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alexampersand's review
4.0
This book started off strong - honestly probably one of the strongest, if not THE strongest, Buffy novel I've read so far.
The first story was a really lovely and touching rumination on grief and processing trauma, and honestly did perfectly what the show manages to do, which is to combine fun supernatural with real-life issues.
Following this story, it seemed like we were headed for almost a mini 6-part season of Buffy; there was a recurring villain, but each story was also self-contained. There was also quite a nice split between having stories focused on the recurring villain in Sunnydale, and Buffy dealing with her own drama in LA. Unfortunately then the last two stories were set in Sunnydale but seemed to forget about the idea of the recurring villain, and instead were just two incredibly mediocre stories about Giles, Jenny and Angel forming some bizarre vigilante team.
So honestly, 5 stars for the first story, 4-and-a-bit stars for stories 2-4, and then 3 stars for the last two.
The first story was a really lovely and touching rumination on grief and processing trauma, and honestly did perfectly what the show manages to do, which is to combine fun supernatural with real-life issues.
Following this story, it seemed like we were headed for almost a mini 6-part season of Buffy; there was a recurring villain, but each story was also self-contained. There was also quite a nice split between having stories focused on the recurring villain in Sunnydale, and Buffy dealing with her own drama in LA. Unfortunately then the last two stories were set in Sunnydale but seemed to forget about the idea of the recurring villain, and instead were just two incredibly mediocre stories about Giles, Jenny and Angel forming some bizarre vigilante team.
So honestly, 5 stars for the first story, 4-and-a-bit stars for stories 2-4, and then 3 stars for the last two.
fruitkate's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
wyrmbergmalcolm's review
4.0
This short story collection takes place after Buffer gets better from being dead and goes to stay with her dad during the summer. Life goes on in Sunnydale, particularly the undead life, so the scooby gang do what they must to survive. Buffy also has to keep up her day job where she's staying.
I nice collection of stories that follows most of the main characters from season 1. A nice read, if not particularly meaty.
I nice collection of stories that follows most of the main characters from season 1. A nice read, if not particularly meaty.
ktothelau's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of the hate this book is receiving seem to come from a desire of expectations and the product of reality. No, this isn't an anthology of 6 fun short stories following a different character on the cover. Instead, this is more like 6 bonus episodes taking place between the first 2 seasons of the show.
Unfortunately, the execution could be a lot better.
The first story by Michelle West is absolutely brilliant and should be the prime example of how Buffy should work in prose. On-point dialogue, meaningful visual metaphors, and intertwining real-life themes of growing up (in this case, the aftermath of a parents' divorce). It's a shame this author didn't write a full Buffy novel, but I will definitely be checking out some of her original works.
The second story by Nancy Holder, an acclaimed Buffy author (but, seemingly, only when she pens with Christopher Golden), is easily the most forgettable story here. The idea is interesting (the disposing of the Master's bones from the season 1 finale), it solidifies the villain arc for this collection, but prose is rather bland. Whereas Michelle West effectively utilizes metaphors, Nancy Holder does not.
The third and fourth stories by Cameron Dokey have serious pacing issues. When each story runs for roughly 42 pages, waiting until the 20th page for the plot to finally be introduced is a drag. Though Dokey pushes the characters outside of the norm we see with the show's budget, it's all flat and meaningless for said characters. This is also where the collection loses focus on the arc that West and Holder built.
The fifth story by Yvonne Navarro would essentially be when the arc would pick back up and give the collection more meaning. Instead, it focuses on a more comedic story that also waits until halfway to get the plot moving. Easily the most pointless story here if having an arc was a focus.
The sixth and final story by Paul Ruditis reads like a good Buffy episode. Guessing from structure and attention to detail, it seems Ruditis has experience with writing mystery novels or shows. It's a strong and solid story, but has nothing to do with the arc and doesn't quite fit as an ending to a collection (more of the editor's fault than Ruditis. I'm definitely interested in seeing more work from him too).
For those of you wondering, the first and fourth stories are Buffy-centric and the rest follow Giles and Jenny with special guest appearances from Angel, Willow, and Xander (R.I.P. Cordelia fans. Even principal Snyder makes an appearance here). The first and last stories are definitely worth reading, but, overall, this collection is just okay.
Unfortunately, the execution could be a lot better.
The first story by Michelle West is absolutely brilliant and should be the prime example of how Buffy should work in prose. On-point dialogue, meaningful visual metaphors, and intertwining real-life themes of growing up (in this case, the aftermath of a parents' divorce). It's a shame this author didn't write a full Buffy novel, but I will definitely be checking out some of her original works.
The second story by Nancy Holder, an acclaimed Buffy author (but, seemingly, only when she pens with Christopher Golden), is easily the most forgettable story here. The idea is interesting (the disposing of the Master's bones from the season 1 finale), it solidifies the villain arc for this collection, but prose is rather bland. Whereas Michelle West effectively utilizes metaphors, Nancy Holder does not.
The third and fourth stories by Cameron Dokey have serious pacing issues. When each story runs for roughly 42 pages, waiting until the 20th page for the plot to finally be introduced is a drag. Though Dokey pushes the characters outside of the norm we see with the show's budget, it's all flat and meaningless for said characters. This is also where the collection loses focus on the arc that West and Holder built.
The fifth story by Yvonne Navarro would essentially be when the arc would pick back up and give the collection more meaning. Instead, it focuses on a more comedic story that also waits until halfway to get the plot moving. Easily the most pointless story here if having an arc was a focus.
The sixth and final story by Paul Ruditis reads like a good Buffy episode. Guessing from structure and attention to detail, it seems Ruditis has experience with writing mystery novels or shows. It's a strong and solid story, but has nothing to do with the arc and doesn't quite fit as an ending to a collection (more of the editor's fault than Ruditis. I'm definitely interested in seeing more work from him too).
For those of you wondering, the first and fourth stories are Buffy-centric and the rest follow Giles and Jenny with special guest appearances from Angel, Willow, and Xander (R.I.P. Cordelia fans. Even principal Snyder makes an appearance here). The first and last stories are definitely worth reading, but, overall, this collection is just okay.
magdalenahai's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Ensimmäinen Buffy-kirja, jonka olen lukenut. Oli ihan hauskaa ja nostalgista lukea, mitä sarjasta tutut hahmot tekivät kesälomalla ensimmäisen kauden tapahtumien jälkeen. Toisen kauden tapahtumien valossa Angelin, Gilesin ja Jennyn yhteistyö saa karmivan sävyn. Xanderin hahmo tuntuu entistäkin rasittavammalta, ja varsinkin uhoaminen Angelille lapselliselta ja pikkumaiselta. Hiton nice guy.
ideasoforder's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
A so-so entry in the Buffyverse canon which fills in the gap of what happened when Buffy goes to LA the summer after Season 1 of the series ends. A couple of the stories are very good, while others so very mediocre but all Buffy stories are fun reads so it was a good way to pass my own summer vacation.
dawniesummers's review
3.0
Dust by Michelle West 4 stars
Absalom Rising by Nancy Holder 3 stars
Looks Can Kill by Cameron Dokey 2 stars
No Place Like Home... by Cameron Dokey 3 stars
Uncle Dead and the Fourth of July by Yvonne Navarro 3 stars
The Show Must Go On by Paul Ruditis 3 stars
Absalom Rising by Nancy Holder 3 stars
Looks Can Kill by Cameron Dokey 2 stars
No Place Like Home... by Cameron Dokey 3 stars
Uncle Dead and the Fourth of July by Yvonne Navarro 3 stars
The Show Must Go On by Paul Ruditis 3 stars
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