Title: The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Struggle
Author: LJ Smith
Genre: Young Adult/Paranormal
ISBN: 006114097X
Pages: 512
Year: 2007 (books originally published separately in 1991).
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Dunedin Public Library
Rating: 3.5/5
I didn’t want to do a full review because I didn’t have that much to say about this book (or these books as you guys convinced me to consider these two separate books). I absolutely LOVE the television series. Mostly because they perfectly cast Damon (Ian Somerholder). I really thought that this show would just be your average CW show, but it’s actually good. I promise.
Anyway, because I love the show, I decided I wanted to try reading the books. I have a warning to anyone else attempting the same: the books are very different from the show and not nearly as good. I don’t really like Elena in the books and a lot of the characters have been changed or combined for the show. Although the history of the brothers are similar, the time periods are different (Renaissance Italy v. Civil War Era). I also think you can tell the stories were written in 1991 – the whole concept of what a typical teenage girl is has changed since then.
If I had to choose one, I would take the television show over the books hands down. But I think I’m going to finish reading the series because I’m curious to see how the two differ. Plus I can literally read one of these in a couple hours and that’s rare for me.
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my books. my life. 
I recently started watching this show and I actually really enjoy them! It has it’s silly moments, but it is just a fun watch :). I was curious about the books, but I think I have to buy the books to be able to read them… and they just don’t seem to be good enough for that…
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I wouldn’t advise you to go out of your way to read them. As I said, the show is much better.
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Glad that you are enjoying the show. I may give it another try at some pint but I never made it past the first episode. Just to busy at the time.
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You should. It’s really actually very good. I don’t know where you find the time to watch any tv though. 😛
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I think I like the books so much because I read them when they first came out, so they’re a piece of my childhood. Otherwise, I’m not sure I could take them at all. 🙂
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I’m sure that would make a difference. Like me and my Christopher Pike books.
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I’ve been recommended these books as well. Not sure if I’ll try them. When I was in high school I loved her Secret Circle series! I recently reread them and still loved them.
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I LOVE THOSE TOO! 🙂 So fun. 🙂
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Maybe I’ll check out those books.
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I’m really loving the show and have been thinking about ordering the books. I’m still debating it because if the show’s better I don’t really want to spoil the stuff that happens in it by reading the books. Can’t decide! The show has really picked up too, I only sort of liked it in the beginning but now I’m really into it and look forward to when each episode somes out in America so I can download it.
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I think the books are different enough that it won’t ruin anything. At least it hasn’t for me yet.
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