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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
The Awakening: 3 Stars
The Struggle: 4 Stars
“I want him to love me as much as I love him.”
2nd Read 2019
I remember really enjoying these first two books a lot, but I didn't like them quite the same this time around. For one, I preferred The Struggle way more than The Awakening, I think that has to do with how much the story picks up and how we get to spend a lot more time with Damon (who is my favorite character btw, but that largely has to do with the TVD show). I also no longer think that this is the 'absolute-best-vampire-story-in-existence', like I used to when I was 14. I still found these to be a lot of fun to read, for the most part, and I'm curious to see how I'll feel about the other books in this series now.
1st Read 2013
I absolutely loved this! It's so different from the series, but that's not a bad thing. They both offer different perspectives of similar stories. I think I personally prefer the way the series handles things later on, but I love the atmosphere of this one a bit more. Very good, I recommend it to anyone who loves a good vampire story.
The Struggle: 4 Stars
“I want him to love me as much as I love him.”
2nd Read 2019
I remember really enjoying these first two books a lot, but I didn't like them quite the same this time around. For one, I preferred The Struggle way more than The Awakening, I think that has to do with how much the story picks up and how we get to spend a lot more time with Damon (who is my favorite character btw, but that largely has to do with the TVD show). I also no longer think that this is the 'absolute-best-vampire-story-in-existence', like I used to when I was 14. I still found these to be a lot of fun to read, for the most part, and I'm curious to see how I'll feel about the other books in this series now.
1st Read 2013
I absolutely loved this! It's so different from the series, but that's not a bad thing. They both offer different perspectives of similar stories. I think I personally prefer the way the series handles things later on, but I love the atmosphere of this one a bit more. Very good, I recommend it to anyone who loves a good vampire story.
Ik kon mij er goe in meeleven en zo, ma DE KARAKTERS ZIJN ZO KUT
Kwil nie eens de vervolgen lezen, wss ga ik gwn de film zien
Kwil nie eens de vervolgen lezen, wss ga ik gwn de film zien
Weird reading this again now while also doing a rewatch of the show. The show surpasses the books in my opinion. Better written, characters are more likeable and so on
I liked Elena, because she's a strong impulsive character. Reminds me a bit of Ariel from the Little Mermaid, willing to do CRAZY things for the love of a man, in this case a vampire. Damon is a very interesting yet scary character. Do not judge it by the series, the storyline is very different. Give it a try.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
so I can't believe I am devouring this series, which is similar to Twilight but not as compelling, definitely YA fluff/romance/sci fi. but, it's a fun read and definitely easy to get through. I do agree with a few other people that it has the feeling of a soap opera out of control (killing off the main characters, bringing them back, plot lines that border on the ridiculous even for a book about vampires...), but I also liked soap operas growing up (who can resist the story line about the heroine having amnesia for years, living as an amish woman, discovered by the bad guy and brought back to her town to discover that her former husband finally decided she was dead after years of searching for her and fell in love with someone else?!) so I guess this is right up my alley. Not something I'd read for book club or anything, but it does keep me entertained!
Good book so far, but if I hadn't watched the show before hand and was so intested in how they differ I would not have read past the first part of the book.
Maybe more of a two and half. Since its two books in one I would probably give the first book a three and the second book a two.
This is the ultimate in teenybopper angst. It's engaging enough and the vampire stuff is overly dramatic. Actually all the characters are almost like parodies they are so dramatic.
Thankfully there was more focus on the main character and less about highschool drama, though they do talk a bit about her being "queen" of the school. Gag me with a spoon. But its not a huge focus thank goodness.
Book two has a bit more highschool ridiculousness with people being mean for no apparent reason, but there is lots of vampy goodness also.
Still I'm reluctant to get the next set of books. Maybe if I read it expecting comedy I would enjoy it more. =) Its awfully silly (and over dramatic) and I think takes itself a bit too seriously.
This is the ultimate in teenybopper angst. It's engaging enough and the vampire stuff is overly dramatic. Actually all the characters are almost like parodies they are so dramatic.
Thankfully there was more focus on the main character and less about highschool drama, though they do talk a bit about her being "queen" of the school. Gag me with a spoon. But its not a huge focus thank goodness.
Book two has a bit more highschool ridiculousness with people being mean for no apparent reason, but there is lots of vampy goodness also.
Still I'm reluctant to get the next set of books. Maybe if I read it expecting comedy I would enjoy it more. =) Its awfully silly (and over dramatic) and I think takes itself a bit too seriously.
This book is proof that adults have no idea what kids like. Even their own kid self.
When I was 11, I loved this trilogy (which ended up being 4 books). I loved LJ Smith. I dreampt about the characters and was desperately in love with Damon, the bad vampire brother with jet black hair and dreamy green eyes.
Reading these books today is fascinating because as an adult keen on YA books, this seems awful! The plot is semi-interesting, the characters are stereotypical, blocky, and a bit vapid. Readers of Twilight will find some themes eerily familiar: typical human girl (Elena, who, unlike Bella, is beautiful and popular) falls in love with mysterious boy. Boy (Stefan) is a vampire. He and another boy (Damon) fight over her, which turns out is a centuries long sibling rivalry.
Appeals: sexy and mysterious vampires falling for human girl, elements of mystery and the paranormal, sort-of strong female protagonist.
I can't believe this was made into a CW series for the fall. After so many years of being out of print, LJ Smith is back!
When I was 11, I loved this trilogy (which ended up being 4 books). I loved LJ Smith. I dreampt about the characters and was desperately in love with Damon, the bad vampire brother with jet black hair and dreamy green eyes.
Reading these books today is fascinating because as an adult keen on YA books, this seems awful! The plot is semi-interesting, the characters are stereotypical, blocky, and a bit vapid. Readers of Twilight will find some themes eerily familiar: typical human girl (Elena, who, unlike Bella, is beautiful and popular) falls in love with mysterious boy. Boy (Stefan) is a vampire. He and another boy (Damon) fight over her, which turns out is a centuries long sibling rivalry.
Appeals: sexy and mysterious vampires falling for human girl, elements of mystery and the paranormal, sort-of strong female protagonist.
I can't believe this was made into a CW series for the fall. After so many years of being out of print, LJ Smith is back!
I didn't understand why they did a two book omnibus at first, but having finished it, it makes perfect sense plotwise. It's a sort of more old school simplified YA, the writing is okay (far better than the Twilight books at any rate), but you see most of the plot twists coming a mile away.
I can't help but wonder what the difference would've been had I read this rather than Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles at age 12. I think I'm still grateful for reading the slightly more challenging material. ;)
I can't help but wonder what the difference would've been had I read this rather than Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles at age 12. I think I'm still grateful for reading the slightly more challenging material. ;)