Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries: The Return, #2)

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Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries: The Return #2)

by L.J. Smith

3.81 · rating details · 8,893 ratings · 668 reviews

On the run . . .

Elena Gilbert's love, the vampire Stefan Salvatore, has been captured and imprisoned by demonic spirits who are wreaking havoc in Fell's Church. While her friends Bonnie and Meredith explore the evil that has taken over their town, Elena goes in search of Stefan.

In order to find him, she entrusts her life to Stefan's brother, Damon Salvatore, the hands

...more

Hardcover, 599 pages

Published March 16th 2010 by HarperCollins Publishers

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Jul 27, 2010

Hailee rated it

Oh my God. I completely loved this book! It was all about Damon and Elena, and that's what I loved about it. It shows a softer, more vulnerable side to Damon he only shows around her, and she begins to realize that maybe Stefan isn't her only world. The Dark Dimension story plot with the kitsune keys was fascinating.

What I do have to complain about is everything that's happening in Fell's Church. The book is mainly about Damon and Elena getting Stefan back from Shi no Shi, right...more

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May 20, 2010

Chad rated it

loved it

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Apr 26, 2010

Mell rated it

Shelves: fiction, vampires, supernatural-science-fiction-and-fa

Hated Nightfall. (Seriously- have read fan fiction that was better.) But I'm curious to see if the author redeems herself.

And the answer is . . . NO. This book is bad, so very bad.

I'm kicking myself for buying this book and putting the emotional investment into reading it. Shadow Souls is truly awful, and I thought nothing could be worse than Nightfall. I am embarrassed for LJ Smith and all of the readers (including myself) who held out hope that the story of the ...moreHated Nightfall. (Seriously- have read fan fiction that was better.) But I'm curious to see if the author redeems herself.

And the answer is . . . NO. This book is bad, so very bad.

I'm kicking myself for buying this book and putting the emotional investment into reading it. Shadow Souls is truly awful, and I thought nothing could be worse than Nightfall. I am embarrassed for LJ Smith and all of the readers (including myself) who held out hope that the story of the Vampire Diaries could be redeemed after her last mess of a novel.

Much like the previous book, Smith seems determined to cram a bunch of folklore and fairy tales clichés into Shadow Souls, and this time most of them fit into the messily-detailed dark-age other world she creates. She spends so much time on period detail that is unnecessary- do we really need to know the color of the veils that each of the girls wears during their procession though the city? Magical Auras, demon dogs, gate keepers, fierce falcons- ugh. The book meanders all over the place at times, and so slowly that I had to put the book down in frustrated boredom several times.

I thought Damon had lost all of his charm in Nightfall, but again, I underestimated just how bad it could really get. He maintains that he will die for Elena as they make their dangerous quest, yet there is no real spark or chemistry left between them. And LJ Smith can’t seem to make up her mind about the physical capabilities of the vampires. After decreeing that no sex is possible in the last novel, Elena’s not-quite-human aura seems to make Damon capable of feeling for/wanting from a woman something he has not felt in 500 years. Am I the only one getting whiplash trying to keep up?

The last pages and a sudden change for one of the major characters is just unbelievable and very disappointing. (It also foreshadows another tedious quest.) LJ Smith has successfully done one thing for me with this book: after waiting twenty years for more of the VD series, and Damon specifically, I no longer care what happens to these characters. They have little in common with the flawed and intriguing people I met two decades ago.
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May 10, 2010

Heather rated it

Recommends it for: Masochists/sadists

Shelves: 2010, loathed

WTF L.J.? Were you high when you wrote this, or do you have so little respect for your devoted fans that you felt you could produce this sack of horse shit and be praised for it? This book read like its inspiration originated from a tree huggers’ acid trip. I have loved you for more than a decade Ms. Smith, but I’m done with you. This book was a travesty.

The first pages set the scene like harbingers of doom, beginning with a cell phone recording/diary entry to bring us up-to-date. T...moreWTF L.J.? Were you high when you wrote this, or do you have so little respect for your devoted fans that you felt you could produce this sack of horse shit and be praised for it? This book read like its inspiration originated from a tree huggers’ acid trip. I have loved you for more than a decade Ms. Smith, but I’m done with you. This book was a travesty.

The first pages set the scene like harbingers of doom, beginning with a cell phone recording/diary entry to bring us up-to-date. This entry serves no other purpose than to prove to readers Ms. Smith has lost her grasp on her characters and reality as well as to inform her readers that the Elena from the previous books truly is dead and gone. In her stead, we get a lobotomized version of Elena who sounds as though she were about 10 years old and obsessed with Sailor Moon. The rest of the book blew just as hard as the start, but like a true schmuck, I finished it. Not even Elena’s lame ass “Wings of Purification” could purge this book of its suckage.

There is no plot, so I can’t recount it for those of you who are contemplating acts of sadism/masochism. However, I hate to see my self-punishment go to waste; therefore, I shall hi-light the basic route markers on this road to literary hell.

1. Elena’s self obsessed, and yet “oh so humble” journal entries that declare her everlasting, undying love for Stefan that casually omit the fact that she has been making out with his brother while also feeding him her blood. Meanwhile Stefan sits in a cold, cruel prison cell, held captive by a very bad bad man. So much for love, huh?

2. The heavy handed metaphors were gag inducing. A little boy chained to the floor…Is it too much to ask for my vampires to not be served with a side of child labor references? Fraggel Rock never included such things.

3. Elena is the “Jewel in the crown of humanity” complete with the ability to weep healing “virgin tears”. Last time I checked L.J.'s universe, blood-letting was the vamp equivalent to sex, and Elena has blood-letted with not one, but two Salvatore brothers. Apparently vampire sex doesn’t count as Elena's virgin tears heal her love dejour, Stefan. Can we say inconsistancy? Or perhaps the real screwing taking place is L.J. Smith's attempts to screw with her readers minds?

4. The inclusion of Lady Ulma and her magical dresses. I lost count to how many pages were devoted to this. Far too many, and naturally, Elena’s is the simplest, but most beautiful of all the dresses.

5. The scene in which everyone ignores an old woman getting beat to death in the dark dimension without anyone batting an eyelash until Elena jumps into the fray. I guess it hardly matters if an ugly old woman is bludgeoned to death, but God forbid and egotistical whench who cries healing virgin tears get bitch slapped. Oh the horror!

If reading wish fulfillment fan fiction written by 12 year old girls is your idea of a good time, by all means, read Shadow Souls. The writing was fraught with flaws, the dialog was unbelievably childish, the characters are cartoonish caricatures of their former selves and for the life of me, and I couldn’t fathom the need for 3/4ths of this book. I would have given it no stars if I could.
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Dec 13, 2010

Savannah Garcia rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: fan-fic lovers

Recommended to Savannah by: My friend Emily, who wanted me to see for myslef how bad it was.

If it weren't for the fact that this book was much much better than 'Nightfall', then I would've given it only one star. However, there were parts of this book which were mildly interesting and I did not feel the need to slit my wrists just to have something to occupy myself with as much as I felt the need to in the last one.

What has happened to you, L.J? I used to love your books with the unsociable, unfathomable Stefan and the totally badass sexy Damon, but all that has happened no...moreIf it weren't for the fact that this book was much much better than 'Nightfall', then I would've given it only one star. However, there were parts of this book which were mildly interesting and I did not feel the need to slit my wrists just to have something to occupy myself with as much as I felt the need to in the last one.

What has happened to you, L.J? I used to love your books with the unsociable, unfathomable Stefan and the totally badass sexy Damon, but all that has happened now is that Stefan is some love-sick puppy dog where the only coherent sentences he can manage to put together is "Elena, I love you" and "Lovely little love." And as for Damon, his personality seems to be one written by a lame fan-fic writer who 'just wants everyone to be nice and get along'. Where is Damon's hatred for Stefan due to the fact that because of him, he never had Katherine to himself? Or is Katherine completly forgotten now? I don't know, but all the characters personalities have been totally changed and not in a good way.

Bonnie, for instance, if she faints one more time, I am going to scream! Sure, she's always been the cute little one of the group, but she can still manage to stand on her own two feet for more than five minutes I'm sure.

And don't even get me started on Elena! You'd think that after coming back from the afterlife she would have grown up just a little bit, but no. Elena is even more self-obsessed, arrogant and vain than she has ever been portrayed as before. I've never liked Elena, she annoys me and I do not see a point in a main character who has no likeable qualities.

Half of this book seemed to be taken up with descriptions of the girl's dresses and hair and jewellery at various different parties and venues. I don't know about you, but if it were me, I don't think I'd be wasting anytime admiring myself and my dress if the supposed love of my life was locked away in a prison being starved and tortured.

To be honest, 90% percent of the book was totally ridiculous and had no elements of realism included. The dialogue was childish and the description was incoherent. The sentence "Elena pulled away from Damon entirely,staring at her arms which were red and with something that wasn't paint" actually made me laugh out loud.

I'm pretty sure that many of the ideas and things mentioned in this book, like Damon promising Elena that he would go back to the Dark Dimension with her to abolish slavery will never actually happen. Smith really needs to get herself an editor because there are at least 100 pages of garbage needed to be cleared out of this book.

And one last thing. Can somebody please explain what the hell velociraptor sisterhood is? (less)

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Apr 13, 2010

Marija rated it

Shelves: ya, fantasy

In the months preceding the release of Shadow Souls, I read the teasers that were available online and was excited by the tension and angst in the interplay between Damon and Elena. In my anticipation, I started creating scenarios in my head of what could possibly happen, so you could say that I had high expectations prior to reading this novel. When I finally got the book and read it, I must admit that I was a bit underwhelmed.

I think the book was better than its predecessor, Night...moreIn the months preceding the release of Shadow Souls, I read the teasers that were available online and was excited by the tension and angst in the interplay between Damon and Elena. In my anticipation, I started creating scenarios in my head of what could possibly happen, so you could say that I had high expectations prior to reading this novel. When I finally got the book and read it, I must admit that I was a bit underwhelmed.

I think the book was better than its predecessor, Nightfall; there weren’t as many Stephen King-like gruesome moments, but they weren’t entirely eradicated. Shadow Souls begins with Damon, Matt and Elena on the road sparring with each other, while back in Fell’s Church, Bonnie and Meredith reluctantly make a visit to Caroline’s bedroom/den. Caroline’s description is so otherworldly that I don’t know what to make of it, and neither do Bonnie and Meredith. There’s an eventual partner switch: Matt returns home, while Bonnie and Meredith join Damon and Elena on their trek to the dark dimension to rescue Stefan.

I had a hard time dealing with the pacing of the story: Some moments were dragged out by the description, while other key moments in the storyline flew by. Also, I think LJ could have used a better editor. For instance, I had to reread Chapter 13, which starts with Damon driving, Elena riding shotgun, and Bonnie and Meredith in the back seat. Damon tells Elena that he can show her how to manipulate her aura/powers, and he does. The chapter ends with Damon telling Elena that they should get back to Bonnie and Meredith. Where/when did they leave Meredith and Bonnie, and when did Damon stop driving? This info was glossed over.

Some new characters are introduced: Lady Ulma and Lucien, two former slaves who are rescued by Elena and freed by Damon, and the Adonis, Sage, who comes onto the scene bronze haired and bare chest with a hellhound and hawk in tow. With this initial introduction of Sage, I was immediately taken in and wanted to read more about him, but then after rescuing Damon et.al., he promptly disappears, only reappearing when the others need his aid. Bonnie and Meredith are also for the most part relegated to the background, contributing nothing really significant in the form of dialogue or action to the plot. The same can basically be said regarding the Fell’s Church/Matt/Mrs. Flowers/Caroline storyline.

As for Damon, I wanted more scenes of tension and angst, as well as more moments of his dry wit, which I had enjoyed reading about in the original series. In this book, I expected to learn more about him, but he is still shrouded in mystery. All I’m really sure of is his inherent love for his brother, which I already knew from reading the previous books. So far for me, he’s still the little boy tied to the rock blocking his soul; his true potential as a character is yet to be realized.

That said this is the second book to a trilogy, and it’s expected that some of the plot points should yet be unresolved. I wish I could admit that I truly loved this book and that it met my expectations, but in the end I can only say that liked it—sort of.
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Jan 01, 2011

Hannah rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Any one who likes love triangles, roots for the underdog and like the bite of a vamp.

Recommended to Hannah by: Asda.

If you have read the previous Vampire Diaries and have for some unknown reason not completly been swoon by the charming rogue that is Damon Salvatore, then by the end of Shadow Souls, i grantee you will be. As I turned the last page, i was left completely shocked and laughing in a goofy way. Im not going to give a spoiler but the expected twist in L.J's books, is one that you would of never imagined.

From this book, I have learnt that a good book, is cunning but has sublte clues towa...more

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Sep 17, 2010

Nan rated it

Shelves: never-again, young-adult, urban-fantasy, vampires

I couldn't make it past page 283. There's nothing significantly bad about page 283, in case you're worried about spoilers, but I realized after reading 17 chapters that I simply couldn't take it anymore.

I'm too old for this series.

I bought the original series--the trilogy--when they were first published. I love them still, even though my tastes have gotten much more demanding as I've grown. Reading the Return series for the first time as an adult, I don't have that rosy af...more

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Sep 27, 2010

Olivia rated it

Shelves: did-not-finish

I feel so awful that I didn't finish this book. I love "The Vampire Diaries" TV Show. I love it so much and the other books before this one aren't that bad. So, like I said, I feel awful that I couldn't finish it.

I just got so confused. I couldn't understand what was going on and got lost in so many parts. I loved that Damon was the main focus on this and the beginning is pretty good. It's when they go to that place with Bonnie and Meredith that I get lost. I went ahead an...more

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Jun 19, 2011

Emily rated it

I think its REALLY good so far :) I just wonder if they are going to find Stefan in this book because i currently found out that there is another book after this one and im eager to finish it so i can move on to the next one. I think this book is thrilling just like the series and if you are a Twillight fan i think you might enjoy this book also because its like Twillight just not really :) Well i can't really explain it that good so just read it and find out yourself :) Again, this book so far ...more

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Feb 01, 2011

Josie rated it

Okay I'll admit I started these books because I'm addicted to the show. The first book was alright a bit different from the show and I almost didn't continue with the series. So glad I did! Over all they're pretty good! Can't wait for the new one to come out.

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Nov 26, 2011

Jennifer rated it

Shelves: 2010-reads

Dear L.J.:

Here's how this should work. Elena and Meredith stay in Fells Church to battle Caroline and the increasingly creepy Exorcist remake going on there. (Meredith so we can get a little more of her and Alaric, Elena because - well - her story's freaking over, and you just need to damn well accept that.) Bonnie and Matt travel with Damon to a hellish underworld, with Bonnie narrating and increasing tension building amongst the three as they try to stay alive long enough to free S...more

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Jan 17, 2012

Emma rated it

This book is part of the Return Trilogy of the Vampire Diaries Series. What I didn't mention before in the last book is that because Fell's Church, Virginia is a site of enormous supernatural, magical power, with ley lines all over it, it has attracted eldritch/supernatural creatures to the town. And among these creatures were two kitsune. Kitsune are Japanese Fox spirits. They are magical foxes that can shapeshift into humans and have tremendous magical power. They are like vampires in the...moreThis book is part of the Return Trilogy of the Vampire Diaries Series. What I didn't mention before in the last book is that because Fell's Church, Virginia is a site of enormous supernatural, magical power, with ley lines all over it, it has attracted eldritch/supernatural creatures to the town. And among these creatures were two kitsune. Kitsune are Japanese Fox spirits. They are magical foxes that can shapeshift into humans and have tremendous magical power. They are like vampires in the sense that they feed off a human's chi/life force, but not blood. The two kitsune that came to Fell's Church wreaked havoc on the town and tricked and imprisoned Stefan in the last book. This second book in the trilogy is all about the main characters trying to save Stefan from the evil clutches of the Kitsune. In order to do that they have to enter the Dark Dimension with Damon, Stefan's brother. And they only have two clues given by one of the Kitsune as to how to find him. Stefan is languishing in a prison in the Dark Dimension. The book is nearly 600 pages long. The book before that was just about as long. So the story talks about the trials and tribulations the main characters have to endure to rescue Stefan in the Dark Dimension. The Dark Dimension is literally another Dimension that only Eldritch/supernatural creatures can enter at portal gates around the world. Humans can enter in the company of such creatures, but only as slaves. While the main characters are trying to save Stefan, Fell's Church is under supernatural attack by the two same Kitsune from the last book. They are very bad kitsune, but some kitsune are good. I can't really go in depth about the main characters because I don't want to give away plot spoilers. Because in past books a character or two died. And if I reveal too much it would ruin the series for you. And I want you to be as surprised and entertained as I was when I read the books. This book is very well-written. Many SAT words. I highly recommend this series to High School students. There are also characters there that speak French and Italian. The book is highly imaginative and you have to do some detective work. Suspenseful and thrilling for a young reader. Quite a few new characters are introduced in this series, secrets are revealed, temptations are in the air. In other words, the plot thickens. I'm ready to read the last book of this trilogy. The ending of the second book was a good one, but not without some surprises. Anyway, if you like fantasy, the supernatural, vampires...especially fantasy, you'll enjoy these books.(less)

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Nov 28, 2011

Brandon Scott rated it

Hi Guys,
This weeks book review will be a continuation of The Vampire Diaries Book Review... Saga? ... any way I hope you guys like this one. I'm sorry that this week I will not be degrading a book, this book was better than Nightfall, but not by too much. Here is the summary from the front flap of The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls:

Elena Gilbert's love, the vampire Stefan Salvatore, has been captured and imprisoned by demonic spirits who are wreaking havoc in Fell's C...moreHi Guys,
This weeks book review will be a continuation of The Vampire Diaries Book Review... Saga? ... any way I hope you guys like this one. I'm sorry that this week I will not be degrading a book, this book was better than Nightfall, but not by too much. Here is the summary from the front flap of The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls:

Elena Gilbert's love, the vampire Stefan Salvatore, has been captured and imprisoned by demonic spirits who are wreaking havoc in Fell's Church. While her friends Bonnie and Meredith explore the evil that has taken over their town, Elena goes in search of Stefan.

In order to find him, she entrusts her life to Stefan's brother, Damon Salvatore, the handsome but deadly vampire who wants Elena, body and soul. Along with her childhood friend Matt, they set out for the slums of the Dark Dimension, where Stefan is being held captive. It is rumored to be a world where vampires and demons roam free, but humans must live enslaved to their supernatural masters. . . .

Elena will stop at nothing to free Stefan. Yet with each passing day the tension between Elena and Damon grows, and she is faced with a terrible decision: Which brother does she really want?

Back in Fell's Church, Bonnie and Meredith have made some dire discoveries. They hastily try to follow Elena and warn her—only to be caught up in Elena's most dangerous adventure yet.

My first impression of this book was pretty good. I liked it because, it had Damon on the cover, and showing him on the cover I somehow knew he must play a very large part in this book. I was correct, he does play a very large part, which I didn't like. I never really liked Damon, mostly because he changed his ways for Elena. My friend Brittany, had loved Damon in the first two books, but by Nighfall she felt like the author had turned Damon "fluffy". I believe this, and think it's hilarious. I like Stefan in all the books, I feel like I can relate to him in some ways, and I liked how he loved Elena from the jump. I can't share a lot about this book besides the fact that Damon is in it a lot and Stefan is not. I liked this book enough to give it 3/5 stars, but that is about the MAXIMUM I will give it. I didn't like it that much because over half the book was in the Underworld, where it was Dark, Nasty, and Sorrowful the whole time. I did like the next book in the series though, which is The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight, which I will be reviewing next week, so be sure to check it out. (less)

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Oct 16, 2011

Truly rated it

· review of another edition

Dear Diary,

Betapa cepatnya waktu berlalu.
Kemarin aku hanya seorang Elena Gilbert, gadis biasa. Banyak cewok yang menyatakan aku cewek yang paling mirip bidadari di dunia ini. Aku memanfaatkan mereka-untuk popularitas, untuk kesenangan, untuk apa pun. Aku mau jujur sekarang. AKu menganggap mereka itu mainan atau piala.

Tapi, ada sesuatu yang lain. Seumur hidupku, aku tahu hal itu akan datang-tapi aku tidak tahu apa itu, Aku merasa seakan-akan aku mencari sesuatu yang tid...more

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Sep 18, 2011

Bianca added it

I think at this point, it's obvious that the author neither cares about her readers or, perhaps more importantly, her characters. The whole time I was reading this book, I kept waiting for it to get better or at least start to make sense. Elena is laughable in this book, she's nothing like she was in the original four books. She's a whiny, giggling wreck. Her only purpose seems to be to stand around and make men fight over her. She spends most of the book lusting after Damon, but rather than mak...moreI think at this point, it's obvious that the author neither cares about her readers or, perhaps more importantly, her characters. The whole time I was reading this book, I kept waiting for it to get better or at least start to make sense. Elena is laughable in this book, she's nothing like she was in the original four books. She's a whiny, giggling wreck. Her only purpose seems to be to stand around and make men fight over her. She spends most of the book lusting after Damon, but rather than make it believable, Damon stalks around like a cartoon character - I was expecting him to start twirling his mustache and squinting through a monocle. Poor Bonnie and Meredith are relegated to supporting characters. In the original books, they were part of the team, even if they weren't main characters. Here they only serve to point out how wonderful Elena is. Stefan finally show up 400 or so pages in, babbling like a moron. He practically throws himself at Elena's feet, crying, "Darling! Angel!" How this Stefan managed to live for 500+ years without getting a stake through his heart is beyond me. Matt is once again reduced to a minor role and Damon still refers to him as "Mutt". They didn't get along in the original books, but at least Damon was civil to him - the way you would think a gentleman of Renaissance Italy would be. Instead, he acts like a six-year-old boy.

There's a vague sadomasochism vibe in the middle section - Damon, Elena, Bonnie, and Meredith have to enter the Dark Dimension, but only if Damon takes the humans as slaves. A particularly insulting part is the way Elena rescues an old slave woman. The old woman is being beaten in the middle of the street, but no one pays any notice. That is, until Elena risks life and death to go to her rescue. Then, suddenly the crowd comes alive and surges to her defense - "[I]t was one thing to see a merchant beating his worn out drab. . . [b]ut to see this beautiful new girl having her clothes slashed away. . . that was quite another thing" (pg 220). I get it, really, I do. The ugly should be made to suffer, after all, they're ugly and worn out, hardly worth notice. But if a beautiful girl decides to get a little dirty and actually might (*gasp*) get hurt in the process, well, we can't have that!

The last chapter, where our heroes should be discussing what they are going to do next, is instead a slapstick comedy affair. One of the characters goes through a very important change, but it's mentioned in a kind of off-hand way, and then it's nearly lost in the author's eagerness to return to "comedy". I had to go back and reread it to make sure I had actually read it correctly. (less)

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Jun 05, 2011

Sara added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Second Review. Another not so positive one. Believe me despite my negative reviews I am generally a positive person. I just have some harsh opinions about crappy books. Anywho ...
I have read pretty much every L.J. Smith book she has ever written. Despite this she isn’t my favourite author. Not even close. I just enjoy the whole multiple universes, soul mates aspects that she writes into her books. Besides that ... IMO she sucks. The dialogue is too cheesy, the romances too quick and un-rom...moreSecond Review. Another not so positive one. Believe me despite my negative reviews I am generally a positive person. I just have some harsh opinions about crappy books. Anywho ...
I have read pretty much every L.J. Smith book she has ever written. Despite this she isn’t my favourite author. Not even close. I just enjoy the whole multiple universes, soul mates aspects that she writes into her books. Besides that ... IMO she sucks. The dialogue is too cheesy, the romances too quick and un-romantic, the plots make no sense and there are too many Mary-Sues. Onto my review!

I am on page 239 of Vampire Diaries The Return: Vol. 2 Shadow Souls. And ... well ... it sucks. If you like it good for you but I don’t so write your own review this is mine.

1. Elena. OMGSAHEWRTSWTR! Elena sucks. I don’t like her in the show but I like her so much better than in the books. In the books she is TOO perfect. Everyone loves her and she is the prefect, angelic, virgin like girl who is impossibly perfect. Damon goes on about how beautiful and perfect she is. The perfect balance. No she is a manipulative bitch and she SUCKS!
2. Caroline. I may be biased because I love Caroline in the TV series but she is “apparently” the worse and most evil because she had sex and is the only “non-virgin” of the series. And as such she must be punished in the most grotesque ways possible. She eats slugs, she had sex, she has no fingernails ... *cringe*
3. Damon. Dude ... grow a pair. He is supposedly the dark boy of the book but even he around Elena turns to mush. He must have her, he must protect her, he beats himself up because she got whipped. The woman being whipped had been whipped for years and was pregnant but GOD FORBID SOMEONE WHIP THE PRETTY VIRGIN! ... sorry that wasn’t part of Damon. Anywho ...
4. Romance. The romance sucks. Too quick, too cheesy and ... lovey love? LOVEY LOVE? Wow. True love right there. Oh and it gets better. Elena and Damon make out but it’s okay because .... Why? It’s never really said. It’s just okay because it’s Elena. And the romance between her and Stefan? No chemistry there, it was too quick and too unrealistic.
5. Powers. Virgin tears? Wings of protection? What the friggiedy? That’s just ... wow. Bad. (Disclaimer this review sucks) They are overly unrealistic. Virgin tears? Again condemn all those who had intercourse it’s not like any of us wouldn’t be here without it. But again, condemn all those who get jiggy with it.
6. The dialogue is cheesy. “I’ll show you the goodness of the light?” (it’s paraphrased) Other various bad dialogue. No one talks like that. It’s overly realistic and I would know. I’m an author (unpublished and I suck but still). If something isn’t realistic ... don’t put it in. And if you have to, make fun of it. Self-satire is always fun.
I am not done the book. Why will I finish it? Because there are few books that deal with alternate dimensions etc. Besides I’m invested at this point. I will finish it but I won’t enjoy it ... thought you should all know that. I will stick with watching the show. And using JK Rowling as a novel role model. And studying for exams. And avoiding cutting a Big Mac with a straw
(granted my friend did that ...) Anywho....
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Mar 17, 2011

Sarah rated it

Shadow Souls is the second book in L.J. Smith's ever-popular Vampire Diaries Return series.

Picking up immediately after Vampire Diaries Return: Nightfall ends, Elena Gilbert and gang travel to another dimension -- the Dark Dimension -- in an effort to save Stefan Salvatore from his imprisonment. Elena must find two halves of a magic key that will unlock Stefan's cell but in the process, she must pose as a slave to Damon Salvatore in the Dark Dimension, where supernatural leaders rule. ...more

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Mar 12, 2011

Majanka rated it

Shelves: fantasy, paranormal, paranormal-romance, vampires, young-adult

I’m feeling very confused over what I should rate this novel. On the hand, Shadow Souls is all about Damon and Elena, which makes me jump from happiness and be extraordinary pleased as their relationship evolves, on the other hand, this book reads like it was written by a very girly twelve-year-old fanfiction writer. But you know, writing style, plot and page-longth descriptions of dresses put aside, I did enjoy reading about Damon and Elena. And although the author beats Damon down until he’s j...moreI’m feeling very confused over what I should rate this novel. On the hand, Shadow Souls is all about Damon and Elena, which makes me jump from happiness and be extraordinary pleased as their relationship evolves, on the other hand, this book reads like it was written by a very girly twelve-year-old fanfiction writer. But you know, writing style, plot and page-longth descriptions of dresses put aside, I did enjoy reading about Damon and Elena. And although the author beats Damon down until he’s just ‘a small little boy trapped in his own mind by none other than himself’ and Elena is clearly out of her mind with the ‘I love Stefan but you know, he’ll understand when I’m making out and sharing blood with his brother, right?’ crap. As far as humor goes, this novel is definately my top ten ever. I laughed from start to end. And I did enjoy myself more than I did when reading the previous novels in the series, plus Damon makes an interesting protagonist, even if he seems a bit out-of-character himself. So, that said, I decided on a 3,5. At least I didn’t feel like bashing Elena’s head in with an two-handed axe anymore, and although I still felt like staking Stefan over and over again, it could have been worse.

The story starts exactly where Nightfall left off, with Matt, Damon and Elena looking for poor little Stefan, who’s still tied in a cage, courtesy of the Kitsune. Because everyone thinks it’s terribly wrong to leave the Veggie Vamp (yes, that’s my pet name for Stefan) like that, they all go searching for him. Well not everyone, because at first Meredith and Bonnie stay behind. Good. For all I care, it was just Damon and Elena on a roadtrip, Veggie Vamp still tied safely to his prison house, and Mutt – excuse me, Matt – can do whatever he wants, as long as he’s not interfering with the Damon/Elena love scenes that are practically dripping from this novel. Matt, being the good little boy he is, does exactly that after he sees Elena and bad-boy-vampire Damon in a rather comprimising position. He returns to Fell’s Church, and all I could say was: good riddance: that menas more Damon/Elena love scenes coming my way. Unfortunately, Elena keeps reminiscing about the Veggie Vamp, and occasionally wonders if he could really forgive her for doing all those nasty, crazy and kissy things with his brother. But, confident as she is that Stefan really loves her, she is absolutely sure that he will. Because that’s what every normal boyfriend does when the girl who is supposedly the love of his life turns all snuggly with his brother.

Their roadtrip brings Damon and Elena to the Dark Dimension but – surprise, surprise – somehow Meredith and Bonnie manage to tag along. Once again, I had to surpress the emotion to grab a giant wooden stick and beat them all the way back to Fell’s Church. Add the fact that they always knock on the door at the wrong moments (especially Meredith…) and actually manage to say or do nothing significantly important or even remotely interesting, and you can understand why I was frustrated that they had to turn up as well. And all of that for Veggie Vamp.

Now, there’s a thing or two I ought to tell you about the Dark Dimension. First of all, humans are slaves there, meaning that Elena, Bonnie and Meredith have to be tied up to get in and pretend to be Damon’s slaves. If you thought this would lead to some witty comments from Damon, or sly remarks about their current position, think again. Unfortunately for us, Damon has lost a lot of his carefree humor and wit already. Secondly, somehow along the way Elena mistakingly thinks she’s still on Earth – where she can get away with absolutely everything – and does something that goes against all the rules of the Dark Dimension. Then there’s a fuss about that which lasts practically 100 pages, and is absolutely boring, uninteresting and unnecessary to the plot. Except that it introduces this woman – Lady Ulma – whose sole purpose in this novel, is to create dresses for the girls.

Trust me when I say that L.J. Smith actually spends about 20 pages describing how these dresses look like, what color they have, etc. Naturally, Elena’s dress is the simplest, but the most gorgeous one as well. I honestly felt like puking. For starters, I’m here for the action, the fights, the dialogue and character interaction. If you give me a wonderful description of something even remotely interesting, I will enjoy reading it. If you give me a 20-page-long description of what dress Elena and her sidekicks are going to were to some dance party, then I will feel the uncontrollable urge to grab the novel and pull those pages out. I’m sorry, but really? Maybe L.J. Smith has missed her career as a possible dress designer but I, along with at least 50% of her readers, couldn’t give a damn. If Elena wears a red dress, a blue one or a green one, she’s still going to look gorgeous. We know already. Get over it.

Then we get introduced to this new character, Sage. I think he’s a vampire, but I’m not sure since I completely missed when and how he even got introduced to the rest of our cast. I vaguely remember when Damon first spoke to him, but that just wasn’t interesting enough to actually register. But anyway, everyone say hello to Sage. He only shows up when everyone needs him the most, accompanied by a fox and a hawk – or two other pet animals, I don’t know, I don’t even know when they were first mentioned, where they come from or what their exact purpose is, and I was genuinely surprised to suddenly read about Sage and his pet animals. When the trouble is over, he dissapears again, only to reappear when he is needed. My mind was practically screaming Deus Ex Machina, except that somehow the other characters, in particularly Damon, would have managed just fine without Sage’s assistance, in my opinion. Maybe I’m just giving Damon too much credit. Oh well, you know, fangirlness and all.

Lets talk storyline and writing. The plot is practically non-existent. This book reads like the author had a faint idea of where she wanted to end up, then sat down and started writing, without stopping once in a while and wondering if the novel actually made sense. There are so many random events that seem useless, some even contradictory, and everything is all over the place. With everything, I literally mean everything. Some of the characters seem to have undergone complete personality changes: Bonnie being even more scared than I had thought possible, and uncapable of standing on her own two feet for even a mere five minutes – while I had great hopes for her after reading The Struggle, Meredith seeming as distant, unreachable and annoying as ever, and Matt turning into a noble hero who is doing just fine saving Fell’s church on his own. But that’s not where it gets really bad. What is really bad, is Damon and Elena. Sure, there’s tension and chemistry and love sparkles all over the place, but the Damon we see portrayed in this novel is so unlike the Damon we are used to, that I felt like I was being cheated. I wanted witty, snarky, interesting Damon back, who couldn’t care less about the fate of Bonnie, Meredith and the other tag-alongs. I wanted the fierce, powerful, headstrong Damon back. Instead, I got another lovesick puppy. Surely he plays the part a lot better than Stefan ever could, but that’s beside the point. Damon is turning more and more into his brother with every page you skip – and trust me when I say that’s a bad thing.

Not only were the characters all over the place, but so was the writing. It felt like somehow three different writers had each taken turns to write sentences or paragraphs, and now those snippets were all thrown together. Some of the scenes were simply ridiculous and made no sense whatsoever, and some of the descriptions were so bad they brought me closer to crying than to laughing. What this book really needed, in all honesty, was an editor. I don’t know who edited it, or how many people edited it, but it desperately screamed for a professional editor to browse through the pages, fill in the missing gaps, tell the author what could be improved, etc. I somehow had the feeling that everything, from the writing process to the actual editing, was rushed. You can’t rush things like writing, or the result will be less than satisfactory.

Even though Damon may not have been the Damon I grew to love and adore anymore, he was still the most interesting character by far. And Elena was a tad less spoiled, annoying and childish than she was in the other novels. Stefan was great where he was – out of the way, and although his speech was reduced to a minimum, only being able to say ‘Elena, I love you’ and things like ‘lovely little love’ (anyone else felt like they were slowly dieing when reading the last sentence?), it was a nice improvement from the other novels. Alright fine, let’s face it – I just don’t like Stefan. The other characters contributed little or nothing to the story, and the book could use with some more character interactions, editing and a 100 or so pages less. Putting that aside, I did enjoy reading the novel, and at least I didn’t feel like throwing it at my wall, or burning it anymore. Damon, even with his changed personality, makes a nice suitor, an interesting opponent in the game of love, and Elena is an all-too-willing victim. I loved how they were drawn to each other on all levels, physically and emotionally, in this novel, and how Damon finally got what he wanted. Or well, partly, but in any case, he did get plenty of hugs and kisses. Hopefully, in Midnight, Elena will realise the one she was meant to be with from the start, wasn’t Mr. Veggie Vamp, but the great, magnificent and utterly charming Damon Salvatore.

SPOILER: The ending. Can you say, oh my god? Does anyone else feel like lighting torches, joining a mob, and going after L.J. Smith? Did she really have to do that to the only interesting character she had left? She can do whatever the heck she wants to Stefan, Matt, Bonnie, Meredith and Caroline – even kill one, for all I care. That said, isn’t it odd that in about six novels, she hasn’t killed anyone yet? At least not anyone who didn’t return from the death (Go Elena….sarcasm, much.). But anyway, she can burn Fell’s Church to the ground for all I care, but stay the heck away from Damon. Not even that, she could torture Damon if she wanted, or hand him over to the Kitsune, or whatever. But making him human? Do you know how much that is torturing me? I mean: why? He was her last chance, and somehow I have the feeling she just threw it away.

I can sit here and go on and on about how bad Shadow Souls was, when truthfully, I did enjoy it more than the previous novels in the series. All that is courtesy of Damon though, and his undeniable chemistry with Elena. I may not be L.J. Smith’s number one fan, but I had fun reading this novel. Sometimes I laughed at the stupidity of hte characters, but that’s having fun too, I guess. But I tell you, when you want some mindless entertainment, or you want to spend some hours tucked behind a blanket reading something light and amusing, then Shadow Souls really is an excellent option. It’s like watching TV and suddenly stumbling upon an episode of Hannah Montana. Sure, it might not be your number one choice in the world, and it’s not the most-educated entertainment ever, but at the end, you’ll realise you’ve had fun and you actually enjoyed yourself. That is what Shadow Souls gives you.(less)

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Oct 10, 2010

Audrey rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book was so horrible that I could not even stomach to finish it. I never really liked Elena in the series(oddly enough I like her on the show though) she was just snotty, vain, and just a plain old Mary-Sue that was mostly putting down her friends that made a blood pledge to help her(and really, come on) win the brooding new guy at her school. I just thought this book was poorly done and L.J. Smith was in a hurry to finish. I wanted to see more of Bonnie and Meredeth, who at least had so...moreThis book was so horrible that I could not even stomach to finish it. I never really liked Elena in the series(oddly enough I like her on the show though) she was just snotty, vain, and just a plain old Mary-Sue that was mostly putting down her friends that made a blood pledge to help her(and really, come on) win the brooding new guy at her school. I just thought this book was poorly done and L.J. Smith was in a hurry to finish. I wanted to see more of Bonnie and Meredeth, who at least had some redeeming quality's, I was hoping there would be some development between Damon and Bonnie. In my opinion, Bonnie is more of an angel than Elena. She is innocent and sensitive, while Elena is thought to be strong but really she can't do anything by her self. And what was with Damon and Elena making out while the Elena's "true love" Stefan lies in a cold, dark, and moldy cell. Yes, definitely that's true love right there. I always thought Elena was a bit of a slut, granted that we now find out that Elena is a virgin. I don't see why all the male characters(and female characters in this book) love Elena. Of course, Elena has to be the one to save Lady Ulma or whatever her name was. After she is worshiped by just about everyone, because you know she's a human with angel powers and she's beautiful, kind, and just wonderful. Please realize that last sentence is filled with sarcasm. Many people prefer the books to the show, but I disagree, at least in the show it build the relationship between the characters. The show is more practical too(well as practical as a show with vampires and werewolves can be). But anyway, Elena just ticked me off, she was a perfect Mary-Sue(well she always has been in my opinion) for reasons already mentioned. Stefan reminded me a lot of Eward Cullen, with the controlling quality, the brooding quality, and the Oh-woe-is-me-my-life-sucks-I'll-kill-my-girlfriend quality. No, just no. I can't really say anything more about this book, it was atrocious, rushed, and basically pathetic. I only know that because I read the last few pages to see if it was worth the pain of finishing it. It wasn't, the ending was even worse than the beginning. Damon as a human, and somehow I have a feeling that Elena and he will be even "closer" and who's knows maybe they will fall in love and live happily ever after. Yeah, right. (less)

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Aug 21, 2010

Carrie Rundhaug rated it

I decided to start reading this series after watching a few episodes of the TV series on the CW. Up until this book I have truly enjoyed reading this series. This book however causes me to lose faith in the series.

There is a lot going on in this book actually I believe more so than in the previous books. There are many new characters that Elena and the crew meet while in the Dark Dimension. Also there is the Dark Dimension that is thrown at us. This Dark Dimension is a whole new wor...more

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Aug 09, 2010

Judy rated it

Shelves: 2010, ya, fantasy, terrible

I hesitate in posting this review because I am, and always will be, a fan of L.J. Smith. She was one of the reasons I started reading Young Adult fantasy / horror in the first place and what inspired me to want to become a YA writer. I still remember going to the public library that day and turning those plastic book shelves that contain paper backs to browse through the spines of the books. I remember this gothic looking text (now looking back, are a little cheesy) and it saying “L.J. Smith, Ni...moreI hesitate in posting this review because I am, and always will be, a fan of L.J. Smith. She was one of the reasons I started reading Young Adult fantasy / horror in the first place and what inspired me to want to become a YA writer. I still remember going to the public library that day and turning those plastic book shelves that contain paper backs to browse through the spines of the books. I remember this gothic looking text (now looking back, are a little cheesy) and it saying “L.J. Smith, Night World, The Chosen”. This was in the days when Buffy was becoming popular. I read The Chosen and I was hooked. I started to collect her paperbacks from the library when they became discontinued, and would beg my mom to buy them when I saw them at a used bookstore. I loved Dark Visions, the Night World series, and enjoyed the rest of her stories as well. I loved her strong female characters, the witty dialogue, the action packed stories, and how her characters always fell down, learned, grew and became better. The romance in the story was wonderful as well. I still have those old paperbacks that are now taped down because the covers are coming off. I bought the omnibuses when they came out for the reprint in the preparation for L.J. Smith’s return from her long hiatus. I was excited and completely ready to devour Strange Fate, the final book of the Night World series when we could finally figure what happened to all of those beloved characters that I read about again and again for the past ten years.

The reason I hesitate in posting this review is because my review will not be a positive one. As a testament to what a wonderful writer she was, I would still whole heartedly recommend her books to everyone who wants to read great YA horror / fantasy. I do not want to deter future readers from reading her books by posting reviews that may not be flattering, but I feel that I should be honest in reviewing. I think it is important as someone working on my own stories that I read each book critically and reflectively, so that I can learn from the experience.

I read “Nightfall”, the continuation of the “Vampire Diaries” series and was disappointed. There were glimpses here and there of familiarity, some sharp dialogue or frightening scene that reminded me of the old books. There were times when the characters even breathed a little and came to life, but then settled back down to just words on a page.

I picked up “Shadow Souls” with hope still remaining eternal that perhaps after getting some feedback from “Nightfall” that the author, agent or editor will be committed to putting out a better book. I know that some reviews state that “Shadow Souls” is an improvement over “Nightfall”, but I may be more forgiving for a debut author who is setting out to create a new setting and a new world. However, she is revisiting her own characters and her own universe that she established before. She tossed characterization and world building to the wind as she continued in this trilogy.

First off, the sheer unnecessary length of it. There were entire scenes that could be snipped without any effect on the plot. There were descriptions of dresses and ballrooms and setting that went on for pages. The reason her old books were so good was because of how compact they were. Each scene was necessary in moving the plot along or developing a character.

Second, the characters were unrecognizable. Elena was vain, selfish and frustrating. However, she was also loyal, determined and self-sacrificing. She was never perfect, but in “Shadow Souls”, she wallowed between the two brothers. She would remember Stefan and would elaborate on the extent of her love for him, but then she would forget about him when she was around Damon. Stefan’s angst was long and drawn out, elaborated on by Elena’s “nightly visits”. Damon is constantly moody and irritable, but obsessed with Elena.

Finally, creatures and legends and folklore were tossed around. They felt like puppets being used by L.J. Smith so that there would be constant obstacles in the way. Their threats were minimal because Elena, perfect Elena with her beauty and her grace and her new superpowers would save them all. The previous books were about team work and friendship and family and problem solving together. Now, it is Elena this and Elena that, so much that it is embarrassing how Mary Sue she has become. Like many reviewers online have mentioned, the new trilogy reads like someone writing fanfiction for the Vampire Diaries instead of the author herself.

After this and “Nightfall”, I have low expectations for the upcoming “Strange Fate”, which will finish off the Night World series. I may or may not attempt to read “Midnight”, just because I’ve invested too much time into this new trilogy. But I will probably skim the next tome instead of really enjoying the story.(less)

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Jun 17, 2010

Briar rated it

Okay, where to start...how bout with the previous book? I DID NOT like Nightfall. I felt like L.J. was trying to hard to make the book different or new or interesting. She added all these crazy things like attacking tree-men, malach, and Caroline's getting pregnant with puppies???? I was extremely bothered by the way the little girls where acting very...innapropriate. L.J. added too many crazy,confusing things that didnt really help introduce Shadow Souls that much.

Personally, I like...more

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Jun 14, 2010

Gina rated it

Wow...I started as a huge fan of the show which lead me to the books. Totally loved the first few books until I got to the Shadow Souls. No offense...but hated them sooo much! Shadow Souls #2-- it was stupid, boring, and I felt pitiful taking time from my life to read them. So why did I continue reading? Two reasons!

1. I loveee Damon and Elena together! It's like forbidden love and it is always steamy between them plus they are a match made in heaven. I wanted to see if they would end up

...moreWow...I started as a huge fan of the show which lead me to the books. Totally loved the first few books until I got to the Shadow Souls. No offense...but hated them sooo much! Shadow Souls #2-- it was stupid, boring, and I felt pitiful taking time from my life to read them. So why did I continue reading? Two reasons!

1. I loveee Damon and Elena together! It's like forbidden love and it is always steamy between them plus they are a match made in heaven. I wanted to see if they would end up together but of course...they didn't.

2. I wanted to see how the book would end. Once I start reading a book, I have to read the ending or it will bug me forever.

The beginning was kinda rough, it reminded me of Nancy Drew books, how they recap things from the previous books. People should already know what's happening! There were alot of super UNREALISTIC things in the book like killer birds, freakish activities in Fell's Church, and such. I know vampires aren't real but this book was so far fetched, it was..just terrible. I HATED all those Matt and Mrs. Flowers' parts, skipped over those without a second thought. Hmm..what other bad things can I say? :P I do have to give praise for the newest addition to the group, Sage. He should totally fall for Bonnie or something, another romance wouldn't hurt. And I did enjoy the ending, such a cliffhanger! I found it hilarious and I'm eager for the next book. Please redeem yourself, Miss L.J. Smith! I enjoy your writing but I think the Shadow Souls books were...eh..alright.

 Btw! Anyone know when the next book hits stores?

(less)

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Jun 13, 2010

Sherri rated it

· review of another edition

My review... This book made me so sad. It was hard to even get into it. I had to resist throwing it across the room. I forced myself to finish it because I had to know what happened despite my lack of interest in it (if that makes sense).

I absolutely LOVED the first four VD in the series, but these last two, Nightfall and Shadow Souls are completely different. Stefan calls Elena "Lovely love" (LAME), and Matt seems to still be pining after her. Caroline becomes some freaky ...more

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May 20, 2010

Jessica rated it

small parts of this may contain spoilers!

i loved this book, because of elena & damons relationship but i couldnt give it full marks because of one thing:
the middle DIDNT make sense !
i mean, i reread pages & CHAPTERS over and over again without any luck of understanding them, SAGE ? wtf, when did he appear (although i owe him a life for saving damon!) and the part with the flower/bird woman ? WTFF that made NO sense whatsoever! did somebody even reread that & were too scar...moresmall parts of this may contain spoilers!

i loved this book, because of elena & damons relationship but i couldnt give it full marks because of one thing:
the middle DIDNT make sense !
i mean, i reread pages & CHAPTERS over and over again without any luck of understanding them, SAGE ? wtf, when did he appear (although i owe him a life for saving damon!) and the part with the flower/bird woman ? WTFF that made NO sense whatsoever! did somebody even reread that & were too scared to say to L.J Smith that it made NO sense ! i could barely picture the scenes in my head, it was so confusing. And Elena ? hello ! where have you gone ?! strong heroine in the first four books to BELLA SWAN in nightfall & now because stefans gone, shes relying on damon ? honestly, at the beginning of nightfall i was practically sick due to the fact that elena kept relying on stefan ALL THE TIME ! it made me want to puke, she was acting too much like bella (whom i DESPISE since she has no life outside of edward cullen) i loved elena for the fact that she was strong and independant, she could live without stefan, she could say no to damon - and she knew what she want, she didnt WANT to become a vampire like bella, she was a normal person, at least in shadow souls, she returned a little and hopefully in midnight, l. j will be back to her old self and elena will be elena again. but onto the actual book...

i LOVED the beginning especially damon & elena at the motel when he lifted her up to 'clear her head' i just thought that was incrediblly sweet & kind, and when he killed that man for hurting elena and when he took the pain for her ! aww(kk) and im absolutly DYING to know what happened that night when damon lost his memory=o, because if elenas still a virgin... dun, dun, dun :L

the middle confused me, i kinda lost my way after the sage part & to be quite honest did it actually MATTER what the girls dresses looked like ? l. j could have added a lot more important stuff into the story than that elenas dress was scarlett. and whenever i thought i'd found my way again, i lost my place and got confused. the jail part as well with the kitsune was pretty confusing and the part when they were getting through the portal.

but thumbs up to the ending, if i was rating it on just the beginning & end it would be TEN STARS but i had to put it down for the middle & the character drop, thank god for good old meredith although i was sad that damon&bonnie didnt evolve more even though i prefer elena&damon. the ending TOTALLY surprised me, i just thought it was hilarous when damons screaming "i'm dying" and sage is like "deep breaths" oh god but im sad now, damons not as good as human, hes not as hot ! and nuw stefan could kill damon easily if he wanted when hes strong enough!

i really cant wait for midnight now! nightfall was okay, i liked the part where damon & elena were in the imaganery house & damon was being sweet but that was about it, shadow souls was great... i hope midnights AMAZING, it would be a truly great way to end this magnificent saga.(less)

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May 08, 2010

Acoustix rated it

Shelves: vampire-diaries, vampire

What a disappointment.

The one thing I was thinking when I finished 'Nightfall' was "Well she has finally hit rock-bottom, the only way from here is up." and I have to admit, she has climbed up a little, but only by an inch or two.

The characters are NOT the ones I fell in love with all those years ago back in the original series. In Nightfall, L.J ripped away every single shred of personality that made them what they were, and she had replaced it with alien chara...more

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Apr 18, 2010

Trier rated it

So, I just finished the book about 10 minutes ago. My general feeling of the book was... a mixture of disappointment and confusion. The previous book in this series, Nightfall was a confusing mixture of words and was so hard to follow at times that I had to re-read the page I was on several times! Although this book was much more "put together" it was still quite challenging at times and very frustrating! I enjoyed the Elena Damon interaction, and I know at some point she will have to ...more

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Nov 25, 2011

Sophie rated it

· review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I am still in shock from how bad this book was. First of all, (and this is just me being biased because I am, afterall, Team Stefan) most of the book was Damon and Elena. And I hate Damon, so yeah. Anyways, as in the last book (Nightfall) Elena pretty much annoyed me to Hell and back. She would just whine and whine and whine about how much she missed and loved Stefan. constantly. Then, she would proceed to go make-out and share blood with Damon, thinking 'oh, poor little Stefan won't mind becaus...more

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Jul 25, 2011

Kristy rated it

Why on earth did I started reading this book, since I didn't enjoy the previous book in this series? Once I start something I must finish it. Yet, I was happy to find that it was so much better! Just as good as the first books.

Knowing Stefan is locked up in a prison in the dark dimension, Elena, Damon and Matt, using the clues given by Shinichi, are on a mission to free him. With the help of Bonnie and Meredith who later join them, they work out how the clues lead to 2 keys which will ...more

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Stefan Or Damon Salvator ?	17	23	Jan 10, 2012 10:42am
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About L.J. Smith

L.J. Smith recently changed her name because she got tired of being one of a googolplex of Lisa J. Smiths. Her attempts to get people to call her by her new name have not, so far, been successful. Despite initial disappointments, she will not give up the fight! She also wonders if many people out there realize that “smiths” were revered in ancient times for their ability to take bits of rock and m...more

More about L.J. Smith...

Books by L.J. Smith

The Awakening and The Struggle (The Vampire Diaries, #1-2)

The Fury and Dark Reunion (The Vampire Diaries, #3-4)

Night World, No. 1: Secret Vampire; Daughters of Darkness; Spellbinder (Night World,#1-3)

Night World, No. 2: Dark Angel; The Chosen; Soulmate (Night World, #4-6)

Night World, No. 3: Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight (Night World, #7-9)

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Trivia About Shadow Souls

2 trivia questions
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Quotes from Shadow Souls

“You have to breathe," Sage was shouting in Damon's ear. "Take a breath, as if you were going to speak, but then hold onto it, as if raising your Power.Think about your insides. Get those lungs working!"
The words confused Elena.
"There!" cried Sage. "You see?"
"But it only lasts an instant. Then I need to do it again."
"But, yes, that is the point!"
"I tell you I'm dying and you laugh at me?" a disheveled Damon shouted. "I'm blind, deaf, my senses are haywire-and you laugh!” — 64 people liked it

“You stole my bouquet? From the kistune?"
"I was very careful-"
"Do you realize what you've done?" Stefan shook Damon.
"Ow. That hurts! Do you want to break my neck.” — 42 people liked it

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6441509-shadow-souls?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275614731m/6441509.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6441509-shadow-souls?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith[/url]

Shadow Souls (The Vampire Diaries: The Return #2)

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