Rating: 
Summary: "You're One of the Them! I Saw You! You're Evil!"
Review: "The Struggle" is the second book in L.J. Smith's "Vampire Diaries" series, and like all middle books, it suffers from a sense of displacement. It begins in the centre of the story and it ends in the centre of the story, and so one needs both the previous book and the following one in order to make sense of it.The premise is hopelessly melodramatic: the beautiful blonde Elena (what, you expected an L. J. Smith heroine that *wasn't* stunning?!) is caught between two vampire brothers, the angelic Stefan and the demonic Damon. Though she loves Stefan she is equally attracted to Damon, and I'm wincing whilst writing this, such is the corniness of the situation. Elena reminds the brothers of a girl they both sought after whilst they were human: the vampiric Katherine who Turned them both, but then killed herself when they wouldn't cease their feud. Now the triangle is replaying itself out once more in contemporary Fell's Church, but with a few differences, namely the presence of another Power wrecking havoc upon the citizens. At first Elena and Stefan think Damon is responsible for the attacks and other strange occurences, but mounting evidence leads them to believe otherwise... The love-story is simply painful to behold, and I'm not sure what's worse: the love-lorn wide-eyed declarations of love between Stefan and Elena ("you've stolen my soul") or Damon's painful attempts at seducing her ("You can become a queen of shadows"). Smith is usually quite good at capturing every-day speech, but the dialogue of this book is abysmal. But in the face of the awful love-story, there are other little plot strands to consider that keep "Vampire Diaries" from being a complete waste of time. Even though "The Struggle" isn't that important in the context of the entire series, the more mundane occurances hold one's interest. In the previous book, Elena's diary is stolen, which contained several crucial passages about Stefan's involvement in the attacks at Fell's Church. Now little notes are popping up, posting on notice boards, slipped into her bag, that quote Elena's own words back at her. Elena and her two closet friends Bonnie and Meredith suspect their ex-friend Caroline, and dread the fact that she's planning on reading out the diary at the Founding Day celebration. In between hatching a plan to steal back the diary, there is a whole range of other problems that need to be dealt with: the previously attacked Vickie is now acting very strangely at school, a new teacher Alaric Saltzman is asking a lot of suspicious questions, Bonnie's prophesies continue to get more and more ominous and class bully Tyler Smallwood is also causing trouble amongst the students. To top it all off, Damon is prowling around, inviting himself to class functions and even Elena's house in the attempts to stir up trouble between the brothers. It ends, of course, on a big cliffhanger, and I think it's fair to say that on the whole "The Vampire Diaries" are not L. J. Smith's best work (not that any of her work is high literature). For me personally, I like my vampires evil and dark - but Smith's vampires are technically the good guys, and have no sense of the massive weight of vampiric lore that surrounds the legend; instead they act too much like teenagers. Though the books are backed up by reasonably interesting sub-plots, and one can clearly see from the other reviews that pre-teens swoon over the books and characters, it's only a matter of time before they're looking back and wondering "what was I *thinking*?!" They're good books to take on holiday - quick, easy, entertaining reads that don't need too much brain-power to read, and are no big loss if they are misplaced.
Rating: 
Summary: Coming back for more!
Review: Before Buffy and Angel lite up the tv screens spinning off book series there was L.J. Smith's series 'Vampire Diaries". This series was the first vampire books I ever read back when I was about 12. Ten years later, and heavy dog eared copies of the "Vampire Diaries" the story and plot is still fresh as ever, keeping me coming back again and again. If you love the paranormal, a bit of romance, adventure, two good looking vampires, and of course the age old struggle school politics then you'll love this book. Its a story that you wont soon forget. In volume #2 "The Struggle" the heat intensifies as Damon and Stefen continue the struggle for Elena, one who looks very much like a woman they both loved long ago. Will she turn to either vampire or is there something sinister keeping watch to stop all three? It continues on to volume #3
Rating:
Summary: Coming back for more!
Review: Before Buffy and Angel lite up the tv screens spinning off book series there was L.J. Smith's series 'Vampire Diaries". This series was the first vampire books I ever read back when I was about 12. Ten years later, and heavy dog eared copies of the "Vampire Diaries" the story and plot is still fresh as ever, keeping me coming back again and again. If you love the paranormal, a bit of romance, adventure, two good looking vampires, and of course the age old struggle school politics then you'll love this book. Its a story that you wont soon forget. In volume #2 "The Struggle" the heat intensifies as Damon and Stefen continue the struggle for Elena, one who looks very much like a woman they both loved long ago. Will she turn to either vampire or is there something sinister keeping watch to stop all three? It continues on to volume #3
Rating: 
Summary: The Struggle
Review: Elena and Stefan are becoming closer and closer. And she's trying to avoid Damon. Anyways Caroline stole Elena's diary and is planning to read it at the Founder's Day Pagent because in it is evidence that Stefan was at the sight of the attacks that happened in Fell's Church. So they are plotting to get her diary back and Damon gets it for her. Anyway read what happens to Elena and the crew in this great book.
Rating:
Summary: it's extrodinary
Review: Even though this is the second of the series, I read it first. I wasn't lost though, because L.J. Smith makes it so understandable that if you read her books the wrong way you'd understand what had been going on. Definate reader. It has danger, love, and sitting on the edge of your seat ability (If it was a movie). If anyone is reading this that is a director or something, you might want to read these books and make them into a movie. A lot of money if you did. Just kidding, well sort of. ~Sage
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Summary: I always fall for the bad guy!!!!!
Review: Everybody out there; I order you to READ THIS BOOK! It was the best vampire book I have ever read! I fell in love with the characters and the constant tension and twists kept me reading for hours. The plot is brilliant and I'm now officially addicted to L.J Smith's books (and they're vampires). I really felt for the brave and beautiful Elena, and Stephan is so handsom and sad it made me want to cry. But the character I love the most is definatly Damon, the evil and incredibly sexy evil vamp brother. I don't know about you, but I always fall for the bad guy, and this one is definatly HOT!!!And man does the end have a twist! It's totally brilliant and it's even exciting me (the girl who wants Elena to choose the bad guy over the good). So trust me (the girl with style) and READ THIS BOOK!!!
Rating:
Summary: they are all great
Review: I bought these books and also the secret circle within 2 weeks of each other. My mother let me use her name to buy them. I loved them all and normally i hate to read. They are very interesting and will keep almsot any teens intrest. The story within and the plot line relates to any teen who has a misterious side. Just the ways Elena and Damon slowly keep things from her love Stefan (Damon's Brother) and how this build upon itself makes you not want to stop. I finished this book in udner 4 hours just setting it down to swich classes in school, and when i finished couldn't wait to get home adn read the 3rd one in the series. They won't disapont you in any way. Interesting and intreging and all i can think to say. I hate reading and i found one author who can keep my mind lost in the book. If your thinking about buying this trust me just get it and read, you won't be disapointed.....
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Summary: MY FAVORITE BOOK! IT TOOK ME TO ANOTHER WORLD!
Review: I don't know about you but this is the best book I've ever read! I've read the series 3 times, which is very unusal for me! I love books like this one because it's romantic, its got the horror and love mixed in it. This may sound crazy but you can't help falling hopelessly in love with the two brothers Stefan and Damon! Don't worry though I love Stefan more, hehe! Don't ask... When you read these books it becomes your world, sounds crazy doesn't it. But really I can't get over the book! I love the way the guys, especially Stefan, would do anything for his girl, Elena, and how they couldn't stand one moment appart from each other. I want a boyfriend like that lol (laugh out loud). But you also have to love Damon too, but he's mysterious and goregous (just like Stefan)hehe. I know it's a book but it can take you to another world. You better read it!!
Rating:
Summary: I WANNA KEEP READING MORE
Review: I just started and finished reading this book and oh how I love it!L.J. Smith does such a wonderful job making you feel like your actually there.I especially loved the chemistry between Elena and Stefan,you could somehow feel what they had for each other.I especially LOVED the ending because it made me want to buy the next one to find out what happens.I'm just a beginner in reading stories by L.J.Smith and I already want MORE.I'd reccommend this book to anyone.Once you start reading it,you can't put the book down.Trust me.I know.
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Summary: The Series You Will Never Forget!!!!!
Review: I loved this series!!! This book especially. I read this book about 5 years ago and to this day, if you ask me to name my top favorite books The Struggle would be #1 followed by the other books of this "I could'nt put the book down, if I tried" series. Elena is a sweet "I would do anything to help someone in need" type of a girl who's beauty is as captivating as her personality.
Apparently the Vampire Stefan and his brother Damon thinks so too. The story holds your eyes as Elena discovers she loves both men and has to choose between them. Whew!!!! there is so much more to this story and so little space to say it...but then again I'd hate to ruin this book for anyone interested in buying it.....But Hey if you are into vampire novels with a huge heaping of passion and romance....BUY THE BOOK!!!!!!
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