Alaina H. (laina42107) reviewed Origins (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries, Bk1) on + 115 more book reviews
I will make this short and sweet. This book is a MUST READ!!!! After reading Book 5 of The Vampire Diaries(The Return:Nightfall)I was hesitant. Thank God I picked it up, because IMO it it better than the original VD series.
Regina M. (ginamig) reviewed Origins (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries, Bk1) on + 76 more book reviews
Irritating is the perfect word I would use to describe this book. If you've read the Vampire Diaries series you shouldn't even bother reading this one. While it's a great concept of seeing the series unfold through Stefan's diaries L.J. Smith has totally abandoned what should have been the true story and instead has adopted the Stefan's story as told on the TV series. For example, in the original Vampire Diaries book 1 Stefan was made a vampire in Italy during the 1500's whereas in this book Katherine makes Stefan a vampire in Virginia during 1864. The changes don't stop there and with every change it just gets more irritating.
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed Origins (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries, Bk1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Reviewed by Cinnamon for TeensReadToo.com
Animals are showing up dead in the woods with their throats ripped out and the rest of their bodies untouched, and the residents of the little town of Mystic Falls are freaking out as they attribute the attacks to demonic activity. Through all of this mayhem, there is Stefan, who's led a relatively simple life. Until now, that is.
The boy suddenly finds himself faced with an unexpected arranged marriage and an equally unexpected visitor - alluring and orphaned Katherine Pierce. Needless to say, it is attraction at first sight, and when Stefan's brother, Damon, returns from the Army and appears to be quite taken with the young Katherine as well, trouble begins to brew. Two brothers and a girl: there has to be a winner, and there has to be a loser.
Based off of the hit CW television show Vampire Diaries, ORIGINS describes Stefan, Damon, and Katherine's mysterious back-story. There are countless differences between this book - co-written by the two TV show producers instead of L. J. Smith - and the original VAMPIRE DIARIES series. While both are enjoyable, I found ORIGINS to be slightly superior plot-wise, and L. J. Smith's original story to be better written and characterized.
One little quirk: we never really discover who the villain is because of the abrupt ending. A nice conclusion or revelation of some sort would have cleaned the plot up nicely. Overall, the book was still appealing - the latter half especially, as the story finally picks up the pace.
ORIGINS would be a great read for all die-hard fans of the VAMPIRE DIARIES series and TV show, as it presents an alternative view of the world and sheds light on the murkiness of Stefan and Damon's past.
Animals are showing up dead in the woods with their throats ripped out and the rest of their bodies untouched, and the residents of the little town of Mystic Falls are freaking out as they attribute the attacks to demonic activity. Through all of this mayhem, there is Stefan, who's led a relatively simple life. Until now, that is.
The boy suddenly finds himself faced with an unexpected arranged marriage and an equally unexpected visitor - alluring and orphaned Katherine Pierce. Needless to say, it is attraction at first sight, and when Stefan's brother, Damon, returns from the Army and appears to be quite taken with the young Katherine as well, trouble begins to brew. Two brothers and a girl: there has to be a winner, and there has to be a loser.
Based off of the hit CW television show Vampire Diaries, ORIGINS describes Stefan, Damon, and Katherine's mysterious back-story. There are countless differences between this book - co-written by the two TV show producers instead of L. J. Smith - and the original VAMPIRE DIARIES series. While both are enjoyable, I found ORIGINS to be slightly superior plot-wise, and L. J. Smith's original story to be better written and characterized.
One little quirk: we never really discover who the villain is because of the abrupt ending. A nice conclusion or revelation of some sort would have cleaned the plot up nicely. Overall, the book was still appealing - the latter half especially, as the story finally picks up the pace.
ORIGINS would be a great read for all die-hard fans of the VAMPIRE DIARIES series and TV show, as it presents an alternative view of the world and sheds light on the murkiness of Stefan and Damon's past.
