kayleebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I started this book on a whim. I had been re watching Buffy for probably the 10th time.
This book did a great job at keeping to typical Buffy style. Reading it I could Image it being said in Buffy.
The mystery is this book was good, not overly predictable side note: I did accidentally spoil it for myself but even then I still had a hard time knowing what was gonna happen.
The same with typical Buffy fashion, this book was a bit slow. I had a hard time getting through it in the beginning but the same thing can be said for season one of Buffy.
Also this book keeps with Buffy the vampire very well. There’s no major plot holes that make you think well that wouldn’t be possible with the way Buffy was originally written.
Over all, if you’re a Buffy fan read the book. It doesn’t ruin Buffy and it’s a nice addition. To see Nina grow from hating Buffy to understanding Buffy actions and even sympathizing with her. You can see how the two characters are similar and different.
Parts of the book I really liked
“She stuck a sword into the man she loved, sending him to hell in order to save the world. She dove into a dimensional portal, closing it—and dying—so her sister wouldn’t have to. She destroyed the Sunnydale Hellmouth. She defeated the First Evil. She gave up being an actual goddess so she could save our sad, broken little world. Her life has been an endless series of impossible decisions that she’s had to make, because if not her, then who?”
The time she finally stopped hating Buffy so nice
“I may not have taken the Watcher tests, but I was always a Watcher. A Watcher studies. A Watcher waits. And I learned from my dad that a Watcher does whatever it takes to protect their Slayer. I am a Watcher. All the Slayers are mine.”
This was something you can definitely see Buffy saying, this is how they’re similar. Both very protective.
This book did a great job at keeping to typical Buffy style. Reading it I could Image it being said in Buffy.
The mystery is this book was good, not overly predictable side note: I did accidentally spoil it for myself but even then I still had a hard time knowing what was gonna happen.
The same with typical Buffy fashion, this book was a bit slow. I had a hard time getting through it in the beginning but the same thing can be said for season one of Buffy.
Also this book keeps with Buffy the vampire very well. There’s no major plot holes that make you think well that wouldn’t be possible with the way Buffy was originally written.
Over all, if you’re a Buffy fan read the book. It doesn’t ruin Buffy and it’s a nice addition. To see Nina grow from hating Buffy to understanding Buffy actions and even sympathizing with her. You can see how the two characters are similar and different.
Parts of the book I really liked
“She stuck a sword into the man she loved, sending him to hell in order to save the world. She dove into a dimensional portal, closing it—and dying—so her sister wouldn’t have to. She destroyed the Sunnydale Hellmouth. She defeated the First Evil. She gave up being an actual goddess so she could save our sad, broken little world. Her life has been an endless series of impossible decisions that she’s had to make, because if not her, then who?”
The time she finally stopped hating Buffy so nice
“I may not have taken the Watcher tests, but I was always a Watcher. A Watcher studies. A Watcher waits. And I learned from my dad that a Watcher does whatever it takes to protect their Slayer. I am a Watcher. All the Slayers are mine.”
This was something you can definitely see Buffy saying, this is how they’re similar. Both very protective.
niqoole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
darquedreamer's review against another edition
5.0
When I heard there was going to be a new YA series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I was over the moon about it! Buffy has been my all time favorite show since it aired, and, though I knew this book wouldn't revolve around the story in that beloved series, I had a feeling that it would hold the same fun lingo, humor, darkness, emotion, and nostalgia, and I was not disappointed! There were even some exciting cameos!
Slayer was a compulsive read. It was bold and exciting, and full of little details that brought me back to my favorite TV show (and one of my favorite movies). It had a dynamic cast of brand new characters that pulled on my heartstrings, and offered a story line that, not only satisfied the Buffy lover in me, but also gave a sense of originality and uniqueness.
Slayer was profoundly deep, and exhilarating. It wasn't just about the Watcher council, and the slayers, and Buffy having almost destroyed the world. It was about a teenage girl's struggle to find out who she was. It was about finding one's inner strength, and learning to navigate the world without hate or preconceptions. And it was about trust, family, and friendship.
Kiersten White managed to capture something that I had always felt we had missed in the early episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She captured Nina's state of denial. She captured her inner struggle of asking "why me," and she captured that inner battle, and change as Nina learned to accept and live with the changes of finding out she was a slayer.
This made Nina's character so incredibly relatable to anyone who has ever found out they have cancer, or an autoimmune condition (like myself and my type 1 diabetes), or someone going through something they have no control over. Nina became relatable to young girls everywhere going through emotional situations that they felt, or feel, helpless through. Nina was a beacon of strength through the story because she was so incredibly human with her reaction to finding out she had superhuman power, and it sent a beautiful, positive message about staying strong and fighting through whatever may come.
Slayer was everything I hoped it would be, and so much more! I loved that Kiersten made it easy to enjoy for those who have never been introduced to the world of slayers before, and I loved that she tied in so many details and references for those of us who fell in love with the world, and characters, years ago. I also loved that the story focused more on the characters, and Nina and her sister, rather than the big bad. It helped me make a more emotional connection to be ready for Nina to kick some ass!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Slayer was a compulsive read. It was bold and exciting, and full of little details that brought me back to my favorite TV show (and one of my favorite movies). It had a dynamic cast of brand new characters that pulled on my heartstrings, and offered a story line that, not only satisfied the Buffy lover in me, but also gave a sense of originality and uniqueness.
Slayer was profoundly deep, and exhilarating. It wasn't just about the Watcher council, and the slayers, and Buffy having almost destroyed the world. It was about a teenage girl's struggle to find out who she was. It was about finding one's inner strength, and learning to navigate the world without hate or preconceptions. And it was about trust, family, and friendship.
Kiersten White managed to capture something that I had always felt we had missed in the early episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She captured Nina's state of denial. She captured her inner struggle of asking "why me," and she captured that inner battle, and change as Nina learned to accept and live with the changes of finding out she was a slayer.
This made Nina's character so incredibly relatable to anyone who has ever found out they have cancer, or an autoimmune condition (like myself and my type 1 diabetes), or someone going through something they have no control over. Nina became relatable to young girls everywhere going through emotional situations that they felt, or feel, helpless through. Nina was a beacon of strength through the story because she was so incredibly human with her reaction to finding out she had superhuman power, and it sent a beautiful, positive message about staying strong and fighting through whatever may come.
Slayer was everything I hoped it would be, and so much more! I loved that Kiersten made it easy to enjoy for those who have never been introduced to the world of slayers before, and I loved that she tied in so many details and references for those of us who fell in love with the world, and characters, years ago. I also loved that the story focused more on the characters, and Nina and her sister, rather than the big bad. It helped me make a more emotional connection to be ready for Nina to kick some ass!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
jkw7072's review against another edition
I just didn’t get into it - I was interested when I first picked it up but after reading half of it I just wanted to read something different.
gummifrog's review against another edition
5.0
"Slayer" was a fun, exciting, immersive read set comfortably in the Buffyverse. And it was SO GOOD! I was honestly worried that it would have that fanfic tang, that the cameos from BtVS characters would feel out of character and stilted, but it didn't feel that way at all - everything gelled, and it was a well-written story set in a world I never want to be out of. I was so excited to learn about new breeds of demons, new Slayers, and the crumbling remains of the Watcher's Council. It was mature, with many equally concerning plot threads and non-cringe romance. The dialogue was snappy, perfect Whedon-speak, the characters were real and complex. Is there anything more I need to say? If you love Buffy and YA novels, this book will be an absolute treat.
mlottermoser's review against another edition
2.0
Reads a little like fan fiction. But it has fun character development and interesting lore. Buffy the Vampire Slayer breaks magic and ensures there will be no more Slayers. The Watchers are left trying to hold the world together. Athena and Artemis are part of the young Watchers, until “Tina” becomes the last Slayer. Demons, werewolves, and guardians.
kspear22's review against another edition
4.0
Despite never being a Buffy fan, I was intrigued by the idea of this story.
And for the most part, I really enjoyed it. It’s not without its issues, but I think most people will like it for its references and fun factor.
Nina is initially weak. Not a Watcher, she spends time healing...which seems to be her calling. Until something big changes insider her. And she becomes more. Along with this new aspect of her comes some changes to her world. The reappearance of demons and worse, her former crush.
So, I could sympathize with her about a lot of things in her life. It wasn’t hard to feel sorry for her. But I also felt her inner dialogue became repetitive after a while. She worried CONSTANTLY about the same things. She also thought the worst about her mother (which I could completely understand).
As she’s trying to unravel the reason for the demons reappearance, she’s also trying to handle her new abilities, find out what her mother is hiding, decipher her feelings on her former crush, etc. There is a lot going on, but it was almost too drawn out at times. This is the first book I’ve read from White, so I can’t say for sure if she’s always wordy, but yeah. I was tempted to skim more than a few times just to see if SOMETHING would happen. Eventually it does, but it’s really close to the end. Probably the last 15%. Which really makes up for the pacing issues I had for the rest of the story.
I wasn’t surprised by the ‘revelation’ towards the end. It’s pretty easy to see coming if you’ve ever read any story in which a character comes off as too perfect. It’s a neon red flag, for real. So while it wasn’t surprising, I was surprised at other pieces. (And omg, the epilogue is GENIUS!!)
Anyway, enjoyable for the most part. You’ve just gotta trudge though a lot of...teenage angst and questioning of themselves. I do look forward to seeing what happens next for the characters and will definitely pick up the next installment!
And for the most part, I really enjoyed it. It’s not without its issues, but I think most people will like it for its references and fun factor.
Nina is initially weak. Not a Watcher, she spends time healing...which seems to be her calling. Until something big changes insider her. And she becomes more. Along with this new aspect of her comes some changes to her world. The reappearance of demons and worse, her former crush.
So, I could sympathize with her about a lot of things in her life. It wasn’t hard to feel sorry for her. But I also felt her inner dialogue became repetitive after a while. She worried CONSTANTLY about the same things. She also thought the worst about her mother (which I could completely understand).
As she’s trying to unravel the reason for the demons reappearance, she’s also trying to handle her new abilities, find out what her mother is hiding, decipher her feelings on her former crush, etc. There is a lot going on, but it was almost too drawn out at times. This is the first book I’ve read from White, so I can’t say for sure if she’s always wordy, but yeah. I was tempted to skim more than a few times just to see if SOMETHING would happen. Eventually it does, but it’s really close to the end. Probably the last 15%. Which really makes up for the pacing issues I had for the rest of the story.
I wasn’t surprised by the ‘revelation’ towards the end. It’s pretty easy to see coming if you’ve ever read any story in which a character comes off as too perfect. It’s a neon red flag, for real. So while it wasn’t surprising, I was surprised at other pieces. (And omg, the epilogue is GENIUS!!)
Anyway, enjoyable for the most part. You’ve just gotta trudge though a lot of...teenage angst and questioning of themselves. I do look forward to seeing what happens next for the characters and will definitely pick up the next installment!
sarahc_98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
michelle_pink_polka_dot's review against another edition
3.0
I mean, it was fine, but it was also probably about 200 pages too long for what the story was. Because of that, we have to slog through the M/C going over and over the same things & dealing with problems that could be easily solved by someone (anyone) saying something (anything).
I loved the Buffy movie, but didn’t religiously watch the TV show— I’ve seen episodes here and there. There were a lot of little Easter Eggs there for fans, and so super fans might find this fun— but it read a little like fan-fic & and that ending did NOT wow me (so predictable and also rude).
I loved the Buffy movie, but didn’t religiously watch the TV show— I’ve seen episodes here and there. There were a lot of little Easter Eggs there for fans, and so super fans might find this fun— but it read a little like fan-fic & and that ending did NOT wow me (so predictable and also rude).
perfectionotincluded's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 It was ok. I liked the small glimpses of familiar characters. The main character was so self absorbed and dense. I could hardly stand reading about her.