Nichole (niki26) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
I have read a couple of books that kind of cross the line to an adult novel however,this is not one of those books. I picked this up after reading the Twilight sage and the House Of Night series thinking that I would enjoy this in the same way. I was very wrong. This is truly a novel for teens. I was so bored with this book. It was just so bland.
Lisa R. (alterlisa) -
Helpful Score: 8
This book while geared to YA was still a refreshing change. As a parent of YA, I constantly read this type of book, while still reading the more hard core paranormal romances. It contains the first three books in the Night World series. I personally enjoyed the first two more than the last one.The first two were about vampires while the last was about witches, who just happen to be cousins to the vamps. While not as exciting as the Twilight series, it managed to hold my attention enough to read over 700 pages in a weekend.
Donna G. (dsesweet1) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I read these books when they originally came out. I loved them then and I still love them now. They are a great read for young adults. They are tame compared to newer books, but they are still highly enjoyable.
Candace (cknecht23) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Night World book 1 is combined of the first 3 books to this series: The Secret Vampire, Daughters of Darkness, & Spellbinder.
-In The Secret Vampire Poppy North is ready for summer until something unexpected happens to her. She is diagnosed with terminal cancer. All of a sudden everything changes & her only hope for survival is her best friend James. Who is also her secret love. James is a secret vampire of the Night World but he is the only one to help Poppy & make her immortal. But first they must risk everything to go against the laws of the Night World.
-In the Daughters of Darkness there are 3 vampire sisters who are fugitives of the Night World because they left their isolated home to live with their aunt & to live among humans. Their brother Ash is sent to bring his sisters back but then there are some obstacles to overcome. He soon finds himself going against the laws of the Night World by falling in love with his sister's friend Mary-Lynette who is only human.
-Spellbinder is about 2 witch cousins who fight over their high school crush. This story has some twists to it & again Night World laws may be being broken. In spellbinder it is a battle of black magic & white magic.
This book was great & all three stories sucked me in so much that I had to go out and buy the next 2 books. I would suggest reading this book. So so good! In each story the characters co-inside with each other so I am ready to see where the next two trilogy books take these characters & I can't wait to read about new up coming characters.
-In The Secret Vampire Poppy North is ready for summer until something unexpected happens to her. She is diagnosed with terminal cancer. All of a sudden everything changes & her only hope for survival is her best friend James. Who is also her secret love. James is a secret vampire of the Night World but he is the only one to help Poppy & make her immortal. But first they must risk everything to go against the laws of the Night World.
-In the Daughters of Darkness there are 3 vampire sisters who are fugitives of the Night World because they left their isolated home to live with their aunt & to live among humans. Their brother Ash is sent to bring his sisters back but then there are some obstacles to overcome. He soon finds himself going against the laws of the Night World by falling in love with his sister's friend Mary-Lynette who is only human.
-Spellbinder is about 2 witch cousins who fight over their high school crush. This story has some twists to it & again Night World laws may be being broken. In spellbinder it is a battle of black magic & white magic.
This book was great & all three stories sucked me in so much that I had to go out and buy the next 2 books. I would suggest reading this book. So so good! In each story the characters co-inside with each other so I am ready to see where the next two trilogy books take these characters & I can't wait to read about new up coming characters.
April G. (imwickedvixen) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
The stories are ok but it is really more for young adults. The stories were a bit boring for me, but my niece read it and liked it she's 13.
nelliebly1025 -
Helpful Score: 4
Great series of books. All three books combine characters from the others so you can keep updated on what they are doing. If you like magic, vampires and romantic love (not sexual) these are great books.
Brycen E. (xyza) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This series is fairly morbid. Definitely for teens. No major naughty stuff. No major violence. Secret Vampire was kind of sad and covers the one what if story you wait for all vampire writers to hit. Very predictable. I gave my copy to my 15 year old niece when I was done. Its a good safe novel for that age range.
Patricia E. reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 122 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
These were pretty good stories. I just wish they were tied together more.
Michelle P. (plattfamily) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 37 more book reviews
Mom Review: 3 really great clean stories that all take place in the same "world". Its nice to see a clean teen read that is also a great read! I love L.J. Smith's literary Style! She really makes you feel for her characters.
this book is great. you have that surprise feeling of not knowing what's going to happen. it might be confusing in the beginning but later on you can catch on.
Marisa F. (bummy) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 10 more book reviews
Great book, three stories in one text. The plot revolves around witches and vampires and each of the three stories are connected in some way.
Caroline O. (cmoh) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 42 more book reviews
I was hesitant to read this book because I did not enjoy The Vampire Diaries. However I had heard that L.Js later works were better and this one was written many years after The Vampire Diaries.
I really enjoyed all 3 stories.
Secret Vampire 3 Stars. The development of this story was very good so too was the humans reactions to the Night World. My one problem with this story is that it has a rather abrupt ending. I wanted morebut that may be the Twilight Saga lover in me.
Daughters of Darkness 4 stars. This was my favorite. But unlike Secret Vampire the human reaction to the Night World was a bit unbelievable. However this story has the most diverse and well developed characters. The story also kept you guessing and when it was over Smith left it open enough to write more or not.
Spellbinder 3 stars. My least favorite of the three. I did not like the leading male character, his personality seemed to go against everything that Smith described that he was into (sports).
I really enjoyed all 3 stories.
Secret Vampire 3 Stars. The development of this story was very good so too was the humans reactions to the Night World. My one problem with this story is that it has a rather abrupt ending. I wanted morebut that may be the Twilight Saga lover in me.
Daughters of Darkness 4 stars. This was my favorite. But unlike Secret Vampire the human reaction to the Night World was a bit unbelievable. However this story has the most diverse and well developed characters. The story also kept you guessing and when it was over Smith left it open enough to write more or not.
Spellbinder 3 stars. My least favorite of the three. I did not like the leading male character, his personality seemed to go against everything that Smith described that he was into (sports).
Amanda F. (Scooby2) -
This is a nice clean book that brings together vampires, werewolves, magic, etc. I found the storyline to be interesting for all three stories and loved how the characters were all tied together in them. Always filling in gaps for the reader. This is a series for young adults and adults as well.
Erin S. (nantuckerin) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 158 more book reviews
As a reader, I really appreciate omnibus editions of books. It's great to get a lot of content in one purchase, especially when working through a meaty, multi-book series like L.J. Smith's Night World.
However, an omnibus can be problematic to review. Because the novels contained with in can vary greatly in content and quality. This is the problem I had with Night World, No. 1.
The Night World series details the lives of supernatural creatures that live in tandem (if not always in harmony) with humans, keeping their secret lives hidden from their human classmates, friends and in some cases, loves. This first edition highlights vampires, werewolves and witches in a series of three novels.
In the first book, Secret Vampire, heroine Poppy finds out she is dying of terminal cancer, and only joining her best friend James in his life as a vampire will save her. The second book, Daughters of Darkness, follows three sheltered vampire sisters as they try to make a new life for themselves in human society, solve the mystery of a relative's death and find love at the same time. And finally, Spellbinder tells the story of two witches -- cousins, but as close as sisters -- and how magic can complicate romance, friendship and family.
The first book was okay, but kind of lackluster when compared to L.J. Smith's Vampire Diaries books. The characters weren't very engaging except for Ash -- the bad-boy vampire that bears a strong similarity to Damon, the bad-boy vampire from Vampire Diaries. Ash makes a reappearance in Daughters of Darkness, where again he is one of the more interesting characters. His three sisters -- Jade, Kestral and Rowan -- take center stage in this book, and while they're all colorful and fun, the humans in the book are shallow and underdeveloped -- so the love stories fell flat for me, too.
I almost didn't finish the last book in the collection -- Spellbinder. I'm glad I did -- it was definitely the best story in the bunch. The main characters -- white witch Thea, and her dark Aphrodite-like cousin, Blaise -- are both well-written and complex. The main love story between Eric and Thea is rich in conflict, but also feels genuine. Unlike the surface romances Smith attempts in the first two books, this love story is compelling and really reeled me in. I loved the details about witchcraft and the history that Smith included in Spellbinder, and would definitely seek out books that continued the story of Thea, Eric and Blaise.
Overall, its important for fans of Smith's Vampire Diaries to understand that these are very different books. The vampire mythology is even different, which struck me as strange. But most importantly, the Night World stories read more like short stories than a continuous series. Characters from previous books make small appearances in other books (i.e., Ash is a minor character in Secret Vampire, but a major one in Daughters of Darkness -- likewise, Thea and Blaise appear briefly in Secret Vampire before their primary roles in Spellbinder) but the stories aren't really interconnected. Overall, though, if you enjoy paranormal romance, Night World is worth a look.
However, an omnibus can be problematic to review. Because the novels contained with in can vary greatly in content and quality. This is the problem I had with Night World, No. 1.
The Night World series details the lives of supernatural creatures that live in tandem (if not always in harmony) with humans, keeping their secret lives hidden from their human classmates, friends and in some cases, loves. This first edition highlights vampires, werewolves and witches in a series of three novels.
In the first book, Secret Vampire, heroine Poppy finds out she is dying of terminal cancer, and only joining her best friend James in his life as a vampire will save her. The second book, Daughters of Darkness, follows three sheltered vampire sisters as they try to make a new life for themselves in human society, solve the mystery of a relative's death and find love at the same time. And finally, Spellbinder tells the story of two witches -- cousins, but as close as sisters -- and how magic can complicate romance, friendship and family.
The first book was okay, but kind of lackluster when compared to L.J. Smith's Vampire Diaries books. The characters weren't very engaging except for Ash -- the bad-boy vampire that bears a strong similarity to Damon, the bad-boy vampire from Vampire Diaries. Ash makes a reappearance in Daughters of Darkness, where again he is one of the more interesting characters. His three sisters -- Jade, Kestral and Rowan -- take center stage in this book, and while they're all colorful and fun, the humans in the book are shallow and underdeveloped -- so the love stories fell flat for me, too.
I almost didn't finish the last book in the collection -- Spellbinder. I'm glad I did -- it was definitely the best story in the bunch. The main characters -- white witch Thea, and her dark Aphrodite-like cousin, Blaise -- are both well-written and complex. The main love story between Eric and Thea is rich in conflict, but also feels genuine. Unlike the surface romances Smith attempts in the first two books, this love story is compelling and really reeled me in. I loved the details about witchcraft and the history that Smith included in Spellbinder, and would definitely seek out books that continued the story of Thea, Eric and Blaise.
Overall, its important for fans of Smith's Vampire Diaries to understand that these are very different books. The vampire mythology is even different, which struck me as strange. But most importantly, the Night World stories read more like short stories than a continuous series. Characters from previous books make small appearances in other books (i.e., Ash is a minor character in Secret Vampire, but a major one in Daughters of Darkness -- likewise, Thea and Blaise appear briefly in Secret Vampire before their primary roles in Spellbinder) but the stories aren't really interconnected. Overall, though, if you enjoy paranormal romance, Night World is worth a look.
daedelys -
Secret Vampire
The story started out a little immature and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to continue with the story, but after a couple of chapters got much better. The character's aren't that well-developed, but since it's only a young adult story, I doubt the target audience would really notice. It's a nice, easy read that turned out to be worth finishing. I even preferred these lead characters to those in "Twilight" just because they don't whine all the time about how awful they perceive their lives to be.
Daughters of Darkness
I thought that this one was interesting, although there were definitely a couple of plot holes. (Since when is wood the only thing that can break a vamp's skin? I recall teeth and nails being used in the first book.) It was a little slow in regards to the relationship with Ash and Mary-Lynette so don't look for anything as involved as in the first book in the series. Overall, it was still a quick and pleasant read.
Spellbinder
Part of me had to laugh at the premise of this book. It seems that the series is made up of stories in which every book has paranormal characters who find humans for soulmates. This is a problem for all involved as the Night World culture forbids it's members to love humans. So, it borders on the "give me a break, this is getting old" plot hole because all the characters who've had it happen to them know each other. So, there's apparently an pandemic in the making.
Quite a bit of the first half of this is very 90210 in regards to teenagers being nasty when it comes to flirting and dealing with boys. Since it's a teen book, it's all very weak and generic, though, and isn't a full representation of how many teens really act.
Overall, the story was decent. It's a quick read and something different, but very much part of the pop-culture neutered vampires that have become very popular.
The story started out a little immature and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to continue with the story, but after a couple of chapters got much better. The character's aren't that well-developed, but since it's only a young adult story, I doubt the target audience would really notice. It's a nice, easy read that turned out to be worth finishing. I even preferred these lead characters to those in "Twilight" just because they don't whine all the time about how awful they perceive their lives to be.
Daughters of Darkness
I thought that this one was interesting, although there were definitely a couple of plot holes. (Since when is wood the only thing that can break a vamp's skin? I recall teeth and nails being used in the first book.) It was a little slow in regards to the relationship with Ash and Mary-Lynette so don't look for anything as involved as in the first book in the series. Overall, it was still a quick and pleasant read.
Spellbinder
Part of me had to laugh at the premise of this book. It seems that the series is made up of stories in which every book has paranormal characters who find humans for soulmates. This is a problem for all involved as the Night World culture forbids it's members to love humans. So, it borders on the "give me a break, this is getting old" plot hole because all the characters who've had it happen to them know each other. So, there's apparently an pandemic in the making.
Quite a bit of the first half of this is very 90210 in regards to teenagers being nasty when it comes to flirting and dealing with boys. Since it's a teen book, it's all very weak and generic, though, and isn't a full representation of how many teens really act.
Overall, the story was decent. It's a quick read and something different, but very much part of the pop-culture neutered vampires that have become very popular.
Patricia C. (flutterfly) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 27 more book reviews
it was a fairly good book.Liked the characters alot. This seriers was better than the vampire diaries but they are all good.
daedelys -
Secret Vampire
The story started out a little immature and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to continue with the story, but after a couple of chapters got much better. The character's aren't that well-developed, but since it's only a young adult story, I doubt the target audience would really notice. It's a nice, easy read that turned out to be worth finishing. I even preferred these lead characters to those in "Twilight" just because they don't whine all the time about how awful they perceive their lives to be.
Daughters of Darkness
I thought that this one was interesting, although there were definitely a couple of plot holes. (Since when is wood the only thing that can break a vamp's skin? I recall teeth and nails being used in the first book.) It was a little slow in regards to the relationship with Ash and Mary-Lynette so don't look for anything as involved as in the first book in the series. Overall, it was still a quick and pleasant read.
Spellbinder
Part of me had to laugh at the premise of this book. It seems that the series is made up of stories in which every book has paranormal characters who find humans for soulmates. This is a problem for all involved as the Night World culture forbids it's members to love humans. So, it borders on the "give me a break, this is getting old" plot hole because all the characters who've had it happen to them know each other. So, there's apparently an pandemic in the making.
Quite a bit of the first half of this is very 90210 in regards to teenagers being nasty when it comes to flirting and dealing with boys. Since it's a teen book, it's all very weak and generic, though, and isn't a full representation of how many teens really act.
Overall, the story was decent. It's a quick read and something different, but very much part of the pop-culture neutered vampires that have become very popular.
The story started out a little immature and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to continue with the story, but after a couple of chapters got much better. The character's aren't that well-developed, but since it's only a young adult story, I doubt the target audience would really notice. It's a nice, easy read that turned out to be worth finishing. I even preferred these lead characters to those in "Twilight" just because they don't whine all the time about how awful they perceive their lives to be.
Daughters of Darkness
I thought that this one was interesting, although there were definitely a couple of plot holes. (Since when is wood the only thing that can break a vamp's skin? I recall teeth and nails being used in the first book.) It was a little slow in regards to the relationship with Ash and Mary-Lynette so don't look for anything as involved as in the first book in the series. Overall, it was still a quick and pleasant read.
Spellbinder
Part of me had to laugh at the premise of this book. It seems that the series is made up of stories in which every book has paranormal characters who find humans for soulmates. This is a problem for all involved as the Night World culture forbids it's members to love humans. So, it borders on the "give me a break, this is getting old" plot hole because all the characters who've had it happen to them know each other. So, there's apparently an pandemic in the making.
Quite a bit of the first half of this is very 90210 in regards to teenagers being nasty when it comes to flirting and dealing with boys. Since it's a teen book, it's all very weak and generic, though, and isn't a full representation of how many teens really act.
Overall, the story was decent. It's a quick read and something different, but very much part of the pop-culture neutered vampires that have become very popular.
Danielle M. (mommahalo) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 24 more book reviews
A great read to relax to. Three books in one and all very interesting.
The night world has rules. Rule 1 you can't fall in love with a human. Rule 2 don't tell anyone about the night world. And through out this book those rules are broken and punishable by death.
The night world has rules. Rule 1 you can't fall in love with a human. Rule 2 don't tell anyone about the night world. And through out this book those rules are broken and punishable by death.
Virginia K. (Moo) -
Night World: Secret Vampire
The Night World isnt a place. Its the world of vampires, witches, and shapeshifters who live in the human worldby their own rules. And the first two rules of the Night World are simple: 1) Never tell any human about its existence, and 2) Never fall in love with a human.
Spunky, sassy Poppy has always been in the best of health. Until today, when she discovers that she has a rare disease, and only weeks to live. James, her best friend, and the coolest boy at school, is confronted with a frightening decision. He can make Poppy a vampire like him, or he can let her die. But telling Poppy about the Night World is almost as dangerous as letting her die of a human disease, for hes broken both of the Night Worlds rules, and fallen in love with her.
Night World: Daughters of Darkness
Mary-Lynnette, seventeen, loves to watch the stars from her Oregon backyard. Then one day, she thinks shes witnessed a murder through her telescope. Shes wrong: its only three vampire sisters burying their mysteriously-killed aunt. Mary-Lynnette, by the laws of the Night World, must become kin to the sisters or be sentenced to death: a sentence that seems to be sealed when their brother Ash appears. Gorgeous, lazy Ash has never dreamed that he could fall in love with a human, but it seems that Mary-Lynnette doesnt want him on any terms because of his lurid vampire past. Can a now-repentant Ash convince Mary-Lynnette to let him atone for his former sins and be his soulmate?
Night World: Spellbinder
Thea and Blaise are cousins, and witches, and as different as day and night. They even belong to different witch covens, Circle Twilight, for the not-so-wicked-witches and Circle Midnight for the real hellions. In fact, Granny Harman, the Witch Leader, often compares them to Hellewise and Maya, the sisters who were the mother of all witches and the very first vampire, respectively. But when Thea breaks the laws of the Night World and falls in love with Eric, an ordinary human boy, she has unexpectedly to rely on the whims of Blaise or both she and Eric are doomed. This is the book in which Circle Daybreak debuts...L.J. SMITH website
This was a interesting story to read, however it's a story for Teens to YA. I liked it, and it kept me entertained. I am interested enough to read the next book, Night World Vol. 2.
The Night World isnt a place. Its the world of vampires, witches, and shapeshifters who live in the human worldby their own rules. And the first two rules of the Night World are simple: 1) Never tell any human about its existence, and 2) Never fall in love with a human.
Spunky, sassy Poppy has always been in the best of health. Until today, when she discovers that she has a rare disease, and only weeks to live. James, her best friend, and the coolest boy at school, is confronted with a frightening decision. He can make Poppy a vampire like him, or he can let her die. But telling Poppy about the Night World is almost as dangerous as letting her die of a human disease, for hes broken both of the Night Worlds rules, and fallen in love with her.
Night World: Daughters of Darkness
Mary-Lynnette, seventeen, loves to watch the stars from her Oregon backyard. Then one day, she thinks shes witnessed a murder through her telescope. Shes wrong: its only three vampire sisters burying their mysteriously-killed aunt. Mary-Lynnette, by the laws of the Night World, must become kin to the sisters or be sentenced to death: a sentence that seems to be sealed when their brother Ash appears. Gorgeous, lazy Ash has never dreamed that he could fall in love with a human, but it seems that Mary-Lynnette doesnt want him on any terms because of his lurid vampire past. Can a now-repentant Ash convince Mary-Lynnette to let him atone for his former sins and be his soulmate?
Night World: Spellbinder
Thea and Blaise are cousins, and witches, and as different as day and night. They even belong to different witch covens, Circle Twilight, for the not-so-wicked-witches and Circle Midnight for the real hellions. In fact, Granny Harman, the Witch Leader, often compares them to Hellewise and Maya, the sisters who were the mother of all witches and the very first vampire, respectively. But when Thea breaks the laws of the Night World and falls in love with Eric, an ordinary human boy, she has unexpectedly to rely on the whims of Blaise or both she and Eric are doomed. This is the book in which Circle Daybreak debuts...L.J. SMITH website
This was a interesting story to read, however it's a story for Teens to YA. I liked it, and it kept me entertained. I am interested enough to read the next book, Night World Vol. 2.
Jennifer H. -
Loved Book 1 so much I dove into Book 2 and read it in almost 1 day.
Rebecca M. (RDragnstar79) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 4 more book reviews
Really enjoyed this book. If you like witches and vampires you will really like it
Kay K. (quaker) reviewed Night World, Vol 1: Secret Vampire / Daughters of Darkness / Spellbinder on + 123 more book reviews
I just finished this book and really enjoyed it, the first story "Secret Vampire" was my favorite, but the other 2 were very good too...
I unfortunatly cannot re-post my copy for someone else to enjoy though because once I got into the third story, the book literally fell apart!! the back of the book is fine but the pages came away from it and I ended up with like 4 sections, too bad the book wasn't put together as well as it was writen!
I unfortunatly cannot re-post my copy for someone else to enjoy though because once I got into the third story, the book literally fell apart!! the back of the book is fine but the pages came away from it and I ended up with like 4 sections, too bad the book wasn't put together as well as it was writen!
