A Ghostly Encounter

Suze Simon, a high school student in Carmel, California, is not your average teenager. She is a mediator, someone who can communicate with ghosts and help them move on to the afterlife. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Jesse, a charming ghost from the nineteenth century who haunts her bedroom. Despite the unusual circumstances, Suze finds herself falling in love with Jesse, complicating her already challenging life as a mediator.

Time Travel Dilemma

Suze learns that Paul Slater, a fellow mediator with questionable morals, has discovered a way to travel back in time. Paul plans to use this ability to prevent Jesse's murder, which would alter history and erase Jesse from Suze's life. Suze is torn between her love for Jesse and the moral implications of changing the past. She struggles with the decision, knowing that saving Jesse could mean losing him forever.

Secrets and Sacrifices

As Suze grapples with the decision, she realizes that she cannot let Jesse die, even if it means they will never meet. She travels back in time to warn Jesse about his impending murder. In doing so, she risks altering the course of history and her own future. Suze's love for Jesse drives her to make the ultimate sacrifice, putting his life above her own happiness.

A Dangerous Plan

Suze arrives in the past and finds Jesse, who is skeptical of her warnings. Despite his disbelief, Suze's knowledge of his secret desire to become a doctor convinces him of her sincerity. Together, they confront Felix Diego, the man who is destined to kill Jesse. In a tense showdown, Jesse manages to defeat Diego, but not without consequences. A fire breaks out, and Suze must make a split-second decision to save Jesse.

Love Across Centuries

Suze returns to the present with Jesse, but he is in a coma, caught between life and death. Desperate to save him, Suze enlists the help of Father Dominic, her mentor and fellow mediator. As Jesse's condition worsens, Suze's father, a ghost himself, intervenes, allowing Jesse's soul to return to his body. Jesse awakens, alive and well, but now a mediator like Suze, able to see and communicate with ghosts.

A Race Against Time

With Jesse alive and adjusting to the modern world, Suze faces the challenge of helping him build a new life. Father Dominic assists in creating a new identity for Jesse, allowing him to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. As Jesse navigates the complexities of the twenty-first century, he and Suze grow closer, their love stronger than ever. Together, they face the future, ready to tackle whatever challenges come their way.

A New Beginning

Suze and Jesse attend the Winter Formal, a symbol of their new life together. Suze's family, unaware of Jesse's ghostly past, welcomes him with open arms. As they dance under the stars, Suze reflects on the journey that brought them together. Despite the obstacles they faced, their love has endured, transcending time and space. With Jesse by her side, Suze is ready to embrace whatever the future holds.

Characters

Suze Simon

Suze is a high school student with the unique ability to communicate with ghosts. Her life is complicated by her love for Jesse, a ghost from the nineteenth century. Suze is brave and selfless, willing to risk everything to save Jesse, even if it means losing him forever. Her journey is one of growth and acceptance, as she learns to balance her duties as a mediator with her personal desires.

Jesse de Silva

Jesse is a ghost from the nineteenth century who haunts Suze's bedroom. He is kind, intelligent, and deeply in love with Suze. Despite his ghostly status, Jesse is protective of Suze and willing to sacrifice his own happiness for her well-being. His journey from ghost to living mediator is one of redemption and new beginnings, as he embraces life in the modern world.

Paul Slater

Paul is a fellow mediator with a penchant for bending the rules. He discovers a way to travel back in time and plans to use this ability to alter history. Despite his questionable morals, Paul is not entirely without redemption, as he ultimately helps Suze save Jesse. His character is complex, driven by a desire for power and control, but also capable of growth and change.

Father Dominic

Father Dominic is a priest and mediator who serves as a mentor to Suze. He provides guidance and support as she navigates the challenges of being a mediator. Father Dominic is compassionate and understanding, offering wisdom and insight when Suze faces difficult decisions. His role is crucial in helping Suze and Jesse find their way in the world.

Felix Diego

Felix Diego is the man responsible for Jesse's murder in the past. He is a mercenary with no qualms about killing to achieve his goals. Diego's presence looms large over the story, as his actions set the events of the narrative in motion. He serves as a reminder of the dangers that Suze and Jesse face in their quest for a future together.

Maria de Silva

Maria is Jesse's fiancée in the past, but her love for another man leads to Jesse's murder. Her betrayal is a catalyst for the events that unfold, as Suze travels back in time to prevent Jesse's death. Maria's character is a reminder of the complexities of love and the consequences of deceit.

Suze's Dad

Suze's father is a ghost who provides guidance and support from beyond the grave. He is a constant presence in Suze's life, offering advice and comfort when she needs it most. His intervention is crucial in saving Jesse, allowing him to return to life and be with Suze.

Andy Ackerman

Andy is Suze's stepfather, a kind and understanding man who supports Suze in her endeavors. He is unaware of Suze's abilities as a mediator but provides a stable and loving home for her. Andy's presence is a source of comfort and stability in Suze's life.

CeeCee

CeeCee is Suze's best friend, a confidante who provides support and understanding. She is unaware of Suze's abilities as a mediator but is always there to lend a listening ear. CeeCee's friendship is a source of strength for Suze, helping her navigate the challenges of high school and beyond.

Kelly Prescott

Kelly is a classmate of Suze's, known for her popularity and superficiality. She serves as a foil to Suze, highlighting the differences between them. Despite her initial animosity, Kelly's character adds depth to the story, providing moments of humor and tension.

Plot Devices

Time Travel

Time travel is a central plot device in the story, allowing characters to alter the course of history. It serves as a catalyst for Suze's growth, forcing her to confront difficult decisions and make sacrifices for the ones she loves. Time travel also highlights the complexities of love and the consequences of altering the past.

Mediation

Mediation is the ability to communicate with ghosts and help them move on to the afterlife. It is a key element of the story, driving the narrative and shaping the characters' journeys. Mediation serves as a bridge between the living and the dead, allowing Suze to connect with Jesse and ultimately save him.

Love and Sacrifice

Love and sacrifice are central themes in the story, driving the characters' actions and decisions. Suze's love for Jesse motivates her to risk everything to save him, even if it means losing him forever. The story explores the complexities of love and the sacrifices we make for the ones we care about.

Redemption

Redemption is a key theme in the story, as characters seek to atone for past mistakes and find new beginnings. Jesse's journey from ghost to living mediator is one of redemption, as he embraces life in the modern world. Paul's character also undergoes growth and change, as he learns to make amends for his actions.

Analysis

"Twilight" by Meg Cabot is a compelling story that explores the complexities of love and the sacrifices we make for the ones we care about. Through the lens of time travel and mediation, the narrative delves into themes of redemption and growth, as characters confront difficult decisions and seek new beginnings. Suze's journey is one of self-discovery and acceptance, as she learns to balance her duties as a mediator with her personal desires. The story highlights the power of love to transcend time and space, offering a hopeful message about the enduring nature of true love.

Last updated: March 26, 2025