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Buffy: The Making of a Slayer
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of Joss Whedon’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, this lavishly produced book is the first authorized, fully illustrated retrospective of the hit show. Offering in-depth commentary on the making of the series, the book explores the characters and mythology of the Buffy universe and follows the evolution of all seven seasons. Die-hard Whedon fans will also find insider information on his involvement in other projects, including Angel, Firefly, and more. Housed in a foil-stamped slipcase, this volume features more than 120 images, including rare behind-the-scenes photos, sketches, props and memorabilia from the Twentieth Century Fox archives, along with stills from the most pivotal on-screen moments. Tucked in the inside cover of the case is an envelope holding “Slayer Lore: Texts and Magicks for the Battle.” These 13 removable pieces are replicas of the ancient spells and prophecies the characters used on-screen to defeat vampires, demons, and other monsters, making this the ultimate treasure-trove for every Buffy fan.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Holder
354 books2,407 followersNancy Holder, New York Times Bestselling author of the WICKED Series, has just published CRUSADE - the first book in a new vampire series cowritten with Debbie Viguie. The last book her her Possession series is set to release in March 2011.
Nancy was born in Los Altos, California, and her family settled for a time in Walnut Creek. Her father, who taught at Stanford, joined the navy and the family traveled throughout California and lived in Japan for three years. When she was sixteen, she dropped out of high school to become a ballet dancer in Cologne, Germany, and later relocated to Frankfurt Am Main.
Eventually she returned to California and graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at San Diego with a degree in Communications. Soon after, she began to write; her first sale was a young adult romance novel titled Teach Me to Love.
Nancy’s work has appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, LA Times, amazon.com, LOCUS, and other bestseller lists. A four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, she has also received accolades from the American Library Association, the American Reading Association, the New York Public Library, and Romantic Times.
She and Debbie Viguié co-authored the New York Times bestselling series Wicked for Simon and Schuster. They have continued their collaboration with the Crusade series, also for Simon and Schuster, and the Wolf Springs Chronicles for Delacorte (2011.) She is also the author of the young adult horror series Possessions for Razorbill. She has sold many novels and book projects set in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Saving Grace, Hellboy, and Smallville universes.
She has sold approximately two hundred short stories and essays on writing and popular culture. Her anthology, Outsiders, co-edited with Nancy Kilpatrick, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award in 2005.
She teaches in the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing Program, offered through the University of Southern Maine. She has previously taught at UCSD and has served on the Clarion Board of Directors.
She lives in San Diego, California, with her daughter Belle, their two Corgis, Panda and Tater; and their cats, David and Kittnen Snow. She and Belle are active in Girl Scouts and dog obedience training.
Nancy was born in Los Altos, California, and her family settled for a time in Walnut Creek. Her father, who taught at Stanford, joined the navy and the family traveled throughout California and lived in Japan for three years. When she was sixteen, she dropped out of high school to become a ballet dancer in Cologne, Germany, and later relocated to Frankfurt Am Main.
Eventually she returned to California and graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at San Diego with a degree in Communications. Soon after, she began to write; her first sale was a young adult romance novel titled Teach Me to Love.
Nancy’s work has appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, LA Times, amazon.com, LOCUS, and other bestseller lists. A four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, she has also received accolades from the American Library Association, the American Reading Association, the New York Public Library, and Romantic Times.
She and Debbie Viguié co-authored the New York Times bestselling series Wicked for Simon and Schuster. They have continued their collaboration with the Crusade series, also for Simon and Schuster, and the Wolf Springs Chronicles for Delacorte (2011.) She is also the author of the young adult horror series Possessions for Razorbill. She has sold many novels and book projects set in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Saving Grace, Hellboy, and Smallville universes.
She has sold approximately two hundred short stories and essays on writing and popular culture. Her anthology, Outsiders, co-edited with Nancy Kilpatrick, was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award in 2005.
She teaches in the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing Program, offered through the University of Southern Maine. She has previously taught at UCSD and has served on the Clarion Board of Directors.
She lives in San Diego, California, with her daughter Belle, their two Corgis, Panda and Tater; and their cats, David and Kittnen Snow. She and Belle are active in Girl Scouts and dog obedience training.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 18, 2016
Basically if you're a Buffy fan then this book is for you - but make sure you get the special package edition. The casing and visual aspect are astounding! It comes with an extra packet full of reprinted spells, drawings, and ancient texts all from the prop department and all from main episodes of the show. Some of the information wasn't all too new to me since I've been obsessed with this show since it ended, but there was tidbits here and there that I had no idea of and just gobbled them up. Annnd now I want to rewatch the entire show.
September 21, 2020
Meh. I mean sure, the book looks insanely gorgeous and there are amazing reproductions of plans of Sunnydale and books and so on, as well as a valuable comics’ chronology, and a few titbits and anecdotes here and there, but mostly it’s a huge recap of all the seasons. I do love BTVS, so in my book this does deserve three stars, but let’s be honest, if you’re a *hardcore* fan and expect to really take a look behind the curtain you might be disappointed.
And I have to admit that something drove me mad, even if it’s not the author’s fault at all, but something that must be imputed to the translation of the show in French (and I haven’t watch it in French for decades so I honestly didn’t remembered THAT).
When Willow says, in Doppelgangland: “... and I think I might be gay”, it’s translated as “and I have dubious values”. Seriously?? Homophobic much?
So here we are. I was pissed off about this, and a little exasperated to read some of the author’s opinion about “Spuffies” (I mean, I don’t care, it’s a TV show but it doesn’t give you the right to rant about people whom worship a relationship that you don’t validate and make fun of them. Some of them are actually purchasing and reading your book). Yet I was happy to read more about what might be my favorite story of all times.
Go for it if you’re looking for a light read, or for an excuse to *watch* the show again (“what? I’m not watching Buffy again, I’m reading a book!!”). But there are far more interesting books on the subject if you’re willing to dig a little deeper in what makes BTVS an incredible (and feminist and philosophical and sociological and political and religious and...) and oh-so-fun-to-watch TV show.
And I have to admit that something drove me mad, even if it’s not the author’s fault at all, but something that must be imputed to the translation of the show in French (and I haven’t watch it in French for decades so I honestly didn’t remembered THAT).
When Willow says, in Doppelgangland: “... and I think I might be gay”, it’s translated as “and I have dubious values”. Seriously?? Homophobic much?
So here we are. I was pissed off about this, and a little exasperated to read some of the author’s opinion about “Spuffies” (I mean, I don’t care, it’s a TV show but it doesn’t give you the right to rant about people whom worship a relationship that you don’t validate and make fun of them. Some of them are actually purchasing and reading your book). Yet I was happy to read more about what might be my favorite story of all times.
Go for it if you’re looking for a light read, or for an excuse to *watch* the show again (“what? I’m not watching Buffy again, I’m reading a book!!”). But there are far more interesting books on the subject if you’re willing to dig a little deeper in what makes BTVS an incredible (and feminist and philosophical and sociological and political and religious and...) and oh-so-fun-to-watch TV show.
September 22, 2015
I'm the biggest mess in the world. I cried throughout the entire book.
January 25, 2019
Coup de cœur!
August 11, 2014
First off all this book was visually gorgeous - at least if you got the same version as me - housed in a red case formed as a leather book in itself, it has a black cover embossed with a silver Buffy logo and a great Buffy quote on the back. I absolutely loved this. I also loved all the extra little "reproductions" of documents from the series - of course, they couldn't exactly be matched in genuine *texture*, but still, they provided lots of new little details about the Buffyverse I hadn't noticed before.
As for inside the book, the great design continued - glitted paper, pretty border graphics and quality cast photos (given the obessiveness of Buffy fandom, there probably isn't any that you haven't seen before, but it's still nice).
To sum up - visually and quality-wise I'd give this book 5 stars, however...
When I read the undertitle of "the making of a slayer", I had expected a look behind the scenes of production and into Joss' brain - more explantion of the choices in writing and directing, such as - why did they cast Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy instead of Cordelia, the role she initially auditoned for? What made *her* the slayer? Interviews with cast and writers that could answer questions of that ilk were unfortunately lacking, and any quotes were taken from second hand sources.
What the bulk of this book really is, is a glorified recap of the seven seasons with some minimal behind the scenes trivia and tidbit peppered throughout, but nothing that you wouldn't be able to look up anywhere else (like the Buffy wikia!)
When you catch yourself reading several paragraphs that sum up episodes in the style of "Then Buffy said this and Xander did this" - you can't help but feel a bit cheated.
The undertitle should really have been "Episode Guide", but as it stands I think it's disappointing.
Still I enjoyed some parts of reading this - as a fan I can't help to, because I did get to feel nostalgia for Buffy - and that's why I give it three stars after all. And if you're a diehard Buffy fan, you might as well pick it up for the extras or just because. But just be aware of what it
really is.
Two last points:
*It has a really good index of the Buffy comics in the back that highlights what comics are canon and what comics are not - mighty helpful if you decide to read through the lot. Positive.
*The author seems to have a weird issue with Spuffy/fans, which crops up several times throughout the book in wording and references to some fan vendetta (liek one time a Spuffy fan totally drew a fan art picture of Spuffy that was pre-raphelite like and romantic even tho Spike was totally evil omg!!!!!)
it's just super off-putting - leave that to your livejournal posts instead of professional works, so that's a NEGATIVE.
As for inside the book, the great design continued - glitted paper, pretty border graphics and quality cast photos (given the obessiveness of Buffy fandom, there probably isn't any that you haven't seen before, but it's still nice).
To sum up - visually and quality-wise I'd give this book 5 stars, however...
When I read the undertitle of "the making of a slayer", I had expected a look behind the scenes of production and into Joss' brain - more explantion of the choices in writing and directing, such as - why did they cast Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy instead of Cordelia, the role she initially auditoned for? What made *her* the slayer? Interviews with cast and writers that could answer questions of that ilk were unfortunately lacking, and any quotes were taken from second hand sources.
What the bulk of this book really is, is a glorified recap of the seven seasons with some minimal behind the scenes trivia and tidbit peppered throughout, but nothing that you wouldn't be able to look up anywhere else (like the Buffy wikia!)
When you catch yourself reading several paragraphs that sum up episodes in the style of "Then Buffy said this and Xander did this" - you can't help but feel a bit cheated.
The undertitle should really have been "Episode Guide", but as it stands I think it's disappointing.
Still I enjoyed some parts of reading this - as a fan I can't help to, because I did get to feel nostalgia for Buffy - and that's why I give it three stars after all. And if you're a diehard Buffy fan, you might as well pick it up for the extras or just because. But just be aware of what it
really is.
Two last points:
*It has a really good index of the Buffy comics in the back that highlights what comics are canon and what comics are not - mighty helpful if you decide to read through the lot. Positive.
*The author seems to have a weird issue with Spuffy/fans, which crops up several times throughout the book in wording and references to some fan vendetta (liek one time a Spuffy fan totally drew a fan art picture of Spuffy that was pre-raphelite like and romantic even tho Spike was totally evil omg!!!!!)
it's just super off-putting - leave that to your livejournal posts instead of professional works, so that's a NEGATIVE.
September 5, 2016
If you are a Buffy fan, but not a hardcore fan (binge-fests, watched all the extras on all the dvds, in a FB Buffy group) this book is enjoyable. Hardcore fans know all this stuff-or at least most of it. It is overpriced, so borrow it, get it used, or use whatever way you use to get books cheap or free.
September 7, 2015
A great overview of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, with lots of background info and fun facts. I'm especially thrilled about the listings of the comics set in the Buffyverse, in chronological order and whether they are considered canon or not.
September 26, 2017
A worthy read for Buffy fans, rich with insight and interesting facts. A bit too much plot summation for my preference, but gorgeous photos and sketches and a trove of backstory.
December 6, 2023
One of my all time favorite Buffy books/possessions and I love reading and re-reading this often. Sometimes I just flip to random pages and read whatever, but sometimes, like now, I will re-read it cover to cover and take in all the great formatting, design, facts, and trivia. I LOVE IT!
July 4, 2018
Pour les fans de la série ! J'en fais partie et j'ai adoré.
April 19, 2020
C est toujours un plaisir un livre sur Buffy
La série m aura marqué à jamais
La série m aura marqué à jamais
January 9, 2024
I love this! It has a lot of little papers and pages from a watchers diary. It was really authentic and set up in a fancy case. I enjoyed reading about the series and behind the scenes.
February 6, 2016
Let me sing my love for this book from the hilltops!
This is an excerpt of the full review at The Fault in Our Blogs (there are pictures of this decadent book at the link as well)
Okay, so because of Capstone research, I’m currently waist-deep in Buffy literature and scholarship. This was a sort of afterthought which I added to my cart on Amazon when I saw it recommended for me. And I’ll be honest, I didn’t really read the description or synopsis. I just knew that I needed to know all I could about the making of the television show in order for my paper to work out well, and that this was likely the most comprehensive authorized guide. When the book came in, I was awestruck. It’s gorgeous beyond belief. I almost started crying at the post office.
Definitely has the feel of one of Giles’s most prized possessions. It’s luxurious and hefty. Let’s crack open the cover and take a look inside:
Right inside the front cover, there is this “Slayer Lore” envelope, which contains replicas of Buffyverse texts from the show, which are labeled on the back with the episode it appears in and its use.
These pieces are printed in high quality, on pages of various sizes, shapes, and formats. Some of the texts I recognized immediately, like the floor plans of Sunnydale City Hall, others I felt like I was just discovering for the first time, having overlooked them in the course of the show in favor of noticing other things. They are really cool additions to this collective guide to Buffy. I was antsy while they were out though, because I kept imagining my mug of tea spilling on them or something. Too pretty to mess up in that way.
continue reading
This is an excerpt of the full review at The Fault in Our Blogs (there are pictures of this decadent book at the link as well)
Okay, so because of Capstone research, I’m currently waist-deep in Buffy literature and scholarship. This was a sort of afterthought which I added to my cart on Amazon when I saw it recommended for me. And I’ll be honest, I didn’t really read the description or synopsis. I just knew that I needed to know all I could about the making of the television show in order for my paper to work out well, and that this was likely the most comprehensive authorized guide. When the book came in, I was awestruck. It’s gorgeous beyond belief. I almost started crying at the post office.
Definitely has the feel of one of Giles’s most prized possessions. It’s luxurious and hefty. Let’s crack open the cover and take a look inside:
Right inside the front cover, there is this “Slayer Lore” envelope, which contains replicas of Buffyverse texts from the show, which are labeled on the back with the episode it appears in and its use.
These pieces are printed in high quality, on pages of various sizes, shapes, and formats. Some of the texts I recognized immediately, like the floor plans of Sunnydale City Hall, others I felt like I was just discovering for the first time, having overlooked them in the course of the show in favor of noticing other things. They are really cool additions to this collective guide to Buffy. I was antsy while they were out though, because I kept imagining my mug of tea spilling on them or something. Too pretty to mess up in that way.
continue reading
March 16, 2013
Buffy: The Making of a Slayer by Nancy Holder is an official guide to the television series that ended nine years ago. This book was written and published in celebration for the 15th anniversary (at the time it was written). And it was written by Nancy Holder who has written many tie-ins to the series, solo and co-written work.
I was thrilled at the announcement of this book. I knew all to well that it wouldn't let me down. And I was as right as you could get. I read in less than a day, because this guide was so gripping that it wouldn't release me until I had finished it. But what I didn't know about this book, which made it even more better, was the introduction written by Amber Benson, who played Tara in the show.
I just realized that it says "Expected Publication Date: 11th December, 2012." Maybe the library were able to get copies before the release date. Maybe it was released earlier in my country. But, I have to say, I am so lucky to have gotten it before the publication date.
This was an excellent guide. It is the best guide I have read for Buffy. I cannot wait to own it. I definitely cannot wait to relive this book again.
I was thrilled at the announcement of this book. I knew all to well that it wouldn't let me down. And I was as right as you could get. I read in less than a day, because this guide was so gripping that it wouldn't release me until I had finished it. But what I didn't know about this book, which made it even more better, was the introduction written by Amber Benson, who played Tara in the show.
I just realized that it says "Expected Publication Date: 11th December, 2012." Maybe the library were able to get copies before the release date. Maybe it was released earlier in my country. But, I have to say, I am so lucky to have gotten it before the publication date.
This was an excellent guide. It is the best guide I have read for Buffy. I cannot wait to own it. I definitely cannot wait to relive this book again.
March 27, 2013
I picked this up yesterday from Dark Delicacies and had it signed by the author, Nancy Holder (very nice woman). Amber Benson (Tara from Buffy), Camden Toy (one of the men behind the monster makeup on Buffy), and Todd McIntosh (one of the main makeup men on Buffy). Then I brought it home and read the book over the course of the next couple hours.
The book is highly informative, well written, and easy to get into. I couldn't put it down! Not only is the book broken down by following Buffy's life throughout the course of the show, there are also several pages that go into detail about the writers and their process, pictures of makeup that was done during the show, and even a giant map of Sunnydale! If you're a Buffy fan, get this book NOW! You won't regret it.
The book comes in a magnetic case that also holds a folder with several replicated props from the show.
Anyways, the packaging is beautiful, the book is incredible, and you're missing out if you're a Buffy fan and don't have it yet!
The book is highly informative, well written, and easy to get into. I couldn't put it down! Not only is the book broken down by following Buffy's life throughout the course of the show, there are also several pages that go into detail about the writers and their process, pictures of makeup that was done during the show, and even a giant map of Sunnydale! If you're a Buffy fan, get this book NOW! You won't regret it.
The book comes in a magnetic case that also holds a folder with several replicated props from the show.
Anyways, the packaging is beautiful, the book is incredible, and you're missing out if you're a Buffy fan and don't have it yet!
February 28, 2013
Over all, an enjoyable read. In addition to the information about the "Buffy" series, there are a few tidbits about other projects Joss Whedon has worked on. Great bonuses, if you love all of his work (as I do), but may be confusing for any folks who haven't followed his career. Some of the additional information will or has quickly dated itself (such as current projects of "Buffy" alumni), but that's not why a fan would pick up this volume.
The bonus information is great, though not all necessarily that new, as much of it can be found in DVD commentary and interviews, but there are some great images and the envelope of extras is certainly fun.
In addition, the presentation of both the book and extras is gorgeous and will look phenomenal displayed on any shelf.
The bonus information is great, though not all necessarily that new, as much of it can be found in DVD commentary and interviews, but there are some great images and the envelope of extras is certainly fun.
In addition, the presentation of both the book and extras is gorgeous and will look phenomenal displayed on any shelf.
May 2, 2016
I was working at Electronics Boutique when a new game arrived, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I joined in with the rest of the employees, poking fun about how they made a game from something so lame as Buffy. I decided to sign the game out for a few days, so I could see just how bad it really was. A week later I had purchased Seasons 1 and 2 of the show on DVD.
The title of this book is a bit of a misnomer. While there is some making of and behind the scenes stuff, the majority of the book as a synopsis and overview of the 7 seasons of the show. It's been a long time since I actually watched it, so I found that to be just fine.
The title of this book is a bit of a misnomer. While there is some making of and behind the scenes stuff, the majority of the book as a synopsis and overview of the 7 seasons of the show. It's been a long time since I actually watched it, so I found that to be just fine.
October 23, 2016
I really enjoyed this book but there were a few issues that held it back from five stars.
Firstly, by the end of the book it felt more like a plot summary than a behind the scenes which has left me with a bad taste in my mouth (and completely undermines the fantastic first half). Secondly, the book's structure consists of each chapter having an overarching explanation/analysis of an aspect of Buffy. Then individual spreads looking at special aspects e.g. 'Hush' are spliced in. But they are spliced at the oddest moments, often leaving sentences unfinished on the explanation pages. This bugged me.
Overall it is a great book for anyone interested in Buffy and I would highly reccomend!
Firstly, by the end of the book it felt more like a plot summary than a behind the scenes which has left me with a bad taste in my mouth (and completely undermines the fantastic first half). Secondly, the book's structure consists of each chapter having an overarching explanation/analysis of an aspect of Buffy. Then individual spreads looking at special aspects e.g. 'Hush' are spliced in. But they are spliced at the oddest moments, often leaving sentences unfinished on the explanation pages. This bugged me.
Overall it is a great book for anyone interested in Buffy and I would highly reccomend!
October 15, 2014
The props which came with the book are very good (except for the shadow men), but the book itself was a disappointment. The design is gorgeous but the author made a lot of mistakes (like saying that the school explosion took place in the 2nd season).
Still a great addition to everyone's Buffy collection!
Still a great addition to everyone's Buffy collection!
November 4, 2020
EXCELLENT! I loved all the background info on the show, as well as trivia regarding Joss Whedon. The replicas of props from the show made this set complete, and as a diehard fan, I couldn't be happier.
April 21, 2018
I loved this! The book is really nice quality and interesting for anyone who loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The little reproductions from the show that came with the book were a really nice bonus. I do believe there was at least one mistake she wrote about the episodes though.
August 18, 2014
Good book for any Buffy fan. I expected more behind the scenes photos and information so that was disappointing. The book was basically just a summary of the series. However it was well written and put together.
December 31, 2012
An excellent read for anyone interested in the Buffy universe.
December 28, 2012
Awesome pictures & commentary...a must-have for any Buffy collector. However, there was no unknown facts or trivia revealed which I hadn't already known.
January 4, 2013
Nice retrospective, and the book design (complete with reproductions of spells and texts from the series) is top notch.
February 27, 2014
The replica stuff was cool and it was awesome to relive my "Buffy Phase" but some of the info in the summaries of the episodes were wrong. Beyond that it was great.
September 10, 2014
Nice enough but nothing really all that new to me so wish I hadn't wasted my money
March 8, 2015
It's only downfall is that it had to be written by Nancy Holder. They should have picked a better writer, maybe some team from the actual show who understands what they're writing about.
August 27, 2015
Fantastic book. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole lot of it. Blissfully back in Sunnydale for a short while...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews