The Deathless (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Keith R. A. DeCandido (Author)
Key Phrases: ring day, illusion spell, right ring finger, Baba Yaga, Bulat the Brave, Koschei the Deathless (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
As if Ring Day weren't enough to make Buffy Summers anxious (she can't even afford one of the less expensive silver bands), the Slayer has her hands full trying to figure out why an average split-level house in Sunnydale has all the vampires spooked. When she arrives at the library to discuss this new development with Giles, a package he's received from an old folklorist in Russia reveals what's going on: The stars are properly aligned for an attempt to resurrect Koschei the Deathless, a long-dead evil sorcerer. So while her classmates are busy choosing rings to demonstrate their school spirit, Buffy must figure out how to keep someone from reviving Koschei and, should she need to resort to plan B, how to kill him again.

A little investigating soon leads Buffy and the gang to the necromancer who originally killed the sorcerer, an immortal Russian sorceress named Yulia Dryanushkina, who can control vampires (which explains their reluctance to pass by her place of residence). When the crew pays Yulia a visit, she assures them that with Willow's assistance, she would be able to kill the sorcerer again should he be revived.

Neither Buffy nor Willow are particularly comfortable with aligning themselves with the necromancer, but they have no other choice when, twenty-four hours later, the vampires start behaving strangely . . . and half the senior class goes missing.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment (April 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416936300
• ISBN-13: 978-1416936305
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #228,013 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Russian Folklore and Sunnydale's Slayer do Battle!, June 13, 2007

By	C. Crockett "Domino713" (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Can You Trust?, June 18, 2007

By	Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This story is set right after the episode The Zeppo so much of the cast is pretty beaten up. One night on patrol Buffy sees a vampire wig out near a strange house. The last time she saw such a reaction the house held a giant mantis posing as a teacher. Is there another mantis present? Further research shows that the house should be a vacant lot. To top it off, Giles is on edge as the conditions are right for the resurrection of a powerful sorcerer. Then the Scooby gang discovers who is in the strange house. They say they are here to stop the resurrection. But another figure of legend arrives and says the other is not to be trusted.

One thing is for sure, if the sorcerer is resurrected it will not be good. But who can be trusted regarding how to stop the resurrection? The new sorceress? The ageless knight? For the resurrection to occur, much blood will have to be spilled. The Scooby gang thinks they can just try and prevent that until the proper time has passed but another spell looks like it will ensure the presence of enough victims. To stop the evil, the Slayer is going to have to figure out just who can be trusted before it is too late.

This was a fun story and brings the reader back to the fun years of Buffy in high school. Many of the plot elements can be found in other episodes but Keith R. A. DeCandido brings in some strong Russian folklore and imagery to make the story unique. If you liked the third season of Buffy this story fits in as well as if it were one of the seasons episodes. A must for Buffy fans. Check it out.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, June 11, 2009

By	Beth J Scott "B&J S" (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

A fast-paced, interesting book that does a fairly good job of keeping everyone in character, and honestly feels a lot like an episode of Buffy.