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Available
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Series
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Publication
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2015), Edition: 10 Anv, 752 pages
Description
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight with this special double-feature ebook! This new edition pairs the classic love story with Stephenie Meyer's bold and surprising reimagining of the complete novel with the characters' genders reversed. In Life and Death, readers will be thrilled to experience this iconic tale told through the eyes of a human teenage boy in love with a female vampire. This edition features nearly 400 pages of new content as well as exquisite new cover art. Fans of Bella and Edward will not want to miss the opportunity to see these iconic characters portrayed in intriguing new roles. Twilight has enraptured millions of readers since its first publication in 2005 and has become a modern classic, redefining genres within young adult literature and inspiring a phenomenon that has had readers yearning for more. The novel was a #1 New York Times bestseller, a #1 USA Today bestseller, a Time magazine Best Young Adult Book of All-Time, an NPR Best Ever Teen Novel, and a New York Times Editor's Choice. The Twilight Saga, which also includes New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella, and The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, has sold nearly 155 million copies worldwide.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
I wanted to read this because I love all things Twilight and I had to have anything that Stephanie writes in the universe. I went in with mixed expectations, I mean, I adore the series, the movies, and even on a re-read after years of blogging, it still made my heart beat harder and love the
So here's what I think: I am not super impressed because for the most part it seems cut and copied with just the names changed, so I am skimming for new material. Some of the cut and copy is a bit awkward coming from a boy's pov. The thing that got the biggest response from me was the fact that she changed the classic of three things I am certain. I mean if you aren't going to change much, don't change some of my favorite words, even if its from Beau.
Some of the differences include-- Beau is not quite as angsty, his character has a bit more humor. Of course the scene in Port Angeles is different, but it still gets Edythe's attention and Beau was in danger. Some of the interactions with Charlie was changed and made it work a bit better with father/son dynamics. Also, no love triangle-- not that there was much of that in the 1st Twilight, but the ending is changed in this one, because since genders are changed, the course of the next books would be completely altered.
One major part was altered, and it made a lot of sense why this part was changed. I liked the alternate and even though I think some un-necessary details were added, where I wanted more of other things.
Bottom Line: Skimmed for differences, read if you are hard-core. It's acceptable but it's no Midnight Sun (which I would one hundred times over rather read the finished copy)
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romance and storytelling. I still love Twilight. Its not without its issues sure, but it fired up my love for reading again, and so many people will say the same thing. Yes, there is a lot of hate, but there is also over the moon sales. But I also have read quite a few things that did not paint this newest installment in any sort of positive light. I have another Twihard friend in real life who isn't even going to give it a shot, so while I didn't doubt I would read it, I wasn't sure how I would feel about it. So here's what I think: I am not super impressed because for the most part it seems cut and copied with just the names changed, so I am skimming for new material. Some of the cut and copy is a bit awkward coming from a boy's pov. The thing that got the biggest response from me was the fact that she changed the classic of three things I am certain. I mean if you aren't going to change much, don't change some of my favorite words, even if its from Beau.
Some of the differences include-- Beau is not quite as angsty, his character has a bit more humor. Of course the scene in Port Angeles is different, but it still gets Edythe's attention and Beau was in danger. Some of the interactions with Charlie was changed and made it work a bit better with father/son dynamics. Also, no love triangle-- not that there was much of that in the 1st Twilight, but the ending is changed in this one, because since genders are changed, the course of the next books would be completely altered.
One major part was altered, and it made a lot of sense why this part was changed. I liked the alternate and even though I think some un-necessary details were added, where I wanted more of other things.
Bottom Line: Skimmed for differences, read if you are hard-core. It's acceptable but it's no Midnight Sun (which I would one hundred times over rather read the finished copy)
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LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
A few weeks ago, I visited home and bought a LOT of books, and one of them was this edition of Twilight! I can't believe it's been 10 years already! I feel ancient! Now that I reached the Port Angeles chapter, I feel that this book is going to be amazing on it's own. It might be Twilight reimagined
I imagine the couple from the 2014 movie Blended, Zak Henri & Bella Thorne playing Edythe & Beau in my head while reading.
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but it's different.I imagine the couple from the 2014 movie Blended, Zak Henri & Bella Thorne playing Edythe & Beau in my head while reading.
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LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
A few weeks ago, I visited home and bought a LOT of books, and one of them was this edition of Twilight! I can't believe it's been 10 years already! I feel ancient! Now that I reached the Port Angeles chapter, I feel that this book is going to be amazing on it's own. It might be Twilight reimagined
I imagine the couple from the 2014 movie Blended, Zak Henri & Bella Thorne playing Edythe & Beau in my head while reading. But in the end, I was disappointed and I didn't like the book, the switch or the ending.
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but it's different.I imagine the couple from the 2014 movie Blended, Zak Henri & Bella Thorne playing Edythe & Beau in my head while reading. But in the end, I was disappointed and I didn't like the book, the switch or the ending.
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LibraryThing member Banoczi_Henrietta
why couldn't she just release Midnight Sun I actually liked that one
LibraryThing member danaenicole
Well, I was at least halfway done writing this and then my computer decided to restart for updates, so I have to start all over. FUN!
*deep breath*
Anyway, I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this book. It was definitely interesting... But hard to read without constantly comparing it to or thinking of
I think that Bella and Edward should have been the only characters who were swapped. I think the story would have been way less confusing and distracting that way, and would have seemed more natural. I just had a really hard time with the gender-swapped Cullens. I could buy Carine as the doctor, but big strong Eleanor was hard to picture. And I kept imagining Archie in a white tank top and sagging jeans (because of the petit frame and buzzed hair, I guess), which did not at all endear him to me.
Many of the names seemed weird to me too. I remember reading something about Meyer looking at old census information to find names for her characters that would work for the time periods they were born into and it really didn't seem like she was that thoughtful about their gender-swapped names. Beau and Edythe, I was fine with, but Royal is a very modern name, so I wasn't buying that he was a super-old vampire.
It was interesting to me what Meyer felt the need to change about the protagonist along with the gender. As a male adaptation of Bella, Beau retains her housekeeping skills and her disinterest in cars, but dumps Jane Austen for Jules Verne. I don't see the need for the author swap. I had a male friend in high school who enjoyed Pride and Prejudice (and Twilight) and it's not like he was a feminine guy or anything. Beau Swan is definitely the kind of guy who could appreciate Jane Austen.
As for a few other changes... I'm glad that Meyer changed the "Do I dazzle you?" conversation. That always made me cringe. And I thought it was interesting that she continued to call the Quileutes "werewolves" even though she reveals in Breaking Dawn that they are really just shapeshifters. But I kind of hated that she changed the sparkling thing because I felt like she was giving in to the people who've ridiculed her books. I'm not a huge fan of the sparkling, myself, but I feel like it makes sense. Definitely more so than the vague rainbow effect she changed it to.
I love the quote "I drifted to sleep with her cold body in my arms." That cracked me up. Suddenly, Beau is a psychotic killer who sleeps with the corpses of his victims. XD
[SPOILER BELOW]
The ending seemed rushed to me, but I'm not sure if that's because it was actually rushed or if it's just because I'm used to waiting for three more books for the protagonist to become a vampire. I am glad that ending was explored, especially since Renesmee wasn't an option in this version. But I'm glad it's not the actual ending, because my heart broke for Charlie and Renee.
[END SPOILER]
Next, I have a few comments that probably apply to the original books as well:
So, I know that Edythe/Edward and Beau/Bella were Love at First Sight and everything, but Edythe giving up on trying to stay away from Beau after, like, a day doesn't make sense to me. First, one day should be nothing to someone who's been alive for more than 36,500 of them. Second, Meyer told us in the original series that vampires take a while to change and grow attached to someone. Third, Edythe is so über cautious and protective of Beau that she should have held out longer before giving up. It just doesn't make sense to me.
A few more things that didn't make sense to me:
As smart as the vampires are and despite the fact that they live with a doctor, they still believe that one gets sick from being cold... You don't get sick from being cold. Just FYI.
It was mentioned a couple of times that Edythe became paler than usual when she was scared, but that should be impossible because she doesn't have any blood... Meyer even says in the original series that vampires can't blush. Shouldn't the opposite be true as well?
Edythe asks where Archie and Jess are when they are in the near vicinity and she can read minds.
I also had the thought while reading this book that Edythe is always being super careful not to accidentally pulverize Beau's femur or whatever, but the vampires do things regularly like play piano and close car doors that require them to control their super strength unless they want to go on daily shopping trips for pianos and cars. So it seems like they shouldn't have that much trouble being gentle with humans.
And one last thing. I definitely wouldn't buy this book as a dual copy with Twilight. I already have a copy of Twilight and I don't want to carry around two huge books when I'm only reading one. Is this really the only option? Will there ever be a single copy? The world may never know!
*deep breath*
Anyway, I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this book. It was definitely interesting... But hard to read without constantly comparing it to or thinking of
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it as the original. For instance, I kept forgetting about the gender swap. Like, I read the story as Bella until something reminded me that she was really Beau. And I kept having to think about who was whom. It was like I was translating Eleanor into Emmett and Earnest into Esmé, etc. I probably wasn't supposed to be doing that, but there it is. This book would probably benefit from a second reading. I really want to read a review by someone who hasn't read Twilight...I think that Bella and Edward should have been the only characters who were swapped. I think the story would have been way less confusing and distracting that way, and would have seemed more natural. I just had a really hard time with the gender-swapped Cullens. I could buy Carine as the doctor, but big strong Eleanor was hard to picture. And I kept imagining Archie in a white tank top and sagging jeans (because of the petit frame and buzzed hair, I guess), which did not at all endear him to me.
Many of the names seemed weird to me too. I remember reading something about Meyer looking at old census information to find names for her characters that would work for the time periods they were born into and it really didn't seem like she was that thoughtful about their gender-swapped names. Beau and Edythe, I was fine with, but Royal is a very modern name, so I wasn't buying that he was a super-old vampire.
It was interesting to me what Meyer felt the need to change about the protagonist along with the gender. As a male adaptation of Bella, Beau retains her housekeeping skills and her disinterest in cars, but dumps Jane Austen for Jules Verne. I don't see the need for the author swap. I had a male friend in high school who enjoyed Pride and Prejudice (and Twilight) and it's not like he was a feminine guy or anything. Beau Swan is definitely the kind of guy who could appreciate Jane Austen.
As for a few other changes... I'm glad that Meyer changed the "Do I dazzle you?" conversation. That always made me cringe. And I thought it was interesting that she continued to call the Quileutes "werewolves" even though she reveals in Breaking Dawn that they are really just shapeshifters. But I kind of hated that she changed the sparkling thing because I felt like she was giving in to the people who've ridiculed her books. I'm not a huge fan of the sparkling, myself, but I feel like it makes sense. Definitely more so than the vague rainbow effect she changed it to.
I love the quote "I drifted to sleep with her cold body in my arms." That cracked me up. Suddenly, Beau is a psychotic killer who sleeps with the corpses of his victims. XD
[SPOILER BELOW]
The ending seemed rushed to me, but I'm not sure if that's because it was actually rushed or if it's just because I'm used to waiting for three more books for the protagonist to become a vampire. I am glad that ending was explored, especially since Renesmee wasn't an option in this version. But I'm glad it's not the actual ending, because my heart broke for Charlie and Renee.
[END SPOILER]
Next, I have a few comments that probably apply to the original books as well:
So, I know that Edythe/Edward and Beau/Bella were Love at First Sight and everything, but Edythe giving up on trying to stay away from Beau after, like, a day doesn't make sense to me. First, one day should be nothing to someone who's been alive for more than 36,500 of them. Second, Meyer told us in the original series that vampires take a while to change and grow attached to someone. Third, Edythe is so über cautious and protective of Beau that she should have held out longer before giving up. It just doesn't make sense to me.
A few more things that didn't make sense to me:
As smart as the vampires are and despite the fact that they live with a doctor, they still believe that one gets sick from being cold... You don't get sick from being cold. Just FYI.
It was mentioned a couple of times that Edythe became paler than usual when she was scared, but that should be impossible because she doesn't have any blood... Meyer even says in the original series that vampires can't blush. Shouldn't the opposite be true as well?
Edythe asks where Archie and Jess are when they are in the near vicinity and she can read minds.
I also had the thought while reading this book that Edythe is always being super careful not to accidentally pulverize Beau's femur or whatever, but the vampires do things regularly like play piano and close car doors that require them to control their super strength unless they want to go on daily shopping trips for pianos and cars. So it seems like they shouldn't have that much trouble being gentle with humans.
And one last thing. I definitely wouldn't buy this book as a dual copy with Twilight. I already have a copy of Twilight and I don't want to carry around two huge books when I'm only reading one. Is this really the only option? Will there ever be a single copy? The world may never know!
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LibraryThing member pennma05
I just... I don't even know what to say about this. I still love the Twilight series for reasons I don't need to go into in this review so I was hoping that this special 10th anniversary gender swap would be great. Yeah.... definitely not. It just read very awkward and just didn't fit right. I will
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not be reading this again, nor will I be keeping my copy of this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member bekkil1977
So for the tenth anniversary, instead of finishing "Midnight Sun" (it's okay, Stephenie, I forgive you), Stephenie Meyer decided to flip Twilight around a bit and published "Life and Death", in which the frail human is a boy named Beau and the vampire is a girl named Edythe. She contends that it
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works just as well with the gender switch, and while I don't totally agree, it was still a fun read. Beau is quite likeable and Edythe...well, she's Edythe. I wasn't expecting her to change *everyone's* genders (Jacob is now Julie, Esme is now Dr. Cullen, etc. The only ones who stayed the same were Charlie, Renee, and Phil), but hey, they're her characters and she can do what she likes. Show Less
LibraryThing member StarKnits
I can honestly say I think I like this version of the story better! I mean you cut out the dragged on love triangle horribleness of Eclipse and New Moon and cut out the baby and non war from Breaking Dawn, but you still have the same results. I enjoyed reading it from a role reversal!
LibraryThing member ReadersCandyb
I was one of the many curious people that picked this one up based solely on my Twilight love. I wasn't sure what to think of a gender swap, but I went in with an open heart and came out with it full of love. I was afraid this story would taint my obsession with the series, but surprisingly it just
I'm not sure why this book is getting such hateful remarks. The Author was up front about what to expect and while it was the same plot, there were small tweaks that brought a new feel to the story. There was also a complete different ending. It was emotional for me... I didn't see it coming and my heart broke a little bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I applaud the Author for following her heart. She wanted to write about Beau and Edythe and I thank her for doing it. I loved the new take on Twilight and definitely recommend it to all readers!
*Advice* Go in with the idea that this is a new story. Don't try to match old characters to new ones. The Cullens were a huge pain to match up so about halfway I said forget it and just treated them as new characters. It helped reduce confusion and made the book even more enjoyable!
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enhanced it. I fell in love with the new personalities and loved the alternate ending. I'm not sure why this book is getting such hateful remarks. The Author was up front about what to expect and while it was the same plot, there were small tweaks that brought a new feel to the story. There was also a complete different ending. It was emotional for me... I didn't see it coming and my heart broke a little bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I applaud the Author for following her heart. She wanted to write about Beau and Edythe and I thank her for doing it. I loved the new take on Twilight and definitely recommend it to all readers!
*Advice* Go in with the idea that this is a new story. Don't try to match old characters to new ones. The Cullens were a huge pain to match up so about halfway I said forget it and just treated them as new characters. It helped reduce confusion and made the book even more enjoyable!
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LibraryThing member Kardaen
Full disclosure, I've read all of the Twilight books, and The Host, and I enjoyed them all to varying degrees. I credit Stephenie Meyer with getting me to write. The thing I enjoy about her style of writing, say what you will, it is easy to read. I wanted to do something similar in my own writing.
If you enjoyed Twilight you will likely enjoy Life and Death. Meyer flipped the genders of all the characters, except for the parents of the main character. The story is a re-imagining of the original book, and there are differences . . . some significant and some trivial, but I won't put any spoilers in this piece.
The bad stuff.
It is the basic plot scheme of the original, so the flaws with that story come along with this one. If you hated the premise, that hasn't really changed. I didn't though, so this is simply pointing out the obvious. She uses some filters in a few places that serve to distance the reader a little, but barely noticeable during the read through. Some of the plot ideas are weak, like the baseball game or the way that a kid with no apparent skill can endear himself to a small school so quickly. The main character, Beaufort, Beau for short, has no interest in sports or video games or anything other than cleaning the house and cooking. I've raised two boys, known lots of boys, hell I was a boy a long time ago, and I've never met anyone that remotely comes close to this character. He's also clumsier than the Keystone Cops, even more clumsy than Bella. Meyer explains that Beau has been taking care of his mom for most of his life, and I can understand that, and even the "old soul" idea, but she takes it a bit far. That's about it though. I actually like Beau and he's not whiny like Bella was.
I missed Alice. The Archie character has the same abilities but lacks some of the charisma that the petite Alice had. Putting her spunky package in a guy didn't really work for me.
The good stuff.
I really enjoyed reading it. I read it quickly and it drew me to keep reading. I cared about the characters and the especially found myself drawn to Edythe. I get why women of all ages fell in love with Edward. Meyer paints Edythe in a way that is very appealing. I think most guys that read this will get the fantasy girl thing.
Meyer is very good at drawing on emotions. She does a lot of inner monologuing, so you are really in Beau's head and understand just how incredible Edythe is to him, and therefore to us. At least to me. Women will probably have a different reaction to this story than the original. The lead doesn't have the charisma of an Edward or a Jacob.
Meyer explains in the preface that she tried to really draw out the differences in the genders and the characters mostly reflect this. Knowing the plot of the original story and the characters made for interesting reading, because it is not a one for one correlation. It starts out much the same way plotwise, but it starts to go off the beaten path a little bit past the halfway mark. I like the way it changed. I was dreading some of the events that I knew happened in the original story, to Meyer's credit, she made me care again.
I read this book with different eyes than the original. I finished an MFA in writing before reading this version and I have to say I didn't want to put it down. I looked for speed bumps that might draw me out, and of course the writing's not perfect, but she really tells a compelling story. This one made a lot more sense in many ways and ending left nothing up in the air. It has a finality to it that is also satisfying.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes urban fantasy. You won't have to have read the first one to enjoy this one.
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Everyone seems to have an opinion on her writing, and my friends reactions when I announced I was going to read this were all over the map.If you enjoyed Twilight you will likely enjoy Life and Death. Meyer flipped the genders of all the characters, except for the parents of the main character. The story is a re-imagining of the original book, and there are differences . . . some significant and some trivial, but I won't put any spoilers in this piece.
The bad stuff.
It is the basic plot scheme of the original, so the flaws with that story come along with this one. If you hated the premise, that hasn't really changed. I didn't though, so this is simply pointing out the obvious. She uses some filters in a few places that serve to distance the reader a little, but barely noticeable during the read through. Some of the plot ideas are weak, like the baseball game or the way that a kid with no apparent skill can endear himself to a small school so quickly. The main character, Beaufort, Beau for short, has no interest in sports or video games or anything other than cleaning the house and cooking. I've raised two boys, known lots of boys, hell I was a boy a long time ago, and I've never met anyone that remotely comes close to this character. He's also clumsier than the Keystone Cops, even more clumsy than Bella. Meyer explains that Beau has been taking care of his mom for most of his life, and I can understand that, and even the "old soul" idea, but she takes it a bit far. That's about it though. I actually like Beau and he's not whiny like Bella was.
I missed Alice. The Archie character has the same abilities but lacks some of the charisma that the petite Alice had. Putting her spunky package in a guy didn't really work for me.
The good stuff.
I really enjoyed reading it. I read it quickly and it drew me to keep reading. I cared about the characters and the especially found myself drawn to Edythe. I get why women of all ages fell in love with Edward. Meyer paints Edythe in a way that is very appealing. I think most guys that read this will get the fantasy girl thing.
Meyer is very good at drawing on emotions. She does a lot of inner monologuing, so you are really in Beau's head and understand just how incredible Edythe is to him, and therefore to us. At least to me. Women will probably have a different reaction to this story than the original. The lead doesn't have the charisma of an Edward or a Jacob.
Meyer explains in the preface that she tried to really draw out the differences in the genders and the characters mostly reflect this. Knowing the plot of the original story and the characters made for interesting reading, because it is not a one for one correlation. It starts out much the same way plotwise, but it starts to go off the beaten path a little bit past the halfway mark. I like the way it changed. I was dreading some of the events that I knew happened in the original story, to Meyer's credit, she made me care again.
I read this book with different eyes than the original. I finished an MFA in writing before reading this version and I have to say I didn't want to put it down. I looked for speed bumps that might draw me out, and of course the writing's not perfect, but she really tells a compelling story. This one made a lot more sense in many ways and ending left nothing up in the air. It has a finality to it that is also satisfying.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes urban fantasy. You won't have to have read the first one to enjoy this one.
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LibraryThing member hexenlibrarian
Totally tolerable. With a neat twist at the end.
LibraryThing member amandanan
Better than the first in that the copy editor did a better job, but still...it's Twilight. And there are STILL mistakes in the copy.
LibraryThing member AllAndAnyBooks
I'm still amazed by this book. I'm a true Twilight and Bella and Edward fan and I have to say, this book was amazing. It was the same as and still totally different than Twilight. I have to say, I did like Beau and Edythe a lot although I like the vampire boy, human girl setting better.
The most
This was just a totally amazing book!
The most
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shocking and the most unpredictable thing about this book was the ending. I have to say, I did not expect it at all, not in a million years. It was totally amazing though but it kind of made me want to cry and sing at the same time and I do feel sad for Charlie, but I'm still really happy with the ending. This was just a totally amazing book!
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LibraryThing member LVStrongPuff
I didn't really care for the rewrite of Bella into Beau. I liked the ending of it, but otherwise I thought Beau was a little bi*** through out the whole story. I don't think I would have been able to date a guy that acted like him. I mean I was never a fan of Bella's, but Beau is just so much more
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worse. No wonder it took me so long to finally read this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member wanderlustlover
Let me start with a caveat. I was vaguely curious about whether Stephenie would manage to pull off the task she said she set out to pull of with this book. To prove that she could swap the gender of her characters and still tell the same story, with the same gender roles she was so flamed for and
Only to be horrendously crashed by this book. I should just copy-paste all of my twitter/facebook comments while reading it. It was terrible, and basically felt like she control find-edited the names and then just tried to touch up certain seconds, but without actually doing anything else. Plus, she left the truly terrible faux paus in Alice's powers, even though she actually changed the entire end of the book. Yeah. Don't even consider this.
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how it would be the same. A new story rehashing the old. An author writing her own AU mash-up. As a previous reader, a teacher, and a fanfiction rerader/writer I had to admit I was a little awed by the idea and in that a tiny seedling of hope sprouted. Only to be horrendously crashed by this book. I should just copy-paste all of my twitter/facebook comments while reading it. It was terrible, and basically felt like she control find-edited the names and then just tried to touch up certain seconds, but without actually doing anything else. Plus, she left the truly terrible faux paus in Alice's powers, even though she actually changed the entire end of the book. Yeah. Don't even consider this.
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LibraryThing member StarKnits
I can honestly say I think I like this version of the story better! I mean you cut out the dragged on love triangle horribleness of Eclipse and New Moon and cut out the baby and non war from Breaking Dawn, but you still have the same results. I enjoyed reading it from a role reversal!
LibraryThing member Daumari
I'm slightly peeved this will count as one and not two for my Goodreads challenge, but it makes sense- they're bound together. Buddyread Life and Death with GRless!Alexandra, and since Goodreads counts all the pages and it's been a while, I figured I'd reread Twilight.
Back when the series debut, I
And yet- as I reread, I recall that I was a pessimistic teenager who figured out would-be career paths by what I didn't like, thriving on snark, and getting sniffy over popular things... like Twilight. Maybe the reason I dislike Bella is that really, actually, Bella is me (and every other ladyteen at some point).
I'm still not convinced Twilight is a Great Work, though- after the meadow sequence, Edward and Bella are so into each other I think I screamed into an update "JUST BONE ALREADY" even though I know it won't happen for another few books because she's breakable.
And on that note, that's one of several things Life and Death fixed, as Beau and Edythe have a straightforward conversation about how she could crush his skull accidentally. Besides being a genderswap, Meyer took the time to do a fresh round of edits because after a decade, you know what mistakes/repetitive phrasing/etc. appeared in your first work. It's not a complete find-and-replace- Charlie and Renee are the same because Meyer thought in the time period, there's no way the courts would give custody to a flightly man vs. the very stable Charlie, and some minor characters aren't swapped (I am not well-versed in Twilore to pick out who they were).
Due to the nature of the flip-and-read-the-other-story binding, there were a couple times in L&D where I looked to see what the original passages said. In a lot of cases, Beau is a little more thoughtful, with longer explanations for why he thinks about his classmates in a certain way, or about Forks. Beau has less of a chip on his shoulder, definitely. I also like Edythe more- while she still watches Beau sleep, she feels less stalky, and more concerned in general with the longterm status of their relationship. I'm not totally convinced the Port Angeles events are a solid genderswap counterpart (instead of girls looking for prom dresses, it's guys getting corsages and... seeing a movie? Instead of attempted sexual assault, the PA gang things Beau is an undercover cop? what), and disappointingly, Beau didn't take ballet lessons (instead, it's that his mom taught at the studio). There definitely could've been more interesting directions to go with this spear version of Bella.
Without spoiling, it'd be impossible for Meyer to continue doing genderswapped versions of the other books, as L&D ends differently. It feels a little more tragic to me, and also has consequences for AU!world.
1.5 stars, but I don't wanna round up to Goodreads' "it was ok" 2. I may understand your sparkly vampire romance novels a little better, but they're still... not... good.
Back when the series debut, I
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was definitely on the hatefan train- my young adult internet experiences were lurking in those livejournal communities (which dates me, aaah), especially Cleolinda's recaps. . I always like backing up assertions with evidence, though, so I borrowed my college roommate's copies and tore through the series over Fall Break. The characters were easy to hate- Bella's constant negativity and passiveness, Edward's possessiveness would be bad traits in real life. And yet- as I reread, I recall that I was a pessimistic teenager who figured out would-be career paths by what I didn't like, thriving on snark, and getting sniffy over popular things... like Twilight. Maybe the reason I dislike Bella is that really, actually, Bella is me (and every other ladyteen at some point).
I'm still not convinced Twilight is a Great Work, though- after the meadow sequence, Edward and Bella are so into each other I think I screamed into an update "JUST BONE ALREADY" even though I know it won't happen for another few books because she's breakable.
And on that note, that's one of several things Life and Death fixed, as Beau and Edythe have a straightforward conversation about how she could crush his skull accidentally. Besides being a genderswap, Meyer took the time to do a fresh round of edits because after a decade, you know what mistakes/repetitive phrasing/etc. appeared in your first work. It's not a complete find-and-replace- Charlie and Renee are the same because Meyer thought in the time period, there's no way the courts would give custody to a flightly man vs. the very stable Charlie, and some minor characters aren't swapped (I am not well-versed in Twilore to pick out who they were).
Due to the nature of the flip-and-read-the-other-story binding, there were a couple times in L&D where I looked to see what the original passages said. In a lot of cases, Beau is a little more thoughtful, with longer explanations for why he thinks about his classmates in a certain way, or about Forks. Beau has less of a chip on his shoulder, definitely. I also like Edythe more- while she still watches Beau sleep, she feels less stalky, and more concerned in general with the longterm status of their relationship. I'm not totally convinced the Port Angeles events are a solid genderswap counterpart (instead of girls looking for prom dresses, it's guys getting corsages and... seeing a movie? Instead of attempted sexual assault, the PA gang things Beau is an undercover cop? what), and disappointingly, Beau didn't take ballet lessons (instead, it's that his mom taught at the studio). There definitely could've been more interesting directions to go with this spear version of Bella.
Without spoiling, it'd be impossible for Meyer to continue doing genderswapped versions of the other books, as L&D ends differently. It feels a little more tragic to me, and also has consequences for AU!world.
1.5 stars, but I don't wanna round up to Goodreads' "it was ok" 2. I may understand your sparkly vampire romance novels a little better, but they're still... not... good.
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
752 p.; 6.25 inches
ISBN
0316268399 / 9780316268394
Local notes
A rather pathetic reimagining of the iconic love story set in the past with the gender roles reversed.
It so doesn't work.
It so doesn't work.