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dembury's review
4.0
Before anything else I HAVE to say that the two aspects that would have elevated this book to a full 5-stars would be:
1- Katz not writing the entire thing like it was one big gossip piece for "People" magazine. It was SO gossipy and name-drop-y that I had to read in small chunks to not get annoyed with the writing style. He also lets a incredible amount of his personal bias pour into the book; it would have been much stronger writing if he had been able to set aside his many, many, MANY, MANYYYY opinions on "Buffy" and just focus on research instead.
2- Editing. There is literally no reason there should just be PARAGRAPHS of word-for-for dialogue from the show slapped onto the page. When recapping all 7 seasons, Katz would have been better off just taking smaller pieces and examining them rather than dumping half an episode's script on the reader.
Okay, that aside: this was actually a decent look at both "Buffy" the show, Buffy the character, and "Buffy"/Buffy's long-lasting legacy. Katz did a strong job of examining these things in different (albeit biased) lights, from the writing to the fashion, the actors to the controversies. I especially enjoyed how there were plenty of interviews with not just cast members but also "Buffy" fans, researchers, podcasters, etc. It offered up a very genuine and heartfelt look at the show, one that I think fans both old and new would enjoy reading!
1- Katz not writing the entire thing like it was one big gossip piece for "People" magazine. It was SO gossipy and name-drop-y that I had to read in small chunks to not get annoyed with the writing style. He also lets a incredible amount of his personal bias pour into the book; it would have been much stronger writing if he had been able to set aside his many, many, MANY, MANYYYY opinions on "Buffy" and just focus on research instead.
2- Editing. There is literally no reason there should just be PARAGRAPHS of word-for-for dialogue from the show slapped onto the page. When recapping all 7 seasons, Katz would have been better off just taking smaller pieces and examining them rather than dumping half an episode's script on the reader.
Okay, that aside: this was actually a decent look at both "Buffy" the show, Buffy the character, and "Buffy"/Buffy's long-lasting legacy. Katz did a strong job of examining these things in different (albeit biased) lights, from the writing to the fashion, the actors to the controversies. I especially enjoyed how there were plenty of interviews with not just cast members but also "Buffy" fans, researchers, podcasters, etc. It offered up a very genuine and heartfelt look at the show, one that I think fans both old and new would enjoy reading!
caramar's review
4.0
When it comes to shows I really love, like this one, I'm into digging deep into the story and hearing all that happened behind the scenes as well. Overall, I thought this book did a pretty good job covering that, but I ended up giving it only four stars because it seemed like Joss Whedon's character (or lack thereof) was always lingering in every chapter. I felt like it kind of took away from what the author was trying to do, which was celebrate the show that means so much to many people, including myself. I know it's important to talk about the creator of a show, especially someone as involved as he was, but he already had his own chapter so maybe that could have been enough.
I listened to this as an audiobook and I would totally recommend it. It felt more like listening to a podcast with a bunch of audio clips from the show, and I had a lot of fun experiencing it that way.
I listened to this as an audiobook and I would totally recommend it. It felt more like listening to a podcast with a bunch of audio clips from the show, and I had a lot of fun experiencing it that way.
mckenziemartines's review against another edition
1.0
My love for the show still couldn’t make this book halfway decent. Would not read again.
buer's review
emotional
funny
informative
slow-paced
5.0
This is a great collection of essays about beloved 90s television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its cultural impact, and some of the controversies surrounding the show.
Katz was the perfect person to take on this project. His devotion to the show combined with strong journalistic instincts (and yet heavily mitigated by his desire to be respectful of actors' boundaries) makes for a delightful, heavily researched piece of work.
Katz was the perfect person to take on this project. His devotion to the show combined with strong journalistic instincts (and yet heavily mitigated by his desire to be respectful of actors' boundaries) makes for a delightful, heavily researched piece of work.
pbraue13's review
5.0
This book is a wonderful love letter to "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as a franchise and as a fandom. Evan Ross Katz really pulls no punches and is able to examine the journey of the show and its creative team in such a loving and nonjudgmental way (which is great considering the recent allegations against Joss Whedon and some of the other actors' own personal issues that became public paparazzi fodder). He never once really places blame on anyone (especially since certain people neglected to/didn't give interviews to confirm or deny anything) and is candid about all the wonderful interviews he was able to achieve for this book. He lays the facts as they are. As a book by a journalist he covers all his bases and does so very well. He goes through the show season by season, showing the development of the series and the series highs and lows, injecting his own humor and opinions on the series in the best and most engaging way. After his blow by blow of the series itself he examines it from various cultural perspectives from seeing Buffy as a queer icon (and the show as a queer show) to the way race is (or rather isn't explored) in the series. As someone who has just recently gotten into the series, I can totally see why this show means so much to people. Especially, gay men. Especially, after reading this book. I also love the way it explores the tricky portrayals of race in the series, as Ross puts it quoting Iatropoulos and Woodall, "A relative lack of characters of color doesn't mean that race doesn't exist. It just means the effect of race and racism are harder to see and understand, and that what may be presented as 'normal' and 'neutral' is actually socially constructed, often in harmful ways that are invisible to those with power to define what 'normal' and 'neutral' are". I recommend it for anyone who is a "Buffy" fan, a newcomer to the series, someone who has always been interested in the series, etc. it is wonderful. Also if you don't want to be spoiled watch the series first! Then read!
atleastelise's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I have such a deep love for Buffy, and I’m proud to be within the family that is the Buffy Fandom.
This book made me laugh out loud, tear up and yell what the fuck — so you know it’s a good one. I really enjoyed that this was part memoir, part oral history from cast members and crew, super informative from media journalists and reporters and also contain fan input. Such a unique set up for a book & perfect read during my current rewatch.
LONG LIVE BUFFY SUMMERS!
This book made me laugh out loud, tear up and yell what the fuck — so you know it’s a good one. I really enjoyed that this was part memoir, part oral history from cast members and crew, super informative from media journalists and reporters and also contain fan input. Such a unique set up for a book & perfect read during my current rewatch.
LONG LIVE BUFFY SUMMERS!
isabelladematteo's review
5.0
Evan totally has my heart. To get to read a book written from a queer lens about my favorite show of all time? What could be better! Quick read and insightful.
babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I really loved hearing from the cast and getting further context about the show and behind the scenes. I really didn't care for the author's narrative voice at all. The level of parasocial relationships he espoused and his superfan mentality didn't do it for me personally, but to each their own. Really glad this book came out after 2021 and major kudos to Charisma Carpenter.