Rating: 
Summary: Best Buffy book yet
Review: I have to say that this is my favorite Buffy book in the whole series. Some of the things that the characters said weren't in character, and some of the things that they do aren't in character, but you kind of have to expect that from any book made off a TV show. However, Angel was really out of character. First of all, have you ever seen him cry tears of blood in the show? No. He cries normally, like with watery tears. But, I really loved the plot. Especially about the gatehouse with thousands of rooms, and the largest magickal source on Earth. One part I didn't like though, was when Oz was traveling on a ghost road, because Oz never has strong feelings in the show, and in this part, he is so emotional. I liked all the new monsters and demons, because it gave the book a sense of variety. The start of the book is a little dull, but you have to get into it. Once you get to about the middle of the book, it's so good. I really recommend that anybody who likes Buffy the Vampire Slayer read this book. It may have some mistakes, but that plot is really awesome. Overall rating (out of five): 10
Rating: 
Summary: Boffo Buffy
Review: I have never read a media tie-in that so accurately captured the personalities of the characters as Out of the Madhouse. The authors are not perfect, of course (Oz is just a tad too loquacious, and one would have thought that Angel's soul would prevent him from brutally torturing humans), but they are awfully darn close. Every time a character opens his or her mouth, you can truly hear his or her voice - be it Giles, Buffy, or Xander.The book is every bit as enjoyable as an episode of Buffy, although the ending is not as powerful as some other reviewers have suggested. The sacrifice the Scooby-gang makes for Buffy is, well, not terribly moving. Compare it to Buffy baring her neck to Angel in the TV series; now *that* was a sacrifice. If I enjoyed the book, why only three stars? To me, a book that is entertaining and amusing but not profound, moving, provocative, or otherwise exceptional is a three-star book. This is the kind of book one can read on the bus, on a plane, or on the beach. Very enjoyable but not challenging. A fine way to pass the time.
Rating: 
Summary: punch! kick! punch!
Review: One of the things I love most about Buffy as a whole, is character development. This book was so busy with endless action sequences, that the character's personalities were largely ignored. When the book stops for emotional moments it's hard to care, because the character's have all become cardboard cut-out's of themselves. I'll go ahead & read the next one- I'm hoping that Golden & Holder will let up a bit on the constant barrage of battle- it gets tedious after awhile. Proceed with caution.
Rating:
Summary: Best Buffy Books yet Written ...
Review: Being a huge BTVS fan, I read all the Buffy stories I can get my hands on (whether they happen to be books or online fanfic), and by far the Gatekeeper Trilogy is the best of the lot. One of the unique aspects of the book is it gives us a chance to really see each of the characters individually. The gang is split up several times, and you really get to know the characters by their individual reactions to what happens. And Oz fans beware, he plays a very central role in this story! The first book begins a bit slowly, and is a bit confusing at first. But once it gets going you can't put it down. If you decide to get this book, I recomend you also buy volumes 2 and 3 today, because you won't be able to wait to see what happens!
Rating:
Summary: The same tradition of excellence as their past Buffy books.
Review: Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder are, by far, the best writers of the Buffy novels, and this first part of their Gatekeeper Trilogy continues that tradition of excellence. The story is intriguing, complex, and action-packed, but more importantly, at least to this reader, the characterizations are right on the money. Golden and Holder know these characters so well, you'll feel like you're watching an episode. I highly recommend their books, and cannot wait to read the next installment.
Rating: 
Summary: Expands the "Buffy" universe to all parts of the globe
Review: I was very anxious for this book to be released, and I was pleased when I finally got my hands on it. This book surprisingly uses almost every major character from the TV show. It even uses a character from an earlier book (Child of the Hunt also by Christopher Golden, Nancy Holder). Therefore, you should probably read "Child of the Hunt" before you read this book (however, it is not necessary). Along with the plethora of "Buffy" characters, I was also impressed with the fact that the story took place in various locations across the globe. The TV show can't afford to do this too often, but it can be used to its full effect in the books. The story was very imaginative but it seemed slightly drawn out in areas. All in all, I was impressed. I am definitely anxious to read the next part of this trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: 1st Book is a tad confusing and slow
Review: Like I said above, the first book is slow and confusing. However near the end of the book things really REALLY picked up, and I finished it and the other 2 in less than a week and a half!! The series rocks!! Guess what happens to Xander?? ;)
Rating:
Summary: The Best...
Review: Really. The Gatekeeper Trilogy books are the best Buffy novels to date. The characterization is dead-on accurate, the writing perfect and descriptive. Well worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm shocked by all these great reviews
Review: I always read fanfiction but shied away from buying these sorts of books. I read so much ..... fanfic to find the gems, but it's free and I really wasn't interested in paying to read something like that. But *everyone* I knew in the Buffy fandom recommended this trilogy as the *best* of the Buffy books. So I immediately splurged on the whole trilogy (figuring once I started, I'd want to read them all). Boy was that a waste of money. I'm an avid reader of all types of books, and yet this book bored me to tears. The characters were all off. While I could sometimes believe their actions, I never believed their thoughts or their words. Worst of all though, the writing was atrocious. I could have written better than this. This book was so terrible that the other two still collect dust on my shelf. They will probably stay there for a long time, because I won't be giving anyone else these books for fear they might read them and blame me. I read almost anything available to me, so for something to turn me off this much, it has got to be pretty horribly written. If this really is the best Buffy novel, it will be my first and my last. I'm now afraid to try any of the others.
Rating:
Summary: it will keep you hooked 'till the end
Review: "Out of the Madhouse" is one of those rare Media-tie-ins that match the TV show but have a story all their own. This book starts out good and keeps you "hooked" to the end.
In the story, weird things begin to happen in Sunnydale--the appearance of Springheel Jack, rain of toads, Skyquakes, the Sons of Entropy, the Kraken, and too many missing residents add up to more monsters than Buffy can handle!
Giles gets injured and finds himself in the hospital with to mysterious Micaela Tomasi, only to hear the news that problems have arisen in Sunnydale, Watchers are dying, and the Slayer might be in grave danger.
Then Buffy and company hear the story of the Gatehouse, the portal keeping beasts from the otherworld from seeping in. Can Buffy and her friends save the Gatehouse in time?
The first book in this fascinating trilogy--only time will tell what will happen. The characters are in sync with the TV series, the plot is very solid--altogether a wonderful trilogy. Read the book to find out more!
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