The Awakening by LJ Smith (The Vampire Diaries: Book 1)

8/10

‘The Awakening’ is the first in the ‘Vampire Diaries’ series. The television series is only very loosely based on the books, the differences are surprising. This means that even if you have seen the show, the book can still surprise you.

It tells the story of Elena, a high school student who is incredibly popular. She is used to getting any boy she wants. A new student, Stefan, starts at the school and Elena’s sights are set on him. Stefan is from Italy, 14th century Renaissance Italy, and is a vampire. He tries to only eat animals. There is an instant attraction between them, and then things start going wrong.

The novel is told in the form of Elena’s diary entries, and in 3rd person. The diary entries are realistic, because Elena spends most of them thinking about Stefan. At first it feels like a typical teenage love story novel. Stefan’s flashbacks to the 14th century change this, and the reader gets a real feeling of what it was like to live then. It also adds a lot to Stefan’s character, without it, he could have become a stereotype.

There are some slightly scary moments when people get attacked, and when Elena confronts the evil vampire. There is an attempted rape scene at the beginning of the novel, but mostly the content is harmless enough.

This is a fast paced novel that puts story before teenage angst. A must read for any watchers of the television series.