Reviews

Night of the Living Rerun by Arthur Byron Cover

nytr's review

This would probably be a fine read if I had read it in 1998 or was new to the series, but as someone who feels like they know these characters by heart, hardly anything about this feels genuine. I’m aware that it’s not the fault of the writer. The series hadn’t been out long when it was written, so they never had time to know the characters so well. This one is totally a “me” problem.

labunnywtf's review

1.0

Read for Book Roast's Magical Readathon: NEWTs Exams. Subject: Charms, O Level. (Paperback)

I feel like instead of reviewing this book, I should just provide links to good pieces of fanfiction.

Because that's the only reason to read these books, really. I collect them, but have a tendency not to read them. I'm like those people who collect barbies "for their kids" then never take them out of the box.

I am not saying my books are in good condition. This book was published 15 years ago, after all.

Anyway, not the point. This book is set during season 1, and it feels like it was written when the first season was still airing. As in, no one knew what these characters were supposed to sound like.

Because in which of the many Buffy universes would Giles ever use the term "stalkerazzi"?

The rest of the characterization is even worse. Seriously, it's just agony to read.

Not to mention, a large portion of this book is told with flashbacks to the Salem Witch Trials. Characters that are rapidly recognized from The Crucible.

And yet, the dialogue is very much 1990s as opposed to 1600's. Soooooooooo. We again return to shitty writing style.

So bad. Exactly what I would expect from a Buffy novelization but hadn't stumbled upon before. Sad.

36 books in 31 days: Book 10

desiree_mcl's review

3.0

3 stars.

Overall this was better than Halloween Rain but not as good as Coyote Moon (both season 1 set novels).

I really enjoyed the reincarnation aspect, it was something that I liked in the movie (even though I didn't like that each one looked like Kristy Swanson) and wished there had been something like that, at least a little bit, in the show. I also liked that

Spoiler

it wasn't really a reincarnation of Samantha Kane (or the other spirits) but instead it was the right time for these spirits to inhabit the bodies.

One thing that I had issues with was how Samantha Kane acted in front of others. I think it would have been better for her to act like an average woman of the time in front of everybody but then at night or when there's no one around then become the badass slayer that she was. Seeing her be that strong and open about her abilities, in that time especially, just rubbed me the wrong way. Plus I think it's better to keep up the act of normalcy when you're the slayer so they won't, I don't know, think you too are communing with the devil/The Despised One/etc.

I got tired of the constant usage of the name 'The Despised One'. There was a section in the book where it seemed like that name was everywhere.

I thought it was interesting that Xander got the spirit of Sarah in him and I liked that he was a part of it, instead of being the one kind of off to the side.

Spoiler

I liked the issue of the reporter catching everyone in the library. It was an interesting aspect of the story and it added a real world problem that Buffy was worried about and had to deal with. Also liked the film in the camera was exposed later on during a confrontation between Buffy and the possessed reporter.

I didn't like that this was the second book to feature zombies. From what I remember of the show we only got a massive grouping of zombies once, in Dead Man's Party, (there have been a couple episodes with zombies before and after DMP but it's usually only 1 or a small group that is risen) so reading two books (Halloween Rain is the other) in a row that have zombies coming to get Buffy was boring.

anastasiaadamov's review

2.0

I was not pleased at how the characters behaved and were very far apart from characters in the TV show. I just could not get past that. Also the zombies made no sense...

rebekah_ann's review

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious 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

2.75

halcyon_rising's review against another edition

3.0

Herhaling van het Verleden is een kort, vlot lezend boek dat te maken heeft met evenementen die 300 jaar in het verleden ook al plaatsvonden in Salem, Massachusetts. Buffy, Giles en Xander beginnen te dromen over de Doder, Waker en een heks die in het verleden leefden, tesamen met nog andere figuren. Deze figuren hadden als doel de Meester proberen te bevrijden, en dat hebben ze nu ook weer.

Ik denk dat je het al ziet aankomen... Dat is zowat het hele verhaal.

Er zijn wel enkele leuke momenten in het boek ingewerkt, zoals bijvoorbeeld Buffy die achtervolgd wordt door zombies, maar in het algemeen is de rating van het boek dat het 'oké' is, maar niet veel speciaals. Halloween (Rain) was beter.

Toch veel leesgenot!

PS: Dit boek had ik al op 11 of 11 juni 2010 gelezen, maar GoodReads heeft besloten om de datum te deleten na het toevoegen van de nieuwe leesdatum. Dankjewel, GoodReads!

chucks_library's review

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Do you like the dreams that are actually memories from a past life? Do you like zombies and Salem witch trials? This book is the perfect blend of all that plus a sprinkling of Buffy season 1 humour. These books are great easy reads and fit perfectly into the Buffyverse. It feels like we are getting some special episodes as they are written so well. Ending was quick but these books are less than 200 pages so they get to the point quickly. If you love Buffy then these books are great.

briarsreviews's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.0

Back to Buffy!

I read this book after Coyote Moon which was a HIT for me. This book didn't hold up as strong as Coyote Moon did but I still enjoyed it. The Salem Witch Trial angle was super interesting but did have me wondering what the lore of the Buffy universe really is. Now crazy dreams on top of vampires and werewolves? This whole paranormal universe is insane.

Regardless, this story was easy to read and engaging. I think if I knew more about the Buffy-verse by watching the television show that I would get more out of it.

Three out of five stars.

wombat_88's review

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-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

3.0

moonystwin's review

adventurous 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