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luxuryofsorrow's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
niki5055's review against another edition
adventurous
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
2.75
alexampersand's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this, and I think it's my favourite of the Buffy novels so far, simply because it felt the most like an episode.
For once, it didn't feel like the plot was being stretched with tangents and unnecessarily complicated tasks or historical demons or new side characters. Instead, a fairly simple vampire story, that develops into an interesting "trial" that incorporates some of the show's lore in a really fun way.
If anything, it felt like the book could have been longer - what felt like it should have been the bulk of the story actually only came into play in the last third of the book.
I did feel that the "banter" between Buffy and Angel in the opening rights was a little off, a bit too quick with the sarcastic deadpan responses to each other in a way that didn't feel natural between those two characters, but that didn't last for too long.
My only other criticism is that it felt like the Scooby Gang were severely underused, and for the most part their subplot did feel kind of unnecessary, and like it was only happening because the author felt they needed to include those characters.
But overall it was a really great, fun story, and one I could actually see myself reading again.
For once, it didn't feel like the plot was being stretched with tangents and unnecessarily complicated tasks or historical demons or new side characters. Instead, a fairly simple vampire story, that develops into an interesting "trial" that incorporates some of the show's lore in a really fun way.
If anything, it felt like the book could have been longer - what felt like it should have been the bulk of the story actually only came into play in the last third of the book.
I did feel that the "banter" between Buffy and Angel in the opening rights was a little off, a bit too quick with the sarcastic deadpan responses to each other in a way that didn't feel natural between those two characters, but that didn't last for too long.
My only other criticism is that it felt like the Scooby Gang were severely underused, and for the most part their subplot did feel kind of unnecessary, and like it was only happening because the author felt they needed to include those characters.
But overall it was a really great, fun story, and one I could actually see myself reading again.
fruitkate's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wyrmbergmalcolm's review
3.0
Buffy dusts twin vampires and has to answer to their vampire mum.
A pretty straightforward adventure that held no surprises that was an easy read. There wasn't much for the Scooby Gang to do so the focus was very much on the Slayer and the girl she's trying to save.
It was okay and more memorable than some of the other Buffy books I've read.
A pretty straightforward adventure that held no surprises that was an easy read. There wasn't much for the Scooby Gang to do so the focus was very much on the Slayer and the girl she's trying to save.
It was okay and more memorable than some of the other Buffy books I've read.
lmcox's review
2.0
This stayed so true to the nature of the early episodes. There was action, friendship, and beasties galore. Personally, I could have used more of the Scooby Gang supporting characters, because I miss their early innocence. Anyway, the plot is pretty standard: two Civil War-era vampires are preying on unladylike ladies and bringing them home to their mother for family dinners. Buffy and her mom are getting along remarkably well. Buffy kills the vamp boys and Mama demands justice from the Powers of Darkness, which forces Buffy to prove her love for her mother. It's a bit cheesy (but really, everything Buffy is kind of cheesy) and the writer uses a lot of crutches instead of finding legitimate humor, but I liked it well enough.
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