tikky's review
4.0
Not bad.
I love the series, but they clearly not use the books to create it. The books are so different. The characters are different. And the story... well it's not even close to the series, too.
It's exciting in a way, but in a completely other way than the series. First I was bored with it, but at the end, I was like: I want more!
And it's not disturbing that the series and the books are this different. At all.
So, I can't wait to see how the series turns out, and can't wait to read the next book ;)
Oh! And an important thing: I DON'T want Elena to be a vampire in the TV-series! I DON'T want her to be with Damon, though I feel terribly sorry for him!
I love the series, but they clearly not use the books to create it. The books are so different. The characters are different. And the story... well it's not even close to the series, too.
It's exciting in a way, but in a completely other way than the series. First I was bored with it, but at the end, I was like: I want more!
And it's not disturbing that the series and the books are this different. At all.
So, I can't wait to see how the series turns out, and can't wait to read the next book ;)
Oh! And an important thing: I DON'T want Elena to be a vampire in the TV-series! I DON'T want her to be with Damon, though I feel terribly sorry for him!
jdye6529's review
4.0
Okay so I definitely powered through this book. It was an excellent continuation of the series. One thing I enjoy about the variety of supernatural fictions I’ve read is seeing how and if the author puts their own spin on the lore I’ve heard a million times. She succeeds in doing just that with her vampires, they hold true to some of the ancient general rules but she’s made certain adaptations to them that are fascinating and also do not degrade the nature of the being. Some authors aren’t nearly as capable of bringing their own twists in as seamlessly.
As is typical of Vampire Lore, these Vamps have certain powers exceeding their immortality, the typical mind control of sorts, as well as the need for blood. The blood of any species sustains them but human is like usual, the most beneficial. Her vamps are not inherently shifters(often times in lore vampires can become bats.) but instead can only obtain shifting abilities through feeding and strengthening themselves with human blood, and they aren’t limited to bats, they can shift into any particular animal but are in fact limited to roughly one specific one, with exception of course. Another dimension added here that I found pleasant was the counter effects of their blossoming strength and powers. Wood stakes of course are dangerous, garlic is not so much, however other elements of nature can impede them or their powers in different ways, this grows as their strength does. Also this book delves more into what the process of becoming a vamp in this universe.
These details are of a special fascination to me, however they aren’t the only thing I enjoyed. I enjoyed the character and plot development as well within this book. Once again the plot was able to drop hints that could mislead the reader or could be over looked until a particular twist or turn appears. The events that happened throughout and leading up to the climax melted together well to all share some degree of impact on the plot. There was not a lot of filler in my personal opinion, as can sometimes happen when trying to get to the big bad of the story. Most scenes and settings served their purpose of developing the plot.
Elena constantly struggles with herself over what she should and can tell to certain people and what she must keep from them to protect them. Caroline and Tyler continue their vicious hatred of Elena and Stefan. Damon obviously comes out more full force in this book. Even Meredith, Matt and Bonnie seem to grow and become more relevant, though still obvious secondary characters, their roles seem to be larger in the scheme of things than they were in the initial book of the series. Bonnie’s psychic ability is intriguing and at times surprising. Meredith, having no notable power almost seems to play mediator amongst her friends and other characters, she also tends to be more accepting of the unknown and unusual regardless of what it is. I do wish that Matt would have a bit of a bigger role than he has had, his character seems filled with potential yet he’s stuck as the doormat sidekick.
As is typical of Vampire Lore, these Vamps have certain powers exceeding their immortality, the typical mind control of sorts, as well as the need for blood. The blood of any species sustains them but human is like usual, the most beneficial. Her vamps are not inherently shifters(often times in lore vampires can become bats.) but instead can only obtain shifting abilities through feeding and strengthening themselves with human blood, and they aren’t limited to bats, they can shift into any particular animal but are in fact limited to roughly one specific one, with exception of course. Another dimension added here that I found pleasant was the counter effects of their blossoming strength and powers. Wood stakes of course are dangerous, garlic is not so much, however other elements of nature can impede them or their powers in different ways, this grows as their strength does. Also this book delves more into what the process of becoming a vamp in this universe.
These details are of a special fascination to me, however they aren’t the only thing I enjoyed. I enjoyed the character and plot development as well within this book. Once again the plot was able to drop hints that could mislead the reader or could be over looked until a particular twist or turn appears. The events that happened throughout and leading up to the climax melted together well to all share some degree of impact on the plot. There was not a lot of filler in my personal opinion, as can sometimes happen when trying to get to the big bad of the story. Most scenes and settings served their purpose of developing the plot.
Elena constantly struggles with herself over what she should and can tell to certain people and what she must keep from them to protect them. Caroline and Tyler continue their vicious hatred of Elena and Stefan. Damon obviously comes out more full force in this book. Even Meredith, Matt and Bonnie seem to grow and become more relevant, though still obvious secondary characters, their roles seem to be larger in the scheme of things than they were in the initial book of the series. Bonnie’s psychic ability is intriguing and at times surprising. Meredith, having no notable power almost seems to play mediator amongst her friends and other characters, she also tends to be more accepting of the unknown and unusual regardless of what it is. I do wish that Matt would have a bit of a bigger role than he has had, his character seems filled with potential yet he’s stuck as the doormat sidekick.
alexisb213's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aliencatl0rd's review
1.0
A bit better than the first, and I liked how it started up exactly where the first book left off. It didn't reintroduce characters, which I like because reintroductions are annoying.
But until I reached the last twenty or so pages, I had been wondering when something was going to happen or if the story was just going to drop off into nothingness in preparation for the third installment. Thankfully there is closure right at the end, so keep going even though it seems like nothing is happening.
The dramatic parts are still short of exciting. There needs to be more description before, during, and after these events, because at times I was confused at how Stephan would be one place and suddenly another. At other times the action was just too pathetic and I was rolling my eyes instead of craving to read more.
So again, decent story, but needs a lot more backbone. The Struggle is a struggle to thoroughly enjoy.
But until I reached the last twenty or so pages, I had been wondering when something was going to happen or if the story was just going to drop off into nothingness in preparation for the third installment. Thankfully there is closure right at the end, so keep going even though it seems like nothing is happening.
The dramatic parts are still short of exciting. There needs to be more description before, during, and after these events, because at times I was confused at how Stephan would be one place and suddenly another. At other times the action was just too pathetic and I was rolling my eyes instead of craving to read more.
So again, decent story, but needs a lot more backbone. The Struggle is a struggle to thoroughly enjoy.
lelemontgomery's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, also wirklich positiv war das Buch nicht, aber es war definitiv besser als das erste Buch.
Hier ist es deutlich spannender gemacht aber das Ende zieht sich.
Dennoch bin ich gespannt wie es weitergehen wird und fange direkt mit dem nächsten Buch an
Hier ist es deutlich spannender gemacht aber das Ende zieht sich.
Dennoch bin ich gespannt wie es weitergehen wird und fange direkt mit dem nächsten Buch an
lelemontgomery's review against another edition
4.0
So far I really did enjoy this book.
The end and what's coming next is still little bit confusing and I don't know what will come in book four, but for now I will take a break from this series, probably for a few days/weeks before I start book four, since I need to read something different first.
I liked the fact that Alaric was more featured in this book and also told his story why he really came to Fell´s church, although in the TV series he's more like a hunter than a psychologist but that's okay for me too since he's my favorite character in both the show and the book series.
The end and what's coming next is still little bit confusing and I don't know what will come in book four, but for now I will take a break from this series, probably for a few days/weeks before I start book four, since I need to read something different first.
I liked the fact that Alaric was more featured in this book and also told his story why he really came to Fell´s church, although in the TV series he's more like a hunter than a psychologist but that's okay for me too since he's my favorite character in both the show and the book series.
rachelshubin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m not sure I’d finish these if not for the tv series and wanting to see how different they are. And they’re quite different! It’s difficult to not picture the tv show characters.
I listened to the audiobook and wasn’t impressed with the narrator. She reads Damon and Stefan with Italian accents because they’re supposed to originate from Italy. And she doesn’t pronounce Alaric like they do in the show.
I listened to the audiobook and wasn’t impressed with the narrator. She reads Damon and Stefan with Italian accents because they’re supposed to originate from Italy. And she doesn’t pronounce Alaric like they do in the show.