Monster Island (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) [Paperback]

Christopher Golden (Author)

Book Description

Series: Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Publication Date: January 5, 2004

When Angel first came to Los Angeles, it was the fast-talking, half-demon Irish-American Doyle who first explained to him the mission for which he was destined: the saving of lost souls. All the more ironic, then, that Doyle himself was the one Angel couldn't save. Reconciled at last to the heritage he had long denied, Doyle sacrificed his life to save a shipload of helpless, peaceable demons from a Nazi-style extermination crew. But Doyle's legacy lies not only in the gift of visions he bequeathed to Cordelia with their one and only kiss. Unaware of their danger, Angel and co. are unprepared for the visitor at their door. Intending to free him from what he sees as the human taint that has always held him back, Doyle's demon father, Axtius, is none too pleased to find instead that his wayward son is dead. Meantime in Sunnydale someone apart from the Slayer is slaying. The victims, strangely, all appear to be human-demon half-breeds. The trail leads Buffy to Los Angeles, where before long she and Angel find themselves in the front line to stop an avenging fury from wholesale slaughter...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christopher Golden and Thomas Sniegoski are top genre authors whose previous collaborations include The Buffy Monster Book (with Stephen Bissette) and the script of the Xbox Buffy the Vampire Slayer video game.

Product Details

• Paperback: 437 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books (January 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743490002
• ISBN-13: 978-0743490009
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,091,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Monsterific, March 19, 2003

By 

Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monster Island (Hardcover)

MONSTER ISLAND proves there is power in collaboration. Here, we have two amazing authors, Christopher Golden and Thomas E. Sniegoski, join forces to tackle a Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel crossover of epic proportions.

The novel has amazing character interaction. It met and exceeded my expectations for crossover meetings, be they reunions or first impressions. I especially enjoyed how well Fred and Tara got along. They almost instantly connect and their newfound friendship continues throughout the story while others comment on the wackiness that is them.

The authors certainly did their research when it comes to the monsters that have been on both shows before. Many familiar faces or races of demons appeared. The descriptions of those who were established on the series are accurate; the details of the new breeds the writers invented are imaginative and creative.

Anything with a wide array of characters, be it a book, a television series or a film, has to be handled very carefully so as not to confuse the readers and viewers. Golden and Sniegoski delicately balance the plotlines and give fan-favorite characters equal facetime. Not only do they incorporate the time-honored story of good versus evil, but they utilize issues that have been everpresent on both shows: ill-meaning father figures, abusive pasts, soul-searching, morality and mortality.

The story is engaging and the final battle is tremendous. I highly recommend this novel to any and all fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Two thumbs way up.

Or, if you are a monster, two horns or two fangs up.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An amazing story ... unless you're Spike., October 12, 2005

By 

LadyC (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monster Island (Buffy the Vampire Slayer\Angel) (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) (Mass Market Paperback)

This novel is well written, packed with action, humor, and the misery-loves-company angst that made Buffy such an incredible show.

The story, sort of a Buffyverse version of Hitler and his genocidal mania, finds our beloved characters fighting not only evil, but their own previous mindsets as they all learn that not all demons are evil, and some are worth laying your life down for.

It's a story worthy of Buffy, Angel and their crews, and the author does a brilliant job of bringing the two casts together. He has a gift for painting a picture with his words that bring the characters to life in the reader's mind. He describes Angel, crouching like a stone gargoyle, and captures that bat-like thing that makes Angel so delicious.

I loved the book and was sorry when it came to an end. It's definitely worth the read.

I only have one complaint with this book. The Spike bashing other reviewers have mentioned - it's the only reason I didn't give this book five stars. Major Spike Bash-o-rama!


The cruel things they say to Spike, especially Buffy, go way beyond being funny or amusing. They even go past being irksome. The bashing is not only distracting, it actually takes something away from an otherwise great and beautifully written story. Spike even saves Angel's life, and they all still treat him like crap. Even Willow takes pot shots at him. It's ... disconcerting.

If you're a devoted Spike fan, it'll likely tick you off. And that's a shame, because everything else in this book comes together so well.

Was the Spike Slamming Contest really necessary?

Nope. Nor was it comic relief.

Aside from that, a thoroughly enjoyable book from cover to cover.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Whom the Slayer Toils, August 29, 2003

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monster Island (Hardcover)

A music teacher of mine once observed that the greatest examples of each musical era come after the end of that era. While that is arguable, there is no question that 'Monster Island' is an outstanding example of Buffy literature coming out too late for it to be anything but a poignant reminder of our favorite vampire slayer.

It is set in the time period after Buffy's final return from the dead, and before the onset of Willow's own difficulties. Not the best of times, but one of relative peace before things finally come completely apart. Also of interest is that Chris Golden and Tom Sniegoski have chosen to bring Buffy and Angel together in an unusual struggle. One in which the folk they are fighting to save are demons.

It shouldn't be any surprise that demons are liable to the same social dysfunctions that humans fall victim to. In this case, the onset of a racial purity movement threatens the existence of demons of mixed (part human) heritage - as well as those who support them.

In Sunnydale, a string of grim murders draws the Scooby gang into the nets of General Axtius, a Brachen demon who (oddly enough) was Doyle's father before he took up the flag of 'demonic cleansing.' Then Axtius shifts his focus to Los Angeles, where he is distracted from his cause by his efforts to wreak revenge on Angel, whom he blames for Doyle's death.

Realizing that the problem is bigger than either her or Angel, Buffy comes to Los Angeles, where the join forces. Eventually traveling to a mysterious island where those demons who have come to value peace have set up a safe retreat. There they must make a last stand against the hordes of General Axtius.

Golden and Sniegoski have proven themselves a powerful writing team of several occasions, but 'Monster Island' may be their finest hour. Not only is there a strong plot, but the character interaction - especially as the Sunnydale and Los Angeles contingents adjust to each other - is remarkable. The story underlines the changes all of the character have gone through, and provides interesting insights into some of the less character.

Great plot, writing, characters, and the sweet bitterness of nostalgia for something that will never happen again. If you are ever going to read a Buffy book put this on your must read list.