Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘One Thing or Your Mother’ (2008) (Book review)

I

ronically, the “Buffy” book line ends its 1997-2008 run with a couple of firsts: “One Thing or Your Mother” (March 2008) is the debut entry from Kirsten Beyer, and the first novel set during the Angelus arc of Season 2. That’s surprising at first blush, but in retrospect it’s understandable why tie-in writers had stayed away from this period that’s so perfectly chronicled by the TV show (along with one comic tie-in, “Ring of Fire,” although even that is by a TV writer, Doug Petrie).

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘One Thing or Your Mother’ (2008) (Book review)”

Posted on

Throwback Thursday: Haldeman’s ‘The Forever War’ (1974) illustrates the horror, silliness and futility of war just by showing what war is like (Book review)

J

oe Haldeman’s “The Forever War” (1974 original edition, 1997 definitive edition) is one-third of what I consider to be the trifecta of classic anti-war (or simply “war”) science fiction novels, along with Robert Heinlein’s “Starship Troopers” and Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s Game.” But it’s the one I remember details of the least, perhaps because it hasn’t been made into a film, so I was ripe for a re-read.

Continue reading “Throwback Thursday: Haldeman’s ‘The Forever War’ (1974) illustrates the horror, silliness and futility of war just by showing what war is like (Book review)”

Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Dark Congress’ (2007) (Book review)

I

n the penultimate “Buffy” book from the original run, Christopher Golden takes a noble stab at linking the books up with Joss Whedon’s comics (which started in March 2007) in “Dark Congress” (August 2007). That part doesn’t quite work, but it’s a strong story in its own right, and most notably, Golden allows a goodbye between Willow and Tara that was stolen from them by Warren’s stray bullet in Season 6.

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Dark Congress’ (2007) (Book review)”

Posted on

Mamet Monday: Mamet does a deep – and not as depressing as you’d fear — dive into the mind of a wrongfully accused man in ‘The Old Religion’ (1997) (Book review)

D

avid Mamet is known for writing great dialog, but “The Old Religion” — his 1997 novel about the murder trial and conviction of innocent Jewish factory manager Leo Frank in 1914 Atlanta — is mostly an inner monologue. While the book is based on historical facts, getting into Frank’s head is purely a matter of the author’s imagination. But the directions Frank’s mind goes in as he tries to make sense of what’s being done to him feel accurate.

Continue reading “Mamet Monday: Mamet does a deep – and not as depressing as you’d fear — dive into the mind of a wrongfully accused man in ‘The Old Religion’ (1997) (Book review)”

Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘The Deathless’ (2007) (Book review)

T

he Deathless” (May 2007) might not rank No. 1 among all Buffyverse books – although it deserves consideration – but it’s definitely the best book that fits snugly into the TV show’s continuity. Author Keith R.A. DeCandido — who also wrote the excellent Nikki Wood tale “Blackout” – writes in his introduction that there was room for a story between “The Zeppo” (3.13) and “Bad Girls” (3.14) because the Scoobies are in rough shape at the end of the former and healed at the beginning of the latter. “The Deathless” can be considered episode 3.13.5 not only because it fits there, but also because it’s good enough to be a “Buffy” episode.

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘The Deathless’ (2007) (Book review)”

Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Bad Bargain’ (2006) (Book review)

D

iana G. Gallagher’s works rank in the middle of the pack among “Buffy” authors, but they are often interesting for how she puts new spins on the continuity without contradicting what’s established. “Bad Bargain” (December 2006), the short but flat YA-style novel that’s the last of her five “Buffy” books, fits the mold. Like most of the 2005-08 novels, it’s set in mid-Season 2 before the rise of Angelus, but Gallagher weaves in elements the TV show’s writers couldn’t at the time, in an attempt to strengthen the overall continuity.

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Bad Bargain’ (2006) (Book review)”

Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Portal Through Time’ (2006) (Book review)

W

ith all the possibilities for Buffy to meet past Slayers introduced in “Tales of the Slayer” and the TV series itself, the time-travel adventure “Portal Through Time” (October 2006) should be a lot better than it is. But Alice Henderson, in her only Buffyverse work in the main novel line (she also wrote “Night Terrors” in the “Stake Your Destiny” series), writes in a basic YA style wherein the author’s plotting needs override the Scoobies’ decision-making, thematic statements and even storytelling logic.

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Portal Through Time’ (2006) (Book review)”

Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Blackout’ (2006) (Book review)

K

eith R.A. DeCandido, who wrote the solid “Serenity” novelization, checks into the Buffyverse with the series’ most heavily researched novel in terms of real-world details. It’s clear “Blackout” (August 2006) is close to the heart of the author. He lived in New York City as a kid in July 1977, the same time as the real-world 25-hour blackout and looting, and the time of the fictional showdown between Nikki Wood the Vampire Slayer and Spike.

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Blackout’ (2006) (Book review)”

Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Go Ask Malice: A Slayer’s Diary’ (2006) (Book review)

I

t’s probably too strong of a statement to say Robert Joseph Levy’s “Go Ask Malice: A Slayer’s Diary” (June 2006) is the best Faith story. There’s no question it stands on the shoulders of the work done by “Buffy” and “Angel” TV writers and actress Eliza Dushku. But the book allows us to go deeper than ever before into the psyche of Faith, quite a change from the early days of “Buffy” books when the character was totally off limits.

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Go Ask Malice: A Slayer’s Diary’ (2006) (Book review)”

Posted on

‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Carnival of Souls’ (2006) (Book review)

N

ancy Holder’s status as an elite Buffyverse author was already secured, but disappointingly – especially considering she’s coming off the outstanding “Queen of the Slayers” (2005) — she wraps up her run with the forgettable “Carnival of Souls” (April 2006). This Season 2-set novel calls to mind John Vornholt’s “Coyote Moon” (1998), which has some problems but more evocatively portrays the colorful mood of a carnival than this book does. It also makes me think of Holder’s excellent first adult “Buffy” novel, “Child of the Hunt” (1998, co-written with Christopher Golden), wherein a pack of roving demons comes to town during a Renaissance fair, like a twisted version of a traveling carnival.

Continue reading “‘Buffy’ flashback: ‘Carnival of Souls’ (2006) (Book review)”