Customer Reviews

Vampire Diaries #1: The Awakening

5 star:		(127)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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. Damon is this gorgeous & powerful vampire whom Elena can't resist. Stefan is the type of vamp that keeps everything inside & fights his nature with the kind of sensitivity & beauty no girl can resist. I think LJS blends characters from one trilogy into another one to make a new identity. Like, Matt is similar to Adam, in the "Secret Circle" trilogy & Elena is similar to Jenny on the "Forbidden Game" trilogy. So my suggestion = don't just read this book, but buy it before it goes out of stock again. And I totally agree with the other reviewers who say that this should become a larger series. IT ROCKED!

I loved each book in Vampire Diaries (can't underline)!!! My favorite of all of them was The Awakening because it was so mysterious and the first impression that Elena got of both brothers is so perfect that it builds the suspense. I read each book in no more than two book-gripping nights. I reread them all again two years later and read them with the same feeling of "I-have-to read-sydrome." I am never going to let any of them out of my sight-especially The Awakening. They will be passed down to any children I might have in the future. Every one of them, especially the first, played a great part in me taking a voracious appetite to reading. Before I read L.J. Smith's The Awakening, I only read required books at school. After I read The Awakening's first chapter I knew I had found a new love and I would forever be searching for her name in every bookstore I came across. I know that if you read it, you too, will feel compelled to search for her. Hopefully, she will write books for everyone to enjoy in the near future-Until then, I know a lot of people who will search the isles in each book store anxiously awaiting a brilliant work of fantasy to come into bloom. I recommend that if you read Larell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series and loved it, you will be enamored with L.J. Smith's Vampire Diaries: The Awakening (as well as her other books in the series). It's the first book I ever really picked up and read cover-to-cover, and although I have read countless books since then, I remember Vampire Diaries: The Awakening (and the rest) like I just read them yesterday!

I read both the positive and negative Amazon reviews regarding this book before I started on my own. I am a female, who loves romance and a good vampire story, but I found it quite average. I know, personally, I couldn't relate to Elena, her being the most popular girl in the school and all of that. Im more likely to barrack for the underdog. I think the romantic tension between her and Stefan is a little forced. It doesn't flow too nicely, because its trying so hard to be intense. And you think, well this girl has beauty and popularity - why cant someone else get the drama? I think I better just stick to watching Buffy on TV - and barrack for willow and xander!

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. I will forewarn, the ending is a cliffhanger, so there is no doubt that I will be picking up the next book in the series.

This is a story of love, betrayal, revenge, second chances... but also so much more. Although it is geared for a teen/young adult crowd - I think adult readers will find it a fun, enjoyable read.

It's been over almost 15 years since I first read this series, and it is still one of my favorite books. Smith never writes down to her audience, which makes this as enjoyable a read to me as a 26-year-old lawyer as it did to me as an 11-year-old middle-schooler. Also, though the books are rich in detail, those details are clever enough not to date the books (i.e., "her dress was the color of sugared violets," as opposed to "her dress was just like that girl's in 'Footloose'.")
Well written, dramatic, and original in plot, YA fiction doesn't get any better than this.

I stumbled on to this series at a book store many years ago. I couldn't believe that there were books this well done. This series takes you into it. You are right there watching everything happen. The flashbacks are extremely vivid also. Smith keeps you in her creation because you end up reading and rereading the series. The Diaries encaptured me to the point where I was crying my eyes out at times and I had to put the book down for a minute. I used to ignore my other novels and just read these. I would even take them to school and show my best friend. HE even began to love the series. It is well worth your time and money.

I cannot begin to describe how great this series of books is. I am a guy, and I still loved them all. I cannot remember how long ago I first read these books (I read the Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle around the same time). Anyhow, I have never found a book, or series that has touched me so profoundly as this series did. I am dead serious. Do yourself a favor, at least check one out from your local library. I really hope one day a mini-series or movie of some sort will be made. I can't believe the WB or UPN has not picked this stuff up yet, though it is way better than Buffy or Angel (though those two are good). Bottom line: I loved these books. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone. They (the series) are certainly on my top ten list of best all time books (and I am 24 going on 25)...