There are almost too many sub-plots in this book to fit into one novel. Giles has a new girlfriend, a supply teacher who seems to be making him even more vague than usual. Buffy's mother has a date, and while Buffy is out slaying vampires who should turn up but her old flame Pike. He helped her when she first became a Slayer at her previous school in LA, and now he needs her help. He's being pursued by Grayhewn, a stone demon who turns people to stone with a touch. Meanwhile, the mesmerised Giles is captured by a vampire who brings back some very personal memories.

It's all very complicated, but despite the breathless action Buffy still has time to agonise over the two men in her life. She knows she has no real future with Angel the vampire, but Pike hates the whole slaying gig and is likely to move on as soon as Grayhewn is dealt with. She envies Willow and Oz and wonders if she'll ever have a normal relationship.

The sub-plot involving Giles's past is interesting, but might have been stronger if not competing for space with the Angel-Buffy-Pike triangle. However, this is still a strong entry in the series. --Liz Sourbut

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

A big disappointment, 09 May 2001
...I would have to say this is not a read for an intelligent B fan. The charactors and scenarios are borrowed, but they do not talk or act in the way we see them in the show. A few quotes from TV are thrown in to attempt to marry the two medias, but the result is nothing but cringe-worthy. Anyone reading it and expecting to enjoy it the way they do the show will be bitterly disappionted. The story is juvenile and tedius, the characters shallow and unrealistic and the connection to the show no more than simple namesake. Save your money and buy the vids, it just DOES NOT work.

An interesting read, 05 Feb 2001
This book is a brillant start to a trilogy. Although slow to start with the book soon picks up and is an easy read.

its a great and interesting book, 06 Sep 2000
This is a great book,not just for fans of the tv show but any one who enjoyes reading. The book is very interesting but it is a little cofusing and you have to read it very carfully. Its a long book and it could keep even the most iliterate idiot entertained for hours

it was a great book and i cant wait to read the next two tha, 21 May 2000
this is the first buffy book that i have read and i didnt think it would be much good. But i was pleasantly supprised it was great and i cant wait to read the rest

Absolutely Fabulous, 29 Feb 2000
This book has a really exciting story line, with brill content. I liked it so much I read it in a matter of days, it was that good! The best Buffy Book I have ever read and I cant wait to read the next one!

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

A big disappointment, 09 May 2001
...I would have to say this is not a read for an intelligent B fan. The charactors and scenarios are borrowed, but they do not talk or act in the way we see them in the show. A few quotes from TV are thrown in to attempt to marry the two medias, but the result is nothing but cringe-worthy. Anyone reading it and expecting to enjoy it the way they do the show will be bitterly disappionted. The story is juvenile and tedius, the characters shallow and unrealistic and the connection to the show no more than simple namesake. Save your money and buy the vids, it just DOES NOT work.

An interesting read, 05 Feb 2001
This book is a brillant start to a trilogy. Although slow to start with the book soon picks up and is an easy read.

its a great and interesting book, 06 Sep 2000
This is a great book,not just for fans of the tv show but any one who enjoyes reading. The book is very interesting but it is a little cofusing and you have to read it very carfully. Its a long book and it could keep even the most iliterate idiot entertained for hours

it was a great book and i cant wait to read the next two tha, 21 May 2000
this is the first buffy book that i have read and i didnt think it would be much good. But i was pleasantly supprised it was great and i cant wait to read the rest

Absolutely Fabulous, 29 Feb 2000
This book has a really exciting story line, with brill content. I liked it so much I read it in a matter of days, it was that good! The best Buffy Book I have ever read and I cant wait to read the next one!

A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show., 05 Nov 2001
A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show. It is a very 'colourful' book with lots of monsters and so on, but sticks with the BTVS story, a good book.

A poor book by an untalented writer, 17 May 2001
I could not help but find this book laughable. The Whole trilogy was intertwined with a sad collection of mini-plots designed to destract the reader from the main story line and prevent the audience from realising that half the book was nonesonse. The writer obviously didn't have the talent to make a whole book and filled it with a poor collection of characters. This book is for either very devoted fans or readers with no knowledge of skillful writing. This is purely amatuer stuff if you want to read a book about vampires try Anne Rice's vampire chronicles...

Excellent, perfect ending to the best Buffy books yet., 27 Jan 2001
amazing. the story is exciting and the characters are well discribed.

Absolutly amazing .You must read, 04 Jun 2000
Firstly I would like to say that I`m one of the biggest buffy freaks on the planet (i sleep with a homemade stake under my pillow ).Secondly ,I love all the Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder books . This book is really all about what it says on the cover and that is what makes it so amazing .Anyone who hasnt read any of them must be staked.

A truly brilliant finish to the series which is a credit., 08 Apr 2000
A really good read for all Buffy fans. I recommed this book to all readers, but please read the two before it to get the real essence of the story. Well done for writing it!

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

A big disappointment, 09 May 2001
...I would have to say this is not a read for an intelligent B fan. The charactors and scenarios are borrowed, but they do not talk or act in the way we see them in the show. A few quotes from TV are thrown in to attempt to marry the two medias, but the result is nothing but cringe-worthy. Anyone reading it and expecting to enjoy it the way they do the show will be bitterly disappionted. The story is juvenile and tedius, the characters shallow and unrealistic and the connection to the show no more than simple namesake. Save your money and buy the vids, it just DOES NOT work.

An interesting read, 05 Feb 2001
This book is a brillant start to a trilogy. Although slow to start with the book soon picks up and is an easy read.

its a great and interesting book, 06 Sep 2000
This is a great book,not just for fans of the tv show but any one who enjoyes reading. The book is very interesting but it is a little cofusing and you have to read it very carfully. Its a long book and it could keep even the most iliterate idiot entertained for hours

it was a great book and i cant wait to read the next two tha, 21 May 2000
this is the first buffy book that i have read and i didnt think it would be much good. But i was pleasantly supprised it was great and i cant wait to read the rest

Absolutely Fabulous, 29 Feb 2000
This book has a really exciting story line, with brill content. I liked it so much I read it in a matter of days, it was that good! The best Buffy Book I have ever read and I cant wait to read the next one!

A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show., 05 Nov 2001
A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show. It is a very 'colourful' book with lots of monsters and so on, but sticks with the BTVS story, a good book.

A poor book by an untalented writer, 17 May 2001
I could not help but find this book laughable. The Whole trilogy was intertwined with a sad collection of mini-plots designed to destract the reader from the main story line and prevent the audience from realising that half the book was nonesonse. The writer obviously didn't have the talent to make a whole book and filled it with a poor collection of characters. This book is for either very devoted fans or readers with no knowledge of skillful writing. This is purely amatuer stuff if you want to read a book about vampires try Anne Rice's vampire chronicles...

Excellent, perfect ending to the best Buffy books yet., 27 Jan 2001
amazing. the story is exciting and the characters are well discribed.

Absolutly amazing .You must read, 04 Jun 2000
Firstly I would like to say that I`m one of the biggest buffy freaks on the planet (i sleep with a homemade stake under my pillow ).Secondly ,I love all the Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder books . This book is really all about what it says on the cover and that is what makes it so amazing .Anyone who hasnt read any of them must be staked.

A truly brilliant finish to the series which is a credit., 08 Apr 2000
A really good read for all Buffy fans. I recommed this book to all readers, but please read the two before it to get the real essence of the story. Well done for writing it!

good but not great, 25 Sep 2002
Although this book has a great story line and shows imagination i found myself skipping over lenghtly discriptions of characters and places which only feature of one or two chapters. However I would still say its worth while reading.

A Chinese/Demon gang tries to take over Sunnydale, 18 Jul 2002
At first in "Revenant," it seems that the real world is suddenly intruding into the quiet little town of Sunnydale. As if being on the Hellmouth was not fun enough, a Chinese gang has hit town and is clearly trying to take over. But this is a Chinese gang that employs not only automatic weapons but also demons and a bit of good old fashioned Chinese magic. Mel Odom does a nice job of incorporating some elements of Chinese mysticism into the Buffy mythos and his characterization of the Slayer and her cohorts is certainly above average. The most interesting sub-plot involves the arrival of a beautiful martial-arts warrior, with whom Xander becomes hopelessly smitten. This is carried off well until the very end of the novel, at which point, following a hysterical exchange of apologies between Buffy and Xander, we suddenly jump ahead to the post mortem and are denied the actual farewell between the couple we have been rooting on throughout the story.

By the time I finished reading this Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel I kept thinking there was too much of one thing and not nearly enough of another. With all the weaponry the Chinese gang brings to town, you would have to think that somebody else besides Angel was going to be hit by all those hail of bullets (nice touch by Odom having Angel's face get messed up for a while in the story). Guns are a touchy item in the Buffy universe, where only the occasional vampire (Darla in "Angel" comes to mind) bothers to try and shoot it out with the Slayer. This is because it is awfully hard to get close enough to kick somebody in the chest when they are shooting an Uzi at you. That being said, I have to admit I was surprised that Mayor Wilkins was not more of a presence in the story. After all, Sunnydale is his town and has been for well over a century. Consequently, it very hard to believe he and the Dark Forces he serves would not do something about these invaders. Of course, this would open up the opportunity for some sort of temporary alliance, but at the very least the Mayor should be doing a lot more to defend his turf. Despite these caveats, "Revenant" is an above average Buffy novel and I will be interested to see what Odom comes up with the next time around.

Was this review helpful to you?

Unbelievable!, 29 May 2002
This book was the very first Buffy book that I read; already being a massive fan of the hit show, I thought that I'd give the books a go. A Chinese gang hits Sunnydale and sparks off racial tension in the town. Naturally, Buffy is worried, but best friend Willow, is even more so. Her new friend Jia Li has been feeling the backlash from the hostility: it's ripping her family to shreds. Jia stays true to her ancient Chinese customs but her brother, the angry Lok, is prepared to throw away his Chinese customs for the modern lifestyle. While Giles and Buffy try to find out who is behind the gang warfare, more tension mounts as Willy's bar is attacked and there is a shooting incident at the local mini-mart. This book is beautifully written by the fantastic Mel Odom, with Angel also featuring in the book. This has to be one of the most tense books in the Buffy series that I have read. This book will have your blood pumping, your heart racing and you on the edge of your seat. Believe me, it'll be hard putting the book down, even to get a little shut eye!

Entertaining and unputdownable!, 13 Nov 2001
This was the first Buffy book I read (following recommendations from people who'd read lots) and as with many TV tie-in novels, I expected it to be pretty pathetic. To my surprise, it was fantastic! The characters are beautifully drawn and really do feel like those we see on the screen, the quality of writing is excellent, and the story kept me on my toes right up till the end. My only criticism: too many pages of fight descriptions - what's over in a few seconds on TV takes far too long to read (and follow) in a book. But that's not going to stop me reading it again...and again...and again...!

Good!, 10 Apr 2001
This was a very good original novelisation of Buffy which was made very enjoyable by the extensive character/setting descriptions. The narrative, however, didn't completely satisfy me because it left a few questions unanswered, but on the whole, I enjoyed this book, particularly because it made very good use of Chinese culture.

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

A big disappointment, 09 May 2001
...I would have to say this is not a read for an intelligent B fan. The charactors and scenarios are borrowed, but they do not talk or act in the way we see them in the show. A few quotes from TV are thrown in to attempt to marry the two medias, but the result is nothing but cringe-worthy. Anyone reading it and expecting to enjoy it the way they do the show will be bitterly disappionted. The story is juvenile and tedius, the characters shallow and unrealistic and the connection to the show no more than simple namesake. Save your money and buy the vids, it just DOES NOT work.

An interesting read, 05 Feb 2001
This book is a brillant start to a trilogy. Although slow to start with the book soon picks up and is an easy read.

its a great and interesting book, 06 Sep 2000
This is a great book,not just for fans of the tv show but any one who enjoyes reading. The book is very interesting but it is a little cofusing and you have to read it very carfully. Its a long book and it could keep even the most iliterate idiot entertained for hours

it was a great book and i cant wait to read the next two tha, 21 May 2000
this is the first buffy book that i have read and i didnt think it would be much good. But i was pleasantly supprised it was great and i cant wait to read the rest

Absolutely Fabulous, 29 Feb 2000
This book has a really exciting story line, with brill content. I liked it so much I read it in a matter of days, it was that good! The best Buffy Book I have ever read and I cant wait to read the next one!

A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show., 05 Nov 2001
A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show. It is a very 'colourful' book with lots of monsters and so on, but sticks with the BTVS story, a good book.

A poor book by an untalented writer, 17 May 2001
I could not help but find this book laughable. The Whole trilogy was intertwined with a sad collection of mini-plots designed to destract the reader from the main story line and prevent the audience from realising that half the book was nonesonse. The writer obviously didn't have the talent to make a whole book and filled it with a poor collection of characters. This book is for either very devoted fans or readers with no knowledge of skillful writing. This is purely amatuer stuff if you want to read a book about vampires try Anne Rice's vampire chronicles...

Excellent, perfect ending to the best Buffy books yet., 27 Jan 2001
amazing. the story is exciting and the characters are well discribed.

Absolutly amazing .You must read, 04 Jun 2000
Firstly I would like to say that I`m one of the biggest buffy freaks on the planet (i sleep with a homemade stake under my pillow ).Secondly ,I love all the Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder books . This book is really all about what it says on the cover and that is what makes it so amazing .Anyone who hasnt read any of them must be staked.

A truly brilliant finish to the series which is a credit., 08 Apr 2000
A really good read for all Buffy fans. I recommed this book to all readers, but please read the two before it to get the real essence of the story. Well done for writing it!

good but not great, 25 Sep 2002
Although this book has a great story line and shows imagination i found myself skipping over lenghtly discriptions of characters and places which only feature of one or two chapters. However I would still say its worth while reading.

A Chinese/Demon gang tries to take over Sunnydale, 18 Jul 2002
At first in "Revenant," it seems that the real world is suddenly intruding into the quiet little town of Sunnydale. As if being on the Hellmouth was not fun enough, a Chinese gang has hit town and is clearly trying to take over. But this is a Chinese gang that employs not only automatic weapons but also demons and a bit of good old fashioned Chinese magic. Mel Odom does a nice job of incorporating some elements of Chinese mysticism into the Buffy mythos and his characterization of the Slayer and her cohorts is certainly above average. The most interesting sub-plot involves the arrival of a beautiful martial-arts warrior, with whom Xander becomes hopelessly smitten. This is carried off well until the very end of the novel, at which point, following a hysterical exchange of apologies between Buffy and Xander, we suddenly jump ahead to the post mortem and are denied the actual farewell between the couple we have been rooting on throughout the story.

By the time I finished reading this Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel I kept thinking there was too much of one thing and not nearly enough of another. With all the weaponry the Chinese gang brings to town, you would have to think that somebody else besides Angel was going to be hit by all those hail of bullets (nice touch by Odom having Angel's face get messed up for a while in the story). Guns are a touchy item in the Buffy universe, where only the occasional vampire (Darla in "Angel" comes to mind) bothers to try and shoot it out with the Slayer. This is because it is awfully hard to get close enough to kick somebody in the chest when they are shooting an Uzi at you. That being said, I have to admit I was surprised that Mayor Wilkins was not more of a presence in the story. After all, Sunnydale is his town and has been for well over a century. Consequently, it very hard to believe he and the Dark Forces he serves would not do something about these invaders. Of course, this would open up the opportunity for some sort of temporary alliance, but at the very least the Mayor should be doing a lot more to defend his turf. Despite these caveats, "Revenant" is an above average Buffy novel and I will be interested to see what Odom comes up with the next time around.

Was this review helpful to you?

Unbelievable!, 29 May 2002
This book was the very first Buffy book that I read; already being a massive fan of the hit show, I thought that I'd give the books a go. A Chinese gang hits Sunnydale and sparks off racial tension in the town. Naturally, Buffy is worried, but best friend Willow, is even more so. Her new friend Jia Li has been feeling the backlash from the hostility: it's ripping her family to shreds. Jia stays true to her ancient Chinese customs but her brother, the angry Lok, is prepared to throw away his Chinese customs for the modern lifestyle. While Giles and Buffy try to find out who is behind the gang warfare, more tension mounts as Willy's bar is attacked and there is a shooting incident at the local mini-mart. This book is beautifully written by the fantastic Mel Odom, with Angel also featuring in the book. This has to be one of the most tense books in the Buffy series that I have read. This book will have your blood pumping, your heart racing and you on the edge of your seat. Believe me, it'll be hard putting the book down, even to get a little shut eye!

Entertaining and unputdownable!, 13 Nov 2001
This was the first Buffy book I read (following recommendations from people who'd read lots) and as with many TV tie-in novels, I expected it to be pretty pathetic. To my surprise, it was fantastic! The characters are beautifully drawn and really do feel like those we see on the screen, the quality of writing is excellent, and the story kept me on my toes right up till the end. My only criticism: too many pages of fight descriptions - what's over in a few seconds on TV takes far too long to read (and follow) in a book. But that's not going to stop me reading it again...and again...and again...!

Good!, 10 Apr 2001
This was a very good original novelisation of Buffy which was made very enjoyable by the extensive character/setting descriptions. The narrative, however, didn't completely satisfy me because it left a few questions unanswered, but on the whole, I enjoyed this book, particularly because it made very good use of Chinese culture.

excellent book, 06 Oct 2005
Having read all 3 books I really enjoyed all 3. Spike and Dru played a good part in my uneducated opinion and I really wish more people would include the Sid and Nancy of vampirism in more plots - or even just Sid lol! Spike has a lot of potential not explored in most of the books which include Spike. Shame on all authors who profess to be Spike Fans - oh except Chris Golden who even has the language off pat! He really appreciates Spike!

Not as good as I thought..., 01 Jul 2001
Being a lover of the series (and most of the books), I was eager to read this trilogy. I was glad that some of my favourite characters were in it (Angel, Oz and, of course, Buffy) I read the 1st book and found it a little dull, although still quite good. As i read the 2nd book, my view didn't really change. Therefore, I was a little disappointed by these books, but will get the 3rd book because I want to see the outcome.

Brilliant! I love this book!!!, 14 Feb 2001
I really liked it especially as it had Spike in it. (I'm a huge Spike fan). The ending was brilliant. I wasn't expecting it to end like that. If you're gonna buy this book, buy the third one as well so that you don't have to wait ages between books.

this book is highly recomended, 08 Oct 1999
Buffy is back on the book but this one is more scary then the last one & if you want a good book I highly recomended Buffy because she mean to all those stupid vampires. I would realy like to say it was the best book I have ever seen and so I would like to read it again because it had alot of laughs and it also was very scary so if you get scared very quikly then I would say do not read it. The story its self is realy good so I would give it a 5 crown mark. If you read this book then give it a review.

Better than the first one, 02 Aug 1999
Buffy, Angel and Oz are travelling on the limbo's ghost roads to find the gatekeepers 11 year old heir to the gatehouse. Little do they know that he is being held hostage by someone that they know quite well...... Spike and Drusilla, who are planning to exchange the boy to Il Maestro and the sons of Entropy for the spear of Longinus. Which means they will never be defeated in battle ever again.

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

A big disappointment, 09 May 2001
...I would have to say this is not a read for an intelligent B fan. The charactors and scenarios are borrowed, but they do not talk or act in the way we see them in the show. A few quotes from TV are thrown in to attempt to marry the two medias, but the result is nothing but cringe-worthy. Anyone reading it and expecting to enjoy it the way they do the show will be bitterly disappionted. The story is juvenile and tedius, the characters shallow and unrealistic and the connection to the show no more than simple namesake. Save your money and buy the vids, it just DOES NOT work.

An interesting read, 05 Feb 2001
This book is a brillant start to a trilogy. Although slow to start with the book soon picks up and is an easy read.

its a great and interesting book, 06 Sep 2000
This is a great book,not just for fans of the tv show but any one who enjoyes reading. The book is very interesting but it is a little cofusing and you have to read it very carfully. Its a long book and it could keep even the most iliterate idiot entertained for hours

it was a great book and i cant wait to read the next two tha, 21 May 2000
this is the first buffy book that i have read and i didnt think it would be much good. But i was pleasantly supprised it was great and i cant wait to read the rest

Absolutely Fabulous, 29 Feb 2000
This book has a really exciting story line, with brill content. I liked it so much I read it in a matter of days, it was that good! The best Buffy Book I have ever read and I cant wait to read the next one!

A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show., 05 Nov 2001
A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show. It is a very 'colourful' book with lots of monsters and so on, but sticks with the BTVS story, a good book.

A poor book by an untalented writer, 17 May 2001
I could not help but find this book laughable. The Whole trilogy was intertwined with a sad collection of mini-plots designed to destract the reader from the main story line and prevent the audience from realising that half the book was nonesonse. The writer obviously didn't have the talent to make a whole book and filled it with a poor collection of characters. This book is for either very devoted fans or readers with no knowledge of skillful writing. This is purely amatuer stuff if you want to read a book about vampires try Anne Rice's vampire chronicles...

Excellent, perfect ending to the best Buffy books yet., 27 Jan 2001
amazing. the story is exciting and the characters are well discribed.

Absolutly amazing .You must read, 04 Jun 2000
Firstly I would like to say that I`m one of the biggest buffy freaks on the planet (i sleep with a homemade stake under my pillow ).Secondly ,I love all the Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder books . This book is really all about what it says on the cover and that is what makes it so amazing .Anyone who hasnt read any of them must be staked.

A truly brilliant finish to the series which is a credit., 08 Apr 2000
A really good read for all Buffy fans. I recommed this book to all readers, but please read the two before it to get the real essence of the story. Well done for writing it!

good but not great, 25 Sep 2002
Although this book has a great story line and shows imagination i found myself skipping over lenghtly discriptions of characters and places which only feature of one or two chapters. However I would still say its worth while reading.

A Chinese/Demon gang tries to take over Sunnydale, 18 Jul 2002
At first in "Revenant," it seems that the real world is suddenly intruding into the quiet little town of Sunnydale. As if being on the Hellmouth was not fun enough, a Chinese gang has hit town and is clearly trying to take over. But this is a Chinese gang that employs not only automatic weapons but also demons and a bit of good old fashioned Chinese magic. Mel Odom does a nice job of incorporating some elements of Chinese mysticism into the Buffy mythos and his characterization of the Slayer and her cohorts is certainly above average. The most interesting sub-plot involves the arrival of a beautiful martial-arts warrior, with whom Xander becomes hopelessly smitten. This is carried off well until the very end of the novel, at which point, following a hysterical exchange of apologies between Buffy and Xander, we suddenly jump ahead to the post mortem and are denied the actual farewell between the couple we have been rooting on throughout the story.

By the time I finished reading this Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel I kept thinking there was too much of one thing and not nearly enough of another. With all the weaponry the Chinese gang brings to town, you would have to think that somebody else besides Angel was going to be hit by all those hail of bullets (nice touch by Odom having Angel's face get messed up for a while in the story). Guns are a touchy item in the Buffy universe, where only the occasional vampire (Darla in "Angel" comes to mind) bothers to try and shoot it out with the Slayer. This is because it is awfully hard to get close enough to kick somebody in the chest when they are shooting an Uzi at you. That being said, I have to admit I was surprised that Mayor Wilkins was not more of a presence in the story. After all, Sunnydale is his town and has been for well over a century. Consequently, it very hard to believe he and the Dark Forces he serves would not do something about these invaders. Of course, this would open up the opportunity for some sort of temporary alliance, but at the very least the Mayor should be doing a lot more to defend his turf. Despite these caveats, "Revenant" is an above average Buffy novel and I will be interested to see what Odom comes up with the next time around.

Was this review helpful to you?

Unbelievable!, 29 May 2002
This book was the very first Buffy book that I read; already being a massive fan of the hit show, I thought that I'd give the books a go. A Chinese gang hits Sunnydale and sparks off racial tension in the town. Naturally, Buffy is worried, but best friend Willow, is even more so. Her new friend Jia Li has been feeling the backlash from the hostility: it's ripping her family to shreds. Jia stays true to her ancient Chinese customs but her brother, the angry Lok, is prepared to throw away his Chinese customs for the modern lifestyle. While Giles and Buffy try to find out who is behind the gang warfare, more tension mounts as Willy's bar is attacked and there is a shooting incident at the local mini-mart. This book is beautifully written by the fantastic Mel Odom, with Angel also featuring in the book. This has to be one of the most tense books in the Buffy series that I have read. This book will have your blood pumping, your heart racing and you on the edge of your seat. Believe me, it'll be hard putting the book down, even to get a little shut eye!

Entertaining and unputdownable!, 13 Nov 2001
This was the first Buffy book I read (following recommendations from people who'd read lots) and as with many TV tie-in novels, I expected it to be pretty pathetic. To my surprise, it was fantastic! The characters are beautifully drawn and really do feel like those we see on the screen, the quality of writing is excellent, and the story kept me on my toes right up till the end. My only criticism: too many pages of fight descriptions - what's over in a few seconds on TV takes far too long to read (and follow) in a book. But that's not going to stop me reading it again...and again...and again...!

Good!, 10 Apr 2001
This was a very good original novelisation of Buffy which was made very enjoyable by the extensive character/setting descriptions. The narrative, however, didn't completely satisfy me because it left a few questions unanswered, but on the whole, I enjoyed this book, particularly because it made very good use of Chinese culture.

excellent book, 06 Oct 2005
Having read all 3 books I really enjoyed all 3. Spike and Dru played a good part in my uneducated opinion and I really wish more people would include the Sid and Nancy of vampirism in more plots - or even just Sid lol! Spike has a lot of potential not explored in most of the books which include Spike. Shame on all authors who profess to be Spike Fans - oh except Chris Golden who even has the language off pat! He really appreciates Spike!

Not as good as I thought..., 01 Jul 2001
Being a lover of the series (and most of the books), I was eager to read this trilogy. I was glad that some of my favourite characters were in it (Angel, Oz and, of course, Buffy) I read the 1st book and found it a little dull, although still quite good. As i read the 2nd book, my view didn't really change. Therefore, I was a little disappointed by these books, but will get the 3rd book because I want to see the outcome.

Brilliant! I love this book!!!, 14 Feb 2001
I really liked it especially as it had Spike in it. (I'm a huge Spike fan). The ending was brilliant. I wasn't expecting it to end like that. If you're gonna buy this book, buy the third one as well so that you don't have to wait ages between books.

this book is highly recomended, 08 Oct 1999
Buffy is back on the book but this one is more scary then the last one & if you want a good book I highly recomended Buffy because she mean to all those stupid vampires. I would realy like to say it was the best book I have ever seen and so I would like to read it again because it had alot of laughs and it also was very scary so if you get scared very quikly then I would say do not read it. The story its self is realy good so I would give it a 5 crown mark. If you read this book then give it a review.

Better than the first one, 02 Aug 1999
Buffy, Angel and Oz are travelling on the limbo's ghost roads to find the gatekeepers 11 year old heir to the gatehouse. Little do they know that he is being held hostage by someone that they know quite well...... Spike and Drusilla, who are planning to exchange the boy to Il Maestro and the sons of Entropy for the spear of Longinus. Which means they will never be defeated in battle ever again.

Of shapeshifters and skin walkers, 20 Sep 2005
The seedy carnival looks like just the thing to give buffy and her friends, a break from staking bloodsuckrs. but then buffy senses something evil behind this carnival and the way john vornholt writes this is tremendous!

xander and willow aren't sure. they don't buy buffy's notion that the carneys are somehow connected to the corpses turning up around sunnydale. it doesn't help that her two best buds are both interested in somebody at the carnival.

can she find out what's going on in time to save her friends or has the slayer become the prey is the question this fantabulous writer has written on everyones lips!

GREAT! 10 out of 10!

The most realistic portrayal of the Scoobies as teenagers, 16 Jan 2002
As if there is not enough fun stuff happening in Sunnydale, a carnival comes to town. Buffy, Xander and Willow head out for some serious rest and relaxation only to discover things are not as they seem and now the corpses popping up around town bear the marks of coyotes not vampires. But while Buffy is suspicious, Xander is smitten with Rose, a seductive siren from the carnival midway, while Willow has caught the eye of Lonnie, the barker. Somehow, you just know all the pieces are going to come together and it will then be Slayer time.

My complaint, such as it is, is that John Vornholt has made Buffy, Xander and Willow more like real teenagers than they appear on the show, which ends up being something of a tradeoff with the show's trademark humor. I know how ironic it is to judge his realism by the standard of a television fantasy. This is still an above average Buffy novel. It is also rather interesting to read this book and know that Willow is going to end up dating Oz down the road, since our favorite gal pal spends some serious timing kissing a carney guy who turns out to be a werecoyote. Of course a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, but the true Buffy fan still remembers when.

Excellent!, 11 Apr 2001
This book would have made a great Season One episode and will be enjoyed by Buffy fans of all ages.

confusing but a good twist at the end, 09 Oct 2000
this is a great book with an even better twist at the end. it is confusing if you haven't read any older buffy books!

Good, 20 Aug 2000
I am a really big fan of Buffy and i have read all the Buffy books but this one disappointed me a bit. Although the middle and the end was good, the beginning was boring and nearly made me stop reading it but i didn't and found the book quite good at the end.

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

A big disappointment, 09 May 2001
...I would have to say this is not a read for an intelligent B fan. The charactors and scenarios are borrowed, but they do not talk or act in the way we see them in the show. A few quotes from TV are thrown in to attempt to marry the two medias, but the result is nothing but cringe-worthy. Anyone reading it and expecting to enjoy it the way they do the show will be bitterly disappionted. The story is juvenile and tedius, the characters shallow and unrealistic and the connection to the show no more than simple namesake. Save your money and buy the vids, it just DOES NOT work.

An interesting read, 05 Feb 2001
This book is a brillant start to a trilogy. Although slow to start with the book soon picks up and is an easy read.

its a great and interesting book, 06 Sep 2000
This is a great book,not just for fans of the tv show but any one who enjoyes reading. The book is very interesting but it is a little cofusing and you have to read it very carfully. Its a long book and it could keep even the most iliterate idiot entertained for hours

it was a great book and i cant wait to read the next two tha, 21 May 2000
this is the first buffy book that i have read and i didnt think it would be much good. But i was pleasantly supprised it was great and i cant wait to read the rest

Absolutely Fabulous, 29 Feb 2000
This book has a really exciting story line, with brill content. I liked it so much I read it in a matter of days, it was that good! The best Buffy Book I have ever read and I cant wait to read the next one!

A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show., 05 Nov 2001
A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show. It is a very 'colourful' book with lots of monsters and so on, but sticks with the BTVS story, a good book.

A poor book by an untalented writer, 17 May 2001
I could not help but find this book laughable. The Whole trilogy was intertwined with a sad collection of mini-plots designed to destract the reader from the main story line and prevent the audience from realising that half the book was nonesonse. The writer obviously didn't have the talent to make a whole book and filled it with a poor collection of characters. This book is for either very devoted fans or readers with no knowledge of skillful writing. This is purely amatuer stuff if you want to read a book about vampires try Anne Rice's vampire chronicles...

Excellent, perfect ending to the best Buffy books yet., 27 Jan 2001
amazing. the story is exciting and the characters are well discribed.

Absolutly amazing .You must read, 04 Jun 2000
Firstly I would like to say that I`m one of the biggest buffy freaks on the planet (i sleep with a homemade stake under my pillow ).Secondly ,I love all the Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder books . This book is really all about what it says on the cover and that is what makes it so amazing .Anyone who hasnt read any of them must be staked.

A truly brilliant finish to the series which is a credit., 08 Apr 2000
A really good read for all Buffy fans. I recommed this book to all readers, but please read the two before it to get the real essence of the story. Well done for writing it!

good but not great, 25 Sep 2002
Although this book has a great story line and shows imagination i found myself skipping over lenghtly discriptions of characters and places which only feature of one or two chapters. However I would still say its worth while reading.

A Chinese/Demon gang tries to take over Sunnydale, 18 Jul 2002
At first in "Revenant," it seems that the real world is suddenly intruding into the quiet little town of Sunnydale. As if being on the Hellmouth was not fun enough, a Chinese gang has hit town and is clearly trying to take over. But this is a Chinese gang that employs not only automatic weapons but also demons and a bit of good old fashioned Chinese magic. Mel Odom does a nice job of incorporating some elements of Chinese mysticism into the Buffy mythos and his characterization of the Slayer and her cohorts is certainly above average. The most interesting sub-plot involves the arrival of a beautiful martial-arts warrior, with whom Xander becomes hopelessly smitten. This is carried off well until the very end of the novel, at which point, following a hysterical exchange of apologies between Buffy and Xander, we suddenly jump ahead to the post mortem and are denied the actual farewell between the couple we have been rooting on throughout the story.

By the time I finished reading this Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel I kept thinking there was too much of one thing and not nearly enough of another. With all the weaponry the Chinese gang brings to town, you would have to think that somebody else besides Angel was going to be hit by all those hail of bullets (nice touch by Odom having Angel's face get messed up for a while in the story). Guns are a touchy item in the Buffy universe, where only the occasional vampire (Darla in "Angel" comes to mind) bothers to try and shoot it out with the Slayer. This is because it is awfully hard to get close enough to kick somebody in the chest when they are shooting an Uzi at you. That being said, I have to admit I was surprised that Mayor Wilkins was not more of a presence in the story. After all, Sunnydale is his town and has been for well over a century. Consequently, it very hard to believe he and the Dark Forces he serves would not do something about these invaders. Of course, this would open up the opportunity for some sort of temporary alliance, but at the very least the Mayor should be doing a lot more to defend his turf. Despite these caveats, "Revenant" is an above average Buffy novel and I will be interested to see what Odom comes up with the next time around.

Was this review helpful to you?

Unbelievable!, 29 May 2002
This book was the very first Buffy book that I read; already being a massive fan of the hit show, I thought that I'd give the books a go. A Chinese gang hits Sunnydale and sparks off racial tension in the town. Naturally, Buffy is worried, but best friend Willow, is even more so. Her new friend Jia Li has been feeling the backlash from the hostility: it's ripping her family to shreds. Jia stays true to her ancient Chinese customs but her brother, the angry Lok, is prepared to throw away his Chinese customs for the modern lifestyle. While Giles and Buffy try to find out who is behind the gang warfare, more tension mounts as Willy's bar is attacked and there is a shooting incident at the local mini-mart. This book is beautifully written by the fantastic Mel Odom, with Angel also featuring in the book. This has to be one of the most tense books in the Buffy series that I have read. This book will have your blood pumping, your heart racing and you on the edge of your seat. Believe me, it'll be hard putting the book down, even to get a little shut eye!

Entertaining and unputdownable!, 13 Nov 2001
This was the first Buffy book I read (following recommendations from people who'd read lots) and as with many TV tie-in novels, I expected it to be pretty pathetic. To my surprise, it was fantastic! The characters are beautifully drawn and really do feel like those we see on the screen, the quality of writing is excellent, and the story kept me on my toes right up till the end. My only criticism: too many pages of fight descriptions - what's over in a few seconds on TV takes far too long to read (and follow) in a book. But that's not going to stop me reading it again...and again...and again...!

Good!, 10 Apr 2001
This was a very good original novelisation of Buffy which was made very enjoyable by the extensive character/setting descriptions. The narrative, however, didn't completely satisfy me because it left a few questions unanswered, but on the whole, I enjoyed this book, particularly because it made very good use of Chinese culture.

excellent book, 06 Oct 2005
Having read all 3 books I really enjoyed all 3. Spike and Dru played a good part in my uneducated opinion and I really wish more people would include the Sid and Nancy of vampirism in more plots - or even just Sid lol! Spike has a lot of potential not explored in most of the books which include Spike. Shame on all authors who profess to be Spike Fans - oh except Chris Golden who even has the language off pat! He really appreciates Spike!

Not as good as I thought..., 01 Jul 2001
Being a lover of the series (and most of the books), I was eager to read this trilogy. I was glad that some of my favourite characters were in it (Angel, Oz and, of course, Buffy) I read the 1st book and found it a little dull, although still quite good. As i read the 2nd book, my view didn't really change. Therefore, I was a little disappointed by these books, but will get the 3rd book because I want to see the outcome.

Brilliant! I love this book!!!, 14 Feb 2001
I really liked it especially as it had Spike in it. (I'm a huge Spike fan). The ending was brilliant. I wasn't expecting it to end like that. If you're gonna buy this book, buy the third one as well so that you don't have to wait ages between books.

this book is highly recomended, 08 Oct 1999
Buffy is back on the book but this one is more scary then the last one & if you want a good book I highly recomended Buffy because she mean to all those stupid vampires. I would realy like to say it was the best book I have ever seen and so I would like to read it again because it had alot of laughs and it also was very scary so if you get scared very quikly then I would say do not read it. The story its self is realy good so I would give it a 5 crown mark. If you read this book then give it a review.

Better than the first one, 02 Aug 1999
Buffy, Angel and Oz are travelling on the limbo's ghost roads to find the gatekeepers 11 year old heir to the gatehouse. Little do they know that he is being held hostage by someone that they know quite well...... Spike and Drusilla, who are planning to exchange the boy to Il Maestro and the sons of Entropy for the spear of Longinus. Which means they will never be defeated in battle ever again.

Of shapeshifters and skin walkers, 20 Sep 2005
The seedy carnival looks like just the thing to give buffy and her friends, a break from staking bloodsuckrs. but then buffy senses something evil behind this carnival and the way john vornholt writes this is tremendous!

xander and willow aren't sure. they don't buy buffy's notion that the carneys are somehow connected to the corpses turning up around sunnydale. it doesn't help that her two best buds are both interested in somebody at the carnival.

can she find out what's going on in time to save her friends or has the slayer become the prey is the question this fantabulous writer has written on everyones lips!

GREAT! 10 out of 10!

The most realistic portrayal of the Scoobies as teenagers, 16 Jan 2002
As if there is not enough fun stuff happening in Sunnydale, a carnival comes to town. Buffy, Xander and Willow head out for some serious rest and relaxation only to discover things are not as they seem and now the corpses popping up around town bear the marks of coyotes not vampires. But while Buffy is suspicious, Xander is smitten with Rose, a seductive siren from the carnival midway, while Willow has caught the eye of Lonnie, the barker. Somehow, you just know all the pieces are going to come together and it will then be Slayer time.

My complaint, such as it is, is that John Vornholt has made Buffy, Xander and Willow more like real teenagers than they appear on the show, which ends up being something of a tradeoff with the show's trademark humor. I know how ironic it is to judge his realism by the standard of a television fantasy. This is still an above average Buffy novel. It is also rather interesting to read this book and know that Willow is going to end up dating Oz down the road, since our favorite gal pal spends some serious timing kissing a carney guy who turns out to be a werecoyote. Of course a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, but the true Buffy fan still remembers when.

Excellent!, 11 Apr 2001
This book would have made a great Season One episode and will be enjoyed by Buffy fans of all ages.

confusing but a good twist at the end, 09 Oct 2000
this is a great book with an even better twist at the end. it is confusing if you haven't read any older buffy books!

Good, 20 Aug 2000
I am a really big fan of Buffy and i have read all the Buffy books but this one disappointed me a bit. Although the middle and the end was good, the beginning was boring and nearly made me stop reading it but i didn't and found the book quite good at the end.

a bit of a drag., 15 Mar 2007
i am an avid buffy fan and have nearly all of the buffy books, but have found that i could not really get into this book, it was fairly slow to start and the lack of angel love was a bit offputting(and no a stupid druid called ian will not do!) this book sees druids come to town,3 brothers and an uncle who want to cure the world of evil, there are a few things that were good like oz wondering if he should have his wolf side reversed, but on the whole it is a bit of a guessable book, if you are an avid buffy fan like me and just want the entire collection or like the earlier seasons of buffy, then i recommend it.

enjoy! :0)

Another cool Buffy book., 09 Feb 2002
This time in the land of Buff, we see (or read) things about Druids coming to Sunnydale to restore some (un)natural order. When Willow's new computer system goes haywire, it's the end of the world. Literally. And the Druids are the main suspects. Treats for Oz though, as they can cure his werewolf problem. To find if he gets cured....read it. Yep, just another round of Buffy and co. trying to stop a few end of the worlds before an English exam.

Return to Sender, 02 Mar 2001
One of the three Buffy books that I don't like, and I buy them all as they come out in the UK. Plot is very poor, characterisation is minimal and the story (such as it is) doesn't really work. Buy another book.

the hellmouth has drawn demonds, 30 Dec 2000
the hellmouth has drawn vampires, witchs and other demons to its powerful vortex. now it has also drawn the attention of an ancient sect of druids- allis in buffy summers battle against the undead.

fairly good but not the best, 23 Jul 2000
A good read but not the best out of the Buffy books.It's hard to get into at first but once you get past the first few chapters it's hard to put down.The build up to the major conflict was good but the story died out after that.It could have done with some more background , but all in all it was a good read for all true Buffy the vampire slayer fans.

My first Buffy Book. And ain't it Golden (yeah, I know, poor, 16 Feb 2006
OK. Here we go. Buffy finds a potential Vamp victim isn't so helpless as she first thought. after fighting off his attackers we find out it's Pike (Buffy's former boyfriend from the movie/Origin graphic novel). He's run into demon trouble and has come looking for help.

All the characters are here (well, from season 3 anyway, no Anya Faith and Tara, but Oz and Cordy feature). All behave as the would in the TV show (Giles is kinda weird to begin with, but that's part of the story).

My only complaint would be the 'Big Bad' for this story. starts off as a cool concept, but gets a bit confusing towards the end. Aside from this it's one of my favourite Buffy novels, we find out about 'pre-Sunnydale' Buffy, there's an interesting Pike/Buffy/Angel love-triangle plot thread (why didn't Joss bring back the Pike character in the TV series? it woulda been so cool! He wouldn't even have had to use the same actor, all the recurring roles (Buffy and errr...Merrick) were re-cast anyway. An essential purchase for any fan of the novels.

One of the best Buffy books written!, 01 Jul 2001
The fact that you learn something more of Buffy's past from a somewhat different angle makes the book interesting enough. However, with the added feature of Giles' love-life after Jenny Calendar added makes the book brilliant! The book also has some of the best charcters in it, including the Scoobies and Angel. An excellent book and well worth the read!

This book is very easy to get into and very hard to put down, 15 Dec 2000
This story should have defiantly been televised! It's a must read for all Buffy Fans!

The best Buffy novel, 14 Dec 2000
All i have to say is that this novel is the best that has ever been written. Thats me , im done

Excellent read!, 16 Oct 2000
this was the 1st buffy book i read (i'm hooked to the books as much as i am to the series) and i absolutly LOVED it! its very confusing at first, but just as it all smooths over, a huge twist arises! the humour is perfect, the characters are displayed in the book as they are in the series. all-in-all a great bargin!

A big disappointment, 09 May 2001
...I would have to say this is not a read for an intelligent B fan. The charactors and scenarios are borrowed, but they do not talk or act in the way we see them in the show. A few quotes from TV are thrown in to attempt to marry the two medias, but the result is nothing but cringe-worthy. Anyone reading it and expecting to enjoy it the way they do the show will be bitterly disappionted. The story is juvenile and tedius, the characters shallow and unrealistic and the connection to the show no more than simple namesake. Save your money and buy the vids, it just DOES NOT work.

An interesting read, 05 Feb 2001
This book is a brillant start to a trilogy. Although slow to start with the book soon picks up and is an easy read.

its a great and interesting book, 06 Sep 2000
This is a great book,not just for fans of the tv show but any one who enjoyes reading. The book is very interesting but it is a little cofusing and you have to read it very carfully. Its a long book and it could keep even the most iliterate idiot entertained for hours

it was a great book and i cant wait to read the next two tha, 21 May 2000
this is the first buffy book that i have read and i didnt think it would be much good. But i was pleasantly supprised it was great and i cant wait to read the rest

Absolutely Fabulous, 29 Feb 2000
This book has a really exciting story line, with brill content. I liked it so much I read it in a matter of days, it was that good! The best Buffy Book I have ever read and I cant wait to read the next one!

A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show., 05 Nov 2001
A good BTVS read but a bit far fetched even for the show. It is a very 'colourful' book with lots of monsters and so on, but sticks with the BTVS story, a good book.

A poor book by an untalented writer, 17 May 2001
I could not help but find this book laughable. The Whole trilogy was intertwined with a sad collection of mini-plots designed to destract the reader from the main story line and prevent the audience from realising that half the book was nonesonse. The writer obviously didn't have the talent to make a whole book and filled it with a poor collection of characters. This book is for either very devoted fans or readers with no knowledge of skillful writing. This is purely amatuer stuff if you want to read a book about vampires try Anne Rice's vampire chronicles...

Excellent, perfect ending to the best Buffy books yet., 27 Jan 2001
amazing. the story is exciting and the characters are well discribed.

Absolutly amazing .You must read, 04 Jun 2000
Firstly I would like to say that I`m one of the biggest buffy freaks on the planet (i sleep with a homemade stake under my pillow ).Secondly ,I love all the Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder books . This book is really all about what it says on the cover and that is what makes it so amazing .Anyone who hasnt read any of them must be staked.

A truly brilliant finish to the series which is a credit., 08 Apr 2000
A really good read for all Buffy fans. I recommed this book to all readers, but please read the two before it to get the real essence of the story. Well done for writing it!

good but not great, 25 Sep 2002
Although this book has a great story line and shows imagination i found myself skipping over lenghtly discriptions of characters and places which only feature of one or two chapters. However I would still say its worth while reading.

A Chinese/Demon gang tries to take over Sunnydale, 18 Jul 2002
At first in "Revenant," it seems that the real world is suddenly intruding into the quiet little town of Sunnydale. As if being on the Hellmouth was not fun enough, a Chinese gang has hit town and is clearly trying to take over. But this is a Chinese gang that employs not only automatic weapons but also demons and a bit of good old fashioned Chinese magic. Mel Odom does a nice job of incorporating some elements of Chinese mysticism into the Buffy mythos and his characterization of the Slayer and her cohorts is certainly above average. The most interesting sub-plot involves the arrival of a beautiful martial-arts warrior, with whom Xander becomes hopelessly smitten. This is carried off well until the very end of the novel, at which point, following a hysterical exchange of apologies between Buffy and Xander, we suddenly jump ahead to the post mortem and are denied the actual farewell between the couple we have been rooting on throughout the story.

By the time I finished reading this Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel I kept thinking there was too much of one thing and not nearly enough of another. With all the weaponry the Chinese gang brings to town, you would have to think that somebody else besides Angel was going to be hit by all those hail of bullets (nice touch by Odom having Angel's face get messed up for a while in the story). Guns are a touchy item in the Buffy universe, where only the occasional vampire (Darla in "Angel" comes to mind) bothers to try and shoot it out with the Slayer. This is because it is awfully hard to get close enough to kick somebody in the chest when they are shooting an Uzi at you. That being said, I have to admit I was surprised that Mayor Wilkins was not more of a presence in the story. After all, Sunnydale is his town and has been for well over a century. Consequently, it very hard to believe he and the Dark Forces he serves would not do something about these invaders. Of course, this would open up the opportunity for some sort of temporary alliance, but at the very least the Mayor should be doing a lot more to defend his turf. Despite these caveats, "Revenant" is an above average Buffy novel and I will be interested to see what Odom comes up with the next time around.

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Unbelievable!, 29 May 2002
This book was the very first Buffy book that I read; already being a massive fan of the hit show, I thought that I'd give the books a go. A Chinese gang hits Sunnydale and sparks off racial tension in the town. Naturally, Buffy is worried, but best friend Willow, is even more so. Her new friend Jia Li has been feeling the backlash from the hostility: it's ripping her family to shreds. Jia stays true to her ancient Chinese customs but her brother, the angry Lok, is prepared to throw away his Chinese customs for the modern lifestyle. While Giles and Buffy try to find out who is behind the gang warfare, more tension mounts as Willy's bar is attacked and there is a shooting incident at the local mini-mart. This book is beautifully written by the fantastic Mel Odom, with Angel also featuring in the book. This has to be one of the most tense books in the Buffy series that I have read. This book will have your blood pumping, your heart racing and you on the edge of your seat. Believe me, it'll be hard putting the book down, even to get a little shut eye!

Entertaining and unputdownable!, 13 Nov 2001
This was the first Buffy book I read (following recommendations from people who'd read lots) and as with many TV tie-in novels, I expected it to be pretty pathetic. To my surprise, it was fantastic! The characters are beautifully drawn and really do feel like those we see on the screen, the quality of writing is excellent, and the story kept me on my toes right up till the end. My only criticism: too many pages of fight descriptions - what's over in a few seconds on TV takes far too long to read (and follow) in a book. But that's not going to stop me reading it again...and again...and again...!

Good!, 10 Apr 2001
This was a very good original novelisation of Buffy which was made very enjoyable by the extensive character/setting descriptions. The narrative, however, didn't completely satisfy me because it left a few questions unanswered, but on the whole, I enjoyed this book, particularly because it made very good use of Chinese culture.

excellent book, 06 Oct 2005
Having read all 3 books I really enjoyed all 3. Spike and Dru played a good part in my uneducated opinion and I really wish more people would include the Sid and Nancy of vampirism in more plots - or even just Sid lol! Spike has a lot of potential not explored in most of the books which include Spike. Shame on all authors who profess to be Spike Fans - oh except Chris Golden who even has the language off pat! He really appreciates Spike!

Not as good as I thought..., 01 Jul 2001
Being a lover of the series (and most of the books), I was eager to read this trilogy. I was glad that some of my favourite characters were in it (Angel, Oz and, of course, Buffy) I read the 1st book and found it a little dull, although still quite good. As i read the 2nd book, my view didn't really change. Therefore, I was a little disappointed by these books, but will get the 3rd book because I want to see the outcome.

Brilliant! I love this book!!!, 14 Feb 2001
I really liked it especially as it had Spike in it. (I'm a huge Spike fan). The ending was brilliant. I wasn't expecting it to end like that. If you're gonna buy this book, buy the third one as well so that you don't have to wait ages between books.

this book is highly recomended, 08 Oct 1999
Buffy is back on the book but this one is more scary then the last one & if you want a good book I highly recomended Buffy because she mean to all those stupid vampires. I would realy like to say it was the best book I have ever seen and so I would like to read it again because it had alot of laughs and it also was very scary so if you get scared very quikly then I would say do not read it. The story its self is realy good so I would give it a 5 crown mark. If you read this book then give it a review.

Better than the first one, 02 Aug 1999
Buffy, Angel and Oz are travelling on the limbo's ghost roads to find the gatekeepers 11 year old heir to the gatehouse. Little do they know that he is being held hostage by someone that they know quite well...... Spike and Drusilla, who are planning to exchange the boy to Il Maestro and the sons of Entropy for the spear of Longinus. Which means they will never be defeated in battle ever again.

Of shapeshifters and skin walkers, 20 Sep 2005
The seedy carnival looks like just the thing to give buffy and her friends, a break from staking bloodsuckrs. but then buffy senses something evil behind this carnival and the way john vornholt writes this is tremendous!

xander and willow aren't sure. they don't buy buffy's notion that the carneys are somehow connected to the corpses turning up around sunnydale. it doesn't help that her two best buds are both interested in somebody at the carnival.

can she find out what's going on in time to save her friends or has the slayer become the prey is the question this fantabulous writer has written on everyones lips!

GREAT! 10 out of 10!

The most realistic portrayal of the Scoobies as teenagers, 16 Jan 2002
As if there is not enough fun stuff happening in Sunnydale, a carnival comes to town. Buffy, Xander and Willow head out for some serious rest and relaxation only to discover things are not as they seem and now the corpses popping up around town bear the marks of coyotes not vampires. But while Buffy is suspicious, Xander is smitten with Rose, a seductive siren from the carnival midway, while Willow has caught the eye of Lonnie, the barker. Somehow, you just know all the pieces are going to come together and it will then be Slayer time.

My complaint, such as it is, is that John Vornholt has made Buffy, Xander and Willow more like real teenagers than they appear on the show, which ends up being something of a tradeoff with the show's trademark humor. I know how ironic it is to judge his realism by the standard of a television fantasy. This is still an above average Buffy novel. It is also rather interesting to read this book and know that Willow is going to end up dating Oz down the road, since our favorite gal pal spends some serious timing kissing a carney guy who turns out to be a werecoyote. Of course a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, but the true Buffy fan still remembers when.

Excellent!, 11 Apr 2001
This book would have made a great Season One episode and will be enjoyed by Buffy fans of all ages.

confusing but a good twist at the end, 09 Oct 2000
this is a great book with an even better twist at the end. it is confusing if you haven't read any older buffy books!

Good, 20 Aug 2000
I am a really big fan of Buffy and i have read all the Buffy books but this one disappointed me a bit. Although the middle and the end was good, the beginning was boring and nearly made me stop reading it but i didn't and found the book quite good at the end.

a bit of a drag., 15 Mar 2007
i am an avid buffy fan and have nearly all of the buffy books, but have found that i could not really get into this book, it was fairly slow to start and the lack of angel love was a bit offputting(and no a stupid druid called ian will not do!) this book sees druids come to town,3 brothers and an uncle who want to cure the world of evil, there are a few things that were good like oz wondering if he should have his wolf side reversed, but on the whole it is a bit of a guessable book, if you are an avid buffy fan like me and just want the entire collection or like the earlier seasons of buffy, then i recommend it.

enjoy! :0)

Another cool Buffy book., 09 Feb 2002
This time in the land of Buff, we see (or read) things about Druids coming to Sunnydale to restore some (un)natural order. When Willow's new computer system goes haywire, it's the end of the world. Literally. And the Druids are the main suspects. Treats for Oz though, as they can cure his werewolf problem. To find if he gets cured....read it. Yep, just another round of Buffy and co. trying to stop a few end of the worlds before an English exam.

Return to Sender, 02 Mar 2001
One of the three Buffy books that I don't like, and I buy them all as they come out in the UK. Plot is very poor, characterisation is minimal and the story (such as it is) doesn't really work. Buy another book.

the hellmouth has drawn demonds, 30 Dec 2000
the hellmouth has drawn vampires, witchs and other demons to its powerful vortex. now it has also drawn the attention of an ancient sect of druids- allis in buffy summers battle against the undead.

fairly good but not the best, 23 Jul 2000
A good read but not the best out of the Buffy books.It's hard to get into at first but once you get past the first few chapters it's hard to put down.The build up to the major conflict was good but the story died out after that.It could have done with some more background , but all in all it was a good read for all true Buffy the vampire slayer fans.

The Slayer takes on the Erl King, leader of the Wild Hunt, 24 Jul 2004
Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder write the best Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels, not just because they are good writers but because they completely understand both the characters and the mythos of the Slayer. Even though the stories are set in Sunnydale, Golden and Holder have a keen appreciation for the Old World-ness of the Slayer's world. This is not just a question of Giles coming from England, Angel from Ireland and Jenny from the land of the gypsies, but rather a recognition that when you are talking about ancient evil you have to skip across the ocean because that is where our sense of vampires, demons and things that go bump in the night originates. "Child of the Hunt" represents this sensibility quite nicely.

Buffy and her cohorts are enjoying a traveling Renaissance fair that has come to Sunnydale, but while they enjoy most of what they see they do not like the way the visitors treat Roland, their court jester. That is not the only significant development in town, for roaming the countryside are the minions of the Wild Hunt, in the service of the Erl King and with a taste for flesh. Of course there is a strange and terrible secret that links Roland to the eerie visitors. The Slayer wants to get involved, but Buffy must beware the awful curse, which dictates that no one can see the face of the leader of the Wild Hunt and live. Unless, that is, they join the hunt