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khackett's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sariahsharp's review against another edition
2.0
My review for this second book of the Vampire Diaries is really no different than the first. Easy to read, bad writing, no depth of character or plot.
Yet I'm still reading the series. I know. I guess I just keep hoping it will get better.
The story is just a continuation of the first book. There's no real cut off between books (now I know why they have published the first two into one book and the second two into one book). It's like the author wrote all four books as one, but decided teenagers couldn't handle that many pages so she split it up according to number of chapters or something.
Yet I'm still reading the series. I know. I guess I just keep hoping it will get better.
The story is just a continuation of the first book. There's no real cut off between books (now I know why they have published the first two into one book and the second two into one book). It's like the author wrote all four books as one, but decided teenagers couldn't handle that many pages so she split it up according to number of chapters or something.
maries_bookverse's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
5 Stars ⭐️—Vampires and Drama
Okay, okay, The Struggle is definitely better than the first book in The Vampire Diaries series. I mean, it had to be, right? The cat’s out of the bag, so we’re not wasting any time pretending that no one knows about the whole “vampire” thing. And can we talk about Damon? The scenes with him? Sparkling. Not just because of his obvious bad-boy charm (though that helps), but also because… is it just me, or do Damon and Elena have WAY more chemistry than Elena and Stefan? I’m not saying Stefan isn’t a total brooding heartthrob, but the tension between Elena and Damon? Fire.
But it’s not just about the love triangle (though let’s be real, it’s mostly about the love triangle). More actually happens in this book. There’s more drama at school, more intrigue, more everything—and it’s the kind of tension that makes you want to stay up late turning pages, even when you know you have a busy day ahead. That gothic, mysterious vibe that oozes from every page? I’m here for it. Every. Single. Time.
It’s not high art, but it sure is fun. And I’m definitely not mad about it.
Okay, okay, The Struggle is definitely better than the first book in The Vampire Diaries series. I mean, it had to be, right? The cat’s out of the bag, so we’re not wasting any time pretending that no one knows about the whole “vampire” thing. And can we talk about Damon? The scenes with him? Sparkling. Not just because of his obvious bad-boy charm (though that helps), but also because… is it just me, or do Damon and Elena have WAY more chemistry than Elena and Stefan? I’m not saying Stefan isn’t a total brooding heartthrob, but the tension between Elena and Damon? Fire.
But it’s not just about the love triangle (though let’s be real, it’s mostly about the love triangle). More actually happens in this book. There’s more drama at school, more intrigue, more everything—and it’s the kind of tension that makes you want to stay up late turning pages, even when you know you have a busy day ahead. That gothic, mysterious vibe that oozes from every page? I’m here for it. Every. Single. Time.
It’s not high art, but it sure is fun. And I’m definitely not mad about it.
libraryofpearl's review against another edition
2.0
Not a particularly exciting second intallment, but the brilliant TV show forced me to continue reading!
jemmma4's review against another edition
3.0
The Struggle was much better than The Awakening. Yes Elena is still an annoying teenager but the inclusion of Damon's character, like in the t.v. series, is the icing that makes this book worth reading. He is an evil creature but you can't help but be intrigued by him. The best part of this book was likely the last five chapters. It made it worth at least reading once, will I reread it? Not likely.