The Ripper

The cover:

If you didn't know this before, then here you go; this cover is created using the promo photo of season two of the hit TV series The Vampire Diaries . Yep, this is why this cover is gorgeous and I had no idea how beautiful Stefan's eyes are until now .

The storyline:

I am a huge fan of L.J. Smith's writing style although I recently knew that Stefan's Diaries aren't entirely written by her, but I still like it.

I have read the previous 3 books in the series and you can find my review of them on Goodreads .

Anyways, the story begins in a slow pace, everything is cool and Stefan finally has a new life in England with a family who trusts and loves him.

Then, along with Mr. Abbott, the man he works for, Stefan goes to the city side of England, London. While not 5 minutes in London, he hears the news of a serial killer named Jack The Ripper who's killing young girls in London with their throats slit. Of course, the first one he suspects is Damon.

And since we all know Stefan by now, if you read the previous one which you should before getting into this one, he decides to find his brother and stop him. Nothing is simple. He finds a nice girl whose working in a bar and saves her from her mean boss then he hunts Damon down.

When he finds him, things start getting ugly and the real action begins.

To sum things up, the ending is not happy but it is satisfying. If there's anything I adore about these books (Stefan's Diaries) is the way they end, it's amazing!

What I loved:

Things started slow and clean and then very fast we were in action! I love this type of writings and I love how clean her writing is, there's totally no cursing!! <333
The story was just awesome and surprisingly not over explaining things which was cool because it left some part for the imagination ^^ Although there are parts completely well described and explained which is needed in bloody scenes <3The characters. All of them, even Samuel.The mentioning of Klaus!! I can't wait to see him as a full character in a book although I think he was present in this one...There are only 19 chapters which perfect. I don't think the story would have been better it there were more.The ending and the epilogue.What I hated:Nothing!!!What I missed from the previous books:I missed Lexi. I'm a huge fan of hers, she's just a good friend.The characters:Stefan: He's been thru a lot and still found a way to be strong and caring. I keep hoping he'll think being a vampire is not a curse because you identify who you are or what you are in this case.Damon: Oh count DeSangue! I was completely blank in the first few chapters until Damon showed up! He adds this amazing scent and taste to the story. And when reading about him or him saying things, I totally picture Ian Somerhalder and think of how perfectly he suits the role ^^.

Violet: The poor girl who ended up.... well, you'll have to read to find out what happened to her but let me tell you that she loves Stefan as a friend and she really trusted him. I'm hoping to see her in The Asylum.

Samuel: I'm having mixing thoughts about him, but, could he be Klaus?! He seemed too vengeful for a misunderstanding with Damon.

Favorite quotes:

No matter what came, be it murderer, demon, or Damon, I was ready. – Chapter 2.

I followed her gaze, the sliver of the moon providing just enough light that I could see red letters written on the side of the building, each oxidized character standing out against the muted brick as if it were illuminated from behind by candlelight:

SALVATORE—I SHALL HAVE MY REVENGE. — Chapter 4.

I heard a rustle coming from the far end of the forest. I whirled around, half-expecting to see Klaus, ready for a fight. Nothing. — Chapter 6.

“See you in hell,” I murmured. To anyone else, it would be a curse. But for me, it was a promise. — Chapter 14.

But what I also felt was regret, anger, sorrow, and relief. It truly was as if a lifetime were passing before my eyes.

Or rather, both my lifetimes. — Chapter 18.

We didn't trust each other. We didn't like each other. But we were each other, reflecting our shadow, secret selves in the other's identity. — Epilogue.

And here is a wonderful quote from The Asylum excerpt:

“They could have run a better picture of me, at the very least. That illustration doesn't do me justice at all,” he said sulkily as he settled on the bench next to me and crumpled the paper up into a ball. Excerpt from The Asylum, coming January 17, 2012.

Conclusion:

It was a wonderful read and a great peek at the old Stefan who's now back in the TV series .