ENTERTAINMENT

Fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight book series have been counting down the days until the release of the fourth and final installment, Breaking Dawn.

Area bookstores are eagerly awaiting it, too, with many opening their doors for themed release parties full of games, contests and anticipation about what the latest vampire-and-werewolf novel will bring to the saga's two star-crossed lovers.

As of early this afternoon, few stores had seen anyone line up for the book’s midnight release.

"For the last several months we’ve been taking reservations, so it’s not a question of ‘oh no, I won't get my book,'" said Carlo Rich, event/marketing manager for Borders stores in Dallas. Each local Borders store has ordered several hundred copies, Mr. Rich said, noting that he expects plenty of fans to show up at tonight’s "Twilight Til Dawn" party.

"It should be really fun. I mean, it's the closest thing to Harry Potter", he said. "I wouldn't go as far as to say it’s as big as Harry Potter, but it’s by far the next closest thing."

Stores can't begin selling the book (list price $22.99) until 12:01 a.m. Saturday. To keep checkout lines orderly, some will distribute wristbands or tickets.

Here's a rundown of plans. All of these parties are Friday, and all are free. For late-breaking news about other release parties, check our Texas Pages books blog.

Release parties are planned at more than a dozen area Barnes & Noble stores. To find the one nearest you, click on "Stores & Events" on the company's Web site, www.barnesandnoble.com, and enter your ZIP code. Here are some to consider:

LINCOLN PARK The store will host a release party beginning at 10 p.m. Fans are invited to dress in costume for a night of trivia contests, crafts and themed activities, such as designing Bella's wedding dress and making Breaking Dawn predictions. Bring a camera so you can have your Breaking Dawn prom photo taken.

Bookstores can't begin selling Breaking Dawn until 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, but the fun starts Friday.

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•7700 W. Northwest Highway (directly across from NorthPark Center). 214-739-1124.

PRESTON ROYAL SHOPPING CENTER Starting at 8 p.m., customers can enjoy refreshments and compete in a costume contest while waiting for midnight to strike.

•616 Preston Royal Shopping Center (near Royal Lane). 214-363-0924.

PRESTON AND PARK The store is hosting an engagement party for Bella and Edward beginning at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to study up on their Twilight trivia, dress creatively, come hungry and bring a camera. Wristbands will be distributed starting at 9 a.m.

•2201 Preston Road (at Park Boulevard), Plano. 972-612-0999.

PRESTONWOOD The location is throwing a Breaking Dawn prom beginning at 10 p.m. Attendees can make their own corsages or boutonnieres, compete in the best-dressed contest, play human chess and take photos with vampires and werewolves.

•5301 Belt Line Road (at Prestonwood Boulevard). 972-980-0853.

STONEBRIAR CENTRE The store is celebrating with an Edward's icy kisses booth, a costume contest and a picture-and-quote wall where guests can quote their favorite characters and draw pictures inspired by the books. Bring a camera for photo opportunities. The fun starts at 10 p.m., but wristbands will be given out as early as 9 a.m.

•2601 Preston Road (at State Highway 121), Frisco. 972-668-2820.

CREEKWALK VILLAGE The store is throwing a vampire prom party beginning at 9 p.m., complete with costume contest, games and crafts. Bring your camera. Wristbands will be distributed starting at 9 a.m.

•801 W. 15th St. (west of Alma Drive), Plano. 972-422-3372.

FIREWHEEL TOWN CENTER The store invites all Twilight fans to a Midnight Masquerade Ball at 9 p.m. Wear your best black and red masquerade attire or dress up as a character from the Twilight Saga to enter the costume contest. Enjoy activities inspired by the books, including "blood tasting," a debate between Edward much more. Tickets to purchase books will be distributed starting at 9 a.m.

•Firewheel Town Center, 190 Cedar Sage Drive, Garland. 972-496-2000.

This independent bookstore in Frisco will reopen at 11:30 p.m. in preparation for the release. Refreshments will be served. Reserving a copy of the book in advance is highly recommended, a store spokesman says.

•3245 Main St. (at Teel Parkway), Frisco. 972-712-1455. www.friscobookworm.com.

Borders and Waldenbooks stores are hosting parties with the theme "From Twilight to Dawn: A Night With Bite." They will kick off at 9:30 p.m. with "So You're in Love With a Vampire" trivia questions from the editors of TwilightLexicon.com. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character from the series and participate in the "Supernatural Soiree" costume contest, and they'll even get to state their case in the "Love is Perfectly Paranormal" debate over whether Bella will choose Jacob or Edward. Fans can win prizes, souvenirs and a chance to be one of the first in line at the register at midnight.

To find the Borders or Waldenbooks location nearest you, click on "Store Locator" on the company's Web site: www.borders.com. Participating locations include:

•10720 Preston Road (south of Royal Lane). 214-363-1977.

•3600 McKinney Ave. (at Lemmon Avenue). 214-219-0512.

•5500 Greenville Ave. (north of Lovers Lane). 214-739-1166.

•2709 N. Mesquite Drive (near Interstate 635 and Town Centre Drive), Mesquite. 972-279-5203.

•1601 Preston Road (at Park Boulevard), Plano. 972-713-9857.

•Collin Creek Mall, 811 N. Central Expressway, Plano. 972-423-2429.

Staff Writer Mallary Tenore contributed to this report.

For those who have (somehow) missed the buzz about the Twilight Saga teen-lit phenomenon, there is still time to catch up on the story of forbidden love between the shy Bella and Edward the vampire.

Since the release of the first book, Twilight, in 2005, the series by Stephenie Meyer has grown tremendously in popularity. All three novels so far (Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse ) have been New York Times best-sellers, and Eclipse knocked Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows out of the No. 1 spot last summer.

When Ms. Meyer began the series, she says, it was nothing more than a story for herself. Three years later, the final Twilight Saga novel is set to be released, but she's already working on Midnight Sun, which will tell the story from Edward's perspective.

Katelyn Smitherman