Book Review: The Return: Nightfall

Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall
Series: The Vampire Diaries: The Return
Author: L. J. Smith
Released: 2009

About the Book: When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back.

Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire.

Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with. . . .

But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena's blood but her death.

My Thoughts: I was really looking forward to this book! I had just finished the fourth volume in the Vampire Diaries; Dark Reunion, when I saw that another three books were going to be released, and I was so happy. First, because there were going to be more books, second because the books would center around Damon (yay! Damon!) and third, because the book had almost 600 pages (= more Damon! :D) So, did the book live up to my expectations? Not, at all!
The beginning of the book was okay, I loved how Damon saved Bonnie, but that's about it. Then Damon is back to wanting Elena as his vampire princess again, and isn't that so yesterday?

This book just went on and on with one more bizarre event than another (Angry woods? Giant insects? Kitsunes?) but nothing was interesting, and suddenly the book's 600 pages felt waaay to long. Half of it would have been more than enough!

Elena's new powers were just too much for me - why couldn't she just be normal? "Wings of Purification!"? Oh, come on, how lame is that?

And what about Damon, did he live up to my expectations in this book? Ehrm, no. There were a few moments, where we got to see "the old Damon", but he's mostly possessed, power-hungry and Elena-obsessed. So boring.

So to sum it up, this book was a big disappointment.
Will I read the next installment, Shadow Souls? Maybe. But just because I still have hope for Damon & Bonnie.

Rating: 1,5 of 5
Fan(g) Girl

Read my previous Vampire Diaries reviews:

The Awakening
The Struggle
The Fury
Dark Reunion