When a video game becomes all too real, its possible outcomes turn deadly. Can Buffy, Xander and Anya save its players from crossing the line...? Buffy and Dawn are finding it difficult to adjust now that their mother has gone. Buffy is reluctant to take on the role of parent, and she and Dawn are arguing more than usual. Because of this, Buffy fails to notice some strange behaviour among the video-game crowd in Sunnydale. One of Xander's friends starts acting crazy outside the cinema -- laughing and babbling to himself, muttering that he can't be stopped -- and as Xander and Anya investigate, it becomes clear that people who have been testing a new video game are similarly affected. As the Slayer attempts to put all of the pieces together, Anya is abducted into an alternate demon universe. Buffy has to find a way to get her back to Sunnydale before the game is over, for good...
Mel Odom is a bestselling writer for hire for Wizards of the Coast's Forgotten Realms, Gold Eagle's Mack Bolan, and Pocket's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel book lines. His debut SF novel Lethal Interface made the Locus recommended list . The Rover was an Alyx Award winner. He has also written a scientific adventure of the high seas set in the 19th century entitled Hunters of the Dark Sea. He lives in Oklahoma.
Set in the sad second half of the fifth season of the show, Crossings is a fine if unmemorable outing for the Scoobie Gang. Video games can be dangerous, Anya has to be rescued, and Dawn can be a brat. It seems hastily produced in spots but would've been a fine filler episode.
Perfectly serviceable fine read, nothing life-changing. I thought the inclusion of Buffy and Dawn recovering from Joyce's death and Buffy figuring out how to care for Dawn was a nice touch, even if by the end it did feel a little bit like 'now we must include some growth for the sake of it'. Don't get me wrong, I actually really enjoyed the epilogue, but I'm not sure how much exactly it was earned by what happened in the book.
There's a demon-exchange program going on, kids are fighting a demon war in the demon dimension and demons are strutting about Sunnydale announcing how awesome they are. Of course, the fate of the world is at stake, and it's up to Buffy to find out just what is going on. Great fun, even if it didn't really feel like a Buffy episode.
Another well done Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel. This one takes place shortly after Buffy's Mom dies. What's the basic plot this time? What's with the new video game that various people have been selected to test? I have one very minor complaint. I know that one should never judge a book by it's cover, but I was hoping that with Xander and Anya on the cover they would have had a larger role in this novel. Especially Anya. No big deal. If you miss the show do read this novel!
5 stars really enjoyed that. Another excellent Buffy book which was well written and the Characters were spot on to the tv show. Story was good and fun combining demons and VR gaming. Really enjoyable.