Vampire Diaries: Awakening (Book 1)

Author: L.J. Smith
Publishing Info: Published by Harper
Suggested Reading Level: grades 9-12

Synopsis:
Elena is a teenage girl who is beginning her senior year of high school. Until this year, she has been the undisputed queen of the school, but over the summer, her parents were killed in a car crash and she and her toddler-age sister are learning to live with this huge change, which includes living with their eccentric aunt. One of her childhood friends, Caroline, decides to take this time to try to climb the social ladder and overtake Elena as queen of the school. On the first day of school, everyone, including Elena is taken by a handsome, brooding new student. This new student, Stefan, ignores Elena and she takes it as a personal challenge to make him like her.

We as readers already know that Stefan is a vampire, but no one in the story knows this until nearly the end of the book. Because Stefan is ashamed of what he is, he only feeds on animal blood, so he is not a vicious killer as vampires are supposed to be. His shame has caused him to hide out in the dark places of Europe until now, but he has decided to come to (Elena's home town,) Falls Church, to see if he can live in the human world and find some happiness.

Stefan ignores Elena because she is the spitting image of the woman he loved named Katherine, who turned him into a vampire and then died. Stefan's brother, Damon, also loved Katherine and blames Stefan for Katherine's death, even though it was not his fault. Damon comes to Falls Church to see if he can win Elena over and ruin Stefan's life in the process.

Damon, however, did not take the same course as his brother, and glories in feeding on humans because it makes him stronger than a vampire feeding only on animal blood (because of the strong life essence it carries). It also allows him to develop the "Dark Powers" that strong vampires can master (including things like mind control and shape shifting).

Damon attacks a number of people in town, eventually going as far as killing one of the teachers at Elena's school. Each time, he uses his powers to make Stefan believe he lost control and did these things. One of Damon's attacks happens after Elena is attacked by a drunk boy from school that she unwisely chose to go to the cemetery with because of her frustration at being ignored by Stefan. Stefan realizes that she is in trouble, follows her to the cemetery, and ends up saving her. She realizes then that Stefan is actually in love with her, but has been ignoring her to protect her, though she doesn't know yet from what.

After the teacher is killed by Damon, Stefan feels that he committed the act and is devastated. Elena goes after him and finds him feeding on an animal. She is initially afraid, but he is able to explain himself to her, so she forgives him for being what he is and continues to love him. This angers Damon and he overpowers Stefan and imprisons him. Elena refuses Damon's advances and pledges to find Stefan at all costs.

Analysis:
I was unimpressed with Vampire Diaries. I decided to read it because I figured it would be read a lot now that there is a television series based on the books. But the main character, Elena, is vain and selfish and stubborn, which makes her difficult to like, let alone connect with. The romance between Stefan and Elena is unrealistic at best and foundationless and silly at worst. There is no reason for Stefan to love Elena except she looks like Katherine. There is no reason for Elena to love Stefan, except he loves her and is dark and mysterious. In my opinion, these are dangerous ideas to parade in front of teenagers who will often see fiction as a portrayal of reality.

The one redeeming quality of the book is Stefan's character. He is vulnerable, yet physically strong; he is seeking for redemption, yet isolates himself to protect others; and he makes a great mysterious heartthrob.

On a teaching note, this book deals with redemption, good and evil--and the grey areas in between--and revenge. Given my opinion on the love aspect of the novel, I wouldn't use it to teach these ideas, but they are present.