The Vampire Diaries by L J Smith

The Vampire Diaries (The Vampire Diaries, #1)

by L.J. Smith

Elena is the school beauty, but she's bored. Until a new boy turns up in her class. Stefan is dark and mysterious - and she's determined to get to know him better. But Elena reminds Stefan of someone from his tragic past, and he's just as determined to resist her. Until a series of attacks in the area terrify the school and town and Stefan, the outsider, is held responsible. Elena is the only one who offers to help and, falling in love with her, Stefan tells her his terrible story. He is a vampire, on the run from his evil brother, Damon, who is also a vampire, but doesn't share Stefan's qualms about drinking human blood. And Damon is the one Stefan suspects of really being behind the recent attacks...Can Elena help prove his innocence - without revealing his secret?

Reviewed by cornerfolds on

1 of 5 stars

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Perhaps this book would have been better had I never read another vampire romance. As it stands, this book left me wanting. A lot.

I picked up The Awakening after seeing The Vampire Diaries on Netflix. The show is amazing! Elena gets on my nerves from time to time, but compared to the Elena of the book, she's perfect. I had read that the book and the TV show had nothing at all in common, but that was all the more reason for me to try it out. I wish I hadn't.

Every character in this book is incredibly shallow. Elena goes home to cry and sulk after one boy doesn't stop everything to run after her and Caroline does everything she can to sabotage Elena's attempts to "get" Stefan. I don't think that Bonnie and Meredith have graduated elementary school.

My biggest problem with this book was the relationship between Elena and Stefan. What happened? He goes from not looking at her and barely speaking a word, to being madly in love and telling her his deepest, darkest secrets. It seemed very forced and completely unbelievable.

I wish I had liked this book. I'm sad to say, I won't be picking up the next installment.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 6 April, 2012: Finished reading
  • 6 April, 2012: Reviewed