Product Description

Elena: transformed, the golden girl has become what she once feared and desired.

Customer Reviews (91)

Should be two separate books, so we could stop at the first
These two books really shouldn't be bound together. I seem to recall hearing that The Vampire Diaries was initially written as a trilogy, ending with The Fury. And it's a perfect ending: clean, complete, and emotionally satisfying. It's not a crowd-pleasing happy ending, but it's the right one. For the best resolution to the trilogy, you should stop here.

And stop reading this review too, because it contains spoilers beyond this point.

Unfortunately, L.J. Smith decided for whatever reason that she didn't want to stop at the natural end of the story, and instead continued on in a way almost reminiscent of fan-fiction. Our heroine had died at the end of the third book, in a beautiful moment of self-sacrifice. But hey--she's back! Needless to say, a lot of the impact of the story is lost. I can't properly express how moved I was by some of the final events of The Fury, like when Elena visits her little sister as a vampire before her final fiery death and convinces her that she's a guardian angel who will always be there watching over her. So of course, the strength of my initial positive feelings was matched by the strength of my subsequent disappointment, when it was revealed that meaningful events don't actually happen in this world, there are no final outcomes, and even death can be reversed for those who deserve it. It's just not satisfying to read about a world that has no rules, where actions have no permanent consequences. It undermines the whole story.

I say this even though I was a huge fan of L.J. Smith in elementary school. The Vampire Diaries was never my favourite of her trilogies, but I hadn't remembered the ending being quite so disappointing. Maybe it wasn't meant to be re-read by adults. I had decided to re-read the series in preparation for the new continuation (yes, there's still more!), but after seeing how badly Dark Reunion fit with the rest, I shudder to imagine how much worse it can get and haven't been able to bring myself to pick up Nightfall. I hope Smith will soon abandon this drawn-out series and move on to something new, though it seems there's not much chance of that.

Not as good as the show
After watching the TV show I wanted to read the book, I think that TV show is better (for once! Usually the books are better) I really liked the first book and the second one was ok.

Don't waste your money!
~~~~~SPOILER ALERT~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


So, I had not even heard of these books until I watched the show- which I absolutely LOVE! Now I should have known right away that the books weren't going to be as great as the show, because people were saying the show was "loosely" following the books. Loosely is right! I find it completely comical that L.J. Smith wants us readers to believe Elena is "torn" between the two brothers, when she has just about little to no interaction between Damon and Elena in any of the books. One moment Elena despises Damon because she believes he is the one behind everything that has been going on in Fell's Church, then before she dies she mentions that she loves both of them!!! WTH?! The author made no attempt to take us readers on the journey that would show us how and WHY she loved him, and why she was caught in a love triangle! She was not caught in any sort of love triangle!!! She is all over Stefan the moment she sees him at school and is basically obsessed with him the whole entire series!

I laugh now when I read the back of this book and it says that Damon finally possesses Elena. Um, when exactly was this?? I must have blinked and missed it. Yes, right after she awakens from being turned she is attached to Damon but shortly after she is all, "Oh, Stefan!" again. We as readers aren't stupid and I think it is insulting to tell us that Elena finds herself in a love triangle and expect us honestly to believe that when you show absolutely no interaction among the two that would support your claim. And then the back of the book continues on and reads, "But will his thirst for revenge poison his triumph?"... Um, no it's not, because you squash it halfway into the fourth chapter!

I simply think the author did not know what to do with Damon. And she did not know how to have him and Elena interact with each other, so she just does nothing with them. And then when she writes that Elena loves both of them she just assumes we will automatically know why. Whatever is going on between Damon and Elena must be happening in the authors head and she is just not creative enough to bring it to life on paper.

So, all in all, I would not waste your money on these books. There is no love triangle like the author claims there is, she is just saying that hoping to sell these ridiculous books. Now off to throw my copies in the trash where they belong!

Vampires are all the rage lately
I purchased this book simply because of the CW show based on these books and the fact that, Twilight or no, I've always been a fan of a good vampire story.

These books, in my opinion, do not disappoint, if you are looking for something in the teen/tween catagory that steers away from sex, blood and gore (which the TV show does not.)

I found this series to be much more engaging and compeling than some others, mostly in how the female heroine (Elena) is treated by the vampire "men" who want to woo her.There is no holding her hostage for her own sake, there is no spying on her while she sleeps to keep her "safe".Smith's vampires, while one is brooding and semi-resentful of his "altered" state & the other fully embraces it and has fun with it, know what they are, they accept what they are and the story goes from there.There is no, "This is for your own good, dear" moments.The heroine is just as much involved in the outcome as her vampire counterparts.Elena is a much better representation of a strong female character in a vampire story in Smith's hands than in some other vampire stories I've read.

I was mildly confused, at first, for the name change in this version for book four than from the other versions listed for sale here.This version lists the title as "The Reunion" while other copies of the same book list the title as "Dark Reunion".Both are accurate, it merely depends on which printing you purchase.

This version is the UK edition, which explains the title change.It also explains why some of the language is different, some terms were changed to their "English" equivalents, which amused me to no end.(ex: "He opened the trunk to grab a few beer bottles" = "He opened the boot to grab a few beer bottles")
Rest assured, it is the same story and ends in the same place.

Keeps you Reading!
I am a big fan of the Vampire Diaries TV show on the CW network so naturally, I wanted to read the books that started it all.I discovered two things: 1) The show and the books are totally different things. 2) I absolutely love them both!

... Read more

Product Description

The Circle's Power has Lured Her Home...

Cassie must confront a shattering challenge: an ordeal that could cost her life or gain her more than she's ever imagined...

Charmed by the Secret Circle, she's initiated into the mysterious "in crowd," a coven of young witches whose power has controlled New Salem for three hundred years.

Hopelessly in love with the coven leader's boyfriend, Cassie risks falling prey to dark powers in order to have him. But if she does, her endless love could destroy the coven, New Salem, and her!

...And She Will Emerge the Leader or Perish!

Customer Reviews (89)

From Judith at J. Kaye's Book Blog
After reading the first two books of L.J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries, I wanted a break to read one of her other series before read getting back. I didn't have much knowledge of this series other than it was about a coven of witches.

In this first book, Cassie Blake and her mother move in with her grandmother in this rundown New England home. Cassie has no idea she comes from the bloodline of real witches. This doesn't become apparent until one of them is murdered and Cassie is enlisted to complete the circle so they can unleash the magic that will lead them to the murder.

L. J. Smith's writing style is the same as with The Vampire Diaries, but I found it lacking on action. Could be it wasn't supposed to be as action packed. Either way, I prefer a little faster pace for me little A.D.D. brain. Even though I couldn't get into the story and its characters, I'd still recommend this to fans of YA paranormal fiction.

secret circle
The book arrived in very good condition and the order was delivered very quickly and efficiently.I would recommend this site to order books from.

Love this book :)
Cassie Blake is the new girl in town. She wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for the fact that her grandmother on her mother's side, was getting on in years, and could really use the help. "Here" is her mother's hometown of New Salem, Mass; a small island off the coast of Mass. The first day of school, Cassie runs afoul of Faye Chamberlain, a girl that lives down the street from her. When it is discovered that Cassie lives on the same street as Faye, it has a curious effect on the student body, instead of being curious as to who she is, they turn away from her, as if they were almost afraid of her. This confuses Cassie to no end; why should where she lives be a big deal?

In the coming weeks Cassie goes from being a social pariah due to Faye and being teased by a few friends of hers, to making friends with Faye's cousin, Diana. Diana is the opposite of Faye. Where Faye is darkness and gloom, Diana is sun and moonlight blended together. Faye terrorizes people into liking her; Diana pulls them in with kindness. As the school year goes on, Cassie slowly becomes a member of the group of kids that live in her neighborhood. After the death of the little sister of two of the boys, Chris and Doug Henderson, Cassie is officially inducted into the group and finds out what they really are.

The group of now twelve teenagers is a coven of witches and are the descendents of another coven that came from Salem, having left right after the witch trials. Cassie makes them a full circle and now their power is complete. That same night Diana's boyfriend Adam comes back and finds that not only was Cassie inducted instead of Chris and Doug's little sister, but that she's the girl that saved him from witch hunters earlier in the summer on Cape Cod. The two remain silent on this little fact and act as if they just met, but there is no denying the fact that there is a strong connection between the two, pulling them together. It is then that Cassie learns that Adam has spent his summer and part of the fall looking for the first coven's Master Tools and he has found one; the crystal skull that belonged to one of the coven's leaders, Black John. Black John was not the nicest person and wanted to use the coven's power for his own gain.

After hearing the coven origins and seeing the skull, Adam brings Cassie home and along the way the two swear a blood oath to not betray each other or Diana with their attraction to one another. Unknown to them, Faye has sent her two kittens to keep an eye on them and now knows that Cassie and Adam like each other and uses this information to black mail Cassie into getting the skull for her; Faye doesn't feel like waiting until the skull is safe to use and wants to use it now.

This is one of the first L.J. Smith books that I read as a teen, I still have my copies and love the whole series, I read it at least once a year, if not twice. It'sone of my favorites and while I know how the story goes, I still take my time in reading it; I like to stay in this universe as long as I can, the story is so wonderful.

Awesome long again and even now
I first read these books when I was in 6th grade and every now and then I still reread them and i am 25 now.Even though they are for young adults I have always loved these books and will continue to read them over and over.

Secret circle the initiation
I bought this book in a second hand book it is a briellient story and enjoyed reading it very much. ... Read more

Product Description

A new beginning . . .

Product Description
The series takes place in a world similar to our own but one where vampires, witches, werewolves and shape-shifters live among humans without their knowledge. These supernatural races make up a secret society known as the Night World, which enforces two fundamental laws to prevent discovery: 1) Never allow humans to gain knowledge of the Night World's existence and, 2) Never fall in love with one of them.

Jez Redfern is unique. She's a vampire hunter...who's half vampire. Raised in the Redfern family, the girl with fiery hair and silvery-blue eyes was the undisputed leader of a gang of vampire raiders. Then came the discovery that shattered her life - her mother was a human. Now, Jez hunts her former friends, protecting humans from the Night World.

But when Circle Daybreak sends her on a search for one of the legendary Wild Powers, Jez has to rejoin her old gang. They want her back -- especially Morgead, the gorgeous green-eyed vampire who used to be her second-in-command. Jez wants to stay faithful to Hugh Davis, the human she loves. But Morgead swears he's her soulmate and he'll do anything to lure her back to the old ways. With danger and temptation around, Jez finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. And she's afraid that if she tastes blood again, she'll become the evil huntress she once was...
... Read more

Customer Reviews (94)

Night Huntress 7: Huntress
Night World #7: Huntress, by L. J. Smith

In "Huntress," Smith develops a larger story line for her Night World series. The new concept deals with the coming millennium and a possible apocalypse that will wipe out humanity and return the world to an age where the Night World rules, rather than exists on the fringes. Humanity will only be saved if four legendary Wild Powers are found and kept safe by Circle Daybreak. But the Night World is searching for these powers as well...

Enter Jez Redfern. Once a kickass vampire chick who hunted people like they were animals, she's now a vampire hunter and living as a human. Jez is unique - the only human-vampire halfbreed known to exist. She lived most of her life thinking she was a vampire, but the day she found out she was half-human she swore off her old life. Intent on making up for all the evil she'd done before, she now helps Circle Daybreak hunt the very denizens of the Night World who were once her people.

Circle Daybreak sends Jez into certain danger when they learn her old vampire gang has one of the Wild Powers. They need Jez to find and bring the person back to Circle Daybreak before the Night World council arrives and takes control. But Jez has a few problems...she has to rejoin her old gang, has to deal with Morgead...a vampire who swears he's her soulmate...and she has her human cousin sniffing behind her. Not to mention she has to protect the potential Wild Power.

"Huntress" is one wild ride, full of action. Jez is undoubtedly one of my favorite Night World characters. She's strong, honorable, determined, and half-vampire! Smith also draws a greater connection with the other Night World books, ramping the series up for an explosive finish. I for one can't wait for the final book, which will finally be published in 2010.

4/5.

AMAZING!!!
This book is one of the most amazing books i've ever read. it's got a great depth to it and explain in a discreet way about sociology and friendships. It's a page turner.

Best Book I've Ever Read!!!
This book is defianitely the best book out of all the Night World books, even though each of them are excellent in their own way! I think its just the way that Jez and Morgead's love is so pure and brilliant! Also Jez is so powerful! But Jez and Morgead are so different and them being together could never work, if Morgead knew her secret, that makes me never want to put the book down!

Great Heroine . . . Hero Needs a Little Work . . .
I've been a fan of L.J. Smith's since I first read "Chosen" six years ago.I've read all of her books, including her little known play on the King Authur myth that involves the Fey. I've read all of her trilogies, and the NightWorld books at least twice a piece.

I've even gone back and reread the NightWorld books and have been pleased to see that they still hold up.Even though I'm not a 15 year old girl anymore.My mother even read them and enjoyed them.

The thing I like the most about the L.J Smith books are the heroines and the heroes.Both characters are somehow vastly appealing.Well, save the ones in "Spellbinder" and "Dark Angel".

In "Huntress" the heroine is no aception to L.J. Smith's rule.She's even more of an outsider than Rashel, and is a bit wiser than the Cat.However, she's got a bit of a wild streak, not to mention she's more cunning in her own fashion.

She's sypmathetic and strong at the same time.

However, her hero, Morgred isn't.

Usually, when L.J Smith writes "bad boys" they're so bad they're sinful.Morgred falls short of that.He seems to be a pale copy of Smith's previous heroes Ash and Quinn, except he falls short of their charisma, sympathy, and sheer sexiness.Not to mention he's lacking a personality.

The plot is good and the writing is excellent.However, Morgred keeps the book from getting a perfect rating.Sorry Jez, you tried your best.

"On From the Day World, Where Two Eyes are Watching..."
"Huntress" is the seventh book in the "Night World" series, a range of books concerning the secret going-ons of vampires, witches and shapeshifters in our everyday world. Previously, the books were predominantly love stories between humans and Night World members, but "Huntress" is the book where things begin to get a bit more interesting...

Jez Redfern is confident in her abilities and her life - she spends her nights hunting down humans with her gang for fun, and alternatively flirting/fighting with her second-in-command Morgead Blackthorn. But then a vision disrupts this life forever: she is not a full-blooded vampire, but the daughter of a vampiric father and a human mother. As this knowledge endangers her very life, she abandons her gang, joins the benevolent Circle Daybreak and goes to live with her human relatives.

Several years later, Jez is leading a double-life: attending school by day with her annoying cousin Clare, and hunting her former allies at night under the instructions of the Circle. On this particular night she arrives home (in trouble with her family once more) to find another member of Circle Daybreak in her room: Hugh Davis. Hugh gives her the most important mission yet: a prophecy has risen that describes four "Wild Powers" that are destined to stop the coming apocalypse at the turn of the millennium.

And why has Jez been chosen to find the first of these Wild Powers? - (whose clue to their identity is used for my review's title) - Because someone has come forward claiming knowledge of the first Wild Power, and it's none other than Morgead. She must return to her gang and reclaim leadership, all the time knowing that if her true identity is found out then her life would be forfeit. And there are other darker powers looking for the Wild Power...

"Huntress" is one of the most rewarding books in the "Night World" series, concerning a desperate search, family ties, identity issues, Night World politics, and a growing sense of doom as the apocalypse ticks closer. However, don't get too involved in the characters and their situation - L. J. Smith has never published the last book in this series "Strange Fate" that wraps up the entire story (but as the millenium has come and gone without a hitch, I think we can assume that the good guys were successful).

L. J. gives some nice touches to the mix, with mentions of previous characters and events, plus the actual appearence of a character from "The Chosen", that has an unexplained burn mark that only readers of that previous book will understand. We also get another retelling of the Night World ancient history that fits in nicely to what we already know about Hellewise/Maya/the dragons and all the other eras of history.

At times it feels a bit rushed - Jez has found out her secret and moved in with her human family at the end of three very short chapters, and I'm getting increasingly amused at the ages of the vampires: despite the fact that they are immortal, all of her lamia characters just *happen* to be either seventeen or eighteen years old - where are all the grown-ups?! ... Read more

Product Description
The Final Conflict...The Last Deadly Kiss

Elena
Now she rises from the dead to recreate the powerful vampire trio.

Stefan
Summoned by Elena, he keeps a promise to her and fights the most terrifying evil he's ever faced.

Damon
Joining the brother he once called enemy, Damon battles this new horror with strength, cunning, and deadly charm. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (72)

Dark Reunion
My daughter absolutely loved this book! It arrived quickly and was exactly as described. Thanks!

Reading with Tequila
I truly believe I would have loved Dark Reunion if it hadn't given me that "reunion special" feel. Everything was neatly wrapped up and finalized at the end of The Fury, but the cast of characters was brought back more because the fans wanted it rather than there actually being more of the story left to tell.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy Dark Reunion. The Tyler aspect of the story was a completely unexpected but welcome surprise. I love Bonnie's abilities, but I wasn't in love with how they were used in this specific book. It seemed to allow a lot of easy access to Elena for whenever the other characters didn't know what to do.

Overall, Dark Reunion was amazingly fast paced, but the least bit confusing. It provided a great chance to revisit with the characters and was a decent addition to The Vampire Diaries series even if it did lack some of the deeply emotional thrills of The Fury.

Lacking
I enjoyed the first three books but I thought that this one was a bit lame.The two things that annoyed me the most:

In book 3 Katherine said that she killed Klaus and now in book 4 he is alive. Was this a mistake? Was there meant to be a portion of the story explaining how Katherine thought Klaus was dead but he really wasn't?Confused.

How did Elena come back from the dead??I though it seemed a bit lazy to bring her back with no explaination of how it happened.

Review From One Book At A Time
I almost wish the series would have stopped at book three.This book was nothing like the previous.With Elena gone, the story doesn't have the same pull.The characters felt forced.I think it would have worked a little better if it wasn't Elena working her magic from the dead.And then end was very cheesy.I'm not sure if I want to read the new series.

Dark Reunion - Vampire Diaries - Book 4
Okay - now we are on book four.You should know all the character's by now so I will get to the heart of it.At the end of the 3rd book - Elena sacrificed her life to save Stefan and Damon.Both boys were devastated to say the least.This book starts off with Elena's friend Bonnie being the main story teller.They have some more supernatural trouble in Fells, Virgina and they contact Elena through a Ouija board to get some help.Elena tells them to contact Stefan for help.Meanwhile Damon and Stefan went to Florence to try to start their "Elena free life". They come running back to Virgina because Stefan and Damon where told that Elena asked them to help.And that starts off the book.

I did like this book but I didn't like it as well as the first three.I think it was because I thought Elena would come back to life but that's not necessarily the case.It was still worth reading. I just missed Elena.
... Read more

Product Description
Nearly escaping from the evil Mr. Zetes, Kaitlyn Fairchild and her psychic team are dismayed when Gabriel defects to the Institute, and Kaitlyn pretends to betray the group as well in an effort to save her friend. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Best of the three
In the third and final volume of the trilogy, Kaitlyn and Gabriel distinguish themselves as the spies who worked their way back into the Zetes Institute with the goal of bringing it down.The rest of the group is in the periphery for this one and that's fine, since too many characters can clutter up the place.Passion was by far the most exciting of the three.What's kept it from being a four-star is that it doesn't stand well enough on its own to be read by itself.

Great conclusion (again)!
What can I say? L.J. Smith did it again! Great conclusion of another great series.

Kait and her friends are back in California and have to figure out how to destroy Mr. Z's evil crystal. New psychics (subjects of the pilot experiment) are introduced. Relationship between Kaitlyn and Gabriel develops (I don't want to give anything away).

Plus, this book has one of the most touching (but without actual touching) romantic scenes I have ever read.

Amazing story - powerful, sweet and touching. Can't praise it enough.

The Best of the Trilogy
This was actually my first L. J. Smith book ever. My roommate was reading it when I was 14 and so I picked it up. It wasn't until I was finished that I realized it was a trilogy so it definitely can stand alone but is much better if read last.
The first one was awesome because it introduced the characters and each of the characters got a chance to really show through their true personalities. Except for discovering Gabriel's weakness as a result of over exposure to the large crystal from Book One I really thought #2 was boring.
But #3 was just the best. Kaitlynn has always seen guys look at her w/ desire b/c she's so beautiful but she'd never admitt that she was beautiful b/c others always feared her at the same time due to her visions. It's totally understandable that she'd then hook up w/ the first boy who ever gave her notice w/o fear or any hidden intentions. However, there's always this pull between her and "the bad boy". Lisa Jane does such a great job of showing how we all feel at that point in our lives. When we don't know what we're feeling or what's right. And you fall in love w/ "the bad boy" because you realize the pain and betrayal he experienced that made him who he is but that he's still basically good. And then Rob is like a perfect gentleman, the nice one, the reliable one - but no passion. So it raises the question can you truly be "in love" with someone whom you have no passion for?
This book had a perfect blend of action, danger, suspense and guilt-wrenching plessure so that anyone can enjoy it.

A Satisfactory End to a Highly Original Series
'The Passion' is the conclusion to L. J. Smith's 'Dark Visions' trilogy that began with 'The Strange Power' which introduced us to five teenagers brought to the Zetes Institute to enhance their psychic abilities only to find that the man in charge has plans to change them into a psychic 'swat team'. The trilogy continued with 'The Possessed' in which the five of them (Kaitlyn, Gabriel, Rob, Lewis and Anna) were on the run from Mr Zetes in their search to find a mysterious house from their dreams where the Fellowship lived, a passive Utopian society rich in psychic powers thanks to the power of a large perfect crystal. However, their strict rules of conduct meant that one of their numbers - Gabriel - was forbidden to enter their dwelling-place. Blinded by their goodness and ridgid purity Gabriel summoned Mr Zetes and his band of 'dark psychics' that had dogged the teens on their road trip across the country, and together they destroyed the great crystal, leaving only a shard that was placed in Kaitlyn's care. With the Fellowship disbanded and Gabriel reverted to the 'bad guys', the teenagers only hope seemed to be to destroy the Institute from the inside - by using their crystal shard to destroy Mr Zetes own crystal.

As you can see it is impossible to read any of the books out of order as 'The Passion' starts right where the last one ended. Kaitlyn decides to abandon her boyfriend Rob and best friends Anna and Lewis to return to the Institute, in the attempt to both convert Gabriel back to the white hats and find the dark crystal in order to destroy it. She successfully infilterates the Institute and finds herself surrounded by enemies - not only is Gabriel a tad suspicious of her, but there is also her ex-mentor Joyce Piper who betrayed them, Mr Zetes's daughter Lydia, and the malevolent Mr Zetes himself. As well as this are the 'dark psychics' of Mr Zetes former group: John 'Jackal Mac' MacCorkendale, Laurie Frost, Paul 'Renny' Renfrew and Sabrina 'Bri' Jessica Gallo (where does she get these names?!) Along with the new faces comes a new range of psychic abilities such as astral projection, psychometry and dowsing.

Other plot strands include the love triangle between Kaitlyn, Rob and Gabriel; the continuing destruction of the Fellowship; Rob, Anna and Lewis's quest to help both Kaitlyn and the comatosed Marisol of book one; Kaitlyn's struggle to find acceptance among the dark psychics; the dark psychic's deadly missions, and of finding Mr Zetes's very first students...

A fault however, is that L. J. is far too preoccupied with looks - so much so that it begins to get ridiculous, as are her long-winded descriptions on how beautiful Kaitlyn is; silly descriptions such as "a medieval witch princess against the dawn" and "eyes that people called witchy, smoky blue with darker blue rings in them". At one point Kaitlyn actually stands in front of the mirror and thinks to herself - "I look extremely witchy. Like someone who might go walking down the street like this, barefoot, hair wild in the breeze, singing strange songs." Please! It's a bit much. Likewise the simile for Rob as a 'golden, avenging angel' is too overused.

All in all, fans of L. J. Smith should be satisfied with this concluding novel to the trilogy. Unlike her other books it does not deal as much with supernatural qualities (such as vampires and witches) but many of her trademark features are there such as her famous love triangles. For once her heroine chooses the 'bad boy' - quite unprecedented in L. J.'s history (Cassie chooses Adam over Nick, Elena chooses Stefan over Damon and Jenny chooses Tom over Julian). The dark psychics were interesting despite their wackiness - I hope everybody noticed they were symbolic opposites of the original five (two boys, two girls in each group with Gabriel as the fifth member of both). The story wraps up quite quickly for a swift happy ending, but all loose ends are tied up and readers get the standard happily ever after they were hoping for.

The Passion is the Best!
In this excitiong conclusion to The Dark Visions Trilogy Gabriel has left and joined up with Mr. Zetes. But Kait knows this isn't the real Gabriel. So she decides to save him. She leaves the group andpretends to team up with Zetes. But while there Kait starts exploring her feelings and realizes she is crazy in love and holds a deep burning passion for...Gabriel. Can Kait save the day? And who will she chose? Rob or Gabriel? The light or the dark?

Kaitlyn definately made the right choice!!! This was my favorite of the trilogy. It was AWESOME! Make sure you read this and all of L.J.'s other books. ... Read more

Product Description
To rescue her boyfriend Tom and her cousin Zach from the evil Julian, Jenny Thornton and her friends--Audrey, Michael, and Dee--venture into the Shadow World, armed only with a set of runes that hold the key to the doors of hell. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (57)

If you loved the other books...
I loved this book.The Kill and the Hunter were the best out of this triology by far.All the characters are basically likeable--or at the very least were tolerable.The plot was VERY creative, especially for this day and age where it seems like everything has already been written.And the plot is very fast paced.
But the best thing about this book by far is Julian.Seriously. Like when he first came on the scene, all spotlight was on him and honestly if he wasn't the character he was, I would've kicked myself for getting this book and thrown it away.Julian is what made this book.While I was reading the chapters where Julian wasn't in, it got really boring.He made this book come to life.And his character is very vivid.Jenny was a total trash bag for choosing Tom over Julian.Like seriously? Throughout the whole series she was selfish and got everything she wanted. In the first book, she could've saved one of players if only she'd swallow her stupidity (yes stupidity not pride because you have to blind to not do this.) and did the SIMPLE thing Julian asked of her (trying not to tell what it was).Then in the last book, you find out that Julian was infact not a devil, he was the most selfless, loving person in the book.The Secondary characters were good, I loved Dee, she had a lot of personality and was fierce.Tom was sewer rat--I didn't hate him,it's just one of those things where he got the girl so you hate him, and the fact that he was a jerk.The shadow world was very awesome, and well written.I personally am disappointed at the ending.It was kind of rushed how the shadow monsters came out of know where. *SPOILER*And having what happened to Julian at the ending, just made it that much worse.It just made it suck completely. I thought it would've been good if Jenny or Tom were to die.Not Julian though cause it's like you have finally seen a character in full view, why he loves Jenny, what he went through to get her, that he is actually compassionate.Yea I think that really sucked.Suck-fest ending, but everything before that was amazing.

Fantastic conclusion
Seriously, what a comeback after a snoozer the second book was!

Jenny, Dee, Michael and Audrey are playing the final game to save their friends. Only this time they have to find an entrance to the Shadow World to be able to play.

This book is everything I expected and more. We find out more about the Shadow World, about Julian and experience emotional growth of all characters.

The book is scary, intense, and romantic at the same time. The ending is sad but you know it couldn't have ended any other way...

Great Series
I read this book years ago and I remember absolutely loving it. It's taken me years to find it again (I could never remember the title or author). I'm not sure I've ever read a book that has haunted me and disturbed me as much as this one.

A group of teens face an evil, deserted amusement park with rides and objects intent on doing them harm. Jenny, Dee, Michael and Audrey all set out to find Jenny's boyfriend, Tom and her cousin, Zach. Jenny constantly resists the charming Julian and proves herself as stronger than anyone ever thought her to be. Julian, who was introduced earlier in the series as the demanding and ruthless evil Shadow Man, shows that he has a much more caring and vulnerable side. Jenny and her friends face various obstacles and change along the way- their support, friendship and solidarity strengthening each other. The ending is bittersweet and, in my opinion, a tearjerker.

L.J. Smith should really consider writing a sequel to this series! The ending ends with some hope and really, I find the possibilities of what could be done now to be extremely interesting.

(Spoiler) What do you all think would happen IF Julian's name was carved once again? Would he be the same Julian with the same feelings, would he be as Julian was when he was first born, or would be another being entirely? These questions were never fully answered and I would love to know!

Forbidden Game 3
I do detest the ending however I don't think I'll spoil it for you but never the less still good story.

Really good book!!
This entire Trilogy is just amazing. I was given a present of the first book when I was about 7 (10 years ago), and I immediately wanted the next two! I fell in love with Julian there and then, and was never able to understand why Jenny didn't just choose him! I've read these books over 20 times, and they're all falling apart. Everybody in the entire world should read them, because you're missing out if you don't. I highly recommend them. The last book is a nice finish, but it's incredibly sad. I wish it had ended differently! (...) ... Read more

Product Description

Can The Secret Circle Survive...

Lured into the most popular in-crowd imaginable, Cassie is intoxicated by her newfound strength, a power as addictive as it is perilous.

Caught between two members' consuming desires to use the coven's mysterious force, Cassie turns to one of their boyfriends, Adam--and falls captive to her own dangerous love.

Bewitched by the promise of love through magic, Cassie captures Adam's heart and upsets the delicate balance of power, unleashing a storm of fury no one anticipates.

...Or Will The Dark Struggle Of Good, Evil, And Tormented Love Consume Them All?

Customer Reviews (62)

More of the Circle.
After obtaining the skull for Faye and letting loose a blast of dark energy, Cassie is determined to not be her slave anymore and wants out of the deal, even if it means that Faye tells Diana about Cassie and Adam. Faye traps her one more time and makes Cassie swear to vote for her in the vote for permanent coven leader, instead of Diana.

Faye wins the vote and her first order is to tell Cassie to get the skull and in the neighborhood cemetery, after making a rather weak circle of protection, sets loose a blast of dark energy that makes the skull explode and disappear, giving it a form and knocking the circle members around in the process. This time the power heads straight for Cassie's house and after making her mother go into shock, proceeds to set her house on fire and kill her grandmother with a heart attack.

The group manages to get Mrs. Blake out, but it is too late to move Cassie's grandmother and she dies in the house, but not before telling Cassie who the power is, who he was and what he had done since 1693, along with giving her the family's spell book. This act spurs Cassie in action and she tells off Faye and in retaliation Faye turns to Diana and smiles, proceeding to say she's got something to tell her.

Captive is Captivating
The Captive was by far my favorite and most anticipated of the Secret Circle series. It shows you another, less shy, side of Cassie and shines light on the other side of the coven, such as Deb, Susan, the Henderson brothers, and, of course, Faye. You also watch Cassie struggle with her feelings for Adam and her loyalty to Diana. I thought it was a great book. I couldn't -- didn't put it down.

The plot thickens...
Of the three books in this trilogy, this is perhaps the slowest one to read, simply because the action is not as quickly paced as the first one, and so much happens during the course of the novel. This is the book where most of the plot development occurs, and this is where we really start to know the characters who are introduced in "The Initiation." This book also serves as set up for the third book, and the climax of the series.

The mystery in New Salem deepens. More people die under strange circumstances, and Cassie finds out that many of the coven members' parents died in the same year, 1976. On top of that, Faye blackmails Cassie, first into finding the crystal skull that Faye covets, and then into voting for Faye when leadership of the coven is being determined.

One of L.J. Smith's greatest strengths is her ability to weave separate plots into a cohesive whole, and none of her series show this quite so well as her Secret Circle books do. The separate-yet-connected events in this book are expertly tied together in the third one, leaving no loose ends in the process and keeping the reader enthralled until the last page is turned.

"That Was When the Man in Black came to New Salem..."
"The Captive" is the second book in the Secret Circle Trilogy by L. J. Smith, her most worthwhile trilogy. In the first book "The Initiation", teenager Cassie Blake and her mother moved to New Salem, where she was adopted by a group of witches within the school, who needed a twelfth member for the completion of their coven. There were complications however: although Cassie is instant friends with the coven leader Diana, Diana's cousin Faye is hostile and manipulative toward her. Meanwhile, Cassie has fallen for Diana's boyfriend Adam, and now Faye is blackmailing Cassie into doing whatever she asks - if she doesn't, she'll tell Diana the truth.

And what Faye is after is the sinister crystal skull that the coven uncovered, but that Cassie suspects is somehow behind the awful deaths of several people within New Salem - and she knows that it'll become twice as dangerous if it ends up in Faye's hands. But telling Diana that her beloved boyfriend and her best friend have been cheating on her would break her heart, as well as see her kicked out of the coven. She seemingly has no choice but to get Faye the skull - but first she has to find it...

Meanwhile, Cassie is investigating other strange occurrences around New Salem - she's been experiencing odd dreams, and her mother and grandmother's behaviour is still secretive and aloof. She finds a sealed and blocked off cellar at the local cemetery, as well as an unusual feature on the graves of the other witches' parents - all of them died in 1976. What happened that year to kill so many of the first generation? Another time phenomena strikes Cassie as odd - all the teenage witches celebrate their birthdays within three months of each other, almost as if the parents coordinated their children's' births.

As well as this there is the usual teenager-novel fare: school dances,joy riding, bullying, hormones, raunchy games, and a sprinkling of witchy rituals throughout. Finally though, the story accumulates with the vote for the permanent coven leader, a position coveted by both Faye and Diana, and a disaster that reveals much of the back-story to the terrible happenings at New Salem.

However, the story ends with one of L. J. Smith's frustrating cliff-hangers which forces you to track down and pay for the next book before you find out what happens. I've always found this to be one of the most unappealing components of Smith's books, unlike book series like "Harry Potter" for example, with each installment containing a full, complete plot, Smith's books are divided into several volumes for the simple reasoning: they get more money this way. If there is a publication out there that combines all three of the books into one, I suggest getting that instead of spending money on three separate books.

"The Captive" is possibly the best book in the series, melding several mysteries and plot devices into a whole, with enough intrigue and suspense to keep anyone interested. Cassie's dilemma certainly makes compulsive reading, as does the duality between Diana and Faye, and the direction that the coven can take. The figure of Black John lurks in the background like a sinister shadow (and is certainly Smith's best villain) and again Smith deftly portrays the relationships and attitudes of normal, understandable characters in an abnormal situation. Here we get to see a little more of the personalities of the rest of the coven, and although the Cassie/Adam love match still seems a little unlikely to me, it shakes things up well for the final book "The Power".

Great Book!
I loved this book! The first Secret Circle book was good and this one was even better. I can't wait to read the conclusion to this series! ... Read more

Product Description
When Jenny Thorton and her friends open the mysterious white box given to her by Julian, they discover a mysterious game and enter a house of horrors full of their worst nightmares. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (49)

It was great, but...
Ok, I absolutely loved this book. The storyline was great, the characters were very unique in every way from one another, and I always love that in a book. The storyline was interesting and original.
The only problem I had with this book was Jenny and Tom's relasionship.
First off, I hated how Jenny could be so wimpy and whiny in some points of the book, but absoulutely loved her at other times. *SPOILER* I also hated how she wouldn't just freaking kiss Jullian and save one of her friends. I mean, GET OVER YOURSELF! She could have saved her boyfriend, if she really loved him, or even save Summer from her terrible death! IT WAS YOUR FAULT, STOP PITYING YOURSELF! And yet, she refused too, so I hated her for that, too.
Another thing with her and her "boyfriends" relasionship. Is there even a relasionship? Because I would kill myself before I went out with that jerk. You've been going out since second grade, and yet you can't say I love you in public? What's with that?! And when he sees that Jenny dosen't want to play the game anymore, he dosen't even look at her! I'd kick my boyfriend's a** if he did that to me. And where did the nickname Thorny come from? Don't you dare call me an ugly and hurstful bush when I'm the only one who's not a huge wuss and can't express any emotion in public! Therefore, I did NOT like the relasionship, half the time I was rooting Jullian on.
And one more thing with Jenny; how naive can you be? I mean, seriously? I'm not even getting into that.
Other than that, the first book definitely is on my top ten list, and I'm still waiting for the second book to come in the mail and I can't wait.

Wonderful
I first read this series when I was a young adult and I enjoyed it a lot. When I re-read the books recently, and I was incredibly surprised to find that they had not lost any of their intrigue or enjoyment, and I'm in college now! I feel like this series has a very special emotional depth that most of her books, as good as they are, don't have. I really enjoy the complex relationship between Jenny and Julian - it really is unique. I love these books and I would buy them any day!

Much better than I expected
I came across L.J. Smith's name on one of the Twilight forums. Her books were regarded very highly, so I decided to give one of her series a try. My first available book happened to be The Hunter, first in The Forbidden Game trilogy.

In a few words, this is a story about Jenny, an ordinary good girl, and Julian, a "Dark Prince" who is in love with her. To lure Jenny in his world, Julian tricks her and 6 of her friends to play The Game, where all of them have to face their most horrific nightmares. If they win, they are free to go. If they lose, Jenny has to stay with Julian forever.

This is a very well written book, characters are very real and relatable. Like many other reviewers, I found Julian extremely attractive in a dangerous way.

I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in YA fantasy and can't wait to read second part of the trilogy, The Chase.

Still my Favorite Series to this day!
I read The Forbidden Game series as a teenager and since have read it a dozen times at least. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing this series is. Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith was recently re-released and I must say as good as that series is this one is 10 times better. I really hope it gets released again for a new generation. This story is so unique, based around a girl who buys a game from a strange store. Her and her friends end up opening up a veil that has kept a demon in the shadows who has just happened to have been in love with her for years. He brings her and her friends into the game to relive their worst fears. Even as a teen I fell in love with Julian, the shadow demon. He is absolutely breathtaking and everyone who reads this series will fall in love with this tragic character. Don't just listen to me, read it for yourself. If you like: Vampire Diaries, Twilight, Vampire Academy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tithe, or any other book similar to these you will love this one!

Forbidden Game 1
Who's this mysterous man, well who ever he is, he can have me any time.Very good book to read and can get addictive in the world of L J Smith. ... Read more

Product Description
Jenny's friends are lost one by one to a ghostly wolf and a phantom snake, instruments of the sinister but attractive Shadow Man, who has returned from the Shadow World with a deadly game called ""Lambs and Monsters."" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

I still hate Jenny
OK. I just started reading The Forbidden Game, and I liked it. The characters are all unique and different, which is important in a novel, and the plot is exciting and entertaining.
I just CANNOT STAND JENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She is one of the most stupid, selfish, and wimpy characters I have ever read about. And for some reason that is completely out of my perspective, she loves this idiot Tom. Whose nickname for her is Thorny. What the hell.
Tome is even stupider than Jenny, and always tries to pull off this macho man rep. Hey! Tom! If you think Jenny dosen't need you anymore, then why do you keep on stalking her around like some perv, waiting to jump out at any moment to protect her from the great and evil Jullian, who ACTUALLY LOVES HER, unlike you. And I love how Jenny dosen't even question it, that her EX boyfriend is following her around, thinking he can protect her form this great magical being. Yeah, good luck with that one.
Speaking of Jullian, I was rooting him on half the time. And then Jenny won't love him back beacause she's afraid to be unfaithful to her, may I say it again, EX BOYFRIEND! And she claims he's a murderer, but SHE'S the one who killed Summer! If she hadn't just sucked it up any kissed the totally hot and charming Jullian in the first book, she could have let anyone go back home! But nooooooooooo! She didn't want Tom to feel betrayed by one little kiss after a relationship since freaking second grade!!!
So now that I got that out, the overall book was good, but the action didn't happen until halfway through the book, and it wasn't that exciting of game, and there was nothing to really learn about Jullian or the shadow world, which I DO, so hopefully you'll find out in the third book. But you have to read this book to get the last one, so just do it. It was good, and I enjoy L. J. Smith's writing.

Weaker than the first one
Julian is out and lures Jenny into another Game - "Lambs and Monsters," in which her friends are caught one by one by the Snake and the Wolf. Jenny has to find the Shadow Man's base in order to free her friends and to be released from the promise she has given Julian in the previous game.

I found this book less entertaining than "The Hunter." It took almost half of the book for Julian to appear, the game itself was much weaker, we didn't learn anything new about the Shadow World, and there was too little interaction between Jenny and Julian. Hopefully the third book ("The Kill") will be better.

Very satisfied
I got the book very fast and it was in perfect condition. I bought it for my wife, she had read it years ago and wanted to read it again. We were afraid that no one would have it so we were exited that we could find it here and that the original book was too.

Review of Delivery
Completly forgotten that I bought this item however it was a Fast delivery and well wrapped item.Haven't had the chance in reading the book yet but will evently get there.

Great Book
This book though not as good as books 1 and 3 is still very good. I loved the scene were Julian and Jenny meet face to face for the first time since the last book. We get to see Jenny's character development and every scene with Julian and Jenny is Just Fabulous. I strongly recommend this trilogy........these books are great beach reads. ... Read more

Product Description
Kaitlyn Fairchild's prophetic drawings frighten her, but she is offered a scholarship to the Zetes Institute with four other psychically gifted students that seems like a new beginning--until they discover an experiment that can destroy them all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Interesting concept
This book is written in a manner that obviously marks it the starting point in a series.It's a little too drawn out to stand completely on its own.

The five psychic teens who headline this book are an interesting and so far likable bunch.Everyone has their pasts and secrets as well as their own unique abilities.Together, linked in their psychic web, they learn the marvelous opportunity for training and education at the Zete Institute is just a ruse for its power-hungry founder.

Good starting point.I'm looking forward to the next entry in the series.

Very good!
This is the second series by L.J. Smith that I have started. I think I am going to like it even more than "The Forbidden Game," if it continues to be as good as this first installment.

Kaitlyn has special psycic powers that have made her an outcast in her own town. Suddenly she is invited to a special school in San Francisco for teenagers just like her. Kait is finally happy surrounded by friends and in love. But turns out this school is not what it seems...

I loved all the characters in this book, especially hot guys Rod and Gabriel. Special powers were great. The book is fast paced and engaging, although maybe a little too short for my taste.

I am looking forward to reading the next book. L.J. Smith is really proving to be a great YA fantasy writer.

Great!
Love LJ Smith!Glad she is writing again!Recieved book in great condition in timely mannor!Thanks!

fantastic
i absolutely love this book. it soooooooo has to be one of the best of l.j. smith's. rob and gabriel sound so gorg. i cant wait to read the next one . if u have read any of l.j. smiths books than read this one amd even if u havent still read it its great!!!!!!!!!!

Good start
Kaitlyn Fairchild has always been unnerved by her uncontrollable ability to draw pictures of the future. So she's thrilled when she gets into a special school for psychics. For the first time in her life, Kait is surrounded with people she feels she belongs with and she's especially interested in kindhearted Rob. But she begins to suspect that the owner of the school has an ulterior motive, one that could get Kait and her new friends killed.

The Strange Power is an intriguing but a bit slow start to the Dark Visions Trillogy. I probably should be continuing L. J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries series but I decided to take a break from that. This series was a nice chance of pace. I really enjoyed the characters and am curious to see what happens next. I have no clue why The Vampire Diaries seems to be the favorite of many L. J. Smith fans. This series and all her others are much better. ... Read more

Product Description
The series takes place in a world similar to our own but one where vampires, witches, werewolves and shape-shifters live among humans without their knowledge. These supernatural races make up a secret society known as the Night World, which enforces two fundamental laws to prevent discovery: 1) Never allow humans to gain knowledge of the Night World's existence and, 2) Never fall in love with one of them.

In Dark Angel, Gilian is saved from drowning by her guardian angel. Only visible to Gilian, Angel will fulfill her heart’s every desire. But when Angel starts making strange and sinister requests, Gilian must question who he truly is and where he came from. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (133)

Quick and Fun
As an adult reader I gave this a 3 star because some things were not very logical. The story was well written and as a teen I think I would have given it a 4 maybe even a 5. I would not mind letting my children read this book as the love relationships are based on emotions rather than physical appearance and pleasure.The relationship between the characters are healthy, for example they do not have the male stalking the female or the female saying she is going to die without the male. Yes that is a comparison to the Twilight series, but this series was written long before Twilight was thought of.
The parts I did not find logical is the fact the vampire girls were not going to use any of the powers in the new town they moved too. Why not? I get that they did not want to kill their food (people) but why not talk to each other telepathically. What is the point of not doing that? No one would have known they were doing that. Vampires are stronger than people and one girl had a hard time doing a task a human could do without a problem. Another thing that bothered me about this book is Poppy and James are not in this book. There was a thought of them for a second but I would have liked something to let me know how they were doing. Is Poppy still an illegal vampire? Did her dad except them and her living dead situation? I mean so many unanswered questions.

Night World 2: Daughters of Darkness
Night World #2: Daughters of Darkness, by L. J. Smith

For me, "Daughters of Darkness" is the one sour note in Smith's Night World series. It was the one book in the nine book series that I had to force myself to finish (I am obsessive about finishing everything I read).

The concept is interesting, but I feel it could have used better execution. As with all Night World books, the protagonist is female. Mary-Lynette is a human and unaware of the secret world of vampires, werewolves, and other spooky things that exist around her. She thinks she lives in the quietest, most boring town in the world, but that's all about to change when a series of startling events happens.

When the next door neighbor goes missing just as her three nieces arrive in town, and Mary-Lynette sees them burying something in the backyard, she's immediately suspicious. Unable to leave the mystery alone, she heads next door and meets the new arrivals, who further her apprehension about the disappearance of her neighbor. The girls remind her of predators, which is unsurprising as the girls are lamia, or born vampires.

The mystery of who killed the neighbor takes up a good chunk of the book, and in my opinion, is very over used. It just drags on too long, and every time there was a new twist in the whodunit, I kept thinking, "Okay, that's the end of it now...no, wait...there's more. Sigh."

Ash Redfern also makes an appearance in this book (some readers may remember him from "Night World #1: Secret Vampire," where he waylaid Poppy), and is a starring character along with his sisters. Initially he's on the hunt for the three sisters, who ran away from a vampire enclave. Ash is characterized as the ultimate vampire - humans are vermin and nothing more, to him. Mary-Lynette takes an immediate dislike to him when meeting him for the first time. And here's where the potentially interesting concept comes in - Ash and Mary-Lynette are soulmates, but unlike Smith's other couples, the two can't stand each other.

But something about this book just didn't do it for me. Maybe it was the overly drawn out murder mystery. Or maybe it was that the main character, Mary-Lynette, seemed dry. Or maybe even what seemed interesting - soulmates disliking each other - somehow doesn't fit in a series that's about finding your soulmate.

1/5.

a good read
I loved the first book. the secondone I read in a day. I could not put it down. Ash really suprised me

Remarkable.
I loved the action part!! Also, sometimes I wished Mary-Lynette could just embrace the fact that she loves Ash! I could fall in love with Ash myself! haha!

Night World - Book Two
Daughters of Darkness
L.J. Smith
1996

I continue to be surprised by how overally well-written the "Night World" books are, collectively. For young people in particular, they are quality fiction.

Three young female vampires come to tiny Briar Creek, Oregon, to live with their also-vampire elderly aunt, but homicide is the word of the day, and curious neighbors Mark and Mary-Lynette quickly find themselves ensconced in the dangerous waters of the Night World -- and the even more unpredictable currents of love.

I didn't quite like "Daughters" as much as "Secret Vampire", the first book in the series. The tale had a bit less... urgency... than its predecessor, and while I did like the redemption of Ash, bad-boy blonde from the first novel, the character development was again a little underexplored. But the world-building is pleasant and well-done, without info-dumping on young readers with potentially short attention spans.

Again I can't help but wonder what a greater length could have done for the series -- "Daughters' "plot is a bit simplistic. The ending felt... unsatisfying.

But without doubt worth a read, as I will wager the entire series will be.

6.8/10 ... Read more

Product Description
A second volume in the Dark Visions trilogy follows Kaitlyn Fairchild and her four friends as they listen to the psychic voices calling them and travel to an isolated house, where terror awaits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Decent follow-up
This is a typical chase novel where no one can be trusted and the group is fighting to maintain solidarity.And in classic book 2 of 3 style, the group has jumped from the frying pan into the fire.The characters are more static than they were in Dark Power.However, that they are able to rely on themselves and not feel the need to run to grownups every time they feel stressed adds to their credibility.

Excellent follow-up
Unlike the second book in "The Forbidden Game" trilogy, this middle book didn't disappoint!

Kait and her friends are on the run, trying to find mysterious white house on the beach, where they expect all their problems resolved. Their trip is full of adventures, we find out more about Gabrielle (yes!!!) and different psychic abilities.

Overall a great book - entertaining and fast-paced. Highly recommend.

psychic road trip, anyone?
Leaving off from The Strange Power (Dark Visions, Book 1) Kait & Co. must escape from the Psychic Enemies Network. The posse must literally follow their dreams to a mysterious house.
Problems are:
Rob and Gabriel still hate each other
Gabriel and Kait realize their feelings for each other
Thanks to Mr. Zetes, they are now fugitives...
Then there's the whole "psychic vampire" thing.
I love this book.
Kait is a strong capable heroine who inspires loyalty and trust.
Gabriel becomes a more sympathetic character and Mr. Zetes true insidiousness is revealed
Followed by:
The PASSION (DARK VISIONS 3): THE PASSION

The possessed Dark visions
Living in england I have been trying to but this series, when I eventually bought this book I wasn't disappionted what a brillient series shame though that L.J. Smith hasn't continued writing romance horror and supernatual. I enjoyed reading the book and have read them several times.

great book
i thought his was the best of the dark visions trilogy by far.. which really is saying a lot because it is a great series. i love the friendship and attraction between kaitlyn and gabriel that develops in this book.. their chemistry kept me interested and in suspense to see who she picked. ... Read more

Product Description
Keller, a shapeshifter, has been chosen to protect a new Wild Power. When she's not a panther, Keller is a tough, no-nonsense 17-year-old. But she meets her match in Iliana Harman--a clueless blonde who may really be the legendary Witch Child. Will Keller get annoyed and kill her before she can convince her to join Circle Daybreak? And what about the dashing and romantic Galen? Keller is falling in love with him--but he's destined to be the Witch Child's soulmate. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (119)

Night World 9: Witchlight
Night World #9: Witchlight, by L. J. Smith

Wow. I couldn't stop turning the pages of this book last night, and ended up staying up late to finish it because I just *had* to know how it was going to end!

Keller is a shapeshifter; "Witchlight" is the only book in the Night World series to be told from a 'shifter's perspective. I wish at least another of the protagonists in the previous books had been a shapeshifter, as I enjoyed Keller's point of view so much.

Like all the girls before her, Keller is a kick ass, take no nonsense kind of main character. She's the boss of a small security team made up of herself, a vampire, and a witch. They belong to Circle Daybreak and have been tasked to protect the most recently identified Wild Power.

Iliana Harman is Keller's opposite in every way. She's soft-hearted, ditzy, immersed in her family, friends, and school life. She's never had to fight. But all that's about to change when Iliana is thought to be the lost Witch Child as well as a Wild Power. And as the Witch Child, she's been prophesied to marry the First Son of the House of Shapeshifters, to cement an alliance between the witches and 'shifters.

There's a lot going on in "Witchlight." The action is jam-packed and pretty nonstop, as Keller and her team try to protect Iliana, figure out how to fight an awakened dragon, and convince Iliana to accept her destiny. There's one big problem with the potential alliance though...Iliana's future husband is actually Keller's soulmate. It's quite a tangle, but provides Smith with opportunities for character growth. I really didn't care for Iliana at all when the novel started, but by the end I liked her.

I enjoyed "Witchlight" quite a bit, and I'm happy that I'm reading it now, when the sequel novel will finally be coming out. In 1998 Smith left her fans with quite a cliffhanger, and left them there for a decade. But "Strange Fate" is finally slated to be published in 2010 and I hope it is because now I'm rather anxious to find out how Smith will tie everything together that she's created over the course of the first 9 books.

4/5.

night world books
I fell in love with the nightworld books a long time ago, and
bought each one when it came out and reread them over and over
again. When I got the internet I looked for strange fate with no
luck, now supposedly there is. I reordered used copies of two books because I lost them. I'm looking forward to rereading the
series which I haven't done in ages because I've been so annoyed
I couldn't find out what happens next.I only hope that there is
a U.S. release of strange fate, I hope both the publisher and L.J.Smith realizes that not to do so will be unfair to all U.S.
readers who bought her books and have been waiting so long for
the concludsion. It would be like J.K. Rowling saying I'm only
going to release the last Harry Potter book in these places the
rest of you too bad, you don't get to find out. And we all know
that isn't happening to the potter books so why should a publisher do it to a series which have been popular in the united states do it to strange fate now? we deserve to know the ending, we have been waiting just as long as eveyone else to read
the final tale. I would preorder it in a second if I saw the title on the booksite for release. I only hope that it will be
availble to me here in the U.S..

Update on Strange Fate!
First off I must say that this was the first of Smith's books that I picked up, and I have read it many times since then. The latest news on Strange Fate is that Smith has almost finished it, and is planning to release it to publishers soon. She is also looking at editing the rest of the books in the series. No definite dates set, but let's stay hopeful!

The Best!
This book is one of the best!The magical way LJSmith wrote drawn me into a magical world.A twine of magic,adventure and romance,you can hardly put this book down after you started.And I have been reading the same book for like 10 times!You should also check out ALL her books.They will draw you into suspense...

Wonderful as usual
This latest story set in the Night World is L.J. Smith at her best.Galen, the hero isn't the usual tough guy.He's kind and sweet without ever being wimpy.Keller and Iliana are amazing characters as well, even if Iliana does start a little ditzy.You (or at least I) can't help but care about the characters and hope that somehow everything works out at the end.

The back of the book is slightly misleading - Galen is NOT destined to be the Iliana's soulmate - he's destined to be her husband.As those familiar with the Night World know, that's a big difference.For those who aren't familiar with the Night World this book probably isn't the one to start with.If you don't want to start all with the first book in the series (Secret Vampire), which is also absolutely amazing, you might want to try Huntress (book 7)as that's the book where the concept of Wild Powers and the end of the world is first explained. ... Read more

Product Description
Seeking revenge on the vampires who killed her mother, martial arts master Rashel Jordan rescues Daphne Childs from near death and is swept into the Night World Slave Trade, where she is evaluated by the irresistible Quinn. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (63)

Night World 5: The Chosen
Night World #5: The Chosen, by L. J. Smith

When she's 5 years old, Rashel sees her mother and her friend killed by a vampire. The vampire tries to get her as well, but even at 5 she's strong enough to resist his mind control. Fast forward twelve years and Rashel is a vampire hunter, existing on the fringes of the Day and the Night worlds, keeping humans safe.

Rashel is a very strong character, comfortable in her body and determined because of her past. She's a great fighter and has a sense of honor. When she and a group of vampire hunters capture a vampire, the others want to torture him, but Rashel can't stomach torturing a defenseless being, even if he is a vampire. So she decides to let him go...and then discovers he's her soulmate. To add to the mix, the vampire is Quinn, known throughout the Night World as one of the most soulless, human-hating vampires around.

While Rashel is one of my favorite Night World characters, I find the plot of this book a little weak. Rashel stumbles into a Night World slave trade of humans when she rescues a blonde bunny, but then Daphne, the girl she helps, is willing to risk her life to help Rashel take down the operation. The ending is very abrupt as well, without taking care of some loose ends that I would've liked to see resolved. But overall "The Chosen" fits very nicely into the Night World series, and uses the soulmate principle that ties all the books together very nicely. Rashel and Quinn are iconic of the opposites attract cliche, but it works for them and they grow over the short time period of the book. I really want to see more of them.

3/5.

"All anybody can do is try"
I just loved that message^^^ You'll get it from reading this book.

So Rashel Jordan becomes this vengeful vampire hunter after having lost her Mother to one of them at the young age of 5. John Quinn deemed himself a "monster" when he was turned into one during the colonial times, yet he chose to embrace that darkness completely from then on. And so you then put them together, and what do you get?? A real nice tale about discovery of self, justice, honor, and love.

It was a great, short read. I wished it was longer because I would have loved reading more on Rashel and Quinn; an epilogue would have been so nice. But of course they are part of a series where each book focuses on different characters.

When they surprisingly come together and learn they both have honor and are strong, and ESPECIALLY when they touch; you certainly learn that there are more to people and races than their labels or their reputations. I enjoyed seeing them process these revelations; seeing them come close to killing each other and what occurs instead. This story is about change, too. Change for the better when you are confronted with an opposite to you, or so you think.

This quote summed it up perfectly for me; "Under the white light that revealed their inner selves, it was clear that small differences like being vampire or human didn't matter. They were both just people...People who were stumbling through life trying to deal with the hurt." I absolutely enjoyed this coupling and with added twists here and there by the lovely LJS, this story was quite entertaining with a pacing that was swift and steady.

Enjoy it for yourselves :)

Before Vampire Academy, There Was The Chosen
The Chosen is the first Night World book that begins from the main character's point of view... at age five.It's Rashel Jordan's fifth birthday, and she's celebrating with her mother and best friend, Timmy, at an amusement park.But before the day is over she watches a vampire kill her mother, eat her best friend, and burn her aunt alive.

Years later we find our beautiful dark-haired, cat-eyed girl a sleek, dangerous, and prestigious vampire hunter.Rashel is The Cat, known for murdering vampires all along the East Coast.She joins up with the vigilante team, the Lancers, on a stake-out (pardon the pun), only to find herself fatally attracted to the vampire she's supposed to kill.

Quinn is legendary in his own right; a vampire dating back to the New England years, known to have a black heart and emotions colder than ice.He also happens to be a killer telepath and terribly dangerous, even to hardened vampire hunters.Imagine his surprise when he wakes up after tangoing with two hunters to find himself looking into the eyes of The Cat.

What follows is an intense hunt.Rashel, face cloaked by a scarf, allows Quinn to escape, tarnishing her reputation and even her own opinion of herself.She attempts to make up for it when she stumbles across Daphne Childs, a fluffy bunny of a girl on the run from supposed vampire slave traders.

Rashel is a deeply involving heroine.She's strong, tough, and always prepared.Despite how jaded she is, we see her helping others at the risk of her own life.She even goes head-to-head with Quinn, knowing his reputation.Quinn is just as fascinating.We saw a peek of him in Daughters of Darkness, but he really shines in this novel.His backstory is heartbreaking, moreso when he's betrayed near the end by one of the only people he trusts.

This is easily one of my top three for this series (and no specific location, as my three favorites are so for several different reasons).Even if you pass on the rest of the series, this is one you cannot let alone.

As night falls Rashel stalks the streets.....
looking for vampire scum! After a friend and family perish at the hands of an evil vampire Rashel whips herself into killer shape and goes on a rampage as she leads a double life...hunting vampires by night and attending school during the day! All is well for Rashell, kicking vampire butt at night until she crosses paths with a magnetic vampire named Quinn. Rashell finds herself foiling the kidnapping plan and letting Quinn go free!
Their paths then cross again when Rashel goes undercover at a Nightworld night club...
Quinn has no idea the beautiful green eyed girl he meets at the underground club is the same lethal vampire slayer he met that night he was ambushed and then set free by. A determined Rashell wants to be let into a nightworld slave trade and will use all her wiles to get Quinn to let her into the slave trade.
This book has an exsplosive ending! Astonishing secrets are revealed to both Quinn and Rashel. L.J. Smith is my top author and I also suggest Christopher Pike.

One of the Better Ones
As the fifth book in the Night World series, 'The Chosen' improves on all four of the previous books, drawing on deeper themes and ideas than the rest, and setting the scene for this continuing trend in the next book 'Soulmate'.
Rashel Jordan is only five years old when she witnesses her mother being killed and her younger brother Timmy being drunken from by a vampire. Because she's seen the killer and is telling others about what happened he comes after her when she stays at her Aunt Corinne's house, burning it to the ground. Rashel is alone in the world.
At seventeen years old, she is the bane of vampire-kind. Calling herself 'the Cat' she hunts and kills their kind in all of the major cities, and there is a large bounty on her head. At the time this story takes place Rashel goes to the Lancers, a human organisation for killing vampires and joins in with a small group who're watching a warehouse that has been lately occupied by vampires. Their goal is to catch a vampire and discover its reasons for being there - through torture if need be. Among the group is a young girl named Nyala whose sister was killed by a vampire. Yet when the vampire is caught and the others go to scout around, Rashel finds that to her horror she and the vampire - Quinn (last seen in Daughters of Darkness) are soulmates. Letting him go, Rashel finds that she is suddenly wanted by both sides of the fight - the vampires still have a bounty on her head, and the Lancers think she has defected to the other side.
And it doesn't end there. While on the run from both of them Rashel literally runs into a young girl Daphne Childs, who is one of the missing young girls of late. With her in tow Rashel has access to exactly what the vampires are up to. For unknown reasons - though Rashel suspects its the slave trade - girls are being abucted from a club known as the Black Iris by none other than Quinn himself. Rashel's mission is clear - get into the club, become one of these 'chosen' and thus get herself to one of the secret and hidden vampire enclaves. And she'll have to do it by herself...

As you can see, the premise is a fascinating one, and there is no shortage of interesting characters and ideas. Not all vampires are bad, not all humans are good so it would seem, and there are enough twists and turns, suspence and excitement to keep most people interested. It draws on things mentioned from the other books - the enclave is probably much like the ones Rowan, Kestrel and Jade escaped from in Daughters of Darkness, and the password that Rashel uses with the Lancers 'the night has a thousand eyes/and the day only one' is re-used in the prophesy in book seven. L. J. Smith extends more on her idea and the nature of the Night World than previously seen, and several characters pop up that will have appearences in other books - namely Hunter and Lily Redfern.
The 'mission' plot strand gives the book some focus (too often L. J. Smith's work rambles, changes, backtracks or doesn't know where its going) and the pace is fast and never dwindles.

However, there are a few flaws, the nature of which keeps this book from being a 'five-star' novel. The character of Nyala was a complicated and intriguing one - a girl who was slightly mentally unstable. I don't want to give too much away, but for those who have read the books, I felt that she should have perished in the fire. Okay, that's not very nice of me, but a good author should know when to destroy a character for greater impact in the book's progression. But no, L.J. Smith simply *had* to save her, didn't she. She just *had* to have yet another happy, cliche-ridden ending that is so prevailent in so many of her books. To have Nyala has a tragic figure would have been both poignant and heartbreaking - *that's* what we should have come away from the book feeling.
Secondly, Daphne Child's part in the book is pretty implausible. Let me get this straight - she manages to escape from the jaws of certain death and is saves by pure chance by Rashel. And when she is faced with what she got away with, she wants to...do it again? Huh? Yes, yes, she's very brave about going back to the Night Club and letting herself get kidnapped, but come on! - it was just plain stupid. No one in real life would ever do this to themselves. It was the same when Rashel was at the docks and she turned around to find all the girls still there - face it, they would have run like deer.
It also ended very abruptly - we don't know what is to become of Timmy, of the girls, of the enclave...it ends with simply the boat sailing back to the shore. I for one had many unanswered questions, and since each book tells of a totally different couple, they weren't to be found in the next book.
Finally, the use of the name 'Timmy', brought back Lassie flashbacks: 'Oh no, Timmy's down the well!' Unfortunatly this meant whenever Timmy turned up I was plauged by visions of him floudering in water.

All in all however, a good read. One of L.J.'s more suspenseful, darker works. Highly recommended in the context of the Night World series.

But 'Timmy'?... ... Read more