Nightfall (The Vampire Diaries, The Return, Vol. 1)

Let me start by saying that I have read pretty much all of LJ Smith's books. The Vampire Diaries, by far, was my favorite series. The characters are like my own friends from long ago. When I heard this new book in the series was coming out, I was extremely excited. I have read some reviews that were not great on here, but it didn't stop me from being excited! I got the book last night and read the whole thing in one sitting. I really loved it! Is it a little different from the original series? Yes, but the same fierce passion and feistiness of the characters are still there. The plot is still one that captivates you and takes you into the world of Elena. If you're reading it with a critical eye towards the story and plot, of course you're going to find things different or wrong. Don't forget, you probably first read these books as an early teen. Of course you've grown up since then. You're going to view it a little differently. But this books still take you back with the story of Elena & Stefan. The discussions are not so adult that a high schooler could not read them. The technology that has been introduced only seems natural in a world that is being overtaken by texting! The characters had to change so they could be adaptive to today's young adult. If you read this story for the pure enjoyment of getting together with old friends, you will love it. Let it work its magic and take you back to Fell's Church!

Reading this book for the 5th maybe 6th and I still feel the same way.... I loved reading from Damon's POV he is just so funny and the way his mind works to solve a problem well it is unlike anything I have read.Each time I read this book I am infuriated by the way that Elena is so single minded in her love for Stefan, its like she can't do anything other than love him, like she has to love him no matter what. Damon knew what he was saying when he was trying to explain to her why they are better suited to be together:“But Elena,” Damon’s voice had life now; it was both excited and inflexible: “Can’t you see? Past history aside, you have to admit that we’re the ones that belong together. You and I are simply better suited to each other by nature. Deep down you know that, because we understand each other. We’re on the same intellectual level—”Sometimes I feel as though Damon is the only one who actually uses his mind.A fellow reader made a good point in another review where she stated that Elena needs someone to love and show her love and that is what Stefan did for her. She then needed to do that for Damon but she keeps resisting him... Just being too damn stubborn!!!

Came quick great price good read

When I heard that the Vampire Diaries TV series was based on a set of books, I decided to read them before the show started. I'm a big Twilight fan, so it wasn't hard to sell me on another teenage vampire series. :-) And I have to say I've grown very fond of this series, both the TV and book versions.The NUMBER ONE reason to love both TV and books? DAMON. I love this character(!), and Ian Somerhalder's performance on the show nails every aspect of Damon that I've ever imagined. Maybe that's why I liked this book so well . . . because I could "hear" Ian as Damon speaking the words in my head as I read them. The fact that Damon was featured as the "leading man" in this book instead of Stefan also pleased me to no end, as Stefan's stability can come across at times as boring. (I can't help but compare him to Edward in Twilight, who is just so much more interesting to me for some reason, even though they're very similar characters.) But L.J. Smith has indeed done something brilliant with her creation of and focus on Damon.I don't want to dwell on the plot because I'm sure other reviewers have gone well into detail. I just want to say that I enjoyed this read and was willing to go on the journey that the author put forth. After five books I've now come to think of the core characters as a modern day "Scooby Gang." I just can't help but think of Fred, Thelma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo trying to solve supernatural mysteries when reading about the scrapes that Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie get into because of Elena, Stefan, and Damon in this supernatural universe. And I like it! In this respect, I think this series has the potential to "blow up" in terms of the world L.J. Smith can create and the characters she can develop.Yes, I do agree that the book was too long for the amount of plot development, but I enjoyed spending time with these characters all the same. Do I want more character development in future books? Yes. But I think this book did an excellent job of paying attention to each of our protagonists and making us WANT to read more about them. That the author teased us with a possible Bonnie/Damon match was just icing on the cake. WHAT IF, as much as Damon wants Elena, he's really meant for our sweet little witch? I know, I know. But what about Bonnie & Matt?! See? The possibilities are so much fun to contemplate!I'm really looking forward to the next book to be released in March 2010.

I bought two of these books. One for my sister who is in the Marines and one for myself. We both read these books at 14 and 15 in 1996. So when we found out the author came out with a new book we were more than excited. This book was still as good as the others but it feels like a totally different atmosphere in this one. And only one "What just happened?!" moment. But I am interested to see where Ms. Smith takes this story line. Also excited for the new TV show and wondering how that is going to go since the story line has been completely changed.

Awesome read, can’t go wrong here.

Amazing story. The seller gave a note and a cute bookmark which was really sweet. And for a book lover, cute bookmarks are like mandatory.

Well I must admit it now, the tv serial is better. I found the first 3 books ok but now I am getting bored. I wasn't able to reach the end of this book maybe due to the fact is too different from the serial but well I didn't appreciate.

diese Bücher sind im Psi Zyklus sehr empfehlendswert und haben sehr gute Lehrmerkmale !Sind sehr einfach und lehrreich sehr zu empfehlen !

The series on ITV2 called the "Vampire Diaries finished a couple of weeks ago, (sob sob), and I really enjoyed it. :-)The series was based on novels by L.J.Smith during the period it was on TV I decided to buy the first four novels in the series, as I know usually the novels that series are based on are even better, and I wasn't disappointed. :-)So when the fifth book was realised I couldn't wait to buy it, as soon as it arrived I started to read it.Elena sacrificed herself to save both Stefan and Damon but she was sent to a fate beyond death. But a very powerful supernatural force brought her back, now Elena is not just a normal human she has powers.Elena's human friends: Bonnie, Meredith and Matt grow suspicious of Caroline's strange behaviour whilst trying to support Stefan's efforts to help Elena.Stefan is lured away by an evil force ad Damon takes this chance to convince her that he's the one for her, but not everything is as it seems with Damon.There's a darkness that's now covering Fell's Church and a malevolent creature is hell bent on hunting Damon as he can help him to get the one thing he wants, Elena.Well, I don't want to say anymore about the story as I really don't want to spoil it for you.The author grips you right from the start; her characters and the story are extremely well written. It's a very enjoyable and compulsive read; I just couldn't put this book down. :-)If you're like me and you've been watching the TV series this is a must read. It's more involved and the story goes a little deeper into what's happened in the past. :-)Even though these books are classed as young adult books, anyone from 14 years onward will enjoy them. It's an excellent horror novel and worth every penny. :-)