The Vampire Diaries
The Return: Nightfall
By: L.J. Smith
Publisher: HarperTeen, 2009
2 out of 5 stars
Book Description from HarperTeen's website:
The first book in a new trilogy from L. J. Smith!
Elena Gilbert is alive—again.
When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back.
Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire.
Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with. . . .
But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena's blood but her death.
My Thoughts:
L.J. Smith is working on a new trilogy in which she resurrects the characters from her original series, The Vampire Diaries. As someone who read that series as a kid and reread them as an adult, I was ecstatic about the news. I purchased the first book in The Return series when it was released in February. However, the book sat upon my bookshelf unread until recently for various reasons. After reading the book, I must say it was probably one I should have left on the shelf.
It saddens me to admit it, but I honestly just didn't like this book at all. Perhaps it is because I haven't re-read the original series recently and I was just out of touch with the characters and the plot line. I also suppose I had very high hopes since we haven't seen anything within this series in quite some time. I found the writing to be slightly confusing. The plot doesn't flow as smoothly as the storyline in the previous novels. I must say that in several sections I was downright bored; the book seemed to drag on forever. It also felt as if the author was trying way to hard to cram in too much information and plot twists – Elena as an infant angel, Elena waking up, Damon being possessed. The book was just entirely bizarre and felt very disjointed.
Sadly, I also just felt like the characters I had grown to love in the original series were emotionally flat in this installment. They didn't seem like themselves at times and I didn't rekindle my original connection.
After browsing online forums and blogs about this book, I did see that many people enjoyed the book while others share my opinion. I love L.J.'s work so I am bummed that this one just didn't do it for me. I honestly don't think I would read the remaining books in the trilogy. One disappointment is enough for me.