REVIEW: PHANTOM by L. J. Smith

Title: Phantom

Author: L.J. Smith
Series: The Vampire Diaries: Hunters #1
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Library Physical copy
Pages: 416

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BLURB: The past is never far. . . .

Elena Gilbert and her friends saved Fell’s Church from evil spirits bent on destroying it, but the town’s freedom came at a price: Damon Salvatore’s life.

Damon’s death changes everything. He and his vampire brother, Stefan, had been locked in a vicious battle for Elena’s heart. Now that he’s gone, Elena and Stefan can finally be together. So why can’t Elena stop dreaming of Damon?As Elena’s feelings for Damon grow, a new darkness is brewing in Fell’s Church. Elena has been to hell and back, but this demon is like nothing she’s ever seen. Its only goal is to kill Elena and everyone she loves.

 

I have read all four original books of The Vampire Diaries as well as Damon's trilogy so obviously when I saw this in my library I just had to take it.

 

THE WORLD: The Fell's Church (original name of Mystic Falls) is now all good again after the damage inflicted by kitsune was erased. Therefore, Elena and her friends find themselves back in their little town that we are so familiar with. Plus, the ones that died during kitsune invasion are alive again, weird but great.

CHARACTERS: The main group still stays the same: Elena, Bonnie, Meredith, Stefan, Damon, Matt and now back Alaric. The interesting things that happens in this book is that grudging and jealous feels are overexposed due to the spell so all very lovable and good Elena suddenly is jealous of Bonnie for Damon's attention. Bonnie is jealous of Elena for her bond with Damon. Meredith is jealous of a young scientist who has an eye for Alaric and so on...this kind of jealousy ignites the anger and hate for each other which was truly fun to watch. But overall, the character did not change much. I really did miss the book characters, they are so much better. The only thing we don't have in the books is Caroline and that is the only lacking part because Caroline is TV show was pretty great (have not seen newest season tho).

LOVE: I think in books Elena and Stefan are set in stone and I love that very much. What I would love to see more of is Bonnie and Damon but hey, fingers crossed!

PLUS:  I miss the real Vampire Diaries, it is so much different from the TV show and reading this book made me remember why I felt in love with these characters in the first place. Very nostalgic!

MINUS: Again, I would really love to see Bonnie and Damon scenes again.

OVERALL: It was nice reading this story, do not think it is very special comparing to other ones but I will definitely pick next books in Hunters trilogy. TVD forever!

 

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