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The Vampire Diaries: The Return #1
Nightfall
To save the two vampire brothers who love her, Elena Gilbert sacrificed her life.
Now that a supernatural force has brought Elena back from the dead, all handsome, brooding Stefan wants is to keep her safe. But when he is lured away from Fell's Church, sleek, powerful Damon seizes his chance to win Elena over, unaware of the danger they're both in. A malevolent being has infiltrated the town and is growing stronger. Able to possess Damon at will, the creature is also drawn to Elena and the new power she has acquired. But it's after more than Elena's power: It thirsts for her death.
Elena's story continues in shadow souls!
Now that a supernatural force has brought Elena back from the dead, all handsome, brooding Stefan wants is to keep her safe. But when he is lured away from Fell's Church, sleek, powerful Damon seizes his chance to win Elena over, unaware of the danger they're both in. A malevolent being has infiltrated the town and is growing stronger. Able to possess Damon at will, the creature is also drawn to Elena and the new power she has acquired. But it's after more than Elena's power: It thirsts for her death.
Elena's story continues in shadow souls!
586 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2009
About the author
L.J. Smith
244 books112k followersI have a new blog about my Vampire Diaries fanfic.
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
L.J. SMITH, Lisa Jane Smith, is the New York Times #1 Bestselling author of The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Dark Visions, Wildworld and Night World series. She has written over two dozen books for children and young adults, and has enjoyed writing every one of them. She lives in the Bay Area of California, with a backyard that is full of flowers, which she adores, especially with many different shades of roses.
She loves to visit a friend's little cabin in the Point Reyes National Seashore area, which has lots of trees, lots of animals, lots of beaches to walk on, and lots of places to hike. Once, while hiking, she saw a snow-white buck which allowed her to follow it nearly half a mile. She also likes to collect things: angels (they remind her of her late mother), tiny boxes from different countries or of fanciful shape, nineteenth century children's literature, and books about quantum physics--especially about the mystery of the dark energy in the universe. A militant optimist, she is also part of the Velociraptor Sisterhood (a fancy way of saying that she likes to read, write and discuss books with strong female characters), and she has traveled extensively in Europe and the Far East. The two countries she loves to visit most are Great Britain, with its historic monuments and amazing country landscapes, and Japan, with its bustling urban life and exquisite mountain scenery.
Her favorite current writer is Terry Pratchett, the author of the Discworld series, for its wild and witty satires on life, death, war, love, assassins, coppers, and Australia. Her favorite classical writer is Jane Austen. Her favorite poets are Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Her favorite movies are The Seven Samurai and Avatar (analyze that!). She doesn't have a favorite TV show, because she doesn't have time to watch TV (and only owns one for playing movies).
Her favorite people are her readers, each of whom she cherishes with deep and lasting affection.
Note: L. J. Smith wrote books 1-7 of The Vampire Diaries series. After that, a ghostwriter took over the rest of the series. L. J. wrote books 1-3 of The Secret Circle series. After that, a ghostwriter took over the rest of the series. L. J. did not write any of the Originals or Stefan's Diaries. These were written by Kevin Williamson and/or various ghostwritters.
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
L.J. SMITH, Lisa Jane Smith, is the New York Times #1 Bestselling author of The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Dark Visions, Wildworld and Night World series. She has written over two dozen books for children and young adults, and has enjoyed writing every one of them. She lives in the Bay Area of California, with a backyard that is full of flowers, which she adores, especially with many different shades of roses.
She loves to visit a friend's little cabin in the Point Reyes National Seashore area, which has lots of trees, lots of animals, lots of beaches to walk on, and lots of places to hike. Once, while hiking, she saw a snow-white buck which allowed her to follow it nearly half a mile. She also likes to collect things: angels (they remind her of her late mother), tiny boxes from different countries or of fanciful shape, nineteenth century children's literature, and books about quantum physics--especially about the mystery of the dark energy in the universe. A militant optimist, she is also part of the Velociraptor Sisterhood (a fancy way of saying that she likes to read, write and discuss books with strong female characters), and she has traveled extensively in Europe and the Far East. The two countries she loves to visit most are Great Britain, with its historic monuments and amazing country landscapes, and Japan, with its bustling urban life and exquisite mountain scenery.
Her favorite current writer is Terry Pratchett, the author of the Discworld series, for its wild and witty satires on life, death, war, love, assassins, coppers, and Australia. Her favorite classical writer is Jane Austen. Her favorite poets are Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Her favorite movies are The Seven Samurai and Avatar (analyze that!). She doesn't have a favorite TV show, because she doesn't have time to watch TV (and only owns one for playing movies).
Her favorite people are her readers, each of whom she cherishes with deep and lasting affection.
Note: L. J. Smith wrote books 1-7 of The Vampire Diaries series. After that, a ghostwriter took over the rest of the series. L. J. wrote books 1-3 of The Secret Circle series. After that, a ghostwriter took over the rest of the series. L. J. did not write any of the Originals or Stefan's Diaries. These were written by Kevin Williamson and/or various ghostwritters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,990 reviews
December 24, 2010
ATTENTION READERS!
If you REALLY liked this book, please don't read my review below.
Well...I thought the book was...BORING! This book was, like, so lame and I think the previous book (Dark Reunion) should have been the best ending for the Vampire diaries, but no...How could that be? -_-
L.J Smith- *yawning and thinking* I am bored. Which book should I ruin?
Night World? Nah!
Dark Visions? Nah!
The Secret Circle? Nah!
Forbidden Games? Nah!
Well, How about The Vampire Diaries?
Umm...Yeah! That sounds good! Why do people love this series so much? I will ruin this book!
No, seriously. I think that was in L.J smiths mind while writing the whole book.
Might Contain Spoilers!
SWEAR ALERT!
The Characters:
Omg! Elena was so LAME! First an innocent kid who can fly? WTF? and then people looking at her when she says "Damn" like, "OMG! Shes too innocent, she can't say that." WTF! It was so lame, so lame, I couldn't possibly think how could an author really right this book after her previous books have been so awesome? She was like a werido shape shifter or something in this book...
My reactions on Elena
Elena Dead:
Hmm...didn't expect that. Buh still...k!
Elena Vampire:
Ahan...ohk...I can see that...because it's "Vampire Diaries"...
Elena Innocent Baby: (Who can actually fly)
Hahahaha! that's so lame...but the book says she will turn normal so I am waiting for that...
Elena Angel:
Seriously...What thefuck? what kind of a freak is she? OOoo I wanna be a fairy! *I believe you can be a pain in everyone's ass*
*turns into fairy* WTH?!
Stefann looked like my Grandma in this book......
Me:- Sneaking and stealing toffee from the kitchen.
Stefan:- *Looking at me*
Me:- SHIT!
Stefan:- Oh Lord! What are you doing my little lovely love?
Me:- Sorry :(.....on the other hand, little lovely love? WTF?!
Stefan:- Now let me put that toffee back, you don't want to spoil your teeth now don't you?
Me:- Whatever!
Stefan:- Let me read a story book to you and then I will sleep in the rocking chair so you won't be scared.
Me:- You are such a desperatebitch...
Stefan:- *Shocked* Don't say bad words...you know I can't fight back.
He is so pure, so pure...he is a vampire. -_- Chill out dude and be evil or whatever but don't act like a Grandma. I was so happy that Stefan wasn't in the half of this book or he would have ruined it...
Damon...He was so good except for what the author made him do or say >.< Mutt? Muff? Mett? hahaha. The author wrote such an awesome joke, It was so funny, I forgot to laugh. -_- But he was so sweet and I loved him :D
Mutt is a Mutt. Hes a weirdo.
Matt: I like Elena, I like Elena
Damon: Kiss Elena...
Matt: No I would die, I would Jump, etc etc...
Seriously? That was lame. And if you really don't like Elena, why don't you just go up to Bonnie and say I Like you? Mhan...sometimes, I even think hes gay!
Bonnie, seriously, stop acting like "Omg! I need help..AA..OO" and start fighting. And get over Damon. He's Elena's...Happy now?
Plot:
So lame. I hate it.
Full Story: Elena is a kiddo and then she turns back while people out there thinks shes still dead and Stefan is acting like her mom all the time. Damon in the other hand wants Elena for himself when he freaking knows she would be like
"NA NA NANA NA! I am Stefan's" Bonnie and Meredith moms are like, "hahaha...my daughter is so sweet. they are at each others house" while they are fighting for their life. And Matt, God only knows where are his parents when the police man said "He stole a freaking car? you get it? A CAR? Then a weirdo sister and brother who kiss each other *WTF* wants to rule the world and insert a eww "Malach or something" in people's body and they start going insane.Ohk. Where are the FBI?
The other Vampire Diaries series kind of made sense. I could follow the story and understand. At by end of book 3, Elena was fully dead. Then she came back to life in book 4. Fine. I get that. Now, in this book, What's up with the whole Elena witch and wings thing? and the little demon things? I really did not understand how this had anything to do with anything that had happened before. And Elena's white magic thing was so laughable. The story seemed to be going in circles. First they here, but then they weren't because the demons actually made them go here. And there. And all over the neighborhood. Then at the dying moment Elena cranks up her magic and saves everyone. When I was done reading I was thoroughly confused, and the only conclusion I could come to was, "Yep. L. J. Smith was on crack. Or if she wasn't she should have been."
Overall it was a weird book. It was like somebody forced her to write or shes too tired of this series. Ok Smith, we get it that you are bored of this series or something. But please don't make us suffer for it. I will read the next book just because my friend has it or else I would have said, "sheesh...I have some other work to do rather than read a weird book..."
VERY DISAPPOINTING! I will give this book umm...2/5 stars!
If you REALLY liked this book, please don't read my review below.
Well...I thought the book was...BORING! This book was, like, so lame and I think the previous book (Dark Reunion) should have been the best ending for the Vampire diaries, but no...How could that be? -_-
L.J Smith- *yawning and thinking* I am bored. Which book should I ruin?
Night World? Nah!
Dark Visions? Nah!
The Secret Circle? Nah!
Forbidden Games? Nah!
Well, How about The Vampire Diaries?
Umm...Yeah! That sounds good! Why do people love this series so much? I will ruin this book!
No, seriously. I think that was in L.J smiths mind while writing the whole book.
Might Contain Spoilers!
SWEAR ALERT!
The Characters:
Omg! Elena was so LAME! First an innocent kid who can fly? WTF? and then people looking at her when she says "Damn" like, "OMG! Shes too innocent, she can't say that." WTF! It was so lame, so lame, I couldn't possibly think how could an author really right this book after her previous books have been so awesome? She was like a werido shape shifter or something in this book...
My reactions on Elena
Elena Dead:
Hmm...didn't expect that. Buh still...k!
Elena Vampire:
Ahan...ohk...I can see that...because it's "Vampire Diaries"...
Elena Innocent Baby: (Who can actually fly)
Hahahaha! that's so lame...but the book says she will turn normal so I am waiting for that...
Elena Angel:
Seriously...What the
*turns into fairy* WTH?!
Stefann looked like my Grandma in this book......
Me:- Sneaking and stealing toffee from the kitchen.
Stefan:- *Looking at me*
Me:- SHIT!
Stefan:- Oh Lord! What are you doing my little lovely love?
Me:- Sorry :(.....on the other hand, little lovely love? WTF?!
Stefan:- Now let me put that toffee back, you don't want to spoil your teeth now don't you?
Me:- Whatever!
Stefan:- Let me read a story book to you and then I will sleep in the rocking chair so you won't be scared.
Me:- You are such a desperate
Stefan:- *Shocked* Don't say bad words...you know I can't fight back.
He is so pure, so pure...he is a vampire. -_- Chill out dude and be evil or whatever but don't act like a Grandma. I was so happy that Stefan wasn't in the half of this book or he would have ruined it...
Damon...He was so good except for what the author made him do or say >.< Mutt? Muff? Mett? hahaha. The author wrote such an awesome joke, It was so funny, I forgot to laugh. -_- But he was so sweet and I loved him :D
Mutt is a Mutt. Hes a weirdo.
Matt: I like Elena, I like Elena
Damon: Kiss Elena...
Matt: No I would die, I would Jump, etc etc...
Seriously? That was lame. And if you really don't like Elena, why don't you just go up to Bonnie and say I Like you? Mhan...sometimes, I even think hes gay!
Bonnie, seriously, stop acting like "Omg! I need help..AA..OO" and start fighting. And get over Damon. He's Elena's...Happy now?
Plot:
So lame. I hate it.
Full Story: Elena is a kiddo and then she turns back while people out there thinks shes still dead and Stefan is acting like her mom all the time. Damon in the other hand wants Elena for himself when he freaking knows she would be like
"NA NA NANA NA! I am Stefan's" Bonnie and Meredith moms are like, "hahaha...my daughter is so sweet. they are at each others house" while they are fighting for their life. And Matt, God only knows where are his parents when the police man said "He stole a freaking car? you get it? A CAR? Then a weirdo sister and brother who kiss each other *WTF* wants to rule the world and insert a eww "Malach or something" in people's body and they start going insane.Ohk. Where are the FBI?
The other Vampire Diaries series kind of made sense. I could follow the story and understand. At by end of book 3, Elena was fully dead. Then she came back to life in book 4. Fine. I get that. Now, in this book, What's up with the whole Elena witch and wings thing? and the little demon things? I really did not understand how this had anything to do with anything that had happened before. And Elena's white magic thing was so laughable. The story seemed to be going in circles. First they here, but then they weren't because the demons actually made them go here. And there. And all over the neighborhood. Then at the dying moment Elena cranks up her magic and saves everyone. When I was done reading I was thoroughly confused, and the only conclusion I could come to was, "Yep. L. J. Smith was on crack. Or if she wasn't she should have been."
Overall it was a weird book. It was like somebody forced her to write or shes too tired of this series. Ok Smith, we get it that you are bored of this series or something. But please don't make us suffer for it. I will read the next book just because my friend has it or else I would have said, "sheesh...I have some other work to do rather than read a weird book..."
VERY DISAPPOINTING! I will give this book umm...2/5 stars!
May 8, 2021
The weirdest book I’ve ever read!
Was this strange, random and weird? Yes. Did I still find it entertaining even though it was bad? Yes! I’m reading these book for the first time and watching the show for the first time and doing comparisons! I reviewed this book and shared all the spoilers and reactions to it on my YouTube channel. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ykMigpGYCPQ
Was this strange, random and weird? Yes. Did I still find it entertaining even though it was bad? Yes! I’m reading these book for the first time and watching the show for the first time and doing comparisons! I reviewed this book and shared all the spoilers and reactions to it on my YouTube channel. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ykMigpGYCPQ
February 16, 2009
I am so saddened by this novel. I have been an avid LJS fan since 1995 and my favorite series is The Vampire Diaries. I loved the characters and the story. This ... was a jumble of words that literally made NO sense.
There were concepts that did not hold true to the original series (such as the vampire powers) and characters were doing things they would never do. Perhaps this should not have been written in Damon's POV, whatsoever. It RUINED him. Ghosty Elena? Lovely love love? Mutt? The hell?!
Anyway, I have not finished this book. I will, but I need to set it aside. I can't even read it for a good laugh or snark. It's just SO bad. This book has the pleasure of joining only one other novel on my pick-up-set-down shelf. (as of the date of this review ^^)
April 2, 2021
Nightfall (The Vampire Diaries: The Return #1), L.J. Smith
The first book in a new trilogy from L. J. Smith! The Vampire Diaries: Book one "The Return Trilogy: The Return: Nightfall (2009)", book two "The Return: Shadow Souls (2010)", book three "The Return: Midnight (2011)".
Elena Gilbert is alive—again.
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.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز چهارم ماه دسامبر سال 2017میلادی
عنوان: سری خاطرات خون آشام - سه گانه بازگشت، قسمت اول شبهنگام؛ نویسنده: لیزا جین (ال.جی) اسمیت؛ مترجم محمد حسینیمقدم؛ تهران: ویدا، چاپ اول و دوم 1393؛ 555ص؛ چاپ سوم و چهارم؛ 1394؛ شابک 9789642912902؛ موضوع داستانهای وحشت آفرین نویسندگان بریتانیایی - سده 21م
سه گانه «بازگشت» که با کتاب «شب هنگام» آغاز میشود؛ یک هفته پس از ماجراهای دیدار مجدد سیاهی، آغاز میشود، و آن داستان را ادامه میدهد؛ دو کتاب بعدی این سه گانه، «اشباح سایه» و «نیمه شب» هستند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 12/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
The first book in a new trilogy from L. J. Smith! The Vampire Diaries: Book one "The Return Trilogy: The Return: Nightfall (2009)", book two "The Return: Shadow Souls (2010)", book three "The Return: Midnight (2011)".
Elena Gilbert is alive—again.
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.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز چهارم ماه دسامبر سال 2017میلادی
عنوان: سری خاطرات خون آشام - سه گانه بازگشت، قسمت اول شبهنگام؛ نویسنده: لیزا جین (ال.جی) اسمیت؛ مترجم محمد حسینیمقدم؛ تهران: ویدا، چاپ اول و دوم 1393؛ 555ص؛ چاپ سوم و چهارم؛ 1394؛ شابک 9789642912902؛ موضوع داستانهای وحشت آفرین نویسندگان بریتانیایی - سده 21م
سه گانه «بازگشت» که با کتاب «شب هنگام» آغاز میشود؛ یک هفته پس از ماجراهای دیدار مجدد سیاهی، آغاز میشود، و آن داستان را ادامه میدهد؛ دو کتاب بعدی این سه گانه، «اشباح سایه» و «نیمه شب» هستند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 12/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
May 13, 2015
Such a disappointment. What a garbled bunch of nonsense. Maybe I don't remember the writing accurately - I fell in love with these books when I was a kid - or maybe it's gotten worse. Either way, this was awful. Makes me embarrassed I've been trying to get my kids to read this series instead of Twilight. If I had to read Stefan call Elena "love" one more time...or witness, yet again, what awesome friends Matt and Meredith and Bonnie are to Elena despite the fact that she's seriously one of the most selfish characters ever...augh. I think I have to reread the first four. Hopefully my memory's accurate and they're better than this sludge.
February 24, 2009
It's difficult for me to review this book, because I've been waiting for more books in this series since high school, and there's an odd emotional attachment to books that were such a prominent part of my teen years.
That said- I think that L.J. Smith did a remarkable job picking up the series again. Throughout the Vampire Diaries, Smith has woven in various supernatural mythologies; not limiting herself to vampires, she has incorporated werewolves, witches, ghosts, and even angels. In this new installment, she takes on demons- specifically the Japanese fox spirit, kitsune. Two kitsune are the main antagonists, infecting our anti-hero Damon, and wreaking chaos in the small town of Fell's Church.
Smith provides a two-fold explanation for why yet another supernatural creature has shown up in Fell's Church. One reason is that the town has many ley lines, which attract the supes. The second is, of course, Elena, whose miraculous story draws paranormal curiosity.
Interestingly enough, Stefan, the hero of the previous four books, is taken offscreen for the majority of this novel. Instead, we get a deeper glimpse into Damon, seeing how the kitsune are twisting his natural chaotic tendencies and his jealousy into something truly horrifying. The reader also gets to see more from Matt Honeycutt's perspective, and poor, previously cardboard Matt, who is so dull that Damon requires an acronym to remember his name, becomes much more interesting as a result. There is also the requisite amount of Elena, and quite a bit from Bonnie, which carries over from the fourth book.
Smith doesn't shy away from gore and disturbing images in this book. The female kitsune creates chaos by infecting young girls with overly sexualized behavior, trying to build a case against Matt as a rapist; one of these girls acts out by piercing herself repeatedly, and the reader is subjected to graphic descriptions of this. Another character chews his own fingers off. Damon nearly forces Matt and Elena to act out a rape, Meredith is nearly made to fork her own tongue, and Bonnie is attacked by returning antagonist Caroline Forbes doing her best impersonation of Regan from The Exorcist.
But there is also a lot of beauty in this book, particularly in a scene with Damon and Elena in Honoria Fell's tomb, in Stefan's pure love for Elena, and in the strong friendship between Elena, Bonnie, and Meredith. The book is not perfect- I, for one, would like to see Damon redeemed without it being a result of something Elena did, and for him to remember it, and I'd like Elena to be a little more flawed, although since she is practically an angel at this point, I doubt that will happen. I did see glimpses of potential between Bonnie and Damon also, which intrigues me, but there were equal hints of Bonnie/Matt. So we'll see, I suppose.
Overall, this book is kicking off a new arc in the story of these characters. I'm very glad to have Damon, Bonnie, and the rest back in my life.
That said- I think that L.J. Smith did a remarkable job picking up the series again. Throughout the Vampire Diaries, Smith has woven in various supernatural mythologies; not limiting herself to vampires, she has incorporated werewolves, witches, ghosts, and even angels. In this new installment, she takes on demons- specifically the Japanese fox spirit, kitsune. Two kitsune are the main antagonists, infecting our anti-hero Damon, and wreaking chaos in the small town of Fell's Church.
Smith provides a two-fold explanation for why yet another supernatural creature has shown up in Fell's Church. One reason is that the town has many ley lines, which attract the supes. The second is, of course, Elena, whose miraculous story draws paranormal curiosity.
Interestingly enough, Stefan, the hero of the previous four books, is taken offscreen for the majority of this novel. Instead, we get a deeper glimpse into Damon, seeing how the kitsune are twisting his natural chaotic tendencies and his jealousy into something truly horrifying. The reader also gets to see more from Matt Honeycutt's perspective, and poor, previously cardboard Matt, who is so dull that Damon requires an acronym to remember his name, becomes much more interesting as a result. There is also the requisite amount of Elena, and quite a bit from Bonnie, which carries over from the fourth book.
Smith doesn't shy away from gore and disturbing images in this book. The female kitsune creates chaos by infecting young girls with overly sexualized behavior, trying to build a case against Matt as a rapist; one of these girls acts out by piercing herself repeatedly, and the reader is subjected to graphic descriptions of this. Another character chews his own fingers off. Damon nearly forces Matt and Elena to act out a rape, Meredith is nearly made to fork her own tongue, and Bonnie is attacked by returning antagonist Caroline Forbes doing her best impersonation of Regan from The Exorcist.
But there is also a lot of beauty in this book, particularly in a scene with Damon and Elena in Honoria Fell's tomb, in Stefan's pure love for Elena, and in the strong friendship between Elena, Bonnie, and Meredith. The book is not perfect- I, for one, would like to see Damon redeemed without it being a result of something Elena did, and for him to remember it, and I'd like Elena to be a little more flawed, although since she is practically an angel at this point, I doubt that will happen. I did see glimpses of potential between Bonnie and Damon also, which intrigues me, but there were equal hints of Bonnie/Matt. So we'll see, I suppose.
Overall, this book is kicking off a new arc in the story of these characters. I'm very glad to have Damon, Bonnie, and the rest back in my life.
Read
February 13, 2009I shall consider this book "inspired by The Vampire Diaires". You can't write fanfiction when they're your own characters, can you? Because I don't know what else to call this.
There were a few bits of new information and a scene here and there that I really, really enjoyed. There were also old questions which were answered...only, I realized I didn't really want it all spelled out for me after all.
The writing style was just...wtf. WTF. Normally, Smith's writing style is very clear and concise, and this was haphazard and slap-dash. How much of this was what she intended to write when she wrote Dark Reunion and how much of it is whatever popped into her brain last year as she started writing again after ten years off?
I can't even give this a number of stars because I don't know what to think. In my book journal I gave it a grade of Not Applicable.
There were a few bits of new information and a scene here and there that I really, really enjoyed. There were also old questions which were answered...only, I realized I didn't really want it all spelled out for me after all.
The writing style was just...wtf. WTF. Normally, Smith's writing style is very clear and concise, and this was haphazard and slap-dash. How much of this was what she intended to write when she wrote Dark Reunion and how much of it is whatever popped into her brain last year as she started writing again after ten years off?
I can't even give this a number of stars because I don't know what to think. In my book journal I gave it a grade of Not Applicable.
April 5, 2009
Like many other readers here, I first read The Vampire Diaries series as a teenager, and really enjoyed it. Although I am in my 20s now, I was excited to see a continuation of the story, and see what happened next to the characters I had loved so much. However, I ended up completely disappointed by this book.
The biggest problem I had was the characters and setting in this book just didn't seem like they fit with how they were portrayed in the first four books. This book supposedly picks up right where book four ended, but the characters are completely different, and the magical and horror elements are pretty different from those featured in the older books. Also, this book just seemed overly long, like the writer attempted to stuff too much into one book. I think it would have worked better as two books - especially since this is a series, there's no reason not to divide it into more books if it works better this way.
I do realize it's been a long time since the original Vampire Diaries, and I respect that the writing style of an author can change with time. But rather than continuing a series that readers loved so much, and taking the characters in a direction that just doesn't fit with the original books, why did the author not create new characters and a new world and write a new series that fits with her current writing style? Had she put her talents to that, I think a lot of her older fans would have been a lot less disappointed. I ended up giving up on fully reading this book about halfway through and skimmed through the rest, hoping it would look more promising, but it didn't. I may try again when I've gotten over the disappointment of the book being so different from the rest of the series, but I would encourage those who truly loved the earlier books to avoid this one. They will likely end up disappointed as well.
The biggest problem I had was the characters and setting in this book just didn't seem like they fit with how they were portrayed in the first four books. This book supposedly picks up right where book four ended, but the characters are completely different, and the magical and horror elements are pretty different from those featured in the older books. Also, this book just seemed overly long, like the writer attempted to stuff too much into one book. I think it would have worked better as two books - especially since this is a series, there's no reason not to divide it into more books if it works better this way.
I do realize it's been a long time since the original Vampire Diaries, and I respect that the writing style of an author can change with time. But rather than continuing a series that readers loved so much, and taking the characters in a direction that just doesn't fit with the original books, why did the author not create new characters and a new world and write a new series that fits with her current writing style? Had she put her talents to that, I think a lot of her older fans would have been a lot less disappointed. I ended up giving up on fully reading this book about halfway through and skimmed through the rest, hoping it would look more promising, but it didn't. I may try again when I've gotten over the disappointment of the book being so different from the rest of the series, but I would encourage those who truly loved the earlier books to avoid this one. They will likely end up disappointed as well.
February 7, 2013
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 blood irresistible to any vampire.
I'm not going to sugar coat anything. This book was awful. Now I will agree that sometimes a book can start out slow and redeem itself by the end. Sometimes a book can have a great beginning but fall flat. But this book never took off. I was confused and annoyed by the silliness from the beginning and it got worse from there.
To be honest, I did not finish the book. I read half way and threw it down in disgust. It's a book that’s pretending to be a sci-fi work that uses anime as a reference. It’s made up of pages and pages of scenes and conversations that go nowhere, chapters that end in odd places, changes in POV that shift for no discernible reason.
It seems like LJ Smith has been cooped up in the house with every season of Sailor Moon for the past 10 years. The villains are kitsune twins, who look like Pokemon and act like Team Rocket, spout stereotypical Japanese words, and seem to generally fail at being anything other than vaguely annoying and really attractive. Or how about this harsher description: Evil Japanese twins that are incestuous, sadistic, and absolutely ridiculous (cartoonish would be accurate).
Then there are suddenly random Japanese families in Fell's Church who, of course, randomly provide clues. I'm suspecting Smith of some cultural racism because these characters border on parodies of Japanese people and folklore. Lastly, Elena's healing and flying powers all have thematic names, which she yells out as she's executing them: “Wings of Purification!” and “Wings of Redemption!" Cue anime music please.
Did I forget to mention the angry sentient trees from the angry Old Wood that has suddenly appeared in Fell's Church as though it's been there all along? And giant invisible insects made of jell-o that seems to be causing a rash of possessions in Fell's Church?
As for this being a more "adult" L.J. Smith--I could not disagree more. Gratuitous violence and sophomoric sexual overtones do not an "adult" novel make. "Adult" indicates a depth and maturity that exists nowhere on these pages. Instead we are forced to endure absurd musings over lingerie while someone is dying, euphemisms for sex that are utterly juvenile, and implications about sexuality that are at best offensive and at worst irresponsible. All of it is as far removed from the very adult, very subtle themes of the original series as to be absurd. In ”Nightfall (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #1)”, there was no deeper meaning or affect, and I felt like I was watching a little kid curse for the first time and giggle.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Nightfall (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #1)
Author L.J. Smith
Reviewed By Purplycookie
I'm not going to sugar coat anything. This book was awful. Now I will agree that sometimes a book can start out slow and redeem itself by the end. Sometimes a book can have a great beginning but fall flat. But this book never took off. I was confused and annoyed by the silliness from the beginning and it got worse from there.
To be honest, I did not finish the book. I read half way and threw it down in disgust. It's a book that’s pretending to be a sci-fi work that uses anime as a reference. It’s made up of pages and pages of scenes and conversations that go nowhere, chapters that end in odd places, changes in POV that shift for no discernible reason.
It seems like LJ Smith has been cooped up in the house with every season of Sailor Moon for the past 10 years. The villains are kitsune twins, who look like Pokemon and act like Team Rocket, spout stereotypical Japanese words, and seem to generally fail at being anything other than vaguely annoying and really attractive. Or how about this harsher description: Evil Japanese twins that are incestuous, sadistic, and absolutely ridiculous (cartoonish would be accurate).
Then there are suddenly random Japanese families in Fell's Church who, of course, randomly provide clues. I'm suspecting Smith of some cultural racism because these characters border on parodies of Japanese people and folklore. Lastly, Elena's healing and flying powers all have thematic names, which she yells out as she's executing them: “Wings of Purification!” and “Wings of Redemption!" Cue anime music please.
Did I forget to mention the angry sentient trees from the angry Old Wood that has suddenly appeared in Fell's Church as though it's been there all along? And giant invisible insects made of jell-o that seems to be causing a rash of possessions in Fell's Church?
As for this being a more "adult" L.J. Smith--I could not disagree more. Gratuitous violence and sophomoric sexual overtones do not an "adult" novel make. "Adult" indicates a depth and maturity that exists nowhere on these pages. Instead we are forced to endure absurd musings over lingerie while someone is dying, euphemisms for sex that are utterly juvenile, and implications about sexuality that are at best offensive and at worst irresponsible. All of it is as far removed from the very adult, very subtle themes of the original series as to be absurd. In ”Nightfall (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #1)”, there was no deeper meaning or affect, and I felt like I was watching a little kid curse for the first time and giggle.
More of Purplycookie’s Reviews @: http://www.goodreads.com/purplycookie
Book Details:
Title Nightfall (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #1)
Author L.J. Smith
Reviewed By Purplycookie
March 6, 2018
0/5 stars. Yup it's that bad that it doesn't even deserve 1 star. It was so bad that I was like, what the hell did I just read. (In fact, I made a 'what-the-hell-did-i-just-read' shelf just for this book lol).
The story was so lame and stupid...I can't even explain how lame it is. Honestly nothing in the book made sense. And all of a sudden the characters became extra stupid.
That whole baby Elena to human Elena and the to being an angel...please explain how the hell that could even happen. -.-
And then stupid Stefan acting like he's Elena's mom? And going on like "lovely love"..lol what a ridiculous pet name is that. And Damon acting even more psycho than usual and all of a sudden he can't remember Mutt, I mean Matt's name. *rolls eyes*
But then again Mutt or Matt, I don't see the difference much either when reading this book..he was just plain weird here.
And don't get me started on those twins..and why on Earth are they cuddling so much...gross twincest! *barfs*
Everything about this book was too sexual...in a weird disturbing way. This book didn't feel anything like the first 4 books.
L.J. Smith was definitely on drugs or something when writing this book...Honestly I can't imagine a sane person writing this crap! It's worse than the lamest Wattpad book I've read.
All I've left to say to the TVD show lovers..save yourselves and don't read this book! Even if the show did drag at some point, at least things made more sense in the show.
Oh and thanks for the headache..
The story was so lame and stupid...I can't even explain how lame it is. Honestly nothing in the book made sense. And all of a sudden the characters became extra stupid.
That whole baby Elena to human Elena and the to being an angel...please explain how the hell that could even happen. -.-
And then stupid Stefan acting like he's Elena's mom? And going on like "lovely love"..lol what a ridiculous pet name is that. And Damon acting even more psycho than usual and all of a sudden he can't remember Mutt, I mean Matt's name. *rolls eyes*
But then again Mutt or Matt, I don't see the difference much either when reading this book..he was just plain weird here.
And don't get me started on those twins..and why on Earth are they cuddling so much...gross twincest! *barfs*
Everything about this book was too sexual...in a weird disturbing way. This book didn't feel anything like the first 4 books.
L.J. Smith was definitely on drugs or something when writing this book...Honestly I can't imagine a sane person writing this crap! It's worse than the lamest Wattpad book I've read.
All I've left to say to the TVD show lovers..save yourselves and don't read this book! Even if the show did drag at some point, at least things made more sense in the show.
Oh and thanks for the headache..
February 20, 2009
Fell's Church is the Hellmouth of Virginia, like Sunnydale was to California. Elena is no Buffy, but she does like to foil the best laid plans of the evil doers that come to wreck havoc on her little country town.
Though Stefan and Angel share a lot in common. Spike and Damon; however, are nothing a like in my opinion. I liked Spike, but I love Damon. I might have been the only person who was happy when Buffy and Spike ended up together (or maybe not), anyway I'm hoping if these characters and author are anything a like, then I can hope that Elena and Damon will find their perfect happiness (together). I might be okay with Bonnie and Damon, we'll see. I'm not sure what to do about Stefan.
Hopefully Fell's Church doesn't end up like a big hole in the ground like Sunnydale. But, I'm hopeful for more Vampire Diaries. I hear that the CW is creating a series for next season. I'm looking forward to it.
Over all, I enjoyed this book, especially since Damon was in it more(regardless if he was possessed by ugly demon creatures). The one negative I do have was at times feeling like the story was dragging. It didn't always bother me, but there were times I was like, "lets move it along"...
Though Stefan and Angel share a lot in common. Spike and Damon; however, are nothing a like in my opinion. I liked Spike, but I love Damon. I might have been the only person who was happy when Buffy and Spike ended up together (or maybe not), anyway I'm hoping if these characters and author are anything a like, then I can hope that Elena and Damon will find their perfect happiness (together). I might be okay with Bonnie and Damon, we'll see. I'm not sure what to do about Stefan.
Hopefully Fell's Church doesn't end up like a big hole in the ground like Sunnydale. But, I'm hopeful for more Vampire Diaries. I hear that the CW is creating a series for next season. I'm looking forward to it.
Over all, I enjoyed this book, especially since Damon was in it more(regardless if he was possessed by ugly demon creatures). The one negative I do have was at times feeling like the story was dragging. It didn't always bother me, but there were times I was like, "lets move it along"...
July 7, 2021
Aquí pasó algo raro. Mientras las primera entregas seguían un ritmo similar (bastante intenso, por cierto) y una coherencia y equilibrio que daba continuidad a la historia y a sus personajes, en este libro da la impresión que la autora recurrió a cualquier recurso para armar la trama. Así, nos encontramos con una combinación de seres y poderes sobrenaturales, mezclados sin mucho cuidado y que no logra enganchar. Tiene unos pocos momentos intensos, que atrapan al lector, pero la mayoría es una suma de acontecimientos y situaciones que no convencen.
El libro tampoco es malo, entretiene, pero hay un cambio notorio (y no para bien) es esta nueva saga que le da continuidad a las Crónicas vampíricas, donde apenas se heredan personajes y localidades. Si te gustaron los primeros cuatro libros de la serie original, recomiendo quedarse ahí.
El libro tampoco es malo, entretiene, pero hay un cambio notorio (y no para bien) es esta nueva saga que le da continuidad a las Crónicas vampíricas, donde apenas se heredan personajes y localidades. Si te gustaron los primeros cuatro libros de la serie original, recomiendo quedarse ahí.
May 7, 2018
That was, um, weird. 🤔
February 25, 2009
This is L.J. Smith's next (Book number 5) in her Vampire Diaries series. The original four were written in 1991. So, this book comes 18 years later. The Vampire Dairies is one of my all time favorite vampire series because the story and characters seem so timeless. Now, after 18 years, L.J. Smith has written a fifth book in the series. This book, “The Return: Nightfall “is going to be followed by two more books (which publication dates have not been assigned as of yet, the next will be “Shadow Souls” followed by “Midnight”). This newest book follows all of the characters we so desperately fell in love with in the first four books. However, as L.J. Smith has already stated, this new “trilogy” will be focusing largely on Damon. So, for the fans out there that are upset Stefan was absent through much of the book, need to remember how much he was in the first four books, and that this is a “to be continued book” with two more to follow. Now, after 18 years, L.J. Smith’s writing has changed a great deal. The first 100 pages or so are written in a completely different style, the rest of the book is more like her writing. However, overall this is a very dark book and is written in a more “adult” fashion. You cannot expect a carbon copy of any of the previous four books. This book cannot be compared to the other four at all. It think this new book, and the other two to follow need to be judged separately from Ms. Smith’s original four. This book is very different. There are new bad guys and Elena has new Power.
August 3, 2010
Put this book down and run away very quickly.
~*~SPOILER ALERT~*~
This book was so bad I couldn't even finish it. I couldn't even get past the second chapter. Quit ruining your perfectly good series by adding more books, LJ Smith. You managed to suck out every ounce of fun from your characters by wrapping them in this vacuous cloud of vague emotions(?) and a plot(?) that relies more on wistful gazes and rough sketches of movement than on any actual conflict. Can you please explain to me how Caroline - ranting and raving and COMPLETELY POSSESSED BY SATAN - can walk into a room full of your supposedly "intelligent" characters, and NO ONE EVEN NOTICES SOMETHING'S WRONG?? "Oh, that's just Caroline being Caroline. She's kind of a bitch." No one get up and actually follow her, guys. I'm sure she's just going home to get some Midol, NOT TO SATAN'S LAIR.
Also, you have committed the cardinal sin of vampire novels, BY INTRODUCING FAIRIES AS AN ANTAGONIST. Vampires are big, bad, and scary. Fairies are not. There is no rivalry between them, because vampires would eat fairies for breakfast if they would stop giggling and flitting around long enough. You. Fail.
But this isn't your gravest sin, LJ Smith. Oh no. Not by half. Your greatest sin is that you have completely eliminated ANY hope of Damon/Elena or even Stefan/Elena sexual tension by gleefully informing us that your vampires cannot have sex. YOU, MADAM, HAVE MISSED THE POINT OF VAMPIRES.
~*~SPOILER ALERT~*~
This book was so bad I couldn't even finish it. I couldn't even get past the second chapter. Quit ruining your perfectly good series by adding more books, LJ Smith. You managed to suck out every ounce of fun from your characters by wrapping them in this vacuous cloud of vague emotions(?) and a plot(?) that relies more on wistful gazes and rough sketches of movement than on any actual conflict. Can you please explain to me how Caroline - ranting and raving and COMPLETELY POSSESSED BY SATAN - can walk into a room full of your supposedly "intelligent" characters, and NO ONE EVEN NOTICES SOMETHING'S WRONG?? "Oh, that's just Caroline being Caroline. She's kind of a bitch." No one get up and actually follow her, guys. I'm sure she's just going home to get some Midol, NOT TO SATAN'S LAIR.
Also, you have committed the cardinal sin of vampire novels, BY INTRODUCING FAIRIES AS AN ANTAGONIST. Vampires are big, bad, and scary. Fairies are not. There is no rivalry between them, because vampires would eat fairies for breakfast if they would stop giggling and flitting around long enough. You. Fail.
But this isn't your gravest sin, LJ Smith. Oh no. Not by half. Your greatest sin is that you have completely eliminated ANY hope of Damon/Elena or even Stefan/Elena sexual tension by gleefully informing us that your vampires cannot have sex. YOU, MADAM, HAVE MISSED THE POINT OF VAMPIRES.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2010
Well, I doubt any of the plotlines in this installment of the Vampire Diaries series will be making it to the TV show anytime soon. Because this book was ridiculous.
At the end of the last book, Elena had been turned into a vampire, then killed, then brought back from the dead six months after actually dying. Now she is some kind of borderline ghost/angel. She doesn't remember how to talk, and she floats, and has healing powers. Everything's great except Caroline is acting very weird and Damon got bit by something in a tree and suddenly all hell breaks loose. Stefan disappears, and trees are attacking people, and girls are either turning into insects or flailing about mostly naked and piercing themselves.
It was all so silly and over the top. Apparently, some random Japanese fox demons named Shinishi and Misao were drawn to Fell's Church because of Elena's weird powers. What, there were no demons who lived geographically closer? Elena also annoyed the crap out of me here. First she can't speak so she's all mewling like a kitten, while Stefan is helpless to resist her. Every time he called her "lovely little love" I wanted to barf. I was almost thankful when he was kidnapped off to another dimension. Then suddenly Elena's an angel with all these powers and Wings of Redemption? And while Damon was possessed through half the book, I didn't understand how he could be so completely blind to the fact that he was possessed. He went from evil to maybe-not-evil so many times I couldn't keep it straight. Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie were the most superfluous characters ever. Bonnie was like their psychic cellphone. And suddenly there's a drink that vampires can conjure up out of the air, in a wine glass no less, that will sate their thirst for blood? How convenient.
Probably as a teenager I might have enjoyed the crazy plot twists, and I gave this two stars because I did feel the need to finish it. But obviously I will not be reading the rest of the Vampire Diaries: The Return series.
At the end of the last book, Elena had been turned into a vampire, then killed, then brought back from the dead six months after actually dying. Now she is some kind of borderline ghost/angel. She doesn't remember how to talk, and she floats, and has healing powers. Everything's great except Caroline is acting very weird and Damon got bit by something in a tree and suddenly all hell breaks loose. Stefan disappears, and trees are attacking people, and girls are either turning into insects or flailing about mostly naked and piercing themselves.
It was all so silly and over the top. Apparently, some random Japanese fox demons named Shinishi and Misao were drawn to Fell's Church because of Elena's weird powers. What, there were no demons who lived geographically closer? Elena also annoyed the crap out of me here. First she can't speak so she's all mewling like a kitten, while Stefan is helpless to resist her. Every time he called her "lovely little love" I wanted to barf. I was almost thankful when he was kidnapped off to another dimension. Then suddenly Elena's an angel with all these powers and Wings of Redemption? And while Damon was possessed through half the book, I didn't understand how he could be so completely blind to the fact that he was possessed. He went from evil to maybe-not-evil so many times I couldn't keep it straight. Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie were the most superfluous characters ever. Bonnie was like their psychic cellphone. And suddenly there's a drink that vampires can conjure up out of the air, in a wine glass no less, that will sate their thirst for blood? How convenient.
Probably as a teenager I might have enjoyed the crazy plot twists, and I gave this two stars because I did feel the need to finish it. But obviously I will not be reading the rest of the Vampire Diaries: The Return series.
September 17, 2017
I don't think I've ever read any other book series that is so inferior to its tv adaptation. This is book 5/13 of the Vampire Diaries series, and the writing seems to get worse with every novel. These books honestly read like bad fanfiction. If I'd started reading the books before watching the TV show, I probably wouldn't have gotten more than 20% of the way through the first novel.
That being said, because I HAVE seen the show, and because I do LOVE these characters, I keep returning to this series, and I do have a lot of fun, despite the many, many glaring flaws. If this rating was solely based on my enjoyment, I'd probably give it 4 stars. But it wouldn't be fair to forgive so much based on a stellar TV adaptation.
In all honesty, this is a 2 star book. Both the human and vampire characters respond to situations in bizarre, nonsensical ways. It's often hard to understand exactly what is happening in a scene. And my particular pet peeve is that a large portion of Elena's inner dialogue always seems to be dedicated to questioning whether or not she should trust Damon in Every. Single. Book.
On the subject of Damon....When watching the show, I'm Team Delena all the way, however in this book it is impossible to root for him. He bounces between being controlling and totally lovesick. Neither of these are attractive qualities. And trust me, even Ian Somerhalder couldn't pull off some of this dialogue. Stefan isn't much better. He's overly angelic, and his nickname for Elena "my lovely love" is both awfully unimaginative and vomit inducing. Book Elena can do better than both of them.
In short, I'm going to keep reading these, but I really, really don't recommend that anyone else starts.
That being said, because I HAVE seen the show, and because I do LOVE these characters, I keep returning to this series, and I do have a lot of fun, despite the many, many glaring flaws. If this rating was solely based on my enjoyment, I'd probably give it 4 stars. But it wouldn't be fair to forgive so much based on a stellar TV adaptation.
In all honesty, this is a 2 star book. Both the human and vampire characters respond to situations in bizarre, nonsensical ways. It's often hard to understand exactly what is happening in a scene. And my particular pet peeve is that a large portion of Elena's inner dialogue always seems to be dedicated to questioning whether or not she should trust Damon in Every. Single. Book.
On the subject of Damon....When watching the show, I'm Team Delena all the way, however in this book it is impossible to root for him. He bounces between being controlling and totally lovesick. Neither of these are attractive qualities. And trust me, even Ian Somerhalder couldn't pull off some of this dialogue. Stefan isn't much better. He's overly angelic, and his nickname for Elena "my lovely love" is both awfully unimaginative and vomit inducing. Book Elena can do better than both of them.
In short, I'm going to keep reading these, but I really, really don't recommend that anyone else starts.
July 1, 2015
This is one such book, where the show is million times better than the book. This book is utter nonsense . Writing at its worst. I wonder if Smith knew what she was writing.Words which made no sense, For example ''Wings of Redemption'', ''Wings of Purification''.Exactly what does these words mean?!
The characters really gets into our nerves.
Stefan is really pathetic. The way he calls elena ''My love'' is really annoying.
Elena is the same.As a spirit, she did some crazy stuff.
Bonnie,as usual was over dramatic .
Damon is the only sane one remaining in the group.But Smith ruined his character too.
Though this book was a disaster, i will be reading the next book in the series. With stefan out of the way,i am hoping for some delena moments.
The characters really gets into our nerves.
Stefan is really pathetic. The way he calls elena ''My love'' is really annoying.
Elena is the same.As a spirit, she did some crazy stuff.
Bonnie,as usual was over dramatic .
Damon is the only sane one remaining in the group.But Smith ruined his character too.
Though this book was a disaster, i will be reading the next book in the series. With stefan out of the way,i am hoping for some delena moments.
August 27, 2016
I've waited more than 10 years for this book, having started the series my freshman year in college. I wasn't expecting great literature- but this was very bad. It's like LJ Smith took a page from the Stephenie Meyer guide on how-to-screw-up-a-good-series. The characters seem nothing like the original books, and the chemistry between them has disappeared. Awakening:Nightfall reads like bad fanfiction (it must be contagious.) It feels like Smith tries to cram every fairy-tale/folklore myth into this novel, and the result is a long, repetitive and wordy mess: how many times can a tree try to strangle you? Apparently there are more books to come, but I won't buy them.
February 11, 2023
Pretty good. It was fun to dive back into this world. If you are this far in the series than you know by now that the books are nothing like the TV series. And going into that knowing that makes the books a lot more fun.
The page count on these jumped out from the first 4. Almost 600 pages for this one. It seems a bit daunting, but the book was entertaining so it didn't feel that long. There is a lot going on with tons of action and suspense. Some real creepiness this time too.
The page count on these jumped out from the first 4. Almost 600 pages for this one. It seems a bit daunting, but the book was entertaining so it didn't feel that long. There is a lot going on with tons of action and suspense. Some real creepiness this time too.
January 17, 2023
I read all 13 Vampire Diaries books for a video project and I'm team burn the entire boxset. Check out my thoughts on the series on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nLU4l-qJX8o
October 10, 2010
This is a difficult book to review. I must say that I did enjoy this book, but there were many distrubing elements to it. This new series is much darker and edgier than the previous series. This series is geared to a young adult audience, but I would not want my teen to read this book.
Stefan is lured from Elena as the town is falling apart. Very strange things are happening. This book has two "malach" who are trying to destroy the town. There is possession, seduction, and self-cutting. In the seduction area, it doesn't go into too much detail, but the images are very stong in the other.
I think that an adult can handle this book and see where it is going enough to enjoy it, but it is for mature audiences only.
Stefan is lured from Elena as the town is falling apart. Very strange things are happening. This book has two "malach" who are trying to destroy the town. There is possession, seduction, and self-cutting. In the seduction area, it doesn't go into too much detail, but the images are very stong in the other.
I think that an adult can handle this book and see where it is going enough to enjoy it, but it is for mature audiences only.
November 1, 2011
oh god i cant tell you how bad this book was, it was SO BAD!!i had to keep forcing myself to read it, it was that bad - i dont know what smith was thinking - she should have stopped writing these books and left it as it was, Elena sacrifced herself for a good cause, there was no point to bringing her back. Egh just egh - the story line was really really shit - watch out everyone for *contain spoiler* EVIL PARACITES that will get into your head and mess you up! oh andf evil foxes/people/things that are brother and sister but act like they are in love with each other - say what!!! Yer it gets worse, stefan getting off on Elenas blood which is soo good cause shes got spiritual powers!!! Stupid, stupid book!!!!
March 1, 2020
The Return: Nightfall - #5 The Vampire Diaries
2.5 stars
I didn't like the majority. Especially the foxes + Malach. Way to dark for me all the weird things that happed.
Plus point, Damon caring for his Little Red Bird.
And the ending! Whoop can't wait for more Damon/Elena!
2.5 stars
I didn't like the majority. Especially the foxes + Malach. Way to dark for me all the weird things that happed.
Plus point, Damon caring for his Little Red Bird.
And the ending! Whoop can't wait for more Damon/Elena!
March 17, 2011
I think I got to page 57 when I just couldn't continue. And it takes a lot for me to not finish a book!
November 20, 2020
Honestly, I'm being a terrible reader with this series. Going all kinds out of order but it was for a challenge - I swear. Maybe one day I will do this thing correctly but right now - no promises. I'm also not going to lie, I just don't get this part of the Vampire Series. Kind of like with Stefan's diaries (book 1).
While that felt like I was watching the show.. then this had me feeling like I would rather watch a whole house be painted inside and out and then wait for it all to dry. Nothing exciting happened in this book and it actually made me hate Elena. Which is weird because the tv version of her was somewhat bearable (at times).
It just felt like no one knew what to do with Elena either. She was a hot mess all by herself but this book had her flipping from dead to vampire to angel all of a sudden. I'm still confused on the flying part as well but seriously, you don't have to explain it to me. I just don't care one bit about it all.
Other than that, I'm honestly not even sure how much wine I drank to get through the first two books of the return.. but I'm hoping I have plenty around me whenever I decide to torture myself and dive into the next book.
While that felt like I was watching the show.. then this had me feeling like I would rather watch a whole house be painted inside and out and then wait for it all to dry. Nothing exciting happened in this book and it actually made me hate Elena. Which is weird because the tv version of her was somewhat bearable (at times).
It just felt like no one knew what to do with Elena either. She was a hot mess all by herself but this book had her flipping from dead to vampire to angel all of a sudden. I'm still confused on the flying part as well but seriously, you don't have to explain it to me. I just don't care one bit about it all.
Other than that, I'm honestly not even sure how much wine I drank to get through the first two books of the return.. but I'm hoping I have plenty around me whenever I decide to torture myself and dive into the next book.
March 15, 2020
I will only say that this was disappointing. I will conclude by saying I FINISHED IT....
March 1, 2020
Leased favorite book of the Entire Vampire Diaries serie. The flying / Angel thing Elena is going through is so weird. The Kitsune are horrible and unpleasant to read about.
Damon wants to have Elena for himself, we all know that. That is wat I like about the Vampire Diaries. Dying to read about Damon and Elena (kind-off) together. Shoo, go away Stefan. Bother someone else with your over protective whiny behavior.
Damon is my favorite character but why does he have to say Matts name wrong all the time? Like he is to dumb to remember, that is so not Damon-like.
Damon wants to have Elena for himself, we all know that. That is wat I like about the Vampire Diaries. Dying to read about Damon and Elena (kind-off) together. Shoo, go away Stefan. Bother someone else with your over protective whiny behavior.
Damon is my favorite character but why does he have to say Matts name wrong all the time? Like he is to dumb to remember, that is so not Damon-like.
February 28, 2017
Poor Damon! Poor Stefan!
April 19, 2020
یا ترجمه بسیار بد بود یا کلا داستان مسخره بود!
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