Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20 Years of Slaying: The Watcher's Guide Authorized

by Christopher Golden

A special hardcover collector’s edition of the authorized Buffy the Vampire Slayer Watcher’s Guides , now with updated content from the cast and crew!

As long as there have been vampires, there has been the Slayer. One girl in all the world to find them where they gather and to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their numbers.

From the first vampire staking to the last glimpse of Sunnydale, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a genre-busting hit, attracting millions of fans worldwide. Even now, two decades later, Buffy the Vampire Slayer still plays a role in shaping an entire generation of media.

Just in time for the show’s twentieth anniversary, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Watcher’s Guides have been compiled into one hardcover collector’s edition for the first time! Inside, you’ll find all the best content from Volumes 1–3 of the original Watcher’s Guides, as well as exclusive new content, including never-before-seen interviews with the cast and crew.

Genres: Nonfiction, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Vampires, Paranormal, Pop Culture, Supernatural

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 3, 2017

About the author

CHRISTOPHER 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

Reviews

[Completely Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have watched this series multiple times, and reading this book brought back so many memories and makes me want to rewatch the entire series again. Also, I knew there were Buffy comics, but I thought it was just a repeat of what was on the show. I had no idea that the story actually continued through them. Now I must get them all!

[rachel selene · Rating 4 out of 5]

there are few television shows that have touched me as deeply as buffy the vampire slayer. (the only other is avatar: the last airbender.) i didn't grow up with the series - i watched it for the first time only last year - but it is one that i will return to again and again. this was a fun and informative read, and it certainly heightened my appreciation for an already fantastic show.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic overview of the series, with trivia even this huge fan didn’t already know! There’s also summaries of what has happened in the comics thus far, which is cool! The highlights definitely include the samples from various episode scripts and the interviews conducted within the last year with actors, writers, and crew members from the show. 5/5 Stars!

[Jaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an inveterate Buffy nerd of many years standing, it goes without saying that I own and have read the original Watcher's Guides many times. Despite saying I wouldn't buy this new book - essentially an abridged, rehash of the former volumes with some new material in the form of cast interviews - I couldn't help myself when I happened across a heavily-discounted copy.

In reality, the new material adds very little of any great import, but being reminded of the greatness that is BTVS is never a bad thing, and if this does no more than prompt me to dig out my box sets... well, there's not much wrong with that either.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all - I didn't read this ebook edition I read the hardback version but it wasn't in the Goodreads system and I am too lazy to add it. Second I had no idea what to classify this so I just did fiction. And third - I wanted to start the new year with a fast easy fun book and as my friends know I am a huge Buffy fan so I saw this at a bookstore ( a building that sells actual books to people who are in the building looking at books to buy) and couldn't resist.

[S.M. LANYON · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great, contained great insight into the production of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sad there was no interview with Sarah Michelle Gellar. The lack of any interview with the main character of the series gave this book an empty feeling.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not exactly sure who this book is written for. Because, based on the fact that most of it is plot summaries of only a few of the memorable episodes, you'd guess it was for people who liked the show, but who don't plan on revisiting it any time soon. But...I haven't met those people in the Buffyverse. People who love Buffy are still watching it. *cough*Me*cough*

There was virtually zero information that you didn't already know from the show. The best parts were the tiny tidbits of dialogue that were cut from the final scripts. The detailed script of "Restless" at the back of the book was pretty good.

The interview questions? Literally cookie cutter. The author sent the same list of questions to each person being interviewed. And while a couple of the questions might have been good, the interviewee played it safe and didn't divulge anything interesting (talking about interactions with fans, for example).

Overall, I don't think this book is relevant anymore. I think this type of book was written for when the show was on television. When you would watch an episode and LOVE it, but then not be able to watch it again. A book like this would have been amazing. But now that we can own the show on DVD, Blu-ray, or digitally, I would want that book to give me a lot more insider info, more secrets, more backstage stories. Or heck, let's talk about what critics thought of the episodes. Or, well, pretty much anything other than relying on plot summaries.

If you are a die hard Buffy fan, you can skip this one.

[Rosie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a big disappointment. The cover is very nice, the rest of the book is a cheap looking, mostly cut and paste of previous Watcher's Guides, on what feels like low quality paper. There are no colour picture sections, which all the previous volumes contained.

As a long time Buffy fan, this is an expensive rip off for fans to cash in on the 20th Anniversary.

I would recommend finding the cheap copies available of the first three and don't bother with this, unless you find a cheap copy if you want to have a complete collection.

This is just bad. Big let down.

[Cherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing content. Lovely cover but the pages are so boring, all black and white. I expected a little more pizzazz.

[Brittany (Rescues and Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed this Watcher's Guide as it was amazing to dive back into the Buffyverse. It was especially fun to see the brand new interviews that were done with many of the cast specifically for this book.

However, if you are looking for a comprehensive Buffy Guide, this is not for you.

Back when the show was still in production, there were three seperate Watcher's Guides that were published that encompassed all seven seasons. These guides were fare more comprehensive and detailed every single episode.

That was not the case here. This book only detaild a handful of episodes each season, skipping some pretty imporant and interestinng ones. They would then continue with the plot summaries they were detailing, as though they had already explained what happened in the prevous episodes. So unless you have seen each episode a million times (like I have) or just remember each one in detail, you will probably be left a bit confused.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

BUFFY!! This show was one of my favorite shows in the 90's and I was very stoked to see this book come out on the 20th anniversary. The book is divided into sections by seasons. There are breakdowns of several episodes including assorted trivia, random production facts and some deleted scenes in the scripts. Peppered throughout the book are interviews with some of the stars and staff. The book is nearly the perfect book for a Buffy fan. My one criticism, and this was one that made this down to a 4 star book was that the book only contains episode descriptions of selected episodes. I understood why many of these were highlighted but there were a few episodes that I wish had been covered (Seeing Red?).

[Gizella Caicedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un gran homenaje para una gran serie y para sus más grades fans.

La serie de Buffy la cazavampiros fue y es el gran amor de mi vida. Era mi refugio y mi inspiración y lo sigue siendo, por eso para mi es importante que se le trate con cariño y respeto, que todo lo que salga de esta serie quiero que sea hermoso, y este libro es simplemete bello.

Es la recopilación de sus más grandes capitulos y momentos de su historia, marca tambien memorias y opiniones de los actores sobre sus respectivos personajes, además posee imágenes icónicas de la trama en sus diferentes temporadas, no podia no emocioarme con cada una de ellas.

Amé el libro como gran fan que soy y por supuesto la nostagia envolvió a mi corazón.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely trip down memory lane! This book has a very cool cover (hardcover), looks like etched leather. It covers what are considered the best, memorable and pivotal episodes of the series, interspersed with old and new interviews. I especially enjoyed the interviews with cast and crew that covered what they're up to these days. I haven't followed any of them purposely, but always get that little thrill of recognition and excitement when I see the actors appear in other shows or movies, or the when writers/crew are in the credits.
Okay, now I've gotta go watch Buffy all over again!

[Amory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an extremely well organized and enjoyable collection of information about Buffy the Vampire Slayer! I thought the episodes chosen for discussion were some of the most important and enjoyable throughout the series, and the included interviews were full of information I hadn't previously known about the series and the staff involved. I also appreciated the inclusion of the full script for episode 4.22, "Restless"; as the episode includes a ton of imagery, metaphor, and foreshadowing, seeing the script marked with continuity notes was useful and interesting.

[L Rose Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the interviews with the cast and crew! Learning more about the personalities and perspectives of the people who brought Buffy's world to life gave me a greater appreciation for the dedication, love, hard work, and possible pinch-of-magic that went into the show's creation. Also, reading the script for the season for finale, "Restless," was WILD! I've always LOVED that episode: its summation of character themes from the previous seasons, and its foreshadowing of events to come.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this show just as deeply now as I did 20 years ago. It is insane to me that it's really been 20 years. I've never been addicted to a universe and characters like I was/am to BtVS. Joss has simultaneously made me want to hug and strangle him. This Watcher's Guide is as near-perfect as possible, and I read it in one sitting. A must for Buffy fans.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway

This is one for the true affici0nado out there -(aka saddo!)

Everything you always wanted to know and a fair few things you didn't need to know.

It's a very specific subject for a very specific market. Won't make much sense if you're not yet a fan.

Well written and easy to dip in and out of.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean, it's Buffy - what's not to like? I enjoyed this compendium of episode guides, behind-the-scenes info about the show and interviews with key members of the cast and crew. There were a few episodes I had hoped would be in here that weren't, but otherwise, it was a great compilation of fun info about the entire series, and well worth a read for any Buffy fans.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty fun for Buffy fans. The author and I disagree strongly on which are the best episodes however and he only recaps his faves for each season. Interesting cast and crew interviews are interspersed

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed a lot of the interviews and the full shooting script, I was not a fan of the style of episode reviews nor of the episodes chosen, as many of my favorites were not included, while several of my "throwaway" or one-off episodes were.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another must-have book for Buffy The Vampire Slayer fans. Lots of fun interviews with cast, crew, writers etc. Poignant memories on the selected episodes discussed for each season of the 7 year run of the show.

[Rebecca Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a few duds of Buffy books, this one came in swinging! Multiple interviews with stars of the show, gorgeously written break downs of classic episodes and the full screenplay of Restless. If you’re a Buffy fan, this is a must own!!

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book focuses on pivotal episodes (which is a matter of opinion), so not every episode is covered. The binding's beautiful. Overall, the book is great as a collectible and reference tool, especially if you're a fan of Buffy.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

175 - 2019

[The Dwarf Did It... · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a Buffy theme 30th birthday and this was the perfect companion for the Buffy marathon! Grew up with this show. Loved this book!

[Sammy Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buffy fans will thoroughly enjoy this collection of episode summaries, behind the scenes information, and interviews with actors, writers, and other contributors to the series.

[Wendel]

The fan-equivalent of a tourist trap ;-)

[Le Gault · Rating 2 out of 5]

it just describes episodes. If you've seen the show it's pretty worthless and it doesn't give much background or even have many off-screen photos.

[Laura Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a nostalgic trip through memory lane for me.

Not the kind of book to read cover to cover but genuinely enjoyable for fans of Buffy.