Best one of the series so far!

Like my title says, i think this is the best novel from the VD series so far, its defiantly a must read! Cannot wait for the next one to be released!

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Fantastic!

I loved this, it was a fantastic follow on from the other Vampire Diaries books.

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The shadows soul revealed

"Shadow Souls" continues where "Nightfall" had left off. Matt, Damon and Elena are on their way to free Stefan from the "Shi no Shi" - a prison in the Dark Dimension where the evil kitsune Shinichi and Misao (fox spirits from Japan that were introduced in "Nightfall") left Elenas beloved vampire boyfriend Stefan to rott.

The trip is difficult for Matt, Elenas's Ex whose hands were forced into accompanying Elena and Stefan's brother Damon on this journey by a series of lies that were spread about him by Caroline.
Elena is trying to keep strong but whilst desperately clinging on to her love for Stefan, the agonising fear of what the evil foxspirits are putting him through at the Shi no Shi eats at her.
The knowledge of the truth behind this fear hits quickly after seeing him vulnerable and weak in his cell during an out of body experience.

But whilst discovering her altered physical state and strange new powers, her hope of finding Stefan alive - sparked by her out of body meeting of her beloved - gives her the strength to see this impossible quest through.

Damen however is torn between genuinely wanting to help his brother out of guilt and his continueous attempt of luring Elena into becoming his Princess of Darkness.

When Elenas new power accidentally compells Damon into kissing her, both their minds get mingled and unbeknown to Damon Elena finds herself starting to see a side of Damon that he would never willingly share with anyone.
Growing curious to find out more about the real Damon, Elena finds herself secretly letting her feelings for him grow into something that might endanger her future with Stefan.

Matt tries to protect Elena from what he perceives as Damons supernatural influence on his friends girlfriend, but he soon starts to realise things might not be as clear cut as they seem.

When he becomes witness of a suggestive situation between Damon and Elena he decides to leave the group and go back to Fells Church.

Meanwhile, back in Fells church, Elenas best friends Meredith and Bonnie are trying to help free Stefan by gaining more information on the kitsune and trying to figure out what is going on with pregnant Caroline whose behaviour mirrors one of a wild animal rather than a human.

Left to themselves Damon and Elena continue their mission to find Stefan but Elenas intrigue for Damon keeps making things difficult and Shinichis ability to steal Damons memories is starting to endanger the success of their mission quickly.
Much to the surprise of Damon and Elena, Meredith and Bonnie appear at their door step just before reaching the Dark Dimension and with that Elena is given a new hope and a glimpse at possible success of the rescue.

Even though Damon is not thrilled to see the two girls and even less convinced they should join them, he soon realises that facing the supernatural obstacles ahead together might just be the only way to earn Elenas trust.

Together they have to overcome prejudice and pride to gain access to the Dark Dimension and once they do, they discover that the rules in the world they have entered are completely different to what they know and human life is meaningless - but worst of all: Not even Damon is untouchable.

I believe L.J. Smith has taken the opportunity of the entire "The Return" series of the Vampire Diaries to increase focus on Elena and Damon rather than Stefan and Elena.
Whatever it was that made her let the "bad boy" shine it shall be hailed in eternity because it was exactly the right thing to do!

Damon Salvatore is not the obvious choice for Elena. If you follow the series, you will agree that he is pretty much introduced as the Anti hero from the first time he is given a sentence to speak.
As the obvious hero - you are introduced to Stefan, the sensible brother and tame vampire who doesn't kill people and spends most of his time thinking about how to make Elena happy.

He has always been made into the obvious choice but the shadow which was Damon has been creeping up into the light of the storylines and finally, in this book his shadow has been given a real soul.

The reader is succesfully introduced to the real Damon Salvatore and as the book ends with a BIG BANG I cannot wait to read the last in the series to see the conclusion of this love triangle.

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What a load of rubbish....

After the disaster called 'Nightfall' I don't know what possessed me to read 'Shadow souls'... Maybe I was hoping for a miracle. Obviously this didn't happen... It's such a shame because I loved the first books so much, it's hard to believe they were written by the same author who wrote these last 2 books.

So in Shadow souls Elena and friends are in Dark Dimension trying to save Stefan from prison. Nothing really happens there except for couple of parties and (whippings!). After what felt like pages and pages of describing Elenas and friends multiple dresses (blaa blaa) they then rescue Stefan. The end. See, no need to read the book I just literally told the story. Oh I forgot to mention this flower girl (huh?) who turns into an owl (another huh?) or something that attacks them all. That was the great action bit. Seriously by then I was skipping pages as couldn't be bothered anymore.

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OK

Maybe its because I read all six books in one go, but by the time i got to book 6 it seemed to be drawn out.

I enjoyed them thoroughly and cannot wait to read the last installment when it is out.