Origins (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries, #1) by Kevin Williamson

Jan 20, 2012 Buggy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampalicious, shelf-11, paranormal-rom, war, hist-rom, media-tie-in

Opening Line: "The day my life changed started out like any other."

So I have to admit this was surprisingly good. Surprising because I’m not anywhere near the demographic the book is aiming at. For starters I’m far (far) from being a YA (although admittedly I do sometimes still act like it) I’ve never read any of the books from L.J Smith’s original series and I’m only a casual fan of the TV show. (Oh, but those Salvatore boys are yummy to look at) However Stefan’s Dairies was a great read and st...more Opening Line: "The day my life changed started out like any other."

So I have to admit this was surprisingly good. Surprising because I’m not anywhere near the demographic the book is aiming at. For starters I’m far (far) from being a YA (although admittedly I do sometimes still act like it) I’ve never read any of the books from L.J Smith’s original series and I’m only a casual fan of the TV show. (Oh, but those Salvatore boys are yummy to look at) However Stefan’s Dairies was a great read and stands perfectly fine on its own, completely separate from either series, except of course for using the same characters and town setting.

Based on historical flashbacks shown briefly in the TV series, here we get to go back to the “origin” of the Salvatore brothers, set during the civil war before they became vampires. The writing is simple but the story is complete and very good with elements of suspense and romance throughout; Stefan trying to live up to his fathers expectations, young love and the jealousy yet unbreakable bond between two brothers as they vie for the same mysterious woman.

I wouldn’t have any trouble recommending this to anyone (of any age) who enjoys historical romances as it can easily be read as a stand alone without ever having seen the TV show or reading the original series. However it is pretty nice to be able to use Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder as visual references :)

Its 1864 and seventeen year old Stefan Salvatore has just proposed marriage to a girl he doesn’t love. As his overbearing father grooms him to take over the family estate his wayward brother Damon returns from the still raging Civil war and a beautiful girl named Katherine moves into the carriage house. Recently orphaned Katherine is everything his betrothed is not; seductive and mischievous she also harbours a grave secret and has fully captured the attention of both Salvatore brothers. When strange killings begin to occur within the town, Stefan’s father organizes a lynch mob to track down the killers. It seems there be vampires in Mystic Falls. Cheers(less)

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Jan 26, 2013 Crystal Roberts rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So far, VERY unhappy. Just a few pages in, and Katherine is a dark haired girl, instead of the pale, angelic blond she is in the books. PISSED. Why do they have to mess with the way they LOOK in the books. It's not like it matters, and the books were established YEARS before the TV show. Not that I don't love the TV show, also. I just wish that they would separate them now that they're so different!

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Jul 30, 2012 Margaret rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, owned, boy-pov, reviewed, fangs-up, i-see-dead-people, hot-damn-sexy-guys, part-of-a-series, dear-diary, watches-tv-show

These book series are absolutely incredible! It soulfully explains and describes everything that Stefan feels, experiences, sees, thinks, etc. There were parts in this book that I was truly surprised and happy about. I wont tell you these scenes because I dont want to spoil anything and because I want you to read this book yourself. Although I will tell you why these scenes surprised me and made me happy at the same time (it was a happy surprise or a giddy surprise). Are you ready? These scenes...more

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Feb 12, 2011 Tatiana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of The Vampire Diaries TV show

Shelves: media-tie-in, young-adult, fantasy

What’s exciting about the Stefan’s Diaries series is that it's based on the characters in the TV show, not the ones in The Vampire Diaries books. That means picturing Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder as Stefan and Damon is encouraged. This first prequel volume, Origins, chronicles the Salvatores in 1864 when they first met Katherine and became vampires.

Interestingly, dialogue straight from the show was included in the narrative (“That is a girl who wants to be chased.”), yet whole plot lines, li...more What’s exciting about the Stefan’s Diaries series is that it's based on the characters in the TV show, not the ones in The Vampire Diaries books. That means picturing Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder as Stefan and Damon is encouraged. This first prequel volume, Origins, chronicles the Salvatores in 1864 when they first met Katherine and became vampires.

Interestingly, dialogue straight from the show was included in the narrative (“That is a girl who wants to be chased.”), yet whole plot lines, like Stefan’s doomed engagement to Rosalyn, were added. Is that something Stefan will ever reveal to Elena? Likewise, things didn’t play out exactly the same way as on the show, which is confusing—isn’t this “what really happened” back then? Revisionist history much?

For this type of book, it was written well; mechanically and grammatically, it was perfect. There were no typos. There was, however, a few times when actions didn’t matched up, as in Stefan’s father picking up a book and then, two paragraphs later, the book supposedly never having left Stefan’s lap. Those sorts of errors bug me.

Learning Pearl's and Anna’s history was a bonus. Who knew they were sired during the American Revolution…and by Katherine? I miss the mother-daughter duo on the show.

At its core, TVD is a story about two brothers. Always has been. So while I know this was Stefan’s POV and thus focused on his side of the events with Katherine, I would’ve also loved to have seen more of Damon’s journey. Everyone knows he was the brother who didn’t have to be compelled. That was illustrated in Stefan’s horrified reaction to a vervain-afflicted Katherine and Damon’s acceptance of her "dark side.” He loved her for what she was; that was why he spent the next 145 years trying to get her back, even though she was, for lack of a better descriptor, a manipulative, self-preserving, super baddie.

I enjoyed this prequel and look forward to the next volume, Bloodlust, because it can carve more of its own path forward, instead of following a road already traveled by the show.(less)

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Apr 02, 2011 ♠ Sharon is an emotional book junkie ♠ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2010

3.5 stars.

This book is definitely Stefan's diary but it is very much a prequel to the events of Vampire Diaries. It actually begins before Katherine even shows up. The first half (?) was pretty boring and drawn out but it got much better when Stefan got more involved with Katherine and found out about vampires. It ends right after he becomes a vampire. From what I have seen, there will be at least two more books.

I would recommend this to someone who enjoys the TV show. It is co written by the wr...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Katie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1860s-civil-war-era, fantasy, vampires, young-adult-literature, paranormal

This is a review of the first 3 books in the series -- unless you are familiar with the TV show, there may be a brief SPOILER in this review!!

After reading the first three books in the series called "Stefan's Diaries," I believe it's safe to say that these are not related L.J. Smith's "The Vampire Diaries" series from the 90s, but rather more of a companion series to the CW TV show. I suspected this was case since the authors are the writers of the TV show, and dialogue taken straight from flas...more This is a review of the first 3 books in the series -- unless you are familiar with the TV show, there may be a brief SPOILER in this review!!

After reading the first three books in the series called "Stefan's Diaries," I believe it's safe to say that these are not related L.J. Smith's "The Vampire Diaries" series from the 90s, but rather more of a companion series to the CW TV show. I suspected this was case since the authors are the writers of the TV show, and dialogue taken straight from flashbacks of Stefan and Damon on the TV show confirmed it.

That being said, I am greatly enjoying this series because it provides a lot more background on Stefan and Damon, which we only see bits and pieces of in the TV show. With the exception of the story where Katherine comes to stay at Mystic Falls and the story of how Stefan and Damon become the vampires we know them as today (the first book covers these stories in more detail), the other two books have storylines that have not been touched on in the TV show up to this point. The stories are certainly intriguing. And I must admit, seeing Stefan in a light prior to the TV show has helped me understand his "broodiness" and "self blame for everything" a little bit more -- traits that have on several occasions, annoyed me to pieces while watching the show. But seeing more of his human background and the expectations placed on him during his life changed that a bit for me.

These were very quick reads -- I finished one of these books in 2 hours tops. The writing is simplistic and to the point, but grammatically correct. I gave it 3 stars because I'm not sure how the series would stand on it's own. By that, I mean, that the characters are not well developed in the books at all -- it's more plot and background information. If you're familiar with the TV show, it's not really a problem because the characters you're reading about are already well-developed in your mind from the TV series. So really, I would not recommend these as great books to those of you who have not or do not enjoy the TV show. I'm willing to bet they'd fall incredibly flat for you. For fans of the TV show however, definitely give them a go! I plan on reading the next three at some point! (less)

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Apr 01, 2013 Jamie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires-werewolves, team-d-challenge, yahtzee

This book has me torn on what to think of it. The big thing I noticed and DID NOT LIKE was that this book does NOT follow the books. If you read the first couple vampire diary books and read this hoping for a better understanding of the famous rift, forget it. Apparently this book follows only the televised version. I have not yet seen the show so I cannot saw, but the scenario of this book has turned me even further off the show. However, if you like the show, then you may like this.
Heading of...more This book has me torn on what to think of it. The big thing I noticed and DID NOT LIKE was that this book does NOT follow the books. If you read the first couple vampire diary books and read this hoping for a better understanding of the famous rift, forget it. Apparently this book follows only the televised version. I have not yet seen the show so I cannot saw, but the scenario of this book has turned me even further off the show. However, if you like the show, then you may like this.
Heading off that rant for the time being...

This book is written from the perspective of our vampire hero, Stephen Salvatore. Although, to start with, he is not yet a vampire in this book, but a young man set to marry a woman he does not love. Enter Katherine, a beauty to whom he is instantly drawn to. This book covers his relation to he, the vampire hunt in his town and a bit of Damon too.

SPOILER WARNING FROM THIS POINT IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS OR SEEN THE SERIES!!!

So in the books, both Damon and Stephen fall in love with Katherine and literally fight to the death over her and since she had been feeding off them, the both turned to vampires.
Not quite so here, while they do both fall for her, as Stephen sees her true nature he is horrified and turns away from her while Damon accepts her. When the hunt is on, he helps Damon free her. Yet they fail, Katherine is apparently 'killed' as are Damon and Stephan by their own father. They aren't yet dead though, and are instead something between vampire and human. Stephen hunts down a young girl, feeds as he finishes the turn and giddily gives the same girl to his brother so they can be vampires forever together.

So stopping there for a second...that does not even make much sense to me. Stephen was horrified by Katherine in the end. Utterly repulsed by her. So suddenly he is Gung-ho about being a Vamp? Makes no sense to me.
Another big difference from the books is that Stephen is the one unhappy as a vampire and Damon glorifies in its power. in this, Damon didn't want to feed and live forever.

So overall, the story was fun to read. Easy flow and nice characterization but is sways so far from the book and the books came well before the series. This ghostauthor should have followed the books, not the series! Otherwise, let this be an episode and not a book. Let a book follow a book. Sheesh! Okay, I am putting an end to this rant. But it is why I rated it the way I did. Even though the cover does say based on the show, I feel is should not have been so, and that, honestly, even the show should have followed the books better. (less)

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Feb 23, 2013 Linda Jaejoong rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Jaa ich liebe dieses Buch!! Zum Glück erzählt die Geschichte den Verlauf der Serie im Fernsehen und nicht den der Büchern, die einfach nur schlecht sind!!! Stefan und Damon sind so niedliche zusammen!! Ich kann dieses Buch den Fans von Stefan und Damon nur empfehlen. Man sieht wie sehr Stefan seinen großen Bruder braucht und wie sehr Damon an Stefan hängt. Beide Figuren haben ihre Stärken und Schwächen und ergänzen den jeweils anderen perfekt. Man erfährt auch warum die Beiden später so sind wie...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Danielle Jackson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

During Christmas break, I read Stefan's Diaries Vol. 1 Origins which is apart of the Vampire Diaries series. I think the theme of this book is that you can never trust someone enough, even if it's the one you love. This theme develops when Stefan first finds out that Katherine is a vampire. When Stefan firsts finds out this he starts freaking out and Katherine compels him telling him that she has everything under control and everything will be fine, making him believe it. By the end of the book,...more

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Oct 29, 2012 Lorna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampire-books

I really enjoyed this book actually. I'm an avid fan of the TV series, it's my favourite TV series of all time. A while ago, I purchased many of the original book series in the hope that they would be as good as the show. To my surprise, I didn't really like them. I got to about number 5 before I became very confused as *SPOILER* Elena dies and is 'reborn' many times throughout. It all became too much and I gave up. The other day, I was looking for the next book to read and I discovered this and...more

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Sep 23, 2012 Tessa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Pour vous remettre dans le contexte, cette nouvelle saga est sortie suite à l’adaptation de Journal d’un vampire en séries [Vampire Diaries] qui a réellement bien fonctionnée.
Journal de Stefan sont donc les mémoires de ce dernier mais qui remontent à l’époque où il a été transformé par Catherine.
Un récit de l’époque donc, avec leur rencontre, la vie des deux frères Salvatore et ce qui les amener à se transformer.
On découvre un Damon tout à fait différent. On se rend compte qu’avant sa rencontre...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Carina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ich habe mir das Buch gekauft um meine Sucht nach Vampire Diaries weiter nachzugehen, und ich muss sagen ich wurde nicht enttäuscht.
Zum einen wird dieses Buch aus einer ganz anderen Perspektive erzählt, nämlich Stefans, und nicht wie bisher aus der Perspektive von Elena.
Man erfährt jede Menge Details über Stefan und Damons Leben bevor sie zu Vampiren wurden und wie sie aus Katherine treffen. Auch wie sie zu Vampiren werden wird im Buch beschrieben.
Allerdings muss ich sagen, dass viele Szenen im...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The first volume of Stefan's Diaries - "Origins" weaves the tale of how Stefan and Damon become vampires. However, perhaps this book is written according to the storyline of the TV series, because this "Origins" tale deviates and completely changes the story that is told in earlier L.J. Smith Vampire Diaries books. For example, supposedly in earlier L.J. Smith books, Stefan and Damon Salvatore become vampires in Renaissance Italy. However, according to this book the setting takes place in the 18...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Kathryn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

No matter how hard Harper Teen try to cover up the fact that this book is not actually written by L.J Smith, if you've read the other vampire diaries books, it's easy to tell that this book is not written by her. secondly, it's also obvious that this story has been written after the television series has been released, (published in 2010) as a large amount of the dialogue follows the script of flashback scenes of the television show.
Despite these 2 little faults, it is an awesome book. It was a...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Nalla rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Endlich Stefan, dachte ich, als ich zum ersten Mal von dem Buch erfuhr! In der Reihe "Tagebuch eines Vampirs" ist alles aus Elena's Sicht geschrieben, einem Menschen - was mich angesichts des Titels verdammt irritiert hat! Auch wenn ich mit dem ersten Buch so meine Schwierigkeiten hatte, wurde die Serie immer spannender und hat mich tief in den Sumpf der Vampire gezogen. Wirklich richtig aufmerksam wurde ich dann aber doch erst, als die TV-Serie "Vampire Diaries" in Deutschland ausgestrahlt wurd...more Endlich Stefan, dachte ich, als ich zum ersten Mal von dem Buch erfuhr! In der Reihe "Tagebuch eines Vampirs" ist alles aus Elena's Sicht geschrieben, einem Menschen - was mich angesichts des Titels verdammt irritiert hat! Auch wenn ich mit dem ersten Buch so meine Schwierigkeiten hatte, wurde die Serie immer spannender und hat mich tief in den Sumpf der Vampire gezogen. Wirklich richtig aufmerksam wurde ich dann aber doch erst, als die TV-Serie "Vampire Diaries" in Deutschland ausgestrahlt wurde.
Ich kenne alle Bücher und mittlerweile auch die ersten beiden Staffeln der Serie und es gibt einige Veränderungen, die mir teils gefallen (so wie die Elena der Serie, statt die aus dem Buch und ganz besonders Stefan und nicht Stefano) und teils weniger gefallen haben.
Da die Bücher alle aus Elenas Sicht sind und somit aus einem relativ - im Vergleich zum ewigen Dasein - langweiligen Leben erzählen, was erst durch das Auftauchen der Vampire spannend wird, habe ich mich wie ein Honigkuchenpferd gefreut, dass nun auch endlich Stefan selbst zu Wort kommen kann!

Stefan Salvatore lebt im Virginia des Jahres 1864. Während sein Bruder Damon aus dem Krieg zurückkehrt, soll er selbst eine Frau heiraten, die er gar nicht liebt.
Guiseppe Salvatore, Stefan's Vater, weiß ganz genau, dass er Damon niemals Zwangsverheiraten könnte und probiert es auch erst gar nicht. Denn während Stefan ein lieber, braver Bursche ist, der nach seiner Erfüllung des Lebens sucht, ist Damon ein richtiger Rebell. Die Beziehung zwischen Vater und Sohn ist mehr als schwierig und kompliziert.
Als die junge, und unschuldige Katherine Pierce in das Leben der Salvatores tritt, verändert sich alles. Stefan entdeckt seine wahre Liebe, während er öffentlich so tun muss als würde er niemanden mehr als Rosalyn Cartwright lieben. Guiseppe ist fasziniert von der Waisen aus Atlanta, der er ein Zuhause geben möchte und kann zum ersten Mal nach dem Tod seiner Frau wieder richtig lachen.
Und während Katherine sich auf beide Brüder einlässt, ohne das sie es wissen, suchen Dämonen Mystic Falls heim. Als Stefans Verlobungsfeier ansteht, wird Rosalyn ermordet, noch bevor er die vier Worte aussprechen kann, die sein Leben für immer verändert hätten.
Als der alte Salvatore seine Jungs in die Geheimnisse über Dämonen einweiht, reagiert Damon nur amüsiert. Stefan jedoch weiß, dass sein Vater ebenfalls über die Existenz über Vampire bescheid weiß.
Als es zu einer öffentlichen Jagd kommt, muss sich Stefan entscheiden: Sein Vater oder Katherine? Und was ist gut und was ist böse?

Wenn man die Serie "Vampire Diaries" verfolgt, weiß man wie Stefan und Damon Salvatore zu Vampiren wurden und Katherine Pierce verfielen. Deshalb bin ich nicht mit einer großen Hoffnung an das Buch herangegangen, dass es etwas Neues, verblüffendes enthüllen könnte.
Und doch war ich mehr als unvorbereitet! Stefan kommt genauso rüber wie er mir vertraut ist: kämpferisch, loyal, friedvoll und romantisch. Wie er seine Liebe zu Katherine entdeckt war kein Geheimnis und auch die weiteren Dinge, die folgten waren alles andere als Überraschungen und doch hat mich die Intensitität, mit der Stefan's Gefühle während des Lesens bei mir ankamen, mehr als überwältigt. Und da gab es noch eine andere Seite, die ich bisher niemals in Betracht gezogen habe: Sein Ekel als er Katherines wahres Gesicht gesehen hat. Er hat mich sehr überrascht und auch, dass er Katherine nur retten wollte, um seinen Bruder zu retten.
Auch die Beziehung der beiden Brüder ist einfach nur toll, vorallem wenn man weiß wie sie einmal werden wird.
Es hatte etwas selbstverständliches, friedliches an sich, wie die beiden miteinander umgingen. Und auch wenn sie spürten, dass sie Konkurrenten waren, so hat man in diesem Buch noch nicht viel davon gespürt.
Der Stefan dieses Buches hatte einiges mehr an Überraschungen parat, die er in sich trägt und ich freue mich schon jetzt sehr auf die Fortsetzung!

Fazit:
Stefan ist einer meiner Lieblingscharaktere dieser Buchreihe und ich bin Lisa Smith mehr als dankbar, dass sie uns Leser auch hinter seine Fassade blicken lässt. Das hat meiner Einstellung der Story gegenüber nochmal einen Denker verpasst, sodass ich sie noch mehr mag als eh schon!
Wenn man mich fragt dürften öfter die Männer zur Sprache gelassen werden. Irgendwie sind es immer die Mädchen, die die Geschichten erzählen, dabei ist sie aus Sicht der Jungs immer tausendmal spannender!
Mehr davon! (less)

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Dec 14, 2011 Vassi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love young-adult, urban-fiction, vampire books. I just do, I can’t help it. I have always loved fantasy novels, and these books bring me back to the times when I was a teenager, reading way past my bedtime. In any case, I read these books purely for entertainment value; they are quick and easy reads that help me escape into a world far away from reality – which is why I read fiction to begin with. Now, I started watching CW’s Vampire Diaries out of sheer morbid curiosity. I am not a huge fan o...more

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Dec 09, 2011 Jennifer (Books That Spark) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011, own-finished-copy

The first thing I'd like to mention before delving into the review is that although I have stated the author of this work to be L. J. Smith, the author is unknown. The front cover states the work is based on the novels written by L. J. Smith however the work was not produced by her.

Another important point to make is that Stefan's Diaries differs in a lot from the original Vampire Diaries books that were actually written by L. J. Smith. This book was written as the prequel to the popular televisi...more The first thing I'd like to mention before delving into the review is that although I have stated the author of this work to be L. J. Smith, the author is unknown. The front cover states the work is based on the novels written by L. J. Smith however the work was not produced by her.

Another important point to make is that Stefan's Diaries differs in a lot from the original Vampire Diaries books that were actually written by L. J. Smith. This book was written as the prequel to the popular television series, The Vampire Diaries, which was developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec.

As the title of the book suggests, this is the tale of Stefan Salvatore and is told from his perspective. Stefan Salvatore is a seventeen year old who is under great pressures to make his Father proud, even if that means doing things he might not necessarily want to do. For instance, marrying his childhood friend whom he has never shown any interest in.

However, things all change when Stefan and Brother Damon meet Katherine Pierce. To Stefan, Katherine is the most beautiful girl he has ever met and based on Damon's behaviour, he feels the same.

The book is full of a lot of torment for Stefan. Not only does he have to handle pressures from his Father, but he also has to handle that he cannot be with the person he believes he is in love with; Katherine. There are also happier moments for Stefan, that is until the safe town Stefan has grew up in falls victim to a number of mysterious happenings. These events lead to Stefan's and Damon's lives changing forever...

I'm a big fan of both the original Vampire Diaries books and the television series. I like each for different reasons and I have always thought that each one differed a lot from the other. Upon completion, I thought that Stefan's Diaries would only be of interest to those who have watched the show. However, after further thought, I think this is a book which serves two purposes. The first being a great addition to established fans of the series book shelf. The second as an introduction to the series for those who are not familiar with it.

The plot is fast-paced which meant I was able to complete the book in one sitting alone. It also offers a lot of exciting moments which are sure to keep readers on their toes. Some parts will be known to viewers of the television series as we see some of these moments in the flashback scenes, but this didn't deter from the fact that this book was overall a great, light-hearted read.

This instalment is the first of four at the moment and there are more instalments to come. I'd be interested to see if we ever get to read about Damon's perspective but once again, fans of the show will appreciate that writing in a journal is not really fitting with his character.

As I have touched upon in this review, fans of the show and newcomers to the series will enjoy this book!
(less)

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Sep 23, 2011 ~I Have Fallen~ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fan of just the TV show

Ok so I have been reading Vampire diaries: Stefan's Diaries Book #1... I love everything Vampire Diaries so don't take this wrong any one but I have a few issues with it,For one when I read the books I always keep in mind that the TV show is different so I try not to compare the two.Well In Stefan's Diaries book it says Elena/Katherine has Brown hair and in the Vampire diaries books they have golden blonde hair,I know a small thing but there are alot of them so far.. Also in Stefan's Diaries His...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Lucy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: self-inflicted-and-i-knew-better, wasn-t-for-me, young-adult, paranormal

I like to imagine that the ghost writer who wrote this book desperately needed money for a kidney transplant... or his kid's braces... just you know, something to justify this book. It wasn't an effort of love. I would be willing to bet money that author never read the original series nor did he or she (and for some reason I think it's a he) ever really watch the television series.

As most people know the Vampire Diaries is very loosely based on the books LJ Smith wrote, but it deviated almost fr...more I like to imagine that the ghost writer who wrote this book desperately needed money for a kidney transplant... or his kid's braces... just you know, something to justify this book. It wasn't an effort of love. I would be willing to bet money that author never read the original series nor did he or she (and for some reason I think it's a he) ever really watch the television series.

As most people know the Vampire Diaries is very loosely based on the books LJ Smith wrote, but it deviated almost from the first episode and has gone too far to ever go back -- which in my opinion is good. I think the television show has better story lines than the books did. I think the pacing and characters are more interesting on the telvision show. It's one of the only exceptions to the rule the book is always better in my opinion.

This book was supposed to be based on the television show. It's marketed to sell the back history of a character, emphasizing the drastic revisions the characters went through. Unfortunately, it deviates from the television show in a lot of ways. So basically we have a book series with a television show based on it with numerous deviations and a book series based on that television show with numerous deviations. We're one step away from a worm hole.

Most of the back history about Stefan and Katherine is mucked up here. The order of scenes, like the Founder's Ball, and when Katherine and Stefan first slept together or when she first fed and compelled him are totally out of whack. In this series Stefan's engaged pre-Katherine and she murders his fiancee. So really these books do not even serve the purpose for which they were created.

I'm team Damon all the way in the first series by LJ Smith, on the television show, and fuck it all even from Stefan's POV I'm team Damon. I thought this book would warm me up to him... nope. He's sort of childish and simple-minded in this series. He changes his mind so often about everything it will drive you up a wall. You don't get any drastic insight into the character.

The final huge minus for me is that this book takes place after the burning of Atlanta in the South. Barbeques and picnics and engagements still take place. Damon leaves the army because he doesn't believe in it and there's no social shunning -- he's freaking welcome back to play poker when he wants. It's so incredibly historically inaccurate I don't even have the words. Like, I could go on and on and on, but I won't. Just keep in mind it's very bad, worse than the television show would make it seem.(less)

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Apr 04, 2011 Belle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review appears in full at http://bellesbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Stefan's Diaries is, as the name suggests, told from the perspective of Stefan Salvatore. It's a prequel to the TV show (which is based on L. J. Smith's books), telling more of the story that viewers have seen only glimpses of in flashback scenes. We see Stefan and his brother, Damon, meet the vampire Katherine; each fall in love with her; become vampires themselves; and end up hating each other (no spoiler alert is necessary bec...more This review appears in full at http://bellesbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Stefan's Diaries is, as the name suggests, told from the perspective of Stefan Salvatore. It's a prequel to the TV show (which is based on L. J. Smith's books), telling more of the story that viewers have seen only glimpses of in flashback scenes. We see Stefan and his brother, Damon, meet the vampire Katherine; each fall in love with her; become vampires themselves; and end up hating each other (no spoiler alert is necessary because knowing that is kinda the whole motive for reading the book).

I picked this book up after experiencing major VD withdrawals (ahem, no pun intended) due to the show being on hiatus, and it definitely gave me the fix I needed (although I would have preferred a bit more Damon, but I'm biased). I loved the flashback episodes on TV, so it was a delight for me to be able to discover the whole back story in detail. The writing was adequate with only a few groan-worthy moments (actually less than I was expecting!), and even though I knew exactly where the story was going, I was excited to find out how everything would fall into place.

Being totally obsessed with the TV show, it's hard for me to say whether this would appeal to those who haven't seen it, because, to me, that was the whole appeal. It'd definitely be confusing if you've only read L. J. Smith's original Vampire Diaries books, because in those, the back story of the brothers is completely different (they're alive in the 1600s, not the 1800s, and are from Italy, not Mystic Falls, and, er, Damon is kinda evil from the start). If you are a fan of the TV show, however, I would say it's definitely worth a read. I totally want to rewatch the show from the beginning now, with all this knowledge of the characters' history and headspaces. Like I need an excuse.

Talking Points

-Although the writer attempted to go all olde worlde with the language, it was really jarring to for the characters to refer to everyone - including people they'd just met and their elders - by their first names. I might be wrong (but I don't think I am), but that's a MODERN thing.
-While we're on the subject, I also thought Katherine's character was a tad modern. I get that she's supposed to be a free-spirited, strong-willed vampire chick, but all the flirting/touching/swimming/running/skin-baring she does in public would have been just a bit more scandalous than it's shown to be.
-I'd like to know more about Katherine's interactions with Damon. We get the full picture of how she got Stefan to fall in love with her, and how he turned against her, but we still don't understand exactly what she said or, ahem, did with Damon. She told Stefan that she treated him like a brother, but given Damon's feelings for her, I somehow don't think that's true. Damon's Diaries, anyone? *Wishful thinking*
-(Minor spoiler alert) It was interesting that the writer introduced the crow at the end, and its apparent connection to Damon. The crow appeared in L. J. Smith's original books, as well as in the pilot episode of the show, but has since disappeared from the series without a mention. I wonder if they'll explain more about the connection in the other two volumes of Stefan's Diaries.
-Which brings me to the fact that, yes, this is part one of a trilogy. When I first started reading it I thought that, while this book really appealed to me, I didn't really see the point of turning it into a trilogy, because the back story/love triangle is pretty much totally explained in this one. However, after finishing it - and reading the preview of the next book - I'm kind of curious to read the rest. It might be interesting to see exactly how Stefan found his way back to his humanity, Damon lost his, and they totally lost each other. And, of course, how they discovered the rumours about Katherine's whereabouts and what drove their return to Mystic Falls (assuming all that is covered in the books, of course).
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Apr 11, 2011 Mitch Cave rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: couldnt-put-it-down, expecting-this-to-be-a-movie, i-can-relate-to-the-characters, one-of-my-favourite-series, must-read

I actually really, really liked this. But that's no surprise, I really like all LJ's books.

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Jan 12, 2011 Sarah burrows rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who watches the tv series and who likes vampire books

Shelves: vampire-books, vampire-diaries-books, 4-star-books

a entertaining read.
i have read all the Vampire Diaires books so far and was looking forward to reading this book when i got it(which i did enjoy). it follows the tv show version of what happens instead of the other books which i didnt expect and thought it was going to be the same as the other books but i still liked it alot. if you follow the tv series of vampire diaires then you will love this book but if you dont watch the series and have read the other books i think you may become slightly...more

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Nov 05, 2010 Scarlett rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, young-adult, ya-paranormal-romance, teen-vampires

If you've followed the tv show Vampire Diaries, you'll be familiar with all the events in this book. It is Stefan's diary, but it starts where he gets engaged to a girl his father wants him to marry to secure his social standing in town. Then Katherine shows up, and Stefan can only think of Katherine. She is enchanting. At Stefan's engagement dinner, his betrothed is suddenly killed by a vampire, which alarms Stefan's vampire-hunting father and Jonathan Gilbert, Sheriff Forbes, Mayor Lockwood. B...more

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Nov 02, 2010 Ramie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, vampires

Okay so if you're new to Vampire Diaries? This is the book based on tv show that is based on the book series. Got that? No? Allow me to explain.

LJ Smith wrote the original Vampire Diaries series (which she is still writing as of the time I am posting this review). Then they go and make a tv show based on those characters (on the air as of the time I am posting). This book, if you just glance at it states she is one of the authors on the listing, but really if you look closer it's just based on h...more

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Feb 16, 2012 Syahira Sharif rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, adaptation, mild-romance

Has got to be the most boring screen adaptation I've ever read. I like TVD's writers, they always do good cliffhangers but this novel is so lengthy and unnecessary. I could reread Midnight Sun to compare to this. Edward is boring and suffer from Stefan's syndrome.

Probably since Stefan is the most annoying-blur character that existed in our universe.... this book is not worth a cent to read. Stefan's prequel was more emotive when watching flashbacks in season 1. Heck, he only grew interesting wh...more

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Nov 05, 2010 Andrea rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010, vampire

I am absolutely horribly disappointed in LJ Smith and this book. Horribly!!

Ok, so if you're reading this book, you've read every other book in the VD series. I mean, I have no clue why someone would pick up a series halfway in, so I'll talk like you've read them all.

In the BOOK VD series we've already been given a description of the turning of Stefan and Damon. We know what happened because Stefan himself tells Elena. Both boys fall in love with Katherine, she fakes her death, they kill each oth...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Ercassiel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

While I haven't read the original series by L.J. Smith, I am an avid, diligent watcher of the show, so naturally I got pretty excited about this new "prequel" series. While, being young adult TV series companions, they're obviously not going to be phenomenal, they are however just plain fun to read, especially on those dreaded TV hiatuses! To be honest, I know they're called Stefan's Diaries, but I really only read them for the parts involving Damon, which, just like his scenes in the show, make...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Keri ★TX rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, urban-fantasy, vampires, series, challenge-spring-2011-read

First of all, I'll get my opinion out of the way on the narration/narrator. Not the worst I've heard--that was for Tuck Everlasting, which I consider the worst narrator ever--but certainly not an Eric Singer nor George Guidall either. I actually felt it improved ever so slightly at the very end after Stefan became a vampire (and I don't think I'm spoiling anything, as anyone who knows the book series/tv series knows Stefan is a vampire!).

Now for the book. As I understood this going into the boo...more First of all, I'll get my opinion out of the way on the narration/narrator. Not the worst I've heard--that was for Tuck Everlasting, which I consider the worst narrator ever--but certainly not an Eric Singer nor George Guidall either. I actually felt it improved ever so slightly at the very end after Stefan became a vampire (and I don't think I'm spoiling anything, as anyone who knows the book series/tv series knows Stefan is a vampire!).

Now for the book. As I understood this going into the book, this is an adaptation of the original Vampire Diaries series by LJ Smith from which the CW series explains the backstory for Stefan. I read the first book in the VD (as I'll abbreviate from now on) a few months before the CW's VD series came on. What impressed me the most was how close it seemed to follow the book, though there were still definite differences too. It is one of the very few books/series which I liked each one enough as a stand-alone. The first book definitely had a cliff-hanger, where as from what I could tell, the tv series began to go in its own direction. Thus, to be able to get the backstory from the show, I'm glad I read this book.

What left this as only 3 stars, which is being a bit generous, I think I would have given 2 and a half if possible, was due to all the "whiny" dialog. It reminded me a little of Stephanie Meyer's New Moon, which I finally just had to stop listening to because I couldn't take it any more. This book wasn't nearly that bad. And to compare it to the original VD book I read, I didn't remember there being as much "whiny" dialog, which is why I enjoyed it so much. I definitely am planning to go back and listen to the first VD book if I can find it on audio just to refresh my memory.

It is very clear to see that Origins had other writers involved and I am not so sure how much was LJ Smith's writing to be honest. And since it has been a while since I read the first VD book (it had been a library book), I shouldn't do too much comparing, especially since this book is supposed to be a precursor/backstory for the TV show.

If you are wanting to read a book that tells you Stefan's "Origins" to becoming a vampire, then I will recommend you probably just read this book, and not listen to the audio version. (less)

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Jan 24, 2011 Mena rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

I had high hopes for this book, really. I'm a fan of the series (books and TV) and the original Italian nobility backstory, but thought it would be interesting to read about the Salvatore brothers in the Civil War days.

However, I found Confederate Stefan as a narrator to be exactly what TV Damon often teases him to be...dull. Very dull. Although the book may say that it's based on characters created by the beloved LJ Smith, you can tell she had no part in penning this. This bit of drab could nev...more

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Nov 09, 2012 CASI Black rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am glad that there is a book that can give the readers an idea of how Stefan thinks, however, upon reading this book I've realized that it is just like a fan fiction. In the greatest sense, it may not even pass as a fan fiction because if you're a fan, first thing that you must have done was to read the first books or the entire series before jumping into action. Another confusing thing is that it is said to be written by L.J. Smith as well, but it is more like written by a ghostwriter or mayb...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
what's more better the book or tv series	22	49	01. Mai, 21:07 Uhr
The characters compared to the tv series; whos better?	9	45	26. September, 02:04 Uhr
Elena annoying?	21	50	13. August, 12:33 Uhr

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Origins (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries, #1) (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #1)

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