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mbray341's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
aliciaceasar's review
5.0
Big Bad by Lilly Anderson is a novel that takes place in the world of Buffy, if everything was bad and monsters roamed the streets and the sun never came up. In this alternate reality, Sunnydale has been rechristened as Demondale. We are following our main characters as they try to stop the Big Bad from destroying their world. However, in this reality, the Big Bad is Buffy and the ragtag team we are following is a group of villains from the show.
As a long time Buffy super fan (I literally have a child named after a character), I am so picky about the Buffy books I pick up. This one seemed unique enough so I thought I would give it a try and I am so glad I did! This was just different enough to not feel like a copy and paste from the show but it felt similar enough that it was believable that it actually could have been an episode. In other Buffy books, it feels like the author tries to make the characters really different and it ruins it for me because these are characters I love. Even the ones I hate, I love because they just all mean so much to me.
I love the idea of following the bad guys as they are looking for Buffy. In particular, we are following two of the nerds, Jonathan and Andrew, Anya, Angelus, Spike, and Drusilla. I thought the banter between everyone was spot on. The only one who I didn’t really feel a lot from was Angelus and that is just because he felt a lot like Angel to me. I loved seeing so many characters that I grew up watching make cameos in this story. Some of them played bigger parts than others but every just reading some of the names was nice. I have such nostalgic memories of this show and this book really took me back.
That being said, if you are not a big Buffy fan, this is not the book for you. The author doesn’t waste time explaining a lot of character backstory. You get a little bit but it’s more meant as a refresher for fans than for someone new to the universe. I think it’s very clear that the author is a huge fan and I really appreciate that. So if you like Buffy and want to read something that feels like you are back in that world but also feels very fresh, check this book out.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a long time Buffy super fan (I literally have a child named after a character), I am so picky about the Buffy books I pick up. This one seemed unique enough so I thought I would give it a try and I am so glad I did! This was just different enough to not feel like a copy and paste from the show but it felt similar enough that it was believable that it actually could have been an episode. In other Buffy books, it feels like the author tries to make the characters really different and it ruins it for me because these are characters I love. Even the ones I hate, I love because they just all mean so much to me.
I love the idea of following the bad guys as they are looking for Buffy. In particular, we are following two of the nerds, Jonathan and Andrew, Anya, Angelus, Spike, and Drusilla. I thought the banter between everyone was spot on. The only one who I didn’t really feel a lot from was Angelus and that is just because he felt a lot like Angel to me. I loved seeing so many characters that I grew up watching make cameos in this story. Some of them played bigger parts than others but every just reading some of the names was nice. I have such nostalgic memories of this show and this book really took me back.
That being said, if you are not a big Buffy fan, this is not the book for you. The author doesn’t waste time explaining a lot of character backstory. You get a little bit but it’s more meant as a refresher for fans than for someone new to the universe. I think it’s very clear that the author is a huge fan and I really appreciate that. So if you like Buffy and want to read something that feels like you are back in that world but also feels very fresh, check this book out.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
graywild's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Basically this is an episode of Buffy in book form. I am a huge fan so I knew all the characters. If you are not a hug fan you can still enjoy the book but you might not understand any backstories. This book is set in an alternate universal. Sunnydale has become Demondale now that the Mayor installed a sun shield and it is dark all the time. Story revolves around Anya, Spike and Angelus (here an evil vampire). There are a few alternate universes that reference some famous Buffy episode. I enjoyed it but basically a beach read. Recommend for Buffy fans.
billies_not_so_secret_diary's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Big Bad
by Lily Anderson
YA Fantasy Paranormal Fan Fiction
NetGalley ARC
An alternate reality where, in Sunnydale, now named Demondale, California, the sun is blocked by a shade and is a safe haven for all 'hell spawned' creatures, vampires, demons, etc.
There was an accident when a slayer, “Buffy”, portals in, interrupting the ritual three humans were performing. After, two of those humans went to track down a vengeance demon for a wish...
In this book, the Buffy fans get to meet their beloved Buffy characters with different personalities, and there are a lot of references to the 90s that the target audience, YA, may not get. I did because I grew up in the 90s. Yes, I watched the movie a few times, no I didn't watch the series or anything else to do with it. Maybe if I had, I would've enjoyed the book.
It was boring. That previous sentence was pretty much how the book was written. Straight, to the point without any real descriptions. The plot/blurb was interesting and it got my curiosity going, but the characters were flat; they were all whiny teenagers, including the monsters, and I didn't really care for a single one of them. There were a few attempts at blood baths, but there was only minor dripping or splattering of blood. Any other kinds of goo would've added to the event.
I probably skimmed fifty percent of this book because there was nothing of substance. I pushed through it, hoping for some kind of action, or a shock would jar me, but no. But I can say that there were some one-liners that made me snicker.
1 Star
_morgueann's review
5.0
BIG BAD is a love letter to the infinite possibilities of the Buffyverse. Set in Demondale - the first demon-friendly town under a sun shield - BIG BAD exists in an alternate universe where all our favorite characters shine. "This whole thing feels like a reunion no one asked for" but it is the reunion we need.
Lily Anderson is an ideal author for authorized Buffy books. Anderson's YA novels capture the high school (or maybe humanity?) is hell vibe. Her work embodies the pith, pain & power of adolescence & the female plight of being burdened as chosen.
Lily Anderson is an ideal author for authorized Buffy books. Anderson's YA novels capture the high school (or maybe humanity?) is hell vibe. Her work embodies the pith, pain & power of adolescence & the female plight of being burdened as chosen.
asporkthief's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Torture
cdubiel's review
5.0
I'm so glad I found this book (thanks to one of my fellow GalleyChatters on Twitter). BTVS has had a place in my heart since I discovered it in college (it was in its seventh season, but of course I went back and watched everything). The alternate-universe episodes were some of my favorites, and this book is basically an entire alternate universe. In Demondale, the Mayor won the battle at the high school, and evil has taken over. The sun is blocked out so vampires can roam free, and most humans have fled, leaving the vamps to feast on victims who volunteer their blood. The Slayer is bouncing from world to world through portals, trying to get to her home dimension of Sunnydale. In this book, she is the Big Bad, and the heroes are the villains from the show. The reader is torn between wanting them to win and wanting Buffy to succeed. This book is for the fans. So many familiar characters appear, and the show's fun banter is pitch-perfect. It's a perfect throwback. So if you haven't seen the show, go watch it and then read this book.
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