. It's the exact inverse of what I'm trying to teach my daughter."

In an interview with USA Weekend's Brian Truitt, Stephen King stated, "The real difference [between Rowling and Meyer] is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer, and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."
Brain Tuitt: It's great to be the King, page 7 USA Weekend, March 6-8, 2009

While Harry Potter was able to break barriers between male and female, child and adult, Twilight does not.
The fan base is mainly teenage girls which leads me to believe that Twilight will be eventually forgotten about as soon as they move onto something else.

Sources:

KMaul (2005). "Guinness World Records: L. Ron Hubbard Is the Most Translated Author"

Watson, Julie (2004-02-26). "J. K. Rowling And The Billion-Dollar Empire". Forbes

Suellentrop, Chris (2002-11-08). "Harry Potter: Fraud". Slate Magazine

Charles, Ron (2007-07-15). "Harry Potter and the Death of Reading". The Washington Post.

Bitch Magazine http://bitchmagazine.org/article/bite-me-or-dont

USA Today http://blogs.usaweekend.com/whos_news/2009/02/exclusive-steph.html