Shadow Souls

"The story follows Elena Gilbert on her quest to rescue her vampire boyfriend, Stefan Salvatore, from captivity in the Dark Dimension. She enlists the help of Stefan’s brother, Damon, and her ex-boyfriend Matt in order to break Stefan free of his captors, the kitsune fox twins, Shinici and Misao. I believe that this is the darkest Vampire Diaries yet as L.J. Smith takes the reader on a roller coaster ride through the Dark Dimension when Elena searches for Stefan. This book definitely shows the inner workings of Damon’s mind as he helps Elena to rescue his brother. We are shown that Damon is not the bloodthirsty killer and prankster we believed him to be in the first installment of the Vampire Diaries.<br/><br/>Instead we are shown just how much he is willing to give up in order to right the wrongs he has committed against Elena, Matt and Stefan. His sensitive side definitely shows as he sometimes feels helpless when Shinici continually steals his memories and leaves him vulnerable and trying to remember his actions. I find myself enjoying Damon’s point of view and I can’t help but to feel a little sorry that he has endured so much through the years. He punishes himself for things from his past that are sealed in his mind like a crypt. As Elena and Damon grow closer, we are shown the immense attraction that is hovering between the two of them. It keeps you guessing until the end where the author definitely leaves us on the hugest cliff hanger I have ever read. Overall,, I really enjoyed the book. L.J. Smith has a very cunning way of creating an in-depth visual storyline with so many twists it’s hard to know you’ll come out of it alive! Of course, I can’t wait to read the final installment next year."