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Merissa (13583 KP) rated Twell and the Uprising (Como Chronicles #3) in Books
Jun 21, 2017
Twell and the Uprising (Como Chronicles #3) by Kate O'Leary
ARRRRGGGGHHHHH - that's how I feel about Twell and the Uprising, the final book in the Como Chronicles so far. I say so far because I'm really hoping for an epilogue type story, just because I'm greedy and I really don't want to leave Twell, Jonaz, and co. Once again, this book starts where the last book finished. Twell is held captive by the Abwarzians, and they are not treating her gently! Not only have they put a chip in her head which causes her untold pain, but she is dehydrated and forced to fight. Now, one of the things that I have loved about Twell is that she is NOT a damsel in distress. So when she hallucinated near the beginning of the book, I was wondering what was going on! She'd never been rescued before! Of course, it turned out that she wasn't being rescued, which strangely made me sigh with relief. Even in these circumstances, Twell makes friends with those that you would think she would hate. No, Twell is able to look past things that others can't, which is in part what makes her so dangerous to the G.B. Also, Shanna makes a reappearance.
I won't say anything else about the book as I really don't want to give away any spoilers. Suffice it to say, that I have loved all three of these books, but especially this one. Maybe it's because everything is coming to a conclusion? Maybe it's because I see more of Jonaz in this book? Maybe it's because Maza gets her comeuppance? Maybe it's because Brazin turns into Papa Bear? Or maybe it's because this book/series is simply outstanding and I thoroughly loved every word? Why not read it for yourself and make your own mind up. You won't regret it, I can promise you that. And if you don't? Well, there's always a long walk in the wetlands!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I won't say anything else about the book as I really don't want to give away any spoilers. Suffice it to say, that I have loved all three of these books, but especially this one. Maybe it's because everything is coming to a conclusion? Maybe it's because I see more of Jonaz in this book? Maybe it's because Maza gets her comeuppance? Maybe it's because Brazin turns into Papa Bear? Or maybe it's because this book/series is simply outstanding and I thoroughly loved every word? Why not read it for yourself and make your own mind up. You won't regret it, I can promise you that. And if you don't? Well, there's always a long walk in the wetlands!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13583 KP) rated Dustwalker in Books
Aug 25, 2017
Dustwalker by Tiffany Roberts
Dustwalker is a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel, set around the community of Cheyenne. The humans scrimp through their living as best as they can, ruled over by the bot Warlord. Our main female, Lara, is worried about her missing sister, and surviving the best way she can, by finding scraps and trading them for food. Ronin is a dustwalker, a bot who goes out into the Dust. Some say the dustwalkers are a crazy lot, but Ronin knows that he is alone. No one will come looking for him if something happens to him out there. Through fate, Lara and Ronin's live connect, and what happens next is something that neither of them saw coming.
This is an amazing story, with world-building that is second to none. Every scene is 'real' and completely believable, even when they involve bots ;) This book is a bit of a slowburner, but in the best possible way. You get drawn into Lara's world, with all the hunger and pain and loss that goes with it. You feel for Ronin as he tries to understand what he has said to upset Lara! Most of all, you root for these two, and everyone else in Cheyenne, to get their HEA. After all they have been through, they deserve it; and as a reader, you will want it for them.
The pace is smooth, slow and gentle to entice you into their world, and building up as the story progresses. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The characters are all highly developed and completely distinct. There is simply no way you could confuse one character with another. There are some steamy bits but they are completely in keeping with the story, not superfluous in any way. This book had me right up until the last word - which I had to reread once I had wiped my eyes! Absolutely outstanding, I am so pleased I was given the opportunity to read this book. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is an amazing story, with world-building that is second to none. Every scene is 'real' and completely believable, even when they involve bots ;) This book is a bit of a slowburner, but in the best possible way. You get drawn into Lara's world, with all the hunger and pain and loss that goes with it. You feel for Ronin as he tries to understand what he has said to upset Lara! Most of all, you root for these two, and everyone else in Cheyenne, to get their HEA. After all they have been through, they deserve it; and as a reader, you will want it for them.
The pace is smooth, slow and gentle to entice you into their world, and building up as the story progresses. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The characters are all highly developed and completely distinct. There is simply no way you could confuse one character with another. There are some steamy bits but they are completely in keeping with the story, not superfluous in any way. This book had me right up until the last word - which I had to reread once I had wiped my eyes! Absolutely outstanding, I am so pleased I was given the opportunity to read this book. Highly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Genocide of One: A Thriller in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Genocide of One completely blew my mind, multiple times. The plot twists just kept happening, new characters kept being introduced and then turning out to be totally different characters than I thought they’d be, and the adrenalin was pumping almost immediately. There were so many little things that became big later, so many details, so many connections, that I feel like if I read it again, it would be just as exciting, maybe more exciting the second time, because I might actually understand it on a deeper level. The ending was fulfilling but left opportunity and excitement. I definitely didn’t want it to end and I would read a sequel or another book by Takano in a heartbeat.
The book switches from one side of the world to the other every chapter. Initially I wasn’t sure how the two totally different stories were connected, but one connection at a time the two sides became one. There was a war thriller and a medical mystery happening at the same time and they were two different aspects of the same problem.
The hardest part of the book was the technical lingo and jargon in the medical chapters. I won’t say it was unnecessary because I’m not sure how else the author could have described the specifics of what went on, and being vague just wouldn’t have worked for this kind of story, but the jargon was a little hard to follow. I got won’t say I understand genetics now, but I do have a pretty good idea of what happened (medically speaking) in the story and I think it added to the book rather than taking away from it, so I’m okay with it.
The narration was excellent and not in any way distracting from the story. Joe Knezevich did an excellent job with all the different voices and accents, American and Japanese.
The bottom line is I loved this story and recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers or adventure stories. There was some violence during the war scenes, but it wasn’t gruesome or grotesque.
The book switches from one side of the world to the other every chapter. Initially I wasn’t sure how the two totally different stories were connected, but one connection at a time the two sides became one. There was a war thriller and a medical mystery happening at the same time and they were two different aspects of the same problem.
The hardest part of the book was the technical lingo and jargon in the medical chapters. I won’t say it was unnecessary because I’m not sure how else the author could have described the specifics of what went on, and being vague just wouldn’t have worked for this kind of story, but the jargon was a little hard to follow. I got won’t say I understand genetics now, but I do have a pretty good idea of what happened (medically speaking) in the story and I think it added to the book rather than taking away from it, so I’m okay with it.
The narration was excellent and not in any way distracting from the story. Joe Knezevich did an excellent job with all the different voices and accents, American and Japanese.
The bottom line is I loved this story and recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers or adventure stories. There was some violence during the war scenes, but it wasn’t gruesome or grotesque.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Blood Magic (The Blood Journals, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Books should capture you from the first page, right? They should cause you to want to read more and not be able to put it down. They should also have important interesting things happening in every scene.
This is the problem with Blood Magic. The very first chapter was interesting: beyond interesting. It felt like I'd opened up to the middle. It threw me into the story with no explanation, no development, and no mental preparation. Because I didn't know the character I was reading about, it felt out of place and I just didn't care. The excitement was gone: it could have been dramatic if it was in Chapter 7, but it wasn't, it was in Chapter 1. The pacing felt off.
Same with the romance between the two main characters: It was way too smooth, way to fast, and there was no chemistry. They kissed a lot, but there was no chemistry, because there wasn't enough time for the tension between them to build.
I felt like the story didn't really get started until halfway through the book. I kept wondering "what's the point of all this?" See, stuff was happening, but there was no real plot. A plot is the main point of the story, and events link together to form it. Blood Magic had lots of events, but they didn't start connecting until late, and by that time I was tired of lots of kissing and cutting and looking at each other with go-go eyes.
On the good side, I did like the female protagonist, Silla. Her personality and her character were fun, her responses and reactions were plausible. The blood magic she performs was intriguing, as all magic is to me, and I enjoyed reading about it (however gruesome cutting yourself to use your blood for magic potions is).
However I am terribly disappointed. I expected much more from a Randomhouse book. The concept of Blood Magic had so much potential… but I feel disappointed and annoyed after hitting the halfway point. And the thing about reading is, why read something disappointing when I could read something that will please me? So I'm moving on.
This is the problem with Blood Magic. The very first chapter was interesting: beyond interesting. It felt like I'd opened up to the middle. It threw me into the story with no explanation, no development, and no mental preparation. Because I didn't know the character I was reading about, it felt out of place and I just didn't care. The excitement was gone: it could have been dramatic if it was in Chapter 7, but it wasn't, it was in Chapter 1. The pacing felt off.
Same with the romance between the two main characters: It was way too smooth, way to fast, and there was no chemistry. They kissed a lot, but there was no chemistry, because there wasn't enough time for the tension between them to build.
I felt like the story didn't really get started until halfway through the book. I kept wondering "what's the point of all this?" See, stuff was happening, but there was no real plot. A plot is the main point of the story, and events link together to form it. Blood Magic had lots of events, but they didn't start connecting until late, and by that time I was tired of lots of kissing and cutting and looking at each other with go-go eyes.
On the good side, I did like the female protagonist, Silla. Her personality and her character were fun, her responses and reactions were plausible. The blood magic she performs was intriguing, as all magic is to me, and I enjoyed reading about it (however gruesome cutting yourself to use your blood for magic potions is).
However I am terribly disappointed. I expected much more from a Randomhouse book. The concept of Blood Magic had so much potential… but I feel disappointed and annoyed after hitting the halfway point. And the thing about reading is, why read something disappointing when I could read something that will please me? So I'm moving on.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Mask: A Vanessa Michael Munroe Novel (Vanessa Michael Munroe, #5) in Books
May 10, 2018
When I decided to read and review this book, I was not aware that it was part of a series. Number five in the series to be exact. I'm a big fan of thrillers especially when there is a character like Vanessa Michael Munroe. I can't wait to go back and read the rest of the series.
Vanessa Michael Munroe is very good at what she does. Just off a recent job, she decides to spend some time with a very special person in her life, Miles Bradford. They were in the same line of work, but their personal relationship was something different. On assignment in Japan, Bradford's on the hunt for a thief at ALTEQ. Munroe asks several times to join Miles at work and help with the assignment. More times than not, he refuses. When Miles is framed for murdering a Chinese woman at the company, Vanessa, the girlfriend takes a backseat and Michael the mercenary takes over. Not just to finish the job Bradford started, but also find the real killer. Not sure who she can trust, Munroe, disguised as a man takes on this arduous task. Will she be able to find the killer before she herself is killed?
I'm really upset that I haven't read this series chronologically. I feel like there are parts of Vanessa Michael Munroe that I am missing. I want to know more about her relationship with Bradford. Munroe is the kind of woman we all wish we could be. Able to evoke fear with just a glance, can read people like a book. She is strong, intuitive, resourceful, and smart. I'm not sure if it was love or devotion to the job/craft that made her go to the length she did to save Miles.
This book takes you on a journey where you are unsure of what is going to happen next. In a foreign country where you're not sure who is in charge and who you can trust, it's difficult to get help. The way Munroe handles herself shows the skill in her profession.
Vanessa Michael Munroe is very good at what she does. Just off a recent job, she decides to spend some time with a very special person in her life, Miles Bradford. They were in the same line of work, but their personal relationship was something different. On assignment in Japan, Bradford's on the hunt for a thief at ALTEQ. Munroe asks several times to join Miles at work and help with the assignment. More times than not, he refuses. When Miles is framed for murdering a Chinese woman at the company, Vanessa, the girlfriend takes a backseat and Michael the mercenary takes over. Not just to finish the job Bradford started, but also find the real killer. Not sure who she can trust, Munroe, disguised as a man takes on this arduous task. Will she be able to find the killer before she herself is killed?
I'm really upset that I haven't read this series chronologically. I feel like there are parts of Vanessa Michael Munroe that I am missing. I want to know more about her relationship with Bradford. Munroe is the kind of woman we all wish we could be. Able to evoke fear with just a glance, can read people like a book. She is strong, intuitive, resourceful, and smart. I'm not sure if it was love or devotion to the job/craft that made her go to the length she did to save Miles.
This book takes you on a journey where you are unsure of what is going to happen next. In a foreign country where you're not sure who is in charge and who you can trust, it's difficult to get help. The way Munroe handles herself shows the skill in her profession.
Kayla (19 KP) rated Fitbit Blaze in Tech
May 18, 2018
Sleek design (1 more)
Looks good on small wrists
Hard to find comfortable fit (1 more)
Poor battery life
Nice watch
I wear this watch almost constantly! I love being able to keep track of my heart rate and know how well or unwell I'm sleeping. It's especially useful as a first time mom, being able to make sure I get enough sleep when I can't keep my hours straight.
It's very easy to navigate and view your daily tracking, from steps to calories. You are also able to pick specific exercises to track your time, if you choose to do so. It'll pick up activity via heartbeat even if you choose not to do so- picking a category just makes the caloric burn a bit more accurate. There's a timer as well so you can time planks, wall holds, or even cooking if your heart desires!
The Blaze also features coached exercises and meditation, two features I will admit I've never even used. It's really nifty that they throw that in if you find yourselfin need of some guidance. If you don't, it in no way interferes with doing anything else on the watch and you forget it's even there.
The other feature the Blaze offers is a vibration alarm. I'm by no means a deep sleeper (again, first time mom- everything wakes me up) and this alarm does nothing for me. I could set 50 of them and still not wake up. The vibration is just not powerful enough to feel it in your sleep.
Overall, the watch is pretty awesome. You can also answer calls and read texts on it. I suggest never using the all day sync feature with your phone because you'll have to charge up every single day if you do. If you have small wrists it can be very hard to get a comfortable fit. It seems like it's either digging into the skin or flopping around annoyingly with just a single groove change. It offers some useful features, none the less, and I'd still recommend it for anyone looking for a smart watch.
It's very easy to navigate and view your daily tracking, from steps to calories. You are also able to pick specific exercises to track your time, if you choose to do so. It'll pick up activity via heartbeat even if you choose not to do so- picking a category just makes the caloric burn a bit more accurate. There's a timer as well so you can time planks, wall holds, or even cooking if your heart desires!
The Blaze also features coached exercises and meditation, two features I will admit I've never even used. It's really nifty that they throw that in if you find yourselfin need of some guidance. If you don't, it in no way interferes with doing anything else on the watch and you forget it's even there.
The other feature the Blaze offers is a vibration alarm. I'm by no means a deep sleeper (again, first time mom- everything wakes me up) and this alarm does nothing for me. I could set 50 of them and still not wake up. The vibration is just not powerful enough to feel it in your sleep.
Overall, the watch is pretty awesome. You can also answer calls and read texts on it. I suggest never using the all day sync feature with your phone because you'll have to charge up every single day if you do. If you have small wrists it can be very hard to get a comfortable fit. It seems like it's either digging into the skin or flopping around annoyingly with just a single groove change. It offers some useful features, none the less, and I'd still recommend it for anyone looking for a smart watch.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated What We Do In The Shadows (2014) in Movies
Feb 5, 2019 (Updated Feb 5, 2019)
Reliable, consistent laughs (1 more)
Even funnier than I remembered
Bitingly Funny
I recently re-watched this vampire mockumentary from the very talented Taika Waititi and had a great time revisiting it. Waititi has gone on to do bigger things since, but it is nice to go back and see where he was at as a filmmaker a few years ago. Watching a comedy for a second time is an interesting test of its quality. It is a good way to determine if the movie can still make you chuckle even when you already know what's coming. Thankfully, this movie passed that test with flying colours and had me splitting my sides throughout.
Waititi co wrote, directed and starred in this thing and he pulls all of it off phenomenally. His comedic timing is absolutely fantastic and is really what pulls this whole film together. The now widely known genius of his writing is also present here and is pertinent to so many of the movies major laughs. The slightly offbeat, awkward style of comedy that we have come to expect from his movies is also prevalent here and gives the movie a style and feel that is as unique as it is hilarious.
The supporting characters also nail their roles and bring their own fair share of laughs to the movie respectively. Also, (although this feels a tad weird to mention in a review for a comedic movie,) the solid cinematography and clever editing and sound mixing also work beautifully to add to the project's overall appeal. These technical elements, - which are never normally given much thought in the majority of comedies, - add a class to the film that sets it apart from any other comedy that I have seen.
Overall, this is a side splittingly hilarious, fantastically well made movie that owes everything to it's writer, director and main star. It is well written, well shot and joyously acted by it's cast with an extreme level of quickness and wit. If you are looking for a unique laugh, you would struggle to better than What We Do In The Shadows
Waititi co wrote, directed and starred in this thing and he pulls all of it off phenomenally. His comedic timing is absolutely fantastic and is really what pulls this whole film together. The now widely known genius of his writing is also present here and is pertinent to so many of the movies major laughs. The slightly offbeat, awkward style of comedy that we have come to expect from his movies is also prevalent here and gives the movie a style and feel that is as unique as it is hilarious.
The supporting characters also nail their roles and bring their own fair share of laughs to the movie respectively. Also, (although this feels a tad weird to mention in a review for a comedic movie,) the solid cinematography and clever editing and sound mixing also work beautifully to add to the project's overall appeal. These technical elements, - which are never normally given much thought in the majority of comedies, - add a class to the film that sets it apart from any other comedy that I have seen.
Overall, this is a side splittingly hilarious, fantastically well made movie that owes everything to it's writer, director and main star. It is well written, well shot and joyously acted by it's cast with an extreme level of quickness and wit. If you are looking for a unique laugh, you would struggle to better than What We Do In The Shadows
RavenclawPrincess913 (253 KP) rated Eclipse (Twilight, #3) in Books
Feb 12, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
Title: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Summary: In Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer Bella and Jacob make-up and fight again. Edward also wants her no where near the pack because he thinks it’s dangerous so he has Alice “kidnap” Bella for a sleepover while he is out of town so she doesn’t run off to La Push again, but Jacob comes to the rescue and gets her from school. They hang out for a bit until he says he rather she be dead than a vampire. Rosalie goes on to explain to Bella why she doesn’t want her to become a vampire and Jasper tells Bella later on about his first years as a vampire with Maria and the newborn army. Than Victoria’s and Riley’s newborn army comes to fight the Cullens and the Pack. After they are defeated the Voultri show up to clean up the mess.
Review: In the book when Edward had Alice ‘kidnap’ Bella so she wouldn’t run off to La Push to see Jacob was very controlling, just because he’s her boyfriend that doesn’t give him the right to tell her who she can and can’t be friends with. Than when Jacob told her he rather she be dead than a vampire was not right of him either and very messed up. I also understand why Rosalie feels the way she does about Bella becoming a vampire. I also feel for Jasper during what he went through in his newborn years with Maria. Than when Jacob was being pushy and kissed her it pissed me off so much I would have punched him too. Also I knew it was Victoria the whole time it was very obvious and she’s not really good at it. It was also mean of her to use Riley and the newborn vampires for her own selfish games. I was very glad when they defeated her. In my opinion the Voultri should have let Bree live since she surrendered that part was very sad. But I’m glad Bella agreed to marry Edward the old fashioned way like Alice and Him wanted instead of just being to Vegas even though Seth is better than both Edward and Jacob. Both of them are very controlling.
Would I recommend? Yes
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Summary: In Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer Bella and Jacob make-up and fight again. Edward also wants her no where near the pack because he thinks it’s dangerous so he has Alice “kidnap” Bella for a sleepover while he is out of town so she doesn’t run off to La Push again, but Jacob comes to the rescue and gets her from school. They hang out for a bit until he says he rather she be dead than a vampire. Rosalie goes on to explain to Bella why she doesn’t want her to become a vampire and Jasper tells Bella later on about his first years as a vampire with Maria and the newborn army. Than Victoria’s and Riley’s newborn army comes to fight the Cullens and the Pack. After they are defeated the Voultri show up to clean up the mess.
Review: In the book when Edward had Alice ‘kidnap’ Bella so she wouldn’t run off to La Push to see Jacob was very controlling, just because he’s her boyfriend that doesn’t give him the right to tell her who she can and can’t be friends with. Than when Jacob told her he rather she be dead than a vampire was not right of him either and very messed up. I also understand why Rosalie feels the way she does about Bella becoming a vampire. I also feel for Jasper during what he went through in his newborn years with Maria. Than when Jacob was being pushy and kissed her it pissed me off so much I would have punched him too. Also I knew it was Victoria the whole time it was very obvious and she’s not really good at it. It was also mean of her to use Riley and the newborn vampires for her own selfish games. I was very glad when they defeated her. In my opinion the Voultri should have let Bree live since she surrendered that part was very sad. But I’m glad Bella agreed to marry Edward the old fashioned way like Alice and Him wanted instead of just being to Vegas even though Seth is better than both Edward and Jacob. Both of them are very controlling.
Would I recommend? Yes
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Night Rising (Vampire Babylon, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I'm having a hard time formulating my thoughts on this book. I did like it and will read the next one, but there was just something off about the whole thing. Maybe because there were a bunch of loose ends at the end of the book than was necessary, but who knows. I didn't get the whole promiscuous thing, mostly because it didn't feel like it belonged in the book and really came out of nowhere; it felt like it was added for the whole "sex sells" concept. I mean that thing with "the Voice" was just plain weird and creepy. Quite few times I thought Dawn needed to get over herself and quit whining about her mother. She's twenty-four, she needs to act like it, not like some angsty teenager. I get it - it's hard to grow up with a beautiful mother who died too young and being compared to her when you're only average looking is hard (Although the cover model is above average looking. Marketing? I think so. :P), but deal with it already. I really didn't care about her and thought overall that Kiko was the best character of the bunch. Hopefully in the next book they are all developed better and Dawn grows up.
You can tell the author has taken some things from other medias: The Crow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, especially with Dawn being the "key" and probably from other things I haven't seen or read so can't compare. I think that detracted from the book because I don't want to compare the stories; I'd rather the book stood alone as it is.
Nearer the end it had me wondering about a certain character and if that was a hint to what's to come in future books. That's probably the main reason I'll read on, although there are some interesting concepts in the book too. The most interesting is the the vampire world, in which there are some varying degrees of good and evil - like humans - and they're just trying to survive without being found out - at least that's how I took it. All in all it was a decent read, but just an average urban fantasy book.
2.5 stars
You can tell the author has taken some things from other medias: The Crow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, especially with Dawn being the "key" and probably from other things I haven't seen or read so can't compare. I think that detracted from the book because I don't want to compare the stories; I'd rather the book stood alone as it is.
Nearer the end it had me wondering about a certain character and if that was a hint to what's to come in future books. That's probably the main reason I'll read on, although there are some interesting concepts in the book too. The most interesting is the the vampire world, in which there are some varying degrees of good and evil - like humans - and they're just trying to survive without being found out - at least that's how I took it. All in all it was a decent read, but just an average urban fantasy book.
2.5 stars
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Sins of the Father (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Set in an alternate season three, SINS OF THE FATHER features two interesting, although slightly competitive, plots. The first one has Pike (featured in the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the comic, [b:Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Omnibus, Vol. 1|271365|Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus, Vol. 1|Joss Whedon|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348752850s/271365.jpg|263081]) coming to town for Buffy's help with a stone demon, while the second deals with Giles and his past. Quite obviously, demons of all kinds are the theme of the book.
This is my first foray into the Buffy novels and I have to say it was a pretty good one to start with. The characterizations were well-done, most notably Willow and Xander (I could just hear their dialogue and see their expressions), with the exceptions of Cordy, who sounded like herself about half the time, and Giles, who just seemed off somehow. The plot moves well enough along and the action was well-written. I especially liked their new vampire equipment that you can't help but think, "Why didn't anyone come up with this before?" The banter was great and definitely had the feel of the show, it made me laugh quite a few times. The only thing I had a problem with was Buffy's indecision about Pike and Angel. While I get the part about Pike being a 'normal' guy who knows that she fights paranormal crime and isn't put off, but why does she have such strong feelings for him still? It's been two, two-and-a-half years since she even saw him, I just don't see it. Also, the 'impossible love' between Buffy and Angel was redundant. If anyone has ever seen the show (and how many are going to read the books if they aren't a fan?), they already know all the angsty melodrama on the subject. One remark on the subject was all we needed, not repeatedly using just about the same two phrases a million times. With those two quibbles said, this was an entertaining book that took me back to my favorite time of the show, the high school years.
This is my first foray into the Buffy novels and I have to say it was a pretty good one to start with. The characterizations were well-done, most notably Willow and Xander (I could just hear their dialogue and see their expressions), with the exceptions of Cordy, who sounded like herself about half the time, and Giles, who just seemed off somehow. The plot moves well enough along and the action was well-written. I especially liked their new vampire equipment that you can't help but think, "Why didn't anyone come up with this before?" The banter was great and definitely had the feel of the show, it made me laugh quite a few times. The only thing I had a problem with was Buffy's indecision about Pike and Angel. While I get the part about Pike being a 'normal' guy who knows that she fights paranormal crime and isn't put off, but why does she have such strong feelings for him still? It's been two, two-and-a-half years since she even saw him, I just don't see it. Also, the 'impossible love' between Buffy and Angel was redundant. If anyone has ever seen the show (and how many are going to read the books if they aren't a fan?), they already know all the angsty melodrama on the subject. One remark on the subject was all we needed, not repeatedly using just about the same two phrases a million times. With those two quibbles said, this was an entertaining book that took me back to my favorite time of the show, the high school years.