cait's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Abandonment, Car accident, Child death, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Murder, and Torture
theogeer's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Addiction
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75
I am the EXACT target audience for this book and I loved it! Blake captures the identifiable “Buffy-speak” voice without it ever feeling over the top, just as gently campy and self-deprecating as the show. Frankie is such an enjoyable character to have as our leading witch/slayer, and her new generation of scoobies are so cute. I’m holding out hope for Frankie to be canonized as ace. 🖤💜🤍
Minor: Abandonment, Gore, and Death
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, body horror, death, torture, cannibalism mention, blood drinking, descriptions of blood and gore, severed body parts
In Every Generation by Kendare Blake is book one in the Every Generation series that extends the story of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have always been a big Buffy fan, but I never read the comics that kept the universe going, so when I saw there was a book, I had to have it!
We follow Frankie, the daughter of Willow after they find out that all the slayers that had gone to a conference had all been killed in an explosion, causing the slayer line to be picked up in Frankie. She's the first slayer-witch ever. Since all the slayers are apparently dead, demons and vamps are making their way back to New Sunnydale, because of the reawakening Hellmouth. That means a new big bad.
I love that we get to see some of the legacy characters from the original like Spike, Oz, Willow, Xander, and Dawn. Not to mention all the name checks for Buffy and Faith. This book was also as delightfully cheesy as the show. Gotta love all the banter. I also love that the teens actually talk how normal teens would. We also get a new group of Scoobys similar to Buffy's group. We mostly focus on Frankie's training as the slayer as well as the ensuing battle with the big bad, but the over arching plot point for this series is going to be figuring out what happened to the slayers and if any of them are still alive.
Definitely recommend for anyone who needs a bit of Buffy nostalgia, and a vampire read that isn't super heavy. I could definitely see this as a show on the CW or something. Looking forward to the next book!
In Every Generation by Kendare Blake is book one in the Every Generation series that extends the story of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have always been a big Buffy fan, but I never read the comics that kept the universe going, so when I saw there was a book, I had to have it!
We follow Frankie, the daughter of Willow after they find out that all the slayers that had gone to a conference had all been killed in an explosion, causing the slayer line to be picked up in Frankie. She's the first slayer-witch ever. Since all the slayers are apparently dead, demons and vamps are making their way back to New Sunnydale, because of the reawakening Hellmouth. That means a new big bad.
I love that we get to see some of the legacy characters from the original like Spike, Oz, Willow, Xander, and Dawn. Not to mention all the name checks for Buffy and Faith. This book was also as delightfully cheesy as the show. Gotta love all the banter. I also love that the teens actually talk how normal teens would. We also get a new group of Scoobys similar to Buffy's group. We mostly focus on Frankie's training as the slayer as well as the ensuing battle with the big bad, but the over arching plot point for this series is going to be figuring out what happened to the slayers and if any of them are still alive.
Definitely recommend for anyone who needs a bit of Buffy nostalgia, and a vampire read that isn't super heavy. I could definitely see this as a show on the CW or something. Looking forward to the next book!
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Body horror, and Violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Cannibalism
elizajaquays's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Gore
bookreader02's review
adventurous
funny
medium-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? No
5.0
Since last year, I had found out that there would be a book that goes along with the Buffyverse. I was excited. I’m a big Buffy fan. At first, I hadn’t been sure If I liked it. But, when it had gotten released, all I wanted was to be able to get it and I was excited when I was able to finally get it last month!
I loved it! I loved getting to meet Willow’s daughter and be with the buffy characters again. And I fell in love with the new characters that were introduced. Some moments made me laugh. I did enjoy this book. I hope the author decides to write another book for this series. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
I’m happy with how it ended, it ended up good. Most books I’ve been reading recently have had bad endings that I didn’t like much. So I was glad this one at least had a good ending.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, or books with magic, werewolves or vampires in it. Or, if your a fan of Buffy The Vampire slayer like I am. I would recommend it!
I loved it! I loved getting to meet Willow’s daughter and be with the buffy characters again. And I fell in love with the new characters that were introduced. Some moments made me laugh. I did enjoy this book. I hope the author decides to write another book for this series. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
I’m happy with how it ended, it ended up good. Most books I’ve been reading recently have had bad endings that I didn’t like much. So I was glad this one at least had a good ending.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, or books with magic, werewolves or vampires in it. Or, if your a fan of Buffy The Vampire slayer like I am. I would recommend it!
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death
Minor: Gore
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
It's not peak Buffy, and I'm not sure who exactly this book is supposed to be for, but it was entertaining.
What bothers me with YA Buffy books these days is that they're not for newbies. You have to be a Buffy fan to understand the plot and implications. But the main core fanbase is millennials, all of whom are way past teen years, so writing a YA novel (not that adults can't enjoy YA, but it's made mainly for teens) feels a bit weird when there could be adult novels instead.
And talking about implications, there were a few details that made me cringe, as I'm sure any big fan would. There are small discrepancies that wouldn't jut out to a newbie - but as I stated earlier, this is very much a book for those who already know the show well - that made me go on a rant to myself.
The book itself started well. It was interesting to dive into another slayer's life and discover new characters still connected to the originals. Not sure Spike, Willow and Oz are the best trio to go off from, but I'll accept it. I'll even accept Jake as a poor Xander replacement (although can we PLEASE stop with the dog jokes? None of those were funny and Oz never displayed dog traits so... yeah...) and the cringy romance developing between Hailey and Sigmund.
I wish Drusilla had been the big bad. I know, I know. Been there, done that. But I feel like she would've given it something that - the watered-down version of - the Countess didn't.
It may seem harsh, but you can't just write any old story in the Buffyverse and make it pass to hardcore fans. If you were a casual viewer of the show, you might enjoy it as a continuation (disregarding all the comics, but that's fine cause I never really took an interest in them anyways) and the beginning of a new generation of Scoobies.
My last critic, because I CANNOT ignore that one, is the bi-erasure. Willow isn't gay, she's bisexual. In 2022, we shouldn't have to keep saying it and I find it hella disappointing that this book participated in the bi-erasure she's been victim of since s4.
What bothers me with YA Buffy books these days is that they're not for newbies. You have to be a Buffy fan to understand the plot and implications. But the main core fanbase is millennials, all of whom are way past teen years, so writing a YA novel (not that adults can't enjoy YA, but it's made mainly for teens) feels a bit weird when there could be adult novels instead.
And talking about implications, there were a few details that made me cringe, as I'm sure any big fan would. There are small discrepancies that wouldn't jut out to a newbie - but as I stated earlier, this is very much a book for those who already know the show well - that made me go on a rant to myself.
The book itself started well. It was interesting to dive into another slayer's life and discover new characters still connected to the originals. Not sure Spike, Willow and Oz are the best trio to go off from, but I'll accept it. I'll even accept Jake as a poor Xander replacement (although can we PLEASE stop with the dog jokes? None of those were funny and Oz never displayed dog traits so... yeah...) and the cringy romance developing between Hailey and Sigmund.
I wish Drusilla had been the big bad. I know, I know. Been there, done that. But I feel like she would've given it something that - the watered-down version of - the Countess didn't.
It may seem harsh, but you can't just write any old story in the Buffyverse and make it pass to hardcore fans. If you were a casual viewer of the show, you might enjoy it as a continuation (disregarding all the comics, but that's fine cause I never really took an interest in them anyways) and the beginning of a new generation of Scoobies.
My last critic, because I CANNOT ignore that one, is the bi-erasure. Willow isn't gay, she's bisexual. In 2022, we shouldn't have to keep saying it and I find it hella disappointing that this book participated in the bi-erasure she's been victim of since s4.
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Stalking, and Misogyny
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