Angel Chronicles #2 [School & Library Binding]

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Two

CAST APPEARANCES: Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Spike, Xander, Willow, Giles, Principal Snyder, Larry, Ethan Rayne, Drusilla, Oz, Dalton, Kendra, Willy

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "The course of love in Sunnydale never runs smoothly, especially for Buffy Summers the Vampire Slayer and her boyfriend, Angel the vampire. They're going through the usual early stages of a romantic relationship--dressing to impress, going on coffee dates, and saving the world. When Buffy tries to be more like the girls from Angel's distant past, she succeeds a little too well--becoming helpless in the face of real evil.
Career week at school finds Buffy questioning her future as the Slayer--and all the relationship baggage that title comes with--until an unexpected ally gives new insight into her calling. And when Angel is taken hostage by an old aquaintance [sic] with sinister plans, Buffy realizes she must draw on all her passion to save the one she loves. Now, collected for the first time, are three stories from the hit-TV series chronicling Buffy and Angel's growing romantic relationship."

REVIEW

Volume 2 of the Angel Chronicles novelizes three strong Second Season episodes. The novelizations stick very close to the scripts, with the only original material being a new prologue and a new epilogue.

In "Halloween," Buffy and her friends are transformed into the people they've dressed up as for Halloween--thus, Willow becomes a real ghost, Xander becomes a soldier, and Buffy turns into a simpering eighteenth century noblewoman. A good example of how the show can be humorous without becoming stupid and silly (contrast some season four episodes) makes "Halloween" a good read.

"What's My Line" parts 1 and 2 introduce Kendra the Vampire Slayer and sees Buffy attempting to survive a trio of assassins while facing teen career-fair angst. These episodes have some fun action sequences, introduce a whole new dimension to Cordelia and Xander's relationship, and provide more insight into how Buffy views her life. Spike and Drusilla play a major role in part 2.

Much like Volume 1 of the Chronicles, Angel fans should note that their gel-haired favorite is mostly on the sideline in the first story, although "Halloween" does have a few touching scenes involving Buffy and Angel's failed first date.
The "What's My Line" stories contain more Angel, as his presence is a major plot point in Spike and Drusilla's plans.

Overall, Richie Tankersley delivers a smooth, straightforward adaptation of all three episodes with no surprises.

"Halloween" is one of the funiest episodes in the BTVS series. All hell breakes loose when the population of Sunnydale is transformed into their halloween costumes. And who is there to fight the children turned demons? Not the slayer, who unfortunately believes herself to be a noblewoman from the 18th century! There is a serious side to the episode, however. The appearance of an old friend reveals secrets Giles would rather have remain hidden.

"What's my Line" is an emportant episode in the Buffy mythology. Besides bringing up the possibility of there being two slayers in one time, we also see the beginings of a beautiful relationship between Willow and Oz!

A good read, and definately worth the buy!

The three stories focus on Angel's love for Buffy. Also Buffy comes face to face with the problem of a slayer loving a vampire. Everyone wants Angel dead and Buffy is determined to stop them because as she says, "Nobody messes with my boyfriend."