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Evensong #1
Paradise Lost
This fanfic is based on The Vampire Diaries book series—also by L. J. Smith—and takes place after the volume Midnight.
Damon is back and enjoying his vampire existence to its fullest. Elena, Bonnie and their friends are in their third week at Dalcrest College, ordinary students aware of an extraordinary world that verges on their own campus.
Stefan is scarcely aware that he is living in a fragile paradise with Elena as his devoted girl . . . until one night it all shatters. He wakes from a dream to find Elena limp and white in his arms and rushes her to the hospital for a massive transfusion.
Elena survives, but Stefan decides that the only way she will ever truly be safe is without him. To make his exit complete, Stefan removes himself from the memories of Elena, her friends, and all of Fell’s Church.
Can first love ever really be forgotten? Will Damon finally have Elena by his side as his Princess of Darkness? The epic story begins in Evensong: Paradise Lost.
Damon is back and enjoying his vampire existence to its fullest. Elena, Bonnie and their friends are in their third week at Dalcrest College, ordinary students aware of an extraordinary world that verges on their own campus.
Stefan is scarcely aware that he is living in a fragile paradise with Elena as his devoted girl . . . until one night it all shatters. He wakes from a dream to find Elena limp and white in his arms and rushes her to the hospital for a massive transfusion.
Elena survives, but Stefan decides that the only way she will ever truly be safe is without him. To make his exit complete, Stefan removes himself from the memories of Elena, her friends, and all of Fell’s Church.
Can first love ever really be forgotten? Will Damon finally have Elena by his side as his Princess of Darkness? The epic story begins in Evensong: Paradise Lost.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2014
51 people are currently reading
2228 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Smith
337 books112k followersSmith 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 16, 2016
Warning! Ranting and Damon gifs ahead!
I bought this book and its sequel in support of L.J. Smith, who now has to write fanfiction of her own work in order to continue the series the way she wanted it. However, I do not like where she's taking the series. Not at all. It should have stayed the original four books, but apparently someone at the publishing company knows a cash cow when they see it.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy parts of this book. I like Smith's writing as much as ever, but overall this was just one big mess.
The original series had a darkness to it, but now the tone is just silly and lighthearted. Elena used to be calculating and determined, but now she's a bit simpering. Everyone loved her in the original series, but now they act as if she's Jesus or something. It's out of control, I tell you.
As for the rest of the characters, Meredith is judgy, Bonnie is the one everyone likes to yell at, and Matt just stands there. Stefan is even more of a self-loathing moron than in the series, and Damon—DAMON—seems to be serving as comic relief.
Okay, yes, I did find him amusing as times. But it seemed the character resembled a more whimsical TV show Damon rather than cold, dangerous book Damon. While I love Ian Somerhalder, I'm not the biggest fan of how he portrays my first book crush.
Also, what is UP with him? Bonnie or Elena? YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH, DAMON. DAMN.
Most of this book would have been avoided if not for Stefan's sheer idiocy. I was never a fan of his, but he took things to a new level here. What the FUCK, dude?
This gets an extra star JUST for Smith's writing and the nostalgia she managed to impart from time to time. But the content is one star. I will read the next installment because I already own it, and also one day I may want to write another review filled with Damon gifs.
I bought this book and its sequel in support of L.J. Smith, who now has to write fanfiction of her own work in order to continue the series the way she wanted it. However, I do not like where she's taking the series. Not at all. It should have stayed the original four books, but apparently someone at the publishing company knows a cash cow when they see it.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy parts of this book. I like Smith's writing as much as ever, but overall this was just one big mess.
The original series had a darkness to it, but now the tone is just silly and lighthearted. Elena used to be calculating and determined, but now she's a bit simpering. Everyone loved her in the original series, but now they act as if she's Jesus or something. It's out of control, I tell you.
As for the rest of the characters, Meredith is judgy, Bonnie is the one everyone likes to yell at, and Matt just stands there. Stefan is even more of a self-loathing moron than in the series, and Damon—DAMON—seems to be serving as comic relief.
Stefan shut his eyes and shook his head slowly. "I'm getting a headache."
"Serves you right," Damon said unkindly. "You've been giving them to me for half a millennium."
Okay, yes, I did find him amusing as times. But it seemed the character resembled a more whimsical TV show Damon rather than cold, dangerous book Damon. While I love Ian Somerhalder, I'm not the biggest fan of how he portrays my first book crush.
Also, what is UP with him? Bonnie or Elena? YOU CAN'T HAVE BOTH, DAMON. DAMN.
Most of this book would have been avoided if not for Stefan's sheer idiocy. I was never a fan of his, but he took things to a new level here. What the FUCK, dude?
"After all, it's been said the the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."
"Yes, and it's also been said that 'all the world is a stage and... if you forget your lines... well, you're basically screwed.'" A pause, then, "No?"
This gets an extra star JUST for Smith's writing and the nostalgia she managed to impart from time to time. But the content is one star. I will read the next installment because I already own it, and also one day I may want to write another review filled with Damon gifs.
November 5, 2014
I just found out about these books. I cannot believe that the author of the series is forced to write the final books of her story as fanfic. Her ex-publishers are disgusting, greedy and awful people. I'm glad L.J. got at least this opportunity to write the rest of her story. I'm really happy that I will finaly have an ending to the Vampire Diaries. Her ending, the right and true ending, and not the false one that the publishers/producers/wanna-be-rich-as-hell-people want us to mindlessly read.
I watched the tv series from the beginning and I tried not to mind the differences, but as the story continued I realised it's not at all the same. I twas not the great, creepy, twisted, beautiful and unique world that L.J. had created, or the vivid characters I met between the pages of her books. No, it was becoming something very different. Then, I read a blog post about what the publishers did to her and stopped watching the series almost instantly. Why? Because the book publishers and the tv-series production did this to her, together. The tv-series was taking on a different road and the tv-series fanbase loved it. The tv-series fans wanted the characters to feel differently that they felt in the books. So what did the publishers do? Snatch the story out of her hands and give it to some ghost writer to finish as the fanbase wanted. God, they are stupid and greedy as f***! Nobody stopped to think about the books fans, the people that loved this story for so many years and surely the first ones to start watching the series. No, of course not. When money talks, logics fails to be heard.
Anyway, my thoughts are getting out of hand. This was not something that I planned on writing. I just wanted to say that I'm going to read L.J.'s ending and finaly get my closure, as I stopped reading after I finished Midnight, which was the last book she herself wrote.
Thank you L.J. for doing this for us. I loved the world you created and now I get to have my ending, at last.
I watched the tv series from the beginning and I tried not to mind the differences, but as the story continued I realised it's not at all the same. I twas not the great, creepy, twisted, beautiful and unique world that L.J. had created, or the vivid characters I met between the pages of her books. No, it was becoming something very different. Then, I read a blog post about what the publishers did to her and stopped watching the series almost instantly. Why? Because the book publishers and the tv-series production did this to her, together. The tv-series was taking on a different road and the tv-series fanbase loved it. The tv-series fans wanted the characters to feel differently that they felt in the books. So what did the publishers do? Snatch the story out of her hands and give it to some ghost writer to finish as the fanbase wanted. God, they are stupid and greedy as f***! Nobody stopped to think about the books fans, the people that loved this story for so many years and surely the first ones to start watching the series. No, of course not. When money talks, logics fails to be heard.
Anyway, my thoughts are getting out of hand. This was not something that I planned on writing. I just wanted to say that I'm going to read L.J.'s ending and finaly get my closure, as I stopped reading after I finished Midnight, which was the last book she herself wrote.
Thank you L.J. for doing this for us. I loved the world you created and now I get to have my ending, at last.
January 24, 2014
3.5 Stars - I more than liked it :) but not enough to give it 4 stars
Read from 6:10pm-9:32pm (with quick dinner break in between)
I was beyond excited for these fanfic books and was chomping at the bit to hear the rest of the story. Continually refreshing the FB page and Amazon searches until the books became available.
I hate to say it, but I'm a bit disappointed. I loved reading it, but at the same time I couldn't help but feel the main characters were all off by a bit. Like their thought patterns and personalities were shifted in order to create friction the story needed. An example of this, I feel, is Damon and Bonnie's relationship. Sure, in the earlier books Damon was fond of Bonnie and protected her (heck every single one of the other characters had to protect Bonnie, she's so freaking helpless >.>) but his love for Elena was always single minded.
The entire time I feel the love triangle was very forced and that rubbed me the wrong way. So that was a huge issue for me, hard to overlook but I tried to enjoy it, and I did, just not as much as I would have hoped.
Another thing that bugged me was that Damon's return was totally skipped! I was excited about that the most! and she totally just skipped it and starts off the book with everyone just living life like "oh yeah Damon's back and he's still annoying as hell *Disapproval*"... I mean WHAT?
Now this part is totally my opinion and not based on my rating at all (Or it would have been a 2 star) but...
Bonnie does not fit with Damon at all. She is too weak and always needs to be taken care up. All of the other characters have to take care of her and she just runs off and puts everyone else and danger all the while looking all tiny and sweet with big puppy dog eyes asking everyone to "Love me and pity me!" Blech. Damon needs someone strong, that can stand up to him on a REGULAR basis and tell him no. He doesn't need some tiny little girl clutching his coat and hiding behind his back all the time. He needs someone with strength, confidence, and power to be his equal. it goes without saying, I really hate Bonnie >.> and besides
---Old Status---
VD IS CONTINUING FINALLY!
I am so excited for these next books, I literally screamed when I found out L.J. was finally going to be able to finish HER books. Its sad that she has to call it fan fiction, but at least she is going to be able to let the public see how her story really was meant to end. I can hardly wait these next three days until this ebook is out!
I encourage everyone to buy this 'fanfiction' on amazon kindle worlds to support our beloved author! She has stated in her blog that she is writing these books and putting them up as fanfiction for us! The fans! And if more books are what we want she will continue to write them until the endgame. So the more people buy the ebook and show their support, the more likely her series is going to be able to be finished!
"I’m dedicating these new Kindle Worlds books to my readers, worldwide. Thank you, friends, for your many messages of kindness and appreciation. I would also like to thank Amazon for all its enthusiasm and consideration in publicizing this new series. Amazon, you rock!
Before anyone asks the burning question, I’ll answer it: no, this is not the end of The Vampire Diaries series, but if all goes well and my readers wish it, I will continue writing fan fiction books in this series to the endgame. That’s what I have planned." -- L.J. Smith
I also wanted to say that ever since I found out I have be refreshing her website repeatedly because it has the count down and looking up anything else I can find on what other people think about this awesomeness, then reread each of HER books within a day and a half. (I average 84 Pages an hour, though I did skip some... mainly some parts with Stefen and every Bonny+damon part *puke*)
Also, I am a hardcore Damon and Elena fan. DELENA FOREVER! <3 ;)
This is my process in Gif:
When I saw L.J.'s Blog post
Then I READ Her blog post
Then I just kinda sat there and couldn't breathe I was so EXCITED!
Then I screamed out loud! (Thankfully no one was home)
Annnnd My over all status about it:
My feels on having to FREAKING WAIT THESE NEXT *2* DAYS:
...4 hours and 5 minuets till release!...
The books release is being delayed?!
"I've been talking with the people at Kindle Worlds. There is a glitch with Kindle Worlds that is delaying my fanfics from releasing. They are working to get these issues resolved as quickly as possible. As soon as they do, the fanfics will go up. I'll post again when they are available.
I'm so sorry for this delay." - L.J. Smith's FB Page
Read from 6:10pm-9:32pm (with quick dinner break in between)
I was beyond excited for these fanfic books and was chomping at the bit to hear the rest of the story. Continually refreshing the FB page and Amazon searches until the books became available.
I hate to say it, but I'm a bit disappointed. I loved reading it, but at the same time I couldn't help but feel the main characters were all off by a bit. Like their thought patterns and personalities were shifted in order to create friction the story needed. An example of this, I feel, is Damon and Bonnie's relationship. Sure, in the earlier books Damon was fond of Bonnie and protected her (heck every single one of the other characters had to protect Bonnie, she's so freaking helpless >.>) but his love for Elena was always single minded.
The entire time I feel the love triangle was very forced and that rubbed me the wrong way. So that was a huge issue for me, hard to overlook but I tried to enjoy it, and I did, just not as much as I would have hoped.
Another thing that bugged me was that Damon's return was totally skipped! I was excited about that the most! and she totally just skipped it and starts off the book with everyone just living life like "oh yeah Damon's back and he's still annoying as hell *Disapproval*"... I mean WHAT?
Now this part is totally my opinion and not based on my rating at all (Or it would have been a 2 star) but...
Bonnie does not fit with Damon at all. She is too weak and always needs to be taken care up. All of the other characters have to take care of her and she just runs off and puts everyone else and danger all the while looking all tiny and sweet with big puppy dog eyes asking everyone to "Love me and pity me!" Blech. Damon needs someone strong, that can stand up to him on a REGULAR basis and tell him no. He doesn't need some tiny little girl clutching his coat and hiding behind his back all the time. He needs someone with strength, confidence, and power to be his equal. it goes without saying, I really hate Bonnie >.> and besides
---Old Status---
VD IS CONTINUING FINALLY!
I am so excited for these next books, I literally screamed when I found out L.J. was finally going to be able to finish HER books. Its sad that she has to call it fan fiction, but at least she is going to be able to let the public see how her story really was meant to end. I can hardly wait these next three days until this ebook is out!
I encourage everyone to buy this 'fanfiction' on amazon kindle worlds to support our beloved author! She has stated in her blog that she is writing these books and putting them up as fanfiction for us! The fans! And if more books are what we want she will continue to write them until the endgame. So the more people buy the ebook and show their support, the more likely her series is going to be able to be finished!
"I’m dedicating these new Kindle Worlds books to my readers, worldwide. Thank you, friends, for your many messages of kindness and appreciation. I would also like to thank Amazon for all its enthusiasm and consideration in publicizing this new series. Amazon, you rock!
Before anyone asks the burning question, I’ll answer it: no, this is not the end of The Vampire Diaries series, but if all goes well and my readers wish it, I will continue writing fan fiction books in this series to the endgame. That’s what I have planned." -- L.J. Smith
I also wanted to say that ever since I found out I have be refreshing her website repeatedly because it has the count down and looking up anything else I can find on what other people think about this awesomeness, then reread each of HER books within a day and a half. (I average 84 Pages an hour, though I did skip some... mainly some parts with Stefen and every Bonny+damon part *puke*)
Also, I am a hardcore Damon and Elena fan. DELENA FOREVER! <3 ;)
This is my process in Gif:
When I saw L.J.'s Blog post
Then I READ Her blog post
Then I just kinda sat there and couldn't breathe I was so EXCITED!
Then I screamed out loud! (Thankfully no one was home)
Annnnd My over all status about it:
My feels on having to FREAKING WAIT THESE NEXT *2* DAYS:
...4 hours and 5 minuets till release!...
The books release is being delayed?!
"I've been talking with the people at Kindle Worlds. There is a glitch with Kindle Worlds that is delaying my fanfics from releasing. They are working to get these issues resolved as quickly as possible. As soon as they do, the fanfics will go up. I'll post again when they are available.
I'm so sorry for this delay." - L.J. Smith's FB Page
February 1, 2014
I really liked this book! I'm so happy that L.J. Smith got into kindleworlds and did her own version of the Vampire Diaries. Stefan nearly takes Elena's life in this book. Their relationship is strong and their passion grows day by day. It's grown to the point where Elena allows Stefan to feed from her. He realizes he truly is a monster and isn't good enough for her. He believes he's more of a monster than Damon because he leaves it up to his brother to protect and be Elena's new boyfriend. He erases her memory of himself and replaces it with Damon. I really want Elena and Damon to end up together so I'm hoping this will lead to that. I know there's Damon/Bonnie fans out there, but I was always for Damon and Elena so I hope this is going where I hope. This was a lot better than that piece of garbage the ghost writer wrote.
December 15, 2014
As much as I love the show...there will always be a special place in my heart for the original. These are the characters I grew up loving.
Want to read
May 2, 2014This won't be released anywhere but in the US. I wish I knew someone who could send me a copy, I want to know what happens from her, not the ghostwriter!!
December 7, 2015
Why do people seem so oblivious to the fact that this book sucked? - that was the question I had running through my head when I saw all the reviews on this book.
Then I understood. Everybody is thinking "L J Smith was robbed of her book by evil tv series producers! Poor author! Let's read this poor author's book and rejoice! She needs every bit of fan support!"
I understand. But itd doesn't take away from the fact that this book was NOT up to scratch.
Everyone feels so obligated to love this book because it's a author rebelling against the greedy world. I understand the appeal. Hell, I used a couple of tissues when I heard about L.J's stuggle. What they did was cruel. I wrote emails, demanding that my family embark on a search for this book. But after I realised the only solution was an e-transaction, I gave up. Amazon is just as greedy as the producers. And e commerce is just shifty. I don't trust it AT ALL - call me old fashioned, call me paranoid; I don't care because both of that is true.
Anyway, I was pretty emotional.
When I got the book - I managed to scavenge it from the gutters of the Internet about a year later - I was ecstatic. I had just finished the nth episode of the tv series. (I enjoy laughing at the stupidity as well ad scrambling my brain trying to separate different timelines).
In fact, I got so confused about what happened where. Spurred on by this and the infuriating amount of ElenaXDamon (kill me now), I renewed my search for Eversong: Paradise Lost.
So I started reading it. And stopped half way. Because it sucked. The book characters are even bigger imbeciles than the tv series characters! Seriously, Stefan? Start erasing everyone's memory because you are a monster who deserves nothing but the worse? I always knew you were brooding, but this? This is pathetic. I can't believe I have been rooting for you all this time.
On top of his lunacy, he integrates his brother into his loved ones' lives. Sure, that , makes perfect sense. Just make your ex-girlfriend and her friends trust you brother, who eats people frequently. Yep, Stefan, always noble and selfless. Elena's hero. Stefan just saved her from loving to a blind idiot.
The whole Damon-is-replacing-Stefan rubbed be in the wrong way. My biggest turn off when it comes to books is this: someone coming along and replacing the main character. I wanted to read this book - the timeline untouched by ghostwriters, by fans, by producers. I wanted the timeline where Elena and Stefan are together.
In the tv series, Elena and Damon were together most of the time. It's sickening. In the ghostwriters' books, Stefan dies in the 11th book and Damon steps in. Pouncing on your dead brother's girlfriend. Talk about cold.
The Evensong series gave me hope. This flickering warm thing in my chest that maybe Elena and Stefan will work out somewhere. In at least ONE timeline... but NOOOOO, just pull a freaking Edmund Cullen on us Stefan, and walk away to protect her, even though leaving her puts her in more danger! Damn it!
I was shipping StefanXElena from the very beginning until the end. And now that their relationship has come to an end in all timelines, I can't bring myself to like Vampire Diaries at all. I hate the whole thing now. Everybody who touches this book seems to think it's okay to make their characters idiots in order to move their story along. Ever head of actually putting thought into your plotline? Fyi, that rhetorical question was aimed at all creators of the Vampire Diaries. Except the first ghostwriter. Because at least she/he didn't mess up her/his slice of the book series. As far as I remember, anyways. Read it two years ago.
But since I have watched six seasons of repetitive soapies, read until the 11th book, I can't just let myself hate it. I've dedicated too much of my time and energy into this story. I have decided to reread the first few books, trying to understand where it all turned to shit.
I tried to find a summery of this book so I could move on and spare myself the torture of poetry, selfish romances, and boring inner monologues about love/soul uniting. But I couldn't find any. So I am just going to have to forget I have ever read the 11th book or this book. Or I am just going to become more upset than I already am.
I half want to know the ending. The part that hopes StefanXElena will come to be. The part that hopes things will get better. But another part is just convinced that the characters' sappy romances will just get more sickening, that characters are just going through this stupid soapy of a book. Yes, you can interpret that as me saying that the book and tv series are the same.
I'm done. Just get this stupid thing over with.
Then I understood. Everybody is thinking "L J Smith was robbed of her book by evil tv series producers! Poor author! Let's read this poor author's book and rejoice! She needs every bit of fan support!"
I understand. But itd doesn't take away from the fact that this book was NOT up to scratch.
Everyone feels so obligated to love this book because it's a author rebelling against the greedy world. I understand the appeal. Hell, I used a couple of tissues when I heard about L.J's stuggle. What they did was cruel. I wrote emails, demanding that my family embark on a search for this book. But after I realised the only solution was an e-transaction, I gave up. Amazon is just as greedy as the producers. And e commerce is just shifty. I don't trust it AT ALL - call me old fashioned, call me paranoid; I don't care because both of that is true.
Anyway, I was pretty emotional.
When I got the book - I managed to scavenge it from the gutters of the Internet about a year later - I was ecstatic. I had just finished the nth episode of the tv series. (I enjoy laughing at the stupidity as well ad scrambling my brain trying to separate different timelines).
In fact, I got so confused about what happened where. Spurred on by this and the infuriating amount of ElenaXDamon (kill me now), I renewed my search for Eversong: Paradise Lost.
So I started reading it. And stopped half way. Because it sucked. The book characters are even bigger imbeciles than the tv series characters! Seriously, Stefan? Start erasing everyone's memory because you are a monster who deserves nothing but the worse? I always knew you were brooding, but this? This is pathetic. I can't believe I have been rooting for you all this time.
On top of his lunacy, he integrates his brother into his loved ones' lives. Sure, that , makes perfect sense. Just make your ex-girlfriend and her friends trust you brother, who eats people frequently. Yep, Stefan, always noble and selfless. Elena's hero. Stefan just saved her from loving to a blind idiot.
The whole Damon-is-replacing-Stefan rubbed be in the wrong way. My biggest turn off when it comes to books is this: someone coming along and replacing the main character. I wanted to read this book - the timeline untouched by ghostwriters, by fans, by producers. I wanted the timeline where Elena and Stefan are together.
In the tv series, Elena and Damon were together most of the time. It's sickening. In the ghostwriters' books, Stefan dies in the 11th book and Damon steps in. Pouncing on your dead brother's girlfriend. Talk about cold.
The Evensong series gave me hope. This flickering warm thing in my chest that maybe Elena and Stefan will work out somewhere. In at least ONE timeline... but NOOOOO, just pull a freaking Edmund Cullen on us Stefan, and walk away to protect her, even though leaving her puts her in more danger! Damn it!
I was shipping StefanXElena from the very beginning until the end. And now that their relationship has come to an end in all timelines, I can't bring myself to like Vampire Diaries at all. I hate the whole thing now. Everybody who touches this book seems to think it's okay to make their characters idiots in order to move their story along. Ever head of actually putting thought into your plotline? Fyi, that rhetorical question was aimed at all creators of the Vampire Diaries. Except the first ghostwriter. Because at least she/he didn't mess up her/his slice of the book series. As far as I remember, anyways. Read it two years ago.
But since I have watched six seasons of repetitive soapies, read until the 11th book, I can't just let myself hate it. I've dedicated too much of my time and energy into this story. I have decided to reread the first few books, trying to understand where it all turned to shit.
I tried to find a summery of this book so I could move on and spare myself the torture of poetry, selfish romances, and boring inner monologues about love/soul uniting. But I couldn't find any. So I am just going to have to forget I have ever read the 11th book or this book. Or I am just going to become more upset than I already am.
I half want to know the ending. The part that hopes StefanXElena will come to be. The part that hopes things will get better. But another part is just convinced that the characters' sappy romances will just get more sickening, that characters are just going through this stupid soapy of a book. Yes, you can interpret that as me saying that the book and tv series are the same.
I'm done. Just get this stupid thing over with.
January 27, 2014
I loved it, it was great to read a vamp diaries book really by L.J. Smith. It felt like a proper vampire diaries book, unlike the fake one's which I admit I have read, and was great to continue on with the story, but that's not to say I didn't have any issues with it! Like another reviewer, I also would have loved if it had continued directly from the last book, with what actually happened with Damon's return, and I thought there was too much emphasis on Damon's feelings for Bonnie - I definitely prefer it when he has a soft spot for her, but not too much of one. I like it when his affections are smack bang on Elena. Regardless of this it was still the vampire diaries, it's back and I'm very happy, and I can't wait to read the next one!
February 5, 2014
When I found out L.J Smith was continuing her Vampire Diaries series I was:
Though it's kind of sad that in order to continue, she had to publish it as fanfic but I acknowledge her resolution to continue something, a story nonetheless, that's rightfully her own!
What I enjoyed: They're back!!!!
It's a bummer the fact that allof sudden everyone knows Damon's alive and well and being Damon! so not how I imagined...I imagine something like...
But oh well...at least it's something than that Ghostwriter shite...
Though it's kind of sad that in order to continue, she had to publish it as fanfic but I acknowledge her resolution to continue something, a story nonetheless, that's rightfully her own!
What I enjoyed: They're back!!!!
It's a bummer the fact that allof sudden everyone knows Damon's alive and well and being Damon! so not how I imagined...I imagine something like...
But oh well...at least it's something than that Ghostwriter shite...
Want to read
July 24, 2019So sad I won't ever get to read this one. :(
September 20, 2014
Evensong: Paradise Lost is the first book in a new Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith, picking up shortly after The Return: Midnight, Smith’s last book published for Harper Teen. Midnight ended with the death of Damon Salvatore and a reset of all the terrible things that had happened in Fell's Church, the home of Elena Gilbert and company. The main characters, Elena, Stefan, Bonnie, Meredith, and Matt made the decision to attend Dalcrest College, despite scholarships to bigger and better known colleges, in order to keep an eye on their beloved town of Fell's Church.
As Paradise Lost begins the crew is well into their first semester at Dalcrest and surprise! Damon is alive and well and his wonderful, Damon-y self. The readers are expected to accept his presence with very little explanation of his resurrection which isn’t truly explored until the second installment. Smith makes an interesting choice as she continues the series, which I found improbable and disappointing. At the heart of this is Stefan, who is rash in his actions following a moment of passion that ends tragically. His guilt, which surpasses anything we’ve ever seen from the oft-tormented Stefan of the TV series, leads him to make a decision that denies anyone else a choice in how things progress, ripping from them the essence of what makes them who they are.
The writing style is familiar as Smith continues writing her modern-day characters as if they’ve transported from a more innocent, naïve time. The dialogue is formal, Elena constantly refers to Stefan as her “eternal beloved”, certainly a phrase meant for times long past. While discussing whether Stefan is ogling her or not after she attempted to dress as a boy to sneak into his dorm she suggests that perhaps she should have bound up her “bosom” before putting on her boyish attire.
The truth is, I’ve enjoyed the TVD novels more since Aubrey Clark took over. I admit Paradise Lost was very easy to read. The story, while it doesn’t progress very far, does read smoothly once you get past the antiquated writing style. There are very few editing mistakes, though I would have expected someone with Smith’s past success to have a professional review her manuscript before publishing. Happily, the fantasy characteristics we saw in The Return series (star balls, dark dimensions, malachs, and kitsune) are absent (though the pesky ley lines are still around). Smith, while letting us know upfront that this series is based on the books and not the show, slips in references from the TV show anyway, changing the “old ones” into the “originals” and making Bonnie a witch, when up to now she was a psychic.
Bottom line: if you’re a L.J. Smith fan you’ll enjoy this book as it brings the books back to a literary formula that we saw in the series before her firing. Others might find it worth their $2 just to say they read fan fiction written by the author of the original work.
As Paradise Lost begins the crew is well into their first semester at Dalcrest and surprise! Damon is alive and well and his wonderful, Damon-y self. The readers are expected to accept his presence with very little explanation of his resurrection which isn’t truly explored until the second installment. Smith makes an interesting choice as she continues the series, which I found improbable and disappointing. At the heart of this is Stefan, who is rash in his actions following a moment of passion that ends tragically. His guilt, which surpasses anything we’ve ever seen from the oft-tormented Stefan of the TV series, leads him to make a decision that denies anyone else a choice in how things progress, ripping from them the essence of what makes them who they are.
The writing style is familiar as Smith continues writing her modern-day characters as if they’ve transported from a more innocent, naïve time. The dialogue is formal, Elena constantly refers to Stefan as her “eternal beloved”, certainly a phrase meant for times long past. While discussing whether Stefan is ogling her or not after she attempted to dress as a boy to sneak into his dorm she suggests that perhaps she should have bound up her “bosom” before putting on her boyish attire.
The truth is, I’ve enjoyed the TVD novels more since Aubrey Clark took over. I admit Paradise Lost was very easy to read. The story, while it doesn’t progress very far, does read smoothly once you get past the antiquated writing style. There are very few editing mistakes, though I would have expected someone with Smith’s past success to have a professional review her manuscript before publishing. Happily, the fantasy characteristics we saw in The Return series (star balls, dark dimensions, malachs, and kitsune) are absent (though the pesky ley lines are still around). Smith, while letting us know upfront that this series is based on the books and not the show, slips in references from the TV show anyway, changing the “old ones” into the “originals” and making Bonnie a witch, when up to now she was a psychic.
Bottom line: if you’re a L.J. Smith fan you’ll enjoy this book as it brings the books back to a literary formula that we saw in the series before her firing. Others might find it worth their $2 just to say they read fan fiction written by the author of the original work.
October 17, 2016
I've read the whole Vampire Diaries series, so when I found out that L.J. Smith had written her own version of what happened after she quit officially writing the series, I was quite excited. I didn't like the fact that the author was changed in the first place so it was nice to find out there is this alternative version of the story available and I was happy to dive into the world of Vampire Diaries again.
*SPOILER ALERT*
I must admit this story was a bit of a disappointment for me. I know it's only part one but I felt like nothing much happened in it except in the very beginning when Stefan accidentally almost kills Elena by drinking too much of her blood. After that Stefan decides to erase himself from Elena's life in order to keep her safe, so mostly the story concentrates on Stefan erasing peoples' memories of him and everything supernatural. Meanwhile, Damon is kind of taking Stefan's place as Elena's boyfriend. Only Stefan has erased all memories of vampires from everybody's minds so they think Damon is human and he must act accordingly.
I'm not the biggest fan of Stefan so this story centered too much around him for my taste. He's self-hatred and endless self-blame are driving me mad. I also think that Elena is over appreciated by her friends and the way everybody always puts her above everyone else is annoying. So when the other half of the book is Stefan roaming around hating himself, the other half is about Damon adoring Elena and Elena's friends worrying about her when she's already totally fine. The only part of this story I actually found interesting was the supernatural being that kept taking over Bonnie and making her speak some creepy stuff. But just when Stefan and Damon are about to start investigating this supernatural being, the book ends.
I hope the second part will be more interesting than the first because I've got the idea it's more about Bonnie and the creature that possesses her. I just felt like this part had no actual point.
*SPOILER ALERT*
I must admit this story was a bit of a disappointment for me. I know it's only part one but I felt like nothing much happened in it except in the very beginning when Stefan accidentally almost kills Elena by drinking too much of her blood. After that Stefan decides to erase himself from Elena's life in order to keep her safe, so mostly the story concentrates on Stefan erasing peoples' memories of him and everything supernatural. Meanwhile, Damon is kind of taking Stefan's place as Elena's boyfriend. Only Stefan has erased all memories of vampires from everybody's minds so they think Damon is human and he must act accordingly.
I'm not the biggest fan of Stefan so this story centered too much around him for my taste. He's self-hatred and endless self-blame are driving me mad. I also think that Elena is over appreciated by her friends and the way everybody always puts her above everyone else is annoying. So when the other half of the book is Stefan roaming around hating himself, the other half is about Damon adoring Elena and Elena's friends worrying about her when she's already totally fine. The only part of this story I actually found interesting was the supernatural being that kept taking over Bonnie and making her speak some creepy stuff. But just when Stefan and Damon are about to start investigating this supernatural being, the book ends.
I hope the second part will be more interesting than the first because I've got the idea it's more about Bonnie and the creature that possesses her. I just felt like this part had no actual point.
January 28, 2014
Ok First I love the fact that L.J.Smith gets to continue writing her story, her way even if it's under 'fan fiction'
It's definitely worth buying and reading if your a Vampire diary's fan
**SPOILER ALERT**
The 'what would things be like if?' memory loss idea, I like, it's a nice change from the big bad evil.
This made the female characters feel a little unfamiliar but that fits with the story line. I enjoyed the way the characters kept trying to remember things and how Caroline was featured.
Damon's back with his 5000KW smile although I'm not sure what I thought of his character, there's something lacking but cant put my finger on it, I'm tempted to say he was being too nice but I don't mind him being nice.
I think there was a little too much hospital and Elena resting that was a little restricting to me.
the author seemed to lack maybe confidence? in some areas of her story, I felt an uncertainty but at the same time I felt a new confidence and different subjects coming through with the 'Neuro-toxin programming' thing, more mention of werewolves, a lot more medical and human anatomy detail.
Overall the books good to read, there's potential with the story line, i want to see where it goes and will buy part 2 :)
It's definitely worth buying and reading if your a Vampire diary's fan
**SPOILER ALERT**
The 'what would things be like if?' memory loss idea, I like, it's a nice change from the big bad evil.
This made the female characters feel a little unfamiliar but that fits with the story line. I enjoyed the way the characters kept trying to remember things and how Caroline was featured.
Damon's back with his 5000KW smile although I'm not sure what I thought of his character, there's something lacking but cant put my finger on it, I'm tempted to say he was being too nice but I don't mind him being nice.
I think there was a little too much hospital and Elena resting that was a little restricting to me.
the author seemed to lack maybe confidence? in some areas of her story, I felt an uncertainty but at the same time I felt a new confidence and different subjects coming through with the 'Neuro-toxin programming' thing, more mention of werewolves, a lot more medical and human anatomy detail.
Overall the books good to read, there's potential with the story line, i want to see where it goes and will buy part 2 :)
August 6, 2016
I was so upset to find out that L.J Smith was not allowed to finish her vampire diaries series, I have been reading these books since they first came out years ago. So Thank you Amazon for allowing Ms Smith to continue her series how she wanted it through Fan Fic.
Well now it is so hard to separate L.J Smiths writing from the Ghost writer series, plus the T.v show, It can all get a bit confusing, Paradise Lost takes part straight after Midnight, Daemon is back and as wonderful as ever, although I am a huge Delena fan, to have him focus on Bonnie, is upsetting to me, I love how Daemon is protective of her, but now it is starting to look like a romance and I still want Eleana to be his Princess of Darkness.
Stefen is still his stuffy scaredy cat self, and the gang is still awesome. I love continuing on from the stories, but I wish I had of re-read Midnight to get a perspective on where the story is. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the stories, I think I will get over the Daemon, Bonnie romance if I have to but I am just so excited to be reading the real deal, even if it is "Fake" written by the real author. so screwed up.
Anyway definitely buy these and support L.J Smith so she can continue with TVD the way it was supposed to be.
Well now it is so hard to separate L.J Smiths writing from the Ghost writer series, plus the T.v show, It can all get a bit confusing, Paradise Lost takes part straight after Midnight, Daemon is back and as wonderful as ever, although I am a huge Delena fan, to have him focus on Bonnie, is upsetting to me, I love how Daemon is protective of her, but now it is starting to look like a romance and I still want Eleana to be his Princess of Darkness.
Stefen is still his stuffy scaredy cat self, and the gang is still awesome. I love continuing on from the stories, but I wish I had of re-read Midnight to get a perspective on where the story is. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the stories, I think I will get over the Daemon, Bonnie romance if I have to but I am just so excited to be reading the real deal, even if it is "Fake" written by the real author. so screwed up.
Anyway definitely buy these and support L.J Smith so she can continue with TVD the way it was supposed to be.
February 4, 2015
I received a free ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Paradise Lost is a fanfic on Kindle Worlds by L. J. Smith and continues on from Midnight. Damon is back, Stefan, Elena and their friends attend Dalcrest College and everything was going in alright. But one night Stefan almost drains Elena making him think that he isn't good for her and is too dangerous. Therefore, he makes Elena, his friends and others who might remember him, to forget everything about him and leaving Damon to take care of them. But there is something else that is lurking in the background...
I was soooo excited when Netgalley offered me this book as I couldn't access this book in any other way!
I wasn't too happy with all the Bamon and there were a few grammar mistakes! But otherwise I loved it and I am looking forward to reading War of Roses now!
Paradise Lost is a fanfic on Kindle Worlds by L. J. Smith and continues on from Midnight. Damon is back, Stefan, Elena and their friends attend Dalcrest College and everything was going in alright. But one night Stefan almost drains Elena making him think that he isn't good for her and is too dangerous. Therefore, he makes Elena, his friends and others who might remember him, to forget everything about him and leaving Damon to take care of them. But there is something else that is lurking in the background...
I was soooo excited when Netgalley offered me this book as I couldn't access this book in any other way!
I wasn't too happy with all the Bamon and there were a few grammar mistakes! But otherwise I loved it and I am looking forward to reading War of Roses now!
February 3, 2014
If I haven't mentioned this before, let me mention it again. I'm a HUGE fan of the Vampire Diaries book series. I have a big kitsune tattooed on my side based on it.
I was overjoyed that LJ Smith finally got to write within her world again. I love the episodic stories. They are different but have a fresh feel to them and make me first I had a new one to read every week. As a Team Damon member, I'm happy to see Smith's take on him again. I want Elena to be his Dark Princess so bad.
Another thing I loved about this book was all the literary mentions. Marlowe is my favorite play writer so seeing his work and how it reflects the Vampire Diaries world is awesome. The William Blake stuff was enjoyable as well.
There was a few typos in my version but they were easy to look past. Can't wait to see what Smith throws us next!
I was overjoyed that LJ Smith finally got to write within her world again. I love the episodic stories. They are different but have a fresh feel to them and make me first I had a new one to read every week. As a Team Damon member, I'm happy to see Smith's take on him again. I want Elena to be his Dark Princess so bad.
Another thing I loved about this book was all the literary mentions. Marlowe is my favorite play writer so seeing his work and how it reflects the Vampire Diaries world is awesome. The William Blake stuff was enjoyable as well.
There was a few typos in my version but they were easy to look past. Can't wait to see what Smith throws us next!
March 18, 2014
This is beautiful. . . It gives a good amount of moments between Damon or Bonnie or at least with Damon admitting he has feelings for Bonnie as well as Elena. There is a great deal more of Elena with Damon than I care for, honestly, but I enjoyed reading the story. Something is stirring yet again and I am very excited and curious to see where it all goes.
April 22, 2014
Detailed review to come, but basically it sucked. Such complete and utter crap, no wonder L.J. Smith was fired from writing The Vampire Diaries series
February 18, 2014
I am a huge Vampire Diaries Series fan. I am so glad L.J. has had a chance to write for the series again even if it is a fan fic. I will read it it.
September 7, 2014
Loved it! L.J Smith is back and is as awesome as ever!
April 28, 2022
ok so i was really expecting to hate it based off of everything ive heard abt it and ik a lot of ppl have mixed opinions on it… but i actually liked it way more than i thought i would! the characters do all seem a bit ooc to me and ive seen alot of ppl say that as well, but honestly i think one of the main reasons may be bc of stefans compulsion, it seems to be making everyone act different ofc. im not a huge fan of the storyline- i mean dont get me wronf when i heard stefan was leaving for good and compelling his way out of their lives i was SO HAPPY!!;!:;& but, the whole plot revolvion around their confusion and basically all the little things stefan forgot to compel away made it pretty boring. the delena moments were everything though and i really wasnt expecting much from them based off of what ive heard… honestly i cant wrap my head around how slightly ooc they all seem. also, multiple stelena quotes at the beginning seemed pretty much an exact replica of old delena quotes; i was getting some serious deja vu!!! anddd i honestly prefer bamon as it has been depicted in previous books and even in the continuation of the original tvd books!!! damon feels protective over bonnie, and some special sort of connection: shes his little red bird, and shes a hopeless romantic (my angel) who has this huge schoolgirl crush on him! they protect and care for eachother, but their matches are elsewhere!!! elena is damons twin flame, they are so excellent together and its been building up throughout the whole series!!! (also i love bonnie and zander in the tvd books.) i really wish they couldve kept their relationship going in this direction instead of steering it romantically :/ theyre not in any sort of relationship rn ofc, but damon kissing bonnie with elena right there was just so ooc to me… as well as other things that happened between them in the book (although others had me squealing and jumping around bc theyre my lovesss and some moments were so excellently them<3) honestly idk what to rate this i feel like ive just been rambling i rlly should be sleeping…
3 stars!!! bc i love the idea of stefan leaving for good and i loved delena (85% of the time)
i took some off bc of how the storyline was basically everyone being confused for the entire book simply bc stefan didnt compel everything correctly… and also bc of all the ooc weirdness throughout
ok gn <3
3 stars!!! bc i love the idea of stefan leaving for good and i loved delena (85% of the time)
i took some off bc of how the storyline was basically everyone being confused for the entire book simply bc stefan didnt compel everything correctly… and also bc of all the ooc weirdness throughout
ok gn <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2022
I have to say that I enjoyed this much more than the previous three Vampire Diaries Installments that L.J. Smith wrote. The characters, especially Damon, seem more like characters we know from the original four books. There's a romantic pull between Bonnie and Damon that lingers through the story - even in his worry for Elena, Damon seems to focus on Bonnie's mental scream.
Stefan wiping the memories from his human friends was an interesting plot line. He finally acts on his guilt and removes himself from Elena's life, in what he believes is an effort to save her from himself. However, putting the idea in her head that she and Damon are in a relationship seems a little ethically wrong, she doesn't get to choose to be with Damon when Stefan is gone. However, after the thoroughness Stefan believes he's gone through to remove himself there are little things that couldn't be fully removed and keep the humans thinking there's something they can't quite put their finger on. It opens up an opportunity, which probably won't be taken, for Elena to fall for Stefan all over again and for their relationship to start anew, as well as let Bonnie and Damon have their time.
I enjoyed getting to see Mrs. Flowers take a bigger role in this story. For the first time, I really was able to move past the 'crazy old lady' persona and see her as more of an elderly witch.
My only two real complaints about this story are relatively minor. First, the author seems to forget her own time line - moving Elena from going to college in the 90's to sometime after 2005. Stefan had ordered a custom bedspread from Etsy, which started in 2005 but the original Elena Gilbert of the books was born in 1974. Second is the boring conversation that Stefan and Damon have on the roof of the hospital - Damon's part is very much "and then what Stefan? What next Stefan?" It would've been better if Stefan had laid out his plan and we heard the inferred details from Damon's mind.
Stefan wiping the memories from his human friends was an interesting plot line. He finally acts on his guilt and removes himself from Elena's life, in what he believes is an effort to save her from himself. However, putting the idea in her head that she and Damon are in a relationship seems a little ethically wrong, she doesn't get to choose to be with Damon when Stefan is gone. However, after the thoroughness Stefan believes he's gone through to remove himself there are little things that couldn't be fully removed and keep the humans thinking there's something they can't quite put their finger on. It opens up an opportunity, which probably won't be taken, for Elena to fall for Stefan all over again and for their relationship to start anew, as well as let Bonnie and Damon have their time.
I enjoyed getting to see Mrs. Flowers take a bigger role in this story. For the first time, I really was able to move past the 'crazy old lady' persona and see her as more of an elderly witch.
My only two real complaints about this story are relatively minor. First, the author seems to forget her own time line - moving Elena from going to college in the 90's to sometime after 2005. Stefan had ordered a custom bedspread from Etsy, which started in 2005 but the original Elena Gilbert of the books was born in 1974. Second is the boring conversation that Stefan and Damon have on the roof of the hospital - Damon's part is very much "and then what Stefan? What next Stefan?" It would've been better if Stefan had laid out his plan and we heard the inferred details from Damon's mind.
April 7, 2024
Calificación: ⭐(1.0)
Opinión:
Paradise Lost de L.J. Smith es una obra que, lamentablemente, no cumple con las expectativas 📉. La trama se centra demasiado en Stefan, lo que puede resultar monótono y desalentador para quienes no son fanáticos de su personaje. Su constante auto odio y culpa pueden resultar agotadores para algunos lectores 😔.
La historia comienza con un incidente impactante donde Stefan pone en peligro la vida de Elena, lo que lleva a una decisión drástica por su parte: borrar su existencia de la vida de ella para mantenerla a salvo 🧛♂️. A partir de este punto, la trama se enfoca en Stefan intentando borrar los recuerdos de él y todo lo sobrenatural de la mente de las personas, mientras Damon asume el papel de novio de Elena, aunque bajo la fachada de ser humano 🧟.
Una de las críticas principales es que la narrativa carece de acción y desarrollo significativo. La trama parece estancarse en el autodesprecio de Stefan y la sobrevaloración de Elena por parte de sus amigos 📚. Este desequilibrio entre los personajes puede resultar frustrante para algunos lectores.
A pesar de esto, hay un elemento interesante que se destaca: la presencia de un ser sobrenatural que posee a Bonnie y la hace decir cosas inquietantes 🦇. Sin embargo, esta trama prometedora se queda sin explorar y termina abruptamente, dejando al lector insatisfecho y con la sensación de que la historia no alcanza su potencial completo 🕵️♀️.
En resumen, Paradise Lost deja mucho que desear. Con un enfoque desequilibrado en los personajes y una falta de desarrollo en la trama, la novela no logra cautivar completamente 📖. Los lectores pueden encontrar que la historia carece de un punto real y que no cumple con las expectativas establecidas por las entregas anteriores de la serie 📉.
Opinión:
Paradise Lost de L.J. Smith es una obra que, lamentablemente, no cumple con las expectativas 📉. La trama se centra demasiado en Stefan, lo que puede resultar monótono y desalentador para quienes no son fanáticos de su personaje. Su constante auto odio y culpa pueden resultar agotadores para algunos lectores 😔.
La historia comienza con un incidente impactante donde Stefan pone en peligro la vida de Elena, lo que lleva a una decisión drástica por su parte: borrar su existencia de la vida de ella para mantenerla a salvo 🧛♂️. A partir de este punto, la trama se enfoca en Stefan intentando borrar los recuerdos de él y todo lo sobrenatural de la mente de las personas, mientras Damon asume el papel de novio de Elena, aunque bajo la fachada de ser humano 🧟.
Una de las críticas principales es que la narrativa carece de acción y desarrollo significativo. La trama parece estancarse en el autodesprecio de Stefan y la sobrevaloración de Elena por parte de sus amigos 📚. Este desequilibrio entre los personajes puede resultar frustrante para algunos lectores.
A pesar de esto, hay un elemento interesante que se destaca: la presencia de un ser sobrenatural que posee a Bonnie y la hace decir cosas inquietantes 🦇. Sin embargo, esta trama prometedora se queda sin explorar y termina abruptamente, dejando al lector insatisfecho y con la sensación de que la historia no alcanza su potencial completo 🕵️♀️.
En resumen, Paradise Lost deja mucho que desear. Con un enfoque desequilibrado en los personajes y una falta de desarrollo en la trama, la novela no logra cautivar completamente 📖. Los lectores pueden encontrar que la historia carece de un punto real y que no cumple con las expectativas establecidas por las entregas anteriores de la serie 📉.
June 29, 2020
I went into this very excited to read this fan fiction written by the original author who was cruelly FIRED and replaced with a ghost writer. I don’t want to read the official The Vampire Diaries books #8-13 because they are ghost written and I have heard L.J. Smith lovers can tell, and I believe it. I am heart broken for L.J. as I can only imagine how horrible having your story and characters taken from you is.
This story picks up after The Vampire Diaries book #7 The Return: Midnight. This is technically #8 as L.J. has dreamed it up in an alternate universe existing parallel to the official books that take place after Midnight. Considering all of this, I went into the story with an open mind.
Nevertheless, I was... still disappointed. I will say that what caused my disappointment was the major part of the story involving Stefan, and it had nothing to do with the writing, plot, characters or anything else. I just did not enjoy the direction this story took... I did not enjoy what Stefan did. This is not the story I wanted after Elena literally went to hell and back to save Stefan from the Dark Dimension.
This was definitely a painful book to read after the events in The Return trilogy. But the pain I felt is simply a testament to how deeply invested I am in the live’s of these characters and their well-being. It is a testament to how great a story-teller L.J. Smith is and how she is able to create realistic, lovable, infuriating, sweet, characters that stay in your heart. These characters are not real, yet they feel real to me... and in the last decade that I’ve read The Vampire Diaries I have loved these characters too. That is all because of Lisa and the story she masterfully wrote. She is a master at tugging on your heart strings and making you fall for characters, all the while using third person POV and still being able to pull you deep into their minds and their hearts. That she was fired and ripped away from her characters breaks my heart, and I’ll forever be sad that she didn’t have the backing of her publishing company to finish the story the way she wanted to. It would have been AMAZING! The books would have been as big as they forced the show to be, if only they would have had proper faith on her. Shame on them.
But back to the story... overall, I did enjoy it. The characters were true to their natures and I was immediately invested in the story from the first page, the way L.J. has always been able to suck me right into Elena’s world. I was intrigued and left with questions, which is undoubtedly what the author wanted as she showed off her writing skill and worked to build up to a big reveal and a masterful plot the way each previous TVD book has done. My dislikes with the book were personal, and I can only comment on the fact that this book is a true L.J. Smith original piece of work and thus like all her other works, was enjoyable, exciting, mysterious, funny, and engaging. I would recommend it to any L.J. Smith or TVD book fans.
This story picks up after The Vampire Diaries book #7 The Return: Midnight. This is technically #8 as L.J. has dreamed it up in an alternate universe existing parallel to the official books that take place after Midnight. Considering all of this, I went into the story with an open mind.
Nevertheless, I was... still disappointed. I will say that what caused my disappointment was the major part of the story involving Stefan, and it had nothing to do with the writing, plot, characters or anything else. I just did not enjoy the direction this story took... I did not enjoy what Stefan did. This is not the story I wanted after Elena literally went to hell and back to save Stefan from the Dark Dimension.
This was definitely a painful book to read after the events in The Return trilogy. But the pain I felt is simply a testament to how deeply invested I am in the live’s of these characters and their well-being. It is a testament to how great a story-teller L.J. Smith is and how she is able to create realistic, lovable, infuriating, sweet, characters that stay in your heart. These characters are not real, yet they feel real to me... and in the last decade that I’ve read The Vampire Diaries I have loved these characters too. That is all because of Lisa and the story she masterfully wrote. She is a master at tugging on your heart strings and making you fall for characters, all the while using third person POV and still being able to pull you deep into their minds and their hearts. That she was fired and ripped away from her characters breaks my heart, and I’ll forever be sad that she didn’t have the backing of her publishing company to finish the story the way she wanted to. It would have been AMAZING! The books would have been as big as they forced the show to be, if only they would have had proper faith on her. Shame on them.
But back to the story... overall, I did enjoy it. The characters were true to their natures and I was immediately invested in the story from the first page, the way L.J. has always been able to suck me right into Elena’s world. I was intrigued and left with questions, which is undoubtedly what the author wanted as she showed off her writing skill and worked to build up to a big reveal and a masterful plot the way each previous TVD book has done. My dislikes with the book were personal, and I can only comment on the fact that this book is a true L.J. Smith original piece of work and thus like all her other works, was enjoyable, exciting, mysterious, funny, and engaging. I would recommend it to any L.J. Smith or TVD book fans.
August 30, 2023
ohhhh miss lisa jane smith it just keeps going huh….i have to say i am impressed with the sheer confidence of this novel, and, to be fair, i don’t really recall phantom being much better, but still. oh my god. the entire fucking plot. only lj smith could ever. truly so bold and so so so contrived. nevertheless she did 100% commit and i have to respect that.
i just …. have no words for the neurovirus situation and the whole memory wipe except, edward cullen should have done that too if he wasn’t a fucking coward. and also i desperately need to know who’s having a gothic wedding bc it sure as shit better not be elena and damon. on the whole, this has cemented for me the fact that while stefan is boring as dirt, stelena is still the only thing that actually makes sense for their characters, and i do actually like bonnie’s blue eyed wolf boy for her from the ghostwritten trilogy, and then damon…..i suppose damon is just meant to be a fuckboy forever. or he could get with sage. and meredith really should get with her fellow hunter slayer, and fuck alaric all the way out to the boonies. anyways, i love that she’s trying out the delena and it is just simply not working one bit.
generally also it is completely hilarious that stefan essentially fucks elena to death albeit in a vampiric fashion. like, talk about twilight analogies. insanity.
i just …. have no words for the neurovirus situation and the whole memory wipe except, edward cullen should have done that too if he wasn’t a fucking coward. and also i desperately need to know who’s having a gothic wedding bc it sure as shit better not be elena and damon. on the whole, this has cemented for me the fact that while stefan is boring as dirt, stelena is still the only thing that actually makes sense for their characters, and i do actually like bonnie’s blue eyed wolf boy for her from the ghostwritten trilogy, and then damon…..i suppose damon is just meant to be a fuckboy forever. or he could get with sage. and meredith really should get with her fellow hunter slayer, and fuck alaric all the way out to the boonies. anyways, i love that she’s trying out the delena and it is just simply not working one bit.
generally also it is completely hilarious that stefan essentially fucks elena to death albeit in a vampiric fashion. like, talk about twilight analogies. insanity.
July 19, 2018
This was amazing! I'm so happy to be back in the world L.J. Smith made years ago. Though I wish it was a canon continuation of Midnight, this fanfic was just as lovely. Even though I'm not a big Delena fan I did enjoy their plot--despite it being a made up lie by Stefan. But I did like that Elena was starting to remember Stefan--or at least question the memories she was given by him. It just shows that Elena and Stefan are truly in love. I also felt so bad for Stefan! Having to erase yourself from everyone you love minds is terrible. But Stefan wouldn't be Stefan without sacrificing his happiness for the safety of others, sad but true.
Bonnie is getting more prophecies and it looks like she's going to break from the compulsion as well.
And it was great to see Caroline! I know she's the 'mean girl' but I really enjoy her and her plots! I think Meredith might be on to Caroline about her werewolf thing.
As for the incoming big bad, that fey tidbit sounded interesting! Wonder if it'll cause as much chaos as the Fox-Spirits did 🤔
Bonnie is getting more prophecies and it looks like she's going to break from the compulsion as well.
And it was great to see Caroline! I know she's the 'mean girl' but I really enjoy her and her plots! I think Meredith might be on to Caroline about her werewolf thing.
As for the incoming big bad, that fey tidbit sounded interesting! Wonder if it'll cause as much chaos as the Fox-Spirits did 🤔
Read
October 7, 2022I hate Stefan so much, even more than Bonnie.
This time he, for me at least, became the villain of a story (and not a lovable one). What he did was incredibly selfish, and not just in regards to Elena and Damon, but others as well. He had no right, making their lives all about him and his drama. I hope they will all truly hate him when they get their memories back, because anything less would be a damn indulgence.
(No rating, since it's not even half of the story. I won't bother with War of Roses since it will be even more Bamon that this, supposedly a Delena part, was... Or at least: not until Into the Wood is available. I hope L.J. is alright out there.)
This time he, for me at least, became the villain of a story (and not a lovable one). What he did was incredibly selfish, and not just in regards to Elena and Damon, but others as well. He had no right, making their lives all about him and his drama. I hope they will all truly hate him when they get their memories back, because anything less would be a damn indulgence.
(No rating, since it's not even half of the story. I won't bother with War of Roses since it will be even more Bamon that this, supposedly a Delena part, was... Or at least: not until Into the Wood is available. I hope L.J. is alright out there.)
Want to read
July 29, 2024It's hilarious how everyone acted high and mighty for L.J. Smith getting "her" series taken away from her and praising how she would still be able to finish the series with her intended ending...only for it to be discontinued with absolutely no outcry not even a care. Some fans. Lol
Anywhoos, Even though the series canonly finished at The Fury or Dark Reunion (you decide, depending on what ending you want) I will be reading the entire series, the Ghostwritten ones and what little L.J.Smith wrote fanfiction-wise to give it a fair shot.
Shame on everyone who badmouthed Aubrey Clark who did nothing wrong and was simply given the same job that L.J. Smith signed up for over 30 years ago.
Anywhoos, Even though the series canonly finished at The Fury or Dark Reunion (you decide, depending on what ending you want) I will be reading the entire series, the Ghostwritten ones and what little L.J.Smith wrote fanfiction-wise to give it a fair shot.
Shame on everyone who badmouthed Aubrey Clark who did nothing wrong and was simply given the same job that L.J. Smith signed up for over 30 years ago.
March 22, 2021
Stefan is such a drama queen! He drinks too much blood, and instead of stopping drinking human blood again, or being more careful, or finding a way to prevent it from happening again, he has to go completely over the top, and decides to
November 21, 2022
1.5 stars. I stuck with the middling The Return arc in order to get to this one, to see what Smith would do without Alloy's toxic constraints. Unfortunately the result isn't great: Stefan erases all knowledge of himself & the supernatural from everyone's memory "for Elena's own good," substituting Damon in his place. Points for being a blatant and obviously misguided take on this trope, but it's still an awful trope and I would rather not. It also shunts one love interest out in favor of the other, and while Damon may be a more interesting endgame than Stefan, both pale in comparison to the proto-polyamory that has stretched this entire cast for the entire series and became canon in the previous, final official Smith-authored, book.
The plot, meanwhile, is pretty nonexistent. Another new danger threatens, but we barely see it behind Stefan's machinations. Of course I'll read the next book, the last that Smith has published in this series; it would be silly to stop now. But while the genesis of these "fanfics" is interesting, and a concrete redress of Smith's relationship with Alloy, the actual reading experience is underwhelming and my advice remains: just read the first three books.
The plot, meanwhile, is pretty nonexistent. Another new danger threatens, but we barely see it behind Stefan's machinations. Of course I'll read the next book, the last that Smith has published in this series; it would be silly to stop now. But while the genesis of these "fanfics" is interesting, and a concrete redress of Smith's relationship with Alloy, the actual reading experience is underwhelming and my advice remains: just read the first three books.
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