The Return: Shadow Souls Audiobook By L. J. Smith cover art

The Return: Shadow Souls

The Vampire Diaries

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The Return: Shadow Souls

By: L. J. Smith
Narrated by: Rebecca Mozo
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On the run....

Elena Gilbert's love, the vampire Stefan Salvatore, has been captured and imprisoned by demonic spirits who are wreaking havoc in Fell's Church. While her friends Bonnie and Meredith explore the evil that has taken over their town, Elena goes in search of Stefan.

In order to find him, she entrusts her life to Stefan's brother, Damon Salvatore, the handsome but deadly vampire who wants Elena, body and soul. Along with her childhood friend Matt, they set out for the slums of the Dark Dimension, where Stefan is being held captive. It is rumored to be a world where vampires and demons roam free, but humans must live enslaved to their supernatural masters.

Elena will stop at nothing to free Stefan. Yet with each passing day the tension between Elena and Damon grows, and she is faced with a terrible decision: Which brother does she really want?

Back in Fell's Church, Bonnie and Meredith have made some dire discoveries. They hastily try to follow Elena and warn her - only to be caught up in Elena's most dangerous adventure yet.

Bite into more Vampire Diaries.©2010 L.J. Smith (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers Fantasy Paranormal Vampires

Featured Article: Elena Gilbert—The Vampire Diaries Character Guide


Elena Gilbert is at the heart and soul of The Vampire Diaries series by author L. J. Smith. The novels follow her romances and dramas with the Salvatore brothers, Damon and Stefan. Both are vampires who were turned centuries earlier and find their way to Elena's hometown of Fells Church, VA. She is doppelgänger of the vampire who turned the Salvatore brothers nearly 500 years earlier—Katherine von Swartzchild. As the series unfolds, Elena finds herself being pulled between the two brothers.

Featured Article Elena Gilbert The Vampire Diaries Character Guide
Multidimensional Characters • Entertaining Series • Compelling Hero • Unpredictable Plot • Immersive Universe
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Cool story, but too long. The narration was irritating at times, but the story was still entertaining.

Entertaining story

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During these uncertain times, it's great to escape with a long book. This book is perfect for that. It's more out there than other titles thus far in the series but both the writing and the performance bring it to life.

Perfect escape book during COVID-19 pandemic

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I can't believe is it the same writer. Obviously, L.J. Smith has grown enormously as a writer. The characters are far more multi-dimensional and the plot is less predictable. World building is phenomenal. And I am officially kind of in love with Damon. Who would have thought!

When is Midnight coming out on audio book? I can't even imagine it without Rebecca Mozo's terrific narration.

This Trilogy is much better than original

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I loved how much time was put into Damon in this book. I do not understand why she is with Stefan. This book was one of my favorites in the series. I would reccommend it if you enjoy the television series vs. the books. This one felt like it was definitely influenced by the TV series.

Damon damon damon

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The dark demention is by far the coolest universe created by the Vampire Diaries. If you only listen/read one book of this highly entertaining series this is the one!

Best book of the series!

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O meed tp admit this is the best book of the serie. The beginning is annoying, but the plot is good. Of course is necesary ignore Elena, and all her romatic problms. Dmon is a good-bad guy, but as Always he need to do something stupid and change the story. The narrative is excelent,

Good story

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This a great book in the Vampire Diaries series. Can not wait until the next book is released.

Great Book

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I love this series! I'm a fan of the whole series & the show. The only thing that irritaed me in this series is some of the characters get on my nerves & make me mad :) The irritating characters in this series aren't as bad in the actual show. I recommend reading this series at least once. I've read it a couple of times.

Real Good

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seriously I don't want to know this much about Damon and honestly why, why, why Elana why??? is what I kept saying repeatedly throughout first half. Just so you know, I warned you hehe. But I was glued to it to know what happened to Bonnie, Meredith, Stephan, Mrs. flowers, Matt, and Fell's church, on the edge of my seat.

great....but...

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I'm vested. I have to finish the series, but I did it grudgingly. This book was better than the last several. I enjoyed the Dark Dimension and the focus on Damon.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I'm on Team Damon and Elena keeps refusing to make a decision. It's getting old.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Rebecca Mozo?

Yes, I thought she did an excellent job making the voices sound different.

Could you see The Return: Shadow Souls being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

God, no. We have The Vampire Diaries and Ian Somerhalder. All is right with the world.

Any additional comments?

Read Stephan's Diaries. They are actually terrific and they match up with the TV show.

Better

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