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snoopydoo77's review
4.0
*I received a free copy from the publisher and chose to leave a voluntary review. Thank you!*
As a big Buffy fan I was super excited to be able to read this ARC. And having it finished, I must say that it is a must read for any Buffy fan out there.
Even people not knowing about Buffy will enjoy this book, it gives you enough background to know what is going on.
This book throws you right back into the Buffy Universe and starts off a few months where Buffy ended.
We meet Nina, who is a future watcher or should be, but after the events in Buffy those are slim and everything changed.
It is clear early on that Nina is a not a fan of Buffy and dislikes anything and everything about her. While we never really “meet” Buffy in person we hear plenty of her from Nina.
Nina is a super complex who has too many things against her without being the choses one, But once it is clear that she also is a Slayer, and not just any Slayer but the last Slayer. things get even harder for her.
After her father’s death things are complicated between her and her mom and its only getting worse. The only one she can rely on is her twin sister…… but nothing is ever so easy.
It is clear, early on that everyone is keeping secrets from each other but soon things starting to unravel and it is only a matter of time before everything and everyone will be exposed.
Of course Nina is right in the middle of everything and must deal with it. But she soon doesn’t know who to trust. To make matters worse she must accept that she might be becoming the very thing she hates… a Slayer .
I really enjoyed this book. The book started out at a slower pace and is a bit of a slow burn but well worth it. The last 25% are just jam-packed with action and plot twists you didn’t see coming. The whole book is fun and has some pretty funny moments, it had a bit of a Vampire Academy feeling to it as well.
The end had me super excited for the next book. I can’t wait to see what is in store and how it all will work out.
I rate it 4 ★ but just because it was a bit on the slower side in the beginning.
pawspagesandpurrs's review
4.0
I'm a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer so when I heard this book was coming, I knew I had to get my hands on it one way or another. I haven't read any ofseason 8 or the following in comic book but I know enough about season 8 to understand that this story follows pretty closely after its event. Athena (Nina) lives in a new Watcher Academy where she's training to be a healer. Unbeknownst to her and her surroundings, she's been chosen before magic disappeared from the world completely. She's the last Slayer ever. Unprepared, she's awkward and a bit whiny, mainly complaining about Buffy. She's a bit helpless and so relies on her sister and her friends a lot but she learns to trust herself more. Following her transition into this strong and powerful girl is really fun. At times, it felt a bit rushed but Slayers... you know... She's got an awesome sister and a Scooby Gang of her own. And I loved the diversity in this book, too.
As for the overall plot, I thought it was nicely done. Again there were things that were happening that went a little bit fast. Kinda like "blink and you'll miss it" kinda deal but otherwise, the story was pretty easy to follow. The ending is jammed packed with action and certain things are predictable while others are surprising. Then again, there are things happening through the book that made me go "ooooh, that explains a lot". I really liked this book and I definitely need a physical copy of this as I feel I'll get it even more than just listneing to it.
This was my first Kiersten White novel and it didn't disappointed. I'm looking forward to the second book, Chosen, and I can't wait to read any of her other books. If you loved the movie and the show, the whole universe, I definitely recommend it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
ec_newman's review
4.0
hthrfy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bottledchaos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
moth_dance's review against another edition
4.0
Exciting new lore & characters. Quality fan service moments. Compelling plot.
I gladly took my time with this one. And I'm going to take my time with the sequel and all Buffy books in this series to follow.
knod78's review
5.0
I loved this book. I loved the references to not only the show, but also to the movie. I loved that we got a world into the Watchers. We have always seen them come and go, but we never really knew where they came from or their relations. This book takes place after all of the slayers are activated, magic is dead, all hellmouths closed. This shows the Watchers council and who’s left and what they are doing. They have an academy. Giles has mentioned it before, but there were no details before. One more slayer is activated as magic goes buh bye. I also loved that some of the characters are children of famous people from the show and/or movie.
I loved that even I was surprised at the end of certain developments. I definitely guessed one of them, but not the big one. I did get very annoyed with the twin characters and the whining. So much whining, especially about Buffy. But one of them finally got her act together once she tapped into the slayer power. My favorite scene is the one on the roof with a certain famous slayer talking, Both of them needing the other without knowing each other.
If you are expecting the wit of Whedon, you won’t find it in this book. However, she doesn’t try to explosive diarrhea all over relationships and love like Whedon famously loves to do. But you get something akin to it, just different. You also probably won't like this book if you are not experienced with Buffyverse. There are too many references and storylines without details that you just won't get until it's too late. If you are a fan of Buffyverse, you will love this book. You probably will be annoyed (especially at the twins) and confused and anxious at first and then you will be staked in the heart with how much you are in it. You will be finishing with all the feels: tears, happy, excitement for things to come, anger, and maybe even love. I can’t wait for more books.
marieintheraw's review
1.0
brianne_k's review
2.0
*2/5*
Welcome to Shancoom, where there is a hidden castle with what is left of the Watchers thanks to Buffy - yes that Buffy.
Twins Athena 'Nina' and Artemis have grown up with the Watchers, with Artemis having been trained to be one, and Athena is the castle medic. The girls are very close. Artemis has always looked out for Nina, until one day something happens at the castle and Nina surprisingly jumps in and saves the day. It turns out that Nina is a slayer - and not only that, she is the last slayer. Ever. This book follows the Watchers learning what Nina is, how it was hidden from them, and how Nina handles this new change of life that she never wanted.
This book takes place after The Buffy t.v. show, and some of the comics. The events that happens in those, relates directly to the plot of this book and you can tell that Kiersten White took take care and love with this universe. You can really tell she is a fan of the series.
Nina, a 16 year old girl, definitely reads a little young to me, and makes some questionable decisions.
Leo is her watcher, and I enjoyed him. Honoura is not my favourite, neither was Artemis but I am interested to see where their storylines are going.
My favourites were Rhys, Cillian, and the demon Doug.
There is a very cute m/m relationship. That was my favourite relationship of the book.
There is a f/f relationship that still needs to grow on me (just because I don't love the characters involved..)
There is a side plot with a hunter, and the reveal to that did shock me.
I think I will be continuing with this series.