Book Review: The Vampire Diaries: Shadow Souls

Title: The Return: Shadow Souls

Series: The Vampire Diaries (Book #6)

Author: L. J. Smith

Published: 2010

On the run . . .

Elena Gilbert's love, the vampire Stefan Salvatore, has been captured and imprisoned by demonic spirits who are wreaking havoc in Fell's Church. While her friends Bonnie and Meredith explore the evil that has taken over their town, Elena goes in search of Stefan.

In order to find him, she entrusts her life to Stefan's brother, Damon Salvatore, the handsome but deadly vampire who wants Elena, body and soul. Along with her childhood friend Matt, they set out for the slums of the Dark Dimension, where Stefan is being held captive. It is rumored to be a world where vampires and demons roam free, but humans must live enslaved to their supernatural masters. . . .

Elena will stop at nothing to free Stefan. Yet with each passing day the tension between Elena and Damon grows, and she is faced with a terrible decision: Which brother does she really want?

Back in Fell's Church, Bonnie and Meredith have made some dire discoveries. They hastily try to follow Elena and warn her—only to be caught up in Elena's most dangerous adventure yet.

My Thoughts:

Shadow Souls is the sixth book in the Vampire Diaries series, and the second book in the "The Return" trilogy. If you are a long time follower you might remember that I absolutely hated the first book in this new trilogy (Nightfall). While Shadow Souls is no masterpiece, at least I could finish it without suffering to much! ;)

Truth be told, I thought the first half of the book was pretty good. Who wouldn't want to be a secret passenger in a car with Damon and Elena?

But as soon as they arrived in the underworld, things begun to spin out of control and became weirder and weirder. Kitsungjays, slaves and other supernatural starts to degenerate and the story loosed focus once more.

Even if finding the fox keys was necessary in order to free Stefan, I wish Elena's road to get the keys would have been shorter and straighter. With so many sidetracks and stops, I almost forgot that Elena was in the underworld to free Stefan, not to defend slaves.

And I don't think I was the only one forgetting about Stefan, Elena spent so much caring for Damon that she almost forgot about her boyfriend! Don't get me wrong, Damon was definitely likeable! He started out this series as a dangerous bloodthirsty vampire, but is now gentler and cares about other people than himself. He would do anything to protect Elena an keep her happy. Elena is another person whose character has developed over time. From being a mean, self-centered girl, to a pure and angelic soul, she is now less egocentric and sweeter. She deeply cares for other people, and does anything to help them get a better life.

Rating: 2.25 of 5

Previous Books in this series:

The Awakening
The Struggle
The Fury
Dark Reunion
Nightfall

Mini Challenge

Princess Bookie is hosting a Mini Challenge as a part of her huge Contest Craze. The challenge is to post one of your favourite love triangles, from books, movies or TV.

I've decided to post about the Damon/Elena/Stefan love triangle from The Vampire Diaries! I adore this TV series, it's so good! And I enjoy reading the books too, I'm currently reading The Return: Shadow Souls.


Let's hear it for the two hot contenders for Elena's heart, Stefan and Damon Salvatore:

Yes, to make it even more intriguing the two contenders are brothers! And that's not all. They have also competed for another young girl's heart a century ago.

How that love triangle ended? Well, they both died and became vampires...

STEFAN:

+ Safe, caring and trustworthy. Stefan always has your back, and would do anything to keep you safe. From everyone else, and from himself. He refuses to drink human blood, even if it would make him stronger.

- Well, comparing to his brother, some people would say that Stefan is a bit boring and too safe. He likes to be in the background, and won't do anything to bring attention to himself.




DAMON:

+ Fun, flirty and full of snarky comments. Damon never lets you have a dull moment. He's adventerous, dangerous and really badass. And he isn't one to say no to a challenge...or a good fight.

- Damon can't be trusted. He only cares about his own interests and might end up killing you or the people you love - without any hesitation.

My favourite?

Do you even have to ask? I'm always rooting for the bad boy, and Damon is irresistible! He is fun and flirty one moment, only to change into a dangerous beast the next - but that's just part of his appeal, isn't it?

So tell me, are you TEAM STEFAN or TEAM DAMON?

Doppelgänger? (2)

What is Katherine from The Vampire Diaries doing on the UK cover of Angel?

I have been asking myself this ever since I first saw this book cover:

Now look at these pictures of Katherine/Elena from The Vampire Diaries. Or even better, imagine Katherine stepping out of the tomb she is trapped in.

Do you see any similarities, or is it just in my head?

Waiting On Wednesday (1/27)

Titel: The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls
Series: The Vampire Diaries (Book 6)
Author: L. J. Smith
Release Date: March 16, 2010

A penitent Damon, along with Elena, and Matt follow Stefan into the darkest dimension in an attempt to set him free from the prison he has found instead of salvation. Bonnie and Meredith join Elena as all three are forced to enter as slaves, the chained and leashed property of a vampire--Damon.

Elena Gilbert is at the center of magic and danger beyond her imagining. But this time her vampire boyfriend, Stefan, isn’t there to help! Elena is forced to trust her life to his brother, Damon, the handsome but deadly vampire who wants Elena, body and soul. The tension between Elena and Damon mounts until Elena is faced with a terrible decision: Which brother does she really want?

The drama, danger, and forbidden love that mark the New York Times bestselling Vampire Diaries series are in full effect here, with Elena Gilbert once again brimming with supernatural powers.

I didn't like the previous Vampire Diaries book, The Return: Nightfall, but I'm willing to give this one a try!

Waiting on Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking the Spine

Vampire Diaries: The Hotness Factor

The Vampire Diaries returns tonight, with brand new episodes! I'm so excited!! I've been waiting for the new episodes for two months (and I know that those of you living in the US have probably waited even longer!) But January 21 is finally here, and it's time for the 11th episode.

Those of you that haven't watched this show yet. . . you're definitely missing out! The Vampire Diaries is not only a great, dramatic TV series, it is also the show to watch if you'd like to see some cute guys! (and seriously, who doesn't?)

Just take a look at these Hotties!

Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore

Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore

Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert

Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood

And Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan

Not bad, huh? So what are you waiting for? Don't miss a brand new episode of the Vampire Diaries - tonight on the CW at 8/7c!

Vampire of the Week

Week 48's Vampire of the Week is. . .

. . . Damon Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries!

Damon is mean, nasty and dangerous - and yet incredibly sexy! He is a vampire who feeds from, and kills humans, without hesitation, and he is always trying to get his brother, Stefan, to do the same. Damon is very unreliable, he goes from fun and charming to a dangerous cool-headed murderer in less than two seconds.

So why do we like him? Let's face it - Damon is HOT and sexy, he is the ultimate bad-boy. We know that he is dangerous, but that just makes him even more attractive. And just like Stefan, we're hoping that there is a trace of humanity left in Damon, and that we can change him into a "good" vampire.



Do you wanna know more about Damon? Of course you do! Make sure you watch the Vampire Diaries, Thursdays at the CW. You can also read the Vampire Diaries books, written by L. J. Smith.

Damon is played by Ian Somerhalder. Ian was born in Louisiana, USA, in 1978. Before the Vampire Diaries, Ian was mostly known for playing Boone in Lost (a favorite of mine already back then!).

Who's your favorite Vampire? And what do you think about Damon? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Chack out my previous Vampires of the Week! Click HERE and scroll down!

Fan(g) Girl

Review: The Vampire Diaries (TV)

Is anyone watching the Vampire Diaries? If you are, what do you think?

I was kind of anxious about the TV series not being good after I had read, among other things, this from the author L. J. Smith's website:

September 10: The Vampire Diaries TV Show on the CW at 8 Pacific and Eastern, 7 Central!
"May I make a plea for everybody to try to be patient (especially with the pilot episode)? The Twilight Zone feeling rapidly diminishes after that. Ian Somerhalder is being recognized as a superior villain; and I feel sure that under those brown curls Elena's scheming mind is simply waiting for an opportunity to emerge. Really, guys, the series people have been nice to me lately and I get to hear about (and I hope get, to give to you) freebie things like posters and "sunscream" and "Fang" dental floss, all part--along with a blood drive ("Starve a Vampire: Donate Blood!) in New York. Even Brazil is all het up about the books and the show. I've waited this long to speak out, and my verdict is: give it a chance. "

I've just recently started watching the The Vampire Diaries (one of the many negative things about not living in the US), I have seen four episodes so far - and I have to say that I love it!! The first episodes aren't slow at all - they are fast-paced, dramatic, creepy, addictive and fun! If you haven't watched it yet - start doing it! You won't regret it.

There are, of course, some things that separates the TV series from the books;

* First, they have changed Elena, the main character, a lot. And no, I don't mean her hair color (Oh my God - they've changed Elena's hair - she is supposed to be BLOND! I can't watch this show!), I mean her personality. To the better, I have to say. Elena is much more likeable in the TV series; she's not bitchy or selfish at all, she is instead very kind, a bit guarded and shy.

* Elena now has a brother, instead of a sister. His name is Jeremy and he became a drug addict after their parents death. Elena and Jeremy's parents died in a car accident a few months ago, so they are now living with their aunt, Jenna Sommers.

* Vicki is now Matt's sister, instead of just another friend.

* Meredith, one of Elena's best friends in the books, is not a character in the TV series.

* Stefan is apparantly keeping a journal too, which actually makes sense when the name of the series is The Vampire Diaries.

THE CASTING:

The Excellent:

Ian Somerhalder is perfect in the role as Stefan's dangerous bad-boy brother DAMON. I love his temperament swinging - he goes from kind and gentle to angry and death-dangerous in two seconds. I also love his sarcasm, cockiness, face expressions and charm. Damon was my favorite character in the books - and he is by far my favourite character in the TV series!

The Good:

Candice Accola portrays Elena's childhood friend CAROLINE Forbes perfectly. She is blond, dumb, naive, and insecure. And she hates when Elena gets all the attention (and all the boys).

Both Steven R. McQueen and Kayla Ewell are doing great jobs with their characters JEREMY and VICKI. They are very believable in their roles, Steven as a grieving and troubled teenage boy and Kayla as an insecure, troubled girl torned between two guys.

The Okay:

Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley who play the main characters, ELENA and STEFAN are doing an okay job so far. Elena is, like I said, far from the Elena we saw in the books, so it's hard to judge Nina's job portraying her.

Paul's Stefan, on the other hand, is close to the Stefan we saw in the books, he's struggling with his past, and with resisting human blood.

Michael Trevino is doing a great job as TYLER, the popular jock and "mean guy" in the series. I can't see him changing into a werewolf though, but maybe they'll skip that part in the TV series.

The Bad:

Zach Roering is playing MATT Donovan, Elenas friend and ex-boyfriend. Zach is very different from the Matt I saw in my head, but he is doing an okay job portraying him.

Katerina Graham, who plays BONNIE, is as far as you can come from the Bonnie I had in my head while reading the books. Bonnie is supposed to be a small, wimpish and scared girl, but you see nothing of that in the TV series. Katerina is probably doing an okay acting job - I just can't see her as Bonnie.


So, honestly, this is a great TV show - if you don't already do so, you should watch it!

Rating: 5 of 5!
Fan(g) Girl


P.S. Remember this post I did about True Blood, the True Blood: Hotness factor? Chances are high that I will do a similar post about the Vampire Diaries, so keep your eyes open for that one - you don't wanna miss it! D.S.

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

Vampire of the Week

It's time to announce this week's VoW, and the winning Vampire is:

. . . Stefan Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries!

Stefan is portrayed to be very handsome, and he will do anything for the person he loves. Stefan is hunted by his past though, and he's suffering from things he did hundreds of years ago.

Stefan hates being a vampire, and does his best to be as normal as possible; he avoids killing and drinking from humans, and he's also going to school, like any normal kid.

Because of things that happened in the past, and the fact that he is a vampire, Stefan has a hard time letting people close. He is hugely attracted by Elena, but he's fighting his feelings and doesn't want to admit it.

To learn more about Stefan; read The Vampire Diaries written by L. J. Smith or watch the TV-show The Vampire Diaries on the CW.

Stefan is played by Paul Wesley. Paul was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1982. He has made several movies including Elsewhere and Killer Movie, and has starred in a bunch of TV series; 24, Army Wives, CSI and Fallen to name a few.


To view previous Vampire of the Week posts, click HERE.
To nominate a Vampire you would like to see as a VoW, leave a comment!


Fan(g) Girl

Book Review: Dark Reunion

Title: The Vampire Diaries; Dark Reunion
Series: The Vampire Diaries (Book 4)
Author: L. J. Smith
Released: 1992

As a psychic, Bonnie has dreams of Elena in the Other World. But the dreams quickly turn frightening. There is a terrible new enemy stalking Fell’s Church, killing young girls. Elena’s friends call for Stefan and get both him and Damon—but whose side is Damon on? The ending is the most surprising yet for Elena!

The fourth Vampire Diaries book revolvs mostly around Bonnie - not Elena. Elena is still in the books, but more as a minor character. Bonnie is the main protagonist, and now she's the one who gets all the guys! (Poor Meredith!)
I've never really liked Elena, she's a bit selfish and self-absorbed (and I honestly don't get why all the other characters in the book seemed to love her so much), so I was glad to read the book from Bonnie's point of view instead. Bonnie is more likeable - she might be a bit wimpish, but she's brave when it's needed and she has a big heart. Bonnie is also the person who has the closest relationship to Damon - and the person who trusts him the most. I would love to see more of a love story between those two!

I loved how the frosty relationship between Stefan and Damon melted and developed in this book. They really like each other at heart - but they're both too stubborn and proud to admit it. It was fun to see them working together and helping each other.

I also loved how we got to see more sides of Damon in this book, the series started of with Damon being a dangerous, mean bad-boy vampire. But that's only a facade. He cares about Bonnie, Meredith and other humans more than he wants to admit!

This book was really good until the ending - it wasn't what I had hoped for and it felt too unreal and happily-ever-after. I felt like the Elena-thing in the ending was unnecessary, it just felt fake and over-the-top. It really spoiled the book for me - I liked Bonnie as the main charcter, then selfish Elena got all the attention - again.

Rating: 3.5 of 5
Fan(g) Girl

Book Review: The Fury

Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Fury
Series: The Vampire Diaries
Author: L. J. Smith
Released: 1991


About the book: Elena is adjusting to the consequences of her devotion to Stefan. Choices made on his behalf have transformed her into what she once feared and still desires. When a vampire hunter descends on the town, determined to eradicate its immortal infestation, the hunters become hunted. Stefan, Elena, and Damon must work together to trace the new evil that's befallen Fell's Church back to its mysterious origin.


My Thoughts: The third book in the Vampire Diaries picks up just where The Struggle left off.
The love triangle between Elena, Stefan & Damon is more present than ever, and there's even a fourth part involved - Katherine -the girl who made Stefan and Damon vampires hundreds of years ago.

This book is full of mysteries and danger. Who or what is attacking people in Fell's Chuch? And who could you really trust? The questions are many, and you can't be sure who's on the good side, and who's not.

Elena continue to grow as a character in this book, and I'm liking her more and more. She discovers how much the people she loves means to her, and just how much she is willing to sacrifice for them. She is less self-centered and more caring. She's also very brave.

The ending of the book might be a bit surprising, but it was really good!


Rating: 4 of 5
Fan(g) Girl

Book Review: The Struggle

Title: The Struggle
Series: The Vampire Diaries (Book 2)
Author: L. J. Smith
Published: 1991


About the book:

Damon
Determined to make Elena his queen of darkness, he'd kill his own brother to possess her.

Stefan
Desperate for the power to destroy Damon, he succumbs to his thirst for human blood.

Elena
Irresistibly drawn to both brothers, knowing her choice will decide their fate. But who will she choose. . .?

This is the terrifying story of two vampire brothers, and the beautiful girl torn between them.


My thoughts: This book was really hard to put down.
It picks up right were the first book, The Awakening, leaves off.

The book is filled with drama, mysteries, tension and fear. And then, of course, there is the love triangle between Elena, Stefan and Damon; Even though Stefan is a vampire, he's kind. His brother Damon, on the other hand, isn't. He wants to turn Elena into a vampire and make her his. It's a struggle between good and evil as one brother wants to protect her, while the other wants to possess her.

I love how this book ends, it's a cliff-hanger, and it leaved me wanting to read the next installment right away!


Rating: 4 of 5
Fan(g) Girl

Book Review: The Awakening

Title:The Awakening
Series: The Vampire Diaries
Author: L. J. Smith
Published: 1991

Elena: She is the high school golden girl, the one every boy wants, and every girl wants to be. And Elena is used to getting what she wants, so when she meets handsome Stefan she swears to make Stefan hers - or die.

Stefan: Torn by guilt over his past, and mindful of the threat his vengeful brother Damon poses to anyone Stefan gets close to, he swears to resist his desire for Elena . . . for her own good.

Damon: Sexy, dangerous and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, who betrayed him, Damon follows his brother to Fell's Church - and Elena.

Soon Elena finds herself torn between two vampire brothers - one good and one evil - and in terrible danger.


My thoughts:

I can honestly say that this is the book I liked the least of the four books I read in this series. I didn't like Elena at all in the beginning of the book, she was spoiled and egocentric and used other people for her own good. But as this series continues Elena changes to a better, more caring person, and she realizes how much the people in her life mean to her, and how much she is willing to give up in order to protect them.

The story was also a bit slow in the beginning, but about halfway through the story paces up, and gets more exciting, action-filled and mysterious - and I started to like the book.

The rest of the books in the Vampire Diaries are much better; the characters are more developed and dimensional, and the pace is faster and more exciting.
This book, with it's 250+ pages, is a quick and easy read, so my advice for you is to quickly read this book, then pick up the rest of the books in the Vampire Diaries! You won't regret it!

Grade: 3 of 5


Fan(g) Girl

P.S Don't forget to watch the Vampire Diaries, the TV-series based on these books, Thursdays at the CW! D.S

The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries is a YA Vampire series of novels written by L.J. Smith. The series centers around Elena Gilbert, a high school student torn between two vampire brothers; Stefan and Damon.

The Vampire Diaries was originally a trilogy, The Awakening, The Struggle and The Fury, and was published in 1991. But after massive pressure from the readers, L.J. Smith decided to write a fourth volume in the series; Dark Reunion, published in 1992.

Last year L.J. Smith announced a new spin-off trilogy entitled The Vampire Diaries: The Return, which continues the series with Damon being the new main protagonist. The trilogy will consist of The Return: Nightfall (published in February 2009), The Return: Shadow Souls (2010) and The Return: Midnight (2011).


The Vampire Diaries is also made into a TV series, which premiers tonight at the CW at 8/7 c.



Fan(g) Girl

The Vampire Diaries

The premiere of The Vampire Diaries is tomorrow! :D
The first episode aires on the CW at 8/7 c - don't forget to check it out!
The TV-series is based on the book series with the same name, written by L.J. Smith.

Four months after the tragic car accident that killed their parents, 17-year-old Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and her 15-year-old brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), are still adjusting to their new reality. Elena has always been the star student; beautiful, popular and involved with school and friends, but now she finds herself struggling to hide her grief from the world. Elena and Jeremy are now living with their cool-but-overwhelmed Aunt Jenna, who is doing her best to be a surrogate parent.

Elena manages to find some comfort with her familiar social circle – best friend Bonnie, frenemy Caroline, and former boyfriend Matt, but Jeremy is on a more dangerous path, hanging out with the stoners and using drugs to hide his pain. Jeremy is also trying to figure out why Matt's sister, Vicki, is suddenly rejecting him and hanging out with Jeremy's rival, Tyler.

As the school year begins at Mystic Falls High, Elena and her friends are fascinated by a handsome and mysterious new student, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). Stefan and Elena are immediately drawn to one another, although Elena is puzzled by Stefan's increasingly bizarre behavior when he appears suddenly at the cemetery where her parents are buried. What she doesn't realize is that Stefan is hiding a dark, deadly secret of his own – the fact that he's a vampire. At a bonfire party the next night, Elena and Stefan are just getting to know each other when chaos erupts after Vicki is attacked and left bleeding from a savage bite to the neck.

Fearing that he knows who is responsible for the attack, Stefan returns home and finds his older brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder), whom he hasn't seen for 15 years. Damon is also a vampire, and the two brothers have a long and bitter history. Damon ridicules Stefan for rejecting their legacy of violence and brutality, but he understands his brother's obsession with Elena, since she looks exactly like a woman Stefan loved more than a century ago; a woman that Damon tried to make his own. Now these two vampire brothers – one good, one evil – are at war for Elena's soul and for the souls of her friends, family and all the residents of Mystic Falls, Virginia.

Sounds good, right? So don't forget to check it out! September 10, at 8/7 c. And Ian Somerhalder ("Boone" - LOST) is playing Damon, Stefan's dangerous but oh-so-hot brother, so you have no excuse for not watching this show! ;)


Fan(g) Girl