Holder

This book enumerates the 459 men of the Waffen SS (and police) who earned one of the most important decoration of the third reich : the knight cross. This underlines the major role played by the units of the Waffen SS in the german forces during WWII. It also demonstrates the valor of the men (soldiers, nco's and officers, germans and non-germans) who served in these formations.
Personnally, I consider this book as a reference. Simply a must have...

This highly entertaining tale describes how a town's inhabitants react when Rex the dinosaur arrives. Everyone has a unique way of reacting to the great big dinosaur with huge teeth. But the author's description of HOW the town reacts is what makes this story a true delight. Children will be delighted with the detailed and action-packed illustrations. Adults, however, may be surprised to find the pun-filled story line is as entertaining for them as for the intended 4 to 8-year-old reading audience. A true masterpiece of plays on language, parents will find themselves wanting to read this story again and again to their children -- and themselves!

This is an outstanding book! Holder leads you, step by step, through the process. I was analyzing in 30 minutes. I highly recommend this title to anyone who would like to learn how to do this

Ok. I may start to sound obsessed. If I do, that would be because I am. I read the book. Its really cool if your someone like me who likes to watch episodes of Buffy over and over. etc. I happen to tape the eps and watch them every single free minute I have. I enjoyed reading the book because of how it describes things you can only see on TV. David Boreanaz is the best. (you think i'm obsessed now...see my room)I do agree with whoever said that a book should be written about the guy thats not script. Nancy did a great job. She didnt leave out anything. I happen to know ALL the episode quotes by hart..especially "Angel" and she had it out word for word. I hope she will continue to write more books like that. I would definetly recomend it.

This was not the most adult or moving book that I have read, but the subject matter and the way in which it was treated gains my following. I hadn't seen many of the earlier episodes, and so I thought this would be a good way to learn more about the relationship between Buffy and Angel. The author's elaboration of the characters' thought-processes that could not be shown in the tv medium was admirably achieved, and I think that oftentimes the way in which Holden does so far surpasses the tv show; scenes that quickly come and go in the tv show have more significance and deeper meanings in a textual format. I think that people are attracted to the situation between Angel and Buffy precisely because it is a star-crossed love whose outcome we can't foresee. The tragedy of their love is one that makes their feelings for one another that much greater, and draws people to it as something out of the ordinary. Holden's book is a wonderful way to explore the always complex relationships between all the characters on the show, especially Buffy and Angel. I definitely recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen the earlier episodes detailing the relationship between Buffy and Angel, and even more so for those who have seen it.

In another book about the dashing vampire that stole Buffy's heart, Angel is attempting to let go, and not doing a very good job about it! He stalks Buffy everywhere she goes, but convinces her he doesn't love her. Now he's working on convincing himself.
This book is great so if you're a major fan of Buffy, you should get to know the mystery man that Buffy so dearly treasures!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a really good book I thought. Your learn not to be greedy, selfish, and how to spread tons of love around Christmas. It teaches you not to take grantite of what you have. You should be thankful for what you got. The three ghosts of past, present, and the futer of Christmas. Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by all the ghost plus his old friend Jacob Marley. This book is heart warmer to all or at least it should be. I hope everyone takes the time to read this heart warming book and enjoy it time after time.

Aside from the Bible, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is probably the most familiar and well-known book ever published. Scores of film adaptations have been made over the years, taking Dickens' story of one man's redemption to all the corners of the globe. The name Ebenezer Scrooge immediately brings to mind the miserly curmudgeon whose life and very nature were radically changed after the visitation of four ghosts one early Christmas morning. Jacob Marley, Scrooge's former partner, returns in spirit form to warn Scrooge of the ponderous chain he is forging in life by his penny-pinching, selfish, Christmas-hating ways. Then, of course, the ghosts of Christmas past, Christmas present, and Christmas future come to call for an increasingly troubled soul who comes to see the worthlessness of his purely materialistic life. A Christmas Carol offers a truly amazing character study. Scrooge, this seemingly incorrigible fellow, quickly becomes a sympathetic character as we view the circumstances of his life. From a lonely boy rejected by his father (who blames him for the death of his wife in childbirth), we see a sensitive soul, one quite capable of feeling and expressing both happiness and love, grow greedy and cold, shutting even the woman he loves out of his life. Completely broken down by the scenes revealed by the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Scrooge's transformation is remarkably real and powerful.

Little need be said about this timeless classic, as it is a story virtually everyone knows in some detail. The message is clear to all of us, as well. Dickens, the social conscience of the 19th century, illustrates the humanity and worth of even the lowliest of society's members and casts the harsh light of truth on those with the means but not the desire to help their fellow man, giving new life to the cliché "you can't take it with you." Dickens briefly alludes to the religious aspects of the holiday, but he vividly evokes the true and rightful spirit of Christmas in humanistic terms. This is a timeless story that will forever be a part of each Christmas season. Not only does it impart lessons of the highest order, it never fails to charm and delight you no matter how many times you have previously read the story (and watched the movie adaptations) over the years.

Charles Dickens writes this story in such detail that you almost believe you have just enjoyed Christmas dinner at the Cratchits home. The characters have so much depth. The made for t.v. or movie screen renditions do not truly depict what Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses with the three spirits that causes such a change in his outlook on life. Such as Scrooge's emotions being quickened by the past heartache in his childhood; seeing how his bad choices caused the hardening of his heart and how deeply it cost him in the end; seeing what could have been his to enjoy and then thinking it could still be his with the Spirit of Christmas Present only to find out the future does not hold any love or joy for him by the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come and instead his actions leave him robbed at death and no one left to grieve for him. Read the book to hear how this story was really written. Even if you have seen every Christmas Carol movie every made, the book will offer so many gold nuggets that you will think you are hearing it for the very first time. Pictures are beautifully detailed throughout the book. Excellent!!!

One of the things I love most about Buffy as a whole, is character development. This book was so busy with endless action sequences, that the character's personalities were largely ignored.

When the book stops for emotional moments it's hard to care, because the character's have all become cardboard cut-out's of themselves.

I'll go ahead & read the next one- I'm hoping that Golden & Holder will let up a bit on the constant barrage of battle- it gets tedious after awhile.

Proceed with caution.

I have never read a media tie-in that so accurately captured the personalities of the characters as Out of the Madhouse. The authors are not perfect, of course (Oz is just a tad too loquacious, and one would have thought that Angel's soul would prevent him from brutally torturing humans), but they are awfully darn close. Every time a character opens his or her mouth, you can truly hear his or her voice - be it Giles, Buffy, or Xander.

The book is every bit as enjoyable as an episode of Buffy, although the ending is not as powerful as some other reviewers have suggested. The sacrifice the Scooby-gang makes for Buffy is, well, not terribly moving. Compare it to Buffy baring her neck to Angel in the TV series; now *that* was a sacrifice.

If I enjoyed the book, why only three stars? To me, a book that is entertaining and amusing but not profound, moving, provocative, or otherwise exceptional is a three-star book. This is the kind of book one can read on the bus, on a plane, or on the beach. Very enjoyable but not challenging. A fine way to pass the time.

I have to say that this is my favorite Buffy book in the whole series. Some of the things that the characters said weren't in character, and some of the things that they do aren't in character, but you kind of have to expect that from any book made off a TV show. However, Angel was really out of character. First of all, have you ever seen him cry tears of blood in the show? No. He cries normally, like with watery tears. But, I really loved the plot. Especially about the gatehouse with thousands of rooms, and the largest magickal source on Earth. One part I didn't like though, was when Oz was traveling on a ghost road, because Oz never has strong feelings in the show, and in this part, he is so emotional. I liked all the new monsters and demons, because it gave the book a sense of variety. The start of the book is a little dull, but you have to get into it. Once you get to about the middle of the book, it's so good. I really recommend that anybody who likes Buffy the Vampire Slayer read this book. It may have some mistakes, but that plot is really awesome. Overall rating (out of five): 10

Ideal for the Buffy fanatic who will understand all the in-jokes, appreciate the comments within, and recognise every single reference within the book. If you're looking for an episode guide, this is not it. It's a cute scrapbook of Buffy: the High School Years laid out like the Sunnydale High Yearbook, and includes plenty of pictures as well as articles about various school events and societies, with comments from the characters scrawled in (Oz's apology to Buffy for chattering on is hilarious) including a must-read poem by Cordelia and Snyder's remark that at least he can be sure that the school will remain standing long after she leaves it. The pictures near the end include information about each of the characters, ranging from the central figures like Buffy, Willow, Xander, etc to Jonathan and Harmony, to the once-off characters from Season 1 that we'd forgotten about, under headings like interests, activities, and a quote from each of them, as well as their memories. This is possibly the most detailed, for-the-most-obsessive-of-fans section, with characters' shout-outs to one another about various events. My favourite part of the book is one of the ads near the end, placed by a student who has a secret crush on Jonathan and hopes one day to tell him. Very sweet. For die-hard fans, a fun read.

Really funny and witty with a lot of "inside" jokes for BtVS fans. The inside is just like a regular high school yearbook for any school...that was built on a hell mouth and had a mortality rate nearly matching its graduation rate. Great color pictures (HS Cordy, need I say more?) and quotes from the 3 best seasons (IMHO) of the late great BtVS. Thank God it lives on in FX reruns about 16 times a day and the DVDs are very reasonably priced.

Ok, so it's not quite identical to the one we see at the end of "Graduation Day Pt. 2", but this is one of the most interesting and unusual keepsake books to come down the pike in a long time.

No argument -- Nancy Holder and Christopher Golden know the Buffyverse as only Joss Whedon would, and it reflects in everything they do. And the Sunnydale High Yearbook is a prime example.

Now, how to classify it -- it's not a reference manual for the show (that would be The Monster Book or The Watchers Guides, which Holder and Golden also worked on), but it is chock full of interesting tidbits. And it's not a fiction work; this is borrowed straight from the show itself.

Frankly, imagine if you somehow got your hands on Buffy Summers' senior yearbook, complete with signatures in the magins and even extra photos taped in covering the moments that the yearbook editor probably would have preferred stayed out. Now you have an idea of what this is.

There's a section on the sports programs, senior photos, an extensive "in memoriam" section, even ads posted in the back from places like The Bronze or the Espresso Pump. In a way, this book is neat because Holder and Golden put in a lot of thought as to what the other students might have been doing when they weren't interacting with Buffy and the Scoobies. Like, when they weren't picking on Lance or being possessed by hyenas, what activities might Kyle and his friends been involved in? Did Owen Thurman belong to any clubs? How about Jonathan Levenson? Harmony Kendall?

The Sunnydale High Yearbook fleshes out some of the backstory in a very believable way, making the whole world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer seem that much more real. Oh, and as an added treat, while most of the pages are obviously from Buffy's yearbook (with signatures and comments mostly from Willow and Xander, but also others like Giles, Cordelia, Oz and Angel), the very last pages must have been borrowed from Marcy Ross' yearbook -- it's all a bunch of signatures that say, "Have a nice summer."

Anyhow, this is definite addition to any Buffy fan's collection, and makes a great gift for someone who lives in the Buffyverse.

Having read several of Golden's "Buffy" novels, this one disappointed me. It is the first I've read by Holder, however. I had several issues with this book. The major problem was the constant shift in point of view. Flashbacks, minor characters, everyone and her sidekick had a point of view it seemed. It made for some confusing reading, but at least the flashbacks were clearly marked. Had they stuck to two or three major character points of view, I would have enjoyed the story more. The other major flaw, IMO, was Cordelia. Where were they in Buffyverse history in this book? Is this before or after the Cordelia-Xander breakup? I couldn't figure it out, and that was annoying. Cordelia just plays a more major role than I am able to stomach, especially if this is post-Xander.

On the other hand, the plot and Big Bad of this book were very interesting and well thought out. The fact that I dislike both Cordelia and Angel must have some bearing on my enjoyment of the book as well. And it's difficult to read Buffy books without trying to place them within the context of the show. All in all, the characters rang true, the story was interesting if scattered, and this book is a decent to good addition to the Buffyverse.

While I don't think Immortal is as good as my favorite BtVS novel, The Lost Slayer (also by Christoper Golden), it's still a very good read. I think the only shortfall of this story compared to the other is that The Lost Slayer is a considerably longer tale, and therefore more intricate and detailed.

This one is set in Buffy's senior year at Sunnydale High. There's one passing reference to the Mayor, but no mention of Faith. Angel is a major player in the story (it does take place after his return from Hell, and all the Scoobies know he's back), and much of the book is about the anguish between Angel and Buffy over the curse and how they can't be together but long to. The characters of Angel and Buffy are explored in great detail, the remaining characters are there mainly in as much as they interact with Buffy or Angel, although there is a little bit of time spent following the now defunkt relationship between Xander and Cordelia, and the blossoming relationship between Oz and Willow (as well as Willow's further foray into magic).

The story follows a new vampire in Sunnydale, Veronique, who has the ability to be re-incarnated into the next vampire sired in her general vicinity whenever she's dusted. She serves a three-in-one demon called the Triumverate, who she hopes to release on Earth, and her reward for doing so will be true immortality -- a single body that cannot be destroyed. Meanwhile, as Buffy grapples with the unkillable vampire, she's faced with her mother's mortality as well as her own, as Joyce is sick and has a mass on one of her lungs (although the book is set prior to season 5, I'm not sure when it was penned, if Joyce's death in the series had any affect). Angel's own immortality isn't any help -- every time he's around, his presence only reminds Buffy of how she, her mother and everyone else will eventually die.

It's a fascinating read, and very well written. I really enjoyed how the different events going on in Buffy's life (her mother, Angel and Veronique) all played into each other (a single underlying theme linked all three story elements), much the way multiple storyline elements do in the series.

I stumbled upon "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series this fall and am hooked(and "Angel" too). I spotted the book "Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Immortal" at the local library new book section and had to read it. Now I'm hooked on the books. This book was hard to put down. I lost a lot of sleep enjoying the story line. I enjoyed the today lingo that matched the TV Buffy's dialog nuances. I felt like I was watching the TV Buffy show in my mind's eye while reading with the added gift of knowing everyone's thoughts that only reading can provide. My only wish is that I had been a fan from the beginning of the whole story line. But catching up will be fun. The only thing I wondered about this new book published just recently, was why Buffy was still a Senior in High School when the TV series has her a Freshman in College.

Golden and Holder have done it again. Well, technically, they did it *before* in Blooded, but as I read The Gatekeeper first . . . . Golden and Holder are masters at capturing the personalities of the Buffy characters. Almost without exception, the reader can *hear* the lines being spoken Sarah Michelle Gellar, et al. (Sometimes they are *too* successful, in fact; reading, "Um, yes, of course" from Giles over and over and over again can be tiring.) The plot is an interesting one, involving the importation of medieval spirits from China and Japan; flashbacks to the Far East flesh out these spirits and give the final conflict between them more resonance than a simple "evil dudes, use stake" battle.

Blooded is not, by any means, a perfect tie-in. The story drags at times and other reviewers have been justified in noting that the dynamic between the characters does not seem quite right. In fairness to the authors, we really do not know how much information was available to them when they wrote the novel. It appears they knew that Angel killed Jenny Calendar, but not the circumstances surrounding Angel's "resurrection." So, while *we* know that there remained a great deal of distrust between the Scooby Gang and Angel, and that Angel and Buffy themselves no longer slept together (literally slept!) to avoid temptation, the authors probably did not. And so they have Willow, Xander, et al., constantly thinking about how Angel tried to kill them, "but he was Angelus then, so that's okay." Golden and Holder should not have been expected to exactly predict the direction the series was going to go in.

Blooded is, however, an enjoyable, quick and painless read, one which should be enjoyable to all Buffy fans.

Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder have provided us with an *incredible* Buffy book in "Blooded"... even better than their "Halloween Rain!" After reading (and being greatly disappointed with) "Night of the Living Rerun," "Blooded" was a fresh read with an easy plot. Basically, Buffy and the gang release (by accident) an old (and powerful) vampire upon Sunnydale, where it wreaks havoc. The book richly describes background scenes and intertwines the past and present in a completely satisfying way. "Blooded" takes place after the second season of the television show and uses and/or mentions *all* the characters (like Cordy, Angel, and even Principal Snyder!). I found the book very funny with several inside jokes (if you watch the television show or surf the Internet). In fact, I found myself surprised that so much humor did not detract from the plot! I must say that this is the best Buffy book to date, a definite g! ! ood read with an excellent and masterfully woven plot. Readers will be sure to enjoy this one!

I have to admit, I have a sentimental attachment to this book. It was the first Buffy book in the series I had ever read, and now I'm addicted to these books. I've read them all. I love Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder. Their books are definitly the best in the series. They are a very good team, and they write beautifully. The characters are written very well, and it's chock-full (what a word!) of typical Buffy humor. It's a great book. The only problem I had with it was all of the jumping back to ancient China and Japan. It had the book a little confusing, but if you read carefully, it all makes sense. I love this book!

HALLOWEEN RAIN
Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder (1997)

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: First Season

CAST APPEARANCES: Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, Cordelia, Joyce, Aphrodesia

MAJOR ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: Samhain (Pumpkin King); Glenn O'Leary (town nutcase); Claire Bellamy (Bronze manager); Nick Daniels (Bronze assistant manager)

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY

"Around Sunnydale, they say a scarecrow saturated with Halloween rain will come alive and slaughter anyone in sight. (Lovely place, Sunnydale.) Buffy's best friends, Xander and Willow, used to think the tale was nonsense-but after a few adventures with Buffy, they're not so sure. Even without a maniacal scarecrow, a Sunnydale Halloween is a truly horrific happening. There are enough zombies and vampires about, ready to party hearty and eat some brains, to keep the Slayer and her friends up all night. And then the rain starts to fall . . ."

REVIEW

The first original Buffy novel sticks closely to the style of early first season episodes. All the basic elements are here: a fight against vampires near the Bronze; Giles in full research mode at the library; patrols and battles at a cemetery, etc. The main plot of Halloween Rain is the emergence of Samhain, the Pumpkin King, a powerful demon that inhabits the body of a scarecrow on Halloween. After disrupting a vampire attack in the basement of the Bronze, Buffy learns of Samhain's existence from Sunnydale's resident madman, Glenn O'Leary. She ends up near a cemetery when legions of zombies attack, and manages to escape them only by running into a cornfield-and there, of course, Samhain makes his move.

The novel is clearly written with a young adult audience in mind, as it's slim and straightforward. Most of the characters are written well, but without the witty dialogue of the television show. Some good moments include a Halloween party with Xander as Indiana Jones, Willow as the X-Files' Scully, and Buffy as a pirate; Giles telling of the 17th Century Irish Slayer Erin Randall; and a scene where Samhain manages to scare Buffy almost to death.

Overall, Halloween Rain is a simple but solid Buffy novel, more of interest now for its nostalgia appeal than for anything else, though it would serve as a good introduction for adolescents unfamiliar with the Buffyverse

The story centers around Samhain, the spirit of Halloween. Legend has it that on Halloween night, if a Scarecrow is soaked with Halloween Rain, he will slaughter anyone who tresspasses on his field. This is considered a myth, but upon further research it's found to have some truth.

Let me start off by saying Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder are great writers, and have a solid handle on the Buffy characters. The plot is interesting, dialogue good, and ending is exciting, if someone predictable.

My problem with the books is that it's a Young Adult book, which really isn't a problem. Being a college student, I've come to expect more out of my books. But the writers cannot be blamed, because this is the audience to which they are writing. Some of the slang gets really annoying, and I do mean REALLY annoying. The dialouge sometimes resembles the movie Clueless. I think they went a bit far on the slang. Granted, this book does take place in the first season, where there was a bit more of this. But the writers of the show have wisely moved away from it.

Overall this is a solid book, though it's very short. The plot, although interesting, is really a bit simplistic. I'd recommend it to any casual or die-hard Buffy fan. ...

The legend is that when it rains on Hallowe'en a scarecrow will come alive and slaughter anyone in sight. Of course Buffy doesn't believe it, but this is Sunnydale and legends have a nasty habit of coming true. Soon Giles uncovers the story of a past slayer who encountered the demon Samhain and lost. Now Buffy must face the Lord of Samhuinn and destroy his spirit forever...

This was one of the scariest Buffy the Vampire Slayer novels I have read so far. The characterisation was very good and the plot was suspenseful and absorbing, although it did take a while to get going. The darkness and the rain creates a creepy, tense atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. The second half of the book is far superior to the first and the battle between Buffy and Samhain provides a worthwhile climax. Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder have produced what are arguably some of the best Buffy books, and their other works include the Gatekeeper Trilogy, Immortal and Child of the Hunt. I recommend "Halloween Rain" to all fans of the series.

~Jenna~