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Buffyverse Novels #7
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Halloween Rain
Around Sunnydale, they say a scarecrow saturated with Halloween rain will come alive and slaughter anyone in sight. (Lovely place, Sunnydale.) Buffy's best friends, Xander and Willow, used to think the tale was nonsense - but after a few adventures with Buffy, they're not so sure.
Even without a maniacal scarecrow, a Sunnydale Halloween is a truly horrific happening. There are enough zombies and vampires about, ready to party hearty and eat some brains, to keep the Slayer and her friends up all night.
And then the rain starts to fall...
https://openlibrary.org/works/OL79043...
Even without a maniacal scarecrow, a Sunnydale Halloween is a truly horrific happening. There are enough zombies and vampires about, ready to party hearty and eat some brains, to keep the Slayer and her friends up all night.
And then the rain starts to fall...
https://openlibrary.org/works/OL79043...
162 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
24 people are currently reading
1213 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Golden
798 books2,959 followersCHRISTOPHER GOLDEN is the New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of such novels as Road of Bones, Ararat, Snowblind, Of Saints and Shadows, and Red Hands. With Mike Mignola, he is the co-creator of the Outerverse comic book universe, including such series as Baltimore, Joe Golem: Occult Detective, and Lady Baltimore. As an editor, he has worked on the short story anthologies Seize the Night, Dark Cities, and The New Dead, among others, and he has also written and co-written comic books, video games, screenplays, and a network television pilot. Golden co-hosts the podcast Defenders Dialogue with horror author Brian Keene. In 2015 he founded the popular Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival. He was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. His work has been nominated for the British Fantasy Award, the Eisner Award, and multiple Shirley Jackson Awards. For the Bram Stoker Awards, Golden has been nominated ten times in eight different categories. His original novels have been published in more than fifteen languages in countries around the world. Please visit him at www.christophergolden.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
January 17, 2018
Halloween Rain is fun for fans of the show, and the Halloween setting is seemingly perfect for a Buffy story. Yet this one isn’t quite as good as the premise would suggest because of the execution by the authors. This is one of the very early Buffy books, based on the television series which bridged the gap between kids and adults, making fans at both ends of the spectrum. I really enjoyed Blooded, which was also penned by these two authors, Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder, but in Halloween Rain they seemed to still be feeling their way into the mood of the show, and the characters. Because of that they’ve tried to capture the humor and sarcasm much too often — usually through Xander’s voice, but sometimes even Buffy’s — and it’s too much, giving the dialog a strained, trying-too-hard-to-be-funny vibe.
Caveat aside, it’s still a pretty fun story, as you would imagine from a story-line centering on a Sunnydale legend about dark magic being released through a scarecrow when it rains on Halloween. But of course this is Sunnydale, so the legend is true. But this year it’s worse, because an evil spirit named Samhain, who is the demonic spirit of Halloween, is “that” guy. He is the King of the ancient Druid rituals, and Giles discovers he murdered a slayer in the seventeenth century. Having the Pumpkin King, who can see through the eyes of jack-o’-lanterns, trying to kill Buffy gets a whole lot creepier really quickly. A man named O’Leary who is viewed as the town kook, enters the Bronze while our intrepid trio are there, warning everyone that the dead are being raised. Yep, it’s zombies.
There’s a bit of vampire action at the Bronze, and a couple of them have the hots for Willow and Xander, but mostly this is Giles and Willow and Xander trying to figure out how to help Buffy fight off zombies and defeat the Pumpkin King before he kills another slayer — Buffy! Halloween Rain is enjoyable, but Golden and Holder haven’t yet captured that special balance of humor and action the show did, so it’s not quite as smooth and fun as it could be for fans. It’s definitely worth a read if you’re a huge fan and nostalgic about Buffy, but the forced attempts at humor have me giving this one a 3.5. It does move along nicely and comes in at 160 pages, making it a nice tweener between meatier books, however. I’ll stick with three stars on this one, because I did like it, and Buffy is never a waste of time, but there are better books in the series to track down.
Caveat aside, it’s still a pretty fun story, as you would imagine from a story-line centering on a Sunnydale legend about dark magic being released through a scarecrow when it rains on Halloween. But of course this is Sunnydale, so the legend is true. But this year it’s worse, because an evil spirit named Samhain, who is the demonic spirit of Halloween, is “that” guy. He is the King of the ancient Druid rituals, and Giles discovers he murdered a slayer in the seventeenth century. Having the Pumpkin King, who can see through the eyes of jack-o’-lanterns, trying to kill Buffy gets a whole lot creepier really quickly. A man named O’Leary who is viewed as the town kook, enters the Bronze while our intrepid trio are there, warning everyone that the dead are being raised. Yep, it’s zombies.
There’s a bit of vampire action at the Bronze, and a couple of them have the hots for Willow and Xander, but mostly this is Giles and Willow and Xander trying to figure out how to help Buffy fight off zombies and defeat the Pumpkin King before he kills another slayer — Buffy! Halloween Rain is enjoyable, but Golden and Holder haven’t yet captured that special balance of humor and action the show did, so it’s not quite as smooth and fun as it could be for fans. It’s definitely worth a read if you’re a huge fan and nostalgic about Buffy, but the forced attempts at humor have me giving this one a 3.5. It does move along nicely and comes in at 160 pages, making it a nice tweener between meatier books, however. I’ll stick with three stars on this one, because I did like it, and Buffy is never a waste of time, but there are better books in the series to track down.
March 3, 2024
This was and ok read but the punkin king fell a little short in the villain department.
Still gotta love the scooby gang.
Happy Reading 📙📚📓📚📗📖📕📙📚📗📘📒📓📚📙📕📖📚📗📓📘📒📓📚📙📕📖
Still gotta love the scooby gang.
Happy Reading 📙📚📓📚📗📖📕📙📚📗📘📒📓📚📙📕📖📚📗📓📘📒📓📚📙📕📖
August 3, 2022
It’s a bit of an eerie and fast-paced Halloween adventure for Buffy and her friends that’s short and enjoyable. It’s got a decent but also a bit forgettable plot.
February 23, 2023
Read a couple of decades ago while in high school. The plot completely contradicts the lore of the show - Halloween is 'dead' for vampires (at least until Spike comes to town).
April 10, 2019
Buffy is one of my all time favourite shows and I wanted to read the books based on the show this year. Some I've read before, most I haven't!!
Halloween rain was a fast paced read. I enjoyed the idea of the Scarecrow coming to life and seeing the Scoobies fighting Zombies was fun. Samhain was an awesome villain and it's a pity he wasn't part of the show. Overall, a fun story and an easy read.
Halloween rain was a fast paced read. I enjoyed the idea of the Scarecrow coming to life and seeing the Scoobies fighting Zombies was fun. Samhain was an awesome villain and it's a pity he wasn't part of the show. Overall, a fun story and an easy read.
September 11, 2024
This one was not for me but I wanted it to be for me sooooo bad! :(
September 15, 2024
My 12 year old self was very happy 😊 🎃
March 6, 2020
Binnen kort maar eens kijken of buffy qua dvd al is afgeprijsd
April 2, 2011
Like most "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Novels, I really liked this book. I guess it is because I am such a big fan for the telvision series and any work that is done by Joss Whedon. I found this book to be full of humor, which made it alot better than want I expected.It was diffently not a serious vampire novel but, more of a action chick flick. The Charcter were super fun. I loved Buffy because she was such a fun, but down to earth personalty even though she was a slayer by night. Another charcter I just couldnt get enough was Xander, he too is really funny and he made a very light atmosphere around the plot.
Another great thing about the book was that the plot took place around Halloween and gave its own version on what creatures come out during the twitching hour. I am suprised that it took me so long to read, which I didn't expect. But, then again I wasn't drawn to reading it all the time.
Plot Summary:
The story takes place in Sunnydale, California during Halloween. There is a legend that on Halloween if it rains than scarecrows come to life and haunt the streets. All the other night creatures are deadly afraid of them. When Buffy, realizes that her nights have been slow she begins to wonder if something is going on with the creatures that live on the Hellmouth. Then, her friends Willow and Xander tell her a story of the Scarecrows coming to life if it rains on Halloween. To Buffy's great disappointment rain starts to fall and a scarecrow is missing from a crop feild.The creatures beneath the ground start to raise, and a creepy voice is calling Buffy's name from the crop feilds. Buffy's night is just about to get interesting.
I give the plot a 3/5 because I felt it was a little to predictable as to whatis going to happen next.
Characters:
The reason I kept on reading the book was because of the charcaters. They brought alot of humor to the story.
Buffy, which is the main charcter is a really strong female lead, although at times she is afraid she doesn't let anything hold her back.
Xander, he is super funny and its the smartest character, but he just keeps you entertained throughout the novel.
Willow, I find her to be a weaker female charcter but, I love that she portrays a really smart and interested in learning type of charcter which you don't see to often.
Giles, he is one of my favorite charcters of all time, apart from being british which adds to his personality. He is very educated and acts not only as a watcher to Buffy but as a father figure that she can look up too.
I loved to charcters. 5/5
Overall it was a fast and fun read.
Another great thing about the book was that the plot took place around Halloween and gave its own version on what creatures come out during the twitching hour. I am suprised that it took me so long to read, which I didn't expect. But, then again I wasn't drawn to reading it all the time.
Plot Summary:
The story takes place in Sunnydale, California during Halloween. There is a legend that on Halloween if it rains than scarecrows come to life and haunt the streets. All the other night creatures are deadly afraid of them. When Buffy, realizes that her nights have been slow she begins to wonder if something is going on with the creatures that live on the Hellmouth. Then, her friends Willow and Xander tell her a story of the Scarecrows coming to life if it rains on Halloween. To Buffy's great disappointment rain starts to fall and a scarecrow is missing from a crop feild.The creatures beneath the ground start to raise, and a creepy voice is calling Buffy's name from the crop feilds. Buffy's night is just about to get interesting.
I give the plot a 3/5 because I felt it was a little to predictable as to whatis going to happen next.
Characters:
The reason I kept on reading the book was because of the charcaters. They brought alot of humor to the story.
Buffy, which is the main charcter is a really strong female lead, although at times she is afraid she doesn't let anything hold her back.
Xander, he is super funny and its the smartest character, but he just keeps you entertained throughout the novel.
Willow, I find her to be a weaker female charcter but, I love that she portrays a really smart and interested in learning type of charcter which you don't see to often.
Giles, he is one of my favorite charcters of all time, apart from being british which adds to his personality. He is very educated and acts not only as a watcher to Buffy but as a father figure that she can look up too.
I loved to charcters. 5/5
Overall it was a fast and fun read.
December 23, 2015
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars.
A lovely friend gave me a box of Buffy books and I grab one out every few months to read. They are typically very light reading at around 200-300 pages.
This one wasn't a particularly good book and you would really have to LOVE the tv show (which I do) to get anything at all out of it. Halloween demon, zombies, and lots of witty dialogue. In fact, there was almost too much witty dialogue in that the authors went over the top to make every line out of the character's mouth funny, sarcastic, witty etc.
I have yet to read one of these books that stands out as anything more than pretty average fan fiction, but they do take me back to the show which is always good and this one was not based on any episode so was at least a unique (if somewhat dull) story.
A lovely friend gave me a box of Buffy books and I grab one out every few months to read. They are typically very light reading at around 200-300 pages.
This one wasn't a particularly good book and you would really have to LOVE the tv show (which I do) to get anything at all out of it. Halloween demon, zombies, and lots of witty dialogue. In fact, there was almost too much witty dialogue in that the authors went over the top to make every line out of the character's mouth funny, sarcastic, witty etc.
I have yet to read one of these books that stands out as anything more than pretty average fan fiction, but they do take me back to the show which is always good and this one was not based on any episode so was at least a unique (if somewhat dull) story.
October 24, 2018
One of the local legends in Sunnydale that if it rains, the scarecrows come to life...
A really fun tie in novel that captures the early seasons of Buffy.
A really fun tie in novel that captures the early seasons of Buffy.
April 7, 2019
I’m really not the target audience for this. As a tv tie-in book for a TV show I haven’t watched, it was not bad.
November 4, 2018
So this was my first "Buffy" book and I really wasn't sure what to expect (especially as someone who watched the entire series - in addition to the spin-off series Angel). And honestly... it was... okay? 8'D
I know that as the first book in a series, you would expect for there to be your usual introduction of characters and their background etc., but I felt that this adaptation was honestly kinda lacking in those essential elements that made the Buffy series, well, Buffy!
The background on Samhain and Samhuinn were mildly interesting, and fit well with the time-of-year in which this book was set (...Halloween, duh), and I liked the inclusion of zombies as your kinda low-mid tier villains (essentially drones controlled by the big-bad XD). But I felt that there were a lot of things that just weren't properly fleshed out; from the situation in The Bronze with the vampires, to the situation in the school (and library) with those vampires . Mr O'Leary seemed to be an interesting addition, but again, not really fleshed out all that well .
The defeat of the Big Bad wasn't bad, but again I felt that it could've been fleshed out more and explained better. Just seemed a bit lackluster for a Buffy takedown, y'know? :/
2.5 / 5
I know that as the first book in a series, you would expect for there to be your usual introduction of characters and their background etc., but I felt that this adaptation was honestly kinda lacking in those essential elements that made the Buffy series, well, Buffy!
The background on Samhain and Samhuinn were mildly interesting, and fit well with the time-of-year in which this book was set (...Halloween, duh), and I liked the inclusion of zombies as your kinda low-mid tier villains (essentially drones controlled by the big-bad XD). But I felt that there were a lot of things that just weren't properly fleshed out; from the situation in The Bronze with the vampires, to the situation in the school (and library) with those vampires . Mr O'Leary seemed to be an interesting addition, but again, not really fleshed out all that well .
The defeat of the Big Bad wasn't bad, but again I felt that it could've been fleshed out more and explained better. Just seemed a bit lackluster for a Buffy takedown, y'know? :/
2.5 / 5
September 2, 2023
So begins September and so begins Buffyween 2023
I’ve had the bright idea to try and read all my old Buffy the Vampire Slayer books (all 64 of them) and first up is Halloween Rain.
A good start to this challenge, spooky Halloween themed starring the Pumpkin King himself, Samhain.
Overall the book has the wit, banter and sarcasm that you expect from our loveable Slayer, plus the action.
It felt like reading an episode of the series and would have made a good one to watch.
It’s very fast paced and takes place over the course of 2 nights.
Our big bad of the week is Samhain (Samhuinn or the Pumpkin King) who is out for Slayer blood. The Scooby Gang are on the case and the usual hijinks ensue.
The ending was a bit flat, like it just ended but then I guess for a 160 page book what do you expect.
I’ve had the bright idea to try and read all my old Buffy the Vampire Slayer books (all 64 of them) and first up is Halloween Rain.
A good start to this challenge, spooky Halloween themed starring the Pumpkin King himself, Samhain.
Overall the book has the wit, banter and sarcasm that you expect from our loveable Slayer, plus the action.
It felt like reading an episode of the series and would have made a good one to watch.
It’s very fast paced and takes place over the course of 2 nights.
Our big bad of the week is Samhain (Samhuinn or the Pumpkin King) who is out for Slayer blood. The Scooby Gang are on the case and the usual hijinks ensue.
The ending was a bit flat, like it just ended but then I guess for a 160 page book what do you expect.
June 16, 2022
full disclosure, i've owned this entire series of novels since i was like....mm, 7 - 10 years old and never once tried to read them. i am to buffy the vampire slayer what gordon ramsay is to cooking, so i was skeptical, nervous. i did, huge shocker here (note my sarcasm), find myself critiquing the characters more than i would any other novel in existence but i can say, whole-heartedly, i'm very glad i read this and i plan to read more of the novel adaptations.
the writers had a good grip on each of the character's voices and i imagine it was a harder task to take on someone else's characters, never mind beloved, occult worshipped ones, and create a published work (that's not on fanfic.net) as opposed to an all original, all in your own noggin deal.
WITH THAT SAID. there were two moments that i cannot go without ragging on -
1. even s1 buffy would not shed actual tears over a goddamn pumpkinhead. period. end of discussion.
2. where the fuck was angel
the writers had a good grip on each of the character's voices and i imagine it was a harder task to take on someone else's characters, never mind beloved, occult worshipped ones, and create a published work (that's not on fanfic.net) as opposed to an all original, all in your own noggin deal.
WITH THAT SAID. there were two moments that i cannot go without ragging on -
1. even s1 buffy would not shed actual tears over a goddamn pumpkinhead. period. end of discussion.
2. where the fuck was angel
November 21, 2020
Rating: 5 Stars!! (Wish i could rate it 10 stars!!)
Review:
Im loving this series so much so far.
The characters are so funny to read about and the setting and storyline is so interesting to read about and really draws you into the story and makes you feel like your actually in the story with Buffy and her friends.
Can't wait to see what happens next in this series!!
Review:
Im loving this series so much so far.
The characters are so funny to read about and the setting and storyline is so interesting to read about and really draws you into the story and makes you feel like your actually in the story with Buffy and her friends.
Can't wait to see what happens next in this series!!
March 4, 2021
This was a fun read taking place in the Buffyverse. I loved all the Halloween content we got and the atmosphere of it all. The rest of the story was just your average Buffy fighting vampires, nothing special there (except zombies were included too, and the pumpkin king - Samhain). It definitely did make me nostalgic and now I'm wanting to watch some Buffy!
November 2, 2024
Was hoping for more Halloween vibes but we do get some quippy dialogue and the occasional vamp staking. Plus, I do love seeing the Scooby Gang taking part in another random adventure, even if it’s off-screen.
This is basically one really long zombie battle (cool!) but I wanted to see more of the demon lord scarecrow pumpkin creature 🥲
This is basically one really long zombie battle (cool!) but I wanted to see more of the demon lord scarecrow pumpkin creature 🥲
September 28, 2024
A fun Buffy read. I like how the authors captured the characters voices and personalities and created an interesting alternate history of Halloween for this version of the Buffyverse. Not as good as the show, but this would have made an interesting episode. Fun read!
June 28, 2020
Fun but patchy. I'm going to try another book to see if it progresses in style, and keeps the great humour.
January 19, 2022
Its always going to be good if Buffy is involved, but nothing beats SMG beating the shite out of monsters on the TV does it x
January 3, 2023
This was everything I wanted it to be. Nostalgic, season 1 Slayer action. After the mess that was Boom Studio’s Buffy reboot, it was great to be back in the real Sunnydale with the Scooby gang. It was like reading an episode I hadn’t seen yet. Can’t believe it took me so long to find these books.
August 16, 2021
largely inoffensive, unexpectedly weird, not really my cup of tea.
https://www.frowl.org/worstbestseller...
https://www.frowl.org/worstbestseller...
October 8, 2023
A fun Halloween read following the scooby gang and the goings-on in Sunnydale. It was ridiculous but fun (just like the show) including the pumpkin king, zombies and vampires (of course). We had a cameo of Principle Flutie and another character named in episode one as well as a trip to the bronze.
Quips, puns and violence - exactly what I was expecting.
Quips, puns and violence - exactly what I was expecting.
March 2, 2025
I watched the TV show when I was a kid, so when I saw this second hand at a booksale (for 50 cents) I was intrigued.
It was good, but keep in mind the book is based off the Tv show, so I preferred the show myself.
Would recommend for fans of the show.
It was good, but keep in mind the book is based off the Tv show, so I preferred the show myself.
Would recommend for fans of the show.
April 18, 2012
Here endeth April Dreckfest 2012. I've needed a break from some heady reading, so I turned to Buffy and Dr. Who novels. I'm making Halloween Rain my last so I can go out on a good note.
I'm surprised at how good this was, especially as the first original spin-off novel the series ever had. The authors captured the tone, the characterizations, and the overall spirit of early, Season-One-hair Buffy and friends. Concise and clever with a villain out of a straight-to-video sequel to a low-grossing Halloween flick. (That was a compliment.) Christopher Golden, I kinda get you now. Nancy Holder, I'm still kinda mad at you for Queen of the Slayers.
I'm surprised at how good this was, especially as the first original spin-off novel the series ever had. The authors captured the tone, the characterizations, and the overall spirit of early, Season-One-hair Buffy and friends. Concise and clever with a villain out of a straight-to-video sequel to a low-grossing Halloween flick. (That was a compliment.) Christopher Golden, I kinda get you now. Nancy Holder, I'm still kinda mad at you for Queen of the Slayers.
September 2, 2022
This was a great story by Christopher Golden & Nancy Holder. I have to say I think they are two of my favourite Buffy writers. :0)
It's to bad "Halloween Rain" was not made into an episode during the first season, it would have been terrifying.
It's Halloween and the Vampires seem to be laying low, which is a good thing because Buffy seems to have her hands full with Zombies, and the Evil Pumpkin King Samhain, who is bound and determined to kill the Slayer.
It's to bad "Halloween Rain" was not made into an episode during the first season, it would have been terrifying.
It's Halloween and the Vampires seem to be laying low, which is a good thing because Buffy seems to have her hands full with Zombies, and the Evil Pumpkin King Samhain, who is bound and determined to kill the Slayer.
May 14, 2016
A short and Good book. It brought up a sense of nostalgia of being a pre-teen watching this show in the late 90's. And the righting really did make me feel like I was watching the show again. Because the character voices were right on and that made it even better. And my favorite part was that it took place when they were in highschool which was when I liked the show the best. And the Halloween part made it really quirky and fun.
February 23, 2018
I love the Buffy novels simply because I love the show and there aren't enough episodes for me so these wee stories keep me going in between my re watches of the first 3 seasons (the best seasons!).
This novel had the characters down, the witty banter of Buffy and Willow and Xander, the scary demons and monsters and some badass action. All in all, a pretty decent story and set during my favourite time of the year? Hell yeah!
This novel had the characters down, the witty banter of Buffy and Willow and Xander, the scary demons and monsters and some badass action. All in all, a pretty decent story and set during my favourite time of the year? Hell yeah!
December 11, 2015
I found this, along with several other Buffy novels, in the thrift shop and I just couldn't resist.
A fun read, basically fanfiction that got published. It's funny, though, that since this book takes place during the first season of Buffy, it is pre-season-two canon (which establishes that vampires, demons, and monsters all take Halloween night off).
A fun read, basically fanfiction that got published. It's funny, though, that since this book takes place during the first season of Buffy, it is pre-season-two canon (which establishes that vampires, demons, and monsters all take Halloween night off).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews