L. J. Smith

After returning from the afterlife, Elena is forced to battle an ancient evil when Stefan, her vampire boyfriend, goes missing.

Nightfall

Alyssa 

OMG! this book was amazing! i found myself drawn into the book completely. i found shinichi and misao to be intriguing villains. and i found myself liking damon more, dispite him being a villain in the past. and...I missed stefan! when is he coming back? will he get saved? oh, no! i don't get to find out til february!

To save the two vampire brothers who love her, Elena Gilbert sacrificed her life. Now that a supernatural force has brought Elena back from the dead, all handsome, brooding Stefan wants is to keep her safe. But when he is lured away from Fell's Church, sleek, powerful Damon seizes his chance to win Elena over, unaware of the danger they're both in. A malevolent being has infiltrated the town and is growing stronger. Able to possess Damon at will, the creature is also drawn to Elena and the new power she has acquired. But it's after more than Elena's power: It thirsts for her death. Elena's story continues in shadow souls!

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall

Caitlin Marie Fritza

Jade Flynn

The best one so far! I'm so glad L.J. Smith continued with the story!

2.5-3*
I really hate this book, but I do love the series, and Shadow Souls is my favourite, so I had to get past this book, since I decided to read The Vampire Diaries again.
 
First 60% of this book is really slow. There's not much happening. And it's boringish.

Even though I was not happy with this somewhat "forced" series continuation, I am a fan of Damon and I am happy that we got to learn more about his character, since first four books were heavily focused on Elena.

That's really the only thing that I loved in this book: Damon's chapters. We really get to see what's in his head. (view spoiler)[ Even though he was under kitsune's influence half of the book  (hide spoiler)] and his relationships with Elena and Bonnie get a little more depth. (I love you Lisa because you have given Damon a heart)

In conclusion. A boring book used ad a filler in the series, to set up a good base for future books.

Mia Jones

While I really like the characters and think that the concept itself has a lot of potential, I can't say that I cared much for this book in the series. 

It's a rather odd story and what they did with Elena in the beginning of it was just... strange. I can see what it was she was trying to do with it, but it just didn't work and I'm sorry to say that my 3 stars are only because I really like the characters, but definitely not in this book (which is in the same vein for me as Breaking Dawn in the Twilight saga, which makes me think of bad fanfiction). 

Sorry to L.J. Smith, but the magic just wasn't there in this one.

New York Times bestselling series The Return: Nightfall is the fifth book in L.J. Smith’s New York Times bestselling Vampire Diaries series. Elena Gilbert is back from the dead, but she’s come back changed—with newfound powers and blood that is irresistible to vampires, including Stefan and Damon Salvatore, the two vampire brothers who love her. Unfortunately, it’s not just vampires who are drawn to her. Darkness is infiltrating her hometown of Fell’s Church and is taking over the minds of young girls. Even worse, a demon has taken possession of Damon, causing him to turn on his brother, Elena’s friends, and even on Elena herself. The Return: Nightfall is perfect for fans of the hit CW TV show The Vampire Diaries, as well as fans of the original New York Times bestselling series who can’t wait to see what happens next with Elena, Stefan, and Damon.

Tori Demarzio

Lexi Vazquez

Elena Gilbert is alive - again. When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back. Now Elena is not just human. She has powers. What's more, her blood pulses with a unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire. Both brothers still want Elena to be theirs, but something bigger and more powerful than all of them may want her more...

Book 5

Hope Calder

Elisabeth Moum

Hannah Nugent

Katerina

Jane Eyre

Monic U

Desire JoRay

Briar's Reviews

Janna Romano

Kristen Domonkos 

A phenomenally popular vampire romance sequence - now showing on ITV2 - from the best selling author of Night World, L. J. Smith. Elena Gilbert is alive - again. When Elena sacrificed herself to save the two vampire brothers who love her she was consigned to a fate beyond death. Until a powerful supernatural force pulled her back. Now Elena is not just human. She has powers. What's more, her blood pulses with a unique force that makes her irresistible to any vampire. Both brothers still want Elena to be theirs, but something bigger and more powerful than all of them may want her more...