The Awakening [School & Library Binding]

L. J. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 1999

Elena is the school beauty, but she's bored, until a new boy turns up in her class. Stefan is dark and mysterious - and she's determined to get to know him better. But Stefan is just as determined to resist her...until a series of attacks in the area terrify the town and Stefan is held responsible. Elena is the only one who offers to help and, falling in love with her, Stefan tells her his terrible story. He is a vampire, on the run from his evil brother, Damon, who doesn't share Stefan's qualms about drinking human blood. And Damon is the one Stefan suspects of really being behind the recent attacks...Can Elena help prove his innocence - without revealing his secret?

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Jane Smith is the author of more than twenty books for young adults, including the bestselling Night World series. Since childhood she has been fascinated by the night and the way the ordinary world changes in moonlight. She lives in Northern California, in a rambling house in a small town. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Bt Bound (March 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061396179X
• ISBN-13: 978-0613961790
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (189 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,966,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Let's see, I've known that I wanted to be a writer since I was about six, when a teacher praised a horrible poem I'd written. I wrote my first book in high school, finishing it in my first year of college. Then I became a special ed teacher before I was able to become a writer full-time. That's about it!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Smith's earlier books but just as good as Night World, March 22, 2000

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vampire Diaries #1: The Awakening (Mass Market Paperback)

The Awakening is the first books in one of L. J. Smith's early series, The Vampire Diaries, and was first published back in the early 90s. This series is one of the better teen horror ones. Leaving at least some of the formulas behind, #1 The Awakening sets up the main characters and the center love triangle: vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore, whose fight over young vampire Katherine in Renassaince Italy led to their turning, and Elena Gilbert, the human high school girl that will renew their centuries-old feud. Highly reccomend for horror and vampire fans.

85 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Watch the show, skip the book, September 26, 2009

By 

Holly K. Lee (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening (Paperback)

I became interested in the books once I saw the show on The CW. I think the show is great, the best new show I have seen in awhile. After reading the first book, I would say that the show is loosely based off of the books. The show writers have taken a lot of liberties, and I would say, improved upon the original.

Take Elena, the main character in both the book and the show. In the book, she is quite mean and self-involved, while in the show she is down to earth and unassuming. I far prefer the show version of Elena. Needless to say, the main character being a polar opposite in the show versus the book can tell you how different the two stories are.

When all was said and done with this book, I was unimpressed. I think that it was a rough version of what it could have been. This book needs work, the story is hardly fleshed out at all, making the emotions the characters feel quite unbelievable.

Watch the show, skip the book.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest books ever!, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Vampire Diaries #1: The Awakening (Mass Market Paperback)

This is not just another "I'm going to bite you" vampire book. This one has more quality and understanding to the feelings of their nature. Mrs. Smith writes terrific novels about the bravery and courage the main characters have and what they go through to procede that way. It's not easy but you'll see that none of them will ever quit in what they believe in.