The Book of Fours

Rating:
Summary: A half hearted Slayer adventure
Review: "Book of Fours" deals with a subject strangly not brought up often in the Buffy universe; past Slayers. India Cohen in particulor, Buffy's immediate predecessor. Along the way she also meets up with Kendra's spirit, who was killed by Drucilla; Faith, a deeply troubled Slayer from Boston; and Lucy Hanover, a Civil War era Slayer. They are called together to battle the Gatherer, a incoporeal spirit that requires Slayers' souls to become powerful. It is helped along the way by Ceilie, a voodoo queen who has been helping the Gatherer for centeries. I really liked the book with all the action, and it was a pretty fast read. But I also thought a lot was missing. I really think that it is a missed opertunity to learn more about the former Slayers, it really didn't fill in enough blanks to satisfy me. Also the end was really confusing, where Giles and another former Watcher stop magick rites in the middle to start a new one on the fly, this is done a couple of times, and it was hard to figure out what he was doing. Also the part where all the spirits of the past and present Slayers became one body (Buffy's, obviously) to fight the evil. And ther end solution was a bit simple for me. I also thought they left Angel, Willow, and Oz out of too much of the action, especially Willow considering what happened to her at the beginning. It was also a shame that more wasn't done about the plot to raise the Master. But it is still OK, just not the best.

Rating:
Summary: A half hearted Slayer adventure
Review: "Book of Fours" deals with a subject strangly not brought up often in the Buffy universe; past Slayers. India Cohen in particulor, Buffy's immediate predecessor. Along the way she also meets up with Kendra's spirit, who was killed by Drucilla; Faith, a deeply troubled Slayer from Boston; and Lucy Hanover, a Civil War era Slayer. They are called together to battle the Gatherer, a incoporeal spirit that requires Slayers' souls to become powerful. It is helped along the way by Ceilie, a voodoo queen who has been helping the Gatherer for centeries. I really liked the book with all the action, and it was a pretty fast read. But I also thought a lot was missing. I really think that it is a missed opertunity to learn more about the former Slayers, it really didn't fill in enough blanks to satisfy me. Also the end was really confusing, where Giles and another former Watcher stop magick rites in the middle to start a new one on the fly, this is done a couple of times, and it was hard to figure out what he was doing. Also the part where all the spirits of the past and present Slayers became one body (Buffy's, obviously) to fight the evil. And ther end solution was a bit simple for me. I also thought they left Angel, Willow, and Oz out of too much of the action, especially Willow considering what happened to her at the beginning. It was also a shame that more wasn't done about the plot to raise the Master. But it is still OK, just not the best.

Rating:
Summary: A good story . . . .
Review: ...but it just didn't live up to its potential, I felt. I would have given it three and half stars if I could. Maybe it's because I have such a higher standard for Ms. Holder, being one of the two best Buffy novel writers. I agree with the reviewer who stated that there were too many characters, and especially too many flahsbacks. Flashbacks are fine --loved the flashback of Kendra-- but if they focus soley on the history of the villians, I personally don't need to know that much about them; too much time spent on supporting characters that aren't even on the show. And I just have to cripe about the small, but very careless mistakes in this book. The most blatent being that the author got Kendra's Watcher's name wrong! How do you get Roger from Sam Zabuto? And Gile's never met him. And the fifteen pages or so dedicated to Xander's cousin's illness could have been used for better things.

The positives of the book. Faith! At last they acknowledge her existence which has only been done in one other book --mentioned only-- and for the most part she was true to character. The plot was also good with better than average bad guys, though I think the natural disasters to Sunnydale were a little overdone. And the idea of the four Slayers, I liked, but again did not live up to its potential mostly due to a rushed climax that seemed to be crammed into the last twenty pages, and once the danger is over the book ends two or three pages later, typical of a Buffy novel, which gives it a small touch of incompleteness. A very good read for fans, but Holder's "The Evil That Men Do" is far superior and not as memorable as "Immortal."

Rating:
Summary: What Were They Thinking?
Review: After reading the marvelously gory and delightful "Pretty Maids All in a Row," this novel was a total letdown. I think it is set approximately between seasons 2 and 3, from what obscure details I picked up. An odd apocalyptical battle like this absolutely does not fit in with the series story arch, and it took a lot of [...]-it-up to accept its plausibility (even as far as sci-fi goes).

I think Joss would not approve, and if he did, what was he thinking? Accepting Faith and Angel fighting side by side was a bit absurd if it is held in the context of season 3. If this story had ever been integrated into the actual Buffyverse, it is doubtful that Faith would've then joined forces with the dark side with such powerful vengeance.

Despite the brilliant immagination it took to conjure such descriptive and huge scenes, Sunnydale never would have been the same after earthquake, flood and fire. Certainly not much insight was given to the characters of the other slayers, leaving a hollow impression of their personalities. And I don't want to spoil the ending, but let's just say, it was a sad excuse for a conclusion. It felt like they dismissed the whole thing as one of those "dreams" or something. Over all, it lacked a strong connection with our beloved Buffy, and did not fit in with the grand scheme of things.

A novel must connect strongly with its parent show in order to speak to the reader, like something that actually happened between shows. An appocalypse like this would not go unmnetioned if it had occurred, unless everyone lost their memories. (Like in the episode "Tubula Rosa" which isn't until season 6, so sorry writers.)

On another note, I highly reccommend "Immortal" as a great read, a clear and undeniable bit of Buffy, especially if you watch the show. And why else would you want to read a Buffy Novel but that you just can't get enough from one night a week of Buff.

Rating:
Summary: Slayers, Watchers, and demons Oh my!
Review: As always Nancy Holder delivers an action packed story. The Book of Fours is a complex tale of slayers past and present. A great evil the Gatherer sends out his wanderers of fire, water, air and earth to kill the slayers. His victory will end the line of slayers forever.

There are many elements to recommend this book to readers. The plot is interesting. Set in the time frame of the third season, Angel and Buffy are still together. Ms Holder has provided the tortured couple some lovely moments. Buffy and Faith take on some unique monsters as the story begins. The description of this particular battle is not to be read on a full stomach. It is both exciting and terribly humorous. The author also details the evil as it grows from nothingness to a great power with the help of a flea and a sparrow. It is almost poetic. The final battle is vivid. The action is heart stopping.

I can't give this novel five stars because for everything I enjoyed about it I found that it had too many characters, too many subplots, and too many flash backs. This is the first book of the Buffy the Vampire Series that I can only recommend to fans who have seen the television series or who have read the excellent Gatekeeper's Trilogy co-authored by the same author. Someone new to the tale of the chosen one, the mythology of the slayer would be confused or not understand the full impact of the plot.

Rating:
Summary: Best Buffy Novel to date...
Review: Curious about the Slayer before Buffy? Holder explains the Slayer legacy in ways Joss Whedon has only hinted. Nancy Holder has written the best of the bunch. I have read the majority of the Buffy books and this is the most well-crafted and in the vein of Joss Whedon. This book would make an incredible movie, one of those billion dollar special effects spectaculars. The only thing, you should really read the Gatekeeper trilogy by the same author to understand some parts of plot fully.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: Having recently devoured the Sons of Entropy triology, I found Nancy Holder's latest book very disappointing. The story is muddled and confusing.

I have a modest interest in the earlier slayers but almost no interest in their watchers. Trying to figure out what is going on through flashbacks describing the point of view of several evil characters was annoying at best.

I would rather read about the characters I care about: Buffy, Giles, Willow, etc. I read the books for the stories how friends deal with extreme circumstances while trying to grow up at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: Oh How Painful
Review: I am an avid reader and love all things Buffy but this book now holds the title for worst thing I have ever read. It's so bad I felt compelled to warn others that reading the blurb for next week's Buffy episode will be more enjoyable and fulfilling. The story's premise is a fine one however, Ms. Holder's writings are a structural nightmare. She should limit her efforts to Watcher's Guides and leave fiction out of the mix.

Rating:
Summary: LOVE NANCY HOLDER
Review: I can't say enough how much I loved this book. I am a huge fan of the Buffy and Angel TV series. Her books as a solo writer for Angel and with Christopher Golden.

This book delves deeper into the connection between past and present Slayers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Too many storylines
Review: I didn't like how the story kept switching between modern Sunnydale and past stories. I did like the whole relationship between the four Slayers and I liked learning about Buffy's predecessor. One of my friends, a bigger Angel fan, asked me if Buffy was the first Slayer, and, having read The Book of Fours, I was able to explain it to her better. This book cleared things up along the history lines of the Slayers and it was a good read, but really slow in the middle.