Scan barcode
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This felt like a true tale for Spike. The dialogue of characters felt authentic to the point that I could hear the original actors in my head saying the lines. I loved the origin story of Ms. Edith (IYKYK), because her background was something I completely did not anticipate. From Angel and Buffy, I knew how Darla split away from Spike and Dru after the Boxer Rebellion, and the capers here provide a good foundation for details of that parting. I do wish they had different voice actors for at least the core 3 characters and them maybe one central narrator for the rest, because that would have felt more like the show. Spike needed to speak more "bloody hell"s and "sod off"s or even more cuss words in general to be more aligned with his attitude, but I guess that's the price of this prequel being written for teens. Fingers crossed we get a prequel later of Spike and Drusilla's time in Prague, because I'd really like to hear how "you nearly DIED in Prague." Speaking of Drusilla, Ritter even managed to capture her craziness and her visions as they were portrayed in the TV show. LOVE and appreciate that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Death
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, blood, death
"We're not the good guys. Do we look like good guys? We're the worse guys--the thoroughly awful guys who are so bad we make other bad guys look...stupid. And also bad women."
Bloody Fool for Love by William Ritter is a Spike prequel to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This was such a fun read! I have always loved BTVS and Spike, so it was wonderful to read more about him. This was a short and easy read that I definitely recommend to any Buffy fans.
We follow Spike, Drusilla, and Darla in London in 1901 after Angel has gotten his soul and abandoned them. Spike has just killed a Slayer and is feeling on top of the world until they get back to London and are pretty bored. Spike wants to give Dru everything he can to make her forget about Angel and focus more on him, so he plans a ridiculously stupid caper to steal a relic of finger that is supposed to help focus Dru's premonitions. As you would imagine, it all goes to hell (pun intended) when a demon syndicate interrupts and takes it for their boss, a Hastam demon.
We get a vampire/demon heist! As strange as it is to say about murderous vamps and demons, this was a lighthearted romp. Spike is impulsive and simpering for Dru, makes bad decisions and biting comments (pun intended again). I wouldn't say there is much substance, but we do get some nice full circle moments, and his relationship with Dru is quite sweet if a little sadistic. We even get to see a badass female werewolf and various interesting demons.
I may not love Spike's relationship with Buffy in the show, but he is an entertaining character and much better with Drusilla. Bring on more Buffy (Spike) stories!
"We're not the good guys. Do we look like good guys? We're the worse guys--the thoroughly awful guys who are so bad we make other bad guys look...stupid. And also bad women."
Bloody Fool for Love by William Ritter is a Spike prequel to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This was such a fun read! I have always loved BTVS and Spike, so it was wonderful to read more about him. This was a short and easy read that I definitely recommend to any Buffy fans.
We follow Spike, Drusilla, and Darla in London in 1901 after Angel has gotten his soul and abandoned them. Spike has just killed a Slayer and is feeling on top of the world until they get back to London and are pretty bored. Spike wants to give Dru everything he can to make her forget about Angel and focus more on him, so he plans a ridiculously stupid caper to steal a relic of finger that is supposed to help focus Dru's premonitions. As you would imagine, it all goes to hell (pun intended) when a demon syndicate interrupts and takes it for their boss, a Hastam demon.
We get a vampire/demon heist! As strange as it is to say about murderous vamps and demons, this was a lighthearted romp. Spike is impulsive and simpering for Dru, makes bad decisions and biting comments (pun intended again). I wouldn't say there is much substance, but we do get some nice full circle moments, and his relationship with Dru is quite sweet if a little sadistic. We even get to see a badass female werewolf and various interesting demons.
I may not love Spike's relationship with Buffy in the show, but he is an entertaining character and much better with Drusilla. Bring on more Buffy (Spike) stories!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
trippyotter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Abandonment, Violence, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have thoughts, but this book was thoroughly entertaining so it’s not all bad.
My problems with it all come from a very specific question: who is this book for?
It’s YA, but most teens haven’t heard much about Buffy, and even less have actually watched the show. While it aged better than other shows, it still feels very dated compared to today’s teen series.
It’s also definitely for Buffy fans. Casual viewers of the show wouldn’t get how this is supposed to tie into the Buffyverse. You have to know about Spike and Drusilla’s history to really get it.
And that’s what also ends up being a downside. I’m a fan of the bloody four. Like a huge fan. Drusilla is my absolute favourite character in Buffy and I feel this book doesn’t do her justice. Nor does it do Spike justice. The only character who felt well depicted for the time was Darla.
Spike felt very much like his s3-4 self, which isn’t at all the same as his late 1800-early 1900 self, and Dru had the same vibes as Buffy’s s2. Except that s2 Drusilla is frail and sick after almost being killed in Prague. 1900 Dru isn’t.
It’s all little details like this that made me wonder who this book was really destined for, and if it couldn’t have been an adult book instead. That would’ve allowed the author some room to explore Spike’s bloodthirst.
On the other hand, there is a myriad of Easter eggs only seasoned fans will get. Pretty much all the monster in this book have been mentioned or made an appearance in the show at some point. And the chaos demon was a nice touch, knowing what happens with Dru eventually. But my absolute favourite Easter egg was Miss Edith ! If anything, the book is worth it just for that side plot.
So yeah, not perfect and a little unsteady on the characterization, but I had a bloody good time reading it.
My problems with it all come from a very specific question: who is this book for?
It’s YA, but most teens haven’t heard much about Buffy, and even less have actually watched the show. While it aged better than other shows, it still feels very dated compared to today’s teen series.
It’s also definitely for Buffy fans. Casual viewers of the show wouldn’t get how this is supposed to tie into the Buffyverse. You have to know about Spike and Drusilla’s history to really get it.
And that’s what also ends up being a downside. I’m a fan of the bloody four. Like a huge fan. Drusilla is my absolute favourite character in Buffy and I feel this book doesn’t do her justice. Nor does it do Spike justice. The only character who felt well depicted for the time was Darla.
Spike felt very much like his s3-4 self, which isn’t at all the same as his late 1800-early 1900 self, and Dru had the same vibes as Buffy’s s2. Except that s2 Drusilla is frail and sick after almost being killed in Prague. 1900 Dru isn’t.
It’s all little details like this that made me wonder who this book was really destined for, and if it couldn’t have been an adult book instead. That would’ve allowed the author some room to explore Spike’s bloodthirst.
On the other hand, there is a myriad of Easter eggs only seasoned fans will get. Pretty much all the monster in this book have been mentioned or made an appearance in the show at some point. And the chaos demon was a nice touch, knowing what happens with Dru eventually. But my absolute favourite Easter egg was
So yeah, not perfect and a little unsteady on the characterization, but I had a bloody good time reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book really captured Spike's voice, and they picked the perfect time in Spike's life to set it right in the middle of a lot of changes and turmoil. I may have read the whole book in the actor's voices! It was light-hearted and fun. It also had good character development. I really hope there's a sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Gore
More...