The Awakening
The clearest entry point to Smith's best-known series and central supernatural-romance style.
Author guide
L. J. Smith Books in Order
Lisa Jane Smith (1958–2025) was an American young-adult author best known for The Vampire Diaries, Night World, The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Dark Visions, and the Wildworld books.
young adultfantasyhorrorromancescience fiction
Not sure where to begin?
Start with one of these
Secret Vampire
The opening Night World novel and the best introduction to that wider paranormal setting.
The Hunter
The opening of a complete, fast-paced supernatural-romance trilogy.
Read in order
Books by series
series · incomplete
Wildworld
A middle-grade fantasy series about the Hodges-Bradley children and the magical Wildworld.
series · incomplete
The Vampire Diaries
The main Vampire Diaries universe, including Smith's original sequence, The Return trilogy, and the alternate Evensong continuation.
- 1 The AwakeningAmazon ↗
Book 1 · novel · 1991
- 2
The StruggleAmazon ↗Book 2 · novel · 1991
- 3
The FuryAmazon ↗Book 3 · novel · 1991
- 4
Dark ReunionAmazon ↗Book 4 · novel · 1992
- 5
NightfallAmazon ↗Book 5 · novel · 2009
- 6
Shadow SoulsAmazon ↗Book 6 · novel · 2010
- 7
MidnightAmazon ↗Book 7 · novel · 2011
- 8
Paradise LostAmazon ↗Book 8 · novella · 2014
- 9
The War of RosesAmazon ↗Book 9 · novella · 2014
- 10
An Untold Tale: Elena's ChristmasAmazon ↗Book companion · short_story · 2010
- 11
Dinner DisasterAmazon ↗Book companion · short_story · 2010
- 12 Matt and Elena: First DateAmazon ↗
Book companion · short_story · 2010
- 13 Matt and Elena: Tenth Date on Wickery PondAmazon ↗
Book companion · short_story · 2010
- 14 Damon and Elena: TumbleweedsAmazon ↗
Book companion · short_story · 2011
- 15
After HoursAmazon ↗Book companion · short_story · 2011
subseries · complete
The Vampire Diaries: Original Series
The original four-volume Vampire Diaries sequence.
subseries · complete
The Vampire Diaries: The Return
The three-volume continuation written by Smith after the original quartet.
subseries · incomplete
The Vampire Diaries: Evensong
Smith's alternate, Kindle Worlds continuation after Midnight.
series · complete
The Secret Circle
A trilogy about witches, coven politics, friendship, and forbidden love in New Salem.
series · complete
The Forbidden Game
A dark fantasy trilogy about Jenny and Julian's deadly game in the Shadow Lands.
series · complete
Dark Visions
A trilogy about psychic abilities, danger, and romance surrounding the Institute.
series · incomplete
Night World
An interconnected paranormal series about vampires, witches, shapeshifters, soulmates, and the approaching apocalypse.
- 1 Secret VampireAmazon ↗
Book 1 · novel · 1996
- 2
Daughters of DarknessAmazon ↗Book 2 · novel · 1996
- 3
SpellbinderAmazon ↗Book 3 · novel · 1996
- 4
Dark AngelAmazon ↗Book 4 · novel · 1996
- 5
The ChosenAmazon ↗Book 5 · novel · 1997
- 6
SoulmateAmazon ↗Book 6 · novel · 1997
- 7
HuntressAmazon ↗Book 7 · novel · 1997
- 8
Black DawnAmazon ↗Book 8 · novel · 1997
- 9
WitchlightAmazon ↗Book 9 · novel · 1998
- 10
Night World: The Ultimate Fan GuideAmazon ↗Book companion · nonfiction · 2009
- 11 Brionwy's LullabyAmazon ↗
Book companion · short_story
- 12
Thicker Than WaterAmazon ↗Book companion · short_story
- 13
Ash and Mary-Lynnette: Those Who Favor FireAmazon ↗Book companion · short_story
- 14 Jez and Morgead's Night OutAmazon ↗
Book companion · short_story
- 15 Poppy and Phil and JamesAmazon ↗
Book companion · short_story
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Short fiction (1)
- The TreesAmazon ↗
short_story