Rating: 
Summary: A good premise which didn't deliver
Review: "How I Survived my Summer Vacation" is a collection of six short stories about the Scooby Gang's summer after season 1. Although the stories were well-written, there were a few major problems I had reading this book- namely, the lack of Willow and Xander. Of the four books taking place in Sunnydale, only Absalom Rising, by Nancy Holder, prominently features Willow and Xander. In the other three stories, they are either kept in the dark about the demons, busy with other things, or both. Instead, this book has a lot of Jenny Calendar and Giles who, while interesting characters, are not worth devoting a book to in lieu of the other characters. Another problem with this book was the way it did not fufill it's premise. Buffy rarely has any contact with her father, Angel does not seem to care about joining the Scooby Gang one way or another, and the only reason for the concert mentioned in the book's summary was to keep Willow and Xander out of a story. The stories written about Buffy are somewhat better on an emotional level, although "Dust" is too confusing to understand until around page 15, which would be fine for a normal story, but results in frustration in a story only 40 pages long. It's climax is also diffucult to understand, so readers are left wondering about many details which are only vagely described. I think that, while most of the stories were interesting and well-written, some major flaws hinder the reader's enjoyment. It's worth picking up from the library over the Buffy-less summer, but not necessarily worth buying.
Rating: 
Summary: A great summer read
Review: "How I survived my summer vacation" is a collection of six short stories authored by various writers including Nancy Holder and Cameron Dokey. Set between seasons one and two immediately following Buffy's defeat of The Master, the action divides itself between LA and Sunnydale. Two of the stories feature the vampire slayer herself as she spends the summer with her father and attempts to overcome the events surrounding her 'death'. The remaining tales take place back in Sunnydale and feature Giles, Jenny, Angel, Xander and Willow battling the forces of evil, including a plot to revive The Master himself. In "Dust" by Michelle West, Buffy travels to her father's LA home while struggling with intense visions of the deaths of her friends and family. This was probably the darkest of the six stories and is also a little confusing for the first few pages. "Absolom Rising" by Nancy Holder deals with a sorcerer's plan to gather the Master's followers with the intent of stealing their leader's bones. Cameron Dokey's "Looks could kill" is about a shape-shifter who decides to capture Buffy by targeting her friends. "No Place Like..." is by the same author and once again focuses on Buffy in LA as she attempts to free the trapped spirits of children. For "Uncle Dead and the Fourth of July" we return to Sunnydale as a group of zombies attempt to take over the town. In the final story, "The Show Must Go On..." by Paul Ruditis, Giles and the others must save a theatre audience from a vampire crew intent on re-enacting famous death scenes. This is a perfect read for any summer vacation. The stories are lighter in tone and less scary than most existing Buffy novels. Characters such as Jenny Calendar are given a chance to shine in their own right. My only complaint is the lack of Willow and Xander in any of these stories. I hope this won't be the last volume of Buffy and friends' summer vacation stories. I recommend this book to all fans of the series. ~Jenna~
Rating:
Summary: A good premise which didn't deliver
Review: "How I Survived my Summer Vacation" is a collection of six short stories about the Scooby Gang's summer after season 1. Although the stories were well-written, there were a few major problems I had reading this book- namely, the lack of Willow and Xander. Of the four books taking place in Sunnydale, only Absalom Rising, by Nancy Holder, prominently features Willow and Xander. In the other three stories, they are either kept in the dark about the demons, busy with other things, or both. Instead, this book has a lot of Jenny Calendar and Giles who, while interesting characters, are not worth devoting a book to in lieu of the other characters. Another problem with this book was the way it did not fufill it's premise. Buffy rarely has any contact with her father, Angel does not seem to care about joining the Scooby Gang one way or another, and the only reason for the concert mentioned in the book's summary was to keep Willow and Xander out of a story. The stories written about Buffy are somewhat better on an emotional level, although "Dust" is too confusing to understand until around page 15, which would be fine for a normal story, but results in frustration in a story only 40 pages long. It's climax is also diffucult to understand, so readers are left wondering about many details which are only vagely described. I think that, while most of the stories were interesting and well-written, some major flaws hinder the reader's enjoyment. It's worth picking up from the library over the Buffy-less summer, but not necessarily worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: How I Survived My Summer Vacation
Review: "How I Survived My Summer Vacation" is a collection of six short stories, all set during the summer after Buffy killed the Master, Two of the stories deal with Buffy herself, spending the summer with her father and trying to deal with having died. The other four deal with what happens back in Sunnydale, including attempts to revive the Master. There are the requisite vampires, as well as witches and zombies and assorted other evil creatures to deal with. Willow and Xander have surprisingly brief roles, but there is a lot of Giles and Jenny, as well as Angel. The stories overall are quite well-written, even if some of the endings are a little too pat. While none of the stories are particularly scary, fans of the characters should enjoy reading them.
Rating: 
Summary: review
Review: Great book with a little bit of everything good that exist in this great show. There is funny parts, horror, romance and my personal favorite Buffy & Angel angst. I loved the hints for season two. Check out Angel wanting to spend time with Xander (not really, but you just have to read the book). I recomend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: No holiday
Review: Great idea let down by poor execution. Some of the writing here is barely competent. Poor old Jenny Calendar -- one of my favourite characters -- is practically tossed away. Big exception: Nancy Holder's tale -- although that too is hardly the best thing she's done. Quite avoidable.
Rating:
Summary: How I survived my Summer Vacation
Review: I actually liked this book because it brought back memories of the Buffy of old. I know the tv series is in its fifth season but this book fills in some of the gaps. It is interesting to see Buffy hanging out at her Dad's house, the Buffy and Angel angst, the relationship with Giles and Jenny Calendar, all the Buffy gang of old before so and so left and so and so died, etc. I have a pretty extensive "Buffy" library and I am glad that I added this one to the pile.
Rating:
Summary: How I survived my Summer Vacation
Review: I actually liked this book because it brought back memories of the Buffy of old. I know the tv series is in its fifth season but this book fills in some of the gaps. It is interesting to see Buffy hanging out at her Dad's house, the Buffy and Angel angst, the relationship with Giles and Jenny Calendar, all the Buffy gang of old before so and so left and so and so died, etc. I have a pretty extensive "Buffy" library and I am glad that I added this one to the pile.
Rating:
Summary: slayergirl2001
Review: I enjoyed the book but it had said that it grappled with Angel becoming a permanent member of the gang but I didn't feel like they really did that. I loved how they made Buffy's vision and why she may have changed after killing the Master. All in all it was pretty good though.
Rating:
Summary: slayergirl2001
Review: I enjoyed the book but it had said that it grappled with Angel becoming a permanent member of the gang but I didn't feel like they really did that. I loved how they made Buffy's vision and why she may have changed after killing the Master. All in all it was pretty good though.
| 
