Buffy and Angel fiction disappointing

[Peter]

does anyone find it disappointing, granted I've only tried a few of the books, but I don't think they're well written at all, I'm talking about the written books, not the graphic novels.

 

[white avenger]

I don't know if disappointing is as good a word an underwhelming. The show was excellent, well written and executed, and is one of the few shows I have seen where I have been truly impressed with each episode. The books, however, at least the few that I have read, have been written on a level considerably more juvenile than the show itself was, and, as often as not, the characters seemed nothing like they were portrayed in the series. I don't know if Joss has any input or control over the novels' content, or if he has even read any of them, but I can;t see how he could be responsible for such poor novelizations and at the same time produce the Series 8 books, which are excellent, especially considering the limits of the media.

 

[Jules]

There ok. Sometimes I don't think they capture the characters correctly. There's one comment, I can't remember which book its from or if its Buffy or Angel that says it, but they say something like 'My love.' Neither of those characters have ever given the impression that they talk like that. Sure they have the gooey first love thing going on, but calling each other 'my love' doesn't seem to fit at all.

 

[LittleMissLikesToFight]

Angelus used to say "my love" to taunt buffy. But that was about it. As far as their really true romantic relationship, no they never spoke like that. so yeah, thats weird. Ive read a couple of the early books and was more than unimpressed. Though ive picked up Queen of the Slayers and i really want to read Go Ask Malice....so we'll see.

 

[Joyce Summers]

I think it depends on which ones you read. Some authors are absolutely awful writing the characters and get everything out of wack and it just doesn't feel right. An example that comes to mind for this is Afterimage. It was just terrible and the author clearly didn't watch the show very often if ever.
However if you get one by Christopher Golden, Nancy Holder or Diana G Gallagher (my personal favorite) then I doubt you'll be disappointed. All three of them always get the characters voices perfectly and the interaction between them all is so realistic it could have easily translated onto the TV show. In fact, I found myself at some points wishing that the novels could be transferred to the screen. Immortal would have worked very well for that and Prime Evil. But they'd probably need a movie budget so.....never mind. Haha

 

[TrueVengeance]

The only books I've ever really enjoyed were "Tempted Champions" and The Wicked Willow Series. In fact, the 3rd Wicked Willow is now my favorite book. It captures all the characters extremely well and isn't out of character at all. It also shows all the characters that are needed at the time, and doesn't leave anyone out...which tis important.

But I recomend anything by Yvonne Navarro or Nancy Holder.

 

[Lyri]

if you read anything by Christopher Golden, you won't be disappointed. he is by far my favorite BTVS novel writer. 'Spike and Dru: Pretty Maids All In a Row' and 'The Lost Slayer' are two of my all time favorite books. Nancy Holder used to be my favorite, but quite frankly 'Queen of the Slayer' put me right off. but 'The Book of Fours' is worth a look.

 

[Kean]

It's a bit hit and miss with the books. For every 'Immortal' or 'Tempted Champions' there is a 'Seven Crows' or 'London Fog'....like that lads have already said anything by Chris Golden or Nancy Holder is ALWAYS top notch but some of it can be absolute tripe! I would nearly encourage you to find some fan fiction on the net that you like...I have gotten more from fics than from the books

 

[Tranquillity]

I've read quite a few of the Buffy and Angel novels but have really enjoyed only two of them - Pretty Maids all in a Row and Blackout. Pretty maids was actually written before we knew that much about Spike so its technically incorrect now but its still a really good read and brings in the whole idea of potentials which is quite interesting. Blackout is all about Nikki Wood with Spike as a sort of side character and its good because it doesn't have to rely on getting the characterisation for the established characters correct. So many of the books don't capture the known characters well - they rely on very surfacy sketches and don't seem to understand the parent text (the tv shows) very well. I also find that many of the authors are excessively attached to the high school years and the buffy/angel ship. Even books published in the last few years have been set back in seasons 1, 2 and 3. Personally, I'm not really interested in reading a book set in highschool when i know they moved on, it seems quite pointless. The tales of the Slayer series are Ok though, some of the stories are dull bit there are a few gems in there too.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

For a story to be accepted for print it has to be ok'd by the copyright holders. I think that the fanfic that's around is a lot better than the books, but then I might be a bit biased.

 

[November]

i totally agree with 'slayer comma the'. i have found those particular authors to be the best out of the books i have read so fer (except for diana g, havent got any of hers..) I have trouble finding the buffy and angel books unfortuatly. Dont have a credit card to buy online!!

 

[Peter]

i totally agree with 'slayer comma the'. i have found those particular authors to be the best out of the books i have read so fer (except for diana g, havent got any of hers..) I have trouble finding the buffy and angel books unfortuatly. Dont have a credit card to buy online!!

go in any bookshop, with the author and title and you can order them, most places won't charge you to do this, but you wouldn't be getting the good online deals!

thanks for the advice about the authors folks, I will bear this in mind should I try them again!