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Buffyverse Novels #21
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Sins of the Father
Stone-Cold Killer
One night while on patrol, the Slayer and her friends are outnumbered and receive aid from a totally unexpected source:
Buffy's old flame, Pike. He and Buffy had a complex relationship back in Los Angeles, when the Chosen One was first called. Now, Pike has arrived in Sunnydale, on the run from a stone demon with a grudge. Faced with this blast from the past, Buffy finds herself caught between her history with Pike...and her future with Angel.
But there's little time to contemplate this situation as vamp activity rises and Giles, in particular, becomes the target of mysterious, brutal attacks. Buffy suspects a deeper connection between old friends and new enemies. With the help of her friends, Buffy unmasks the evil entities -- and discovers that even a Watcher can be watched....
One night while on patrol, the Slayer and her friends are outnumbered and receive aid from a totally unexpected source:
Buffy's old flame, Pike. He and Buffy had a complex relationship back in Los Angeles, when the Chosen One was first called. Now, Pike has arrived in Sunnydale, on the run from a stone demon with a grudge. Faced with this blast from the past, Buffy finds herself caught between her history with Pike...and her future with Angel.
But there's little time to contemplate this situation as vamp activity rises and Giles, in particular, becomes the target of mysterious, brutal attacks. Buffy suspects a deeper connection between old friends and new enemies. With the help of her friends, Buffy unmasks the evil entities -- and discovers that even a Watcher can be watched....
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
860 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Golden
770 books3,023 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 41 reviews
January 6, 2016
I was real excited to read this book when I did it back in early 2000.
This is an excellent novel of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.
The most appealing element for this particular book is that it ties the life of Buffy before her arrival to Sunnydale with her current role as protector of Hellmouth.
In this story returns Pike, who was Buffy's romantic interest when she was on Hemery High in Los Angeles. This sole factor has to convinced you to buy this novel.
I don't know how many of you get to watch the theatrical film of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, if you don't, don't get sad, the film was very bad, however, we owe to that bad film that later, the excellent TV series was possible.
FOX produced the film that it did poor in box office and critique, however, Joss Whedon (yes, that same guy who became quite famous recently for directing The Avengers movie) still believed that he has something there and like 5 years later when FOX was in need of programming to fill its slots in the then brand-new TV network, Whedon was able to convinced them to give green light to a TV series based on the premise of the failed film.
Changing location, changing supportive cast and changing the mood of the vampires, the show was a success.
Even since, the "canon" status of the film was a very foggy area, even later there was a comic The Origin and it took elements of the original story and the character of Pike was there too.
So, having Pike in this novel was great since it gives a sense of legacy to the film in the realm of the TV series and this novel located in the third season events of it.
Buffy now is in the middle of Angel and Pike and that's real interesting since all the following flames like Riley (good guy but not much as an effective rival to Angel) and the odd and sick idea of using Spike (mmh, Pike...Spike... mmh) well, even Spike, who was a amazing villain, he was not rival to Angel in romantic quarters, but when they put back Pike in the formula, ah! you have something there, since now for an odd angle, Angel is not the first love of Buffy anymore, now you have somebody who has Buffy's heart before and that isn't something little.
And the best of all is that it's not a character from the one you never heard of and now he is a big stuff, no, you knew Pike, even you knew Pike way... WAY... before that the very TV series would be a reality, so, it was a brilliant idea to bring back Pike to this novel.
Also, you have a sub-story involving Giles where his past is also a big issue, so if you are fan of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and you may watched at some moment the original film, not matter if you hated or not, this is the perfect novel for you.
Highly recommended.
This is an excellent novel of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.
The most appealing element for this particular book is that it ties the life of Buffy before her arrival to Sunnydale with her current role as protector of Hellmouth.
In this story returns Pike, who was Buffy's romantic interest when she was on Hemery High in Los Angeles. This sole factor has to convinced you to buy this novel.
I don't know how many of you get to watch the theatrical film of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, if you don't, don't get sad, the film was very bad, however, we owe to that bad film that later, the excellent TV series was possible.
FOX produced the film that it did poor in box office and critique, however, Joss Whedon (yes, that same guy who became quite famous recently for directing The Avengers movie) still believed that he has something there and like 5 years later when FOX was in need of programming to fill its slots in the then brand-new TV network, Whedon was able to convinced them to give green light to a TV series based on the premise of the failed film.
Changing location, changing supportive cast and changing the mood of the vampires, the show was a success.
Even since, the "canon" status of the film was a very foggy area, even later there was a comic The Origin and it took elements of the original story and the character of Pike was there too.
So, having Pike in this novel was great since it gives a sense of legacy to the film in the realm of the TV series and this novel located in the third season events of it.
Buffy now is in the middle of Angel and Pike and that's real interesting since all the following flames like Riley (good guy but not much as an effective rival to Angel) and the odd and sick idea of using Spike (mmh, Pike...Spike... mmh) well, even Spike, who was a amazing villain, he was not rival to Angel in romantic quarters, but when they put back Pike in the formula, ah! you have something there, since now for an odd angle, Angel is not the first love of Buffy anymore, now you have somebody who has Buffy's heart before and that isn't something little.
And the best of all is that it's not a character from the one you never heard of and now he is a big stuff, no, you knew Pike, even you knew Pike way... WAY... before that the very TV series would be a reality, so, it was a brilliant idea to bring back Pike to this novel.
Also, you have a sub-story involving Giles where his past is also a big issue, so if you are fan of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and you may watched at some moment the original film, not matter if you hated or not, this is the perfect novel for you.
Highly recommended.
September 10, 2023
This is a novel set in the continuity of the third season of the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It brings back Pike, Buffy's beau from LA (and from the Kristy Swanson movie) and provides Giles with yet another romantic fling. (Those librarians get around, eh?) It's a fast-paced, fun story, which (in the traditional phrase of what to say when nothing insightful comes to mind) would have made a great episode of the show. Golden's prose is clear and straightforward, and he had a great grasp of the characters.
December 18, 2014
This book is based on the television series. In this one Pike who was featured in the movie comes to Sunnydale looking for Buffy. He is being pursued by a stone demon. Meanwhile, Giles is involved in a relationship with a new substitute teacher and during this romantic interlude he is not behaving like himself.
When reading this type of book I do not expect much. I want to be entertained while visiting old friends. This novel exceeded my expectations as it was terrific from beginning to end. First off the author has to portray the characters correctly and the author accomplished this. There was a section where Xander was a little off and a couple of dialogue lines that had the sense of trying too hard but throughout the whole book I had no problem picturing the Scooby gang. As of the storyline I enjoyed them especially the tension between Pike and Angel. The villains were well portrayed and avid fans will see some similarity with other characters from the show.
This was a very enjoyable visit back to Sunnydale. This can be read by everyone as you do not need any prior knowledge of the show to enjoy this book. This is one of the better books in this universe.
When reading this type of book I do not expect much. I want to be entertained while visiting old friends. This novel exceeded my expectations as it was terrific from beginning to end. First off the author has to portray the characters correctly and the author accomplished this. There was a section where Xander was a little off and a couple of dialogue lines that had the sense of trying too hard but throughout the whole book I had no problem picturing the Scooby gang. As of the storyline I enjoyed them especially the tension between Pike and Angel. The villains were well portrayed and avid fans will see some similarity with other characters from the show.
This was a very enjoyable visit back to Sunnydale. This can be read by everyone as you do not need any prior knowledge of the show to enjoy this book. This is one of the better books in this universe.
November 18, 2023
The writing, story plot, and humor were on point, as you could hear the characters' individual voices from the TV series, which is awesome
😀😀😀
It was awesome seeing Pike again since this is his first appearance in the novelization non-canon Buffy novels and there were some subtle changes in the lore between the movie/TV series is very different and for consistency, the author made those changes but still kept the essence of Pike's character and personality.
Pike's presence in this to me feels like the movie, TV series, and now this book is like it's all coming full circle, which was fun to see it all play out as Pike returns to Sunnydale seeking Buffy's aid as an ancient stone demon is after Pike, looking for revenge ... and the stone demon isn't the only demonic entity seeking retribution against Giles, whose also dealing with his own inner demons.
In the complications of the love triangle between Pike - Buffy - Angel goes through the motions as Buffy battles with her emotions over both of these two men in her life, her past, and her very complex and complicated relationship with Angel, it all felt very organic and realistic, since Buffy' unresolved feelings. Despite Angel being low-key jealous, he still gives Buffy room to do her soul searching and never holds any grudges against Pike, unlike the grudges and more pronounced jealousy towards Riley and Spike.
Definitely recommend to any Buffy/Angel fan!!
“What about her?" asked the one Xander had burned with holy water.
"Leave her," said another. "She isn't as important as the others. And if we took her and didn't kill her ... I think she might annoy me to death",
Too frightened to be insulted, Cordelia watched them move away.
😀😀😀
It was awesome seeing Pike again since this is his first appearance in the novelization non-canon Buffy novels and there were some subtle changes in the lore between the movie/TV series is very different and for consistency, the author made those changes but still kept the essence of Pike's character and personality.
Pike's presence in this to me feels like the movie, TV series, and now this book is like it's all coming full circle, which was fun to see it all play out as Pike returns to Sunnydale seeking Buffy's aid as an ancient stone demon is after Pike, looking for revenge ... and the stone demon isn't the only demonic entity seeking retribution against Giles, whose also dealing with his own inner demons.
In the complications of the love triangle between Pike - Buffy - Angel goes through the motions as Buffy battles with her emotions over both of these two men in her life, her past, and her very complex and complicated relationship with Angel, it all felt very organic and realistic, since Buffy' unresolved feelings. Despite Angel being low-key jealous, he still gives Buffy room to do her soul searching and never holds any grudges against Pike, unlike the grudges and more pronounced jealousy towards Riley and Spike.
Definitely recommend to any Buffy/Angel fan!!
August 26, 2021
I first read this book when it originally came out almost 22 years ago. Despite the fact that it was released during the early days of s4 (when Buffy was in her freshman year of university) was obviously penned either before s3 had much penned in the writer's room or Christopher Golden was only given a brief overview of later s3 episodes. I say this because Angel is present in the story and Xander and Cordelia have broken up, but it's obvious from character interactions that Golden did not have the complete story on how those situations would come about because Cordelia was WAY too nice to both Xander and Willow considering the cause of X/C breakup was because of his cheating on Cordelia with Willow. She was angry at those two for a long time and while she would still never let them die, she would not be as kind as she is here. Also, Helpless obviously hadn't aired yet because Buffy seems very uncomfortable here thinking of Giles as a father substitute, and Giles has a similar discomfiture, but Helpless made it VERY clear that they saw each other in a father/daughter light.
These slight character discrepancies don't really take away from the story, but they are notable if you're looking to find where the story is placed within the larger canon of Buffy's senior year. Also, no mention is made of Faith, which is why I think this book was in its beginning drafts before the first few episodes were done with final scripts.
In truth, I remembered very little of the plot of this particular adventure 22 years later. I was talking about this book with my brother recently (I think it's one of the few I loaned to him back in the day), and all either of us could remember was that Pike from the 1992 film was a character in it and he was turning into stone. I did not remember at all how small a plot point that was within the wider narrative of the book, and I didn't remember that this was a Giles centered story AT ALL. I think I was blinded by my Luke Perry-crushing 12 year old brain at the time. Adult me was all about the Giles plot line (cos he's the favorite of adult me), and the scene where he finally reveals to Buffy why he's been keeping her in the dark was so very Buffy and Giles as I always think of them. I could see the scene play out in my head; I could see their expressions, hear Anthony Head and SMG's voices and knew exactly what tenor their tones would take. It was perfection. I wish that scene could have been an actual scene in the show.
Now, about the elephant in the room. Golden had a hard job to do here. He had to somehow combine the character of Pike from the 1992 movie with the world as it was reimagined for the 1997 show. This is difficult because Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Movie had a different mythology for Slayers, Watchers, and Buffy herself was a senior in high school in the film with a Watcher named Merrick who would be reincarnated every time he died. When Merrick is staked by Lothos while trying to save Buffy in the film, it leaves Buffy without a Watcher for what would be the rest of her life (as Merrick would have to be reborn and grow up again.) The novelization of the movie had Merrick dying slightly differently -- he shot himself when Lothos tried to hypnotize him in hopes that Merrick would tell him the identity of the Slayer. It is the novelization version of events that Golden decided to use as Buffy's back story with Merrick.
Other things came directly from the film: Buffy and Pike met at a movie theatre when Buffy was with her friends and the Buffy posse wouldn't stop talking during the film; Buffy saved Pike's life when he was attacked by Lothos' henchmen; Pike assisted Buffy when vampires led by Lothos attacked her school dance; and it embraced the original script for the film which included Buffy committing arson in the school gym. However, certain things were changed because in the show Buffy was Called when she was sophomore instead of a senior. Instead of getting away with technically vandalizing school property while saving the students at the dance, Buffy was expelled from her high school; she gets to know Pike better because he actually attends school at Hemery instead of being a couple of years older than her and already out of school; he's a surfer instead of a musician; and Pike doesn't feel any desire to go out and destroy vampires, unlike in the film where it is *he* that encourages Buffy to take up arms and fight after Merrick dies whereas she tries to deny her destiny.
These changes make sense in necessity, but they also meant that I couldn't hear Pike's voice. The only media we have of Pike is the 1992 film with Luke Perry (RIP to one of my first crushes) in the role, and I couldn't hear the character as he played him saying most of these lines. So while I enjoyed having such a niche character from the wider history of the fandom included in the book, I just have two wishes. 1) that I could see more of the character as I remember him from the movie within the context of the book. His story could have still been changed without making him a character that Buffy keeps thinking of as a "coward." 2) I wish the book had focused more on his dilemma. In truth, this book is more like three plot threads put together because there wasn't enough story in any one thread to make a whole book. And while those threads *do* work, I wish we could have focused on either Pike's arrival and his battle with Greyhewn the Stone Demon or Giles and the demon wearing his father's face. Instead, we got two plot threads that were interesting, but we weren't given enough time with either story for it to feel truly satisfying.
But Buffy and Angel's relationship as it was written here was well done. Most writers overdo it (even in the show), but this was a nice balance. And Buffy and Pike's former relationship was handled beautifully, too. I just wanted to see a bit more of it. And having Angel save Cordelia multiple times and validating her? My Cangel heart was all about it. (I wouldn't have thought anything of it at 12 years old, but 34 year old me is ALL ABOUT IT.)
These slight character discrepancies don't really take away from the story, but they are notable if you're looking to find where the story is placed within the larger canon of Buffy's senior year. Also, no mention is made of Faith, which is why I think this book was in its beginning drafts before the first few episodes were done with final scripts.
In truth, I remembered very little of the plot of this particular adventure 22 years later. I was talking about this book with my brother recently (I think it's one of the few I loaned to him back in the day), and all either of us could remember was that Pike from the 1992 film was a character in it and he was turning into stone. I did not remember at all how small a plot point that was within the wider narrative of the book, and I didn't remember that this was a Giles centered story AT ALL. I think I was blinded by my Luke Perry-crushing 12 year old brain at the time. Adult me was all about the Giles plot line (cos he's the favorite of adult me), and the scene where he finally reveals to Buffy why he's been keeping her in the dark was so very Buffy and Giles as I always think of them. I could see the scene play out in my head; I could see their expressions, hear Anthony Head and SMG's voices and knew exactly what tenor their tones would take. It was perfection. I wish that scene could have been an actual scene in the show.
Now, about the elephant in the room. Golden had a hard job to do here. He had to somehow combine the character of Pike from the 1992 movie with the world as it was reimagined for the 1997 show. This is difficult because Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Movie had a different mythology for Slayers, Watchers, and Buffy herself was a senior in high school in the film with a Watcher named Merrick who would be reincarnated every time he died. When Merrick is staked by Lothos while trying to save Buffy in the film, it leaves Buffy without a Watcher for what would be the rest of her life (as Merrick would have to be reborn and grow up again.) The novelization of the movie had Merrick dying slightly differently -- he shot himself when Lothos tried to hypnotize him in hopes that Merrick would tell him the identity of the Slayer. It is the novelization version of events that Golden decided to use as Buffy's back story with Merrick.
Other things came directly from the film: Buffy and Pike met at a movie theatre when Buffy was with her friends and the Buffy posse wouldn't stop talking during the film; Buffy saved Pike's life when he was attacked by Lothos' henchmen; Pike assisted Buffy when vampires led by Lothos attacked her school dance; and it embraced the original script for the film which included Buffy committing arson in the school gym. However, certain things were changed because in the show Buffy was Called when she was sophomore instead of a senior. Instead of getting away with technically vandalizing school property while saving the students at the dance, Buffy was expelled from her high school; she gets to know Pike better because he actually attends school at Hemery instead of being a couple of years older than her and already out of school; he's a surfer instead of a musician; and Pike doesn't feel any desire to go out and destroy vampires, unlike in the film where it is *he* that encourages Buffy to take up arms and fight after Merrick dies whereas she tries to deny her destiny.
These changes make sense in necessity, but they also meant that I couldn't hear Pike's voice. The only media we have of Pike is the 1992 film with Luke Perry (RIP to one of my first crushes) in the role, and I couldn't hear the character as he played him saying most of these lines. So while I enjoyed having such a niche character from the wider history of the fandom included in the book, I just have two wishes. 1) that I could see more of the character as I remember him from the movie within the context of the book. His story could have still been changed without making him a character that Buffy keeps thinking of as a "coward." 2) I wish the book had focused more on his dilemma. In truth, this book is more like three plot threads put together because there wasn't enough story in any one thread to make a whole book. And while those threads *do* work, I wish we could have focused on either Pike's arrival and his battle with Greyhewn the Stone Demon or Giles and the demon wearing his father's face. Instead, we got two plot threads that were interesting, but we weren't given enough time with either story for it to feel truly satisfying.
But Buffy and Angel's relationship as it was written here was well done. Most writers overdo it (even in the show), but this was a nice balance. And Buffy and Pike's former relationship was handled beautifully, too. I just wanted to see a bit more of it. And having Angel save Cordelia multiple times and validating her? My Cangel heart was all about it. (I wouldn't have thought anything of it at 12 years old, but 34 year old me is ALL ABOUT IT.)
June 22, 2017
5 stars
Nice to see Pike again. Sad that he and Buffy didn't work out. Glad we were able to learn more about Giles and his parents.
Can't wait to read more Buffyverse novels!!!!
Nice to see Pike again. Sad that he and Buffy didn't work out. Glad we were able to learn more about Giles and his parents.
Can't wait to read more Buffyverse novels!!!!
November 15, 2018
I think this has got to be one of the better Buffy novels - maybe not quite as good as 'Immortal' or 'Sign of Four' but definitely close. I love the story of the stone demon and kind of wish the focus of the story had been on that instead - the vampire storyline was ok, but the Pike angle was much more interesting than the Giles one! Good to return to Sunnydale though, and revisit old friends.
May 31, 2019
Review to come.
November 5, 2015
Review to follow! Thanks to Sabrina, for giving it to me! Love you, sugar!
October 18, 2021
Buffy is revisited by a love interest from her past, Pike. Who's Pike? If you don't know, you probably haven't watched the feature film the tv series was based on. The tv show aludes to Buffy burning down her old high school gym because of vampires, but kind of leaves the connections at that. The BTVS comics adapted the movie plot to the tv show's protagonist, but this was the first novelization I've read that tried to make the move canon.
Honestly, I'm cool with it. Pike was a fun character, and the author kind of nailed his voice in this book (less so on nailing Giles though). Here Pike has come to Sunnydale because a stone demon is chasing after him. It's a simple plot and probably could have made a good Buffy book on its own. That only ends up being about 30% of the book though, as the bulk of the story is Giles is acting weird and has his own blast from the past major spoilers KIND OF follow in the form of his vampire father end of spoilers coming to screw with him. There ends up being a twist at the end but this entire storyline just kind of dragged for me.
A lot of really good things going for this book. The biggest was integrating the Pike storyline, but also there were some nice moments with Buffy and her mom as well as some more adult kills and moments that probably wouldn't have been allowed on the tv show. Aside from Giles speech, a few other things that felt out of place were the weapons (Oz's supersoaker with holy water, and Cordelia's flashlight with a cross painted on) that would have been used more on the show based on how effective they were here.
(It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when this book takes place in Season Three of Buffy, but as there is no mention of Faith and Cordelia and Xander's relationship is never really discussed, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it can fit between Season 3 episodes 2 and 3.)
Honestly, I'm cool with it. Pike was a fun character, and the author kind of nailed his voice in this book (less so on nailing Giles though). Here Pike has come to Sunnydale because a stone demon is chasing after him. It's a simple plot and probably could have made a good Buffy book on its own. That only ends up being about 30% of the book though, as the bulk of the story is Giles is acting weird and has his own blast from the past major spoilers KIND OF follow in the form of his vampire father end of spoilers coming to screw with him. There ends up being a twist at the end but this entire storyline just kind of dragged for me.
A lot of really good things going for this book. The biggest was integrating the Pike storyline, but also there were some nice moments with Buffy and her mom as well as some more adult kills and moments that probably wouldn't have been allowed on the tv show. Aside from Giles speech, a few other things that felt out of place were the weapons (Oz's supersoaker with holy water, and Cordelia's flashlight with a cross painted on) that would have been used more on the show based on how effective they were here.
(It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when this book takes place in Season Three of Buffy, but as there is no mention of Faith and Cordelia and Xander's relationship is never really discussed, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it can fit between Season 3 episodes 2 and 3.)
April 27, 2020
A Buffy the Vampire Slayer book set late in the third season.
Buffy’s world is falling apart. Her mother Joyce has met a very nice man and is dating him.
Also, Giles seems more absentminded than before. He promised to look after Oz’s wolf form but delegated it to Angel instead. When Buffy storms off to his apartment, she finds out that he’s with a new, beautiful teacher.
At the same time, Buffy’s old friend Pike from Hemery High (from the movie) comes to Sunnydale. He’s evasive at first but confesses that a stone demon is hunting him. The demon can change any living flesh to stone. While Pike knows about vampires and demons, he fights them only when hasn’t got another choice. He’s asking Buffy for help.
Buffy’s friends try to convince her that her mom dating is completely normal, at least when the man in question seems to be completely normal. Still, it’s hard for Buffy. Of course, Buffy has her own love life to worry about when Pike comes to make trouble for her and Angel.
Giles’ absentmindedness continues so much that Buffy and the others really start to worry about him. They keep a close eye on him and, indeed, something sinister is happening to him.
This was a pretty enjoyable book otherwise but I really didn’t care for the Pike/Buffy/Angel triangle. We know that Buffy can’t choose Pike because he’s not in the show, so it’s really pointless. The stone demon was a pretty average monster of the week. The Giles story line also had something I thought couldn't be canon at all but it was resolved at the end.
The characters are well done, of course. Golden is usually one of the best Buffy writers.
Buffy’s world is falling apart. Her mother Joyce has met a very nice man and is dating him.
Also, Giles seems more absentminded than before. He promised to look after Oz’s wolf form but delegated it to Angel instead. When Buffy storms off to his apartment, she finds out that he’s with a new, beautiful teacher.
At the same time, Buffy’s old friend Pike from Hemery High (from the movie) comes to Sunnydale. He’s evasive at first but confesses that a stone demon is hunting him. The demon can change any living flesh to stone. While Pike knows about vampires and demons, he fights them only when hasn’t got another choice. He’s asking Buffy for help.
Buffy’s friends try to convince her that her mom dating is completely normal, at least when the man in question seems to be completely normal. Still, it’s hard for Buffy. Of course, Buffy has her own love life to worry about when Pike comes to make trouble for her and Angel.
Giles’ absentmindedness continues so much that Buffy and the others really start to worry about him. They keep a close eye on him and, indeed, something sinister is happening to him.
This was a pretty enjoyable book otherwise but I really didn’t care for the Pike/Buffy/Angel triangle. We know that Buffy can’t choose Pike because he’s not in the show, so it’s really pointless. The stone demon was a pretty average monster of the week. The Giles story line also had something I thought couldn't be canon at all but it was resolved at the end.
The characters are well done, of course. Golden is usually one of the best Buffy writers.
January 25, 2021
3.5*
I don't think I've ever read this book before but I found some pages have previously been dog eared and put back so maybe I did and it's been too long. I didn't even remember the story though.
Anyway. I give this books a 3.5 rating because although it's not the best book ever, it's not one of the best either. Some things; passages and way of speech rang true to the characters on the show and other things seemed a but off. I liked that Buffy's guy from the original movie, from LA was there and there was so much potential. You do have to read the origins comics to understand more so it's all cool.
I liked this book. It was a feel good, change the scenery, fast enough read though I did take a few days. It's cool.
I don't think I've ever read this book before but I found some pages have previously been dog eared and put back so maybe I did and it's been too long. I didn't even remember the story though.
Anyway. I give this books a 3.5 rating because although it's not the best book ever, it's not one of the best either. Some things; passages and way of speech rang true to the characters on the show and other things seemed a but off. I liked that Buffy's guy from the original movie, from LA was there and there was so much potential. You do have to read the origins comics to understand more so it's all cool.
I liked this book. It was a feel good, change the scenery, fast enough read though I did take a few days. It's cool.
June 3, 2023
This one felt quite slow going - it took a long time to "reveal" the villain (and even longer for the second reveal, happening just pages before the end) in a way that made it quite unsatisfying to read, with very little payoff.
There were a lot of different elements introduced and I'm not sure they all felt really necessary; they didn't tie in, and I feel like there were some themes about paternal relationships that could have been developed a bit further.
There were a lot of different elements introduced and I'm not sure they all felt really necessary; they didn't tie in, and I feel like there were some themes about paternal relationships that could have been developed a bit further.
March 11, 2025
This was a pretty solid Buffy adventure featuring two separate villains with which to do battle and a Watcher who is not helpful against either, f0r different reasons leaving Buffy to try to resolve things without much guidance.
This really felt like a two-part episode that nicely balanced all the characters in play. At no point did it feel like there were too many things going on and there was even a small injection of real life going on as well.
An enjoyable read.
This really felt like a two-part episode that nicely balanced all the characters in play. At no point did it feel like there were too many things going on and there was even a small injection of real life going on as well.
An enjoyable read.
March 26, 2020
This novel ties together the movie and TV show, with Pike, Luke Perry’s character, visiting Sunnydale. Golden was always one of the better writers of these novels, with a great ability to capture the distinct voice of each character. The major flaw is that none of the three separate plot lines ever come together in a convincing manner.
February 20, 2022
These books are based on the tv show, not the other way around. So the info stays true to the series. It is fun to revisit theses characters and get more of their story. But the cheesiness that works so well when you have comedic actors doesn't translate to the written page. It needs the facial expressions and body language.
July 16, 2021
I thought it was awesome that the author brought in Pike, and that explained a bit of there past on what happened after Hermery High in LA to Sunnydale.
Also include a little history on Rupert Giles past.
Also include a little history on Rupert Giles past.
December 18, 2022
A nice blending of old Buffy and new Buffy. Pike has always been one of my favorite characters. The story felt muddled at times with multiple storylines occurring, but a satisfying finale for the most part.
February 20, 2018
Well yes I enjoyed this like all the other book as well as this Christopher Golden book. no spoilers son just read it.
April 5, 2018
remind me of the tv series
July 3, 2019
I wasn't sure if the books would stand up as well as the TV series but I'm please to say they do! I'll most definitely be picking up more of these if I see them in a charity shop. An easy funny read.
August 25, 2020
god, i am so buffy-whipped. still, for what it is, this is a pretty good book
January 15, 2022
I love the fact that they brought Pike into the Canon i only wished he'd shown up in another book or even in an episode
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2023
Love this book, was so great! Felt like another Buffy episode. Characters were well presented!
May 14, 2024
Great to see Pike again, I’d love a whole story on them and LA & Vegas. Even though we start with Pike and his stone demon. The biggest twist was Giles’s part of the story. Loved this book, I was hooked.
January 5, 2010
Set in an alternate season three, SINS OF THE FATHER features two interesting, although slightly competitive, plots. The first one has Pike (featured in the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the comic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Omnibus, Vol. 1) coming to town for Buffy's help with a stone demon, while the second deals with Giles and his past. Quite obviously, demons of all kinds are the theme of the book.
This is my first foray into the Buffy novels and I have to say it was a pretty good one to start with. The characterizations were well-done, most notably Willow and Xander (I could just hear their dialogue and see their expressions), with the exceptions of Cordy, who sounded like herself about half the time, and Giles, who just seemed off somehow. The plot moves well enough along and the action was well-written. I especially liked their new vampire equipment that you can't help but think, "Why didn't anyone come up with this before?" The banter was great and definitely had the feel of the show, it made me laugh quite a few times. The only thing I had a problem with was Buffy's indecision about Pike and Angel. While I get the part about Pike being a 'normal' guy who knows that she fights paranormal crime and isn't put off, but why does she have such strong feelings for him still? It's been two, two-and-a-half years since she even saw him, I just don't see it. Also, the 'impossible love' between Buffy and Angel was redundant. If anyone has ever seen the show (and how many are going to read the books if they aren't a fan?), they already know all the angsty melodrama on the subject. One remark on the subject was all we needed, not repeatedly using just about the same two phrases a million times. With those two quibbles said, this was an entertaining book that took me back to my favorite time of the show, the high school years.
This is my first foray into the Buffy novels and I have to say it was a pretty good one to start with. The characterizations were well-done, most notably Willow and Xander (I could just hear their dialogue and see their expressions), with the exceptions of Cordy, who sounded like herself about half the time, and Giles, who just seemed off somehow. The plot moves well enough along and the action was well-written. I especially liked their new vampire equipment that you can't help but think, "Why didn't anyone come up with this before?" The banter was great and definitely had the feel of the show, it made me laugh quite a few times. The only thing I had a problem with was Buffy's indecision about Pike and Angel. While I get the part about Pike being a 'normal' guy who knows that she fights paranormal crime and isn't put off, but why does she have such strong feelings for him still? It's been two, two-and-a-half years since she even saw him, I just don't see it. Also, the 'impossible love' between Buffy and Angel was redundant. If anyone has ever seen the show (and how many are going to read the books if they aren't a fan?), they already know all the angsty melodrama on the subject. One remark on the subject was all we needed, not repeatedly using just about the same two phrases a million times. With those two quibbles said, this was an entertaining book that took me back to my favorite time of the show, the high school years.
April 13, 2011
One might not expect books that are tie-ins to television series or movies to be very good, but in the same manner as the first Buffyverse novel I read, this one was compulsively readable and kept me guessing more and more. Just when you think you've figured everything out, the ending will completely shock you. I was left guessing through the whole book.
This one would have made an excellent television episode, as it delves into Gile's family, and it also adds a kinda/sorta love triangle between Pike (from the 1992 Buffy movie), Angel, and Buffy. Of course, it's evident who Buffy ends up with, but seeing her struggle with leading a normal life and continuing her forbidden love with Angel was interesting.
I most definitely will continue reading the Buffyverse novels, as I have not been disappointed yet, and they're the perfect cure for a Buffy fan who is thirsting for more adventures about their favorite Slayer!
This one would have made an excellent television episode, as it delves into Gile's family, and it also adds a kinda/sorta love triangle between Pike (from the 1992 Buffy movie), Angel, and Buffy. Of course, it's evident who Buffy ends up with, but seeing her struggle with leading a normal life and continuing her forbidden love with Angel was interesting.
I most definitely will continue reading the Buffyverse novels, as I have not been disappointed yet, and they're the perfect cure for a Buffy fan who is thirsting for more adventures about their favorite Slayer!
July 27, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
September 20, 2014
A quick read to reconnect to the characters and wonderful memories of watching the series a few years ago. Not great literature, of course. Just a little horror, a little suspense and the quick wit of the Slayer gang. I own most books Buffy related as I quickly learned that the Buffyverse was often multi-layered, quite philosophical, and morally intelligent. "Seven Seasons of Buffy" and "What Would Buffy Do?" are just some examples of more in depth analysis. This was just a good read.
February 27, 2008
If you're a Buffy fan, you'll love this book. It is filled with the witty banter, and sarcastic humor of the series, as well as the action, mayhem and all the slaying fans of the show loved so much. It was a fun book to read, and a quick read, a bit nostalgic for me, a die-hard fan of the television series.
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