My Review: The Vampire Diaries, The Return: Nightfall (Book 1) by L.J. Smith

The Vampire Diaries, The Return: Nightfall (Book 1)
by L.J. Smith
Copyright 2009
HarperTeen
592 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-172077-2
YA Fiction/Paranormal

From Amazon.com:
Elena Gilbert is alive—again.When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her—the handsome, brooding Stefan and the sleek and dangerous Damon—she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back.

Now Elena is not just human. She has powers and gifts that were bestowed on her in the afterlife. What's more, her blood pulses with an overwhelming and unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire.

Stefan wants to find a way to keep Elena safe so that they can make a life together. Damon, however, is driven by an insatiable desire for power, and wants Elena to rule as his princess. When Stefan is lured away from Fell's Church, Damon seizes his chance to convince her that he is the brother she is meant to be with. . . .

But a darkness is infiltrating the town, and Damon, always the hunter, is now the hunted; he becomes the prey of a malevolent creature that can possess him at will, and who desires not just Elena's blood but her death.

My Review:
It's been a while since I've reviewed a YA book on here so I thought I would share my thoughts on the new series that continues the story introduced in the original The Vampire Diaries from the mid-90s.

Nightfall is a huge book, around 550 pages, but it's a relatively quick read. I was a little confused at first by all of the spirits that were possessing some of the characters but after I got them all figured out I really enjoyed the story. The arrival of two very ancient and very powerful beings, Shinichi and Misao, led to some very strange events in the town of Fell's Church including killer pine trees and giant snowglobes (yeah snow globes!)

If you are a fan of Stefan I'm sorry to say that after the first few chapters he's not around much but we will definitely be seeing him in Shadow Souls for sure! That said, if you're a fan of Damon you'll like this story...he's his same old bad self...except worse because of the evil forces that are affecting everyone, not just him in Fell's Church. If you're into the Vampire Diaries series you will like this book but if you haven't read the other books, The Awakening and The Struggle and The Fury and The Dark Reunion you will want to read them first or you will be totally confused.


To learn more about L.J. Smith and her books visit:
Her WEBSITE

*I purchased this book for myself from walmart.com.*