Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but doesn't match up with the show
Review: The book is interesting for anyone who loves Spike, but it's tailored more toward the pre-Season 5 version of Spike. It's evil Spike. Obviously the book was in the works prior to Season 5 of the show because Spike's back history is dead wrong and the story of the Slayers in no way matches up with what was shown in the episode Fool for Love.The best parts of the book deal with World War II. It's fun reading Spike's views on Nazis. If you loved the old, evil Spike you'll enjoy the book. If you prefer the kinder and gentler Spike of Seasons 5 and 6, this book doesn't fit not only in characterization but in character history (William the Bloody Awful Poet clearly never existed here). Taken as an Alternate Universe story, it has its own version of dark fun. But it is a darker rendering of Spike than viewers of the show have grown used to lately.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: This is my favourite book so far in the Buffy series of books. I love it that the book is constantly moving forward and finally we get to learn a little bit more about everyone's fav. vampires. There's not much to say about the book, because it's all good. Worth buying, but if you're unsure check your local library!
Rating:
Summary: Back when he was bad...
Review: "Pretty Maids All in a Row" is not a book for the Buffy fan - it is a book for the fans of Spike and Drusilla, and Spike in particular. While some background is expanded on as to the inner workings of the Watcher's Council, and the usual demons and ghouls wreak havoc upon the Slayer, (Sophie - Dutch) Golden delights in expanding upon the colorful and maliciously fun villains who made such an indelible impact upon the show's second season. Walking contradictions with a Bonnie and Clyde set of morals, the ethereal and terrifying presence of Spike and Dru is missed. Especially Spike's scathing sardonicism and enthusiastic bloodlust; as introduced in "School Hard," he is at his most evil in this book. Spike's encounter with Yanna, Sophie's Watcher, is the penultimate example of his strength as a villain, and why he really can never be anything but - his sheer intelligence, his adaptability, his perceptiveness. He is a hunter who persistently and meticulously stalks his prey, playing Hannibal Lecter to their subconscious and wreaking emotional trauma before taking so much as a bite. He is the walking embodiment of your worst nightmare and deepest fears and exploits that to his delight. However, Spike's love for Drusilla seems to contradict his frightening nature and as such it is explored and expanded upon: it stems from his Victorian Englishness and is quite literally eternal - sweet, dedicated, and thorough in every sense of the word. He loves her more than un-life itself, and his world revolves around her. Such a beautifully deep and contradictory character (thank you as well, James Marsters). Drusilla is delineated as well, giving her more depth than just the insanity bestowed upon her by Angel; the workings of her mind are quite poetic and darkly beautiful, and her love for Spike is sweetly honest. I hated her for attempting to be Ophelia until I read "Pretty Maids." She makes sense and is a 3 Dimensional character - more so than the show would ever hint. Simply, the book was wonderful and it is a testament to Golden's talent that Spike and Drusilla have such life between its covers.
Rating:
Summary: Spike n' Dru Together Again
Review: This book was great. Christopher Golden did an awesome job explaining some of Dru and Spike's adventures. I was also interested in Sophie, because she resembled Buffy's characteristics so much that it was scary. It seemed like the Slayers all have a bit of each other in them, and that was evident in the way Mr. Golden wrote Sophie's character. I'm a big fan of Spike, and love the Buffy/Spike relationship in Season 6, so the ending was really sad for me. :( But overall, the book definitely earned its' five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Christopher Golden does it again..
Review: I had high expectations when I first picked up the book - and was not surprised when Christopher Golden met every single one of them. His writing is incredibly vivid and imaginative, making me feel as though I was actually watching an episode. I, for one, believe that if a writer can make you gasp or giggle aloud whilst you read, than that writer is amazing. This book accomplishes both those feats and so much more. The suspense is practically unbearable - it made me want to turn a few pages ahead to see what was going to happen (which of course, I could never do, because then I might miss out on some amazing writing)! Adding to the suspense is the fact that Spike and Drusilla seem to be at the heart of all the trouble. I believe that what makes this book especially entertaining is the fact that Drusilla rambles on in her childlike, insane way, causing you to chuckle in the midst of all of the morbidity. Many times when reading other books I grow bored with the fighting scenes, but because Spike and Drusilla make such a unique pair and voice so many of their unique thoughts aloud during these scenes, it makes it much more entertaining. One of the other great factors is that I didn't know who to cheer for - the good guys or the bad guys. I'm a huge fan of Spike and Drusilla, so I immediately thought I'd be cheering them on, but Christopher Golden presents the other characters in such a way that it makes it difficult not to cheer for them, also. In conclusion, this book is HIGHLY entertaining and I would recommend it even to those who aren't particularly interested in Spike and Drusilla as a couple. It's an amazing read..
Rating: 
Summary: Very fun
Review: A great book for the bus ride. Entertaining and fun, surprisingly unpredictable, and an interseting view into the lives of Slayers'-past and the inner workings of the Watcher's Council. Definitely recommended for Spike and Dru fans. A nice bit of fluff.
Rating:
Summary: It's OKAY but...
Review: i think they could've done SO much more with Spike and Dru's colorful past. Like, where the heck was Darla during all of this? And the heroine they pitted Spike and Dru against was kinda boring, she reminded me of some of the characters from BTVS. And i didn't like the way it ended, either...
Rating:
Summary: By far the best novel in the series...
Review: It is 1940 and Europe is in the grip of the Second World War. With Drusilla's eightieth anniversary as a vampire approaching, Spike is determined to grant his lover's greatest wish: to own Freyja's strand, a trinket that will bestow upon the wearer the ability to shape change at will. Their quest leads them to Skrymir's lair, a frozen palace where the ice demon himself presides above a hoard of servants and various creatures of darkness. A deal is made: in return for the necklace, Spike and Drusilla must rid the world of potential slayers before seeking out the Chosen One herself. What ensues is a sequence of gruesome murders as the duo weave their way across Europe, hunting down potential victims and leaving a trail of blood and destruction in their wake. Sixteen-year-old Sophie Carstensen is the slayer, a girl forced to flee her native Denmark with her watcher, Yanna, to evade the Nazi occupation. Arriving at the Council headquarters in London, Sophie is soon despatched to France to combat the vampires seeking easy kills on the battlefield. Her mission soon becomes simple: to locate Spike and Drusilla and to halt their killing spree whatever the cost.... "Pretty Maids all in a Row" is a thrilling, darkly humorous novel that successfully combines history, horror and romance to produce a book that surpasses any other in the series. The characterisation of Spike and Drusilla is perfect, the author maintaining their villainous allure while simultaneously presenting them in such a way that readers will find themselves secretly hoping our sadistic anti-heroes will triumph in the end. Initially wary of a novel that did not involve the Slayer herself, I would now name "Pretty Maids" as my absolute favourite of the series. Impossible to put-down, fast-paced, action-packed and always entertaining, this is a book that I would recommend to any fan of the TV programme. The initial humour in the narration of the vampires' actions is to some extent lost upon the way resulting in actions that seem excessively brutal and sadistic in some parts. Not for the faint-hearted, the sex and violence involved make this a novel that is less suitable for a younger audience. Few Buffy fans will fail to be delighted by this dark and thrilling book.
~*Jenna*~
Rating:
Summary: A fabulous new focus for the Buffy novels...
Review: Spike and Drusilla are my two favorite villains in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. Of course, I was absolutely thrilled to hear of this novel focused on the gruesome twosome. The novel is set primarily in 1940 in the midst of World War II, and Spike and Dru are on the lookout for some wartime excitement. They end up on a hunt for Freyja's Strand, a magical necklace that allows the wearer to take on different personas. Dru, ever the vain female, asks for the necklace as a gift from Spike. To earn the necklace, however, they must go on an evil quest as demanded by Skrymir, an evil frozen demon. Death, destruction and a heck of a lot of violence is featured through the novel as the couple go on their merry way wreaking havoc. Although the novel proceeds without any appearances by the 'present-day' Buffy characters, I doubt that any fan of the Buffy novels will be disappointed by this new tale.
Rating:
Summary: Bloody fantastic!
Review: In my opinion, this is the best Buffy book I've read so far. Spike and Dru are deliciously evil, there is a high body count, and the action is riveting.
Dru's vampire birthday is approaching, and she has specifically asked for an ancient bauble that will give her special powers. Spike is determined to please his baby, and the two begin a quest that involves tracking down all the Slayers-in-waiting. Slayer, Watchers, Operatives, the Council---none are safe as Spike and Dru cut a bloody path toward their ultimate goal. The current Slayer, Sophie, is a dark, powerful and determined young woman who nonetheless finds herself facing insurmountable odds. Throw in an ancient demon who has a hankering for world domination, and you have a potent combination for a thrilling read.
This is a very dark rendering of part of the Slayer history. Spike is wonderful in this book, and for those of us hoping he loses that chip in his head, this tale takes us back to the evil, sarcastic and irresistible Spike we know and love! Dru is her mad but cunning self alternately seducing and slicing anyone who crosses her path. I couldn't put this book down and found myself sneaking in chapters to find out what happens next. This isn't the usual young adult, happy ending Buffy tale. This one is dark, dark, dark, and it has all the twists and turns of any great story. If you are at all a Buffy fan, pick this one up! If you aren't familiar with the storyline, don't worry. This is one book that easily stands alone, and you don't need to know Slayer history to enjoy it.
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