Reading Book Two of the very popular Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diary was a lot of fun. The Vampire Diaries have been a staple since they came out on television here in Australia on Channel Go! and something that is regularly on my TiVo. The Vampire Diaries deal with the town of Mystic Falls that is awash with supernatural activity and primarily the love triangle of sorts that take place between two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore and a local human Elena Gilbert who has more than a slight passing resemblance to a love interest that the brothers both had before and after they were made into vampires.

Stefan's Diaries takes us away from the present and deals more with the extreme past that the brothers have had, about the time of the civil war when they were newly turned vampires in Mystic Falls. The gentle Damon and vicious Stefan are chased from their town when their secret is revealed, and they make their way to New Orleans seeking  refuge and a way to live among humans.

The city was meant to be a haven where the brother's could finally feel safe and fit in amongst all the other oddities of New Orleans, but of course nothing is as it seems and they find themselves in a dangerous town where they are not the only vampires. Some humans are also aware of who they are and will do what they can to have a vampire as their possession.

It is a weird experience reading this series now. I read the original diaries that inspired the television series before I saw my first episode, however Stefan's Diaries are based on the television series and read differently as a result. The book is a very easy read with only two to three hours needed to chew through it. The language is not at all challenging and the general feel is that you are reading a TV episode, which I guess you are!

There seemed to be a lot more depth and emotion in Smith's earlier works, and I would guess that is because there had to be back then before everyone had seen Elena, Stefan and Damon portrayed on the small screen. Now we have preconceived notions of what they all look like so little time is spent describing them. We are given little ups and downs throughout the book that keep you interested, and without giving anything away, it is in this book that we also start to see the fracturing of the relationship of the brothers Salvatore begin in earnest.

I enjoyed this book for what it is; an easy read with nothing really there to challenge me. It was the perfect book to read in a hammock over two beautiful summer days and escape briefly into the lives of Stefan and Damon Salvatore as fledgling vampires and soak in the smells and textures of old world New Orleans. It's a good book for people who enjoy their vampire tales that rock along at a fast pace, and of course for fans of the show who want to know more about what their favourite characters are thinking than what the TV series can tell you.

If you have not seen the show at all, I would strongly suggest that you purchase book one of this tale also in order to understand the characters more.

Good Reading!