Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | October 6, 2015 |
| Founder | Stephenie Meyer |
| Products | Young adult vampire-romance novel |
Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined is a young adult vampire-romance novel authored by Stephenie Meyer. This novel offers a gender-reversed reinterpretation of the original book in the Twilight series, featuring Beau Swan and Edythe Cullen as counterparts to Bella and Edward.
Released on October 6, 2015, the book was published as part of a special "oversized flip-book pairing" alongside Twilight to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the initial novel. On the same date, an audiobook (CD) version was made available through Penguin Random House.
Plot
Following the narrative structure of Twilight, Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined centers on 17-year-old Beaufort Swan, who relocates from sunny Phoenix, Arizona to the overcast town of Forks, Washington to reside with his father, police chief Charlie Swan, from whom he had been previously separated.
Although Beau had limited friendships in Phoenix, he quickly becomes the focus of attention at his new school, attracting interest from multiple female students. During biology class, a fan disperses Beau’s scent toward Edythe Cullen. Initially, Edythe is repelled but gradually grows fond of him over several days. Their developing romance is interrupted when Edythe prevents Beau from being struck by a van using only her hand.
While visiting La Push, Beau is informed by family friend Julie 'Jules' Black, a member of the Quileute tribe, that locals suspect the Cullens are vampires; however, Julie herself remains skeptical. Later, in Port Angeles, Edythe comes to Beau’s aid against gangsters. Beau confronts Edythe regarding her family’s true nature; she reveals they are vampires who sustain themselves on animal blood to avoid turning into monsters.
Their relationship strengthens despite Edythe’s internal conflict caused by Beau’s strong scent, which amplifies her instinct to kill him. The couple maintains their connection until a hostile vampire faction arrives in Forks. Joss, a cruel tracker vampire, begins hunting Beau for sport. To safeguard him, the Cullens separate the pair and hide Beau back in Phoenix. When Joss claims to have taken Beau’s mother hostage, Beau surrenders at an abandoned ballet studio but finds his mother unharmed. Joss attacks; however, Edythe and the Cullens intervene—although Joss’s venom has already infected Beau, transforming him into a vampire. To maintain secrecy, the Cullens stage his death; Beau and Edythe continue their relationship and become engaged.
Subsequently, the Quileute wolves confront the Cullens, accusing them of causing Beau’s death. After consulting with tribal elder Bonnie Black, they accept the truth of the situation. When Bonnie’s scent reaches Beau, he retains control over himself, surprising both Edythe and her mother Carine. With tensions resolved, Beau and Edythe anticipate a shared future together and their forthcoming marriage.
Characters
Primary Characters:
- Beaufort "Beau" Swan: a 17-year-old human who relocates from Phoenix, Arizona to reside with his father in Forks. At his new high school, he encounters the vampire Edythe Cullen and falls deeply in love. After being bitten by a vampire named Joss, Beau undergoes transformation into a vampire himself. To maintain secrecy, the Cullen family stages his death. Ultimately, Beau and Edythe become engaged and later wed.
- Edythe Cullen: a vampire aged 104 years who lives in Forks alongside her adoptive family, the Cullens. Initially reserved, she develops a close bond with Beau and falls in love. She strives to shield him from Joss, who bites Beau and causes his vampiric change. Following the feigned death, Edythe and Beau become engaged and eventually marry.
- Carine Cullen: the matriarch of the Cullen family and adoptive mother to Edythe, Royal, Eleanor, Archie, and Jessamine. She communicates with Bonnie Black, the Quileute tribe elder, amid rising tensions after Beau’s supposed death.
- Archie Cullen: Edythe’s adoptive brother and Jessamine’s partner endowed with precognitive talents. He supports the relationship between Edythe and Beau and assists in safeguarding Beau by concealing him in Phoenix during Joss’ pursuit.
- Royal Hale: Edythe’s adoptive brother and Eleanor’s mate. He initially disapproves of Beau and disregards his relationship with Edythe even after Beau becomes a vampire.
- Jessamine Hale: Edythe’s adoptive sister and Archie’s partner who possesses pathokinetic abilities that allow her to sense and influence emotions. She contributes to protecting Beau by hiding him together with Archie.
- Eleanor Cullen: Edythe’s adoptive sister and Royal's mate. In contrast to Royal, she supports Beau and grows fond of him.
- Joss: a vampire tracker who hunts Beau for sport. She manipulates him into meeting her by threatening his mother, bites him to transform him into a vampire, then is ultimately killed by Eleanor and Jessamine.
Supporting Characters:
- Julie "Jules" Black: an old family acquaintance of Beau’s who unintentionally exposes the Cullens’ vampiric nature; member of the Quileute tribe.
- Bonnie Black: elder of the Quileute tribe and mother to Julie.
Reception
Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined garnered varied critical responses.
Common Sense Media awarded it 3 out of 5 stars, observing that this gender-swapped narrative mainly attracts Twi-hards as well as those interested in gender studies. The student publication The Yorker dismissed the book as merely a "quick money-making scheme." Book blogger Jessica from Books: A True Story rated it 4 out of 5 stars but remarked that much of its content was directly lifted from the original Twilight. Sara Dobie Bauer of SheKnows.com characterized the "recycled narrative" as an unabashed "cash cow."