Customer Reviews

Stranger to the Sun (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

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

 

 

Lately I've been a little behind in my Angel books, so I bought Stranger to the Sun and Image at the same time. Since Image came first in the series, I decided to read that first. That book completely blew me away. I was expecting big things from Stranger, since it was following such an amazing tale as Image. I began reading Stranger immediately after finishing Image.

Well, I started reading and I was shocked to find out that the story's main character, Wesley, was put into a coma in the first chapter. I continued reading and finished in a day. After reading Image, I was expecting something outrageous. The plot in Stranger to the Sun is simple enough (well, at least simpler than most other Angel novels). A magickal powder is putting magicians, witches, astronomer, astrologers, and the like into a deep sleep all around LA. Wesley gets a dose that was intended for Angel, so naturally Angel feels responsible. He sets out to find who is doing this and how he can cure Wesley. The main villain is a vampire hell-bent on destruction. The story isn't too hard to follow, which is why I think I didn't like it as much as other Angel novels. I've come to love the complex plots in these stories, and Image had to be one of the most complex yet. So following that story, this one left me a little disappointed.

I've come to respect Jeff Mariotte as a superb Angel writer. He knows the characters well, so he can write intriguing work. While Stranger isn't as good as his previous novels (especially Close to the Ground), it's still worth a read.

Pretty good story. Moved at a decent pace, and held my interest, with the exception of the chapters with Wes in the mine. That didn't interest me in the least. Everything else I really enjoyed, especially Angel and Gunn out and about trying to save Wes. Loved the action. Recommend to all fans of the TV show.

Thanks to Cordelia's curiosity, Wesley is talked into opening a package meant for Angel. No surprise, there is a puff of green smoke (why is it always green!) and Wesley is out for the count. Suddenly Angel and Gunn are frantically searching for the cure to Wesley's sudden narcolepsy while Cordelia stays home and keeps an eye on Rip Van Winkle number two, meanwhile searching the Internet for a potential solution.

It doesn't take long for Gunn and Angel to realize the Wesley's sudden nap is no isolated phenomenon. Similar packages have been delivered throughout Los Angeles targeting the magically knowledgeable and a curious cross-section of scientists. Only gradually does it become clear that MacKenna, one of most notorious vampires in the city has dire plans. If he is not stopped, Los Angeles will become the capital of the Vampire States of America

Wesley himself may be down, but he isn't quite out. He finds himself in a coalmine somewhere in Yorkshire, England. We are treated to a bit of history, as Wesley and his fellow miners descend deep into tunnels where daylight is a stranger and fall victim to a cave in. Wesley must struggle through a maze of passages avoiding explosive gas and rock falls. Little does Wesley know how important it is for the miners to reach the surface safely.

For all the players, this is a race against time. The entire world is at risk as MacKenna's plan moves toward fruition. Angel and Gunn seek desperately for his lair, while Cordelia alerts mages around the world. Meanwhile Wesley sleeps, struggling to save lives in another part of the world, at another time.

Once again, Jeff Mariotte spins a complex and exciting plot while still paying attention to the character development that makes a novel keep the reader's attention. This is his fourth Angel novel, in addition to his work with Nancy Holder on 'Unseen,' and he has proven he knows what it takes to please his readers.

when a box arrives at the hotel addressed to angel investigations, wesley thinks nothing of opening it . what a mistake. a mysterious powder that is inside the package renders him comatose and nothing the gang does will bring him out of it.
their search for answers leads them to a vampire with a diabolical plan to take over the world and leave the humans as slaves. this book had no boring spots and i highly reccomend it.
any angel fan will not be disappointed.

Wesley ends up comatose after opening a package with a magical powder payload designed for angel. In an odd interlude, Wesley appears to be back in time, stuck in a mine cave-in involving his great grandfather. A vampire closing on 200 years old displays a lack of astronomical teaching in his youth when he concocts a magic spell to tilt the planet on its axis and make one half daylight, and one half night, which supposedly somehow lets vampires rule the world. Ok, yep, he is silly. His cronies fight ok though, and it is rough work for Angel, Gunn, and crew, and Cordelia makes up the magical research as she goes along, concocting a vile potion. "You do all that stuff," Gunn said. "Fight crime, right wrongs, the whole bit. You think maybe it'd be easier if you traded in the black duster, got some kind of costumer, maybe a scary-arse name like Dark Avenger or The Stomper or something? Because, as names go, I'm sorry, man, but Angel ain't all that scary." Marriotte is definitely good with the references.