Life and Death
〰️
Life and Death 〰️
So I did read the original Twilight series back in the day. I got the four-book box set as part of a Christmas gift. I enjoyed them, though I wasn't as hyped about them as the world was. I enjoyed the movies as well. They weren't my favourite books of all time, but I still had a fun read with them. I never got why they got so much hate. For a YA love story, it wasn't all that bad. I also thought the whole sparkle thing wasn't stupid. (Well, not super stupid). I thought it was a unique take on why vampires didn't go out into the sun.
That all being said, I've only read the books once, back when they weren't even movies. (Well, the first movie was out, but semantics). I've only seen the movies back when they came out, as well. I mention this to say that it's been a hot min since I've had anything to do with Twilight, and so reading this reimagined version was almost like reading the whole series (or at least the first book) for the first time.
I remember many key scenes from the first book, mostly because of the movie. Well, Cinemasin's video on the first movie, anyway. I love that YouTube channel. Anyway, it was fun to see what I recalled play out in Beau's POV. Though he's supposed to be the male version of Bella (and Edythe a female Edward), I feel like they differ enough from their OG book selves to be their own characters. Yes, they share many similarities, but I think they also have some unique personality traits. But then again, as mentioned, it's been a long time since I read the first book, and maybe I'm just remembering them wrong. But I did enjoy reading Beau and Edythe more than Edward and Bella. I don't know why; I just did.
I do remember, however, that the book didn't end the way this one did, with the MC turning into a vampire. And you know what? I'm here for it. I loved this new ending. A bit bittersweet, but still. I loved this ending much better than the OG Twilight ending. I wish we would have at least one more book, a novella even, showing Beau and Edythe's life together as vampires.
I'm glad Meyer didn't just rehash the story of OG Twilight and had a different ending. (Perhaps there were a few more different scenes, but again, can't recall the first book too much). I was worried she would just gender-bend everyone and leave it at that. But in a way, this felt fresh and new, despite co-tailing off a popular ten-year-old book.
If you are a fan of Twilight or even a first-time reader of the series, I think you'll enjoy this book. It's not the greatest love story in the world, but it made me smile, so it must have done something right.
