LIFE AND DEATH | TWILIGHT REIMAGINED| BOOK REVIEW

So as someone who joined the KZbin community initially as an anti-Twilight-er, it was my solemn responsibility to review this book once it was revealed what Stephenie Meyer's reason was for the gender flip.
She wanted to prove to all the feminist and critics that Bella is not the backwards ass female protagonist we have all thought she is. It is not a gender issue. It is simply an issue of the narrative: a "human in distress" not a "damsel in distress." Well lets just see about that. We are going to look at the four biggest gender blunders in the book:

[@becki8000]

The differences in those scenes as well, Edward simply 'commands' a silent Bella, while Edythe 'Hisses, huffs and tells' a back chatting Beau. Women can't be commanding apparently. It's hilarious how backward Stephanie Meyer is... how could she not notice those gendered terms if the whole reason she was doing this was to prove the story wasn't sexist.

[@randoanon4785]

This was supposed to be a feminist retelling? Oh, I think I may split my sides laughing. It's great to see you doing an anti-Twilight vid again. The gender roles in this series are...wow, they're something. So much badness. All of the badness. This series will never die. Like a true vampire, it is an undead evil that will continue to exist, sucking the life from us all the while. Where's Blade when you need him?

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

Why change the works of Jane Austen to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at all? A boy can't read and/or like Austen because it doesn't meet the masculine ideal? That is so stupid on multiple levels: 1: Reading isn't part of the masculine ideal to begin with. 2: A character's failure to live up to bogus standards isn't something you remove, it's something you embrace as character traits. 3: References to other works are best used to reinforce a theme. What the hell do Verne have to do with anything within Twilight?

[@St1kyFinguz]

+Hikari156 She's not the only one. I challenge you to name 5 books where a Boy/Man wallowed around in a state of perpetual helplessness.

[@St1kyFinguz]

+Galaith100 Vulnerability is as foreign to the masculine ideal as world peace is to humanity. Men are raised to explore and conquer-- hence Jules Verne 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

[@St1kyFinguz]

Galaith100 Take it in with your eye balls and digest it m_e_n_t_a_l_l_y... You do realize you are being incredibly passive aggressive right?

[@St1kyFinguz]

Galaith100 Can I ask You a question?

[@St1kyFinguz]

Galaith100 What I'm trying to say is that deviating from masculinity has consequences. Consequences that women enforce. Consequences that consumers enforce. Which is why men don't read Jane Austin. I have a simple request. Name 5 books where the Man or Boy wallows in helplessness for the duration of the book. I 'll understand if you don't respond.

[@totallyuninspired1]

Such a good video! I'm so tired of people saying that Meyer is above criticism because it's anti-feminist to attack books that are popular with girls when Meyer clearly has issues with gender.

[@Legba85]

"My duty, my responsibility." To deconstruct, crush and destroy this novel? You are fucking awesome. I'm telling you that right now, Melina.

[@itsmonteprice]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. While I haven't read any of Austen's work, even with Clueless being one of my favorite movies, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea being one of my favorite books, it is sad that Beau couldn't appreciate Austen.

[@mobydick3769]

*When the dangerous vampire is a girl:* "She could get shot, I have to protect her!!!!!" *When the dangerous vampire is a boy:* "I feel so protected for no fucking reason!!!!!"

[@Firespawnable]

Accurate 🤣

[@palestblue]

Yeah, this book may have been written to show how totally not sexist Twilight was, but it did the exact opposite. It made me so angry to read the changes because they showed the gender bias in these books so openly. Loved your video! :-)

[@lolphypie]

The fact that she had to rewrite and gender swap the story in the first place shows her lack of imagination and talent. Her reason for rewriting the book seems disingenuous as well. I've been watching you for years and remember your anti-twilight videos.I was so excited when I saw this.

[@AnushkaGal]

Have you read "midnight sun"? Its twilight from Edward's pov. He is pretty vulnerable if you are reading from his pov and not bella's.

[@LittleRedTeaCake]

I loved your review. I couldn't bring myself to read the book, but I had to do research on it for an art project (not my choice) and one of the things that stood out to me, was how Bonnie/Billy character was handled. About how her husband had to be involved for Charlie to have gone fishing with her or how Bonnie spent the summer getting the truck fixed, rather than fixing it herself. And god, don't even bring up The Host. Lets just all agree that it was a rip off of "Animorphs" as Twilight was a rip off of a Canadian teen show, "Vampire High".

[@UnknownUnknown-mo7zg]

Thank fucking god someone remembers the Animorphs. It was a total rip off of that. I read nearly every book in that series and the stupid ear worm body possession aliens were the creepiest part. Ick.

[@SWINDISA]

I was waiting for this! You are the best book vlogger ever :)

[@Princess_Weekes]

+LastWrds21 :) thank you!!!

[@devilshomie]

I can't help but wonder who this is for. I mean I was 14 when Twilight became popular and I'm assuming most of the Twihard fans grew out of the Twilight fad. It goes to show how hard up Smyers is for money. I'm guessing that she figured "Well if E.L James can do it so can I"

[@Princess_Weekes]

+devilshomie funny thing is this book isn't doing that well. not for how people were hyping it.

[@jvin248]

+MelinaPendulum Readers of these books easily went up through thirty year olds, not just YA, when the series was popular. The larger issue is the buying reader's interest in vampires has waned, they are on to other genres. Problem for authors and book publishers is this reader group that was concentrated on vampires has fractured into many different sub-genres, more readers and more published material, but more difficult to target with new works. (I do some publishing and have products in this and other spaces).

[@BaldingClamydia]

I've been listening to a set of old scifi audiobooks, and there's a series I really like based around these people (the Pyrans) that ended up on a very hostile planet. They've grown to be extremely strong/fast, but the main character is a normal human man (from about the 50s). He falls in love with a Pyran woman and at several points of the story, her being physically better than him creates tension. It's a mess, because of the era it was written, but it's still a fun story.

[@carissacarlson1418]

I agree with this so much! On another note, I never bought the whole "Bella is a mortal amongst monsters, so of course that excesses her being so passive" argument. That's called working through a situation and flaws. A lot of characters in media have no powers in a world of monsters or powerful beings, but are still able to fight back using other skills and their brains. Dipper and Mabel Pines, Stan and Ford Pines, Wirt and Greg from Over the Garden Wall, a lot of the companions from Dr Who, Winchester brothers (at least early on, I never watched much Supernatural beyond a couple episodes), Marco Diaz, Harley, Batman, Black Widow, Iron Man, and countless others. So Meyers using that as an excuses is just laughable along with everything else about this whole thing. Also, the OCD thing Meyers tosses out is utter bullcrap. He shows no signs of having that in the slightest. OCD is having a compulsion to doing a certain behaviour over and over again like a ritual that you have no control of (like rubbing your hands to they're raw, checking the door locks at night and getting a song in your head that you can't get out and more). Liking to cook and clean is not OCD. It just comes off as "justifying" Beau cooking as a guy (which is bullcrap since there are such things as male chefs) when actuality it is inaccurate and laughable at best and a slap in the face for those who do have OCD at worse.

[@XshinymewX]

Keiko from Yu Yu Hakusho...She has no powers and was still able to defend herself against demons never asking Yusuke for help.

[@carissacarlson1418]

I only watched a few episodes of that show, but I think she counts and sounds cool too.

[@XshinymewX]

+Carissa Carlson You should...It's a very underrated shounen anime.

[@carissacarlson1418]

I might in the future.

[@Nightengale90]

Your criticism of this book and series is perfect! Stephanie Meyer continues to prove how messed up her views on gender are. Bo gets to have a voice that Bella wasn't allowed to because she was a woman. Woman version of Edward sounds way nicer, less controlling and less abusive! Bo gets to be a Vampire right away and doesn't have to suffer being powerless like Bella did. Removing all the rape and attempted rape because Bella and Rosalie are men now is messed up because men can be raped too...Way to go for Stephanie Meyer to prove all the feminist right about her and the Twilight series!

[@LyesmithVerity]

Hey, great review, espescially that you bothered with the side by side part. I have a question, since it's been forever that I actually read the original twilight: I read Life and Death too and it just seemed to me that not only was Beau less eloquent and his thoughts seemed forced, but that he was more manipulative than Bella? With her I remember it as a seemingly more subtle, because she didn't want to be with Mike or Eric. I'm really curious, because it's possible that I just wasn't as aware of it back then.

[@pskarts20]

I don't understand why she would do this just do a new twilight story with a male lead. You avoid all the comparisons and give something more than a retread.

[@XshinymewX]

I am trying to get through Life and Death but it is so insanely boring. I honestly got a feeling that even fanfiction authors can do a better gender bent Twilight than Steph Meyer. Also, like you said Bella and Beau have differences (because gender roles.) but their dialogues are almost completely the same and it's hard to take seriously. Sometimes I forget I am reading a gender bend and imagine myself reading a lesbian love story...But even imagining it as a lesbian love story isn't better.

[@SoulSyster]

Didn't you have a review of The Host on your channel? I can't find it, but I may be thinking of someone else. Anyway, great review!

[@nerdieone1]

+Jess she did, but I think she deleted it.

[@SoulSyster]

nerdieone1 oh okay, thanks!

[@elvenfay]

+nerdieone1 well if she deleted, can she put it back up, it was a great review.

[@nerdieone1]

elvenfay Her choice.

[@griffinmathers929]

I think Meyer's views on "true love" mean her books will always be a bit off-putting. Something about being a real freaking masochist if you're "really" in love. That is the idea that brought us the beyond hot mess that is 50 Shades of Me Barfing.(I think the Bella Boy's name must be pronounced Bow-fort. It's an old Southern name, smart people stopped naming their kids that 100 years ago, but I can't really say Meyer is "smart people")You're a brave lady, respect for reading this shite so I'm not stupidly tempted to during one of my I have insomnia so I'm going to buy shit off TV or watch a Twilight movie. I'm pretty sure you need a medal of some sort. Or a sparkly tiara. :)

[@sweettanner6752]

Waste of paper and waste of innocent trees' lives. This book was totally pointless.

[@astriddececco3005]

So basically she is just thought that she was a terrible writer.

[@99veruca]

(So late) the fact that Beau (Bo? Bau?) is vampired in the first book while Bella is changed only after having a baby really bothers me. I don't know how to articulate it really reduces Bella as her ability to make babies. Granted it was present in the books but contrasted like that it's like there is no other reasons. They are supposed to be the same except for they're gender and organs. Maybe it didn't shock me so much in Twilight because I was younger and I they sucked anyway so I didn't think too much. (Not talking from the character's POV only about Meyer's opinion.). And all the new names are shit.

[@patrickchoque7720]

I’d love to see a gay version with Beau and Edward (and Jacob *cough* who’s always been superior) like it’d be trash but I’d buy that

[@Hatersjs84]

Gender swap 50 Shades of Grey coming soon lol. Great review.

[@codename617]

I feel that this was just that. An opportunity to milk to franchise. The fan base will eat it up. Some might not be pleased, some won't care and will like it but in the end it will sale and at best I asking the all the Gods in all the universe to meet me halfway and give this "mixed" reviews if not mostly negative. (Please lean toward negative) From what I have gathered so far it's the same story with slight alterations the supposed point Meyer was trying to get across by publishing this book, she fails. But honestly, what does she care? THis is just extra money to her. BTW, NICE!! Sailor Moon and Avengers FTW!! :D

[@123naruhina]

I want...to rewrite Twilight as genderswap better than her.

[@aaaaddddaaa]

First I told myself I couldn't buy this book because it was like 18.99 at Target. Then I found it for 12$ at Costco....and I still didn't buy it.

[@welme23]

I wished you review it and you did! yay!

[@Jeremysepicreads]

Stephanie Meyer wrote life and death as bonus content for the 10th anniversary of Twilight not to say hey the Bella character is the same as a boy to the feminists. Edward is not abusive i have read the books more than 5 times and i never saw him like that at all. loved all your points this book was brilliant

[@wajmgirl]

+Jeremysepicreads :D She says why she wrote this in THE FOREWORD OF THE BOOK. AND YES, IT HAD TO DO WITH CRITICISM FOR THE BELLA CHARACTER. www.ew.com/article/2015/10/06/stephenie-meyer-swaps-twilight-leads-genders-10th-anniversary-bonus-story Also, if you think Edward ain't abusive, can I get a pair of the rose colored shades you're sporting?

[@Jeremysepicreads]

***** well Edward isn't abusive, I've read the books, he's not. This was written as bonus content nothing more

[@Jeremysepicreads]

andreskizzo I guess I just don't see it

[@TomMSTie1138]

Amazing. It sounds just as uninteresting. Somebody do a gender-swap version of 'My Immortal.' XD

[@panicon9624]

That sudden jkr namedrop really be hitting different

[@Rainefaelyn]

I wouldn't mind hearing your opinion on Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy, Twany man trilogy and 2 books recently released, that continue on from those 2. Fool's Assassin and Fool's Quest. There are other trilogies and series that tie into the greater story of that world that are also enjoyable. Like the Liveship Traders trilogy. I know you are well read so you may have already consumed them. In case you haven't, it's the fantasy genre. It's not perfect. But it has a uniqueness to it that contains subtly written diversity. That leads me to recommend the books to people. Though willingly accept it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[@sandraseire14]

Dang, I just... NEED ITT Im team Carlise, anyone else? c:

[@heavenlylatte]

My gosh, thank you so much for this! I haven't got to hear anyone's opinion on it, other than my friends and I reading the sample chapter on Kindle.

[@buttercupdabaddieutonium9257]

Have you given your opinion on 50 shades yet?

[@demario0708]

I've only seen the first twilight movie , and picked up life and death out of curiosity. When I start reading it should I read them simultaneously or one first? Also lol the host 2.

[@demario0708]

+Hikari156 I know that, I'm asking in terms of getting the most out of it should I read it like one chapter from twilight then one from life and death, or all of twilight then all of life and death.

[@LyesmithVerity]

+demario0708 I think side for better comparisson, but since you have already seen the movie you wouldn't be spoiled anyway. From what I remember the first book was actually writte in a way that was good to read. A lot of Life and Death just reads awkard, so it may take longer, though that's my opinion. You could just try out chapter by chapter or stick with twilight if you actually get into a reading flow. I thought she gave up on the host Oo

[@demario0708]

+LyesmithVerity Thanks. Thats interesting, based Melina's review I would think Life and Death would read better, but yeah I'm probably going to go chapter by chapter.

[@LyesmithVerity]

demario0708 Oh, it's just my opinion, you might feel different. Due to the swapping the sexism isn't as out there. It's just the way he thinks is less fluent to read to me (which goes to show how Meyer thinks about guys' thought processes. You're in for movie comparissons. "Not even the Rock would dare to whistle at her" and thoughts about Royal's manly bun that somehow even makes him more manly). Either way have fun. ^^

[@elvenfay]

So, with Host, i didn't read it because of your video. And im not going to read this for the same reason. I been saying for years that Edward was abusive.

[@kingtravis76]

it like a bad fanfic

[@Sombrafox1]

I love your comparison of the books. Great job! "emphasis on the bull" lol

[@rephaimlaufey2403]

Wow! I never heard you saying "Fucking" before.. I totally agree with you about Life and Death, Stephanie Meyer can't write of course it's terrible I wish Twilight and Life and Death never exist, if you wish to hit me up Add me on FB Alexander Ferrara

[@wiccawiccangirl1683]

Rephaim Laufey wow I strongly believe you on this

[@Legba85]

Rephaim Laufey Watch her video on Sleeping Hollow and killing the black chick.

[@reviewman]

hey melina you should read red rising It's awesome!!!

[@NuSanniang]

ahh the subject that had made me connect with u all those years ago. good times, good times

[@SanaLovesMahado1]

It's just a repetitive story. It repeats itself just like its predecessors. Dear Lord, it is. So much fail. :/ Good review, btw!

[@pskarts20]

I don't understand why she would do this just do a new twilight story with a male lead. You avoid all the comparisons and give something more than a retread.