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Buffyverse Novels #27
The Deathless
As if Ring Day weren't enough to make Buffy Summers anxious (she can't even afford one of the less expensive silver bands), the Slayer has her hands full trying to figure out why an average split-level house in Sunnydale has all the vampires spooked. When she arrives at the library to discuss this new development with Giles, a package he's received from an old folklorist in Russia reveals what's going on: The stars are properly aligned for an attempt to resurrect Koschei the Deathless, a long-dead evil sorcerer. So while her classmates are busy choosing rings to demonstrate their school spirit, Buffy must figure out how to keep someone from reviving Koschei and, should she need to resort to plan B, how to kill him again.
A little investigating soon leads Buffy and the gang to the necromancer who originally killed the sorcerer, an immortal Russian sorceress named Yulia Dryanushkina, who can control vampires (which explains their reluctance to pass by her place of residence). When the crew pays Yulia a visit, she assures them that with Willow's assistance, she would be able to kill the sorcerer again should he be revived.
Neither Buffy nor Willow are particularly comfortable with aligning themselves with the necromancer, but they have no other choice when, twenty-four hours later, the vampires start behaving strangely . . . and half the senior class goes missing.
A little investigating soon leads Buffy and the gang to the necromancer who originally killed the sorcerer, an immortal Russian sorceress named Yulia Dryanushkina, who can control vampires (which explains their reluctance to pass by her place of residence). When the crew pays Yulia a visit, she assures them that with Willow's assistance, she would be able to kill the sorcerer again should he be revived.
Neither Buffy nor Willow are particularly comfortable with aligning themselves with the necromancer, but they have no other choice when, twenty-four hours later, the vampires start behaving strangely . . . and half the senior class goes missing.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2007
8 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 29, 2023
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is a book that is based on the television show. This takes place during the third season. In this one the Scoobies have an adventure that has to do with Baba Yaga from Russian folklore.
This book was well done and I enjoyed my time in this universe. I just read another book based during the third season and that really never felt like it truly belonged in the third season. This one did as we had Faith fighting with the Scoobies and the repercussions of the episode "The Zeppo" as this takes place right afterwards. With a media tie-in novel I want the characters to be what I know of them. This book excels in that regard as I had no problem visualizing each character. I could tell that the author is either a fan of the show or watched the show several times as he truly portrayed each character. As for the story I enjoyed it as this is basically a one off for the show. I liked the idea of tackling some Russian folklore and I thought the depiction of Baba Yaga held true. I could be wrong about this as I do not know much of the folklore legend. The only flaw that I had with this book was the author incorporated too many callbacks from the show. It was a little overdone. Do not get me wrong. Some were brilliant as they foreshadowed things to come. Some just seem forced.
I am a fan of media tie-in novels when they are done right and the characters are the characters I fell in love with. This is one of those times. I enjoyed my whole time back in this universe. If you are a fan of Buffy and you would like one more adventure with these beloved characters this book provides that exactly.
This is a book that is based on the television show. This takes place during the third season. In this one the Scoobies have an adventure that has to do with Baba Yaga from Russian folklore.
This book was well done and I enjoyed my time in this universe. I just read another book based during the third season and that really never felt like it truly belonged in the third season. This one did as we had Faith fighting with the Scoobies and the repercussions of the episode "The Zeppo" as this takes place right afterwards. With a media tie-in novel I want the characters to be what I know of them. This book excels in that regard as I had no problem visualizing each character. I could tell that the author is either a fan of the show or watched the show several times as he truly portrayed each character. As for the story I enjoyed it as this is basically a one off for the show. I liked the idea of tackling some Russian folklore and I thought the depiction of Baba Yaga held true. I could be wrong about this as I do not know much of the folklore legend. The only flaw that I had with this book was the author incorporated too many callbacks from the show. It was a little overdone. Do not get me wrong. Some were brilliant as they foreshadowed things to come. Some just seem forced.
I am a fan of media tie-in novels when they are done right and the characters are the characters I fell in love with. This is one of those times. I enjoyed my whole time back in this universe. If you are a fan of Buffy and you would like one more adventure with these beloved characters this book provides that exactly.
December 26, 2022
Willow walked up to Faith. “You okay?”This was a super fun Buffy story, taking place between episodes 13 and 14 of season 3. I thought the author truly nailed the way the characters talk (and think), there was just a ton of humorous dialogue that would’ve been right at home on the show. It technically wasn’t quite as strong as it could’ve been, plot-wise, but was still highly entertaining overall, jam-packed with that distinctive Buffy brand of humor that every fan of the show has grown to know and love. This was my first Buffy novel, but it definitely won’t be my last!
“Five by five.” Then she smiled. “Okay, maybe five by four. But I’ll live.”
July 7, 2022
This is a short and fast-paced Buffy story set within the framework of the show's third season. It involves interesting and unusual Russian mythology, and the characters seem to be portrayed realistically. A nice, quick read, which would (to coin a cliche) have made a good episode of the show.
October 27, 2019
Loved this one! Baba Yaga was mysterious and would love to know more about her.
April 12, 2020
Graduation is coming up fast for Sunnydale High's Class of 1999, but before that, Buffy and her Scooby Gang must stop the resurrection of Russian sorcerer Koschei the Deathless before the spell consumes the entire senior class.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie in novels usually come in two types -- books that brilliantly blends the familiar characters into new situations and add to the mythology of the show, like Nancy Holder's The Book of Fours. Other books (which I won't name) are short, shallow novels mostly designed to get Buffy fans to part with their hard-earned cash. The Deathless is in the middle. It lacks the depth to get to true brilliance, but it does weave together a compelling story, bringing Russian mythological characters like Koschei the Deathless and Baba Yaga to Sunnydale in a way that seems like it might have been an episode of the show.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer tie in novels usually come in two types -- books that brilliantly blends the familiar characters into new situations and add to the mythology of the show, like Nancy Holder's The Book of Fours. Other books (which I won't name) are short, shallow novels mostly designed to get Buffy fans to part with their hard-earned cash. The Deathless is in the middle. It lacks the depth to get to true brilliance, but it does weave together a compelling story, bringing Russian mythological characters like Koschei the Deathless and Baba Yaga to Sunnydale in a way that seems like it might have been an episode of the show.
August 30, 2023
Buffy teams up with an unlikely source… Baba Yaga. It oddly works! Takes place during Season 3. The author does well capturing the witty banter of the characters but overall it just wasn’t that exciting.
January 16, 2018
A fairly good approximation of buffy as it was in season 3. Faith seemed a little one dimensional
December 21, 2024
Great short read for Buffy fans! Oh how I miss the gang!
February 12, 2025
After the recent Buffy spinoff announcement I decided to read one of the novels, and this did not disappoint. The characters and dialogue were spot-on, and the story was really well thought out.
July 2, 2010
This is an original novel based on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, one of my favorite tv shows ever. The author has written several novelized versions of shows, like Buffy and Firefly. Seeing as how Buffy is off my tv forever, I thought I'd try out a quick fix in book form. It wasn't too bad. Definitely not the show but the author kept to each character's personality pretty well. You did almost think you were back at Sunnydale.
In this story, Buffy and the senior class deal with Ring Day, where the students get their class rings. Who knew that was basically mandatory? Wasn't in my school. Anyways, Buffy can't afford one and Xander works his butt off to afford one, since he believes it will make him part of the cool crowd.
Giles receives word that Koschei the Dealthless is about to be resurrected in Sunnydale. Apparently, he wasn't really deathless. But close. A sorcerer named Baba Yaga claims to have been the one to kill him and wants to make sure he doesn't come back. Enter in all sorts of characters from Russian folklore and it's one little Big Bad.
Good beach read, which is where I read it. Quick and entertaining.
In this story, Buffy and the senior class deal with Ring Day, where the students get their class rings. Who knew that was basically mandatory? Wasn't in my school. Anyways, Buffy can't afford one and Xander works his butt off to afford one, since he believes it will make him part of the cool crowd.
Giles receives word that Koschei the Dealthless is about to be resurrected in Sunnydale. Apparently, he wasn't really deathless. But close. A sorcerer named Baba Yaga claims to have been the one to kill him and wants to make sure he doesn't come back. Enter in all sorts of characters from Russian folklore and it's one little Big Bad.
Good beach read, which is where I read it. Quick and entertaining.
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October 10, 2008I think that I should probably stay away from BtVS novels, as Buffy's fun little quips and whatnot are just nowhere as interesting in novel-form than they are live-action. I read YA fiction all the time, and love it, but I wasn't excited about the writing here.
It was fun to see this take on Baba Yaga, and the story overall was quite good. I think I'll stick to the show & to the graphic novels in the future. Won't give a rating, probably not fair!
It was fun to see this take on Baba Yaga, and the story overall was quite good. I think I'll stick to the show & to the graphic novels in the future. Won't give a rating, probably not fair!
January 14, 2011
A great trip back to Sunnydale, with characters so spot on I could hear them in my head.
June 15, 2015
Read just like an episode of the show.
July 13, 2012
I actually really enjoyed this story. Each character seemed exactly right and the plot was interesting, if a bit predictable.
February 25, 2019
More Scooby Gang
May 14, 2014
I can always make time for a Buffy novel. The show is gone, and now I can be entertained by the novels.This one is based on Russian folklore, and it fills the bill.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews