6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Russian Folklore and Sunnydale's Slayer do Battle!, June 13, 2007
This review is from: The Deathless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Mass Market Paperback)
Countries all over the world possess their own unique folklore and fairy-tales that reflect their heritage and culture. When the Buffyverse collides and meshes with Russian folklore, Sunnydale is in for one heck of a history lesson...
This novel takes place during season 3, immediately after the episode "The Zeppo". Buffy and company (excluding Xander of course) have just finished fighting off yet another apocolypse, and desire a much needed break from fighting the forces of darkness. Unfortunately, the Hellmouth isn't prone to acts of kindness, and proceeds to spit out yet another challenge for our favorite Slayer and her loyal band of Scoobies. This time around, it's nearing the end of Buffy's senior year, and the whole senior class is obsessed with obtaining their class rings (an expensive and useless piece of jewelry that shows you attended and survived the rigorous perils of high school). Unfortunately, due to the usual bills of having to repair a damaged house after an unplanned zombie attack (during "Dead Man's Party") Buffy can't afford to purchase a class ring of her very own. However, that fact soon becomes irelevant once the Scoobies learn of a plot to resurrect a powerful sorceror named Koeschei, the Deathless. The only way to put down this nefarious scheme is to accept the help of the only known sorceress to have ever defeated the Deathless -- a necromancer known to many as Baba Yaga, the Russian sorceress depicted in fairy-tales and fables. Can Baba Yaga's offer of help be trusted? Or will she prove to be after more than meets the eye....
Like most of the recent Buffy novels, "The Deathless" chooses to fall into place on an earlier timeline in the Buffyverse, most notably during seasons 2 and 3. I believe this might be because it's easier to slide an original story into the pre-existing timeline during these two seasons, before the Buffyverse grows more complex and difficult to change. A Buffy novel set in season 3 is far easier to create than one that is set in season 6 or 7. Even so, this novel is an entertaining homage to the Buffy world and it's particular style of story-telling.
I found the incorporation of Russian folklore fascinating. Many people know of some of the traditional fairy-tales as told by the brothers Grimm (and popularized by the likes of Disney), but not everyone is aware of the various versions and original stories passed down throughout each nation and culture. There are many Native American folktales known to Americans that are not familiar to people who live in, say, Ireland or Norway (and vice versa). The use of Russian folklore and the character of Baba Yaga is intriguing and well utilized -- and will be an extra treat to those who are familiar with these stories.
My one complaint to this book might be the under-use of some of the characters who, at the time this story takes place, were an integral part of the Scooby gang (most notably, Xander). However, this is really only a minor hiccup in the overall performance of the book.
Bottom line, I enjoyed this new addition to the Buffy novelizations, and look forward to even more in the future.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nervous Goth Kids?, May 15, 2011
This review is from: The Deathless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Mass Market Paperback)
Keith R.A. DeCandido has a story telling technique that would please the die hard "Buffy" fans and those who have dismissed the show as a "cult" thing. DeCandido drops the reader off into the third season on Buffy where Xander is still goofy, but confident and Willow is fully engaged in magic. Faith hasn't turned psycho yet and the novel makes you believe how Buffy and Faith had a deep admiration for each other, but the fans know how that turned out. The Russian folklore didn't bore me. Baba Yaga is a witch that really grits Buffy's teeth and she has the power to make Angel likeable, if you are an animal lover. Bulat the Brave falls into the ambiguous category where he isn't exactly evil, in fact, he acts more human than any other Buffy character. The reader will not find him charming, but his character is worth exploring.
DeCandido did not make a wise choice in selecting the character, Michael, the Goth kid that does magic with Willow. I will take a giant leap by saying perhaps DeCandido used Michael to illustrate that Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy can have friends not related to slaying, but the Slayer doesn't have that luxury or privelege. Michael didn't fit in well with the Scoobies; he's too one dimensional. Also, I gently suggest that DeCandido find other adjectives to describe a woman, besides b***h. The word was used constantly throughout the novel and it took away the power behind the word. All in all, "Deathless" is worth a few hours of your time. It will put a smile on your face.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Straight from Sunnydale, January 29, 2011
This review is from: The Deathless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Mass Market Paperback)
If you ever need a trip back to the good days of Sunnydale High, look no further than this book. Keith has the voices of every character pitch perfect, and the addition of criminally underused Russian folklore makes this a keeper.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
