Customer Reviews

Wicked Willow II: Shattered Twilight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

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

 

 

After the devastating events of the first volume of this series one would expect to find that someone, either in Willow's coven or the Scooby Gang would realize that head on conflict wasn't going to work. Giles' dispersal spell managed to totally disappear to coven members and drive another insane. And Willow has lost what little trust the coven had in her. Despite this disaster, both sides get ready to square off. Willow rebuilds the coven and uses Riley's spirit to animate a golem, hell bent on her quest to restore Tara to life. Giles continues to look for a bigger, better spell - something that will do less mayhem. Of course, nothing works out as suspected and damage and casualties mount.

One of the things I found particularly interesting is that Buffy and the Scoobies actually don't understand what Willow is trying to do, and have managed to cause far more destruction than Willow would have done on her own. This dichotomy between an evil Willow who is really only seeking to create life, and the Buffy team keeps building. This keeps Willow a believable and almost sympathetic character while forcing us to look at Buffy, Giles, and company in a different way. The ending of this volume is particularly touching.

This focus on the moral dilemmas of the characters is unusual in a Buffyverse book. Willow, Buffy and Giles all must deal with difficult decisions, and their actions do not necessarily work for the best. As much as the publisher paints this as a Wicked Willow series, it is considerably more than that. No one is totally innocent, everyone makes a dreadful mistake or two. However, even as the interior dialog gathers momentum, the pacing seems to slow a bit. Shattered Twilight seems to get stuck in the pattern of attack and withdraw that began in The Darkening.

Still, while I experienced moments of tedium in the reading, the over all effect was compelling enough to hold my interest. Yvonne Navarro's effort has redefined Willow's character within an understandable framework. She certainly isn't the only person I know who it the thought they could undo a tragedy wouldn't do everything in their power to do exactly that. At the moment crosses over the line towards the inhuman, she offers proff of her real human depths. While this new, complex Willow will bother some fans, I think it's an illuminating development in one of my favorite characters.

Wicked Willow Book 1 was so great that I did not think that it could be topped. Well... I was wrong. Book 2 was the perfect sequel. Just like Book 1 as I was reading I could actually picture the characters in their environments and expressions. Yvonne has nailed the the "Buffy" way of speech perfectly. Joss Whedon could not have written a better plot or dialogue.
Being a huge fan of the Buffy universe I am happy to say I was not let down. I feel that the Buffy show relied heavily on the supporting cast than the actual star, Buffy. Narrating a story involving the perkiest character Willow into a homicidal and desperate in love tragic person could not have been easy but Book 2 pulls it off. When Riley is used as a Golem it just sent shivers down my spine.
Whether you are a fan or not of Buffy the Vampire Slayer this book should be on your "To Read" list. Sean

I, being a fan of the show, am also a big fan of the books now that the series has ended its fantastic career on the T.V. For me, I absolutely loved Season Six because it dealt with Willow turning evil. Which was AWSOME!

For me, I bought the first book because I wondered what would hav happened if Willow wasnt stopped. Sure, most people say that the world would have ended, thus I bought the book to see it for myself. And I wasnt disappointed by it at all.

So, I went and bought this book (Part 2) so I oculd continue in the series of these events so Ic an see it out until the end. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who is thinking about buying it for themselves or as a gift. :)

actually this book starts out slow but towards the middle you can't put it down.

willow's coven is reduced in size by giles' spell. the remaining members no longer trust willow because she chose to protect buffy instead of them. willow is so upset by this that she comes up with another plan to rid herself of buffy and the scooby gang.

this book has everyone in it examing themselves and the little things that we tend to take for granted and whether or not their decisions are good or bad no matter how well intentioned. it is well worth the money and any buffy fan should definitely love.

Though I'd have preferred a book that would have dovetailed with the show better I have to say Yvonne Navarro is an excellent writer and both "Wicked Willow" books were well done and interesting. My main complaint is there is very little Spike. But after the dreadfulness of Heat and the awfulness of 7 Crows I'm just thankful for a couple of really good books.

When I read book one of the Wicked Willow trilogy, The Darkening, it seemed that alternate reality in which it was set was profoundly different that the Buffyverse. I think that this was disconcerting for many readers, as they didn't understand the characters, their behaviors and motivations.

As book two, Shattered Twilight, developed, Wicked Willow's universe came into sharper focus. The feelings and motivations of Willow and the other characters became clearer. And what became clearest amidst the confusion and turmoil that virtually all the characters were feeling was that the universe wasn't really that different.

The Wicked Willow trilogy, as the Buffy TV series in general, is very much a character study. In this trilogy, the action is simply a backdrop for the characters confusion, frustration and pain to play out. I suspect that this is why some reviewers haven't really enjoyed the books. But, I've found them engaging and fascinating.

The character in the greatest emotional pain throughout the series is Willow. In the first book, Willow saved Buffy only because Tara forces her to. The consequences were high, with the loss of five members of her coven and the trust of those who remain and now she's mad! As the second book begins, Willow sets about to rebuild her coven to full strength and obtain her revenge against the Scoobies.

Meanwhile, Anya is desperately trying to help Giles walk again. This section of the book provides incredible insights into the experiences of Giles, Buffy, Dawn, Anya and Xander as they wrestle with their various feelings of frustration, anger, loss, gratitude and guilt.

Eventually, the Scoobies turn their attention to stopping Willow. It is at this point that they realize that they didn't understand Willow's motivations or intentions in gathering power, setting the stage for book three.

Shattered Twilight did drag a bit in the middle, but it picked us steam in the second half and reached full speed by the end. Shattered Twilight left me waiting to read book three!

Giles and company have broken up Willow's coven, and she has to go recruiting. It it is not just witches she comes up with, however, but a golem.

The Finns are dead, killed in action, and Willow summons Riley's spirit to help her make a golem as a weapon.

A mistake, as Riley is stubborn, and it turns out Buffy can order him around. Scratch a few more wicked witches.

I liked the tv show better. I was getting bored with Willow contemplating all the time. Thinking about Tera wishing she was alive again. Revenge, revenge, revenge. I guess I thought Willow would be kicking Buffy butt like she did in the show. I guess I expected there would have been more of Buffy trying to save Willow from the evil within her type of thing after all they were best of friends. I never did like how they developed the Willow character anyway.

I love to play the "what if" game and this is a really good book that shows what could have happened if Xander hadn't gotten through to the "good" in Willow when he reminded her of he yellow crayon. It felt almost like watching a Buffy episode. Well written book - I will watch for more of Ms. Mavarro's writings.

I want my money back. I want the time I wasted back.
But I'd settle for having Tara back.

This book continues the same streak of bland characters and sophmoric writing that was featured in the Wicked Willow 1 book. But if anything things have gotten worse. Right now it is obvious that Navarro is just stretching an already thin plot so she can get three books out of the deal.

I know there is an appeal to watch bad movies. That does not apply here. Save yourself the time and effort. At the least you would have wasted your time and money. At most you will be disgusted that someone like this is allowed to write about these characters. I don't recognize anyone here, least of all Tara. Give me Chris Golden anyday.

It is an offense to these characters. It is an offense to fans of Willow. It is an offense to anyone who ever struggled to be a writter to see third rate fan-fic like this get published.

If you must read a Buffy story, find some fan fic, at least it is free, or get some Chris Golden books.