Customer Reviews

The Angel Chronicles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vol. 2)

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ANGEL CHRONICLES VOL. 2
Richie Tankersley (1999), based on teleplays "Halloween" by Carl Ellsworth, "What's My Line, Part 1" by Howard Gordon & Marti Noxon, and "What's My Line, Part 2" by Marti Noxon

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.

Whether or not you have seen the episodes "Halloween," and "What's My Line" parts 1 and 2, this book is a must have for all Buffy and Angel fans. Tankersley takes you into the minds of the characters, and gives you a glimpse of the motives for the action we see on television.

"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!

This volume is the novelization of 3 excellent episodes: Halloween - Buffy wants to impress Angel by dressing as a 18th century lady. However Giles'old friend Ethan casts a spell which turns everyone into the character their costume represents. Buffy is helpless and Spike is on the move. What's My Line, Part one and two - Spike sends bounty hunters to kill Buffy. He captures Angel to use him in a ritual to cure Dru and there is a new slayer in town.

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."

I read all 3 of them. the frist one was my fav. but this onewas right up there!

Excellent, absolutely brilliant. I'm a big Buffy fan and I've read most of Buffy books and this one is my favorite one ever. It features 3 of the most classical Buffy episodes. They couldn't have picked any episode better than these 3. They are funny and well-depicted. The thoughts of the characters are funny, awkward and adorable at the same time. This one is even better than the Angel Chronicles Vol. 1 coz Buffy and Angel's relationship has grown stronger and their love for each other is irresistable. You have to read it to love it. If you're a buffy fan, this one is a must, if you're not, get it anyway, you'll love it.

I am a huge fan of Buffy the vampire slayer and i would just like to say that this book totally rocks! I did see all of the episodes that were in this but i personally think that the book is better cuz it's more detailed and stuff. Once i started reading i just couldn't stop-it's totally cool! if u love buffy and Angel and the rest of the gang, be sure to Buy it!

this is one of the first buffy books i have read and it is very good it is well written and has very good pics of angel a must for all buffy and ecspecially Angel fans.

Even though I'd seen all the episodes this book is based on, I just couldn't put it down!! I think it's a great idea to put the best series on TV into book form. I can't wait for the rest of the books to come out in England!

I love BTVS and I really like to see the repeats (not as much as the new ones though) And when I watch them for the 2nd,3rd or even 4th time I look for the details or specific lines or quotes and if you don't catch them they are in this book.

This book has three of the best Buffy episodes in it. I dont think that it could have picked better ones,the only way that this book could have been better is if they added on another section and put 'Becoming' parts one and two in. The episodes also show some of the charectors in a different light,like in 'halowen'Willow is the responsible one, and you also see the forcefull side of Giles. This book is very well writen and I advise anyone to buy it.