5 comments about All-Night Party (Fear Street, No. 43).

1. This is a teen horror. Some teens are having an all-night party to celebrate a birthday. The book takes place in a night, and it is a very good book. The suspense will keep you reading until you are done.



2. Somehow, my library said this was the first book in the Fear Street series, but it's not...its way down on the list, it's 45 in the series. All-Night Party does fine as a stand alone book, though I do wonder if there isn't more about the location and background (since I believe all the stores are set in and around the town of Shadyside). In this book we have a medium cast of teenagers who set out to jokingly kidnap their friend Cindy to her birthday party out at a deserted cabin on Fear Island. During the botched kidnapping, one of the friends reveals that here is an escaped prison inmate out on the loose, but that doesn't stop our intrepid party goers. All in all, it's a pretty typical set up; kids alone on an island with no phone, a remote cabin, dark and stormy night and tension amongst friends while the spoiled and selfish birthday girl is unaware that she's made her very last birthday wish!
   
   The characters include Hannah Waters, Cindy's oldest best friend; Gretchen Davies, a relatively new girl who's just glad to be accepted by the group but is sometimes put off by Cindy's selfish and vain behavior; Gil Shepherd, Hannah's boyfriend (who used to be Cindy's boyfriend until her parents wouldn't let her see him anymore); Jackson Kane, the kinda intense and creepy guy, a loner; Patrick Munson a friend whom Cindy loves to tease; and Cindy, the spoiled and self-centered birthday girl. They're all pretty typical teenage characters full of angst and melodramatic goings on...Hannah and Cindy vie for Gil's attention; Cindy likes to have whatever Hannah is wants whether she really wants it or not, and so on.
   
   All-Night Party takes all that, throws in the prospect of an escaped killer convict, mixes in a dark and stormy night and you've got an easy set up for a teenage murder-mystery! When Cindy turns up dead, the party goers initially think the maniac is on the island, but it slowly dawns on them that the killer isn't some unknown lunatic...it's one of them. That's when things get interesting...who did it? Read though this quick little mystery and see if you can piece it together before the big "reveal" at the end.
   
   Overall, All-Night Party has good atmosphere and the antagonism between the characters is good, but occasionally grating (a bit overdone), and I enjoyed figuring out who done it (early on unfortunately), but it was still a fun read, kind of the way a B movie is still fun to watch even though you figure out who the killer is halfway through the movie! I give it three stars, a light and entertaining murder-mystery with classic horror elements.



3. 
   This is a great book by R.L. Stine of
   the Fear Street books. As all R.L . Stine books
   this is a mystery. But this is a much different way
   to approaching the genre of mystery.
   
   
   This is about a group of students at Shady Side
   High School. When one girl's birthday approaches, they
   decide to throw a surprise birthday party for her on
   Fear Island which is about two miles away from their houses. Little
   did they know one boy brought a gun. When one girl
   noticed it she asked him about it and then
   he looked down and said that his dad gave him
   the gun for the trip because he told his son
   there was an escaped murder on Fear Island. He said he did not want to ruin the
   party so he never mentioned it. So they go anyway but
   when the party girl is found dead in the kitchen they
   all fear for their lives. Was it one of their friends
   or the escaped murderer?
   
   
   
   I would recommend this book to Sixth, Seventh, and Eight
   graders. This is considered a young adult book. I would
   definately agree with that because even being in seventh
   grade the book actually scared me at parts.



4. Book Review
   All-Night Party by: R.L Stine
   This story is a book about a girl named Gretchen. Gretchen and her friends throw a suprise party for there other friend Sindy. This "suprise" party is at an Island called Fear Island. But unfortunately someone dies, who will it be? The friends were Hanna, Patrick, Jackson, Gill, and Marco(Gretchen's boyfriend). The "suprise" party was supposed to be suprising, special, and fun, but it turns out to be like a horrifying murder movie. Patrick says that there's an escape prisoner on the loose. Now were not sure if the escape prisoner is the murderer?
   As you can see, this was one of my favorite books. It was one of the most frightening books in my history of life. I also thought this book was the best scripted and described book out of all the books I have read in my past. I recommend reading this book or the Fear Street series... Keep reading!!!



5. It was an okay book. About a bunch of teens having a birthday party on a remote island. Most people leave the house then when returning one girl finds a surprize in the kitchen. The main problem in this book was that R.L. Stine tried to put too much suspense in it and it sort of gets old. just buy a used copy for a penny for reading when you have nothing else to do. I reccomend that you get the babysitter 1 by R.L. It's one of my favorites!

5 comments about Blood and Fog (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

1. I thought this book was really good. With a book by Nancy Holder you can go either of two ways--really good or really bad. This, I would say, is really good. It's got some of that 'ol Buffy gore and destruction on top of the heart of the show that clearly shows through in this book. I recommend it, especially if you love season 6. I do not, however, recommend the Book of Fours book by Nancy Holder. It was not a good book and it was so dry and slow. Good Reading to everyone!



2. Blood and Fog by Nancy holder is a good Buffy read. But it is often incorrect.
   Spike's hair wasn't white yet at the time of Jack of the ripper in 1888. And as far as I know Angel never killed a slayer and avoided them.
   
   The parts in Sunnydale were good. Nancy Holder had most of the character's personalities down. Dawn, Buffy, and Spike were shown well. Even though I am pretty sure at points in the story she got the slang wrong. Buffy wasn't really saying "wigged" or "wig" that much anymore and I think Spike used some English slang incorrectly at one point.
   
   Other then that the story is good and interesting. I loved the flash backs in time, though I wished the story had taken more time in Sunnydale.



3. 'Blood and Fog' would really work had Jack the Ripper been conceived as a more run-of-the-mill demon and without the drama of world-ending hell-on-earth. The backstory involving the Irish deities is difficult to follow and told in a rather dry and confusing fashion, and Holder gets the history wrong on Jack (who operated from 1888 to 1891).
   
   The story of Elizabeth, the Slayer aided by Spike, was the main reason I bought the book, and Holder gives us a nice illumination of her. However, both the climax in 1888 and the climax in present-day Sunnydale arrive all too soon. Less time spent on the superfluous Tuatha and Fomhoire stories and more on the characters we care about would have helped.
   
   Finally, there are some inexcusable editorial lapses - incomplete sentences and sentences that get tangled in their clauses and end up making no sense. This would be allowable in the thoughts or speech of the Scooby Gang, but the errors appear in 3rd person expositional sections.
   
   Minor spoiler warning!
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   Willow's final actions simply do not work in the Buffy universe - the choice she makes just wouldn't be made. However, in light of her choice, the ending makes sense, and Holder should have dispensed with Spike's musings on the subject. I really disliked the majick-as-addiction plot in the show, so my opinion of the book may be somewhat coloured by the use of this plot.



4. This one is pretty full on. Quite a bit more of the horror feel about this. Jack the Ripper is actually a Sidhe half-breed, son of a Tuatha de Danan and a Fohmoire. Jack himself is crazy, and wants to be a god. Spike has run into him before, and seen a Slayer die, when Jack was involved. There are more flashbacks here to the 'bad' vampire quartet roaming around London.
   
   All sorts of crazy stuff happens in a battle at the end where Buffy goes all blind monk warrior.
   
   A few good quips, too :-
   
   ..."it was a tall, thin man, bluish white, with blond hair and blue yes.
   "Look. It's Elric," Buffy quipped, then looked at Tara's puzzled expression and said, "Xander loved those books in high school."
   
   and
   
   "...row upon row of Tuathan warriors yodeled high and shrill, a cross between Xena and something scary, fierece, and deadly--okay, like Xena--..."



5. The story was interesting, escapist fiction. It was a treat to read a book with Spike as a main force. Less depressing than Spark and Burn. I couldn't put it down. I should have put 5 stars. For some reason, when I edit my reviews the stars change.

5 comments about Silent Night (Fear Street Super Chillers, No. 2).

1. In this book, the three Silent Night stories are featured in this book. This book is very great because instead of buying all the 3 books, you can buy this book.



2. Reva Dalby is a stuck-up,spoiled,rotten, girl who never cares about other people but herself.Then someone is out to get Reva. They want to give her a holiday season that she will never forget.



3. Book Review
   Jarica
   
   Do you like super chills? Do you like it when goose bumps grow or when your eyeballs pop out of your sockets? If you do "Silent Night" by R.L. Stine is just for you. This book is the ultimate prize. It has everything needed if you like horror books. This is one of the best horror books I ever read. Do you want to know about it?This book is about a girl named Reva.
   Everyone in the world she meets thinks she's a snob , you would too if you played a role in this story. She believes she can have anything and anyone she wants. Her dad owns Dalby's Department Store after all , and Reva's very spoiled because of that , but when her own cousin Pam robs the store with a few of her friends , finds a needle in her liptstick and someone murders Mitch she's ready to give up and shake in her boots. You would too. Murder was gift wrapped to her as a present. This was the best book I've read all year and I think you'll like it too so buy it ASAP!!!!!!!!!



4. I read this book for the first time about ten years ago and absolutely loved it! In elementary and middle school, I was an R.L. Stine fanatic. I have read many of his books, and to this day, the "Silent Night" trilogy is my favorite--this one coming in first. I'm 21 years old now and still love this book... During the summer or weekends, I often find myself picking this book up and have probably read it about 15 times now. It's kind of just a comforting (guilty) pleasure that takes me back to my childhood... The story is actually really creative and it's even better to me now because it was written so long ago that the fashions described in the story (and other R.L books) are laugh-out-loud funny. Tapered jeans, "diamond-like studs" in the guys' ears, the whole bit. It's just great! Also, in November and December, it's great to get in the holiday mood! Highly recommended!



5. I have read a few R.L Stine books and I can say this one is probably my favorite. I suggest reading it in November or December so that it will get you in the holiday mood. It's a very easy read with a good ending. I have also read all of the sequels and I really like this one!

5 comments about The Possessed (Dark Visions Volume II).

1. Leaving off from The Strange Power (Dark Visions, Book 1) Kait & Co. must escape from the Psychic Enemies Network. The posse must literally follow their dreams to a mysterious house.
   Problems are:
   Rob and Gabriel still hate each other
   Gabriel and Kait realize their feelings for each other
   Thanks to Mr. Zetes, they are now fugitives...
   Then there's the whole "psychic vampire" thing.
   I love this book.
   Kait is a strong capable heroine who inspires loyalty and trust.
   Gabriel becomes a more sympathetic character and Mr. Zetes true insidiousness is revealed
   Followed by:
   The PASSION (DARK VISIONS 3): THE PASSION



2. Living in england I have been trying to but this series, when I eventually bought this book I wasn't disappionted what a brillient series shame though that L.J. Smith hasn't continued writing romance horror and supernatual. I enjoyed reading the book and have read them several times.



3. i thought his was the best of the dark visions trilogy by far.. which really is saying a lot because it is a great series. i love the friendship and attraction between kaitlyn and gabriel that develops in this book.. their chemistry kept me interested and in suspense to see who she picked.



4. She's done vampires, witches and shadow-creatures, and in this trilogy L. J. Smith tackles psychics, namely five psychics in particular - Kaitlyn Fairchild, Rob Kessler, Gabriel Wolfe, Anna Whiteraven and Lewis Chao (where does she get these names?)
   In the first book 'The Strange Power' the five teenagers were united by Emmanuel Zetes and his lackey Joyce Piper under the pretence of helping them control and understand their individual psychic abilities whilst also educating them and supplying them with scholarships for university. However, the teens found out eventually that this was not the case - what Mr Zetes was really up to was to change them into a 'psychic swat-team' and sell their psychic services off to the highest bidder. Horrified, the teens flee the house, which is where 'The Possession' picks up, but with a few differences: all five of them are telepathically linked with each other, and one of their members - Gabriel - is now forced to feed off other people's energy in order to survive.

   So where 'The Strange Power' was an introduction to the teens and their powers (which include healing abilities, animal communication, telepathy, future divination and telekinesis) and 'The Passion' is Kaitlyn's infilteration back into the Zetes Institute, 'The Possession' is the journey of the five runaways to find the mysterious house that they have all dreamt of - a white house over a strech of water where voices call out to them.

   On their road-trip however, they have to deal with the continuous presence of each other in their minds, the police, their parents, the mysterious location of their white house, Gabriel's need for human substanence, a new arrival, and an onslaught of attacks from Mr Zetes and his 'dark psychics' - those students who had come before them under Mr Zetes's tutorledge. However they are not without their own resources - their own powers guide and substain them, and they find allies in Anna's parents, Tony - the brother of Marisol (who had been a helper at the Zetes Institute and purposely put in a coma by Mr Zetes), an intriguing newcomer by the name of Lydia, and of course the mysterious beings of the white house - a climax that does not disappoint.

   L. J. Smith again creates good, solid, interesting characters - especially those of the psychics and their individual talents - and she is a master of creating the 'bad boy', in this case Gabriel Wolfe. You only need to have a look at some of the other reviews to see how he effects pre-teens. Likewise Kaitlyn is a strong heroine, though L. J. spends a bit too much time describing her appearance and how beautiful she is (just once I'd like to see an unattractive L. J. Smith heroine!) and backup characters are likewise interesting and realistic. I especially appreciated the 'shades of grey' L. J. places within the books - there are not simply black and white/good and evil characters but rather those that hover on the boundries such as Lydia, Gabriel, and even to some extent Kaitlyn herself. Gabriel's revelation at the climax of the books when he is faced with pure (though ridgid) goodness and realises he can never become part of it is especially thought-provoking.

   There are a few faults however - all her descriptions of psychic phenomena (such the feelings the psychics experience, the power of the crystal, the psychic attacks, the 'third eye' business and the transfering of people's energy into Gabriel) are rather difficult to grasp. Gabriel's description as a 'psychic vampire' I felt was a bit much, especially since L. J. Smith conveniantly makes the neck the best transfer place for energy and it was only young women that Gabriel 'feasted' on - it got a little too vampiric for me, and I thought these books were to be about *psychics*, not drawing out ideas from her previous books.
   Likewise, the teenagers never seem to actually *use* their psychic abilities - Kaitlyn draws pictures, but essentially her premonitions are useless as she can never stop what they show her is to pass. On the other hand Lewis and Anna seem to have extrodinarily useful powers, but they use them only once each on the entire journey.

   But anyway, if you are an L. J. Smith fan, then these books shouldn't disappoint. As usual, you have to get all three of them and read them in order to get the full benefit of them, but once again L. J. delievers what she promises with her token mystery, suspence, love triangle, teenage protaginists, 'bad boy' and touches of the supernatural.




5. The Kaitlyn and company are on the run from Mr. Zetes. They go in search of the house in Kait's dreams. But they aren't alone. Zetes sends these ghostly figures after them. In the end we find out who the figures are and trust me, it's a surprise. While this is going on Gabriel was turned into a psychic vampire by the crystal. But Kait finds out and she decides to help him out by giving him her energy. But one time during the process Kait goes deep into Gabriel's mind and finds out that he loves her. What will happen to all of them?

   GABRIEL IS HOTT! KAIT IS LUCKY! L.J. writes another hit!

5 comments about Chaos Bleeds (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

1. Oh no. No, no, no.
   
   I don't read these for the literary value. I mean, this book is an adaptation of a video game based on a television show, so it isn't as if I expect great prose or exceptional characterization. But you know what I do expect? Something that doesn't read like thirteen year old fan boy who has never even taken one writing seminar churned it out. Really, really awful. As much as I want to flee from anything to do with this book, I'll handle the review as I'd handle any other Buffy novelization.
   
   TIMING: In the sixth season. Definitely after "After Life" and likely before "Once More With Feeling."
   
   STORY: It roughly adapts the story of the Chaos Bleeds game, which wasn't a bad game. But I don't think a person who had the sole intent of destroying the story could have done a worse job than James A. Moore has done. I couldn't get past about the first hundred pages, but I can say this with complete confidence... because, without exaggeration, at least SEVENTY of those hundred pages had Buffy and her friends fighting vampires non-stop. It began to be like one of those bad jokes that go on for so long that they actually start to be funny because you can't believe they're still going on. This book quite clearly never crossed the desk of an editor. The appearance of Sid, as well as Buffy's reaction to all of the events in this book, are contrived and pretty much ridiculous. There is no sense of the universe or the actual characters in the writing. Almost every page is like this: CHARACTER FIGHTS, CHARACTER MAKES REFERENCE TO EVENTS THAT HAPPENED TO THEM IN THE PAST, MORE FIGHTING, SOMEONE IS KIDNAPPED OR DISAPPEARS, MORE FIGHTING, MORE FIGHTING. I stopped reading the book at around page one-hundred, and nothing had happened but what I've mentioned. Moore also has a tendency to ramble, and say things in the longest way possible. Take this for example: "Xander hauled back with his steel-toed boot-clad foot and kicked the... vamp." Steel-toed boot-clad foot? Honestly? Why not just foot? Or boot? Never, never should a writer say "steel-toed boot-clad foot." Where in the world was the editor?
   
   CHARACTERS: The writer doesn't known the first thing about characters. He writes Xander as if he's still in love with Buffy, and as if Anya were merely an annoyance in his life. He writes Spike as if Spike were obsessed with making Xander's life hell. But, of course, there isn't much time for characterization what with the need to fill every paragraph with unimportant fight after unimportant fight.
   
   CONTINUITY: Moore doesn't know the word. All of his flaws in the continuity department can be seen in the 'characters' section.
   
   COVER: Notice the one star, and how I've rated this 1/10 instead of 0/10. Why? The cover is actually pretty awesome. It does reek of photoshop, but it's much better than the very simple covers the Buffy adaptations tend to have.
   
   OVERALL: As a whole, Buffy novelizations are either average or a bit below average. This is way, way below that. This should never have made it to print. As I said, I don't read these looking for great writers, I read them because I love the Buffy universe. But this unedited and rambling mess is unacceptable by any standards. How it was published is beyond me.
   
   1/10



2. This book is based on the video game and it reads like a video game. There are many action/fight scenes in the book and the plot is a little thin. Overall, it wasn't bad. For a Buffy book it was completely average. I wished the plot developed better, but I wasn't totally disappointed. Overall, if you are a true fan of the show, you should check it out.



3. Apparently this one is based on the second Buffy game, so we have the alternate reality extras things going on with Sid the dummy and Kakistos the vampire. Add in Faith and Spiker.
   
   Ethan Rayne and The First are playing a little game, but Sid is the wild card they didn't know about, and he isn't pleased with The First for trapping him in the dummy body.
   
   So, he tells Buffy about Cassandra Rayne, one of Ethan's ancestors and the Dagger of Hope she has that can vanquish The First. The only problem is, that she is immortal, and her remains have been dispersed across a very wide area.
   
   Also, this book has an amazing amount of carnage, more vampire slayings and monster killings than in many others put together. If you are after monster bashing, this book is for you.



4. There's been a terrible amount of negative reviews of this book on Amazon, so I wanted to throw some positivity into the mix.
   
   Most of the reviews have a point; the book is strangely erroneous in terms of continuity. But the script for the game was written before anyone knew about the storyline of season seven. It was in fact obviously written before the end of season six as Tara is still alive. So before you judge that aspect, keep that in mind.
   
   The main thing I enjoyed about this novel was the nearly perfect writing for the characters. Every other book I've read based on this show are pretty shoddy in terms of conversations the characters have. I quickly find myself saying, "Yeah, Buffy would NEVER say that." "Even THAT is too British for Giles." But I didn't come across that at all in this book. And I for one appreciated Moore's hesitation of characterization, or advancement thereof.
   
   So there you have it, a brief, yet positive review. I'm still bewildered at the negative reviews as, like I said, it really is one of the better novelizations.



5. I understand that this book was based on a game, so I want to give it some credit for not being amazingly bad, but it wasn't actually very good. It was tolerable.
   
   The storyline could have been better developed. Again, I understand this was based on a game, but that doesn't mean it has to only go by what happens in the game. The author could have gotten a little more creative with it.
   
   There were points where the story was confusing and complicated in the beginning, but it got too rushed towards the end. There was a lot of time spent talking about Kakistos, who was basically a minor character, but not much time spent talking about Ethan, Cassandra, or even the First, all of whom should have had bigger parts in this book.
   
   There were also some points where things just seemed to simple. When Buffy was looking for her friends in the alternate reality, she found them too fast. That may have been how the game unfolded, but in book form, it really made the story seem weak.

5 comments about The Awakening Evil (Fear Street, No. 10).

1. i am a big fan of r.l. stine fear street sagas. i have been reading the series and i have read 1-10 and am waiting for 11 to come in the library. I got it oder! i have been ordering them for ever now and they are all great! the book is about an evil spirt living in an innocent young girls body! it is a total must read!!!!



2. Hi
   I love this book and I think its the best book i've ever read in my whole life. I think this book was more like a romantic book than scary, dont misunderstand me, it did scare the hell out of me for sure, especially the bit when Thomas fell on the boiling water. well,I really like the book anyway. By the way, my favorite carachter is Thomas Fear.I think Mr. Stine used a different idea unlike other authors I've ever read, beacuse most authors end their books in a happily ever after way, but he ended the story the way that both main carachters, Thomas and sarah(Jane) are murdered cruely by Sarah.
   Please Mr.Stine write more books just like The Awakening Evil. Believe me I'll be the first one who'll get hold of your new book. (...)!!!



3. This book is okay its really gory and kinda nasty with all the killing and stuff. When the evil doesn't kill Jason i thought that was the end but it wasn't! I really luv this book. its kinda freaky and scary though, cause the evil talks to her inside her head and stuff.



4. Well, I really liked this book, but there was one tiny problem. This book is a touch gory. But I really liked it. Some of the parts were making me think I didn't (namely the gory parts) but then I decided that I really enjoyed this book.



5. I have read this book twice!! If you are a fan of R.L. Stine's work, then this book is a MUST! If you have read the cheerleader novels (The First Evil, The Second Evil, The Third Evil & The New Evil) This book will explain where the evil came from and why it does what it does. All and all, this book is about the supernatural, love, hate, and what all his books have in common... death. If you have read this book.. then I strongly suggest the cheerleader sagas. This book is about a woman who loses her best friend due to a tragic boating accident, who marries into a family (the Fears) she has heard are witches, which are cursed.. mysterious deaths soon will follow with a supernatural twist.. You will NOT be able to put this book down.. I guarantee it!! Buy this book!! Borrow it!! Do whatever you can to read this book!! You won't regret it!

5 comments about Halloween Rain (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

1. I am a huge Buffy fan and I have read many of the novels. To be honest, when I read the book preview, I thought it sounded cheesy and I was convinced that I wouldn't like it. Boy was I wrong. I wound up really enjoying the story because it was so unique and the character development was quite good. I may even reread the book. I would definately recommend it!



2. I really liked this one. Lots of pop culture refferances, and it looks like the leading villan ripped off Tim Burton.



3. Fans of the earlier seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will certainly enjoy this novel based on the series. Published in 1997 it works from the series at that time. Willow still has a crush on Xander; meanwhile, Xander continues to pine for Buffy. Cordelia reigns supreme as the queen of Sunnydale High. The villain of the novel is interesting and the story itself is better than most of the episodes. Giles is not convinced that Halloween is a rest day for vampires like in later years but this is a minor detail. The work does fairly good job of catching the wit of the characters. This is great for those fans nostalgic for the good old days before Xander became a construction worker in love with a vengeance demon, Willow turned into a psychotic lesbian witch with a magic addiction and Buffy gained an annoying little sister.



4. I picked this book up at the dollar store and feel ripped off. Wow this was bad. It reminded me of fan fiction that was written by someone who had never seen the show but had heard about it.
   
   The problems began with the premise. Halloween is supposed to be dead vamp wise. I was willing to let this go because it might have been written before that fact was established, I don't know.
   
   The BIGGEST problem for me was the bad dialogue and the fact that for halloween Willow died her hair red from brown. They talked about how good she looked as a red head and how it looked better than her normal hair color. It was at that point I shut the book unable to read any more. The author had no idea what the characters even looked like. It was just such a shame.



5. 
   Buffy didn't move to Sunnydale until half way through the school year.
   Therefore, she was still living in Los Angeles at the time this book supposedly took place.
   
   Glaring continuity problems seem to plague all the Buffy books. The fact that the authors aren't given permission to advance the storyline of the show in any meaningful way make the books the equivalent of really boring filler episodes of the show. Only the books aren't as well-written and Sarah Michelle Gellar isn't around to salvage the tripe.
   
   Reading the authors attempts at dialogue is funny (laughing at them funny) at first, but then it just gets painful. The book reads like overly earnest fan fiction and all the characters become insufferable because of their sappiness and led balloon one-liners.
   I don't know Nancy Holder and Christopher Golden personally, but reading this filled me with a strong dislike and sense of pity for both of them.

5 comments about Portal Through Time (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

1. Alice Henderson captures the spirit of the TV show better than anyone. Portal Through Time is not only a great Buffy book, it's also a great read in general. The pacing kept me turning pages long past when I lay down to sleep. I can't wait to read more of her work.



2. This is an awesome book. I really enjoyed the Civil War scenes. It was a fast-paced page-turner. The main character, Buffy, traveled through time saving historical slayers from time traveling assassins. Each time period was well written with a suspenseful, thought-provoking ending. This is well worth picking up.



3. I thought that the plot jumped around a lot; nothing seemed to conclude. The characters were moving through time; I would have preferred a series of novels, one dealing with each time period, to one book that tried to cover so much.



4. 
   Those of us who are still mourning the end of our favorite show ever, a loss which ocurred in 2003, can take solace in the fact that the novelizations based on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" continue well past the show's end -- and they're still good!
   
   "Portal Through Time" takes Buffy and Scoobies on a wild adventure through history. After Buffy defeated the Master and ground his bones to ash, she thought that was the end of it -- but she was mistaken. A few loyal followers of the Master have discovered a way to rip a hole in the fabric of time, and travel back in the past to try to change the outcome of the Master's demise. After killing Buffy herself at a point in time before she became the Slayer didn't have the desired effect, they discovered that in order to stop her from destroying their Master they need to go farther back in time and kill past Slayers in order to create a chain of events that would change history forever! Buffy and company must follow these rogue vampires back in time and stop them from succeeding!
   
   Like the recent Buffy novel "Bad Bargain", this book is actually set during Season 2, just prior to Angel's shift to evil. However, unlike "Bad Bargain", this book also doesn't have the added fun of alluding to future events from the show. Instead, it likes to throw a few references to things and events that took place before this novel, in reference to it's place on the season 2 timeline (which, by my estimate, must be just after the episode "Bad Eggs", but before "Innocence"). Even though it would have been nice to see the extra effort of adding those little winks and hints to the story, I can also see how it would have been quite difficult to do while taking on this gargantuine storyline.
   
   The book itself is very entertaining, and I tend to be a little critical of my Buffy novels. It also helps if you're a bit of a history buff, like myself, because the majority of the book deals with certain people, places, and events that are important to our history -- such as the Roman invasion of the British Isles, the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk and it's most famous king, Gilgamesh, and even the American civil war and the bloody battle of Shiloh. These historical aspects are all beautifully incorporated into the novel, but are also kept light enough so as not to alienate readers who don't have a partcular likeing for history (I'm an anti-math girl myself). With the elements of time travel, this novel is a lot of fun!
   
   At times the dialogue seems to regress into a sort of clipped, amateur version found mostly in Buffy fanfiction, but I think most of that is due to the efforts of the author trying to re-create the Season 2 atmosphere. When it comes to writing a book based on such a popular TV show, I imagine it's quite difficult for an author to write a novel where they needed to, for the most part, completely ignore all the character development that takes place *after* the setting of their novel. If you think about it, the dialogue of the characters in season 2 is *quite* different than the dialogue in season 7.
   
   Forgiving the occasional mistep with the flow of the dialogue, I think this was a great Buffy novel, and fellow fans will enjoy it!



5. If you don't like SPOILERS, don't read on... Near the end of the story, when Buffy actually gets to battle Angelus and Darla (which was a genius twist, btw!), the Scoobies were wondering how to save Angelus from getting killed so as not to alter the future. The solution Henderson gave was for Buffy to write a letter to him which says that he shouldn't go with Darla to a fight in the alley if he values his life. It was signed, a friend. And yes, Angelus chose not to go with Darla. If Henderson wanted to remain true to Angelus' character, she would know that he just won't back away from any fight, most especially that "an unknown friend" wrote it. Angelus should have been suspicious and knowing his arrogance and particularly since he was supposed to bag 2 slayers, he wouldn't give up that easily. He should have at the very least tried to see who wrote the letter... Well, the book was off to a good start but the ending wasn't done masterfully. Still, since I love collecting Buffy books, this is still worth a read. I would've given it 3.5 stars... due to the ending. The time portal concept is a good one but if you look throughout the book, there are still some inconsistencies with regard to the "rules" of time travel. For one, the author said that no matter what time they followed the vamps, it wouldn't matter coz they would arrive at almost the same time as the vamps. But when you think about it, it should matter because if the vamps already did something to alter the future, then it goes to show that the present that they are now in would have changed. So that means that the sooner the gang followed the vamps, the better to not alter the future. But, if you really don't get too technical about it, the storyline is still good.

5 comments about The Baby-Sitter IV (Point Horror Series).

1. This is the 4th book of a 4-book series. Even though each book can stand alone, it is more fun and interesting if you read them all, in order. In the first 3 books, Jenny had tramatic experiences in the babysitting department.
   
   In this 4th and last book, the new next-door neighbor asks Jenny to watch her kids. Should Jenny totally give up babysitting?
   
   Strange things happen next door. Is Jenny crazy, or are these things really happening? The ending of this book is fun and satisfying.
   
   I re-read these 4 books after 10 years or so of reading them the first time, because they were so good. I think they were even better the second time around! (If that's possible.) They have been a fun and enjoyable adventure and escape. I think these 4 babysitting books are the best books that R.L. Stine wrote (that I've read, and I have not read them all). I think I'm done with R.L. Stine for a while, and I am going back to reading adult books. I highly recommend the 4 babysitting books to all teens and only die-hard fun-loving adults.



2. EXCELLENT!!! The characters were same old, same old goofy Rick and serious Claire. I'm glad, because I just got over having nightmares from the last one. A must-read, I highly recommend it.

   -Ashlee, avid reader




3. This book was very interesting from the beggining to end. It was not quite what I expected it to be until the woman Jenny babysits for said something about a child being murdered in the house before they movied in. I thought the babysitter was more interesting. I have not read part 2, or 3 but they both sounded interesting. I think R.L. Stine fans would love this book it had a very shocking ending though. I hope this review helps



4. The Babysitter 4 is the best book I've ever read apart from The Babysitter. You'll never be able to guess the root of all the horror going on as Jenny, in spite of what she's been advised, takes yet another babysitting job. Unlike the past books in the series, this one is totally different and original. It's not about murder and rage and craziness. It's about mysterious sightings, noises, and stories. What's happening to Jenny? Is she being deceived by her own mind, her own eyes, her own ears? Or is there something else going on? This book is suspensful and will keep you guessing till the end! Highly recommended! 5 STARS!



5. I like this book it's a bit differnt from the rest. Book one: was a bit slow but a all around good book. Book two: was the the charm of the series. Book three: was creepy but cool also.
   this book was supernaturel which was cool cause I do belive in ghost!

5 comments about Blackout (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

1. Nikki wood is the slayer in 1977 and Spike is in New York and on the hunt. Fleshing out the story of how Spike killed his second slayer, bringing the city and Nikki to life. I loved all the chapters and I loved the addtion of Reet and his men to the cast. The 70's slang was funny to read and never seemed forced on the characters.
   There really wasn't anything I didn't like about the book. It was funny, smart, and perfect for all Buffy fans, keeping the show alive! It is worth a read for any fan of the show.
   
   I loved the Drusilla scenes. and Spike's. The plot of the story fit well with the story in "Fool for love".
   Wonderful book over all.



2. In the Summer of 1977 Spike was on the outs with Drusilla. Because of this he decided to track down the current slayer and feed on her. The current slayer is Nikki Wood who is operating in New York, a city on edge from bad Mayoral decision, the Son of Sam, and police union controversies. Nikki tends to occupy herself dismantling a vampire mob that runs the crime in her part of the city. Nikki is also in a rare state as she is one of the few slayers to have a child. To add to the flames it looks like Drusilla has also come to the city.
   
   Steeped in actual New York City history, this is an interesting and tragic tale. An fan of the show knows how this is going to end. But there are some nice new touches that lessen some of the tragedy. All in all this is an important chapter in the Buffyverse and it has been told very well. Fans of Spike will especially want to read this one. Check it out.



3. BLACKOUT
   
   By Keith R.A. DeCandido (2006)
   
   RATING: 5/5 Stakes
   
   SETTING: Mostly prior to Season 1, brief Season 6
   
   CAST APPEARANCES: Spike, Drusilla, Buffy, Nikki, Robin Wood, Roger Wyndham-Price
   
   MAJOR ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: Leroy Hawkins (pimp vamp); Reet Weldon (vampire crimelord); Bernard Crowley (Watcher); Arthur Landesberg (detective); A.J. Magnuson, Olaf Manguson, Marty (theater operators)
   
   BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "New York City in 1977 is vampire heaven. Serial killer Son of Sam is often blamed for their hits, and a citywide blackout gives them free reign of the streets, allowing them to get away with murder. Spike and his beloved Drusilla are in the Big Apple taking advantage of the situation, as is Vampire Slayer Nikki Wood, who has hunkered down with her son, Robin, in a Times Square apartment where she thinks they'll be safe. But no matter where she goes, Nikki has to watch her back. Spike has only one thing on his mind: to slay a slayer. Adding to Spike's list of challenges is a corrupt local vampire community that catches wind of his presence, and when they start messing with him, things get bloody interesting."
   
   REVIEW
   
   Blackout is exactly the sort of book the Buffy novel line should be publishing: a well-written, well-researched novel that fleshes out an interesting and under-explored event in the show's mythology and fits nicely into continuity. In this case, the event is the death of Nikki Wood at the hands of Spike in 1977, first depicted in the classic Season Five episode Fool for Love.
   
   DeCandido spent a lot of time researching New York circa 1977 and it shows. The reader gets a clear sense of a city on the edge and simmering in the summer's heat. He draws, in a respectful way, on movies of the time period like Shaft and Cleopatra Jones to place Nikki in the role of an urban folk-hero, a clear way of distinguishing her from Buffy's suburban California lifestyle. We get a much clearer sense of how Nikki lived and why "it's the mission that matters" even though she has a young son at home. Her Watcher, Bernard Crowley, is also depicted well.
   
   Although Nikki's primary foe (a vampire crimelord named Reet) is fairly average, things are always exciting when Spike is around and DeCandido does a good job of handling his persona. Less well-portrayed is Drusilla, admittedly a difficult character to write for. Minor complaints aside, this is by far one of the best Buffy books and a must-have for readers interested in Nikki Wood or Spike.



4. This is a GREAT novel of Spike's run-in with Vampire Slayer Nikki Wood, with ties to BTVS Season 4. Spike in this novel is soulless. Also, Mr.DeCandido gives us a great view of 1977 NYC: Blaxploitation meets Punk Rock head on. Add the Buffyverse to this potent mix and this makes for excellent reading for Buffy and Spike fans alike! Highly recommended!



5. A definite change of pace, as DeCandido tells the story of the Slayer, Nikki Wood.
   
   "As for the coat--hell, baby that was her look. You didn't mess with the look. Besides, she used the coat to cover he moves, like Batman did with his cape in the comics. In fact, that was how she saw herself: as Cleopatra Jones and Batman all rolled up in one cool package."
   
   This Slayer is different, as she learned late, and has a child. It seems like DeCandido uses the child, Robin, to write a love letter to his comic geek childhood growing up in New York.
   
   Nikki's mortal problem is that Spike is in town, with a big head, and getting annoyed when the Ramones aren't on at CBGB's and being annoyed by local hood vamps.
   
   At the end, we see Robin's motivations for moving to Sunnydale to become a principal.