Rating: 
Summary: A Couple of Glitches, but an Interesting Read
Review: "Dark Times" is the second installment in the four part Lost Slayer chronicles by Christopher Golden, beginning right where the last one let off: Buffy has been catapulted into the future by the malevolent Prophet, into her twenty-something year old body that has spent the last five years in a tiny prison cell. She's there under the power of the Kakchiquels, the energy-sucking vampires that serve the demon-god Camazotz, and they're about to change her grim existence: into her cell is thrown August the Vampire Slayer, Faith's successor to the Slayer line. August decides that their only choice is to kill one another so that another Slayer might be called out in the world, but Buffy is more concerned with escaping her jail. After a fight (and I won't give away the results), Buffy flees the compound into a grim world she could never have comprehended. Sunnydale is a ruined city, with the vampires performing not like animals, but as an organised group, and some humans as their willing slaves. But who could have such power and charisma to hold sway over what are essentially individualistic creatures? Meanwhile, back in the present Willow, Xander, Anya and Oz are torn between going to save the captured Giles (taken by Camazotz's henchmen in the previous book) or going after the unidentified Prophet, who has taken over Buffy's body and has a secret adjenda of her own. You could probably get away with understanding this book without reading its predecessor "Prophesies", as most details are repeated here, and most of it is pretty straightforward anyway. It is definitly an improvement on "Prophesies", fast-paced and action-packed, with another large twist at the end that shakes the situation up a bit. There are more cute cameo roles, predominantly that of Parker Abrams, but I found the inclusion of Spike (pre-chipped and pre-souled) and Drusilla to be rather pointless, it feels as if Golden simply put them as they're popular, and I personally felt that their decision to be a part of the regimented vampire world was way out of character for both of them. The time-travelling/parallel time stream idea confused me (but those types of things always do), and I get the grim feeling that Golden's going to pull a 'deux ex machina' in order to put things back the way they were, something that is *never* good - kind of like when a character puts themselves in a bad position only to wake up and find it was all a dream. Finally there were a few glitches that really annoyed me - August's decision she has to kill Buffy in order to activate a new Slayer was completely useless. If you are a long-time fan of the show you'll know that when Buffy died by drowning at the end of Season One, her temporary death caused Kendra to be called into the role of Slayer. After Kendra's death Faith was called. Buffy could die and be resurrected a thousand times to no effect - *the Slayer line lies with Faith*. True, it's possible that August didn't realise this, but Buffy certainly did, and she does not even attempt to explain August's folly to her. Furthermore, when Buffy is driving towards her pick-up point, she serves to miss two vampires and sees them giving her obscene gestures in the rear-vision mirror - since when did vampires have reflections? I can't believe that particular flaw slipped through! All in all, a light, interesting read, but no better or worse than some of the fan-fiction out there that can be read for free.
Rating: 
Summary: Willow tries to rescue Buffy now and in the future
Review: A single bad judgment as the result of a monstrous lie has catapulted Buffy into the future and a world where vampires rule Sunnydale and the Slayer has been held captive for six years. A horrified Buffy learns she is now known as "The Lost Slayer," forgotten by the Watcher's Council. The most dramatic scene in this book comes early, when Buffy stages a chilling escape from her cell after resolving the cliffhanger that ended Part One, when August, the recently imprisoned second Slayer called to replace Faith, decided to kill Buffy so that a new Slayer could be called. This is definitely one of those sequences that is too intense for small children. Meanwhile, in the present, Giles is still being held hostage while Willow and the Scoobys discover something is not right with Buffy. A photograph of Willow appears prominently on the cover of "Dark Times," because Buffy's best bud is a significant figure in both of the time periods in which this tale is told. Christopher Golden might have gone back to the start of Buffy's freshman year at UC-Sunnydale (i.e., the beginning of Season 4 of "Buffy"), but he is obviously setting up Willow's growth as a Wicca on the show. The once and future Willow gets to see almost as much action as the Slayer this time around, which is one of the strengths of "Dark Times." Certainly there are some flaws in the story, having mainly to do with the fact the vampires actually put a door into Buffy's cell (without which, escape would be totally impossible), but such things are easily forgivable when Golden has constructed a storyline that is trying to work on the same sort of operatic level as the best Buffy episodes (e.g., "Becoming"). I can still nitpick the details and thoroughly enjoy the novel. One of the things that makes "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" one of the best shows on television is that there is a dark side, a world in which bad things happen to good people and the world just might come to an end as we know it. In "Dark Times" we get to see such a world, which is as horrific as when Anyanka granted Cordelia's wish that Buffy Summers had never come to Sunnydale in "Dopplegangland." Unlike "Prophecies," where the book ended with a dramatic cliffhanger that made you rush to pick up the next installment in the series, "Dark Times" ends with a shattering revelation as Buffy receives some unbelievably bad news. Thus, Golden again achieves the main goal when writing a serial novel: to leave the reader dying to find out what happens next.
Rating:
Summary: Willow tries to rescue Buffy now and in the future
Review: A single bad judgment as the result of a monstrous lie has catapulted Buffy into the future and a world where vampires rule Sunnydale and the Slayer has been held captive for six years. A horrified Buffy learns she is now known as "The Lost Slayer," forgotten by the Watcher's Council. The most dramatic scene in this book comes early, when Buffy stages a chilling escape from her cell after resolving the cliffhanger that ended Part One, when August, the recently imprisoned second Slayer called to replace Faith, decided to kill Buffy so that a new Slayer could be called. This is definitely one of those sequences that is too intense for small children. Meanwhile, in the present, Giles is still being held hostage while Willow and the Scoobys discover something is not right with Buffy. A photograph of Willow appears prominently on the cover of "Dark Times," because Buffy's best bud is a significant figure in both of the time periods in which this tale is told. Christopher Golden might have gone back to the start of Buffy's freshman year at UC-Sunnydale (i.e., the beginning of Season 4 of "Buffy"), but he is obviously setting up Willow's growth as a Wicca on the show. The once and future Willow gets to see almost as much action as the Slayer this time around, which is one of the strengths of "Dark Times." Certainly there are some flaws in the story, having mainly to do with the fact the vampires actually put a door into Buffy's cell (without which, escape would be totally impossible), but such things are easily forgivable when Golden has constructed a storyline that is trying to work on the same sort of operatic level as the best Buffy episodes (e.g., "Becoming"). I can still nitpick the details and thoroughly enjoy the novel. One of the things that makes "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" one of the best shows on television is that there is a dark side, a world in which bad things happen to good people and the world just might come to an end as we know it. In "Dark Times" we get to see such a world, which is as horrific as when Anyanka granted Cordelia's wish that Buffy Summers had never come to Sunnydale in "Dopplegangland." Unlike "Prophecies," where the book ended with a dramatic cliffhanger that made you rush to pick up the next installment in the series, "Dark Times" ends with a shattering revelation as Buffy receives some unbelievably bad news. Thus, Golden again achieves the main goal when writing a serial novel: to leave the reader dying to find out what happens next.
Rating:
Summary: The thrilling second part of The Lost Slayer.
Review: Buffy has found herself trapped in the body of her future self, and the world she finds herself in is anything but pleasant. Southern California, five years into the future, is a nightmarish hell ruled by vampires. Buffy finds herself imprisoned by vampires who have kept her alive to prevent another Slayer from coming. She escapes into this world she herself has created with one mistake five years ago, determined to find a way to return home and prevent this future. Meanwhile, back in the present time, her friends are trying to drive out the spirit that has possessed her body, unaware that it is already too late. Anyone who has read the first Lost Slayer installment won't want to miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: great sequel nothing like it
Review: if you thought the first one was great, you have not seen anything yet. it starts off with buffy in an alternate future where she has been imprisoned for 5 years. when the universe is seems at it's bleakest, her captors throws in another slayer who tells buffy the only way to change the world is for her to kill buffy. they battle it out to the death and of course buffy wins. she then tricks her jailors into thinking that both of them died and escapes to find the world that she knew is now run by the same vampires that imprisoned her. people are afraid to come out of their homes, people that owned buisness that would not cooperate with the vampires were slaughtered. it seems a bleak existence but buffy does find willow who is now a very powerful sorceres, and xander is a hardened man who rarely smiles or enjoyes life. if you thought the ending to part 1 was good, you have seen nothing yet. surprise is not even cover it. christoher golden has outdone himself and i know i can't wait to read book 3. note to author(why could you not just put all this in one hardcover book and make us pay 23 dollars) the suspense is killing us.
Rating:
Summary: A great sequal to The Lost Slayer.
Review: In the exciting next chapter to The Lost Slayer, Buffy finds herself thrown 5 years into the furture, and she's in a jail run by vampires. As a matter of fact, most of the area aroud Sunnydale is overrun bu vampires. This is an alternative universe that Buffy is in. She has one mission, to get back to her own reality. I can't say to much about this book b/c i dont' want to ruin anything. Just trust me, if you've read the first books, then you need to read the second. What I liked about the alternative universe that Buffy is in, is that it has the char from Buffy's reality, but they just aren't the same. That's all I'm going to say, I can't give out to much. The end was incredible!! I can't wait for pt. 3. I highly suggest this series. If yer a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then I *highly* suggest you get started on the first book, you won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Part 2: Five Years Later
Review: Part 2 of "The Lost Slayer" opens with Buffy waking to consciousness in a prison cell five years in the future. Her consciousness having been thrust forward by her meeting with the Prophet. For all those years she has been held imprisoned by Camazotz so that a new slayer could not arise. Faith, the other Slayer has finally been killed at vampire hands, and Buffy finds she is sharing her cell with Faith's replacement, August. But August does not want to cooperate with Buffy to seek freedom; instead, she seeks Buffy's death. In a grim battle, Buffy survives and manages to flee the bat demon's prison. And she quickly finds herself in hell. Camazoztz has used Buffy's immobilization to create the opportunity to pursue the takeover of the world by vampires and their kin. Sunnydale and the surrounding parts of California are now vampire run. Humans must either collaborate or cower in their homes. Buffy finds herself on the run with hot pursuit wherever she turns. She must survive, discover her mistake, and find a way to undo it. Back in the other Sunnydale Willow and the rest of the Scooby gang must deal with Giles' loss and a Buffy who is behaving very strangely. By the time they realize the nature of their mistake, the worst has happened and Buffy is captured by Camazotz. For them the ensuing five years is a continual struggle against a mounting evil. Each is deeply changed by the struggle and will be hardly recognizable when they meet Buffy again. Part 2 continues the fine work done by Christopher Golden in recreating the Buffy universe and making the impossible real for the many fans of this series. This is an ingenious plot, and Golden does not miss a chance to heighten the tension or to explore new variations on the vampire theme. The ending is a complete shocker which will leave the reader wondering how Buffy will ever find a way to save the world and those she loves.
Rating:
Summary: Part 2: Five Years Later
Review: Part 2 of "The Lost Slayer" opens with Buffy waking to consciousness in a prison cell five years in the future. Her consciousness having been thrust forward by her meeting with the Prophet. For all those years she has been held imprisoned by Camazotz so that a new slayer could not arise. Faith, the other Slayer has finally been killed at vampire hands, and Buffy finds she is sharing her cell with Faith's replacement, August. But August does not want to cooperate with Buffy to seek freedom; instead, she seeks Buffy's death. In a grim battle, Buffy survives and manages to flee the bat demon's prison. And she quickly finds herself in hell. Camazoztz has used Buffy's immobilization to create the opportunity to pursue the takeover of the world by vampires and their kin. Sunnydale and the surrounding parts of California are now vampire run. Humans must either collaborate or cower in their homes. Buffy finds herself on the run with hot pursuit wherever she turns. She must survive, discover her mistake, and find a way to undo it. Back in the other Sunnydale Willow and the rest of the Scooby gang must deal with Giles' loss and a Buffy who is behaving very strangely. By the time they realize the nature of their mistake, the worst has happened and Buffy is captured by Camazotz. For them the ensuing five years is a continual struggle against a mounting evil. Each is deeply changed by the struggle and will be hardly recognizable when they meet Buffy again. Part 2 continues the fine work done by Christopher Golden in recreating the Buffy universe and making the impossible real for the many fans of this series. This is an ingenious plot, and Golden does not miss a chance to heighten the tension or to explore new variations on the vampire theme. The ending is a complete shocker which will leave the reader wondering how Buffy will ever find a way to save the world and those she loves.
Rating:
Summary: The Thrilling Second Installment of The Lost Slayer Quartet
Review: Sunnydale has always been a marking-ground for vampires, and other creatures of the underworld. At nightfall, they prey upon the innocents that walk upon the Hellmouth, at daybreak they sleep, content with the blood consumed the night before. However, when Buffy Summers - the chosen one - awakens in the future, now a 24-year-old, she is shocked to see what has happened to Sunnydale. It is now overrun with vampires, and creatures of the night, who have claimed it as their own. Buffy soon finds that her friends, known as the Scooby gang, have now grown as well. The usually fun-loving Xander is now a humorless older man, Willow is a complete sorceress, and Oz possesses a tremendous split personality, living as both a human and werewolf. However, back in the present, Buffy's friends can't figure out why the 19-year-old is acting so strangely, and walking around in a trance-life state. They don't yet realize that the Prophet has taken-over her body. Now it's up to the Slayer's friends to draw her out of the future, and bring her back to the present before it's too late.
Christopher Golden is utterly amazing. In his second installment of THE LOST SLAYER QUARTET, DARK TIMES, we are introduced to the future of the Scooby Gang. The older characters are captivating, while at the same time battle-scarred, and a little eerie. Buffy, on the other hand, is alluring, as always, and is defending innocents better than ever. While her witty comebacks aren't being spouted after each punch of kick, she is still amazing. Filled with wonderful battle scenes, and enticing new characters, DARK TIMES is wonderful. Beware, DARK TIMES is an extremely quick read, so make sure you have KING OF THE DEAD - the third installment in THE LOST SLAYER QUARTET - handy.
Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper
Rating:
Summary: King Giles The Vamp
Review: the book was great i never expected it to end the way it did. it kept me guessing what was going t happen next i couldnt put it down the next chapter is the king of the dead i hope its as good.
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