5 comments about The Dark Times: Lost Slayer part 2.

1. The young slayer, August, refuses to stop fighting until either she, or Buffy, is dead, so another Slayer will rise to continue fighting.
   
   She loses, and Buffy uses her body as a distraction to break out of her cell next time they come to feed her.
   
   She is horrified by what is out there, but manages to contact the Council, who tell her they will send an extraction team.
   
   It is a grown up version of her friends, but the bad news is what happened to Giles.
   
   In her own time, Willow realises the Prophet has taken over Buffy's body, and that there is little they can do to stop her.



2. Sunnydale has always been a marking-ground for vampires, and other creatures of the underworld. At nightfall, they prey upon the innocents that walk upon the Hellmouth, at daybreak they sleep, content with the blood consumed the night before. However, when Buffy Summers - the chosen one - awakens in the future, now a 24-year-old, she is shocked to see what has happened to Sunnydale. It is now overrun with vampires, and creatures of the night, who have claimed it as their own. Buffy soon finds that her friends, known as the Scooby gang, have now grown as well. The usually fun-loving Xander is now a humorless older man, Willow is a complete sorceress, and Oz possesses a tremendous split personality, living as both a human and werewolf. However, back in the present, Buffy's friends can't figure out why the 19-year-old is acting so strangely, and walking around in a trance-life state. They don't yet realize that the Prophet has taken-over her body. Now it's up to the Slayer's friends to draw her out of the future, and bring her back to the present before it's too late.
   
   Christopher Golden is utterly amazing. In his second installment of THE LOST SLAYER QUARTET, DARK TIMES, we are introduced to the future of the Scooby Gang. The older characters are captivating, while at the same time battle-scarred, and a little eerie. Buffy, on the other hand, is alluring, as always, and is defending innocents better than ever. While her witty comebacks aren't being spouted after each punch of kick, she is still amazing. Filled with wonderful battle scenes, and enticing new characters, DARK TIMES is wonderful. Beware, DARK TIMES is an extremely quick read, so make sure you have KING OF THE DEAD - the third installment in THE LOST SLAYER QUARTET - handy.
   
   Erika Sorocco
   Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper



3. "Dark Times" is the second installment in the four part Lost Slayer chronicles by Christopher Golden, beginning right where the last one let off:

   Buffy has been catapulted into the future by the malevolent Prophet, into her twenty-something year old body that has spent the last five years in a tiny prison cell. She's there under the power of the Kakchiquels, the energy-sucking vampires that serve the demon-god Camazotz, and they're about to change her grim existence: into her cell is thrown August the Vampire Slayer, Faith's successor to the Slayer line. August decides that their only choice is to kill one another so that another Slayer might be called out in the world, but Buffy is more concerned with escaping her jail. After a fight (and I won't give away the results), Buffy flees the compound into a grim world she could never have comprehended. Sunnydale is a ruined city, with the vampires performing not like animals, but as an organised group, and some humans as their willing slaves. But who could have such power and charisma to hold sway over what are essentially individualistic creatures?

   Meanwhile, back in the present Willow, Xander, Anya and Oz are torn between going to save the captured Giles (taken by Camazotz's henchmen in the previous book) or going after the unidentified Prophet, who has taken over Buffy's body and has a secret adjenda of her own.

   You could probably get away with understanding this book without reading its predecessor "Prophesies", as most details are repeated here, and most of it is pretty straightforward anyway. It is definitly an improvement on "Prophesies", fast-paced and action-packed, with another large twist at the end that shakes the situation up a bit. There are more cute cameo roles, predominantly that of Parker Abrams, but I found the inclusion of Spike (pre-chipped and pre-souled) and Drusilla to be rather pointless, it feels as if Golden simply put them as they're popular, and I personally felt that their decision to be a part of the regimented vampire world was way out of character for both of them.

   The time-travelling/parallel time stream idea confused me (but those types of things always do), and I get the grim feeling that Golden's going to pull a 'deux ex machina' in order to put things back the way they were, something that is *never* good - kind of like when a character puts themselves in a bad position only to wake up and find it was all a dream.

   Finally there were a few glitches that really annoyed me - August's decision she has to kill Buffy in order to activate a new Slayer was completely useless. If you are a long-time fan of the show you'll know that when Buffy died by drowning at the end of Season One, her temporary death caused Kendra to be called into the role of Slayer. After Kendra's death Faith was called. Buffy could die and be resurrected a thousand times to no effect - *the Slayer line lies with Faith*. True, it's possible that August didn't realise this, but Buffy certainly did, and she does not even attempt to explain August's folly to her.

   Furthermore, when Buffy is driving towards her pick-up point, she serves to miss two vampires and sees them giving her obscene gestures in the rear-vision mirror - since when did vampires have reflections? I can't believe that particular flaw slipped through!

   All in all, a light, interesting read, but no better or worse than some of the fan-fiction out there that can be read for free.




4. When they throw in another Slayer with Buffy in the cell and she declares she's going to kill Buffy for being a bad slayer I knew things were going to be intersting. This book while short, is well written and creative. The end left me gasping in shock. It also leaves you very interested in hearing what happens next. IF you enjoyed the first book I suggest you read this one as well.



5. the book was great i never expected it to end the way it did. it kept me guessing what was going t happen next i couldnt put it down the next chapter is the king of the dead i hope its as good.

4 comments about Blade: Sins Of The Father TPB (Marvel Comics).

1. Wow... Blade in Chicago vs. 2 rival vampire mob families. VERY GOOD! This short comic story has the look and the feel of the Blade movies. Lots of action and plenty of baddies. Awesome!



2. This is a great Blade comic with great illustrations. If you like Blade the movie you will like this comic.



3. I don't get why it shows Deacon Frost sucking Blade's mother's blood when in the movie he finds out what happens to his mother. I thought it was good and surprising but the book by Mel Odom is better because it is a real book and not a comic book like this.



4. Blade is the coolest and so is this book. I would not recommend it to any one under the age of 12 though do to it's violent content.

5 comments about The House of Death (Sweet Valley University(R)).

1. I loved reading this book, and I thought it was fantastic. However, after reading it, I saw the 1944 movie "Gaslight", and I believe the author of this book just watched that movie and totally STOLE THE PLOT. I could predict what was going to happen in the movie based on what had happened in the book. For that reason, I have to say, "SHAME ON YOU, FRANCINE PASCAL! SHAME!!!"



2. I thought that this book was really good because it was mostly on Lila and Bruce. (my fave charecters). Lila falls for a docter, Porter Davis after she has an accident. Porter is a phcyo who tries to make Lila belive she is crazy. Also Jess plays tricks on Tom because he moves in with her and Liz.



3. The House Of Death was so cool, I read it in an hour because I couldn't put it down! I'm a long-time Sweet Valley fan, and the last thiriller this good was Sweet Valley High #???-A Killer On Board. I enjoyed it.



4. This was a great book. I read it in about two nights because I could'nt put it down. It is very suspenceful. I was really scared for Lila. I can't believe she fell for Porter Davis. I felt bad for Bruce. You'll have to read the book to find out why I felt this way.



5. This is got to be one of the best SVU thrillers. So good, with on the edge of your seat action. That guy she was with was a physco. A total physco, and I'm so glad Lila went back to Bruce. They were made for eachother!

5 comments about Reef of Death.

1. This is the story of Wally, PC, and Maruul who end up on life gambling deep sea adventure ! It takes place in Australia on the Great Barrier Reef, present day. Maruul and her brother belong to an Aboriginal tribe and their land is being taken by crooked politicians. To save their land they dive for tribal treasure that was buried. Will they save their home? Do they find the treasure or a Beast? Read and find out. This book is easy to read. There where parts that were boring, but the exciting parts make up for it. I recommend this book to kids between the ages of 10-16.



2. The Book starts out in Austrilaia in present time .I thought this book was not the best I ever read but one of the best books. I would recommend this book because it has alot of action and mystery. Right in the very beginning of the book there is an attack on a scuba diver and they keep happening through the book. The characters of the book are PC (Peter Collins McPhee) Cliff , Helen (the grandmother), and Maruul. PC , Maruul, and Cliff wanted to stop the fish creature from killing more people so they set out but will they be able to stop this thing before it kills them too?, find out more of the details by reading this book.



3. This book is one of the best books i have ever read. I liked this book because it is from paul zindel and also because it has non fiction charachters in it!



4. This book was exceptional and very difficult to put down. There is constant surprises and you never know what is going to happen next. Defiantly worth reading.



5. Paul Zindel's next book has giant sea monsters and stuff like that in this exciting book. PC's uncle Cliff invites him on a treasure hunt in Australia in The Great Barrier Reef. A girl named Maruul is also joining the hunt. Unfortunately, the treasure is guarded by a giant man eating fish {like always}. Pc, Cliff, and Maruul become invloved in a game of cat-and-mouse where winner takes all. The torture chamber scenes were also cool but the conclusion was the best. With the underawter submarine chase and the ginat robot. This is one of Zindel's best books.

5 comments about Close to the Ground.

1. Somewhere in Ireland an old mage is getting older faster. He is in danger of dying before he can complete his he plans to resurrect Balor of the Baleful Eye and conquer the world. Naturally, the solution is to move to Los Angeles and make life miserable for Angel. In the meantime Doyle has a flash, and Angel finds himself defending Karinna Willitts, a beautiful young woman who happens to be the daughter of Hollywood's most powerful studio head. Trust Cordy to immediately parlay this fortunate moment into a studio job, while Angel is offered the opportunity to become Karinna's permanent guardian. The young lady has a nose for trouble, and loves to be in it.

   As Mordractus (the mage) begins to weave his plans to turn the unsuspecting vampire into a health food drink there is action on another front entirely. Kate Lockley is hunting a group of bank robbers who make a habit of tunneling into vaults and popping up with the money. Only this last time they popped up the killed three people who happened to be in their way. In other words, business is as usual in the city of stars.

   Jeff Mariotte is a change of pace in this fourth volume in the Angel novel series. For a change, the story stays in the present, and the plot is full of complex twists and turns. Mariotte is good at developing characters through action, which means that those characters who play big roles (Angel, Kate, and Cordelia) develop considerable dimensionality. The walk-on parts (and in this case Doyle doesn't get much of a part to play) are always a bit sketchy, but Mariotte's pace is fast enough that it never really becomes an issue.

   Cordy's adventures in studio land are a characteristic satire of the countless facades of Hollywood life, as Mariotte works to build a cynical view of the industry that, after all, has provided some of cynicism's greatest moments. One has to sympathize with Cordy, who would either like to get paid or become famous, and never seems to manage to accomplish either. Angel, wizards, demons, thieves, Hollywood, and the FBI - who could ask for anything more?




2. Really interesting story. Loved seeing a side of "Angel" that I'm not use to. Recommend to all, especially fans of the show.



3. I just finished reading "Close to the Ground" and I must say that so far, it is my favorite. It started out as a magician named Mortractus tried to bring back Balor, the one-eyed giant, from another dimension. But he was aging with every spell that he performed and was looking for a way to live forever. Which was what brought him to LA. Meanwhile, Angel had troubles of his own: what with having to be a bodyguard to the daughter of a big movie company, whom he thought was spoiled and only helped her because Doyle had a vision. I really liked the book because even though Angel was not around Kate, the writer still had a story for Detective Lockley and her and Angel seldom crossed paths until close to the end. The best part was right after that when the whole story took a quick turn and Angel finally figured out how to save the girl from Doyle's vision. This is a great book and I think that anyone who's an Angel fan should pick this one up.



4. This book matches and surpasses most of the big bestselling mainstream suspense thrillers. It is not just for the fans of the tv show about the vampire detective. If it had been relaesed as a hardcover with a different character's name, it would be a bestselling hardcover. SHAKEDOWN, and HOLLYWOOD NOIR are particularly great other volumes in this series. If you like James Patterson, Tom Savage, Jonathan Kellerman, Jefferson Swycaffer, Joe L. Hensley, Tami Hoag, Wilson Tucker, John Sandford, David Wiltse (or not) add this to your pile to be read.



5. Close to the Ground is now my favorite in the line of Angel books. Mariotte managed to combine true greed with the supernatural in a well-thought out manner. After Angel has accepted the job of bodygaurd over a hot-shot director's daughter, Karinna, weird (as usual) things began to happen. What does an ancient Celtic sorceror want with Angel? How does Karinna mesh with the Celtic man? Angel has to figure out those two questions, as well as save Kate Lockley who has become hostage to a group of nasty bank robbers. Nothing like a good old cops and robbers plot. Especially one which is splendidly done and meshed in with a supernatural tale. I do have one tiny complaint; Mariotte made Angel a bit too sarcastic during his battles with the Celtic sorceror's minions. But other than, Close to the Ground is a very good novel.

5 comments about Soul Trade.

1. I don't think you'll ever see this episode on tv. It was much too graphic in the gore and ugh department. Yet, it was very creative and gripping. I could not put it down. (That says a lot. I usually start books and don't finish them!)
   If you like a lot of action and science fiction, this is your book. Doyle is awesome as Angel's sidekick. I truly miss him on the show. He was Angel's anchor. (As Cordy started to be in the later episodes.) The "big bad" in this book are very evil. So evil, it's hair raising creepy! Stealing children's souls: how low can you go!
   My only critique is I wish our main characters, Angel, Doyle and Cordy were allowed more emotion and thoughts. That's okay, though. This book wasn't about that. It's about nasty people who sell their children's souls to pay their debt to a demon. The demon and his keeper are the darkest of dark creatures. They've been together for many, many years. So far they have been winning. Enter Angel.........



2. This is a really good story that tugs at your heart, mainly because there's a child involved and someone has taken her soul. Angel and the gang were awesome in their pursuit to right this wrong. Highly recommend.



3. This has been a happy time of year for Buffy and Angel addicts. New novels keep appearing about both heroes, and even a new series starring both. Now, turning this surfeit into an embarrassment of riches, comes yet another foray into Angel’s Los Angeles, written by Thomas Sniegoski, noted for his comic book narratives.

   When Doyle has a vision of a young girl under attack, Angel and his team speed to the site. In a calm, suburban neighborhood they find a comatose child and her distraught mother. When hospital staff is unable to discover what has happened to little Aubrey Bentone, but Angel fears the worst. A small container, dropped by the assailant, provides a vital clue. The soul of an innocent child has tremendous value in the underworld, and someone has ripped Aubrey’s from her once vibrant body.

   Angel, Cordelia and Doyle race against death or worse, for they must restore the child’s soul before the empty shell left behind withers and dies. For Angel, haunted by visions of his young sister, a victim of his vengeful hunger centuries before, the search becomes a personal quest for redemption. Doyle struggles to come to terms with his demonic nature. And, on the lighter side, Cordelia struggles to make ends meet while taking on a master magician, countless homunculi, and a very, very overweight demon who is the last of his soul-eating kind.

   Sniegowski starts out a bit slowly, but then catches fire as he develops his characters and tells the story of the innocent child who is the victim of the predators. Dialog is well crafted, and “Soul Trade” has a dimensionality which is often lacking in this kind of fiction. Once into the story I was unable to keep from reading the novel in a single sitting (well, I did take a break for lunch). This author displays considerable talent, and I hope we see more from him soon.




4. Souls are brought and sold like drugs on the streets of LA, a business which remained a secret, until they take one soul too many. A beautiful soul of an innocent child is used to pay off a gambling debt. Doyle's vision brings Angel to the rescue. But the path is difficult, Angel is troubled by memories of his sister, the sister who loved him, the sister who thought him an angel right before he took her life. Angel is driven to succeed to find redemption in the act of restoring the child's soul. The author has woven humor and action into a lovely story of dark magic and innocence. You will never look at a garden troll the same way again. Set in the early part of the first season it is refreshing to see Doyle moon over Cordelia again. Harry, Doyle's former wife makes an appearance. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy Angel, the Television Series as well as newcomers who like horror fiction.



5. Doyle's latest vision leads him, Angel, and Cordelia to a little five-year-old girl named Aubrey. They discover that Aubrey has mysteriously slipped into a deep unconsciousness - and that the one who did this to her was someone the child trusted. As Angel, Doyle, and Cordelia investigate to find the source of Aubrey's mysterious condition, they discover that her life force has been stolen and is being held captive by a sorcerer named Meskal, who is running a "soul trade" on the black market. Such a priceless soul as one belonging to an innocent child will fetch a high price. Angel has helped many people, but he feels especially that he must save Aubrey, who reminds him of his own little sister, Katherine - one of his first victims when he was turned into a vampire. Now he must fight a race against time to save this little girl before it is too late. This was one of my favorite Angel novels. I reccomend it to all fans of the television series.

No comments about Un fantasma en la casa.

3 comments about The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural.

1. I really liked this book from the first story to the last. It's a bit of a quick read, but it does well to keep your spine tingling and you looking over your shoulder more than usual. If you're not a fan of scary stories, this book isn't for you. Obviously, judging from the cover, this book is meant to creep you out. If you're like me and your motto is "The scarier, the better!" then this will be a nice little addition to your growing horror collection. Something you may want to keep in the bathroom, on the coffee table or in the car for long trips.
   
   This is going to be a handy little book to keep around for when I have children who want me to read them bedtime stories lol. :) One night with this thing and they won't ask me to read their birthday cards. That being said, if you're looking to purchase this for your child or someone else's, make sure the kid can take this level of..uhh..excitement before giving it to them.



2. In this book are 10 short stories based on the restless dead who are awake and shouldn't be. I really liked the idea of all the stories but I finished them last night and I can't really remember any of them. They weren't great. Some were OK at best. Some of them had parts that were quite hard to even understand. The third story...Kissing Dead Boys was probably the best one and also the shortest. But liking 1 story out of 10??? Definitely wouldn't recommend picking this up!



3. This book was pretty supernatural. Some stories were actually pretty good. I don't think the actual story was supposed to scare people, but the plots were pretty amazing. there were a few stories which I didn't quite understand, so I had to reread them. Some of them were also based on famous stories like Edgar Allen Poe's 'the Tell-tale Heart.'

5 comments about The Ghosts of Lone Jack.

1. As a former Language Arts teacher at the Junior High and High School levels, I'd have given anything had "The Ghosts of Lone Jack" been available to entice those reluctant young readers!
   
   The reader immediately empathizes with Jared, a ten-year-old boy who, with his widowed father, is visiting his ailing Grandfather for the summer. Jared, in an effort to please his father, is playing baseball with the local ball team, only to miss a catch in the outfield resulting in the team's losing the game. As the outsider, Jared becomes a social pariah amongst his peers, but with kindness, little by little, Jared wins the locals over, and thus begins as exciting summer.
   
   Mr. Noel's plot development is extraordinary, carrying the reader from adventure to adventure seamlessly. Likewise, his character development is thorough, but concise, leaving one with the feeling of fully knowing the various individuals, from the bright, sensitive mature-beyond-his-years lead character, Jared, to the laughably inept pretentious rotund local law enforcement officers.
   
   Mr. Noel's use of descriptive language and dialogue allows the reader to visualize and experience each scene. His subtle use of humor serves to deflect the overall horror and intensity of the ghostly encounters. The use of the paranormal captures the anguish and brutality of the civil war battle of Lone Jack with a vividness that surpasses even modern day battle reenactments.
   
   Mr. Noel is a compelling writer and it's hoped that "The Ghosts of Lone Jack" is the first of many books to come.



2. The town of Lone Jack has a creepy problem on its hands. Ghosts from the Civil War battle fought there in 1862 have come back to life for one last skirmish. Jared Millhouse and his band of mischievous buddies make saving Lone Jack and ridding the town of its deadly inhabitants their dangerous mission. What ensues is a wild ride that readers will definitely enjoy.
   
   The style and camaraderie of the characters in the book brought back memories of Stand by Me and The Goonies (great movie from 1985 for those of you who aren't familiar). The close-knit group of friends fight haunted baseball fields, caves, cornfields, and historical battlefields.
   
   I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it.



3. My 13 year old son wanted to read this book after a friend of his told him about it. Being a nosy parent I read the book first and I must say it was a surprisingly fun read even for a concerned mother!! The story takes you back in time and allows you in many ways to relive your own childhood.
   
   The characters are well-developed; and the main character, Jared, is a less than willing hero you encourage and cheer on as the story unfolds. The book is also very funny. I laughed out loud in several places. There are a few misspelled words and some of the scenes are a little mature for readers under 12 years of age, but overall I found the book a captivating page-turner. The ending left me wanting more. (I hope Mr. Noel is working on a sequel, because this book needs one.)
   
   The author is a great story teller and I strongly recommend this book to young readers over the age of 12 (and for any adults as well!!).



4. A popular belief among paranormal researchers is that spirits will often haunt the place where they met an untimely and/or a violent death. Many will supposedly hang around in an attempt to tend to unfinished business. Author Lance Lee Noel utilizes this in "The Ghosts of Lone Jack."
   
   While spending the summer at his grandfather's farm, young Jared Millhouse and his friends find themselves face to face with ghosts from one of the bloodiest battles in American Civil War history in Noel's book. When Jared first encounters the ghosts, he is frightened by a woman behind the outfield of a ballpark. She demands a key from Jared. As the story continues, the ghosts begin to show themselves more often. In some instances, they play out their part in the Battle of Lone Jack, facing off against each other in an eternal struggle for the James Guns. Osage Indians and slaves also haunt the area, striking fear into Jared and his friends.
   
   While most members of the community don't believe the children, a local cemetery worker named Sirus does. He agrees to help the kids, collectively known as the Crossroads Gang, find out exactly what is going on with all of the ghosts and why they are looking for a "key." They enlist the help of "Yankee" ghost hunters and a few other people as well. To top it all off, murderous convicts have escaped from a nearby prison and are hiding out in the countryside of Lone Jack.
   
   Can the Crossroads Gang find the "key" to the ghostly activity in Lone Jack? You'll have to read the book in order to find out.
   
   Personally, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I really enjoy history, and author Noel litters this book with plenty of factual information as it is related to the Battle of Lone Jack. All of the ghosts mentioned by name in the book actually existed and played a part in the battle.
   
   The kids in the book are fun to read about as well. They deal with bullies, blown catches in baseball games, love, and elder members of the community in typical tweener fashion. Characters such as Sirus and Ned add plenty of humor to the story also.
   
   Particularly interesting was Noel's description of the Osage Indian ghosts. They are very unique and I won't spoil them for anyone reading this review by revealing their unique qualities.
   
   I believe that most kids (particularly young boys) over the age of eleven will really enjoy this book. There's a little bit of violence and a couple of violent deaths, but overall this book is a safe choice for parents to let their children read. I highly recommend it.



5. As Civil War Re-enactors, I was excited to see a book published for the "tween" about this period of history. Unfortunately, it was a slow and boring read. Even halfway into the book, it didn't get any better.
   
   As a real Civil War battle was fought at Lone Jack Missouri, I had hoped the author would tie in a history lesson with the story. There was too much time spent on a cave and a field where the children saw the ghosts so the story never really developed.
   
   Jared Millhouse and his dad are living with his grandfather. Jared doesn't really fit in with the children at first but after a chapter or so, he finds friends. The story goes on to describe Jared's grandfather's illness and how he plays chess at the country store. Jared goes along and gets into trouble with the other children by finding a cave with ghosts. An old man at the store tells Jared some of the story of the Civil War battle fought at Lone Jack but it was done in so many parts that even I lost track of the actual battle.
   
   When his friends come over to his grandfather's house, they see ghosts in a field fighting. Getting rid of the ghosts, resolving his dad's inability to hold a job and being a part of a group are all parts of this story. Bringing it all together is a slow and tedious process; one that I had hoped would be smoother and faster.

5 comments about Blackout (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

1. Spoilers. Why? Because I hate suprises. (Especially after everyone told me that Dumbledore dies..)
   
   Spike the british vampire and Nikki the Vampire Slayer.
   This novel is spilt up and flys back and forth between the two character's lives. Nikki is trying to kill Spike, Spike is trying to kill Nikki. Nikki has Robin, and Crowley-her watcher. Dru also comes to town unexpectantly. There's also the New York gangsta-type drug-dealin' 80's vamps that run New York and want to kill both of them. Nikki 'cause she's the 'second coming of Malcolm bloody X' and Spike because he's on their hunting territory. We the viewers and readers of Buffy also finally know what the heck is up with Spike's weird Scar above his eyes! I always just thought is was the actor but it's not! It's an enchanted sword wound. Coolio.
   
   "William is sadistic, Drusilla is quite mad. She's also rumored to have precognation."
   "What kinda disease is that?"
   "It's not a disease Nikki."
   -Nikki and Crowley.
   
   "What is that, a padlock of his neck? I do not get white folks." -Shades at Spike
   
   (Very happy to read this. The padlock thing is mine at school. Spike wearing one too was so cool. You can get 'em at Hot Topic...)
   
   This novel contains cussing, a fair good lot of it. American and British.
   This novel is very racist. But then again, this time period was very casualy racist.
   This novel contains sex. No description, but it does happen. Spike+Dru, Spike+Buffy in End-present-time-thingy.
   This novel is by-far the best Buffy-based novel.
   I give it 5 stakes. TV-14 Rating.



2. Star Trek is at its finest when the story not only entertains, but also causes us to reflect on the world at large. Blackout does an excellent job meeting both of these requirements. The story is familiar - the Starfleet Core of Engineers comes to rescue a planet and save the day. At the same time, it explores the idea of gender and gender roles in a non-threatening and non-preachy manner.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.