The Faith Trials, Vol. 1

Rating:
Summary: Jhaeman's Reviews
Review: THE FAITH TRIALS, VOL. 1

By James Laurence (2001), based on teleplays "Faith, Hope & Trick" by David Greenwalt, "Bad Girls" and "Revelations" by Douglas Petrie, and "Consequences" by Marti Noxon

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Three

CAST APPEARANCES: Buffy, Faith, Xander, Willow, Oz, Giles, Angel, Cordelia, Joyce, Principal Snyder, Wesley, Kakistos, Gwendolyn Post, Scott Hope, Mr. Trick, Lagos, The Mayor, Deputy Mayor Allan Finch, Balthazar, Detective Stein

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "Sometimes, it's gotta be a drag to be the Chosen One. Occasionally a girl would rather be at the mall, talking on the phone, or even doing homework than saving the world from unstoppable evil. Fortunately, Buffy Summers has always had a support system of friends and family to help her cope. But what if she hadn't? She might have been just like Faith. Faith, the 'shadow-shelf' Slayer, is strong, sexy, and willful. When she first arrives in Sunnydale, Watcher-less and fancy-free, Buffy has doubts about the tag-team approach to patrol. As times goes on, though, she learns to find the fun in synchronized slayage, and appreciates Faith's zest for life. . . . Until Faith's impulsive attitude toward her calling takes her one step too far, and her inability to cope with consequences eventually pushes her over the edge. . . ."

REVIEW

The first (and so far only) Buffy novelization centered on Faith, Volume One of the Faith Trials focuses on the rogue Slayer's adventures in Season Three. James Laurence, a newcomer to Buffy-authordom, provides a solid and straightforward adaptation of four episodes: "Faith, Hope & Trick", "Revelations", "Bad Girls", and "Consequences" (contrary to the book's cover, "Enemies" is not included, with "Revelations" as the surprise substitute).

"Faith, Hope & Trick", as the title indicates, is the first appearance of Faith, Scott Hope, and Mr. Trick, and involves Faith's confrontation with Kakistos, the vampire who slew her former Watcher. A solid story, the best part of both the episode and the novelization is seeing Buffy's jealously over how quickly Faith moves in on Buffy's mom, friends, and even would-be boyfriend. A short prequel is added to the novelization, detailing Faith's arrival in Sunnydale, but it's not of any particular interest.

After a similarly so-so original intermission, the book moves on to adapt "Revelations," which tells of evil Watcher Gwendolyn Post's pursuit of the Glove of Myhnegon. Laurence does a skillful adaptation of an episode that has plenty of humor, plenty of romance, and an important betrayal, as Faith loses (what else?) faith in someone she had trusted--this episode starts Faith on the downward spiral that makes a strong story arc for Season Three.

"Bad Girls" features a rather silly major villain--an overweight, immobile bather named Balthazar. However, the episode is redeemed by great scenes with the Mayor and Laurence does a good job in the adaptation of making us feel the rush that Buffy and Faith get during slaying. For die-hard fans of the "rogue demon hunter," Bad Girls is also Wesley's first appearance.

The final episode adapted, "Consequences", tells how Faith tried to set Buffy up for the accidental killing of the very-human Deputy Mayor in "Bad Girls". Giles and the other Scoobies see right through Faith's plan, but they're unable to redeem her and she decides to go seriously evil by allying herself with the Mayor. The episode is far more interesting than my description makes it sound.

All in all, Volume One of the Faith Trials contains four solid stories, with smooth, straightforward adaptations by Laurence. Although the book doesn't contain very interesting original material, hardcore Faith fans shouldn't hesitate to pick it up.

(c)(...)

Rating:
Summary: Five by five
Review: This book collects four of the best Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes that feature Faith, the rogue vampire slayer. The character is introduced in Faith, Hope and Trick. She is a sexy, sassy slayer on the run. She is a person who has always lived on the edge. She loves slaying and the power that comes with the slayer strength. In Bad Girls Faith introduces Buffy to the "See, Want, Take" principle. Their reckless behavior results in the death of a human. Faith's solution is to blame Buffy in Consequences. When the plan backfires the council steps in and drives Faith to the dark side. Faith, working for the mayor, tries to steal Angel's soul by giving him that one moment of happiness in Enemies.

James Laurence weaves a nice back-story to tie the four episodes together. I enjoyed reading the book even though I have seen the episodes. Also I think that readers who have not seen the TV series would enjoy these four tales of power and corruption.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant.
Review: This is almost the only place to find even a mention of Faith in the book series, let alone to experience her as a character. Which is a great pity, because there's a lot there to explore.

This book is merely a novelization of Faith's first episodes on the series, and as such will be nothing new to the fans. The stories end at the point where Faith falls from grace, which hardly makes for a complete novel from her entry as a co-Slayer, but is at least a solid introduction to the confused psychological mess that is Faith for book series newcomers.

As a novelization, it isn't bad. Laurence is able to give inner voice to the tormented Slayer, which is something the T.V. series of course could rarely do.

Who's it for? Buffy and (especially) Faith fans, of course. Not a book for newbies to start out on, but one well worth getting for those who are behind on their Slayer watching, or to get to later for other readers.

Rating:
Summary: Gaining Faith
Review: This is almost the only place to find even a mention of Faith in the book series, let alone to experience her as a character. Which is a great pity, because there's a lot there to explore.

This book is merely a novelization of Faith's first episodes on the series, and as such will be nothing new to the fans. The stories end at the point where Faith falls from grace, which hardly makes for a complete novel from her entry as a co-Slayer, but is at least a solid introduction to the confused psychological mess that is Faith for book series newcomers.

As a novelization, it isn't bad. Laurence is able to give inner voice to the tormented Slayer, which is something the T.V. series of course could rarely do.

Who's it for? Buffy and (especially) Faith fans, of course. Not a book for newbies to start out on, but one well worth getting for those who are behind on their Slayer watching, or to get to later for other readers.

Rating:
Summary: five by five book!
Review: This little volume collects novelizations of four episodes regarding Faith the Vampire Slayer from the third season of Buffy. "Faith, Hope & Trick" introduces Faith to Sunnydale, "Revelations" brings the evil Watcher Gwendolyn Post into the picture, while "Enemies" and "Consequences" has Faith killing a human and joining forces with the Mayor. Obivously there are more episodes focusing on Faith to deal with in future volumes of "The Faith Trials." I especailly hope they do the ones that cross over to "Angel" as well. Let's just keep our fingers crossed.

Rating:
Summary: Faith shows up in Sunnydale and makes her mark as a Slayer
Review: This little volume collects novelizations of four episodes regarding Faith the Vampire Slayer from the third season of Buffy. "Faith, Hope & Trick" introduces Faith to Sunnydale, "Revelations" brings the evil Watcher Gwendolyn Post into the picture, while "Enemies" and "Consequences" has Faith killing a human and joining forces with the Mayor. Obivously there are more episodes focusing on Faith to deal with in future volumes of "The Faith Trials." I especailly hope they do the ones that cross over to "Angel" as well. Let's just keep our fingers crossed.