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The Vampire Diaries: The Return #2
Сенчести души
От дневника на Елена:
Мило дневниче,
Много момчета ме наричаха най-ангелското момиче на света. Но ако трябва да бъда честна, ще си призная, че за мен те бяха просто трофеи. Никоя от игричките ми с тях не успя да докосне дълбоко сърцето ми... докато не се появи едно много специално момче.
Името му е Стефан.
Но се оказа, че той не е такъв, какъвто изглежда. Стефан Салваторе се оказа вампир. Истински вампир.
Както и по-големият му брат, прекрасният Деймън.
Едно момиче, замесено с двама вампири... ами, доста е вероятно да се стигне до сериозни неприятности, нали?
Мило дневниче,
Много момчета ме наричаха най-ангелското момиче на света. Но ако трябва да бъда честна, ще си призная, че за мен те бяха просто трофеи. Никоя от игричките ми с тях не успя да докосне дълбоко сърцето ми... докато не се появи едно много специално момче.
Името му е Стефан.
Но се оказа, че той не е такъв, какъвто изглежда. Стефан Салваторе се оказа вампир. Истински вампир.
Както и по-големият му брат, прекрасният Деймън.
Едно момиче, замесено с двама вампири... ами, доста е вероятно да се стигне до сериозни неприятности, нали?
516 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
738 people are currently reading
21673 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 1,291 reviews
April 27, 2010
Hated Nightfall. (Seriously- have read fan fiction that was better.) But I'm curious to see if the author redeems herself.
And the answer is . . . NO. This book is bad, so very bad.
I'm kicking myself for buying this book and putting the emotional investment into reading it. Shadow Souls is truly awful, and I thought nothing could be worse than Nightfall. I am embarrassed for LJ Smith and all of the readers (including myself) who held out hope that the story of the Vampire Diaries could be redeemed after her last mess of a novel.
Much like the previous book, Smith seems determined to cram a bunch of folklore and fairy tales clichés into Shadow Souls, and this time most of them fit into the messily-detailed dark-age other world she creates. She spends so much time on period detail that is unnecessary- do we really need to know the color of the veils that each of the girls wears during their procession though the city? Magical Auras, demon dogs, gate keepers, fierce falcons- ugh. The book meanders all over the place at times, and so slowly that I had to put the book down in frustrated boredom several times.
I thought Damon had lost all of his charm in Nightfall, but again, I underestimated just how bad it could really get. He maintains that he will die for Elena as they make their dangerous quest, yet there is no real spark or chemistry left between them. And LJ Smith can’t seem to make up her mind about the physical capabilities of the vampires. After decreeing that no sex is possible in the last novel, Elena’s not-quite-human aura seems to make Damon capable of feeling for/wanting from a woman something he has not felt in 500 years. Am I the only one getting whiplash trying to keep up?
The last pages and a sudden change for one of the major characters is just unbelievable and very disappointing. (It also foreshadows another tedious quest.) LJ Smith has successfully done one thing for me with this book: after waiting twenty years for more of the VD series, and Damon specifically, I no longer care what happens to these characters. They have little in common with the flawed and intriguing people I met two decades ago.
And the answer is . . . NO. This book is bad, so very bad.
I'm kicking myself for buying this book and putting the emotional investment into reading it. Shadow Souls is truly awful, and I thought nothing could be worse than Nightfall. I am embarrassed for LJ Smith and all of the readers (including myself) who held out hope that the story of the Vampire Diaries could be redeemed after her last mess of a novel.
Much like the previous book, Smith seems determined to cram a bunch of folklore and fairy tales clichés into Shadow Souls, and this time most of them fit into the messily-detailed dark-age other world she creates. She spends so much time on period detail that is unnecessary- do we really need to know the color of the veils that each of the girls wears during their procession though the city? Magical Auras, demon dogs, gate keepers, fierce falcons- ugh. The book meanders all over the place at times, and so slowly that I had to put the book down in frustrated boredom several times.
I thought Damon had lost all of his charm in Nightfall, but again, I underestimated just how bad it could really get. He maintains that he will die for Elena as they make their dangerous quest, yet there is no real spark or chemistry left between them. And LJ Smith can’t seem to make up her mind about the physical capabilities of the vampires. After decreeing that no sex is possible in the last novel, Elena’s not-quite-human aura seems to make Damon capable of feeling for/wanting from a woman something he has not felt in 500 years. Am I the only one getting whiplash trying to keep up?
The last pages and a sudden change for one of the major characters is just unbelievable and very disappointing. (It also foreshadows another tedious quest.) LJ Smith has successfully done one thing for me with this book: after waiting twenty years for more of the VD series, and Damon specifically, I no longer care what happens to these characters. They have little in common with the flawed and intriguing people I met two decades ago.
July 27, 2010
Oh my God. I completely loved this book! It was all about Damon and Elena, and that's what I loved about it. It shows a softer, more vulnerable side to Damon he only shows around her, and she begins to realize that maybe Stefan isn't her only world. The Dark Dimension story plot with the kitsune keys was fascinating.
What I do have to complain about is everything that's happening in Fell's Church. The book is mainly about Damon and Elena getting Stefan back from Shi no Shi, right? So why add the random story plot about what's happening back in their small town? And the thing with Caroline turning into a werewolf and having puppies or whatever was really unneeded. Not too many people care about that character enough to see her in the book.
And I also hate the ending of the book. I felt it was a little rushed. It's like I barely knew what was going on. I didn't feel it was necessary to have that in the book, she could have waited until the last book to put that story plot in and explained it a little better, because it seemed to move way too fast and with little notice.
But otherwise, completely great novel. My favorite so far!
What I do have to complain about is everything that's happening in Fell's Church. The book is mainly about Damon and Elena getting Stefan back from Shi no Shi, right? So why add the random story plot about what's happening back in their small town? And the thing with Caroline turning into a werewolf and having puppies or whatever was really unneeded. Not too many people care about that character enough to see her in the book.
And I also hate the ending of the book. I felt it was a little rushed. It's like I barely knew what was going on. I didn't feel it was necessary to have that in the book, she could have waited until the last book to put that story plot in and explained it a little better, because it seemed to move way too fast and with little notice.
But otherwise, completely great novel. My favorite so far!
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
November 27, 2011
Dear L.J.:
Here's how this should work. Elena and Meredith stay in Fells Church to battle Caroline and the increasingly creepy Exorcist remake going on there. (Meredith so we can get a little more of her and Alaric, Elena because - well - her story's freaking over, and you just need to damn well accept that.) Bonnie and Matt travel with Damon to a hellish underworld, with Bonnie narrating and increasing tension building amongst the three as they try to stay alive long enough to free Stefan. Viewpoints alternate back and forth as both situations escalate to the breaking point.
Here's how it shouldn't work, but did: You take virtually all your main characters underworld, with barely a backwards glance at Fells Church, and spend 500 pages playing dress up and indulging your master/slave Damon fetish in an incredibly undemony demon world while doing some sub-Phil McGraw level psychoanalyzing. Oh, and you keep your bad guys entirely offscreen (kitsu-who?), but give us a giant, way out of left field, Evil-Polly-Wants-A-Cracker bird attack instead. Congratulations, you've made the final step down from novelist to fanfic writer.
I understand that Damon's more interesting than Stefan. But having your heroine tart it up with her boyfriend's brother is not endearing her to anyone, so you just need to have her stick with her choice and surrender this whole love triangle crap. I mean seriously, isn't this a little too New Moon already? (Unless you want to change triangles. Bonnie/Matt/Damon, anyone?)
Stop trying to be Gossip Girl crossed with Stephenie Meyer, and go back to writing awesome fiction.
love,
j
PS: Remember: When you catch yourself writing hot vampires with attack pets, you know it's fanfic.
Here's how this should work. Elena and Meredith stay in Fells Church to battle Caroline and the increasingly creepy Exorcist remake going on there. (Meredith so we can get a little more of her and Alaric, Elena because - well - her story's freaking over, and you just need to damn well accept that.) Bonnie and Matt travel with Damon to a hellish underworld, with Bonnie narrating and increasing tension building amongst the three as they try to stay alive long enough to free Stefan. Viewpoints alternate back and forth as both situations escalate to the breaking point.
Here's how it shouldn't work, but did: You take virtually all your main characters underworld, with barely a backwards glance at Fells Church, and spend 500 pages playing dress up and indulging your master/slave Damon fetish in an incredibly undemony demon world while doing some sub-Phil McGraw level psychoanalyzing. Oh, and you keep your bad guys entirely offscreen (kitsu-who?), but give us a giant, way out of left field, Evil-Polly-Wants-A-Cracker bird attack instead. Congratulations, you've made the final step down from novelist to fanfic writer.
I understand that Damon's more interesting than Stefan. But having your heroine tart it up with her boyfriend's brother is not endearing her to anyone, so you just need to have her stick with her choice and surrender this whole love triangle crap. I mean seriously, isn't this a little too New Moon already? (Unless you want to change triangles. Bonnie/Matt/Damon, anyone?)
Stop trying to be Gossip Girl crossed with Stephenie Meyer, and go back to writing awesome fiction.
love,
j
PS: Remember: When you catch yourself writing hot vampires with attack pets, you know it's fanfic.
August 14, 2012
This is a great book!
Edit: August 7th, 2012
I've Literally Been TYRING to read this novel for 2 freaking years! ITs sooo boring!
Edit: August 9th, 2012
actually its not that bad, just lazy i guess
Edit: August 7th, 2012
I've Literally Been TYRING to read this novel for 2 freaking years! ITs sooo boring!
Edit: August 9th, 2012
actually its not that bad, just lazy i guess
December 13, 2010
If it weren't for the fact that this book was much much better than 'Nightfall', then I would've given it only one star. However, there were parts of this book which were mildly interesting and I did not feel the need to slit my wrists just to have something to occupy myself with as much as I felt the need to in the last one.
What has happened to you, L.J? I used to love your books with the unsociable, unfathomable Stefan and the totally badass sexy Damon, but all that has happened now is that Stefan is some love-sick puppy dog where the only coherent sentences he can manage to put together is "Elena, I love you" and "Lovely little love." And as for Damon, his personality seems to be one written by a lame fan-fic writer who 'just wants everyone to be nice and get along'. Where is Damon's hatred for Stefan due to the fact that because of him, he never had Katherine to himself? Or is Katherine completly forgotten now? I don't know, but all the characters personalities have been totally changed and not in a good way.
Bonnie, for instance, if she faints one more time, I am going to scream! Sure, she's always been the cute little one of the group, but she can still manage to stand on her own two feet for more than five minutes I'm sure.
And don't even get me started on Elena! You'd think that after coming back from the afterlife she would have grown up just a little bit, but no. Elena is even more self-obsessed, arrogant and vain than she has ever been portrayed as before. I've never liked Elena, she annoys me and I do not see a point in a main character who has no likeable qualities.
Half of this book seemed to be taken up with descriptions of the girl's dresses and hair and jewellery at various different parties and venues. I don't know about you, but if it were me, I don't think I'd be wasting anytime admiring myself and my dress if the supposed love of my life was locked away in a prison being starved and tortured.
To be honest, 90% percent of the book was totally ridiculous and had no elements of realism included. The dialogue was childish and the description was incoherent. The sentence "Elena pulled away from Damon entirely,staring at her arms which were red and with something that wasn't paint" actually made me laugh out loud.
I'm pretty sure that many of the ideas and things mentioned in this book, like Damon promising Elena that he would go back to the Dark Dimension with her to abolish slavery will never actually happen. Smith really needs to get herself an editor because there are at least 100 pages of garbage needed to be cleared out of this book.
And one last thing. Can somebody please explain what the hell velociraptor sisterhood is?
What has happened to you, L.J? I used to love your books with the unsociable, unfathomable Stefan and the totally badass sexy Damon, but all that has happened now is that Stefan is some love-sick puppy dog where the only coherent sentences he can manage to put together is "Elena, I love you" and "Lovely little love." And as for Damon, his personality seems to be one written by a lame fan-fic writer who 'just wants everyone to be nice and get along'. Where is Damon's hatred for Stefan due to the fact that because of him, he never had Katherine to himself? Or is Katherine completly forgotten now? I don't know, but all the characters personalities have been totally changed and not in a good way.
Bonnie, for instance, if she faints one more time, I am going to scream! Sure, she's always been the cute little one of the group, but she can still manage to stand on her own two feet for more than five minutes I'm sure.
And don't even get me started on Elena! You'd think that after coming back from the afterlife she would have grown up just a little bit, but no. Elena is even more self-obsessed, arrogant and vain than she has ever been portrayed as before. I've never liked Elena, she annoys me and I do not see a point in a main character who has no likeable qualities.
Half of this book seemed to be taken up with descriptions of the girl's dresses and hair and jewellery at various different parties and venues. I don't know about you, but if it were me, I don't think I'd be wasting anytime admiring myself and my dress if the supposed love of my life was locked away in a prison being starved and tortured.
To be honest, 90% percent of the book was totally ridiculous and had no elements of realism included. The dialogue was childish and the description was incoherent. The sentence "Elena pulled away from Damon entirely,staring at her arms which were red and with something that wasn't paint" actually made me laugh out loud.
I'm pretty sure that many of the ideas and things mentioned in this book, like Damon promising Elena that he would go back to the Dark Dimension with her to abolish slavery will never actually happen. Smith really needs to get herself an editor because there are at least 100 pages of garbage needed to be cleared out of this book.
And one last thing. Can somebody please explain what the hell velociraptor sisterhood is?
March 27, 2010
I really don't know where to begin with this review. One star seems like too many. This book was atrocious.
I cannot comprehend how my favorite author has gone from such a tight, concise, intelligent writing style to one that reads like the worst kind of adolescent fan fiction. I do not believe the same person who wrote the original quartet is the person who is writing the new trilogy. You cannot convince me otherwise. Is no one editing these books? The first half was easy enough to read, but the second half had so many issues I can't possibly list them all: chapters ending in the middle of random thoughts, characters and plot ideas that are useless and never seen again, post-it notes, grammatical errors, the complete obliteration of the original characters....
If you are like me and have spent the better part of two decades adoring these characters and their world (and their author's other work), I implore you to avoid this book unless you want your heart broken, or you are a fan of juvenile sado-masochism, as there is a bizarre element of that here--but it is not hot or sexy or steamy.
Attn LJS: Please stop. Apparently someone is telling you that people like "Fluffy Damon" but I am going to be completely honest: no one who loved the Damon you created in the early 90s wants anything to do with this Damon. Or this Stefan, or any of the other characters after what you've done to them in the "Return" series. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! No more Mary Sue characters, I beg of you!
And HarperTeen, you should be ashamed of yourselves for putting this tripe on paper.
I cannot comprehend how my favorite author has gone from such a tight, concise, intelligent writing style to one that reads like the worst kind of adolescent fan fiction. I do not believe the same person who wrote the original quartet is the person who is writing the new trilogy. You cannot convince me otherwise. Is no one editing these books? The first half was easy enough to read, but the second half had so many issues I can't possibly list them all: chapters ending in the middle of random thoughts, characters and plot ideas that are useless and never seen again, post-it notes, grammatical errors, the complete obliteration of the original characters....
If you are like me and have spent the better part of two decades adoring these characters and their world (and their author's other work), I implore you to avoid this book unless you want your heart broken, or you are a fan of juvenile sado-masochism, as there is a bizarre element of that here--but it is not hot or sexy or steamy.
Attn LJS: Please stop. Apparently someone is telling you that people like "Fluffy Damon" but I am going to be completely honest: no one who loved the Damon you created in the early 90s wants anything to do with this Damon. Or this Stefan, or any of the other characters after what you've done to them in the "Return" series. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! No more Mary Sue characters, I beg of you!
And HarperTeen, you should be ashamed of yourselves for putting this tripe on paper.
July 13, 2021
I'll preface this by saying the only reason I have gotten this far along in this novel series is I am a fan of the TV series, which is superior in literally every way.
The novel series has never been good per-say but these last two entries, written over a decade after the first trilogy are downright shocking.
The text is incoherent. The plot is so OTT I can't help but roll my eyes (They need to go into a demon dimension to save their friend- fine. Now they need to attend fancy balls, all dressed up in gowns in said demon dimension in what can only be described as a heist mission, and oh by the way Elena keeps somehow getting distracted by how pretty she looks...)
The central love triangle is downright ridiculous too. We keep hearing how dedicated and committed Elena is to one brother but she ends up snogging the other about every other chapter. Not sure how the cognizant dissonance works there...
Damon continues to be softened in this story to the degree that he doesn't actually feel like himself. They also feel the need to remind us that he never breaks his word several times.... That seems like a pretty limiting factor for a supposedly morally dubious vampire to me...
I've gotten this far so I will see the trilogy out, but I have to say this is really rather irritating at this stage.
The novel series has never been good per-say but these last two entries, written over a decade after the first trilogy are downright shocking.
The text is incoherent. The plot is so OTT I can't help but roll my eyes (They need to go into a demon dimension to save their friend- fine. Now they need to attend fancy balls, all dressed up in gowns in said demon dimension in what can only be described as a heist mission, and oh by the way Elena keeps somehow getting distracted by how pretty she looks...)
The central love triangle is downright ridiculous too. We keep hearing how dedicated and committed Elena is to one brother but she ends up snogging the other about every other chapter. Not sure how the cognizant dissonance works there...
Damon continues to be softened in this story to the degree that he doesn't actually feel like himself. They also feel the need to remind us that he never breaks his word several times.... That seems like a pretty limiting factor for a supposedly morally dubious vampire to me...
I've gotten this far so I will see the trilogy out, but I have to say this is really rather irritating at this stage.
October 19, 2009
I just finished Shadow Souls. Elena sounds so beutiful. but, i guess that the book and show are very different. Elena is not a brunett! Caroline is not a blonde! THe books are so much better than the show. sry but that is the truth.
July 20, 2013
After The Return: Nightfall, Stefan was captured and took as a prisoner to the demonic world called The Dark Dimension, and all wasn't well in the town of Fell's Church. Elena and Daman set themselves on a quest to rescue Stefan, along came Bonnie and Meredith, Elena's loyal friends; the three girls must pretend to be Daman's slaves in order to pass the gate to the demonic world, here came yet another episode of dark adventure.
*sighs* after reading Shadow Souls, all I can say is that I wish upon wish if only this book along with Nightfall are the first two books of a standalone new YA fantasy series by L J. Smith, with entirely different, new characters of their own right to roam the story's universe; instead of being a part of The Vampire Diaries.
Shadow Souls would have been good if it was a standalone, but it fails to deliver as a continuity of the VD series. The tone is off, the setting and worldview of that story has hardly anything in common with the fictional world of vampire and supernatural events that was established in the first four books. Not to mention Daman's endless longing for Elena is tiring (Where did the Daman/Bonnie hints go anyway? It's non-exist in Shadow Souls!), and Elena's hesitation on which brother she should be with is just unnecessary, plus nothing can clean Elena of the Mary Sue-suspicion that had been hanging over her head now because that's exactly what she'd became in the story: a big fat Mary Sue who is so beautiful and desirable with amazing power that every guy is crazy about her! What a shame.
*sighs* the story isn't entirely bad, but I'm so so disappointed. The Vampire Diaries should end in Book 4, even though the ending of Elena coming back to life and had a happy reunion with Stefan is too cliché in my opinion. If you ask me, the really touching ending of the VD series should be: As a spirit, Elena successfully saved Stefan and Daman from getting killed by the bad male ancient vampire (can't remember his name, sorry); then Elena (in spirit form) had a tearful moment of reunion with her true love Stefan, but eventually the time for Elena to leave this world had arrived and she had to say goodbye to Stefan, Daman and her dear friends. With everyone watching her with tear in their eyes, the girl walked into the tunnel of light and disappeared, departed from this world. Ends of the Story.
Sadly this never happened because hardly any YA author is daring enough to kill off his or her main characters and allow them to stay dead to the end; nor do them daring enough to let the main couple not having the Happily Ever After in their books. *deep sighs*
*sighs* after reading Shadow Souls, all I can say is that I wish upon wish if only this book along with Nightfall are the first two books of a standalone new YA fantasy series by L J. Smith, with entirely different, new characters of their own right to roam the story's universe; instead of being a part of The Vampire Diaries.
Shadow Souls would have been good if it was a standalone, but it fails to deliver as a continuity of the VD series. The tone is off, the setting and worldview of that story has hardly anything in common with the fictional world of vampire and supernatural events that was established in the first four books. Not to mention Daman's endless longing for Elena is tiring (Where did the Daman/Bonnie hints go anyway? It's non-exist in Shadow Souls!), and Elena's hesitation on which brother she should be with is just unnecessary, plus nothing can clean Elena of the Mary Sue-suspicion that had been hanging over her head now because that's exactly what she'd became in the story: a big fat Mary Sue who is so beautiful and desirable with amazing power that every guy is crazy about her! What a shame.
*sighs* the story isn't entirely bad, but I'm so so disappointed. The Vampire Diaries should end in Book 4, even though the ending of Elena coming back to life and had a happy reunion with Stefan is too cliché in my opinion. If you ask me, the really touching ending of the VD series should be: As a spirit, Elena successfully saved Stefan and Daman from getting killed by the bad male ancient vampire (can't remember his name, sorry); then Elena (in spirit form) had a tearful moment of reunion with her true love Stefan, but eventually the time for Elena to leave this world had arrived and she had to say goodbye to Stefan, Daman and her dear friends. With everyone watching her with tear in their eyes, the girl walked into the tunnel of light and disappeared, departed from this world. Ends of the Story.
Sadly this never happened because hardly any YA author is daring enough to kill off his or her main characters and allow them to stay dead to the end; nor do them daring enough to let the main couple not having the Happily Ever After in their books. *deep sighs*
December 20, 2024
Shadow Souls #6Yhe Vampire Diaries
5🌟
Damon and Elena ♥️
The dark demention, the three girls together
Damon
Ball
Lady Ullna's dresses
Stefan imprisoned
Quest
✨♥️
I think this is my favorite book of TVD
5🌟
Damon and Elena ♥️
The dark demention, the three girls together
Damon
Ball
Lady Ullna's dresses
Stefan imprisoned
Quest
✨♥️
I think this is my favorite book of TVD
September 10, 2017
Hasta aquí llego con esta saga, con mi saga favorita de la adolescencia. La saga original me encantó y el primero de la continuacion de Damon no estaba mal pero esto ya es infumable.
Prefiero quedarme con el recuerdo de todo lo anterior que seguir leyendo esto a disgusto.
He llegado a la página 280 y ya no puedo más.
Prefiero quedarme con el recuerdo de todo lo anterior que seguir leyendo esto a disgusto.
He llegado a la página 280 y ya no puedo más.
April 12, 2010
It's really not my fault that I have to read these horribly written books. It's my 11 year old self reaching through the space-time continuum to make me read these sequels. What this book desperately needs is a fierce editor. It could easily be cut in half and not lose one moment of plot. The whole first half of the book is rehashing of everything that's ever happened in the previous 5 books, along with detailed descriptions of ridiculous mystical powers. It's like L.J. Smith went and read a lot of fanfiction written by 12 year olds and thought "what my writing needs is more of that." Mystical wings, telepathy, cumbersome metaphors, angst, and lust, and more angst. The book is much improved if you just skip all the page-long florid descriptions of people, clothing, jewelry, buildings, etc. Once the plot actually gets moving (after a couple hundred pages) the books actually gets almost interesting. Some of the character stuff is good, or could have been good if handled better. What I used to like about the character of Elena was that she was a flawed heroine. But not any more. Now she is perfect in every way, except that she seems to be a complete idiot. And then there's the repetition of the same thoughts and feelings over and over and over. In case you missed it the first 4 times it was mentioned. Despite all these flaws, and I promise, I'm not exaggerating at all, I did find myself sucked in and at the end was eager to find out what happens next. Which means I will suffer through the next wretched book she produces, too. But unless you got addicted to these characters at an early age like I did, there's no reason for you to suffer.
September 17, 2010
I couldn't make it past page 283. There's nothing significantly bad about page 283, in case you're worried about spoilers, but I realized after reading 17 chapters that I simply couldn't take it anymore.
I'm too old for this series.
I bought the original series--the trilogy--when they were first published. I love them still, even though my tastes have gotten much more demanding as I've grown. Reading the Return series for the first time as an adult, I don't have that rosy affection for it that I have for the original books. It's not that there's anything wrong with this series; L.J. Smith's writing has not significantly improved or declined in the intervening years. I've just grown to expect more depth from a book--even a YA title--than what's here.
I'm too old for this series.
I bought the original series--the trilogy--when they were first published. I love them still, even though my tastes have gotten much more demanding as I've grown. Reading the Return series for the first time as an adult, I don't have that rosy affection for it that I have for the original books. It's not that there's anything wrong with this series; L.J. Smith's writing has not significantly improved or declined in the intervening years. I've just grown to expect more depth from a book--even a YA title--than what's here.
September 27, 2010
I feel so awful that I didn't finish this book. I love "The Vampire Diaries" TV Show. I love it so much and the other books before this one aren't that bad. So, like I said, I feel awful that I couldn't finish it.
I just got so confused. I couldn't understand what was going on and got lost in so many parts. I loved that Damon was the main focus on this and the beginning is pretty good. It's when they go to that place with Bonnie and Meredith that I get lost. I went ahead and skipped to the end and I can't believe it! I might read the next one, but if I start it and it goes like this book did, I probably won't read it either.
I just got so confused. I couldn't understand what was going on and got lost in so many parts. I loved that Damon was the main focus on this and the beginning is pretty good. It's when they go to that place with Bonnie and Meredith that I get lost. I went ahead and skipped to the end and I can't believe it! I might read the next one, but if I start it and it goes like this book did, I probably won't read it either.
July 16, 2021
Debo reconocer que los primeros capítulos de este libro fueron bastante tediosos, ya que se alargan y alargan con los pensamiento contradictorios de la protagonista: y si voy, y si no voy, y si me quedo, y si no me quedo, etc., etc. Estuve a punto de abandonar la lectura, pero en honor de los primeros libros de esta saga, le di una segunda oportunidad y, la verdad, mejoró bastante.
A diferencia de Damon: el retorno, en que se mezclaban poderes sobrenaturales y situaciones sin mucho cuidado, aquí hay un hilo conductor bien definido que sustenta la historia, con la que casi, casi, hacia el final, se alcanza aquella lectura trepidante a la que L.J. Smith nos había acostumbrado y, por supuesto, con una invitación obligada para el próximo libro.
A diferencia de Damon: el retorno, en que se mezclaban poderes sobrenaturales y situaciones sin mucho cuidado, aquí hay un hilo conductor bien definido que sustenta la historia, con la que casi, casi, hacia el final, se alcanza aquella lectura trepidante a la que L.J. Smith nos había acostumbrado y, por supuesto, con una invitación obligada para el próximo libro.
July 10, 2015
What the.. I was considering several times, the idea of simply abandoning this book! But, oh my God, the last 10 pages were just amazing! Like, although I'm NOT looking forward to see characters back in Dark Dimension AGAIN, I MUST read the next book. Inevitable.
June 14, 2010
Wow...I started as a huge fan of the show which lead me to the books. Totally loved the first few books until I got to the Shadow Souls. No offense...but hated them sooo much! Shadow Souls #2-- it was stupid, boring, and I felt pitiful taking time from my life to read them. So why did I continue reading? Two reasons!
1. I loveee Damon and Elena together! It's like forbidden love and it is always steamy between them plus they are a match made in heaven. I wanted to see if they would end up together but of course...they didn't.
2. I wanted to see how the book would end. Once I start reading a book, I have to read the ending or it will bug me forever.
The beginning was kinda rough, it reminded me of Nancy Drew books, how they recap things from the previous books. People should already know what's happening! There were alot of super UNREALISTIC things in the book like killer birds, freakish activities in Fell's Church, and such. I know vampires aren't real but this book was so far fetched, it was..just terrible. I HATED all those Matt and Mrs. Flowers' parts, skipped over those without a second thought. Hmm..what other bad things can I say? :P I do have to give praise for the newest addition to the group, Sage. He should totally fall for Bonnie or something, another romance wouldn't hurt. And I did enjoy the ending, such a cliffhanger! I found it hilarious and I'm eager for the next book. Please redeem yourself, Miss L.J. Smith! I enjoy your writing but I think the Shadow Souls books were...eh..alright.
Btw! Anyone know when the next book hits stores?
July 10, 2012
Shadow Souls, the one too many a book in the Vampire Diaries.
Where to start with this book and this review, maybe at the end. By far the best part of the book, not the ending itself, the fact that it ends. I've heard many things regarding ghost writers in this series. And this is most assuredly what was going on here. Why, this author had an idea about pacing, about building plot, and suspense. But, yes the inevitable but, but the plot fell flat, like grand ma's cake if you open the over door, the pacing ran out and left me exhausted since it did not burn out, it fizzled out like a globe in a mental hospital. The characters became even worse. Though this ghost writer managed to stay true to having Elena being a bi.t..c.h… and Stephan a moron and Damon an idiot. Bonnie is still moaning and MUTT is a mutt in this book, truth be told, I don’t know what they, yes I believe it is more than one author writing this trash tried to do. So if you get stranded on an island with this book…… well duh, keep it with you and don’t come back. It is stupid and you are stranded because you have a copy. I give this a one star review. Simply because I can't give it no stars.
I seriously think I missed the plot. What was it about? I have no idea.
Where to start with this book and this review, maybe at the end. By far the best part of the book, not the ending itself, the fact that it ends. I've heard many things regarding ghost writers in this series. And this is most assuredly what was going on here. Why, this author had an idea about pacing, about building plot, and suspense. But, yes the inevitable but, but the plot fell flat, like grand ma's cake if you open the over door, the pacing ran out and left me exhausted since it did not burn out, it fizzled out like a globe in a mental hospital. The characters became even worse. Though this ghost writer managed to stay true to having Elena being a bi.t..c.h… and Stephan a moron and Damon an idiot. Bonnie is still moaning and MUTT is a mutt in this book, truth be told, I don’t know what they, yes I believe it is more than one author writing this trash tried to do. So if you get stranded on an island with this book…… well duh, keep it with you and don’t come back. It is stupid and you are stranded because you have a copy. I give this a one star review. Simply because I can't give it no stars.
I seriously think I missed the plot. What was it about? I have no idea.
November 20, 2020
Well, I tried.. and that's the only nice thing I can say. After disliking the first book, okay I won't lie - I hated it, well you'd think that I wouldn't dive into the next book just for shits and giggles? Well stop right there because I did dive into it. Again, it was for a challenge and I don't even think I can use that excuse anymore.
Just like Nightfall, Shadow Souls made me cringe. It was a hot mess and just made zero sense to me. It kind of felt like she was trying to turn the vampire diaries world into the mortal instruments or harry potter. It just didn't make sense to me or my brain one freaking bit.
Again, nothing really held my interest and everything was just plain ole boring to my eyes and ears. Wine couldn't help this and I don't think anything else in world will either. In the end, I tried and failed to find anything likable in this little spin off. I might just try the original series and see if anything gets better there.
Just like Nightfall, Shadow Souls made me cringe. It was a hot mess and just made zero sense to me. It kind of felt like she was trying to turn the vampire diaries world into the mortal instruments or harry potter. It just didn't make sense to me or my brain one freaking bit.
Again, nothing really held my interest and everything was just plain ole boring to my eyes and ears. Wine couldn't help this and I don't think anything else in world will either. In the end, I tried and failed to find anything likable in this little spin off. I might just try the original series and see if anything gets better there.
April 13, 2010
In the months preceding the release of Shadow Souls, I read the teasers that were available online and was excited by the tension and angst in the interplay between Damon and Elena. In my anticipation, I started creating scenarios in my head of what could possibly happen, so you could say that I had high expectations prior to reading this novel. When I finally got the book and read it, I must admit that I was a bit underwhelmed.
I think the book was better than its predecessor, Nightfall; there weren’t as many Stephen King-like gruesome moments, but they weren’t entirely eradicated. Shadow Souls begins with Damon, Matt and Elena on the road sparring with each other, while back in Fell’s Church, Bonnie and Meredith reluctantly make a visit to Caroline’s bedroom/den. Caroline’s description is so otherworldly that I don’t know what to make of it, and neither do Bonnie and Meredith. There’s an eventual partner switch: Matt returns home, while Bonnie and Meredith join Damon and Elena on their trek to the dark dimension to rescue Stefan.
I had a hard time dealing with the pacing of the story: Some moments were dragged out by the description, while other key moments in the storyline flew by. Also, I think LJ could have used a better editor. For instance, I had to reread Chapter 13, which starts with Damon driving, Elena riding shotgun, and Bonnie and Meredith in the back seat. Damon tells Elena that he can show her how to manipulate her aura/powers, and he does. The chapter ends with Damon telling Elena that they should get back to Bonnie and Meredith. Where/when did they leave Meredith and Bonnie, and when did Damon stop driving? This info was glossed over.
Some new characters are introduced: Lady Ulma and Lucien, two former slaves who are rescued by Elena and freed by Damon, and the Adonis, Sage, who comes onto the scene bronze haired and bare chest with a hellhound and hawk in tow. With this initial introduction of Sage, I was immediately taken in and wanted to read more about him, but then after rescuing Damon et.al., he promptly disappears, only reappearing when the others need his aid. Bonnie and Meredith are also for the most part relegated to the background, contributing nothing really significant in the form of dialogue or action to the plot. The same can basically be said regarding the Fell’s Church/Matt/Mrs. Flowers/Caroline storyline.
As for Damon, I wanted more scenes of tension and angst, as well as more moments of his dry wit, which I had enjoyed reading about in the original series. In this book, I expected to learn more about him, but he is still shrouded in mystery. All I’m really sure of is his inherent love for his brother, which I already knew from reading the previous books. So far for me, he’s still the little boy tied to the rock blocking his soul; his true potential as a character is yet to be realized.
That said this is the second book to a trilogy, and it’s expected that some of the plot points should yet be unresolved. I wish I could admit that I truly loved this book and that it met my expectations, but in the end I can only say that liked it—sort of.
I think the book was better than its predecessor, Nightfall; there weren’t as many Stephen King-like gruesome moments, but they weren’t entirely eradicated. Shadow Souls begins with Damon, Matt and Elena on the road sparring with each other, while back in Fell’s Church, Bonnie and Meredith reluctantly make a visit to Caroline’s bedroom/den. Caroline’s description is so otherworldly that I don’t know what to make of it, and neither do Bonnie and Meredith. There’s an eventual partner switch: Matt returns home, while Bonnie and Meredith join Damon and Elena on their trek to the dark dimension to rescue Stefan.
I had a hard time dealing with the pacing of the story: Some moments were dragged out by the description, while other key moments in the storyline flew by. Also, I think LJ could have used a better editor. For instance, I had to reread Chapter 13, which starts with Damon driving, Elena riding shotgun, and Bonnie and Meredith in the back seat. Damon tells Elena that he can show her how to manipulate her aura/powers, and he does. The chapter ends with Damon telling Elena that they should get back to Bonnie and Meredith. Where/when did they leave Meredith and Bonnie, and when did Damon stop driving? This info was glossed over.
Some new characters are introduced: Lady Ulma and Lucien, two former slaves who are rescued by Elena and freed by Damon, and the Adonis, Sage, who comes onto the scene bronze haired and bare chest with a hellhound and hawk in tow. With this initial introduction of Sage, I was immediately taken in and wanted to read more about him, but then after rescuing Damon et.al., he promptly disappears, only reappearing when the others need his aid. Bonnie and Meredith are also for the most part relegated to the background, contributing nothing really significant in the form of dialogue or action to the plot. The same can basically be said regarding the Fell’s Church/Matt/Mrs. Flowers/Caroline storyline.
As for Damon, I wanted more scenes of tension and angst, as well as more moments of his dry wit, which I had enjoyed reading about in the original series. In this book, I expected to learn more about him, but he is still shrouded in mystery. All I’m really sure of is his inherent love for his brother, which I already knew from reading the previous books. So far for me, he’s still the little boy tied to the rock blocking his soul; his true potential as a character is yet to be realized.
That said this is the second book to a trilogy, and it’s expected that some of the plot points should yet be unresolved. I wish I could admit that I truly loved this book and that it met my expectations, but in the end I can only say that liked it—sort of.
April 5, 2010
Oh no! I can't believe the ending of Shadow Souls! *breathe breathe breathe* Oh no Damon!!! Rawr, I just can't get over it... @_@
Okay.. So now, after several more breaths, I think I'm coherent enough to proceed with my review. I liked Shadow Souls. I'm really really glad that after Nightfall, LJ Smith has been able to recover Vampire Diaries. I simply hated Nightfall! What I love most about Shadow Souls is that the spotlight has been put to Damon. Yes, Damon has been given a lot of "exposure" in Nightfall as well, but in Shadow Souls, I appreciated him even more. The thing is, readers get to know the real Damon in this book and not just some evil possessed Damon. Gaaad, he's just heart-melting. whew! And also, there are lots of smokin' scenes that happened between Damon and Elena, that, well, I kind of enjoyed too (at first). I am rooting for Damon since The Struggle/The Fury and I was happy that Elena and Damon relationship seemed to advance, sort of. However, there is still Stefan who always do mushy mushy things with his "lovely little love" every time he appeared in the story. Because of that, now I am totally annoyed with Elena. When she's with Stefan, she just totally forgot all those "sparks" or maybe fireworks she felt with Damon. I don't even think she feel guilty at all of her unfaithfulness. Now, Damon, I believe Bonnie is better for you! It's really cute that Bonnie seems to have a crush on Damon. I am now rooting for Damon-Bonnie loveteam.
I like the new setting too - Dark Dimension. With the balls and all, it was like a 18th/19th century setting, or at least that is how I imagined it. It is a scene that I will definitely want to come to life.
I like Lady Ulma, I don't like Sage (I dunno why. I just don't have a good feeling about him). I don't like Matt, he's annoying! I am glad there are only small parts for Matt and the whole Fell's Church.
I am dying to know what happened that night in the motel. It's just so mysterious. I don't think Damon and Elena slept together (because of his comment about Unicorn bait). I think what happened is something more personal for Damon. And what's with the Camelot that Shinichi was talking about. So many questions hanging, so denifinitely, I will be waiting for the next book installment.
Okay.. So now, after several more breaths, I think I'm coherent enough to proceed with my review. I liked Shadow Souls. I'm really really glad that after Nightfall, LJ Smith has been able to recover Vampire Diaries. I simply hated Nightfall! What I love most about Shadow Souls is that the spotlight has been put to Damon. Yes, Damon has been given a lot of "exposure" in Nightfall as well, but in Shadow Souls, I appreciated him even more. The thing is, readers get to know the real Damon in this book and not just some evil possessed Damon. Gaaad, he's just heart-melting. whew! And also, there are lots of smokin' scenes that happened between Damon and Elena, that, well, I kind of enjoyed too (at first). I am rooting for Damon since The Struggle/The Fury and I was happy that Elena and Damon relationship seemed to advance, sort of. However, there is still Stefan who always do mushy mushy things with his "lovely little love" every time he appeared in the story. Because of that, now I am totally annoyed with Elena. When she's with Stefan, she just totally forgot all those "sparks" or maybe fireworks she felt with Damon. I don't even think she feel guilty at all of her unfaithfulness. Now, Damon, I believe Bonnie is better for you! It's really cute that Bonnie seems to have a crush on Damon. I am now rooting for Damon-Bonnie loveteam.
I like the new setting too - Dark Dimension. With the balls and all, it was like a 18th/19th century setting, or at least that is how I imagined it. It is a scene that I will definitely want to come to life.
I like Lady Ulma, I don't like Sage (I dunno why. I just don't have a good feeling about him). I don't like Matt, he's annoying! I am glad there are only small parts for Matt and the whole Fell's Church.
I am dying to know what happened that night in the motel. It's just so mysterious. I don't think Damon and Elena slept together (because of his comment about Unicorn bait). I think what happened is something more personal for Damon. And what's with the Camelot that Shinichi was talking about. So many questions hanging, so denifinitely, I will be waiting for the next book installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2016
I really, really tried to finish this series. I don't usually like to rate books unless I've read the rest of the series. But after this book I just CAN NOT subject myself to this kind of torture again!! I really can't. I think the only characters I still like are Bonnie and whatever character(s) is/are trying to kill them all.
No one can say I didn't try but these books are just too horrible to continue. What is/was L.J Smith thinking?? Was she thinking?? Seriously?? Vampires and werewolves I understand, it's the main reason I'm reading this right? Even demons I can accept, but just about everything else... Really? It's almost like these books are a joke to her and she just wants to see how many people will keep reading this crap. I feel like she's butchering the original Vampire Diaries books (not really including when Elena came back from the dead as an angel-like-thingy...that was just weird and it all crashed off a cliff from there). Before that it was still a little weird and I didn't love it, but it wasn't all that bad, I was interested. Besides, most of her other books are a bit odd- usually in a good way- so I expected as much.
I think she could have pulled it off as another series entirely. I've read, and own, a few of her other books to know as much. At the moment? I'd prefer to watch every episode of The Wiggles back to back... The Wiggles... than read another book in this series. Really guys, if you started with the TV series just stick to them, if you've read the other four, do NOT go any further. It's just not worth the time, money or intense mental and emotional pain. Unless you read it as a joke, than you'll have one hell of a time.
No one can say I didn't try but these books are just too horrible to continue. What is/was L.J Smith thinking?? Was she thinking?? Seriously?? Vampires and werewolves I understand, it's the main reason I'm reading this right? Even demons I can accept, but just about everything else... Really? It's almost like these books are a joke to her and she just wants to see how many people will keep reading this crap. I feel like she's butchering the original Vampire Diaries books (not really including when Elena came back from the dead as an angel-like-thingy...that was just weird and it all crashed off a cliff from there). Before that it was still a little weird and I didn't love it, but it wasn't all that bad, I was interested. Besides, most of her other books are a bit odd- usually in a good way- so I expected as much.
I think she could have pulled it off as another series entirely. I've read, and own, a few of her other books to know as much. At the moment? I'd prefer to watch every episode of The Wiggles back to back... The Wiggles... than read another book in this series. Really guys, if you started with the TV series just stick to them, if you've read the other four, do NOT go any further. It's just not worth the time, money or intense mental and emotional pain. Unless you read it as a joke, than you'll have one hell of a time.
March 19, 2010
Thank Goddess that LJ Smith returned from the invasion of the body snatchers that wrote her previous book. Shadow souls brought back the Elena we loved in the first four books, smart, brave, selfless, and just a smidgen shallow...showed us how her new existance worked for her, and brought us deep into Damon's mind and let us fall in love with him again.
The Kitsune take a back seat as Elena, Damon, Bonnie, and Meredith enter the Dark Dimension to rescue Stefan. Even though a lot of the action takes place in the minds of Elena and Damon through telepathy the stories you find in them are so beatiful it reminded me of why I love reading her books in the first place.
You have to get through the first 20-30 pages where for some reason Smith decides she needs to try and summarize 5 previous novels to move forward with this story but after that...I'm happy with my purchase.
I highly recommend to any fan of LJ Smith. And as a happy side note...her classic chapter styles were in her hard copy book, and took me right back to obsessively reading her books night after night in my basement as a teenager.
The Kitsune take a back seat as Elena, Damon, Bonnie, and Meredith enter the Dark Dimension to rescue Stefan. Even though a lot of the action takes place in the minds of Elena and Damon through telepathy the stories you find in them are so beatiful it reminded me of why I love reading her books in the first place.
You have to get through the first 20-30 pages where for some reason Smith decides she needs to try and summarize 5 previous novels to move forward with this story but after that...I'm happy with my purchase.
I highly recommend to any fan of LJ Smith. And as a happy side note...her classic chapter styles were in her hard copy book, and took me right back to obsessively reading her books night after night in my basement as a teenager.
August 21, 2016
Bad. Bad. BAD. So bad that I started a drinking game: every time something illogical or ridiculous happens, or Smith starts writing boring stuff, like describing girls dresses and jewelry, I took a shot. That probably was the only reason I finished the book. Though the ending was intriguing, and I'll probably make myself read the last book in the series. Well, what can I say - I'm probably one of those masochistic people that just HAVE to finish series they started, even if they hated the first book. I'm like that. So here I come, last book of The return series!
September 17, 2019
Shadow Souls - The Vampire Diaries
Oeh, this one is mostly about damon and elena. Yes! Finally, with Stefan out of the picture.
I love all the dark demention stuff.
But seriously whats wrong with caroline? I love tvshow caroline, hate book caroline. Glad they didn't stick to the bookstory with her character. . Well that would have been weird.
Oeh, this one is mostly about damon and elena. Yes! Finally, with Stefan out of the picture.
I love all the dark demention stuff.
But seriously whats wrong with caroline? I love tvshow caroline, hate book caroline. Glad they didn't stick to the bookstory with her character. . Well that would have been weird.
March 3, 2020
Twin flames! Elena and Damon's souls are merged as one. I absolutely loved the dance scene between the two of them. This book was so good and the ending had me shocked af. I can't wait to see what happens next.
November 19, 2024
Usual preamble of saying my bias is probably clouding my judgement etc etc.
This is, by far, my favourite Vampire Diaries book (bro, I have a tattoo of one of the paragraphs which I will include below).
‘Shadow Souls’ is just the ultimate Delena book, and it has my whole heart. And not only that, I just love the story, the new setting we get to explore, and all the fun (and frights) had along the way. It’s just a fun ride with a great few twists and ridiculously wild cliffhanger ending (literally remember my jaw dropping when I first read it).
4.5/5 🌟
“We who are so lucky to be born into the light - who see it every day and never think about it, we’re blessed. We could have been born shadow souls who live and die in crimson darkness, never even knowing that somewhere there is something better.”
This is, by far, my favourite Vampire Diaries book (bro, I have a tattoo of one of the paragraphs which I will include below).
‘Shadow Souls’ is just the ultimate Delena book, and it has my whole heart. And not only that, I just love the story, the new setting we get to explore, and all the fun (and frights) had along the way. It’s just a fun ride with a great few twists and ridiculously wild cliffhanger ending (literally remember my jaw dropping when I first read it).
4.5/5 🌟
“We who are so lucky to be born into the light - who see it every day and never think about it, we’re blessed. We could have been born shadow souls who live and die in crimson darkness, never even knowing that somewhere there is something better.”
September 21, 2012
his is the second book of the new series of Vampire Diaries and continues right after Nightfall. With Damon as their guide, Elena sets off to the Dark Dimension with Matt. However, half way through the journey, they have to split up to create a diversion. And Matt secretly goes back to Fells Church. To her surprise, Bonnie and Meredith turn up.
They enter the Dark Dimension via one of the gates and end up in a savage world. The Dark Dimension is a world where vampire and demons roam free and humans are slave. To free Stefan, they have to look for 2 halves of a key to Stefan's cell. As disguise, the girls become Damon's slave. They pretend to "settle down" into the society of the Dark Dimension while beginning their mission. After a lot of effort, they finally manage to rescue Stefan.
On the other hand, back in Fells Church, Matt joins forces with Mrs Flower to investigate the strange events happening in Fells Church and try to find out the plan of the kitsune twins who are behind that.
When the gang return to Fells Church, Stefan receives a gift from the good kitsune who shared the cell with him in the Dark Dimension. However, Damon's curiosity seals his fate. When he opens the package, he is turned into human.
It's a good but long read. This book explores more on the kitsune legend as the gang have to understand what kind of creatures the kitsunes are, in order to solve the riddle given by the kitsune twins which gives the location of the keys to Stefan's cell, and it was interesting to hear about the legend from the Japanese approach. We are also introduced to the new world of Dark Dimension and its inhabitants as previous books focus on Fells Church.
moreover,here is further development between Elena and Damon.They put more trust on each other and get closer. They even exchange blood a few times throughout the story and this deepens their connection. This is going to give interesting dynamics to the love triangle as the story moves on. I quite like the way the author describes Damon's inner conscious as a little boy after Elena exchanges blood with him, how he buried his deepest feelings. Elena being able to leave her body and meet Stefan in her dream is also a good creation.
However, I do feel like the author put too much emphasis or effort on the Dark Dimension adventure, rather than balance out on accounting what's going on in Dark Dimension and Fells Church. We only get a glimpse on what Matt is doing on the outside world. And I am not sure if I want to know every single detail of the girls getting ready for party and the design of their dresses!!I do feel a bit bored during middle of the story until the climax in the end and the pace of the story picks up again.
Last, but not the least, the biggest shock comes in the end of the story when Damon becomes human again. This is such as big cliffhanger. Obviously the gift is intended for Stefan as he wants to become human again to be with Elena I guess we will find out what happens in the next book.
They enter the Dark Dimension via one of the gates and end up in a savage world. The Dark Dimension is a world where vampire and demons roam free and humans are slave. To free Stefan, they have to look for 2 halves of a key to Stefan's cell. As disguise, the girls become Damon's slave. They pretend to "settle down" into the society of the Dark Dimension while beginning their mission. After a lot of effort, they finally manage to rescue Stefan.
On the other hand, back in Fells Church, Matt joins forces with Mrs Flower to investigate the strange events happening in Fells Church and try to find out the plan of the kitsune twins who are behind that.
When the gang return to Fells Church, Stefan receives a gift from the good kitsune who shared the cell with him in the Dark Dimension. However, Damon's curiosity seals his fate. When he opens the package, he is turned into human.
It's a good but long read. This book explores more on the kitsune legend as the gang have to understand what kind of creatures the kitsunes are, in order to solve the riddle given by the kitsune twins which gives the location of the keys to Stefan's cell, and it was interesting to hear about the legend from the Japanese approach. We are also introduced to the new world of Dark Dimension and its inhabitants as previous books focus on Fells Church.
moreover,here is further development between Elena and Damon.They put more trust on each other and get closer. They even exchange blood a few times throughout the story and this deepens their connection. This is going to give interesting dynamics to the love triangle as the story moves on. I quite like the way the author describes Damon's inner conscious as a little boy after Elena exchanges blood with him, how he buried his deepest feelings. Elena being able to leave her body and meet Stefan in her dream is also a good creation.
However, I do feel like the author put too much emphasis or effort on the Dark Dimension adventure, rather than balance out on accounting what's going on in Dark Dimension and Fells Church. We only get a glimpse on what Matt is doing on the outside world. And I am not sure if I want to know every single detail of the girls getting ready for party and the design of their dresses!!I do feel a bit bored during middle of the story until the climax in the end and the pace of the story picks up again.
Last, but not the least, the biggest shock comes in the end of the story when Damon becomes human again. This is such as big cliffhanger. Obviously the gift is intended for Stefan as he wants to become human again to be with Elena I guess we will find out what happens in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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