The Vampire Diaries Series by L.J. Smith - MMC GBR - July 2023

[Sarah Elizabeth]

A Love Triangle of Unspeakable Horror... Elena
Searching for the ultimate thrill, she vowed to have Stefan. Stefan
Haunted by his tragic past, he struggled to resist her passion. Damon
Driven by revenge, he hunted the brother who betrayed him. The terrifying story of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

The Vampire Diaries Series by L.J. Smith will be one of our GBRs for July 2023.

Please read at your own pace, and hide any spoilers ☺ You are welcome to join at any time during the month ☺

Happy Reading Everybody!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Pre-Reading Questions -

Anybody got any thoughts on this one before we start?

Has anyone read anything similar to this before?

Anybody read anything else by this author previously?

[Sarah Elizabeth]

GBR reviews - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Series link - https://www.goodreads.com/series/2113...

[Jenn]

Starting The Awakening now. I read these back when they first came out so it's been awhile LOL

[Jenn]

The Awakening
Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ It's been so long since I've read this series that my mind just focuses on the TV show. But oh my how vapid Elena is. She breaks up with Matt to go after Stefan but doesn't even hide it from Matt. And she actually calls herself the queen of the school. Oh Elena... (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[ Something is attacking people in the graveyard. I wonder what ... or who. Also Tyler is a scumbag for forcing himself on Elena. I still may not like her, but no one deserves that. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ what is carolines deal? Also matt is a sweetie, wanting to still protect elena even after she treated him the way she did. I will say, i did not need the dog death. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ well this book just kind of ends doesnt it? Zero resolution to anything. Damon shows up, takes stefan and then elena runs off looking for damon. One thing though that didnt really sit with me was the instalove. After their first kiss elena was like, i can tell he loves me and i love him. Oh teen books in the 90s (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

The Struggle
Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ So Damon attacked his own brother and shoved him down a well. Why not just kill him if you hate him so much? Also Elena's lies are so bad, I know Meredith suspects something but Bonnie is just oblivious (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[ so damon can get in elenas mind and control her whole shes sleeping? Creepy. Also i am ready for this damon/stefan showdown (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ well damon might be a dick but hes hilarious and interesting.i do think elena needs to tell her friends whats going on because they are all in danger (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ caroline and tyler are horrible people. I dont really get how thought elenas diary would male stefan guilty, but teenagers. Then the ending, damon saving elena seems like turning her. Stefan isnt going to be happy about this (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Jenn wrote: "The Awakening
Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[I've never read the books, seen most of the tv show - still have to watch the last 2 seasons.

Elena is quite self-centered, at least so far. I didn't like the way she broke up with Matt either. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[I'm curious to know who's attacking people. Completely agree about Tyler being a despicable and horrid person. I don't care if he's drunk, that no excuse. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Megan wrote: "Jenn wrote: "The Awakening
Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"
I've never read the books, seen most of the tv show - still have to watch the last 2 seasons.."

I had forgotten how different the books were. This is one instance where the tv show was worlds better haha

[Megan]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 12: [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[Caroline is terrible! I like Matt and think it's sweet how he cares for Elena. The dog's death came out of nowhere and was surprising - I really want to know who did it. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Jenn wrote: "I had forgotten how different the books were. This is one instance where the tv show was worlds better haha"
I agree!

[Megan]

Finished
(view spoiler)[Didn't like the ending, it just kind of stopped. The romance, if you can call it that, was very sudden. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Jenn wrote: "The Struggle
Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[Maybe Damon enjoys having someone to torment? I don't know.

Meredith definitely suspects something. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[This diary is going to be well-hidden, for obvious reasons.

I sure hope under her mattress is just temporary and isn't Elena's idea of a "well-hidden" place. LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "The Awakening
Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

I keep thinking about the show too lol
(view spoiler)[Elena is SO vapid. It kills me that Matt just accepts that she's breaking up with him and wants Stefan. He deserves so much better (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 1-4 (view spoiler)[ Yeah, Elena is irritating and not someone I'd usually root for. Deciding that you're going to be with a guy whether he wants you or not? Really girl? (hide spoiler)]

I think I read these in 6th grade, so a lot has changed since then haha

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

He definitely sucks and I'm glad (view spoiler)[ Stefan was there to stop him (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 5-8 (view spoiler)[ I hate the Elena acts like Stefan owes it to her to date her or even have a conversation with her. Meredith was right in saying that she's been obsessed and should let it go.

Tyler is an asshole and really should be in jail (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 12: [spoilers removed]"

Haha he's my favorite character

[Aly]

Ch 9-12 (view spoiler)[ Damon showing up definitely makes things interesting. I like how playful he is and I always thought Stefan was sort of weak and sad compared to his brother (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 13-end (view spoiler)[ Kind of an anti-climactic ending I think. Oh no, where could Stefan be?

Damon has some pretty cool powers. I don't like the idea that he might steal Elena. She's a human, not an object. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Haha totally just ends abruptly. Almost like a page is missing

[Aly]

Ch 1-4 (view spoiler)[ When Bonnie goes into those trances, it's super creepy. I wouldn't keep opening myself to that.

I'm glad they found Stefan. I wonder if he could die of thirst and how long that would take? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "The Struggle
Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Yes, it is strange he didn't outright kill him. Meredith killed me when she called Elena a "little idiot" lol (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Megan wrote: "
Chapter 5
This diary is going to be well-hidden, for obvious reasons.

I sure hope under her mattress is just temporary and isn't Elena's idea of a "well-hidden" pla..."

Right? Every teen girl's go-to spot Hahaha

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

Super creepy!

[Aly]

Ch 5-8 (view spoiler)[ Caroline clearly hates Elena, why is she not a suspect? Bonnie even said it felt like something a woman would do (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 12: [spoilers removed]"

Yes, they deserve to know

[Aly]

Ch 9-12 (view spoiler)[ Elena needs to stop pushing Stefan to drink her blood. Like, stop pressuring him so much. It's weird and putting her at risk because she's also drinking from him (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, the diary thing was dumb for sure

[Aly]

Ch 13-end (view spoiler)[ Tyler and Caroline are terrible people and I wish they'd just go away.

Elena has survived, but how will things go now between the brothers? (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Jenn wrote: "The Awakening
Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

Teen drama at its finest! lol

[Jamie]

21% (view spoiler)[That would be so freaky with your friend speaking like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 1-4 (view spoiler)[ Interesting that Elena was all about Damon at first. I wonder if she'd had his blood most recently and bonded to him?

Sad that her aunt thinks she's dead and broke up with Bob. And her poor little sister too.

Then Matt, ever the good guy, gives her his blood. That guy deserves so much better (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

I am starting the Awakening right now!

[Aly]

Ch 5-8 (view spoiler)[ I don't totally understand why they just let everyone think Elena died instead of her pretending to be okay. I get that she can't go in the sun, but maybe they could have worked around it? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 9-12 (view spoiler)[ So it seems Damon didn't do most of what he was accused of. Who is the person behind it all? Why are all the animals acting violently? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 13-16 (view spoiler)[ Kind of a meh ending. Everything is okay for now I guess, though Elena's poor family still have to think she's dead which is terrible. Almost feels like the end, but there's one more book in the original series to go (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Aly wrote: "
Ch 5-8 I hate the Elena acts like Stefan owes it to her to date her or even have a conversation with her. Meredith was right in saying that she's been obsessed and..."

(view spoiler)[She seems to think she is the ultimate catch, and desired by any/all guys. She needs a serious reality check. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Finished (view spoiler)[Sad about Catherine. Felt bad for Stephen a bit as he shares his story. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Jamie wrote: " Finished [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, poor guy

[Aly]

Ch 1-4 (view spoiler)[ Is Elena communicating with Bonnie from the grave? Where is she and why is there a bad guy there with her? (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[I have to remember that there are differences between the book and the tv series. Elena is so self-centered. I feel so bad for Matt. He deserves better. I want to know who was talking through Bonnie and followed them. That part creeped me out. (hide spoiler)]