Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #4


This is book 4 in the STEFAN'S DIARIES series. This series is not penned by LJ SMITH but by 2 other authors. 1 of whom works on the tv series (Julie Plec). Many are and are not fans. They feel it is an insult and sell out to the actual VD series by LJ Smith. I actually love this series & prefer it to TVD by LJ. LJ's books are rather good I just did not "connect" to them. I guess it could be because I watched an entire season on tv BEFORE reading them so Stefans Diaries felt more "real" to me.

It is a light series based on the show itself and it is supposed to fill in the gaps. The before Elena years gaps. That appealed to me. One thing I love on TVD show is the history flashbacks.

So, in book 4 we have followed Stefan & Damon from human to vampire and every place in between. Stefan has moved to England and is working on a farm. He is on the "bunny diet" as Damon affectionately calls it. He travels into London with his boss one day & decides to look up Damon. Stefan has heard via newspaper of a few grisly murders that he thinks may be connected to Damon.

After a dramatic reunion & Stefan saves a human girl & takes her under his wing (again) the brothers try to figure out who is committing these grisly murders. Stefan believes it could be Damon & is going to stop him before he is caught. He wants to save him. Damon is Damon & while he is flagrantly abusing his "vampire powers" he assures Stefan he is NOT "The Ripper".

A bloody message left on a wall leads Stefan to believe Klaus or another "Original" is after them yet once again.
After a bit of bumbling around the inevitable showdown happens back at the farm Stefan has worked on for over a year.

The ACTUAL "Ripper" is a complete surprise to both of the brothers. Yes, he is a vampire. Lives are lost. Tears are shed. Hands are wrung. Damon swears vengeance. Stefan falls in line.

It was a very fast and entertaining read. If you like the show you will enjoy this series. Some may not like "The Ripper" being turned into a vampire & history twisted to make this happen. If you're not super concerned about that you will further enjoy the twists this story takes and the different view on "Jack the Ripper".

The series does give us insight into the tv characters and their hundred some odd year long contentious relationship. We run into characters from the show that we love & hate and learn more about them. Basically the gaps are filled, in an entertaining way.