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Buffyverse Novels #88
Angel: Dark Mirror
Even if it takes an eternity, he will make amends...
THE SINCEREST FORM In his two-plus centuries on Earth, Angel's seen his share of kindly, misguided people intrigued by the exotic business of being a P.I.; not-so-kindly misguided people drawn to the lure of the undead unlife. But so far he's not encountered a clone -- a true double. Enter Angel, the Second. And Fred 2.0. And Wesley Redux....A steady parade of perfect doubles arrives at Angel Investigations, but they're not looking for help. They want the original humans (and vampire) dead. And if Angel, Lorne, and their friends can't band together to figure out where the clones are coming from, a murder spree that starts in their lobby might spread to the entire city. But how do you defeat someone who knows your every thought, your every battle plan, your darkest fear? How can Angel defeat himself ?
THE SINCEREST FORM In his two-plus centuries on Earth, Angel's seen his share of kindly, misguided people intrigued by the exotic business of being a P.I.; not-so-kindly misguided people drawn to the lure of the undead unlife. But so far he's not encountered a clone -- a true double. Enter Angel, the Second. And Fred 2.0. And Wesley Redux....A steady parade of perfect doubles arrives at Angel Investigations, but they're not looking for help. They want the original humans (and vampire) dead. And if Angel, Lorne, and their friends can't band together to figure out where the clones are coming from, a murder spree that starts in their lobby might spread to the entire city. But how do you defeat someone who knows your every thought, your every battle plan, your darkest fear? How can Angel defeat himself ?
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 5, 2004
241 people want to read
About the author
Craig Shaw Gardner
151 books134 followersCraig Shaw Gardner was born in Rochester, New York and lived there until 1967, when he moved to Boston, MA to attend Boston University. He graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Broadcasting and Film. He has continued to reside in Boston since that time.
He published his first story in 1977 while he held a number of jobs: shipper/receiver for a men's suit manufacturer, working in hospital public relations, running a stat camera, and also managed of a couple of bookstores: The Million Year Picnic and Science Fantasy Bookstore.
As of 1987 he became a full time writer, and since then he has published more than 30 novels and more than 50 short stories.
He also published under these pseudonyms:
Peter Garrison
He published his first story in 1977 while he held a number of jobs: shipper/receiver for a men's suit manufacturer, working in hospital public relations, running a stat camera, and also managed of a couple of bookstores: The Million Year Picnic and Science Fantasy Bookstore.
As of 1987 he became a full time writer, and since then he has published more than 30 novels and more than 50 short stories.
He also published under these pseudonyms:
Peter Garrison
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 20, 2023
This novel is another tie-in to Angel, the television show that was spun-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's set in the fourth-season continuity, with the full cast and many of the recurring characters appearing... many of them in multiple versions. It's a fun story in which exact copies of Angel and Fred and the core gang popping up to cause chaos and confusion. The character differences is quite well illustrated by subtlety in the writing, and I especially enjoyed Gardner's depiction of Lorne. It'sa one of my favorites in the long-running series.
October 7, 2023
I feel like I really loved these angel novels as a kid and they haven’t held up very well
May 25, 2017
"What, am I working with the Seven Sinners, or the Seven Stupids?"
I enjoyed the story overall, but did have some problems with the book.
When your are facing off an enemy that can take your shape, form, and memories, who can you really trust? It's a good thing that we have a demon who can read souls on our side.
It was a good story, set somewhere in season four or five from what I read. My main problems with it stemmed from the writing itself. It was very easy to tell the demon counterparts from their originals because of the choices the author made. (i.e. "the demon Lorne," "sinner Angel.") I feel like it took some of the suspense out of the story. The ending was a little anticlimactic for me as well.
My only other big complaint was the amount of info dumping in the book. Since I've seen the show I don't need the amount of summarizing and resummarizing of the same info throughout.
But, like I said, it was overall an enjoyable story and rather fast read.
I enjoyed the story overall, but did have some problems with the book.
When your are facing off an enemy that can take your shape, form, and memories, who can you really trust? It's a good thing that we have a demon who can read souls on our side.
It was a good story, set somewhere in season four or five from what I read. My main problems with it stemmed from the writing itself. It was very easy to tell the demon counterparts from their originals because of the choices the author made. (i.e. "the demon Lorne," "sinner Angel.") I feel like it took some of the suspense out of the story. The ending was a little anticlimactic for me as well.
My only other big complaint was the amount of info dumping in the book. Since I've seen the show I don't need the amount of summarizing and resummarizing of the same info throughout.
But, like I said, it was overall an enjoyable story and rather fast read.
September 11, 2023
Fun. The writer was well aware of where in the show this is and dropped nice hints on Cordy’s character and other plot points. I really appreciated that. Love a bit of Lilah and Wesley.
Overall, havinga bunch of doubles running around was a good time and something I would have liked to see on the show. The ending was a bit abrupt though.
Strangers thing: Cordy repeatedly choosing to sing showtunes. I feel like they didn’t want to date the text by going ”Cordy sang Britney Spears’ XX hit” or whatever, and instead choose stuff like Memories from Cats. The idea of Charisma Carpenter singing that sent chills down my spine. It also felt quite out of character. But that’s really my only gripe with this book.
Overall, havinga bunch of doubles running around was a good time and something I would have liked to see on the show. The ending was a bit abrupt though.
Strangers thing: Cordy repeatedly choosing to sing showtunes. I feel like they didn’t want to date the text by going ”Cordy sang Britney Spears’ XX hit” or whatever, and instead choose stuff like Memories from Cats. The idea of Charisma Carpenter singing that sent chills down my spine. It also felt quite out of character. But that’s really my only gripe with this book.
November 29, 2023
Have had this book in my shelf for well around a decade. One of the first books/items I ever ordered online with my first ever credit card!! Hahahaha
Anyways, one of the better written Buffy/Angel novels I have read! The writing was good and not clunky! The author seemed to have actually done research OR had a real interest in the show and its canon/lore. I was able to decipher exactly when this story fit in to season four. There were little nods to upcoming storylines to come in the upcoming season as well. I was impressed. The characterizations were well done, and it felt like it could be adapted into a true episode of the show.
Glad I finally got around to reading it after all this time!
Anyways, one of the better written Buffy/Angel novels I have read! The writing was good and not clunky! The author seemed to have actually done research OR had a real interest in the show and its canon/lore. I was able to decipher exactly when this story fit in to season four. There were little nods to upcoming storylines to come in the upcoming season as well. I was impressed. The characterizations were well done, and it felt like it could be adapted into a true episode of the show.
Glad I finally got around to reading it after all this time!
October 2, 2020
A decent Angel read. It was engaging and a fun plot. The ending was slow and kind of fell apart, but over all the author captured the characters well.
February 9, 2017
This was actually one of the better Angel adaptions. This was much better than I was expecting. It was a nice, easy, fun, quick read. The characters were in line with those on the TV show and acted how you would expect them to. There was even the links to show how it was in line with the timeline. The storyline was actually quite good to and was entertaining. 4 stars.
July 17, 2009
Based in the fourth season before Cordelia has her memory back. This story has some incongruity to it. The first being Cordelia participating and helpful with no memory.
Being a fan of the series I decided I wanted to see more stories with these characters. Sadly this being the first one I found on a bookshelf left me lacking in a need to search out more.
The plot felt weak, the characters uninvolved, the wrap unexplained and quick.
I would not recommend this as a first Angel read. Maybe this is for the die hard fan. It left me unimpressed.
Being a fan of the series I decided I wanted to see more stories with these characters. Sadly this being the first one I found on a bookshelf left me lacking in a need to search out more.
The plot felt weak, the characters uninvolved, the wrap unexplained and quick.
I would not recommend this as a first Angel read. Maybe this is for the die hard fan. It left me unimpressed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 7, 2007I walk the line between being proud of my utter geekdom and being vaguely aware that I'm 28 years old and it's somehow wrong. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Not that it's a great book, mind you, just a reasonable treatment of the "Angel" TV series, and it has good characaterization, especially when Angel and Angelus have to fight each other. This part was also sort of unintentionally erotic. I have to go now.
July 15, 2012
Yeah, I'm a little embarrassed to admit I read this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews