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trippyotter's review
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
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
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