For eight seasons,Ā The Vampire DiariesĀ and the Elena, Stefan, Damon love triangle was a staple in my television programming. In full transparency, I didnāt give the show much thought when it first began to air, assuming it wasĀ TwilightĀ for television. Little did I know the series was a far cry from the initialĀ TwilightĀ vibes it had given me. My introduction to the series came in 2011. While preparing to film a location video for Rob Zombieās Halloween 2, I realized that The Vampire Diaries and Halloween 2 were both filmed in Covington, Georgia and while traveling to the quaint town I figured why not cover both productions within the video. Cut to a binge-watching session that covered three seasons, which then ultimately led to an incomparable love for the series and its two sequel series predecessorsĀ The OriginalsĀ andĀ Legacies. Naturally, reading the book series that inspired the television show was inevitable; however, I did have a little apprehension. Would it live up to my expectations? How dated would the novels be? And would the differences aggravate me? There was only one way to find out.
Published September 1, 1991, Volume One titledĀ The AwakeningĀ introduces the world to Elena Gilbert and her friends at the start of their senior year at Robert E. Lee High School. Elena is presented as a clichĆ© vapid mean girl who for sport is manipulative and self-centered. When the new guy Stefan Salvatore enrolls at Robert E. Lee High School, she sets her sights on becoming the object of his affection. Stefan is drawn to Elena; however, he tries to fight his gravitational pull towards her. Stefan is seen as mysterious and alluring himself; however, the students at Robert E. Lee High School have no idea that being a vampire who lived through the Italian Renaissance plays a huge part in his mystique. Stefan is also being hunted by Damon, his more dangerous brother who is seeking to cause Stefan pain and torment. Damon doesnāt appear much in the novel; however, a crow lingers around watching and stalking the teenagers of the town.
Among Elenaās core group of girlfriends are Bonnie a psychic, Meredith who is a human, very much in the same vein as Caroline from the show, Caroline who is more of a frenemy who thrives off being competitive with Elena, Matt, Elenaās ex-boyfriend, and Tyler Smallwood who is entitled stereotypical jock who gets off on being a complete sociopath.
While the book sets the same tone and atmosphere there are several major differences regarding the setting of the novel. In the television series, Mystic Falls, is the home of these cast of characters. In the novel the name of the town is Fellās Church. That said, Fellās Church does play a pivotal part in the television series. Presented as an actual church, Fells Church, once belonging to one of the townās founding families, the Fellās. That is until the townspeople torched the church to rid the town from a legion of vampires; however, they were unaware that a spell had been placed on the vampires to protect while also imprisoning them. In the television universe, The Founding Families play pivotal roles within the show; however, in the novel there is no mention of any of the founding families. Itās important to note that while each character does embody the spirit of their television counterparts, they, and their dynamics with one another are vastly different. This intrigued me because it presents somewhat of a mystery between characters that are already familiar to me. To name a few key differences Stefan and Matt are good friends within the novelās universe thus far. Matt is welcoming to Stefan and encourages him to join the football team. Vickie Bennett is also introduced to the reader, however, in the original material she and Matt are not related and instead of dating Tyler she is dating Tylerās best friend Dick Carter, whose name is absolutely fitting. Absent from the group of friends is Jeremy, Elenaās younger brother/cousin. Instead, we are introduced to Margaret Gilbert, Elenaās younger sister and Aunt Jenna is now Aunt Judith. Both Klaus and Katherine make appearances in the novel in flashback scenes and what I found amusing was the description of Katherine being kind and gentle. Personally, I think this will change as the stories progress; however, she is currently believed to be dead as she supposedly tied herself to a tree burning in the sunlight. In the novel Katherine is also not Elenaās doppelganger, however, they do favor one another.
The Salvatoreās are interesting characters. Brother vampires who have a bitter rivalry due to the influences of Kathrine the vampire that sired the two brothers. Surprisingly Kathrine is said to be kind; however, is believed to be dead, apparently killed by tying herself to a tree after she gave blood to both brothers. I have my doubts. This is The Vampire Diaries after all. Another quasi-similarity regarding the brothers, in particular Stefan, is the boarding house where he is currently residing. In the television series, the boarding house belongs to his family operated by Zach Salvatore. In the novel the boardinghouse is the home of an elderly lady by the name of Mrs. Flowers. As of now, sheās not mentioned to be related to the Salvatoreās but Iām suspicious of her.
One of the most terrifying and unexpected scenes in the novel takes place after the Homecoming Dance. After being crowned Homecoming Queen, Elena approaches Stefan hoping to gain his attention; however, Caroline, her frenemy sabotages all efforts. Annoyed, Elena decides to leave the dance with Tyler, Dick, and Vickie and go to the Fellās Church cemetery. After defacing several statues both Dick and Vickie separate from Elena and Tyler who then proceeds to sexually assault Elena. I understand that this book was written in the 90s; however, this story element needs to be retired. Mysteriously Stefan appears out of nowhere saving Elena and attacks Tyler.
The climax and conclusion of the novel takes place at Robert E. Lee High Schoolās Halloween Haunted house where a multitude of things happen. Like on the television show, Mr. Tanner is not only the history teacher, but also the football coach. He is assigned to work at the Haunted House playing the role of a bloody corpse to frighten visitors. While guiding a group through the maze of spookiness, Bonnie, realizes that Mr. Tanner isnāt acting. He has actually been murdered and left on display for the public to witness his mutilation. Stefan, who had been experiencing fugue-like states, questions if he was the one to do it and flees from the school. Elena tracks Stefan to the roof of the boarding house where she learns of Stefanās dark past and secret. This encounter is not only a turning point for Stefan but also for Elena as we see depth and growth in her character. Sheās no longer the shallow vapid girl we were introduced to; now sheās more complex and kindhearted. The two even share a bonding moment as Elena allows Stefan to drink her blood so that the two can become closer, which I personally find weird, but this is a young adult vampire story. We also become privy to the fact that Katherine sired both the Salvatoreās and wanted them to become her lovers. The brothers, however, demanded that she choose between them, which resulted in Katherineās ashes being found next to a tree in the garden. Again, Iām skeptical.
Like the television series, the novel ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader with a heavy heart and pondering whatās to come. After having a somewhat touching moment with Elena, Stefan goes to confront his brother Damon who has for most of the novel remained in the shadows. After their confrontation, which the reader doesnāt fully experience, Stefan goes missing and fearlessly Elena goes to confront the evil Salvatore brother to find Stefan. The question isā¦ what will it take for her to find him?
Reading The Vampire Diaries was an overall pleasant experience, which was truthfully surprising. I found the novel to be a compelling and quick read. The only qualm I have with the novel is the lack of diversity within its cast of characters; however, because I am so familiar with the lore of the show and the performers who brought said characters to life it wasnāt hard to envision them within the novel. Overall, this was a solid read. Now to continue reading the series and make an epic video visiting the filming locations while discussing the differences between the books and the series. Speaking of the background photo featured here was taken in Covington, Georgia at the filming location for the Mystic Grill. Earlier this year, my sisters and I traveled to Mystic Falls to have dinner before the Billie Eilish concert. They can be spotted in the background. Noteā¦ the food was absolutely delicious.
Books and Mischief 