The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #3: The Craving [Paperback]

L. J. Smith (Author), Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2011 | Series: The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries (Book 3)

Blood brothers . . .

After his brother, Damon Salvatore, betrays him in New Orleans, Stefan starts over in Manhattan. Vowing never to harm another human, he roams the streets, trying to disappear into the city’s chaos. But just when he thinks he’s left his past behind, Stefan discovers that he can never escape his brother. Damon has grand plans for the vampire Salvatore brothers—whether Stefan likes it or not. Together, they take New York by storm. When their exploits end up on the society pages, an old enemy resurfaces—one hell-bent on revenge.

Based on the popular CW TV show inspired by the bestselling novels, Stefan’s Diaries reveals the truth about what really happened between Stefan, Damon, and Katherine—and how the Vampire Diaries love triangle began.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

L. J. Smith has written over two dozen books for young adults, including The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle, both of which are now hit TV shows. She has also written the bestselling Night World series and The Forbidden Game, as well as the #1 New York Times bestselling Dark Visions. She loves to walk the trails and beaches in Point Reyes, California, daydreaming about her latest book.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006200395X
• ISBN-13: 978-0062003959
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > History & Historical Fiction > Historical Fiction
  • #29 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror > Spine-Chilling Horror
  • #35 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > Fiction

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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can make it here..., May 6, 2011

By 

DelusionalAngel (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #3: The Craving (Kindle Edition)

Right so I love L.J. Smith when she's at the top of her game, really I do. I've read most of her books (I think I missed one or two but I'd have to check - all of the big ones and even some not as well known, I've read). So I'm having a really hard time here. I was in the middle of the last book she'd written (The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight) and just couldn't get through it. I was really feeling like the Vampire Diaries as a book series was dead for me. I'd stopped, read other books, gone back to it, stopped again. Then I get the e-mail from Amazon reminding me hey this is on your Kindle. Okay maybe this is what I need - those last two Stefan's diary books were pretty good.

Yes! The vamps are *cough* alive and well. And this is why I have such a problem with it. It's clearly not L.J. Smith. Her name does appear on the books - along with two others. I'm unclear on how much input she had in this arc of the series but given that she has now been fired from the books and how totally different the style is from her recent Vampire Diaries books I can only assume not very much. If I am wrong, I apologize but sadly this version is 100% better than the last arc she wrote alone which I seemed to be buying solely on some sort fan devotion and not because I felt they were good. This though is truly good.

The Salvatore brothers both end up in New York. Coincidence? Or is one maybe planning on toying with the other? Stalking the other? They do both end up connected to a high society family - surely that is a coincidence? And as always they end up wondering if they are really each others biggest problems or if they need to play nice with each other -- if there are things out there so much bigger and badder they are, so maybe they at least need to pretend to be friends again if only long enough to figure out what in the heck is happening around them.

So long as these books keep going this route, I'm in - whoever has taken over has figured out what was missing. Hopefully now that L.J. Smith is free of them she can find whatever it is she was missing in her future books, which I am also in for.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but Could Use a Little More Development, June 7, 2011

By 

Ashley - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #3: The Craving (Paperback)

I devoured this book in one sitting. The plot twisted and turned. The climax surprised me and was the perfect twist.

On the other hand, I would have liked to see a little more development in Damon and Stefan. Even after reading all three books, there just didn't seem to be enough to explain why they acted the way they did. There was some, but not quite enough. Hopefully, future books will continue to build the boys' personalities.

I also thought in places the action happened too quickly. It was like "this happened and then this and then this" with no chance to build suspense. Slowing down the action would have helped quite a bit.

All in all, I was happy with the book and cannot wait for #4.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Stefan Diaries, May 20, 2011

By 

Kali - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #3: The Craving (Kindle Edition)

I've loved this series of books. I've only read the Stefan Diaries series,which is just as well by the sounds. By all reports the other Vampire Diaries books are vastly different (in a bad way) from this series. I can assure fans of the TV series that these books are great and give a great insight into the dynamic behind Stefan and Damons relationship. Only negative is that they are far too short!! Hope there is a volume 4 on the way ASAP.