The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls [Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

I must admit I didn't finish this book, in fact, I only ready up to the third chapter, so I don't think it's fair I say this book was terrible because I didn't see it through. However, if the first three chapters are anything to go on, then I have to give this book two thumbs down. I might add as well, it's extremely rare for me not to finish a book.

The overall story of the Vampire Diaries is two brothers, Damon and Stephan Salvatore, fighting over the same girl, Elena Gilbert. Now this is no Legends of the Fall, a 1994 movie where Tristan (Brad Pitt) and his brother Alfred (Aidan Quinn) move through a complicated set of events being both in love with their dead brother's fiancé Susannah (Julia Ormond). On the contrary, the Vampire Diaries takes a more mystical approach where both Damon and Stephan are in love with Elena because she is a dead ringer for their maker Katherine. Maker you ask? Katherine was a vampire who wooed the brothers, making them booth fall in love with her and then turned them into vampires.

I've been a fan of The Vampire Diaries and really liked the first three instalments: The Awakening, The Struggle, and The Fury. To be completely honest, the books should have ended there. I mean *SPOILER ELERT (if you haven't read the first three volumes)* the main character Elena Gilbert dies. In Dark Reunion, Elena gets in contact from the afterlife with her witch-friend Bonnie to warn and help her with a threat descending on Fall's Church. It's at the end of this book that Elena is miraculously brought back to life as some kind of winged human of purity. At this point, I thought, `Okay, maybe Elena coming back from the dead could work; we'll just have to wait and see.' So I went on to read The Return Vol. 1: Nightfall. I was disappointed but held out hope for The Return Vol. 2: Shadow Souls.

When I picked it up from the store, I was excited to get back to my old friends Elena, Damon, and Stephan. I had such high hopes for this book. When I started, Elena's attitude of I'm so beautiful and all the boys want me, really turned my stomach. Elena has always been self centered and self absorbed, but when she came back as the winged human of purity, she seemed to be a lot nicer. However, this book has her right back where she was at the beginning, bathing in her own vanity. I was also reminded on the first few pages of the Kitsune, a fox-like mythological creature from Japan that was introduced in the first volume. I did not like the Kitsune then, and I definitely do not like them now. I have no problem with fantasy and folklore; I'm a big fan of make believe. However, I feel the combination of vampires and Kitsune are no peanut butter and jelly, more like peanut butter and mayo, yuck. When I got to the third chapter, I'd already had enough. I just wasn't feeling it and had no desire to go further, so with great loss and a sad understanding that I'd never read a Vampire Diaries book again, I closed the cover and said goodbye to my friends Elena, Damon, and Stephan.

Overall, I'd not recommend this book or The Return Vol. 1: Nightfall, but if you haven't read the first three volumes, I'd definitely give them a shot and maybe the fourth as well Dark Reunion. I will admit that I'm behind on the TV series and have only finished the second season, but I would recommend it. I almost never say this, but I like the TV series much better than the books. It is better written and Elena is more likable. If you watch the show, you'll have to give the actor Ian Somerhalder kudos for his portrayal of Damon Salvatore. In my opinion, he really brings the show to life.

This book was not at all what I expected. Like many other fans I've been waiting for this book to be released and ran to buy it. All I can say is, what happened to one of my favorite series? It's nothing like the beginning of the series where I was so in love with the characters. This book was so long and drawn out. I am a huge fan of this series, but this is the first time in the series that I have been tempted to skip to the end because I got so tired of reading it. By chapter 11 I did skip to the end. As I was reading this, I felt myself get more and more disappointed and I kept hoping that it would get better, alas this didn't happen. From the start of this book the descriptions of how beautiful, angelic, forgiving and selfless Elena was through out the book made me want to throw up. Enough already! I was such a fan of LJ Smith, (just not a fan of this book) but this was not the same author I grew to love. Honestly if the writing continues like this, please put an end to the series. I don't think that I can read the next book, I'm too traumatized by this one. If you want to read some of her better books, read The Secret Circle series (only 2 books), or Dark Visions. Please for those who did enjoy this book, do not be offended and keep in mind this is only one person's opinion.

So I just finished this book about an hour ago. I read it all last night then fiished it up today. And I did really like it, I think. It's hard to know how I feel about this book because I liked most of it but then I don't like what happened at the end. But it wasn't the writing, it's just that I wanted things to go differently. However I still really did loved the book. So I guess I'm judging this book beause the end didn't go how I wanted but it is still fantastic as all L.J Smiths' books are. So to sum up I recommend this book for anyone who has read the rest of the books and I can't wait for the next one now!

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
I loved this book I loved the plot and the characters and how LJ smith has had them mature since the first book. Lisez davantage

Published on April 8 2010 by Jennifer Selzer

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Enthralling!
L.J Smith has released another masterpiece! The plot line is unique and interesting, with twists and turns that surprise you every two seconds. Lisez davantage

Published on Mar 17 2010 by Emily Potts

4.0 out of 5 stars VAMPIRE DIARIES: SHADOW SOULS
I found the first 8 chapters of the novel from harper teens website allowing you to have a tease of the 6th book in the series... Lisez davantage

Published on Mar 1 2010 by Theresa Kahn

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!