Guylight... That didn't go so well

Contains spoilers for the new Twilight Reimagined.

Life and Death Twilight Reimagined
Written by Stephenie Meyer
Paranormal, Vampires, Romance
Published October 6th 2015
442 Pages
Add to Goodreads
★☆

Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight! This special double feature book includes the classic novel, Twilight, and a bold and surprising reimagining, Life and Death, by Stephenie Meyer.

This edition features nearly 400 pages of new content as well as exquisite new back cover art. Readers will relish experiencing the deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful love story of Bella and Edward through fresh eyes.

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.

Kelly

So Kynn, we've both been subjected to Stephenie Meyer yet again with her new release of Life and Death, the reimagining of Twilight. Twilight was actually the book that brought me back to reading and also discovering young adult. I really enjoyed it at the time. Do remember reading Twilight and what did you expect from the new version being dubbed Guylight?

Kynndra

Yes, I do actually remember reading them, Kelly. It was in the 6th grade, my mom bought the first of the series - Twilight, that is. She let it sit and eventually I picked it up. I was instantly drawn into the story. I won't lie, I was completely enamoured by the book. I was a Team Edward girl myself. When I finished Twilight, I begged my mom to buy the remainder of the series, which she did. But those days are long behind me, and having discovered other YA, I lost my interest in Stephanie Meyer and the Twilight world. When you'd first told me about Guylight I was simply baffled. I thought the idea was ridiculous, and I expected just as much but I couldn't help my curiosity so of course I had to read it. Did you have high hopes for Guylight, having been a fan yourself Kelly?

Kelly

I didn't hold out much hope to be honest. It's not that I thought the original was terrible, but I couldn't see any good coming from reimagining the storyline. It wasn't just the gender bending names such as Edythe and Jessamine, but the new male version of Bella might as well have had a vagina. His mannerisms and actions weren't changed from the original and it he was just too effeminate to be taken seriously. Bella was created to be the damsel in distress but Beau was in a league of his own.

He whined, complained and made Bella look likable even. His relationship with Edythe was bordering on obsession, especially with how she looked to be a picture of perfection when his description of her was a girl of skin and bones really. Even with Edythe supposedly in this position of power, she wasn't all that different from her role as Edward. The I want you, I'm bad for you, you can't have me really grated on my nerves. And where the fuck was Jacob and his shirtlessness?

Kynndra

The names were such shit. I hated them, every single one. Beau was in essence a carbon copy of Bella, I don't know what Meyer's was trying to achieve but lets be honest.. it just didn't work. I prefered Bella a hundred times over than whatever the hell that little weasel Beau was. I honestly can't recall where she-Jacob was in all this mess. I figure he was considered useless now that he can't imprint on Bella and Edwards child. I think the names was Jules.

Kelly

I must admit, I skimmed a lot. A whole bloody lot. I know it's the tenth anniversary of her unleashing Twilight on the world, but I don't see the point either. If she really wanted to dazzle readers, where the bloody hell is Midnight Sun? It was little more than a money making exercise sadly. I was hoping that the storyline was going to be more empowering when reversing the roles, but apart from swapping around the character sexes, it was basically the same book.

I completely agree, I much preferred Bella as a character as well. Beau was a complete tosser. I think what drove many women to the series originally was the sexual tension between Bella and Edward, but this time around it felt even more creepy. I couldn't see the attraction between the two at all. I missed Alice and Jasper. I know they were thrown in there, but there was no sense of who they originally were either. The only change was the ending, so if you don't want to be spoiled, please stop reading here.

Kynndra

I thought the exact same thing, Kelly. I was a bit upset she wasted her time replacing the she's with he's when she could have finished Midnight Sun. Honestly, other than the end - it is essentially verbatim. No empowerment here. All we got is a creepy infatuation and some of the worst name swaps imaginable. I missed Alice and Jasper too, couldn't tell you who they were in the mess Guylight was. The ending was unbelievably off kilter. Bloody hell, I was wondering if it was a joke. Beau becomes a vampire... and watches his own damn funeral with the emotions of a hacky sack. How did you feel about this change of events?

Kelly

I wished they'd just let him die. I would have cheered that alternative ending on. What originally took four books is now smushed into a few chapters? it was all a bit too TA DA, you're a vampire now. Go forth you sparkly bastard. It was so incredibly rushed and poorly written, even for Twilight. It was ridiculous and I'm pissed that I wasted my time reading it to be honest. What would you say to anyone wanting to read it?

Kynndra

It felt so damn rushed it was ridiculous! An unbelievable ending - even for Twilight. It just fell through. I too wish Beau would have died instead. It would have been far more intriguing. But instead we got the insta-happy, rainbow ending. Yuck. What would I say? Don't waste your bloody time. But if you really wanna read it, skip to the bit where Bella/Beau goes to the ballet studio - it's the only actual change in the book. Oh, AND DON'T WASTE YOUR PRECIOUS MONEY ON THIS. Go to a library or stand in the bookstore and just read the ending. Kelly, would you say that after this stunt you'll be closing the Twilight door for good? Or would you still pick up new releases by Meyers?

Kelly

Nope, never again. I'm actually surprised I bought and tried reading it at all after the disaster that was The Host. I'd be even more surprised if she finished that series off as well. I know so many readers adore her, but for fucks sake lady, get your shit together and get over it. She stated more than two years ago that she was working on that sequel and gave the fans this Twilight reimagining instead. She's brave, I'll give her that but the woman just can't let shit go. She reminds me a lot of John Green who'll possibly bring out something new once his profits start drying up. I suspect it'll be the same deal with Stephenie Meyer.

So over to you guys. Have you read the new Twilight Reimagined? What would you have changed if you had the opportunity to rewrite Twilight?