Who are the main characters? What are they like? Describe their appearance and personalities.

Bella Swan is an average, yet slightly gawkish and unconfident teenage girl. She is of average height and weight and has a pale complexion, brown hair, and brown eyes. Bella lives with her divorced father in Forks, Washington, where she attends high school. Her most notable quality is her caring devotion to her friends and family despite her frequent inability to protect the ones she loves. She is caring, yet vulnerable given her dangerous relationship with the Cullens. Her human morality contrasts her lover, Edward, who is an immortal vampire. Bella is fascinated by vampiric culture and wishes she were one herself, though a major conflict in the novel involves Edward's wish for her to remain human.

Edward Cullen is a vampire and the love interest of Bella Swan. He was born in 1901 and was bitten by vampire Carlisle Cullen in 1918, rendring him immortal at age 17. He is described as extremely physically attractive, with a smooth, pale complexion, bronze hair, and golden eyes.

Edward lives with his "siblings" Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, and Emmett, who are also vampires, though they are not biologically related. They pose as high school students in Forks in an effort to blend into society. The Cullens are nomadic, as staying in one place for too long would draw suspicion given their inability to age.

During the events of New Moon, Edward physically and emotionally distances himself from Bella for fear of placing her in danger with their relationship. By nature, Edward is highly protective of those he loves, though he can initially come across as standoffish and cold. One of his supernatural abilities include mind-reading, though he is unable to read Bella's thoughts. He also has superhuman strength and speed.