The Watcher's Guide : Volume 3

Rating:
Summary: Fangs For The Memories
Review: Well, Like others here, I was slightly disappointed when I got the book and saw what was in it. Or more importantly, what wasn't in it. I was a bit concerned from the get go when I first heard that Nancy Holder wasn't involved. That was a red flag right there. Needless to say, the concern was warranted. Still, after reading the book and thinking about it, it is still a good book. A very nicely put together book that is well written and researched. Author Paul Ruditis, who I have never even heard of, does a fantastic job on the episode guide and all the usual things that come with it. Is it as bad as all the negative reviews for it say?. No way!. Does Ruditis get the knowledge and research wrong?. Nope. The book is not, in any way, shape, or form, what the negatives say it is. I think people were just disappointed with what was not included here. And yes, it is sad, but there is still fine work here and is a good read. It may not be essential like the other 2, but is still good to have. No question about it. That is why I gave the book four stars. Like volumes 1 and 2, the big part of the book is the expected episode guide. This volume packs in the most seasons with seasons 5, 6, and 7, while the first two only had two seasons at a time. Each episode comes with the usual stuff that were included in the first two. There isn't much of a difference there. The episode summary is quite lengthy(well, lengthy enough) and well thought out and explained. The quote of the week is there as well as the "Love In Vein" part, which deals with the ongoing love lives of our favorite Scooby Gang. Ruditis even added a new little thing of his own. It is called "Dramatis Personae", and it is a little tidbit about the history and lives of the gang as well. Thankfully, we still get two sections of really goos colored photos too. The essays are interesting and would of been more appreciated if they weren't the only other section in the book. The one on the journey of the character of Jonathan is the best and is very well written and a nice tribute to the character. The rest are all well written and fun and interesting to read. The editors wanted something different for the book than the usual stuff, but we the fans want what we want. Not what the editor thinks we want. There is no character bio like in the first two. No interviews with anyone and no sections on make-up or just the making of the show. This is what has come to be cornerstones of these books, but they are not here at all. With Holder bowing out of "Angel : Casefiles Volume 2" and Ruditis doing that one two, it should make fans even more worried.

Rating:
Summary: Wholly Inadequate
Review: What a real disappointment this book is. The first edition of The Watchers Guide was a well-written guide to an inventive TV show that, actually, had a bit of thought to it but, sadly, it's been diminishing returns ever since.

This book merely sums up, for me, everything that's wrong about the whole concept of "official" guides to TV shows and movies. It's hollow. It doesn't tell you ANYTHING about any of the reasons why you're actually a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, merely trotting out a standard party-line that every episode is an unsuppassed masterpiece (makes you wonder why 'Hush' is put on a pedestal when, according to the writers of the various Watchers Guides, all of the episodes are equally as good as each other). There's no critique, no depth, no _soul_ in this book. There's plenty of nice pictures though so, if that's what floats your boat then this is, to be sure, the book for you.

There are several unofficial guides out there and most of them are a hell of a lot better than this. My own particular favourite is Keith Topping's Slayer, but Nikki Stafford's book is also worthy of investigation. Both are infinately preferable to the mess that is Watchers Guide Vol 3.

Rating:
Summary: Hmm..
Review: While the episode guide is quite nicely done, and the essays were very interesting. The guide was lacking. I can't tell you how excited I was to get it, and what's in there is wonderful..dont get me wrong. But like it was said before, it was lacking in character guides, quotes, cast/crew interviews. All these components made the books fun. None of the original authors were involved in this book, which may be the problem. People new to buffyverse would be okay with this book, but wont learn to the extent that you could in the first two. If you're a buffy fan, it wouldnt be good to not get it. But don't expect it to be as good as the first two. What's there is well written, but it doesn't have the most beloved parts. (personally, i would of rather waited longer to get more sections then have this book come out as is).