Week 1: chapters 1-5

[Taake]

Week 1 (week 13, 27 of March - April 1st): where we read chapters 1-5, pages 1-98.

I’m dividing this book into four sections/four weeks. If you read faster, feel free to carry on in the next thread whenever you wish, as I’ll post them all now. 🙂

 

[fauxindigo]

I always wanted to read this book Queen of the Slayers

 

[Cohen]

So I haven’t read this since 2005, so like 18 years. I thinly remember the plot, but it’s been so long, I’ve forgotten the details.

I didn’t realize the book picks up just after the finale. Like they are literally still on the bus, driving away from the crater. It’s wild to think what a filmed season 8 might look like and if they would have picked up right from the finale (which they’ve never done) or if they would do a time jump. But I like that Holder gives us this glimpse of what it may have looked like riding on that bus to a new life

 

[Cohen]

There was actually a lot going on in this first part of the book!

I thought the shapeshifters plot was interesting, and a great way to show how the closure of the Sunnydale Hellmouth has had far-reaching ramifications. Britney was a great twist—both her initial introduction and the reveal of her true motives. It reminded me of the Eve twist in “Showtime”. Honestly the whole plot could have been fleshed out more and made into a part one of a post-series trilogy of novels—similar to the Unseen or Wicked Willow trilogy.

I’m interested in seeing how the Janus plot commences in this novel. I like the callback to Ethan Rayne, and his disappearance after his last scheme in season 4. I wonder if he will show back up in this novel?

I also like how Holder is beginning to explain how the group is split up following the finale and by the time Andrew shows up in Angel Season 5. The need for some of the group to stay in Cleveland for the hellmouth there, as well as other parts of the group to go to England to train slayers makes a lot of sense. I wonder how/if these characters will show back up later in the novel.

I didn’t really like Faith’s obsession with Robin? I just find it out of character for her. i don’t know.. I know she was worried about him in the closing minutes of Chosen, but it seems that most of her motives during this section were surrounding Robin. So it just feels extra.

And the breakup of Willow/Kennedy, while inevitable, didn’t really fly with me in this instance. They saw Tara during the Chosen spell? I mean… okay? But it just fell flat that this is the reason they break up. It would make more sense if it were to happen later in the novel after some distance from the spell, and maybe some physical/emotional distance between the two.

I thought it was sweet that Xander dreamt of Anya and she was doing something whimsical like carrying pineapples. It’s very much dream-like and very much Anya. Her missing presence is definitely felt in the first part of this novel. And Andrew is already annoying.

 

[Taake]

So I haven’t read this since 2005, so like 18 years. I thinly remember the plot, but it’s been so long, I’ve forgotten the details.

I didn’t realize the book picks up just after the finale. Like they are literally still on the bus, driving away from the crater. It’s wild to think what a filmed season 8 might look like and if they would have picked up right from the finale (which they’ve never done) or if they would do a time jump. But I like that Holder gives us this glimpse of what it may have looked like riding on that bus to a new life

I agree, I thought this was really nice. I'll be back with more thoughts when I've gotten further, but this was my first thought, that it was cool to be with the gang immediately where the series left off.

 

[IndianaSolo221]

I've never read this book before. I'm really enjoying it so far, but then I've always wondered what could happen immediately after the finale. I like that the loss of Spike, Anya, the Potentials, and even Sunnydale itself is still very fresh-- I don't feel like the events of the finale have been brushed over or that the characters seemed rushed in their grief. It makes total sense to me that everything would erupt into chaos so soon after they escape Sunnydale, and although the Shapeshifter bit feels like it was resolved really quickly, it also feels right that the Scoobies weren't just abruptly thrown into Watcher's Council. I'm unsure about the introduction of Janus, but it'll be interesting to see where that goes and if Ethan is going to pop up in this book at some point.

So far, the characterization is fine. Buffy is ready to take a break, have some normalcy, and just take care of Dawn. It feels perfectly in-character for her and I love it! Faith and Robin are okay, but I'm a little surprised to see Faith being so clingy with Robin. I don't like Kennedy, and I wasn't much surprised that her and Willow have broken up, even it was rather sudden. My feelings on that bit were just kinda..."Eh, whatever." I'm not at all shocked by the way the Watcher's Council are treating the new Slayers, and I was ready for Giles and Buffy to knock some sense into them.

This may be a bit of a tanget (coming from someone who hasn't read the graphic novels), but: Starting a novel set after the series makes me realize that the Scoobies never got much of a chance to stand alone or really do their own thing. I wish we had more content involving Buffy (or even Willow) outside of her relationships, just being a single person and doing single person things.

Edited because I almost forgot: Xander's reaction to bunking with Andrew made me laugh out loud. And Belle is so cute and I love how she wants to protect Buffy even though she's just a baby Slayer 🥺

Anyway, I really like this so far. I hope the rest of it keeps a good pace and holds my interest 😁

 

[Cohen]

I like that the loss of Spike, Anya, the Potentials, and even Sunnydale itself is still very fresh-- I don't feel like the events of the finale have been brushed over or that the characters seemed rushed in their grief. It makes total sense to me that everything would erupt into chaos so soon after they escape Sunnydale,

Yes! Holder did a fantastic job of showcasing the immediate grief these characters must be feeling. Even in the comics, which I know you haven’t read, we don’t really see this because the comics are set so long after the actual finale. I like that Holder didn’t gloss over the losses each of them are feeling. Vi and Rona holding each other and crying really got to me and reminded me that these girls were SO YOUNG who fought (and died). I know the writers wanted to show how war stings with killing Amanda, who we got to know more than any other Potential, and Anya, who we’ve known for years and have seen grow since her initial introduction, in the finale, and you still felt their loss in the first part of this book.

and although the Shapeshifter bit feels like it was resolved really quickly,

I agree. I feel like this could have been an entire book plot on its own. I’m in Chapter 7 now, and as I go along I feel like im doubling down on my opinion that this book really could have been a trilogy or mini-series. I liked the sheriff and the hotel owner, and enjoyed their presence at the beginning of the novel.

it also feels right that the Scoobies weren't just abruptly thrown into Watcher's Council.

I'm not at all shocked by the way the Watcher's Council are treating the new Slayers, and I was ready for Giles and Buffy to knock some sense into them.

Yes, though I’m confused because I always thought Giles made it seem like the whole watchers council was destroyed in the bombing in season 7, which also confused me about Kristen White’s “Slayer” novel. But I agree, it does seem right that the Council would be complete morons and continue to try to control the slayers as they always have done.

I'm unsure about the introduction of Janus, but it'll be interesting to see where that goes and if Ethan is going to pop up in this book at some point.

I’m hoping it will pay off! And we get an Ethan cameo!

So far, the characterization is fine. Buffy is ready to take a break, have some normalcy, and just take care of Dawn. It feels perfectly in-character for her and I love it!

I agree! I like seeing Buffy’s internal struggle with Spike’s death, and the ramifications of the spell that they probably didn’t think about before doing it. The goal in Chosen was “win at all costs,” and now they actually have to deal with the fact that they just made all these unprepared girls into super humans. This was showcased so well with the Britney twist—which is why I wish we that whole plot could have been fleshed out more. Have Britney really integrate into the group before she turns and kills some more unsuspecting new slayers with them. That would have been a better payoff. That whole plot was very rushed!

Faith and Robin are okay, but I'm a little surprised to see Faith being so clingy with Robin.

This. Faith has never been clingy. Especially with guys. Even when she was desperately seeking Buffy’s approval (and even the mayor’s approval) in season 3, her motivations always felt like Faith first. And then even when she was “reformed” and came back to help Angel in LA, and Buffy in Sunnydale, her motivations still very much about doing what was best for her. Even if she connected with Robin, this obsessive personality she’s developed in the first part of this just seems off.

This may be a bit of a tanget (coming from someone who hasn't read the graphic novels), but: Starting a novel set after the series makes me realize that the Scoobies never got much of a chance to stand alone or really do their own thing. I wish we had more content involving Buffy (or even Willow) outside of her relationships, just being a single person and doing single person things.

Yeah, there was always this teen soapy “who can we stick Buffy with”. I can see that. But I also think we got glimpses of this in the series. But I can see what you mean in that, I wish we could have gotten more of the Independent Woman vibes from her, instead of either pining over a boy, in a relationship with a boy, or dealing with breaking up with a boy and being mopy-single instead of confident-single.

 

[Taake]

I didn’t really like Faith’s obsession with Robin? I just find it out of character for her. i don’t know.. I know she was worried about him in the closing minutes of Chosen, but it seems that most of her motives during this section were surrounding Robin. So it just feels extra.

And the breakup of Willow/Kennedy, while inevitable, didn’t really fly with me in this instance. They saw Tara during the Chosen spell? I mean… okay? But it just fell flat that this is the reason they break up. It would make more sense if it were to happen later in the novel after some distance from the spell, and maybe some physical/emotional distance between the two.

.And Andrew is already annoying.

PREACH! Especially that Andrew part.

Ok, so first of all, also loving that we get the immediate aftermath on the bus and not like "4 weeks later and they're all fine now". However, it kind of bummed me out that they were immediately in danger/trouble again. I just felt so bad for the lot.

I did not like the Shapeshifter plot. I thought the dialogue was hammy and forced and it just felt... meh. I get it, in the sense that it allows them to regroup while keeping the story active. But it really didn't do much for me.


Faith:
... honestly, Faith and Robin... the way they're written is like Xander would be if Anya was injured. It feels weird. They're fine together, but Holder acts as if they have this great connection and they never did. I thought it was cute when Faith told Buffy that Robin speaks french, BUT it would've been better to get some scenes where we actually see Faith and Robin build a connection, like where she finds out that he can speak french.

Buffy is so annoying around Faith. Honestly, I just wanted to throttle her. She is such a nag. And she's acting like Faith is on the edge, all while contemplating her own shadowside, without considering herself dangerous. Just get off your high horse Buffy.

Willow:
Ehm, on page 36 Buffy thinks Willow would go Dark Willow if something happened to Kennedy? Like, not from a hateful place, but c’mon. Willow and Tara had a significant 2-3 year relationship. They were serious. At this point Willow’s known Kennedy for like four weeks? This is like everyone assuming Angel is gonna go Angelus from sex itself.

Also, the Tara thing. Sigh.
This is the comics all over again and the just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you should. Tara is dead. Willow's moved on. Did we have to end Willow/Kennedy over "ghost" Tara? It just feels insulting and tacky. I felt bad for Kennedy even though it also felt weird that she'd thought of marrying Willow? Again, it feels like Holder is overplaying some connections. We can understand that they like each other a lot even without thinking about marriage or being obsessive.

Giles:
LOL... in chapter 5 it says that Giles is walking slowly because of his age?? He's in his 40's?

Buffy:
While Buffy has a point that Vi has to keep moving after the bus crash et al, when she says something like "You’re a Slayer now, keep moving…" meh. I feel like this is why season 7 Buffy is often so impopular, this lack of empathy and feeling. She has a point, but it’s not like she’s always been so ‘it’s the mission that matters’, it just comes across as callous.

She was cute with Dawn though, I really liked that.


Literal note I took while reading: Ch.4 Noooo not at flashback to ancient Greece. Mythology is always so dull in these.


The Watcher's Council:
Another sigh from me. The interactions with sir Nigel were just annoying. Please let the watchers have personalities beyond being stuffy 19th century aristocrats. Giles is a Watcher, he’s fine, even if he was a bit stiff in the start. Why wouldn’t there be more Giles’?

Also why is it suggested that Brits eat whole fish for breakfast? (p.93) I’ve been to England and Scotland and not even once did anyone try to feed me a whole cod for breakfast. Maybe I was just fortunate, but this seemed weird to me.

I quite like Belle though, she seems sweet and I'm scared that she’ll die.


Also why are we saying Senaya now? What was wrong with Sineya?

I'm not hooked, as of yet, but it's fine and I think that Holder overall is handling the characters well and doing well with the rather odd situation they're in (without a base, with a vague mission... it's a bit like the Deathly Hallows part 1, scatter and regroup, not the most fun, but necessary for the story to be good in the long run)

 

[IndianaSolo221]

Again, it feels like Holder is overplaying some connections. We can understand that they like each other a lot even without thinking about marriage or being obsessive.

I can definitely see that. But now that everyone has split up, maybe we can have less awkward romance and more focus on the plot.

Literal note I took while reading: Ch.4 Noooo not at flashback to ancient Greece. Mythology is always so dull in these.

Agreed. I struggle to concentrate on what I'm reading because the Mythology bits feel little more than entire chapters of exposition. They really slow these books down and make it harder for me to keep interest.

 

[Buffy Summers]

though I’m confused because I always thought Giles made it seem like the whole watchers council was destroyed in the bombing in season 7

I think Watchers Council yes, all Watchers no.

Faith has never been clingy. Especially with guys

.

Perhaps they were trying to show that this time it’s different, that Faith is different. Plus, he did almost die a couple of times lol

Giles is walking slowly because of his age?? He's in his 40's?

Yeah but he’s a non super who just averted an apocalypse, was in a bus accident, and fought shapeshifters lol


This is probably the best Buffy toe in I’ve read so far at least. She’s doing fewer callbacks than usual and the characters sound like themselves. It’s taken je a long time to tead these chapters though.