Book two in The Vampire Diaries, ‘The Struggle’ is where this series really hits its stride. The story picks up directly where book one, ‘The Awakening’ left off, as though it is the following chapter. For this reason, I’d suggest to readers that this is a series that must be read in order.

Golden girl Elena finds herself at the bottom of the social ladder, suddenly an outcast – and it’s all because of her love for Stefan. As the newcomer to the small town of Fell’s Church, he is the chief suspect in the murders and attacks that have had the community on a knife-edge. But only Elena knows Stefan’s secret… he’s a vampire (of the non-human-blood-sucking-variety) and due to some ‘odd’ episodes, is not too sure himself that he isn’t responsible for the attacks.

Stefan’s brother, the cruel and calculating Damon, finally makes his presence known. He’s also a vampire (and not so much of the vegetarian variety) and sets his sights on Elena. He wants her just as much as Stefan does and is willing to kill his weaker brother to get her. When Stefan goes missing after a desperate and violent fight with Damon, Elena turns to her two best friends, Bonnie and Meredith, for help. Using her psychic abilities, Bonnie finds Stefan dying at the bottom of a well. There’s only one way for him to recover… and only Elena knows how.

Elena confesses all in her diary, which suddenly disappears (a great lesson here as to why you don’t *ever* take your personal diary to a party… derr.) Unfortunately, the only way to recover it before the town knows the secret of their friendly, neighbourhood vamp is with the help of Damon. With Elena now in his debt, Damon begins his quest in earnest, willing to destroy anyone who gets in his way.

‘The Struggle’ is a seriously fast read. It moves along at an awesome pace, with barely a slow scene. Elena, who could be a little hard to like in book one, has quickly grown into a far more interesting and engaging character. Even though the reader knows she should be shunning Damon, it’s easy to understand his terrifying allure. And as much as we want to hate him – well – he’s just so ridiculously charming you can’t. Damon is one of the reasons ‘The Struggle’ works so well. He brings with him an eerie, dangerous air of malice, the sort that has you holding your breath far too often. Damon gives the impression that there’s nothing he won’t do to get his way. The author, L. J. Smith. does a fantastic job of giving him a long leash, and no character, main or otherwise, is safe from his conniving, blood-thirsty quest for vengeance. You’re just never quite sure what he’ll do next. Yes, Damon is the perfect vampire.

‘The Struggle’ has so many twists and turns it’s impossible to put down for long. In fact, I finished reading it at 2.45am – and went straight to the bookshelf to pick up book three. (yep, it made for one seriously late night). Trust me; you need to have the entire series of The Vampire Diaries ready to go once you delve into the world of Fell’s Church. Another cliff-hanger ending had me reeling… surely the author wouldn’t do that… would she?

Published by Harper (imprint of Harper Collins)

Paperback, 236 pages

ISBN— 978 0 06 202319 3

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Jamie Says:

For hundreds of years the Zombie has been a creature of fear and loathing. But what about the sweeter side of this undead menace? Be it out of curiosity or genuine love for these shambling individuals you may be tempted to try and date them.

Here are three methods of starting a relationship with a Zombie and ten tips that will help you survive it.

Forming a relationship with a Zombie:

• Voodoo: Treating the object of your desire to a dinner of puffer-fish and datura plant is a tried and tested method of forming a bond that will stand the test of time. Sure, conversation will be one-sided but you will never have to do housework ever again.
• Viral Outbreak: The old adage of “There are plenty more fish in the sea” takes on a whole new meaning during a Zombie outbreak. The tough part has already been done so now it is just up to you to pick the partner of your dreams from the thousands roaming the streets.
• Raising the dead: This method is more of an acquired taste than the other two. The girl or guy of your dreams may have just shuffled off their mortal coil or perhaps you would like a partner of many different parts. Just stitch them together and raise the lightning rod. Sparks are sure to fly when they lurch off the operating table.

Things to remember when dating a Zombie:

• A Zombie partner prefers their weather cold. This stops them drying out or rotting. You will probably need to wrap up warm when hitting the town or cuddling up in front of the TV.
• Food shopping for a Zombie is simple if not always cheap. You will never find a Zombie partner embracing the vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, so cooking is much easier, just keep lots of fresh meat in the freezer.
• If your relationship starts to fall apart start carrying around a staple gun or needle and thread. A nose or ear dropping into your soup at the fancy restaurant may be considered bad taste.
• Dinner parties with your partner’s friends can take some getting used to. Zombie guests will often leave trails of blood or other dirty substances across the carpet as they lurch around your house and their table manners often leave a lot to be desired.
• Mind your head. Zombies love you for your brain above all things. And if you aren’t ready to share it wear a helmet or thick cap when you are together.
• Be wary of your choice of movies that you watch with your partner. They may see many horror movies as biased against their lifestyle. It may be handy to keep a few around just in case the relationship turns sour and you need some tips on ending the partnership.
• Jealousy may strike during your relationship. The living may not understand your love or another member of the Zombie horde might try and force their way into your life. A committed relationship will outlast the angry mob.
• At some point your partner may start pushing for you to take the plunge and join them in the Zombie lifestyle. Stay firm in yourbeliefs and be sure of your choices. Remember: once you are infected you can’t go back.
• The only way to get out of a bad relationship with a Zombie is to destroy their brain or sever their spinal cord. For this reason your relationship toolbox should include a shotgun or shovel.
• If your relationship has come to a close don’t fret, there are plenty more attractive young Zombies ready to be your life partner.

White Zombie: Thunder Kiss ’65

Bel Says:

Visual Kei is, in my opinion, like a cross between Glam Rock and Emo, with a smidge of punk thrown in for good measure.
Told you I’d be looking for hair and makeup tips for guys, so here’s one from Hkisame:

The  final product is quite the eye candy, don’t you think?
Then we have a girly version of Visual Kei by Eemeraude:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64tlmaluzPc&feature=more_related

You’ll need some appropriate clothing.
Here are some really good ideas from Mangafairy:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpAcAifmtMI

And we need some tunes.
So we have the top ten Visual Kei bands as according to gazetteprojectUS:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpTykH6OeK8&feature=related

So I hope some of you will venture into the world of Visual Kei for Supanova.
We’d love to see pictures!

Lesson One with The Vampire Diaries: Do not read the books and watch the DVD’s at the same time and expect the same story.

Now, that being said, one is not necessarily better than the other. They’re just different, that’s all. More on the TV series a little later, for now I’m going to concentrate on the first book in the series: The Awakening.

After some initial confusion (blame that on the TV show) as to the identity and appearance of Elena, the main female character, it was all too easy to fall into her world. Told from both a third person point of view, and also from snippets of Elena’s diary, we get to know her very quickly.
Elena is the popular girl at school, the pretty one with a tragic past –who can have anything – or anyone – she wants. That is, until a tall, dark and handsome stranger arrives at school… and doesn’t want anything to do with her. Stefan Salvatore not only drives a Porsche and dresses in designer duds, but has a dark, menacing air about him that intrigues Elena.
Of course, Elena wants what she can’t have, and although it would be easy to dislike her, we’re drawn into her quest to win Stefan’s heart at any cost. While she is busy plotting with her friends how to win over the new boy, a series of mysterious murders and ‘animal’ attacks rock the small town of Fell’s Church, leaving the township buzzing with suspicion.

The narrative of the story switches occasionally, so we get to watch over Stefan as well. This gives the reader an insight into what Elena doesn’t know – Stefan Salvatore is a five-hundred year old vampire. Guilt ridden and remorseful, he feeds only on animal blood. Unfortunately for Stefan, denying his true nature makes him weaker than human-feeding vampires in many ways, as well as permanently starving. This weakness only becomes a problem when another vampire turns up in town…

Apart from the initial confusion – again, caused by expecting the television series to be a similar animal to the book – I did enjoy The Awakening once I was into it. Elena seems to be quite heartless and spoilt, kind of a Scarlett O’Hara type to begin with. But I soon warmed to her, realising the ‘public’ Elena is quite different to the private one – something that most of us can identify with.

The Vampire Diaries was originally published in 1991, but has been re-released and marketed to epic proportions in the last few years to take advantage of the resurgence in vampire fiction. Twenty years on, the story still holds its own as contemporary tale, and the love triangle that develops (not too much on that one for now… I’m not into giving away spoilers) is unique and interesting enough to make you want more. In fact, I liked it enough to pick up book number two, The Struggle the same day I finished The Awakening. (Okay, that might also have had a little to do with the heart-thumping cliff-hanger the book ends on…)

If you enjoy the modern take on vampires – that is, that vamps can fight their primal urges to kill their (human) prey, occasionally hang out in sunlight without burning to a crisp, have deep, lustful emotions and are by nature irresistibly charming and charismatic – then you’ll love The Awakening.

The Vampire Diaries
Book 1 – The Awakening
L.J. Smith

February 3, 1999, by Harper (imprint of Harper Collins)
Paperback – 253 pages.
ISBN – 978 0 06 202458 9