Customer Reviews

Blackout (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Blackout by Keith R.A. DeCandido is a well written and entertaining story. It is a "Spike" story, and you won't find any of the Scoobies or Buffy in this tale. It takes place in 1977 New York, and fills out the story of the last few days in the life of Nikki, the Vampire Slayer. The story alternates between Nikki's tale and Spike's, who has come to New York to bag himself his second slayer. Standing between Spike and his final confrontation with Nikki is a local Vampire mob boss, who wants Spike either recruited into his organization or dusted. When Dru unexpectedly arrives in NY, things really heat up.

The author has taken the Spike vs. Nikki in the subway scene from Season 5 BTvS "Fool for Love" and Spike's first meeting with Nikki from Season 7 "Lies My Parents Told Me" and built them into a story that is exciting and true to both the main characters. This is the Season 2 Spike, evil, snarky, brash, and full of confidence and bravado. If you don't like Spike, you probably won't enjoy the story. If you are a Spike fan, and want a new story about him, or if you want to know more about Nikki's life as a mother and a Vampire Slayer you will find this to be an engaging tale and satisfying read.

There are quite a few mediocre (and several downright awful) tie-in novels for the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" universe, but "Blackout" by Keith R.A. DeCandido is the best one I've encountered. If only the other fifteen Buffy/Angel novels I've read were this good.

"Blackout" is definitely a Spike novel. As a Spike fan, I have no problem with that at all. Buffy appears only briefly at the beginning and the end of "Blackout", which is just as well. There's not much room for her in this story of "evil" Spike in 1970s New York.

The Slayer in question in 1977 is Nikki Wood, the only Slayer we've ever heard about who also has a child to raise. Not only does she have to deal with demons, apocalypses and a criminal organization of vampires, she has to deal with Spike coming to town looking for trouble (soon followed by the demented Drusilla). The author is true in his depiction of the character of Spike in that the British vampire constantly straddles the line between bloodthirsty villain and charismatic anti-hero.

What elevates this novel above any other Buffy novel I've read is the simple fact that despite knowing the inevitable outcome (Spike stalking and eventually slaying Nikki the Vampire Slayer--also acquiring that awesome leather coat--was depicted in two episodes of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Fool For Love" in season 5 and "Lies My Parents Told Me" in season 7), I was still interested and intrigued enough to read every word as the narrative progressed. Heck, the author revealed the forthcoming results of the few plotlines fans of the show didn't know about within the first six pages and I still wanted to see how it all went down.

If you can't see yourself enjoying a book that doesn't revolve around Buffy and the Scooby gang--or one where the bad guy wins--then "Blackout" isn't for you. Too bad, though, since many of the books that do revolve around those folks are poorly written. "Blackout" is also a much stronger work than the earlier Spike & Dru novel, "Pretty Maids All In A Row." So if you want to read one novel set in the "Buffyverse" (and aren't totally devoted to reading about Buffy herself), read "Blackout". You'll be doing yourself a favor.

This was an excellent book. This book did a classic job of displaying Spike's brutality in his pre-Buffy days as well as the cunning of Nikki Wood.

I don't normally read tie-in fiction, but when I learned about this particular take on the Buffy series, I was intrigued. We only get glimpses of the other Slayers (other than Buffy and Faith). I can understand why the flash we get of Nikki in the series would inspire the author to dig into Nikki's story. New York City in 1977? Tough, streetwise, Slayer? Tons of history (her kid, her jacket, Spike's reputation)... these make great starting ingredients for a tragic and triumphant story. I highly recommend this novel if you're a Spike fan especially.

This is the only Buffy book I could stomach reading beyond the first chapter. It's also the only Buffy book I can say, without a doubt, is well money well spent.

I read it one night, fascinated by the tie-ins with Nikki Wood, Robin, Nikki's watcher, and Spike. This was written by a true fan of the series, and it follows very close to canon. Nikki Wood is fleshed out into a very strong-willed, extremely interesting Slayer, trying to protect her son against the elements of New York. As for Spike... he's downright terrifying, and yet still the same Spike we know and love from the series. All in all, this is a fantastic book if you're looking for a fix, and is well worth the buy.

My favorite part of the story is Nikki herself, which surprised me, because I bought it originally out of Spike-love. The world the author has set up for her is nicely written, and the environment surrounding her plays a role just as powerful as the Slayer herself. From her home in the tiny theatre, to her watcher, to crime-filled streets of late 70's New York City, Nikki proves that she can effortlessly steal the page and make you wish she really did have more of a story in the series. Therefore, the ending via canon is heartbreaking, but it's done with the sort of grace you'd expect from Spike--oddly, I never quite hated him for any of his actions here, even though from Nikki's point of view, Spike is not only terrifying, but brutal, unstoppable and evil to the core.

Her legend is also nicely done, and I love how the coat also plays a strong role on her character, shaping who she is on the streets the way it later did for Spike in the series. And then, of course, the backstory--very well done, as was the tie-in with other unexpected canon characters.

Spike himself was not as dark as you'd expect, given the soulless, evil version. He's just manic enough to be Spike, but the intelligence is there, and it seems to me he gave more respect to Nikki Wood than most other vampires had or would. His reasons might be shallow, but whole package is entirely Spike. This book manages to show just how vicious Spike was in his past without overdoing it. I love the ending--it slams the whole thing home, and is brilliant in every way.

All in all, fantastic. You read this and gain a whole new concept on a minor character, which is wonderful--ie: Nikki, Robin and her watcher. Spike is also shown in a different light from the series--featured at his top, here, doing what he did best. Don't pass this one up.

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.

This book has two major story arcs. Spike visiting New York sans Drusilla for bit, taking in the Punk clubs and eating the punk rock chicks and hunting down the slayer. ( oh but that is fun to read) And Nikki Wood's life as a Slayer. Very intresting facts are learned about her and of course by doing that Robin Woods life as a small child is revealed.

Great 1970's history in New York!!!!!

It builds up slowly, every so slowly Spike watching and learning about this new slayer. He admires her moves, appreciates how she has different techniques than the other he killed. He is planning to confront her.

Dru arrives and once again we see that deep caring and crazy in love guy Spike is.... And then the finale... but it's not exactly what you think, well except he finally does "have one good day."

If you like that long leather coat, you'll love the explanation about it in here. If you like the 70's and wondered about Nikki... go for it! I loved hearing about her. If you are a Spike fan( not Spuffy) You need to get this book.

I am a Spike fan and I loved this one!!

This is one of the best Buffy books yet! It gives us a historical look at New York in the late seventies, while telling the story of what happened between Spike and Nicky, the second slayer he killed.

Nicky is portrayed as both tradgic and heroic. Her dedication to both the mission and her young son make the reader dread the end as we know from canon that Spike will kill her.

Spike is very much in character with his loose canon, in your face attitude. He is exciting, dangerous, and at times hilarious.

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.

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.