The Vampire Diaries, Vol 1: The Awakening / The Struggle
Author:
Genres: Children's Books, Teen & Young Adult
Book Type: Paperback
Author:
Genres: Children's Books, Teen & Young Adult
Book Type: Paperback
I really enjoyed The Awakening and The Struggle -- the first two books of LJ Smith's Vampire Diaries series. I started watching the CW TV series when it debuted this fall, and decided the books needed to be added to my to-read list. There are some major departures from the original plot outlined in the book and the TV series (much like True Blood and Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels), so I'm glad I the read the story as Smith intended it.
However, I have to say, I like some of the changes made for TV. LJ Smith's Elena -- the main character -- is hard to like at times. She is a very shallow, popular girl that revels in her role of "queen of the school." She has a huge sense of entitlement, uses people and lies to her friends and family to get what she wants. So, in that way, I guess she's a fairly authentic beautiful teenage girl.
Elena becomes obsessed with attractive, mysterious new boy at school, Stefan. From the title of the book, it's not difficult to figure out what secret he's keeping. Thankfully, she's amazingly understanding when she learns her 17-year-old boyfriend is actually a 500-year-old Florentine vampire. Of course, the happy couple-to-be is plagued by an equally mysterious and good-looking vampire who's causing lots of trouble in Fall's Church -- mainly attacking it's citizens and making Stefan think he's to blame. Turn's out, the Big Bad is Damon, Stefan's long-lost brother who's not quite as sweet or opposed to taking human life as the weak and gentle-spirited Stefan. And, oh yeah, he wants Elena, too.
The book comprises two titles condensed into one longer novel, and I think that was a good decision by the publisher. The original stories are very short and end with major cliffhangers. Even combined under one cover, the book is a very quick read that will keep readers turning the pages.
However, I do have to end this review with a caveat: the similarities between Twilight and Vampire Diaries are, at times, blatant. LJ Smith wrote this book in the early 90s -- it's something of a pioneer for the genre. As I read, I wondered if Stephenie Meyer had ever picked up a copy in high school. There are a few scenes that are almost exactly alike -- the scene in which Stefan (Edward) is illustrating to Elena (Bella) how strong he is and how vulnerable she is comes immediately to mind, but there are others. I love Meyer's books, but I hope LJ Smith thinks that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
However, I have to say, I like some of the changes made for TV. LJ Smith's Elena -- the main character -- is hard to like at times. She is a very shallow, popular girl that revels in her role of "queen of the school." She has a huge sense of entitlement, uses people and lies to her friends and family to get what she wants. So, in that way, I guess she's a fairly authentic beautiful teenage girl.
Elena becomes obsessed with attractive, mysterious new boy at school, Stefan. From the title of the book, it's not difficult to figure out what secret he's keeping. Thankfully, she's amazingly understanding when she learns her 17-year-old boyfriend is actually a 500-year-old Florentine vampire. Of course, the happy couple-to-be is plagued by an equally mysterious and good-looking vampire who's causing lots of trouble in Fall's Church -- mainly attacking it's citizens and making Stefan think he's to blame. Turn's out, the Big Bad is Damon, Stefan's long-lost brother who's not quite as sweet or opposed to taking human life as the weak and gentle-spirited Stefan. And, oh yeah, he wants Elena, too.
The book comprises two titles condensed into one longer novel, and I think that was a good decision by the publisher. The original stories are very short and end with major cliffhangers. Even combined under one cover, the book is a very quick read that will keep readers turning the pages.
However, I do have to end this review with a caveat: the similarities between Twilight and Vampire Diaries are, at times, blatant. LJ Smith wrote this book in the early 90s -- it's something of a pioneer for the genre. As I read, I wondered if Stephenie Meyer had ever picked up a copy in high school. There are a few scenes that are almost exactly alike -- the scene in which Stefan (Edward) is illustrating to Elena (Bella) how strong he is and how vulnerable she is comes immediately to mind, but there are others. I love Meyer's books, but I hope LJ Smith thinks that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
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