Storytime with Cohen

[Cohen]

Instead of taking over @Taake thread, I decided maybe I should do my own thoughts about novels I read. Generalized storylines will not be spoiler tagged, but plotpoints integral to novels will have spoiler tags, in case people want to read them fresh.

I really enjoyed The Gatekeeper Trilogy! It did exactly what the books should do, did stuff that would’ve been cool to see on the show, but that wasn’t feasible to make on TV.

Finished Out of the Madhouse.

I think Golden & Holder did a fantastic job of setting up a scenario where the Scoobies have to manage a crisis without Giles. I forgot that Watchers were being killed in this novel. (which seems to happen in a lot of Buffy novels. Didn't Kendra's watcher get killed in the Book of Fours? Or am I imagining that?) I liked the callback to Blooded (which, admittedly I haven't read in at least 2 decades) with the Japanese watcher that helped them in that novel. Also, I think Golden & Holder fleshed out the Watchers being targeted idea much better than what happened in season 7 of Buffy. The fact that this was written years before that season and knowing Joss signed off on all novel outlines makes me think that the First storyline in that season was kind of ripped from this trilogy, when they were running out of ideas. Even if it may have been subconciously done.

Honestly, Golden & Holder could probably pen a Buffy sequel better than anyone. They really get these characters. Oz was a little off, but knowing that this was written before he became much of a central figure, makes that understandable. Faith isn't mentioned here, but Angel's season 3 storyline is there. So it makes me think that this was written before much of season 3 was fleshed out. Authors were usually given a very narrow details about future storylines, so that makes sense. In my eyes, this takes place in an alternate version of season 3, where Faith maybe came to Sunnydale later (or not at all! Maybe our girl got a nice watcher in Cleveland!)

It is interesting though that the last third of the novel takes place in Boston, but no mention of Faith. I could easily see her being introduced in this way. Where her watcher was killed during this storyline, instead of by Kakistos. The possibilities in this alt-canon are limitless!

I'm excited to see how the narrative continues to develop in Ghost Roads!

 

[Cohen]

Started Ghost Roads. I'm only two chapters in, but I love the juxtaposition of the identity struggle of the Gatekeeper against the Slayer. Getting Jean-Marc's perspective of having to accept his fate at 21 mirrors the same issues that Buffy is facing in season 3, and in this novel. Even his father mirrors the thoughts Joyce is having--wanting more for their child than the fate that lays ahead of them, and their child having to accept that their life has been predestined for them when they have so many desires beyond that of the Gatekeeper/Slayer. This could have been a many arc in season 3 and it would have fit perfectly with the themes present in that season. I can almost see this as the first true arc of the season (after re-integrating Buffy back into Sunnydale and re-introducing Angel back from hell), though I understand the writers of the show were going for the Good vs Bad slayer angle. Honestly, this trilogy could have taken the season 3 arc, and the writers could have had the Good vs Bad slayer arc in season 4, which would have worked a lot better than the Initiative. Juxtaposing the "freedom" of being in college with the "freedom" Faith has mosying into Sunnydale after her watcher was killed would have been very compelling to watch, and having the Mayor be the big bad of the season, still, would keep Buffy rooted in the town's issues, despite having to balance her college responsibilities with the Slayer duties. And we could have foregone the downward spiral that was Riley Finn's character assassination.

All to say... I'm loving this trilogy so far. The Flying Dutchman just came into Sunnydale harbor, so I'm excited to see how that plays out.

 

[Cohen]

Finished Ghost Roads!

I also enjoyed this novel. For a middle novel in a trilogy, there was a lot that happened, and it did a good job of pushing along the story. The twist in the final chapter did a great job of setting up the action for the final novel. I’m excited to see how all the threads come together.

I had mixed feelings about some of the plot. For example, there’s three kidnapping storylines here. Jaques is kidnapped by Spike and Dru. Which was an interesting way to bring these characters into the story. However for most of the novel they’re pretty pointless additions. I wish they did more than kind of wait around. Having them actually infiltrate the Sons of Entropy, or even their own true subplot would have worked better I think. Giles also is kidnapped. This time by the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. It’s interesting Giles is made to essentially sing for his life, as this was written before season 4, where we found out that Giles (read: Tony Head) has a wonderful singing voice. But again there’s little payoff here as the rest of the Sunnydale crew go to save him. Also, while the crew is focused on Giles, we have Joyce being kidnapped by the Sons of Entropy. This plot ultimately sets up the cliffhanger ending, where Buffy ends up back in Sunnydale while Willow and Cordelia are dashing along the ghost roads, carrying a mortally wounded Xander.


Minor plot issues aside, this trilogy really could have been a compelling third season, or half season plot. There are so many moving parts to the story. Each character really gets a chance to shine.

I like that Golden & Holder allow Willow to tap into her magickal curiosity. She is binding breaches left and right, and many of her spells are pretty solid.

Cordelia gets to be a lot more integrated with the gang in these novels, and she holds her own in a few different battles. We also get to see her lean more into being an accepted member of the group, and wrestle with this new role while still trying to maintain a “normal” social life (more evident in the first novel than the second) but also staying pretty true to her character, often being straightforward in her Cordy way.

I like that this novel put Buffy and Oz together, and you can see growth in friendship as they are forced to interact and understand each other. This is one of my favorite aspects about Ghost Roads because we don’t often get to see Buffy and Oz alone. This was a clever way to explore this new friendship, and give Oz a place in the group.

Xander is written very well. And even though some of his squabbles with Cordelia mirror more of the mid-season 2 dynamic than early season 3, we still get that familiar feeling between them. We kind of get to see how their relationship could have progressed if the season 3 writers didn’t stunt the development with the weird Xillow stuff. I like that we get to see them talk about their future and what that may look like.

To be completely honest, I don’t think they knew what to do with Giles, which is why he spent a large part of the first novel in the hospital and a large part of this novel trapped on the Flying Dutchman. But I also give them grace because it wasn’t until mid-season 3 that we really got to see Giles be a more dynamic character than merely the king of Exposition.

We still have Angel also being pretty static in this novel. He’s basically Buffy’s muscle, and that’s about it. There were a couple of Bangel moments that waded slightly into the “where are we” dynamic that was similarly mirrored in the televised third season. But he’s still pretty much the vampire with a soul that rides in to help Buffy and then rides off.

We also got a glimpse and some development into Il Maestro. We know who he is by the end of the novel. And kind of know his motivations. But there’s still not a clear picture of why Il Maestro is doing what he’s doing, and how killing all the watchers play a role in his chess game.

Still, overall I really enjoyed the novel, and I am sure we will get resolution to the Sons of Entropy plot. The third novel is aptly titled Sons of Entropy so all of the threads that have been weaved so far are about to come together. Looking forward to finishing the trilogy!

 

[Cohen]

I forgot to post my thoughts on Sons of Entropy. I enjoyed this novel, and trilogy as a whole. Saving Xander by making him a (temporary) gatekeeper was a great twist. I liked that he was able to understand the responsbility of having some power. I think this thread could have been a great character arc in the tv show.

I liked that Buffy was back in Sunnydale for this novel, after traversing the world in the last novel. I did think it was odd that they basically had Cordelia, Willow and Xander kind of just sticking it out in Boston for most of the novel. But it was interesting to see Ethan Rayne as a somewhat ally in this novel, and the dynamic between him and Giles, and him and Buffy. It was interesting trying to figure out if he was really going to help the Scoobies or if he was going to turn on them. This dynamic is what really kept me invested in the novel.

There were some things I think that could have been better developed. Spike and Dru cameod in the second novel, and were kind of part of the plot, but wholly underutilized. That thread was never tied up in the final novel. And also, for Il Maestro to be the big bad of the trilogy, it was kind of a whimper of an ending. The final battle at the Gatehouse was pretty cool, but I just felt that for 2 novels worth of buildup, it wasn't a totally satisfying ending.

I don't even remember Giles' love interest's name, but it was nice to see him kind of moving on from his grief over Jenny's death. But the character felt very Jenny-like, complete with her own magical powers.

With some of the Xander/Cordelia stuff added in, I wonder if this was originally going to be a trilogy set during season 2, but because of publishing dates, they ended up rewriting some stuff to try to shoe-horn it into the beginning of season 3. There were a lot of callbacks to season 2 plots.

Anyways, it is definitely one of the best of the Buffy novels. And after a few years, I can see myself rereading the set again. I'm already thinking about re-reading The Lost Slayer for the 15th time. Lol.



Currently, I shifted gears to Haunted from the Angel book line. This was the very first Angel book I remember reading, and I haven't read it in at least a decade, if not longer. I remember the general plot, but not much more than that. So I'm excited to re-read it.

I like that Cordelia is separated from the group through a reality television show, similar to Big Brother (@November it may be worth a read, I'll let you know when I finish!) set in a Haunted house. (it was even referred to in the first chapter!)

The TV series in the novel is aptly called "Haunted House," and the contestants must outlast their competitors by staying in the haunted house the longest without getting scared. But what the producers don't realize is that it really is haunted, and there is something sinister going on. I'm only about 50 pages in, but it's interesting so far!

And we even got an Anne cameo in chapter 2! I don't know what it is about Anne, but I just love that this character started as a recurring character on Buffy and moved over to Angel.

 

[Cohen]

Wisdom of War by Christopher Golden

I just re-read this for the first time in probably 20 years. I can’t remember the last time I read it. The only thing I remembered was it had to do with the Watchers Council bringing Faith back and a war between sea creatures.

I like that this book had various elements from the series. Golden is probably my favorite Buffy author because he captures the characters so well. Even the new characters for the story are developed well.

This book proves how much more the show could have done with the Council. Having Quentin go rogue with a project of his own to understand the ancient demonology of the Aegir was a clever plot device. It also gives a reason for the Council to be a part of this story, because they show up rather hastily at the beginning.

I also liked how much Faith was utilized and how Golden actually pushed her growth through this story. Having her choose to go back to jail following the ordeal of the story really shows the remorse and maturity she has gained since her season 4 appearance. If you thought of this story as “canon,” it also kind of fits and connects between the end here and her re-introduction in season 7. I also liked how it moved forward the relationship between Faith and Buffy as slayers, which again is reflected in Faith’s appearance in season 7, and kind of explains Buffy’s ease at bringing Faith into the action in Dirty Girls. I wasn’t focused as much on the faith and spike interactions here, if there were any. I’d need to go back and see if they stayed separate through the ordeal, which would continue to support this story could have fit perfectly into the show.

I think the only thing missing was knowing this was set in season 5, having no mention of Glory, despite mentioning Buffy/Giles’ truce with the Council. It easily could be mentioned that Glory has been healing from the Buffy birthday ordeal. But it does seem to fall in line with the events between Buffy’s birthday and Crush, because Spike is still in okay terms with the Scooby crew, and Dawn trusts Xander the most.

For a 400 page story, I thought it flowed quite well. Some of the longer books take too long to build the first act, but this one did quite well throughout. Definitely pleased!



Chaos Bleeds by James A Moore
Read this about a month ago..
I liked it for the fact that it was a novelization about the video game. However, the necessity of using the game’s dialogue really hampered the feel of this being an episode. It also is stated in the book to be a season 6 story, but it’s quite clearly a story set late in season 5. Buffy is grieving the death of her mother, still, and trying to navigate being dawn’s caregiver. Though Dawn isn’t really mentioned much, and is “at a friends” through much of the story.

The characterizations are okay, though at times the dialogue just felt off. The constant fight scenes were a distraction because they pretty much cover the fact that Buffy and co kept fighting hordes of NPCs in various locations.

I think the book would have better been served to have been “inspired” by the game, rather than used the script to write the novelization. The game script really drug it down.

Still, knowing the role this novel plays, I think Moore did what he could here.


Portal Through Time by Alice Henderson

This was a later addition to the Buffy original novels series. Written after the show ended, and when PocketBooks/SimonSchuster went back to high school era novels. Therefore, while a longer novel of the series, it reads as more of a youth-oriented novel than an adult novel (the pocketbook line had two explicit types of novels written, to appeal to the different audiences watching the show).

Knowing this was clearly written for a younger demographic, it was an okay novel. The concept of the Master’s former crew trying to resurrect him through time travel was fun. It gave us a chance to meet other slayers, which was cool. I liked how we got to visit various time periods. However, I would have liked us to interact with more diverse slayers. We got slayers from; Wales, France, and Civil War America. It would have been cool to get visits with slayers in other parts of the world. Africa, South America, Asia. I know there are Tales of the Slayer books that do better with diversity, but for a novel that necessitated a limit to the amount of time hopping that could occur, having even one jump to a time or location that would have offered a slightly different diversity would have been fun.

All in all, I enjoyed the read!