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Shawna's Reviews > The Awakening / The Struggle
The Awakening / The Struggle (The Vampire Diaries, #1-2)
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Shawna's review
bookshelves: young-adult, pnr-vampires, author-lj-smith, 2009-reads, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-antihero-gamma, i-read-no-longer-own-sold-swapped, hero-beta, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, blah-meh, love-triangle-vying-courtships, 2stars, fiction-made-into-movie-tv-series
Dec 18, 2008
bookshelves: young-adult, pnr-vampires, author-lj-smith, 2009-reads, hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst, hero-antihero-gamma, i-read-no-longer-own-sold-swapped, hero-beta, hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous, blah-meh, love-triangle-vying-courtships, 2stars, fiction-made-into-movie-tv-series
2 stars � Vampire Romance/Young Adult
Although the Vampire Diaries precedes Meyer’s Twilight Saga, it’s impossible not to compare the two series, and I have to say that I much prefer Twilight.
This felt a little bit too much like a vamped out version of “Mean Girls�, and I didn’t really get into the story or care about any of the characters at all. They’re all so selfish, juvenile, and petty, and okay, I get that it’s a young adult series, but it felt really immature and teen angsty to me, waaay more so than Twilight. Bella at least is an identifiable, lovable heroine with insecurities, awkwardness, and compassion, but Elena in Vampire Diaries is the rich, spoiled, perfect, popular, blonde, reigning queen of the school, who only seems to want aloof, brooding, mysterious, new guy in school Stefan just to prove that she can have whoever and whatever she wants. And there wasn’t enough (any) relationship building between Elena and Stefan to make me really give a hoot about them; so when dark, dangerous Damon comes to wreak total havoc, I was just glad that it finally spiced things up a bit, ‘cause I was honestly rather bored with the story.
There’s just way too much attention placed on fashion-speak, dear diary reflecting, popular girl rivaling and sniping, and exhaustive gossiping for my taste. It ends with a big love triangle, Elena’s fate hangs in the balance, cliffhanger, so I’m curious to find out what happens, but not necessarily enough to continue reading the series. I will however check out the Vampire Diaries TV series on the CW, which seems like a perfect home for the teenie vampire drama.
Although the Vampire Diaries precedes Meyer’s Twilight Saga, it’s impossible not to compare the two series, and I have to say that I much prefer Twilight.
This felt a little bit too much like a vamped out version of “Mean Girls�, and I didn’t really get into the story or care about any of the characters at all. They’re all so selfish, juvenile, and petty, and okay, I get that it’s a young adult series, but it felt really immature and teen angsty to me, waaay more so than Twilight. Bella at least is an identifiable, lovable heroine with insecurities, awkwardness, and compassion, but Elena in Vampire Diaries is the rich, spoiled, perfect, popular, blonde, reigning queen of the school, who only seems to want aloof, brooding, mysterious, new guy in school Stefan just to prove that she can have whoever and whatever she wants. And there wasn’t enough (any) relationship building between Elena and Stefan to make me really give a hoot about them; so when dark, dangerous Damon comes to wreak total havoc, I was just glad that it finally spiced things up a bit, ‘cause I was honestly rather bored with the story.
There’s just way too much attention placed on fashion-speak, dear diary reflecting, popular girl rivaling and sniping, and exhaustive gossiping for my taste. It ends with a big love triangle, Elena’s fate hangs in the balance, cliffhanger, so I’m curious to find out what happens, but not necessarily enough to continue reading the series. I will however check out the Vampire Diaries TV series on the CW, which seems like a perfect home for the teenie vampire drama.
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Reading Progress
December 18, 2008
– Shelved
March 3, 2009
– Shelved as:
young-adult
March 3, 2009
– Shelved as:
pnr-vampires
June 18, 2009
– Shelved as:
author-lj-smith
September 7, 2009
–
26.83%
"I wanted to read this before watching the TV series on CW, but so far I'm not digging it nearly as much as Twilight."
page
132
Started Reading
September 8, 2009
– Shelved as:
2009-reads
September 8, 2009
– Shelved as:
hero-abused-scarred-tortured-angst
September 8, 2009
– Shelved as:
hero-antihero-gamma
September 8, 2009
– Shelved as:
i-read-no-longer-own-sold-swapped
September 8, 2009
– Shelved as:
hero-beta
September 8, 2009
–
Finished Reading
January 11, 2010
– Shelved as:
hero-cold-cruelbrute-dark-dangerous
June 28, 2010
– Shelved as:
blah-meh
July 1, 2010
– Shelved as:
love-triangle-vying-courtships
January 6, 2011
– Shelved as:
2stars
October 22, 2011
– Shelved as:
fiction-made-into-movie-tv-series
Comments Showing 1-37 of 37 (37 new)
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Sep 08, 2009 09:20PM
LOL. You said it, Shawna. The Mean Girls dramas in YA are tiresome.
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I didn't like the first book, the most popular girl in school and she was all "woe is me!" But book two was much better - once the author stopped focusing on the teenage angst and moved over to the horror part.
Rane wrote: "The best thing about VD was/is Damon. Now even better with Ian Somerhalder! No doubt I just put it on mute throughout the show and just watch him ;D)"You said it, Rane! He's a good fit to play Damon. All dark, sexy, and dangerous looking! *grrrr*
KatiKat wrote: "But book two was much better - once the author stopped focusing on the teenage angst and moved over to the horror part."True, and then it ended so abrupt with a big cliffhanger, but I just can't seem to muster enough interest to continue reading the series.
I'll just watch the show! :)
Rane, what do you think of the VD show so far? It's very different from the book, which is fine with me since I thought the book was rather silly and boring. Ian Somerholder makes such a delish Damon! I can't get over how much he reminds me of a young Rob Lowe! *swoon*
Ditto on Ian Somerholder! I haven't read the books, but the TV Elena & Stefan are a little dull for me - Ian is gorgeous and does a great "bad boy" portrayal that he keeps me tuning in :)
It's really odd because in the book, Elena is the one with the white blonde hair and pale features and her friend/rival/enemy Caroline is the brunette, but they completely switched that on the show. Yep, Ian as Damon is the main reason I'm watching it, too!
Great review Shawna. Let me know when/if you watch the show! I've got teenagers who are fans of CW, but we haven't seen the series premiere of this one yet.
Tammy, it premiered on Thurs, 9/10 and was on again last night, so there have been two episodes so far. I think it's regular slot is Thursdays at 7pm (central). They might can catch the first two episodes online though. Here are a couple of links to VD on CW (hope they work for you).
That's a bummer that this is going in this direction. I bought this book and now I am not looking forward to reading it. She sounds like the anti-Bella (and I loved Bella). I was very curious why they made Elena dark-haired in the show. Thanks for the warning, Shawna.
Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "That's a bummer that this is going in this direction. I bought this book and now I am not looking forward to reading it. She sounds like the anti-Bella (and I loved Bella). I was very curious why t..."I know a lot of people really like this series Danielle (some even more than "Twilight"), but it was just way too teeny and slow/boring for me. And Elena's not really an "anti-Bella" per say, she's just the spoiled, popular girl. But she does have to deal with the loss of her parents, which makes her more vulnerable and sympathetic.
I think I just had enough of spoiled, rich, popular girls from my own high school days that I don't really need to read about them now at 34! LOL!
But I'm enjoying the show. Mainly like Rane and Mahlet said, because Ian Somerholder is so hot as Damon! :)
And I absolutely looove the "Twilight Saga", and it didn't feel teeny at all to me, go figure.
I don't care for the 'teeny' vibe although I really like YA fiction. I will go ahead and read this, and probably I will be focusing on the brothers mostly. Who knows, Elena may grow on me. I tend to be softhearted and characters that start out annoying kind of grow on me over time. Thanks for the warning. Forewarned is forearmed. I haven't tried to watch the show. Sometimes the CW vibe gets to me. Other than Supernatural, of course.
Shawna wrote: "Tammy, it premiered on Thurs, 9/10 and was on again last night, so there have been two episodes so far. I think it's regular slot is Thursdays at 7pm (central). They might can catch the first two e..."Thanks so much for the info!
I love this series. I have to say that I really dislike the whole Twilight thing. I like the strong female character in this series much better than wimpy Bella.
I'm with u all the way!!
I was enjoying the Vampire Diares on CW, but then I got off track and missed several episodes. I really need to catch up 'cause I hear it's gotten really good.
I want all the books I can't stand it I just love it all the TV series on c,w and the books I can't. get nuff of it!!!!
Great review. I haven't finished the book but so far it is soooo boring and immature. It is a great disapointment for me cause I love the TV show.
Thanks, Banana_cake!
I also love all the vampire diares on cw",I want all books too I love the everything about it all. My name is Lori I can't get a just can't get a nuff; if it was on everyday I wouldn't get sick of it at all.
Yeah, After reading this, I had no desire whatsoever to continue with the other books in the series.
I totally agree. I was comparing Elena to 'Scarlett' of 'Gone with the wind' and 'Regina' in 'Mean Girls'. I too prefer Twilight. After reading this book, I don't feel like reading the next in the series. What do others think of the next books? Thanks!!
I agree with you, Damon was the best character and the one that spiced things up.
This series was wrote over 20 years ago.. I read them when I was in middle school enjoyed them at that time. Reread it after I graduated high school, it was just to young and cheesy as an adult
Well said, Brittany. It had a somewhat outdated feel to it.
This book is much similar to the twilight series
the book was okay but twilight is way better!!at isnt as disturbing as vampire diaries
The Tv series are much better than the books
Just imputing my comment...but Tvd is much much better than Twilight all the way through! Well until the 4th book only because LJ Smith was not the one writing it. That was terrible news. I get what you are saying but there is a whole irony in the series that Twilight does not have. Also isn't Bella also kinda spoiled and clearly does not really care much about her own life...I mean honestly she doesn't really do much until the last book and then she still hesitates way to much!
I loved it you guys are making me feel like reading it again like right now
girls... first of all Ian is the best. and Damon as far as any character from this book can be considered..... right now I'm reading " the struggle" and I must say, although I am a teenager in my heart, that this book is bad...... yet, I will read the next one because I' m in all this teenage drama/ vampire thing right now. as far as the show is considered , it's a totally different story, different characters and that's good...... seriously it is a good show although sometimes I feel that the only thing missing is an alien or something .
I love the vd but I think your right its ng good enough my friend was he'd the season and told me that elana becomes a vamp but I'm 365 and the still haven't read anything about elana being a vamp
10 out of 10 love vampire diaries realy big fan here xx
I’m 80 pages in and I feel the same way, I bought the books so I’ll read them, but this isn’t something I’m going to reread or hold onto 🤷🏻♀�
