Vol. 2), The Struggle (The Vampire Diaries

The struggle picks up right where the first book left off. Elena angry with Damon confronting him about what he has done to his brother, Stefan. The town still realing from the deaths are pointing the finger at Stefan, not knowing about his older brother. Damon wants Elena for him self and makes it clear to Stefan that he will do anything to get her. The fight from the previous book left Stefan injured and missing.

Through-out this book Elena is finding pieces of her diary that was stolen from Bonnie's house. She thinks it is Damon's doing at first, but it is not. One of her once friends is behind the diary entries showing up. The friend is working with another student to try and get Stefan ran out of town.

Elena trying to protect Stefan from Damon and from being killed continues to keep secrets from him. She loves him and refuses to let him be killed because of the love that both brothers have for her. She will not let it turn into another Katherine situation. She tries to keep away from Damon, who continues to show up and worm his way into her life. He uses his powers over her at times.

Near the end of the book it is Damon who saves not only Elena but Stefan in return by stealing the Diary back that the person was going to read out loud. Her family is taking Damon's side for a love interest for Elena, but she refuses running off own her on. The book ends with Stefan going after Damon as a horrible snow/ice storm starts.

I cannot wait to read the next two in the conclusion of the main series. This book was a wonderful edition to the series and L.J. Smith has done it again at captivating the readers.

I'm really getting into The Vampire Diaries, despite my initial misgivings with The Awakening. I really like how this story is turning out. I like how all of the characters' motivation is so clear, at least it seems to be. I can't wait to find out what happens with Stephen, Damon and Elena. I'm also really enjoying Bonnie's ability. The evilness of Caroline and Tyler brings a normal problem to a supernatural situation and I felt that worked very well.

The Struggle had a better sense of finality than The Awakening. It feels like a full story, left slightly open-ended to allow for another book to follow. Instead of being separate books in a series, these books seem like all parts of the same book. I read this book immediately after The Awakening and it seems as though these books are best read one right after the other.

In the second book in the series, Elena and Stefan find themselves at the mercy of the powerful vampire Damon. Damon wants to destroy his brother and keep Elena for himself and there doesn't seem to be much they can do to stop him. Damon isn't the only danger though, Caroline, Elena's arch rival, wants to destroy Elena and she doesn't care if Stefan gets caught in the crossfire.
This series is still quite readable but it hasn't improved much since the first volume. Every time I find myself starting to like Elena she does something stupid or gets all weepy for no reason. Also, Elena and Stefan's supposed inability to fight back against anyone that is trying to hurt them is just frustrating and ridiculous. Another thing that keeps this series from being great is Damon, he's just not a very compelling villain. However, L. J. Smith's addictive writing makes this an entertaining, quick read and the series is still good despite it's flaws.

Well this would be the extremely rare case of the second book in the series was better than the first. I could actually feel the pull towards Damon in this book. Yes, he's dark and dangerous. But, there's something else there as well. You don't know what it is, you can just feel it. Stefan is the brooding vampire. He's the right choice (if a vampire can be a "right" choice). And Elena loves him, but can't stay away from Damon. And she was much more likeable in this on. Funny what love can do (even to people in stories). The ending wasn't what I was expecting. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one to see where this story goes!

Before Buffy and Angel lite up the tv screens spinning off book series there was L.J. Smith's series 'Vampire Diaries". This series was the first vampire books I ever read back when I was about 12. Ten years later, and heavy dog eared copies of the "Vampire Diaries" the story and plot is still fresh as ever, keeping me coming back again and again. If you love the paranormal, a bit of romance, adventure, two good looking vampires, and of course the age old struggle school politics then you'll love this book. Its a story that you wont soon forget.
In volume #2 "The Struggle" the heat intensifies as Damon and Stefen continue the struggle for Elena, one who looks very much like a woman they both loved long ago. Will she turn to either vampire or is there something sinister keeping watch to stop all three? It continues on to volume #3

Elena and Stefan are becoming closer and closer. And she's trying to avoid Damon. Anyways Caroline stole Elena's diary and is planning to read it at the Founder's Day Pagent because in it is evidence that Stefan was at the sight of the attacks that happened in Fell's Church. So they are plotting to get her diary back and Damon gets it for her. Anyway read what happens to Elena and the crew in this great book.

Vampire Diaries was a great series!! I didn't like how the last book in the series was going but it ended up great! The book starts with: girl meets hot vampire Stephen and his also very hot but evil brother Damon. She is in love with the kind hearted Stephen, but evil Damon wants her all to himself. She trys to stay away from Damon but no matter what she does he keeps finding ways to get to her to take her blood, slowly turning her into a vampire. She cannot tell Stephen what is going on because he is still weak from a horrific battle with Damon, and if she would tell him he would become so angry he would try to kill Damon and end up dying because he isn't strong enough to battle him again so soon. The whole series has a great plot, but I definitly recommend buying all the books before you start reading the series or you will be left hanging untill the next book. Trust me I know! I started reading the Awakening #1 in the Vampire Diaries series, and I had to end up waiting for two months to find the second book and another month to find the third and fourth book. I have read the series about 6 times since last year. L.J. Smith is a great writer, if you like the vampire diaries you should read the Secret Circle series and her Night World series.

The Struggle is a pleasant read, full of twists and mysteries, not to mention the radiance of a dead girl. Sadly, will it ALWAYS end with a cliffhanger? I usually aim for longer reviews, but I have nothing else to say.

I loved this series!!! This book especially. I read this book about 5 years ago and to this day, if you ask me to name my top favorite books The Struggle would be #1 followed by the other books of this "I could'nt put the book down, if I tried" series.
Elena is a sweet "I would do anything to help someone in need" type of a girl who's beauty is as captivating as her personality.
Apparently the Vampire Stefan and his brother Damon thinks so too. The story holds your eyes as Elena discovers she loves both men and has to choose between them.
Whew!!!! there is so much more to this story and so little space to say it...but then again I'd hate to ruin this book for anyone interested in buying it.....But Hey if you are into vampire novels with a huge heaping of passion and romance....BUY THE BOOK!!!!!!

Out of all the series thatI read, I honestly have to say that this is the best series I have ever read. It' got everything a book needs: good atmosphere, lively(or unlively) characters, love, excitement, and the list goes on and on. L.J Smith is truly a great writer and I recommend all of her books.

My 11 year old daughter is hooked on vampires but some of the books out there are just too mature for her so I heard about this series and thought I would read it first to be sure it wasn't too dirty for a young girl. I really enjoyed it and so did she. We are hooked to this series.

I just started and finished reading this book and oh how I love it!L.J. Smith does such a wonderful job making you feel like your actually there.I especially loved the chemistry between Elena and Stefan,you could somehow feel what they had for each other.I especially LOVED the ending because it made me want to buy the next one to find out what happens.I'm just a beginner in reading stories by L.J.Smith and I already want MORE.I'd reccommend this book to anyone.Once you start reading it,you can't put the book down.Trust me.I know.

L.J. Smith once again draws readers into the world of the love triangle between Elena, the beautiful girl of Fell's Church, and the two seductive vampire brothers that fall in love with her. Anyone who picks this book up will not be able to put it down. It lures readers into the world Smith creates and leaves them craving more. What will happen to Elena? Will she overcome the darkness that threatens to destroy her or will she triumph through her love of Stefan?

Love this book so much especially the series what an amazing series and I love how the author puts so Mich detail about the characters it an amazing series so thank you L.J Smith for making this wonderful series

It was an amazing book full of romance with biting involved. When Damon appears his enterance always gives me the chills. Well that's just me. Elena practically gets what ever she wants when she wants it. And her friends know it. Read the book to see what I love about it.

I just finished reading The Struggle. It is the second book in The Vampire Diaries series. It is written by L.J. Smith. It takes place in a small town called Mystic Falls.

The Struggle is about Elena and Stephan trying to keep Damon from harming them and their loved ones. They are also struggling to prove Stephan's innocence to the town. A majority of the town thinks that he is responsible for attacks that happened in the town since he arrived. Elena's diary also gets stolen. She and her friends set out to find who stole it before they try to use it against her and Stephan.

The storyline is really awesome once you get past all the teeny bopper stuff. Considering the target audience for this series is teens though, I am not using that as an insult. I think this is a very suspenseful book and series that keeps you wanting to turn the pages. I really enjoy watching the characters in this series as their personalities alter. Some for the best and some for the worst. I am fully intending to read the rest of this series. I even look forward to it!