Dinner Disaster

The Vampire Diaries: The Return #2.2

by L.J. Smith

Not for the faint of stomach. This is a scene which my editor and I agreed to leave out of The Vampire Diaries Book 6,Shadow Souls. It’s definitely gruesome, but I would hate for these leftovers to go to waste.

Read on at your own peril . . . and if you’re munching something, stop!

Genres: Vampires, Young Adult, Fantasy, Short Stories, Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance

21 pages, ebook

First published August 16, 2010

About the author

Smith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University.

She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by, Heart of Valor in 1990, and the 4-volume Vampire Diaries series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor was also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010.

Smith lived in the San Francisco Bay area “with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books.”

She passed away on March 8th, 2025, after a lengthy illness.

Reviews

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 1 out of 5]

Θα μπορούσε να είναι αστείο, θα μπορούσε να είναι creepy, όμως, τελικά, καταλήγει να μην είναι τίποτα απ' τα δύο. Just waste of time!!!

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a story about a dinner which took place whilst they were in the underworld where they went to find Stephan. Basically dinner started and they were presented with a whole roasted toddler. Nice.
Bonnie's incessant screaming gets old.

[Maud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dinner Disaster is a to soft name for what happened during dinner that day I guess. It's a fun story with lots of creepy dinner stuff and such but a lot of fun to read. All I can say other then that is that I'm happy I haven't had such a dinner in my whole life and I hope I can keep it that way.

[Felicia [Felicia's Ink(t)] · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a weird scene lol. I didn’t know the clue until L.J. Smith interrupted the story to explain haha

[˚₊‧☾ space case ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

And yet again I'm reminded: I really, really don't like Elena.

(If I HAD to pick, Bonnie and Damon is way better.)

[Milagros Guevara Bernabé · Rating 1 out of 5]

Calificación: ✨(0.5)

Opinión:

¡Prepárense para una cena con más sorpresas de las que pueden digerir, porque Dinner Disaster de L.J. Smith nos sumerge en un festín en el inframundo que deja mucho que desear mientras nuestros personajes buscan a Stephan. 🍽️

La historia arranca con la presentación de un niño pequeño asado en la mesa. ¿Alguien pidió eso? Bueno, parece que en el inframundo no hay límites culinarios. Sin embargo, lo que realmente puede sacarte del apetito son los gritos interminables de Bonnie, que podrían hacer envejecer hasta al más paciente de los comensales. 🤯

Para calmar la situación, Damon opta por un beso. ¿Romántico? Quizás, pero se siente un tanto forzado, como si fuera un gesto para satisfacer a los seguidores más acérrimos del "Bamon". 😘

En resumen, Dinner Disaster nos ofrece un banquete de rarezas en el inframundo, pero deja un regusto amargo en cuanto a la trama y el desarrollo de los personajes. ¿Será esta cena un giro crucial en la búsqueda de Stephan o simplemente un desvío narrativo que deja mucho que desear? Acompáñenos y descubra si esta historia corta logra satisfacer su apetito literario o deja un sabor insípido en su boca. 📖🍷

[Natalie Schloss · Rating 1 out of 5]

far...far too gross oh my god (and what is with lj smith, in midnight, she had matt thinking that kid was eating a baby, like at least he WASN'T but oh my god it's just far too dark) it's a good thing this was not included in the book

yeah, guys, suggest someone SLAP your best friend when she's going through something horrifying, that'll help

what is it with ppl behind teen books/shows having a person kiss someone having a panic attack (teen wolf did it too) it would certainly not help me when i'm freaked out to have something else unexpected happen like yeah it might be a distraction but not necessarily a good one ugh

[The_Books_Music_Life · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rating: 1 star

Well this was disturbing and kind of confusing. Honestly wished I'd skipped this one.

[Juan Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Sukriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

"L.J. Smith's novel is a captivating blend of supernatural intrigue and teenage drama. The protagonist, navigating a world of vampires and witches, faces both love and peril. Smith's writing skillfully weaves suspense with a touch of romance, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. The character development is strong, and the plot twists add depth to the storyline. While some clichés are present, Smith's unique spin on the paranormal genre sets this book apart. Overall, a thrilling read for those seeking a mix of the otherworldly and the everyday challenges of adolescence."

[R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This little short is rather horrific and yet oddly funny at the same time. Must admit to being rather glad it wasn't in the final book, but I can see why it's still shared online all the same. Seems there are a plethora of reasons Bonnie should get kisses from Damon lately.

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I'm glad it's not in the actual book...I took me some time to realize what really happened but...I don't really like it, although yes, it does fit the world. I was just about to have a sandwich, but I'm not sure anymore if I'm still hungry...

[Carly Fries · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was supposedly cut from Shadow Souls for being too creepy...

Compared to some of the things I've experienced reading these books, I'm actually mildly curious but mostly terrified of what this might be.

Edit: FUCKING CANNIBALISM.

[Chandni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty disturbing short story, but pointless.

[M.D. Bowden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my God - would not recommend this at all - especially not to anyone with children! I'm glad it was cut from the original story (which I loved!) - I didn't think it added to it at all.

[Daiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a scene which was definitely gruesome, but the author said she would hate for these leftovers to go to waste.

[Denisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another rating: 3/10