‘Twilight’ reimagined is a gender reversal for vamp love

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 11, 2015

“Twilight” fans are getting a surprise twist on the best-selling vampire romance. Last week, publisher Little, Brown released a 10th anniversary edition of Stephenie Meyer’s novel with a special bonus: Meyer has written a nearly 400-page companion book, “Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined,” which reverses the genders of the original book’s lovers, Edward and Bella.

In the new book, Bella becomes Beau, a human boy who falls for a young female vampire, Edythe. “Life and Death” is packaged with “Twilight” as a hardcover “flip book,” which sells for $21.99. There are also e-book and audiobook editions for sale.

In a statement released by Little, Brown, Meyer said that the new edition is a “celebration of the fans, with all their incredible passion and dedication. I’m excited to get to spend time with them again.”

“Twilight” was the first book in Meyer’s wildly successful series, which has sold nearly 155 million combined copies worldwide and spawned the movie franchise starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.

It is credited with launching the latest round of vampire mania in popular culture.