Buffy Book Club #1: Reviews and Discussion!

[The Second Evil]

How I Survived My Summer Vacation Volume. 1

Members of the Buffy book club!

Reading time is up and it’s time to discuss and review what you’ve read. If you haven’t finished yet, you still have a bit of time, so don’t worry. I’ve put together a comprehensive format for reviewing this book that hopefully should be helpful for when you review it. And for each story’s mini-review I have posted a mini reminder as to what the storyline was should you be a little blurry on the details.

Feel free to write as much or as little as you like and I urge you to comment on what other people have said. We want this to be a success so let’s all be active in our commenting and reviewing. Don’t be put off by the amount I have written in my review! Write however much you feel necessary, and just remember for the next book since it will be probably just one story and one author we won’t need to write as much But most of all, enjoy.

The Stories

Please write six short reviews for the book, one for each story.

Dust by Michelle West

Buffy continually sees the death of everyone she touches while she heads out to LA to spend summer vacation with her dad. She must come to terms with her own death before the deaths of others will disappear from her mind.

Absalom Rising by Nancy Holder

Absalom tries to get a hold of the Master's bones from Giles who has them kept in his house.

Looks Can Kill by Cameron Dokey

A shapeshifter comes to town and Giles, Angel and Jenny must figure out how to deal with it before it gets to the Slayer.

No Place Like... by Cameron Dokey

While shopping in LA Buffy runs into a fortune-teller who tells her that she's the warrior sent to free the spirit of her dead child. Buffy must solve the mystery of the daughter's death and why her spirit isn't free.

Uncle Dead and the Fourth of July by Yvonne Navarro

A newly risen vampire raises the war veteran General Sam from the grave. General Sam, crazy and still sure that World War II rages on, decides to seize Sunnydale since he believes it has been infiltrated by the enemy. Giles, Jenny and Angel must stop the General and his legion of zombie followers.

The Show Must Go On by Paul Ruditis

Willow and Xander are running a play at the local theater and little do they know but the stage crew are actually all vampires who have a love for Shakespeare. After several deaths in a Shakespearian fashion, Giles, Jenny and Angel decide to remove the vampire threat on the night of the play.

Overall Impressions of the Book.

This is where you voice your overall feelings on the book and your thoughts on it’s style and concept ect.

Time Frame.

What did you think of the time frame? Too much? Too little? Just right?

The Next Book.

Which Buffy/Angel book would you like to read next?

Thoughts on the bookclub.

Do you like how reviewing was presented? Did you enjoy your experience? Are you looking forward to the next one? Improvements?

Score/10

What you would give the book /10

[The Second Evil]

My Review.

The Stories

Dust by Michelle West

I actually thought this was quite a weak start to the book. I enjoyed the scene at the beginning with the Annointed One watching Buffy and her friends go the dance and I believe the idea of forseeing someone’s death with a touch was a good one, but it just didn’t play out too well. There wasn’t much Buffy could do with her problem and every line of the story felt it had to reference back to Buffy’s death.

On the flip-side though, I loved the scene with Buffy and Amber when she discovers she’s a vampire. It made for a kick ass fight scene and injected some well needed action. I also enjoyed how well Michelle West portrayed the awkwardness between Buffy and her Father, aswell as Joyce’s dithering and frantic rallying around before her daughter went away. I did enjoy this story but it seemed for the most part a bit of a slow and uneventful for the start of the book.

Absalom Rising by Nancy Holder

Now this one was more like it! Usually I’m not a fan of Holder’s work because she always feels the need to make things more apocalyptic and dramatic than they are, but this one was ace. The creepy vibe that the scoobies felt around the bones and the Master’s arm grabbing Jenny by the throat was awesome. It gave a chilling feel to the story and made for some great atmosphere. And I felt because of it being a short story, it paved way for Nancy Holder to focus on only a few events and make use of her descriptive talent rather than plain storytelling. This was definitely one of the best in the anthology and I thoroughly enjoyed the action scenes.

Looks Can Kill by Cameron Dokey

A complex and ambitious undertaking but the writer pulled it off very successfully. The concept of the shapeshifter was intriguing and meant I read this story in one sitting. I found it entertaining and enjoyable to watch Angel/Jenny/Giles working together and I actually loved their group dynamic and chemistry. It’s too bad we never saw more of it in the series but luckily enough we got to see more in the fifth and sixth story.

No Place Like... by Cameron Dokey

While there were a little too many ‘I died, yada yada’ references in this, it was pretty good. The bruja was a good idea and I enjoyed watching Buffy play dectective as she got the scoop on her history in the church. The generally creepy story and description made for another atmospheric story. Although I felt the idea of just putting a candle on top of someone’s grave and them coming back to earth immediately a bit silly. I found it a little boring but not a bad story overall. I just wasn’t feeling it… did anyone else find that with this story?

Uncle Dead and the Fourth of July by Yvonne Navarro

These last two stories really were the best. I enjoyed reading Jenny’s attempts to americanise Giles so much, and smiled to myself several times as I read his unwilling and unenthusiastic comments towards the parade. I always like a good Zombie story, so this was fun, although a little far fetched. The reference to the Mayor and Alan Finch was a good one and a nice nod to their future appearances in the series. The climax to this story was particuarly thrilling and interesting to read. And yet another example of how much I love the Giles/Angel/Jenny team dynamic.

The Show Must Go On by Paul Ruditis

It was good to see Xander and Willow getting a role in one of the stories again, even though I would’ve been quite contented with just Giles/Angel/Jenny. The horrific murder scene at the start was excellently described and set up a lot of tension and interest for me. This was another of the stories that I read in just one sitting. In fact, the only thing I didn’t like about the story was how obvious it was that the vampires would be working in the theater company. I enjoyed the divide-and-conquer method of dealing with the vamps, and the deaths were imaginative and creative.

Overall Impressions of the Book.

I thought this was a really enjoyable read. The collection of short stories (anthology) is a concept that hasn’t really been tried out very often in the Buffy books so it was interesting to read something with a bit of a different format. Although the drawbacks were that it was harder to get lost into a long and engrossing storyline because they had to be quick, concise and to the point.

I wish more of these had been made, because the addition of ‘Volume.1’ to the title implies that more were planned. I would’ve loved ones set between Season 2-3 and Season 5-6. One thing that I thought was a bit disappointing was the fact that Cordelia didn’t make a single appearance in the book. It’s a shame because she could’ve at least shown up in one story. The authors teased us by putting her face on the cover! Shame on them!

Time Frame.

I thought it was just right. I must admit I felt a little pressured when everyone was just speeding ahead in the first week but I told myself I had plenty of time left and so I enjoyed the book at a lesiurely pace.

The Next Book.

Spike and Dru: Pretty Maids all in a Row is a great story which is set entirely in the past that I would love to re-read. Also Oz: Into the Wild looks fantastic and fun.

Thoughts on the bookclub.

I think this could be a great addition to the forum as long as people stay commited and enjoy discussing the book afterwards.

Score /10

8/10 – I’ll probably read it again someday but it doesn’t make my list of top 5 Buffy books.

[hitnrun017]

Dust:

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This was probably my favortie story in the book. I liked reading more on Buffy and her dads relationship. I think the story was cool. I liked the idea of Buffy seeing others deaths. I felt bad when she had to kill her old friend and the I really liked the ending. I think Michelle West did a great job!

Absalom Rising:

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Very action packed. It was great to see a lot of Jenny and how her and Giles relationship is growing. I liked Angel helping out the scoobies and it was fun how we got to read the whole story about the Master's bones. So I really liked this story too.

Looks Can Kill:

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Yawn! Boring! The story was a great idea but I don't think it lived up to it. I thought the writing was pretty bad but I did like how Giles and Jenny's relationship keeps growing and growing. I thought the ending was kind lame. Not that climatic but it was a nice twist.

No Place Like...:

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I thought this was nice, sweet story. I liked the whole ghost idea and I loved how Buffy ended up righting an old wrong. Unlike the last story Cameron Dokey wrote, I thought the writing was pretty good.

Uncle Dead and the Fourth of July:

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I didn't really like this story. Sure it was fun and funny but I was bored while reading it. This was the story I was most excited to read but it ended up a huge let down for me. But I did love Giles attempt at American History.

The Show Must Go On:

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Another boring one I think. It sounded cool but I think ended up terrible. I didn't enjoy the writing and not being a theatre fan, I didn't get into it that much. But I did love the idea of recreating famous death scenes.

Overall:

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Being a big Buffy book fan, I thought this one wasn't that great. A couple of stories were good but I found it kind of dull. It was a great idea but didn't live up to it. I probably would of liked it better if it was a regular novel, one author, and one story. I didn't like going from one authors style to another. I did like Jenny and Giles reltionship growing. I can see why they didn't do a Vol. 2.

Time Frame:

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I don't get it.

Next book:

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I wouldn't mind re-reading:

The Wisdon of War
Mortal Fear
Blood and Fog
The Lost Slayer
The Gatekeeper Trilogy

and the new book Blackout comes out at the end of of the month.

Thoughts on the bookclub:

[/center]

I think this is a great way to review the books. I did enjoy being part of the book club but I didn't enjoy reading THIS book. YES! I can't wait for the next one, can't wait to see how the reviews and disscusions go. I can't think of a way to improove it, but if I do, I will let you know.

Score:

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6/10

[The Second Evil]

It's seems we almost have polar opposite views on the stories! I agree with you on the last story though. The theater references and confusing writing style meant I had to re-read sentences several times over. Although I still enjoyed it.

I would definitely love to read the Lost Slayer quartet, although it's a big undertaking.

[hitnrun017]

It is weird how our thoughts are almost opposite. I woundn't mind reading Spike and Dru. I've always wanted too. And I think Oz: Into the Wild is another great choice. And I was also upset about there not being ANYTHING Cordelia.

[The Second Evil]

*Shameless bumping*

Just in case anyone missed this thread.

[Alyrenee]

mine are coming soon i hope...i still need to finish...

[firerancher]

Dust

Eh...at first, I was like...'what the hell's going on?' When I finally got it, I was just so miffed at that point that I couldn't get into this story at all. I would say this wasn't my least favorite story in the batch but it came in second to last, for sure.

Absalom Rising

I completely forgot about Absalom until I read this story. I was all...'uh...who is this again?' I vaguely remembered him from the season 2 opener. He played a more pivotal role in this entire novel, and this was a good start to give a little of his M.O.

Looks Can Kill:

I thought it was cool to see a shapeshifter in the Buffyverse, and wish they'd actually done this one the show. It would've been a sweet storyline to add to the growing expanse of Buffyversedom. The story wasn't all that great but I liked the idea. Seeing Angel's struggle to fit in was interesting, though I always thought his character a big pussy to begin with...

No Place Like...

I would say this was my favorite story in the bunch. The idea of putting in the Day of the Dead, and having Buffy play investigator when she's trying to have a vacation? Love it. I also liked how they played out the entire storyline about the ghosts. It was just enough supernatural and flashback to Buffy's former self. Having Buffy stake a former 'Hemery' friend was a good plot point. Shows how there's no turning back for her. This could've been a very good reason (or at least the start of...) why she acted like the bitca in the season 2 opener. She saw that she couldn't be her old self, so she tried to transform herself into the cold, hateful human she once was, so she wouldn't have to deal with her own death, or her fear of the Master.

Uncle Dead

Hated this story. Hated the entire idea of it, and that's all I have to say.

The Show Must Go On

Since I'm a natural dramatic literature fan, I didn't have any trouble picking up on any of the references at all. I think I saw what was happening before the Scooby gang did. LOL. Anyways, this story was my second favorite in the bunch. However, if you don't know the plays referenced, then this story could be a moot point. Sure, they explain it but it helps to actually KNOW what's happening.

Overall:

While I was reading the book, I would pick up little references, or clues to other things...especially how each story ties in together in this series. I also noticed a LOT of foreshadowing of seasons to come...and not just season 2. I noticed foreshadowing towards college, and even the last few seasons. Funny that...

Time Frame:

I read fast, and I know that other people don't. I didn't mind the timeframe but next time, I'll know to wait until closer to the end, so the book will still be fresh in my mind. I've read 17 books since this one, and they've all kinda blended together at one point. LOL.

Next Book:

Book of Fours
-or- something extremely outrageous and different like a graphic novel! Maybe 'Tales of the Slayers.'

Bookclub overall:

I love the idea, and I'm glad we're on our first book. I'd like to see more discussion, though I get people are busy. I just now got to my reviews. However, we've stuck to it, and most of us that signed up have finished the book, so that's a plus. More people have read a Buffy book now.

Score /10

5/10 I've gotta be harsh. The book wasn't that great, and only 2/6 stories piqued my interest at all. Even so, I found flaws to the stories I liked. However, I can't give it TOO low a score b/c These Our Actors has to be the worst I've read thus far. LOL. Also, I may be a little too well-read to give a reasonable score to a Buffy fan-written book.

[Alyrenee]

Really? I liked These Our Actors alright...but maybe thats because I am in theatre...

I am being sooo very slow with this book.