Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable for Spike lovers
Review: I sort of fell into reading Buffy novels very recently when I was at my public library and they didn't have the book I actually went there for. This was the second Buffy book I picked up and I must say I liked it. Golden captures the essence of Spike and Drusilla that Buffy fans remember and love from their first appearance on the show in the second season. Spike's charismatic wit and charm are out full force here, as is Dru's magnetic and constant dance on the line between reality and insanity. The background of WWII for this story provides an interesting conflict of interest in the world of the Slayer at the time, Sophie. She's used to facing demonic evil, but the outbreak of war causes her to have to face the evils of man as well--and not just the Nazis, but also within the confines of the Watcher's Council. Probably the most compelling aspect of the story though is the struggle that Sophie's watcher, Yanna, has with herself over her visions and her increasing fascination with Spike. Indeed, I found the actual plot surrounding Spike and Dru looking for an ancient necklace for Drusilla's "birthday" taking a backseat to my interest in Golden's characterizations and his exploration of Yanna's inner demons and Sophie's love for her watcher and immense desire to do her duty. This book is a good read for anyone longing to delve more deeply into Slayer history or into Spike & Dru history. I had one beef with it that has already been mentioned by another reviewer: there is a break in continuity with the show. It has been stated on the show that Spike has killed two slayers--this book changes that. While it furthered the plot of the story, it disappointed me. I would have preferred it if Golden had stuck to Joss' storyline, but as stated before, I enjoyed the book anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: Truly exceptional...
Review: I admit, when I started this book, I expected to be disappointed. I'm a big fan of Spike and Dru (they're hilarious!), but I didn't expect Christopher Golden to be able to capture them in all their sinisterly charming glory on paper as well as Joss Whedon does on the screen. Happily, I was proved wrong. This book combines all the wit, violence and sexy-ness of our favorite big bads with a killer (literally!) storyline, beautifully clean writing style, and a motely crew of wonderfully interesting supporting characters, including the Slayer, Sophie. While this may look like a book for die-hard fans only, anyone who wants a good dirty romp in the world of demons should read it! Admittedly, it lacks Buffy, Xander, Willow and all those other endearing characters that the show encompasses, but the quality of the plotline and characters more than make up for it. And as it turns out, Spike and Dru are just as funny in a book as they are in a show- I laughed quite hard and cheered them on all the way through. I could almost hear James Marsters and Juliet Landau delivering their lines with perfect eloquence as I read. Overall, an astonishingly good novel! Please note, contrary to Amazon.com's opinion, this is not a kid's book. Slightly detailed (nothing *really* dirty) sex and extremely graphic violence abound. But hey, it's worth it!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful, Gruesome Tale
Review: I won't go into great detail about what the book is about, I think the editorial review and the book description cover that nicely. I will, however, give my personal thoughts on the book. First of all, this book is very gruesome. Many of the scenes are quite gory, and everything is told in perfect detail. I'm not saying this is a bad thing by any means, it is, after all, a horror book. I'm just warning those who don't really care for such things. Also, this is NOT a book for children. There are various adult themes throughout the book. The story is very in-depth and full of detail, and moves along at a swift pace. Scenes are introduced as sort of a diary. Diary is not the right word I'm looking for, but there are headings with the place and date, sort of like a log. It's greatly entertaining, I found myself not being able to put it down. I highly recommend this book for any Buffy fan, or horror fans. Spike and Dru's characters are perfectly captured by Golden. I know this is said many times, but you can actually picture them saying these things, it's like watching a television episode. Spike is as arrogant as ever. He could be faced with the biggest bad of all, and still not be intimidated, and would always manage to crack a few insults. This book will make you HATE Spike for the things that he's done. I've always thought it a shame the direction he's taken in the later seasons of Buffy, he's truly a great villain. I suppose I should mention the fact that there are inconsistencies in the continuity of this book and the show. I'm quite sure that when Spike was first introudced on the show, had the contents of this book taken place, Giles would have known who he is. Instead, he says there's no real record of him and he has to search for him. Also, Spike is said to have killed 2 slayers, and in Season 5 of Buffy we get flashbacks. The story in the episode and in this book do not mesh. However, this book is so good you won't care about the problems. For the most part, this book is spot on. A great book, I urge you to pick it up soon.
Rating:
Summary: my favorite vampires, together again
Review: I didn't use to think much of the Buffy series, but I have grown to love it! I love the way this story unfolds. It is WWII, and the war is in the full in Europe. Drusilla is having her 80th year anniversary as a vampire, and asks for a special gift of Spike, her lover, and partner in crime. They go to the Demon Skrymir to ask for it. But he tells them, to get it they must kill all the slayers-in-waiting, as well as the Slayer herself, Sophie Carstensen. Her watcher Yanna, has been having visions. About Spike. She knows Sophie's end is coming. Meanwhile, Spike and Dru go on a killing spree. No to-be-slayers are safe. I loved the book, even if it didn't have anything about Buffy in it. I read the back before I bought it, and I knew who it was about. When I picked it up, I got home, and I couldn't put it down!! Anyone who likes the show, and all the characters on it, Will go for this book. It shows things I never entirely got from the show. Christopher Golden is an amazing author, and this book shows it!
Rating:
Summary: A Good Book About The Big Bad
Review: Few writers can take characters from a popular TV series and give them a 100 percent transition into books, as well as expand on the overall mythology. Christopher Golden is one such writer. In "Spike and Dru: Pretty Maids All in a Row," a noirish tale of Spike and Drusilla, the Sid and Nancy of vampires, Golden fills in their long history together. The book has the feel of an Elmore Leonard novel, where the main characters are bad guys. In the Buffy-verse, you can't get any badder than the Big Bad himself, Spike! This is the Spike many know and miss before he received the behavior-modifying chip on the TV series. The tale unfolds in World War II where in exchange for Freyja's Strand--a magical necklace allowing its wearer to shape-change--Spike and Dru most not only kill the WWII generation's Slayer, Sophie Cartensen, but all the other Slayers-in-Waiting, girls who have not yet been Chosen. Needless to say, they go on a killing spree, leaving a bloody trail of death in their wake. Golden's characterization of Spike and Dru is spot on. You can hear James Marsters and Juliet Landau's--the actors who play the undead couple--voices in your heard when you read their dialogue. Golden also journeys into territory the show hasn't touched, giving you an inside look at the Council of Watchers and explaining, to some degree, how a Slayer is Chosen. It's too bad Golden hasn't written for the TV series. There are also cameos and brief mentions of popular Buffy-verse characters. Golden throws in a few references to Angel and the Master. Kakistos, the vampire who debuted--and died--in "Faith, Hope, and Trick," the same episode Faith the evil Slayer made her first appearance, cuts a deal with Spike. And while Giles doesn't appear, an ancestor--also a Watcher--does. Buffy does NOT appear at all throughout the course of this novel, nor is she mentioned. This book is for die-hard fans only. Contrary to how Amazon.com categorized this book, this is NOT for children! This story contains graphic violence and sex. Also, this novel raises a contradiction in Buffy-verse continuity. It's been established Spike killed two Slayers, the first in the Boxer Rebellion. The second... well, the show says Spike killed a Pam Grier-esque Slayer in New York City in 1977, whereas this novel says otherwise. DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU! "Pretty Maids" is very well-written. I'm sure Golden, a gifted storyteller, can devise a way to fix this glitch without compromising his work and the episode detailing Spike's origin.
Rating:
Summary: What we'll do for love.
Review: Spike and Drucilla are vagabond vampires at this point, at about the start of WWII. Spike decides that he wants to do something special for Drucilla on the eightieth anniversary of her birth into vampirism, so the two embark on a quest to find a magical talisman that will give Dru the ability to see her reflection again. But they must do a little job for the ice demon holding the trinket; kill all the potential slayers, and then do in the slayer of that time. The Watcher's Council gets hold of the plan and tries to stop them, but with little success. I reather liked this book, even though Buffy Summers isn't born yet and Angel is only refered to briefly. But this is a bloody (very bloody) excellent adventure that fans should enjoy. I especially liked Drucilla's characterization, getting in the mind of the lunatic. I really found that to be a treat. And the fact that Spike loves her so is a great counter point to the self serving ego maniac Spike later on.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: If you are a fan of Spike and Dru or just one of them you will love this book! Drusilla fans will be happy to know that Golden captures her insane personaility really well, making her very believable. Josh would be proud. Spike fans will get to see his more violent side aswell as his romantic side as he once again proves how he will go to the end of the world and back for his beloved Dru. This book is not for children however, because there are some graphical violence and torture. Some other review mentioned sexual content and I have to agree but if you are just buying the book for that, then stick to fanfic instead because it's not a main part of the story at all.
Over all, this is one of the best Buffy books I ever read, close second to the GateKeeper triliogy. Buy it today! You won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: Good big bad!!
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I was sceptical at first about the book I dont like books that wedge themselfs into the TV story and just dont fit, but this definetly fit. It was before "Buffy" time so it doesnt mess with the shows story lines, (well one little thing but Im sure it can be explained, but it just adds to the excitement of not knowing how things will unfold). All in all The extra slayer story lines could have been avoided (or maybe writen a continuation book to finish some story lines left open), and you just love to root for the big bad. After reading this book I just wanted more. It was so good I couldnt put it down. If you love Spike or Dru you will love this book. I just wish there were more books after this to continue the storys.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining
Review: Nice book - for those who like the "lovely" couple Spike (evil to the core) and Drusilla. I, for one, like them together just in small doses, mainly because of Dru's annoying insanity as well as her obsession for bloodshed and torture - which the novel graphically gives us a lot. Putting aside my personal tastes, however (and something that contradicts what we learned in the episode "Fool For Love"), I can say that "Pretty Maids All in a Row" has a very compelling plot (set during World War II, 1940), and presents interesting new characters - the Slayers in Waiting, the Slayer Sophie, her Watcher Yanna, the Watchers at the Council (one of them was Rupert Giles' grandmother), and, above all, the Big, Big Bad Skrymir and its minions. I loved the construction of Skrymir, this demon is something I would have liked to see on the show. A book worth reading, for sure.
Rating: 
Summary: Not enough Spike & Dru!
Review: I'm a huge fan of the Buffy series and Spike is my favorite character. I was very excited to see there was a book written specifically for his character with insight into his life prior to Sunnydale. Although the setting is interesting (1940's - World War II), this book tends to have way too much detail about the Slayer, potential-Slayers and their Watchers (along with miscellaneous demons) and not nearly enough about Spike and Dru. They almost seem like secondary characters! Basically it wasn't what I expected. I was looking for a more intimate detail of their relationship and life together and they were barely even in this book.
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