Tomes of Shadowstalking

Welcome to the land of shadows, where evil is the greatest power, where nightfall marks the birth of terror, where your very soul is at risk. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with black magic and dark souls and encounter the monsters rule these wicked places.

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Elena died saving Fell's Church from the insane machinations of Katherine, a centuries-old vampire nursing a centuries-old grudge. The two also-centuries-old vampires that had fought at Elena's side, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, have left Fell's Church and the memories behind. But now another evil has descended on the town, one that wields greater power and strength than even Katherine did. With several killings plunging the town into terror and faced with forces beyond their comprehension, Elena's friends know they have only one chance: call upon equally bizarre forces...namely, two vampire brothers whose surname just happens to mean "salvation" or "savior" in Italian. The only question: will they be the salvation of Fell's Church, the saviors of an entire town when they're up against a force older than the town, older than they are, older than Katherine was? And can they do it with what meager forces they have, two humans, a neophyte druid, two vampires and a ghost against a werewolf and something they know nothing about except that it is very, very powerful?

The Vampire Diaries--Dark Reunion reunites the cast of the first three books one more time, bringing them together to face a force nobody suspected was lurking nearby. In all honesty, I didn't expect this book at all because The Fury seemed to be pretty conclusive. But I'm glad all the same that the author decided to revisit Fell's Church and the vampires she created.

Perhaps the most impressive scene in the entire book--the one that stands out for me, anyway--is when Matt, Meredith, Bonnie, and Stefan are up in Stefan's room preparing to take respond to a challenge/ransom demand. Stefan, now knowing what he's up against, is determined to keep the others out of it, but they're equally determined to help him, baring their throats for him to take some blood. This scene implies so much...especially the amount of trust and faith Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie have in Stefan, enough that they're willing to risk death to give him a fighting chance. And his rejection of them, rebuffing them with vituperative remarks he obviously--to Meredith, at least--borrowed from his brother...that implied a lot, too, such as how much he despises what he is, and how much he cares about his friends. You wouldn't think it, but the offering of their blood plainly stunned him since he had to use his brother's words and mannerisms to get away from them. You'll just have to read it to understand it.

While a YA novel like the other three books, The Vampire Diaries--Dark Reunion involves a bit more blood and gore--not counting the bloodletting Stefan does to survive--than its predecessors. It's also a bit more violent, but considering that they're up against a very powerful enemy, more violence is rather inevitable, isn't it?

Buy this book in paperback or visit the Cosmic Tomes Bazaar for other titles.

Looking for something that's no longer there? Check in the Archive to search for it.

Comments? Suggestions? Just click here to send me e-mail. Also, if this review prompted you to read the book, then let me know. I appreciate knowing I made a difference in somebody's life.

You are the th visitor to this page since September 1, 1999.

Back Home Back to Starfire Reviews

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page