shellspotted's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nabilahs's review against another edition
3.0
A good concept for this novel. Vitale Society (bunch of vampires who kill people) & The Original Werewolves. Still, my least fav character is Elena.
hazysreadingtime's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75
hoping4more's review against another edition
3.0
I still like where the new writer is taking things but there were a couple of past plot references that were incorrect and that really bugged me - do your research and remember the characters back stories if you want to keep your audience.
That said, I like that the supporting characters are finally branching out on their own instead of just following Elena around. Having them all attend the same college was a bit convenient and far fetched no matter how they explained it away but it drove the story so I was able to forgive it after a couple of chapters.
I will definitely read the last book and I really hope it has a resolved ending.
That said, I like that the supporting characters are finally branching out on their own instead of just following Elena around. Having them all attend the same college was a bit convenient and far fetched no matter how they explained it away but it drove the story so I was able to forgive it after a couple of chapters.
I will definitely read the last book and I really hope it has a resolved ending.
andreeali02's review against another edition
2.0
Se ha convertido en un verdadero coñazo. Paso de leer más.
moonwisher's review against another edition
2.0
Usually, I don't mind reading books with characters I don't like. In fact, a lot of times, I end up enjoying them, when the writing is good and the characters are complex. That was definitely NOT the case with this book.
For the most part, I've disliked all the Vampire Diaries books that were published after the original four. I didn't stop reading, however, because I still wanted to know what happened to the characters (I tend to do that a lot). I still maintain, though, that I think the series should have stayed done with the original series. LJ Smith should not have published more, and now whoever is writing the books isn't doing much of a better job. But I could rant about this subject for quite a while, so I'll leave it at this paragraph.
Overall, the writing in this particular installment was not good at all -- quite like the previous books. While the book was very easy to get through (thank goodness), it failed to capture any emotion or thought beyond surface-level. The characters themselves were incredibly annoying. Usually, I don't have a problem with that -- characters don't have to be likeable for a book to be enjoyable. But with this book, I just couldn't stand the characters, and it entirely ruined the experience for me. Everyone was completely two-dimensional. Elena, the supposedly perfect golden girl, held none of the traits people used to describe her: beautiful, desireable, and most of all, intelligent. To me, she read as some stupid bimbo who cheated on her boyfriend, and then was shocked that he, gasp, HUNG UP ON HER. I mean, how many times will she oscillate between Stefan and Damon? This time, she's "sure" Stefan is the one for her, next time, it'll be Damon.
Most of the other characters weren't any better. Bonnie, I was indifferent about. Stefan, while being a sweetheart, was kind of an idiot. Matt, again, I didn't care about. And Damon, whom I remember loving in the original books, I extremely disliked. Only Meredith seemed cool, and even she failed to make me feel any emotion at all. All in all, it seems as though these books are getting worse as the series progresses. Perhaps the next installment, with its promise of Klaus's return, might make me feel SOME sort of suspense, if not any feelings for the actual characters.
For the most part, I've disliked all the Vampire Diaries books that were published after the original four. I didn't stop reading, however, because I still wanted to know what happened to the characters (I tend to do that a lot). I still maintain, though, that I think the series should have stayed done with the original series. LJ Smith should not have published more, and now whoever is writing the books isn't doing much of a better job. But I could rant about this subject for quite a while, so I'll leave it at this paragraph.
Overall, the writing in this particular installment was not good at all -- quite like the previous books. While the book was very easy to get through (thank goodness), it failed to capture any emotion or thought beyond surface-level. The characters themselves were incredibly annoying. Usually, I don't have a problem with that -- characters don't have to be likeable for a book to be enjoyable. But with this book, I just couldn't stand the characters, and it entirely ruined the experience for me. Everyone was completely two-dimensional. Elena, the supposedly perfect golden girl, held none of the traits people used to describe her: beautiful, desireable, and most of all, intelligent. To me, she read as some stupid bimbo who cheated on her boyfriend, and then was shocked that he, gasp, HUNG UP ON HER. I mean, how many times will she oscillate between Stefan and Damon? This time, she's "sure" Stefan is the one for her, next time, it'll be Damon.
Most of the other characters weren't any better. Bonnie, I was indifferent about. Stefan, while being a sweetheart, was kind of an idiot. Matt, again, I didn't care about. And Damon, whom I remember loving in the original books, I extremely disliked. Only Meredith seemed cool, and even she failed to make me feel any emotion at all. All in all, it seems as though these books are getting worse as the series progresses. Perhaps the next installment, with its promise of Klaus's return, might make me feel SOME sort of suspense, if not any feelings for the actual characters.
zelieanner's review
2.0
Definitely written by people who watched the show. Interesting that this possibly inspired part of the college plot of the show? I’m pretty sure this was written first. Still kind of boring, and they do Bonnie dirty but that’s the personality that LJ Smith gave her.
vampirebooklover13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0