Blackout

Buffyverse Novels #6

by Keith R.A. DeCandido

THE DARK IS COMING. . . .

New York City in 1977 is vampire heaven. Serial killer Son of Sam is often blamed for their hits, and a citywide blackout gives them free reign of the streets, allowing them to get away with murder. Spike and his beloved Drusilla are in the Big Apple taking advantage of the situation, as is Vampire Slayer Nikki Wood, who has hunkered down with her son, Robin, in a Times Square apartment where she thinks they'll be safe.

But no matter where she goes, Nikki has to watch her back. Spike has only one thing on his to slay a slayer. Adding to Spike's list of challenges is a corrupt local vampire community that catches wind of his presence, and when they start messing with him, things get bloody interesting.

Genres: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Vampires, Fiction

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 23, 2005

Reviews

[Jim C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book based on the television series. This book does something a little different as we explore a minor character that we see briefly during the run of the show. Even though Spike is on the cover this is about Nikki the Vampire Slayer. It details her time as a slayer and Spike hunting her down.

I might be giving this book a higher rating than I should be but it completely surprised me. I was a bit skeptical going into this. Did we really need more exploration of this minor character or was the couple of scenes we saw her enough? I am here to tell you yes we needed more of her character as this book won me over easily. The author does a terrific job of the setting and the time as we are in the 1970's New York. I had no problem visualizing the rougher side of New York during this time. He used musical references or actual historical events that gave a good sense of the people who was living during this time. This includes our main character Nikki. She is the slayer but more importantly she is a single mother. The story details of what it is like to be raising a child while doing a job. This was a highlight for me. If you have watched the show you know how the story will end. That being said I was riveted by the story and hoping for a different outcome. I was that invested. Spike fans will enjoy his portrayal and I was caught off guard when we see another character from the show. It made perfect sense and I loved every second of it.

I will say the cover is a little misleading. Spike is in it but do not be mistaken. This is a Nikki Wood book. I know it convinced me to read it. Even though it is misleading I am glad that it mislead me. I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. The author did his research and this book fits into this universe with no problem. This is one of the better media tie-in novels from this universe.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting novel set in Whedon's Slayer universe in which Spike meets Nikki Wood, expanding upon a couple of somewhat brief flashback mentions from the latter years of the show. It's set in Harlem in 1977 and can also be seen as something of a pastiche of the Black-exploitation film genre of that time. (Luke Cage was probably kicking butt just a block or two over.) It's pretty well-written, and the settings are quite convincing. It fleshes out Spike's background a bit and explains Robin Wood's motivation in more detail. It's a nice sidebar to the Buffy chronicle.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was something a little off the beaten path for a Buffy novel, as Buffy and most of the rest of the cast from the show doesn't really appear in the main story at all. The novel springs off of a brief story element from one episode of season five (later picked up in one episode of season seven) about Spike fighting an African-American slayer named Nikki Wood in New York in 1977.

Being a book taking place in New York in the late 1970s, and featuring a main character who is black, the book is *very* heavily influenced by blaxploitation cinema (Shaft and Cleopatra Jones and whatnot). There's plenty of talk about how The Fuzz is nothing but a bunch of jive turkeys, and most of the vampires in the city seem to double as gangsters and pimps. Basically, if you like that type of film, and have any interest in the Buffy 'universe', you should be able to get a huge kick out of reading it - DeCandido really seems to relish in being able to tell this type of story. I also appreciate the fleshing out of slayers other than Buffy herself - there's this grand fantasy universe that's been created by Whedon, and it annoys me sometimes that it focuses too much on a single blonde girl in California.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Spike is on the over of this book, this is really more vampire Slayer Nikki Wood's story. And to be honest: I'm glad that's the case. I love Spike (and Drusilla) as characters, but in the show's visual canon we got two quick scenes that told us quite a bit about Nikki Wood and how amazing of a Slayer she was (once in s05 in a Spike flashback, and then later again in s07 when we were learning about Principal Robin Wood). We also got a quick story about Nikki in Tales of the Slayer, Volume 4, which was a short story by another author that gave us their vision of Nikki's Cruciamentum Trial. (That story is disregarded in this story. In that short story, Nikki's Watcher has a completely different name and had already been the Slayer for almost two years when she turned 18, and is noted as being secretly pregnant at the time of the story. In this novel's version of events, Nikki had already given birth to Robin before she was called and was new to being the Slayer when undergoing her Cruciamentum.) In this story, we are given over 200 pages to get to know Nikki and how she operates and what her values are. Most important to her are the disenfranchised minorities of New York (specifically the boroughs around Harlem, Hell's Kitchen, and Times Square), her son Robin, and the random people of New York City that may need her help.

What's interesting about the world that Nikki inhabits is that no one seems to have much trouble believing in vampires or demons, or the Slayer. Most of the people in Nikki's neighborhood know that she is the Slayer, but they simply don't know her name or where she lives.

We are not given much information into what motivates Spike in this particular tale. He comes to New York with the express purpose of finding Nikki and killing her, but no real reason why. I don't think this is lazy writing or anything though. I think the point is that Spike had no real reason why he wanted her dead other than that he was bored and tracking her down was something to do. Spike and Dru are noted for the chaos they bring within the television series (particularly in the early seasons), and while they don't cause the chaos of the blackout in 1977 New York City, they definitely take advantage of it.

Some things in particular that I loved about the book are: the distinct New York landmarks that DeCandido uses to tell the reader *exactly* where something is taking place. In truth, prior to maybe 4 years ago, I would not have been able to picture these sites in my head (so the book could do with a bit more physical description for those who have never been to NYC), but I have visited the city enough times over the last few years that I knew all of these popular landmarks quite well (with the exception of New York Coliseum, which no longer exists). The book does an amazing job making you care about Nikki Wood and her small circle of intimate friends; so much so, in fact, that by the time you get to the last twenty pages, you are dreading the outcome and hoping for a different ending. Fans of the show (which is probably 99% of those who will read this book) know how it all ends before you open the cover, but Nikki feels so real and is so likable that even I, a huge Spike fan, was angry at him and was glad that the First used her image to plague Spike's conscience.

Funny note: as I was reading the dialogue of Nikki's Watcher, Bernard Crowley, I kept picturing older Peter Davison (just based on the physical description), and then later read in the author bio that DeCandido had written Doctor Who novels before. So, maybe, my mental casting wasn't too far off from what the writer had in mind.

[Naomi Starling · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a book starring and focused on Spike, you might need to look elsewhere. I believe that was my biggest hang up, and why it's taken me since December to actually finish this little tale.

However, the author is VERY talented, and although not very Spike-centric, this is definitely worth a read! He's good at writing action, throws in some humor (some good, some not-so-good as with everything), but is bloody ADEPT at breathing LIFE into characters!! If you're going to read this one, get ready to root for BOTH sides as Nikki comes to life more than she ever did on the show, as her son and Watcher have life breathed into them, and as you get to know the whole community of the '70s Slayer! No matter how much of a Spike fan you are, you will come to root for Nikki, and you will hurt for her when what happens happens (without spoiling too much!).

Spike is written well as well, and the author definitely understands his true character. There are also definite moments for Spike/Drusilla fans, and even one for us Spuffy fans.

Most of all, if you've ever wondered what '70s New York was like, especially for its "lower class" citizens, you definitely want to read this book! There are several moments that will definitely make you feel like you are THERE! Honestly, the author's amazing skill at breathing life into '70s New York makes him one I'll keep an eye out for anytime I want to go "traveling"!

[SHR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Buffy novel as it should be!
Lots of fun, characters acting like Joss meant them to (the Spike dialogue is so good, I can hear him saying it) and some background information extended from what we have already been told during the show.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It is about Nikki Wood (Robin’s Mum) and Spike – she is the second slayer he kills. It gives us some more info about Spike, Nikki, Robin and Dru (there is a nice scene with Dru babbling one of her prophecies and the New York vamps thinking she is nuts and this ties in to a later moment in Buffy the TV show, which is also the book’s epilogue).
I especially love the books opening, which is also set in Sunnydale – prior to it moving to New York, where most of the book is set – when Spike is walking back to his crypt, with a video – Henry V – the Branagh one not the Oliver one, because “Branagh’s battle sequences felt more real to Spike”.. highly entertaining.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5, Episode 7: ‘Fool For Love’ I found Spike’s second Slayer kill really cool. I wish I knew her background. Then I read about her in ‘Tales of the Slayer, Volume 4’ - ‘It’s All About the Mission.’ This was my favourite short story from all four books. To then start reading ‘Blackout’ and realise it’s all about Nikki, I was absolutely chuffed. This book is hands down 5 stars. It really captures 1970’s New York City. Nikki is honestly the coolest Slayer and I would loved to have had a spin off tv show about her. So glad DeCandido wrote this book, it gave me everything I wanted to know about Nikki. 100% recommend this book.

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite impressed with this one! I really loved Nikki as a character and almost wanted a different ending despite knowing what was to come. There were some language choices that had me a little iffy in this, but the characters were all vibrant and tiny Robin was so sweet. Would love a novel of his life with Crowley. Would have liked a bit more Dru, but I am very bias in that respect. The novel did very well with crafting a story around the snapshot we got in Fool For Love.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for a media tie-in novel, particularly one not about the main characters of the series. I thought he handled Spike and Drusilla's characterizations well and I could hear their voice in the story. Some of the dialogue by the Harlem residents seemed a bit stereotyping, but that may also be because just watched Luke Cage which was phenomenal in its Harlem characters.

[Bookreader1972 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars.
I love the show, & I think the two episodes that established Nikki Wood as a slayer in the mid '70's Manhattan, NY are among the best episodes.

This book is fantastic. I have always liked Mr. DeCandido's writing & books.

If you like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I highly recommend this one.

[Drululu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todo lo que puedo pedir a un libro de Buffy centrado en Spike y más. Siendo el capítulo en el que nos narran como Spike mató a las dos cazadoras uno de mis favoritos, me ha encantado que este libro abordase no sólo el punto de vista de Spike sino también de la cazadora Nikki Wood y de la excelente forma en que lo hace.

Personajes con la misma esencia que en la serie y libro perfectamente ligado a lo que conocemos que encaja perfectamente aportandonos más. Lo he disfrutado muchísimo.

[Leanne White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love me some old time slayer action with Nikki Wood vs Spike

Nice read for any fan of BTVS. Set in the 1970's when Nikki Wood is the slayer. Includes Spike and Drusilla

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keith DeCandido, from what I see on his profile page, is pretty much exclusively an author of work-for-hire media-tie ins. Generally, I don't see good authors concentrating on that kind of market, but it's notable Buffy's creator Joss Whedon chose to co-write the novelization of Serenity with him, and he's written at least two other Buffy novels. His style is decent, and by and large this Buffyverse novel was entertaining.

The novel is centered on Slayer Nikki Wood, the mother of Principal Wood who fans would remember from Season Seven of Buffy. If you remember her from the couple of episodes she briefly appeared in, "Fool for Love" and "Lies My Parents Told Me, then you know her fate and the basic plot of the book will hold little surprise. Given Nikki's race and the setting in the seventies, DeCandido admits in his Acknowledgements that blaxploitation films such as Shaft, Superfly and Cleopatra Jones were an inspiration for his take. He sets the book during the week of the July 1977 New York City blackouts, and what does make this book fun was the slice of New York City history served up. DeCandido is a native New Yorker who grew up in the city and it shows. He gets so many details right down to the subway tokens, the price of a telephone call back then, the baseball teams, the mayor--lots of little things I often see done wrong even in present day depictions of my city.

Mind you, I don't consider this one a keeper, and this book doesn't make me want to read more of the author. This isn't a standout among the fan fiction, amateur or pro, I've read. But if you're a Buffy fan, this is a fairly entertaining read that did hold me to the end. Among the Buffy pro fiction I've read, it's better than the post-Chosen book Queen of the Slayers, but not impressive like the Faith book Go Ask Malice.

[Brent Ecenbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this book didn't seem particularly well written after the last Buffy book I read (Pretty Maids All in a Row), so why am I giving it five stars? It goes back to what a good book based on an tv show or movie should do: it took characters we already knew and told a compelling story that didn't contradict at all with the established universe and made a few lesser known characters much more interesting.

This story basically takes a 90 second scene from a season six episode of Buffy and set the background for it for 200 pages (Spike is in 1970's New York trying to kill a slayer, who happens to be a young mother). That sort of thing could be very boring and anticlimactic, but instead by the end of the story every page leads to some mounting dread to the inevitable ending we already are aware is coming. Add in some fun touches of the era, like Yankees fun facts, Shaft references, and the dirtiness of Times Square, and it completely won me over by the ending. I look forward to finding more books this strong in the series.

[Ceejay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another enjoyable entry in the various Buffy novels that are available. Blackout has very little to do with Buffy, but instead centers on Spike and his dealings with the Slayer of the 1970's who lived in New York City. This particular Slayer is a young black woman named Nikki, who,against the rules of being a Slayer,has a young son. The title, Blackout, refers to the actual blackout that occured in New York City in 1977. While I enjoyed this novel, I was bothered by the continual "jive talk" that was used by the various characters. While I'm sure its usage is authentic, it came across as dated as the movies and TV shows from that same era. The BeeGees did do a song entitled Jive Talking. But, other than my personel dislike of the continual "jive talk", this novel is well woth reading.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have been reading the Tales of Slayer and one of the things that bothered me about them was it was giving the stories of the last fights of the Slayers, but the two slayers I wanted to know about where never included. Those were the two slayers killed by Spike - the first during the Boxer Rebellion in China and the second, Nikki Wood in New York in 1977.

This book gave me what I wanted it was primarily the story of Spike killing the second slayer Nikki Wood but it also gave details whilst he was remembering of the first slayer in China.

This was so well done, I really got the feel for 1977 New York and the characters were well done and matched those in the series. For me there is nothing bad I can actually say about this book. 5 stars.

[John Michael Strubhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not like most of the Buffy novels, this book takes the reader to July of 1977 and the New York City blackout. The author is a native of the city and the time, which gives credibility to the historical accuracy of the events that occur. Spike and Dru are true to form in this novel. I think that DeCandido does the best job I've seen so far of portraying Dru's precognitive abilities in the creepiest way possible. The back story on Nikki Wood is very satisfying and entertaining in a way that only a person who lived in 1977 NYC could make it. This has been the favorite of my 2011 summer "trash" reading. Now, it's back to astrophysics and epistemology.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. My only complaint was in the fact that the author changed the fact that Nikki was pregnant with Robin before she found out she was the slayer... not after. DeCandido did follow the story IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MISSION by Nancy Holder (story is included in TALES OF THE SLAYER Vol. 4) really well other than for changing this one part. It annoyed me every time there was some mention in the book but I still give it 5 stars as it was a great story and the fight scenes were awesome. Loved how Nikki tricked Spike into taking down Reet's group.

Now to move onto the next story in the Buffyverse...

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Spike. A lot. Instead of following Buffy, Blackout focused on Spike's battle to kill Nikki Wood, the Slayer in the 70s, and Nikki's life. Nikki is one of very few Slayers to have a kid - Robin Wood, who grows up to be the principal of Sunnydale High. The story of Nikki becoming a Slayer an her mission to rid lower-class Manhattan of otherworldly evils was by far the best part of the story, though I did like the outside vamps' perspectives on the insane Drusilla. I like backstory, especially well-written, unchallenging backstory.

[Eric Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nikki the Vampire Slayer!

I don't normally read tie-in fiction, but when I learned about this particular take on the Buffy series, I was intrigued. We only get glimpses of the other Slayers (other than Buffy and Faith). I can understand why the flash we get of Nikki in the series would inspire the author to dig into Nikki's story. New York City in 1977? Tough, streetwise, Slayer? Tons of history (her kid, her jacket, Spike's reputation)... these make great starting ingredients for a tragic and triumphant story. I highly recommend this novel if you're a Spike fan especially.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't normally read movie/tv tie in books find them dissatisfying sketchy on details. At least this book was exploring a minor character from the series so had something new to say. But ultimately knowing the outcome of the story before it happens doesn't help. Would recommend to those only really keen on Spike and the Buffy series in general who read everything that can get their hands on. Me I will stick with the series in future.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how it tied all the history about Spike, even from other books I have read already (pretty maids in a row) I thought it was weird that Robin's character (who is 4 in the book) talks and acts like my 7year old instead of a 4year old.

[Diane Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, which is understandable given the fact that my copy was classified as "Young Adult" by the library I bought it from used. It fleshes out the story of Spike and Nikki Wood, and it stays true to the characters.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting fill in the blank from pre-buffy times.

[Shaun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good background on Nikki! I love Spike and even though a part of me wanted Nikki to live, I liked how ruthless Spike was with her!

[Cody]

Great story!! I loved it.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable Buffy story, telling more about how Spike killed his second slayer, Nikki Woods --

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

More Buffy

[Jens · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://unreality-sf.net/2008/05/21/ar...

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

525 - 2016