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The Awakening (The Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1) [Paperback]

L. J. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (311 customer reviews)

List Price: $9.99
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Book Description

August 25, 2009 The Vampire Diaries (Book 1)

A deadly love triangle

Elena: beautiful and popular, the girl who can have any guy she wants.

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, desperately trying to resist his desire for Elena . . . for her own good.

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him.

Elena finds herself drawn to both brothers . . . who will she choose?


Frequently Bought Together

The Awakening (The Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1) + The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle + The Fury and Dark Reunion (The Vampire Diaries)
Price for all three: $21.74

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

L. J. Smith has written a number of bestselling books and series for young adults, including The Vampire Diaries (now a hit TV show), The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Night World, and the #1 New York Times bestselling Dark Visions. She is happiest sitting by a crackling fire in a cabin in Point Reyes, California, or walking the beaches that surround that area.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen; Rev Mti edition (August 25, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061963860
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061963865
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (311 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

I absolutely loved the series on TV & wanted to read the books - can't believe just how different they are. Dustie Rose Guerrero  |  38 reviewers made a similar statement
Very little actually happens in the book -- the writing lacks plot and character development. J. Souza  |  31 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 74 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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143 of 164 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Watch the show, skip the book September 26, 2009
Format: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.
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27 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An intoxicating saga! June 18, 2000
By JerryP
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Okay, I first want to mention that I am a huge vampire fan. So when I saw this book in one of the NY public libraries I just had to read it. I had already read LJS's "Dark Visions" trilogy and loved the story of Kait's visions and Gabriels's dark personality. Gabriel's character kind of reminds me of Damon's character in the "Vampire Diaries" series only Damon doesn't have someone "special" to put him in his place. It became so intense that when I was reading the "Vampire Diaries" Vol. 1 it felt as if the words were no longer words but instead pictures of what was happening - this occurs in all of LJS's books because they are written so superbly. I couldn't put it down. You might think this book sounds like just another story about another unrealistic immortal romance that's not worth your time but it is so worth it. Despite the flaws the characters may have you grow attached to them - to Bonnie's fearful psychic powers, to Meridith's mysterious, closed off personality, even to Elena's self-absored beauty. You grow as they grow. It's always cool when you piece together the clues before the characters do and then woder if you were accurate as the story progresses. I thought this was a trilogy until, at the back of the 3rd book, I found out that a 4th book existed. I couldn't find it anywhere! After three years of searching, I finally found it on Amazon.com ... I just had to get it. No matter the cost, I was left in that much suspense. You know what? It was so worth it! The 4th one was the BEST! I literally read it in a matter of about 3 hours, only putting it down to wipe tears away. It was that intense. I felt as if the things were really happening to me. To sum this all up I have to say that the whole series took me to a whole new world.... Read more ›
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Vampire Diaries; review for The Awakening only October 2, 2009
Format:Paperback
Why didn't I read this series when I was 12? I'm 31 now and enjoyed it, but I think this would have been much more magical at 12.

Elena comes off on the pretentious and shallow side at first - the self-titled "queen of the school". But she slowly blossoms throughout the book and you eventually start to like her. Her obsession turns to devotion, and her conceited demeanor transforms into a single-minded determination to become someone worthy.

Stefan is handsome, brooding and your typical tortured vampire. He's haunted by his past love who he and his evil brother Damon dueled over, and centuries later he's still not over it all-until of course, he meets Elena.

Damon although evil - I found to be a very captivating character. Even in the first installment of this series, it is difficult to dislike him. He is the embodiment of sexuality and temptation that I can assume will only become more appetizing as the series enfolds.

My only gripe would be that I found Elena and Stefan's relationship to be slightly rushed and not very credible. One moment he's avoiding her like the plague - the next moment she's telling him she loves him. I just don't think that's a positive note for kids to read about when they're young and impressionable. I feel that the "love" word should have a bit more substance than that.

With that said, I can definitely see why this series is popular - especially with the tween crowd. There were foggy cemeteries, dead teachers, dark and stormy nights, girls being held in thrall, you know, all that great classic stuff. Ms. Smith's writing is succinct and to the point - but you can still enjoy all the details that are necessary to create the dark atmosphere surrounding Elena and Stefan.
... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars It's just not very good.
I watched the television series first and decided to go back and read the books. I didn't make it past the first book because there is not a single likable character in this book.
Published 1 day ago by picklechapstick
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
I'll be honest it took me a few chapters to get into it but by the last at least 7 chapters I couldn't put it down! Now I've gotta go and buy the second book! Read more
Published 3 days ago by HalieS
3.0 out of 5 stars Fine
I like it but it moves to fast. One minute he's the new guy and the next their dating. It just seems weird.
Published 4 days ago by Laura
1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing!
The show is a million times better. I don't like the differences between them. I know there are always differences, but I just prefer everything from the show over the book. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Tracy Shea Sillings
4.0 out of 5 stars Very different
I watched up to the end of season for and the book Is very different to me it seems Katherine in the movie is Elena is the the book and vice versa
Published 9 days ago by Kristen
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
I loved this book. Very interesting and kept me reading. Although not as near as good as the TV series, still a great book. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Kxoxo21
1.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the tv series
I'm an active reader who loves reading books that are turned into tv shows, movies, etc. so when I found this tv series and that it came from books I was thrilled! Read more
Published 27 days ago by Alicia62804
3.0 out of 5 stars Lacked depth
Although I liked this book, parts of it felt flat to me, as if the writing and characters lacked depth somehow. Still, I enjoyed it overall because it had a good deal of suspense.
Published 27 days ago by Booklover
5.0 out of 5 stars The Awakening! by L. J. Smith
I absolutely loved the series on TV & wanted to read the books - can't believe just how different they are. I love it! Definitely based must read if you like suspense & romance! Read more
Published 28 days ago by Dustie Rose Guerrero
5.0 out of 5 stars wow!
for you twihards. this to the maxium. i cant even explain how it made my heart flutter. but for those who watch th show. there are many differences. Read more
Published 29 days ago by juliap
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