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3.1 AVERAGE
3.1 AVERAGE
This series was written over ten years later than the previous books, and a lot has changed. More supernatural entities have entered Mystic Falls, and they are more powerful than vampires. Elena's new form is hilarious and extremely powerful. I kept wondering what she was truly capable of. At first, she does not have a firm grip on her sanity, but she gets it back right before embarking on a dangerous mission to save Fell's Church yet again.
This book was seriously weird, and odd, and weird again. It was all over the place and things coming back to life, and japanese fox spirits. I'll write a full review later, when I've worked out the book in my head.
I did not care for the plot of this book. The only good thing about this story is that every component happens for a reason.
This was a pretty disappointing book. The Vampire Diaries books are not amazing literature by far, but this was way too long and hard to follow. Half the time I didn't know what was going on (and, not in a great mystery sort of way).
(Review was originally posted on Alexa Loves Books)
The Vampire Diaries is fast becoming one of my favorite book series, simply because I can't seem to get enough of it. I'm easily drawn into the world of vampires, demons and other otherworldly creatures in the town of Mystic Falls and I actually like it that way.
Nightfall is an intriguing new addition to the series. Whereas the first four books dealt with the arrival of Stefan and Damon and what that meant for the town of Mystic Falls, this book starts a brand new plot line altogether - about what happens after Elena's return to the world of the living.
I refuse to spoil the actual story so I'll leave it at this - I love how L.J. Smith weaves her mythology together in this one, especially since of my favorite cultures comes into play. There's elements of mystery, of the fantastical and of the real world brought together perfectly. I appreciated her descriptions and how they made the images come alive in my mind, which made the book just that much more gripping.
Elena was a brilliant character in parts of the book (especially when she had first returned) and I love that L.J. Smith has made her character so special after everything that's happened to her. But my favorite female character is Bonnie, if only because I feel like if I were going to be anyone in the series, it would be her - with her witchy skills and her childlike personality.
Damon is still my favorite male character (although I thought Matt stepped up his game a lot this time around!) I have a soft spot for Damon in the TV series, and the same follows for the book. It's his magnetic, sarcastic, ice cold bad boy personality that both attracts and repels me (which I know sounds crazy, but I'm hoping you know what I mean) -- and I like that in this particular book, we get a view of his vulnerability and his true feelings for Elena. I'm dying to know how it all ends for him and I'm crossing my fingers that it's a satisfactory ending.
Even though reading the book was such an emotional roller coaster for me with its ups, downs and twists, I really enjoyed it and I'm so psyched to move on to the next book in the series, [b:Shadow Souls|6441509|Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries The Return, #2)|L.J. Smith|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347424332s/6441509.jpg|6631450]!
The Vampire Diaries is fast becoming one of my favorite book series, simply because I can't seem to get enough of it. I'm easily drawn into the world of vampires, demons and other otherworldly creatures in the town of Mystic Falls and I actually like it that way.
Nightfall is an intriguing new addition to the series. Whereas the first four books dealt with the arrival of Stefan and Damon and what that meant for the town of Mystic Falls, this book starts a brand new plot line altogether - about what happens after Elena's return to the world of the living.
I refuse to spoil the actual story so I'll leave it at this - I love how L.J. Smith weaves her mythology together in this one, especially since of my favorite cultures comes into play. There's elements of mystery, of the fantastical and of the real world brought together perfectly. I appreciated her descriptions and how they made the images come alive in my mind, which made the book just that much more gripping.
Elena was a brilliant character in parts of the book (especially when she had first returned) and I love that L.J. Smith has made her character so special after everything that's happened to her. But my favorite female character is Bonnie, if only because I feel like if I were going to be anyone in the series, it would be her - with her witchy skills and her childlike personality.
Damon is still my favorite male character (although I thought Matt stepped up his game a lot this time around!) I have a soft spot for Damon in the TV series, and the same follows for the book. It's his magnetic, sarcastic, ice cold bad boy personality that both attracts and repels me (which I know sounds crazy, but I'm hoping you know what I mean) -- and I like that in this particular book, we get a view of his vulnerability and his true feelings for Elena. I'm dying to know how it all ends for him and I'm crossing my fingers that it's a satisfactory ending.
Even though reading the book was such an emotional roller coaster for me with its ups, downs and twists, I really enjoyed it and I'm so psyched to move on to the next book in the series, [b:Shadow Souls|6441509|Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries The Return, #2)|L.J. Smith|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347424332s/6441509.jpg|6631450]!
This story is a lot darker than the previous book in the series, but still an enjoyable journey. All the characters are growing into themselves. It's like a discovery journey and then evil comes to join in on the fun.
Fell's Church is just the center of Power now and everyone seems to want a piece of the action. No body is safe anymore.
Fell's Church is just the center of Power now and everyone seems to want a piece of the action. No body is safe anymore.
adventurous
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This one just wasn’t it for me. I definitely prefer the tv series to the book series. I find that the characters in the tv series are much more interesting and the storyline as well.
The first few books were okay, but the story of this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.
If you loved the tv series, the book series might disappoint you. It definitely disappointed me.
The first few books were okay, but the story of this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.
If you loved the tv series, the book series might disappoint you. It definitely disappointed me.
"Disclaimer: I read this on my phone and will not be downloading another one to that particular application. I don't know if it was skipping sentences, paragraphs or entire pages, but I missed something. I tried not to let this impact my overall opinion of the book, but who knows? In addition, if you haven't read the first four books in the series, there may be spoilers. You have been warned.[return][return][return]The fact is, I was not impressed with the latest foray to Fell's Church. I was upset with bringing Elena back from the death in the first place. I thought her death was so unexpected and so brilliant that bringing her back negates that completely and utterly. And then to bring her back even more powerful and superior? Seriously? Why? What makes Elena Gilbert so fantastic that she has to have everything? And since I'm going down this road, why does the heroine have to be blonde-haired and blue-eyed? Haven't we gone far enough away from these cliches of true beauty?[return][return][return]I have two major issues that I've never been able to shake. First of all, Elena is just not very enjoyable a character, in my opinion. She's shallow and self-absorbed. I detest the descriptions that she was born to manipulate others, especially men, and takes great pride in that ability. It is not an endearing characteristic. Second, I do not quite buy the love story. The intensity of it feels wrong, or at least forced. As a result, it makes all of Elena's actions seem forced as well. [return][return][return]As for this book, the voices seemed wrong. If I did not know any better, I would swear that she was writing dialogue for completely different characters. Damon wasn't the Damon I've come to know and love. Stefan wasn't Stefan. It was almost as if Ms. Smith forgot her characters, who they were and how they spoke. [return][return][return]I did not enjoy the plot. Hell demons and malach? The story jumped around so much that it felt like continuity was seriously lacking. I had difficulties figuring out what was happening and to whom. I found the plot itself difficult to follow, or at least to understand. In the end, I was left wondering why Ms. Smith felt the need to revisit these characters after so many years. Given the timing of it, I can't help but feel that it was purely a commercial decision rather than one made as a writer. It felt at times as if she was going through the motions and threw the story line together at the last minute, which may indeed explain several of the weak links. [return][return][return]I know this is going to do well among fans, especially considering the fact that the TV show is doing so well. Unfortunately, I do not think this is a well-written, well-plotted, continuation to the series. In fact, as much as I raced through the first four books, I think I am done with the Vampire Diaries as a series. I no longer care what happens to any of the characters, which is a shame because I loved the freshness of the first four. However, I am curious what others think. Have you read it yet? Thoughts? Am I alone in my dislike?"
I think this book, and the next two, are where I actually started to like the series. The first books were way too boring to read, but in this one you see how the years between have made Smith a better writer and she uses all her tools to good use. This book scared the living crap out of me the first time I read it. But it is good. It does get confusing at times - sometimes its hard to keep up, especially at the very end. But the writing quality is so much better, and the fear you get injected into your veins is such an awesome feeling. I love books that can make someone feel that way.
To anyone who has actually liked reading The Vampire Diaries so far, and I mean the first four books, and would like to keep their opinion on the series do NOT read this book. I felt like I should burn it. It's terrible and it just NEVER ends. Just don't read it.