Simon Pulse, 416 pp.
Published January 8, 2019
DISCLAIMER: I received a free physical ARC of this title from the publisher for review purposes. This did not inform or influence my opinion in any way.
Nina and her twin sister, Artemis, are far from normal. It’s hard to be when you grow up at the Watcher’s Academy, which is a bit different from your average boarding school. Here teens are trained as guides for Slayers—girls gifted with supernatural strength to fight the forces of darkness. But while Nina’s mother is a prominent member of the Watcher’s Council, Nina has never embraced the violent Watcher lifestyle. Instead she follows her instincts to heal, carving out a place for herself as the school medic.
Until the day Nina’s life changes forever.
Thanks to Buffy, the famous (and infamous) Slayer that Nina’s father died protecting, Nina is not only the newest Chosen One—she’s the last Slayer, ever. Period.
As Nina hones her skills with her Watcher-in-training, Leo, there’s plenty to keep her occupied: a monster fighting ring, a demon who eats happiness, a shadowy figure that keeps popping up in Nina’s dreams…
But it’s not until bodies start turning up that Nina’s new powers will truly be tested—because someone she loves might be next.
One thing is clear: Being Chosen is easy. Making choices is hard.
You'll LOVE it if...you're already a fan of the Buffy-verse.
Slayer incorporates both the Buffy film and TV series, as well as the spin-off television shows and sequel comics that continued after BTVS went off the air in 2003. If that sounds like a lot of previous canon to keep up with...well, it is. However, I've only seen the 1992 movie (whose events directly affect our heroine, Nina) and original series, but still managed to keep up with the lore, relationships, and history just fine! As a big fan of the show, it was a great deal of fun returning to this particular mythology through a new set of characters. I'm sure I missed out on a few references and jokes that tie back into parts of the canon I'm nor familiar with, which should further delight better acquainted fans, but at no point does it feel overwhelming.
Beyond incorporating familiar characters and events, White does a great job of resurrecting (hah!) the key themes that made Buffy and her Scooby Gang so popular with teenagers over twenty years ago. Her continuation of the Buffy-verse tackles the strain of growing up, sibling rivalry, that sense of not belonging, and a child's relationship with her parents with the same nuance that Joss Whedon's show did. Nina is no more infallible than the famous Slayer that precedes her, serving as an important reminder to young women (and men!) that good intentions may not always win the day, and your mistakes do have consequences, but it's how we react to those failures that often defines us.
You'll LIKE it if...you want to see more sisterly relationships in YA genre fiction.
One of the central sources of tension in Slayer comes from the relationship between sisters Nina and Artemis. Like true siblings, the girls are both one another's greatest comfort and support...and the biggest pain in one another's rear. Their exasperation and devotion constantly war with each other, and the girls worry about far bigger problems than the affection of a boy, thankfully! One of the central points of contention between Nina and Artemis arises after it's unmistakable that Nina, somehow, was "activated" as a Slayer. Previously the wallflower to Artemis' star pupil, Nina and her newfound abilities completely upend a power dynamic the girls had lived with for years.
It also further complicates the relationship each has with their mother, whose blatant favoritism inexplicably continues through the novel. Sibling relationships often get watered down or simplified in YA fiction, which has a tendency to focus on romance or, better yet, personal growth. White captures a multi-faceted and down-to-earth sisterly bond with Nina and Artemis that provides a welcome depth to her story.
You MAY NOT LIKE it if...you're expecting non-stop action.
Remember all of that canon that Slayer incorporates? And how I said I never got lost? That's partly because White takes her time—occasionally a bit awkwardly—reminding readers about prior events in the show and comics. All that exposition certainly helps a less informed fan like myself stay oriented with time and characters, but it does slow down the pacing. Slayer is also clearly the first novel in a new series, which means that White is as busy laying the groundwork for a multi-book story arc as she is telling an independent story. Her engaging style of prose and careful plotting still result in an even, fun read that should spawn several equally enjoyable sequels. But if you're entering into this new series expecting the taut pacing of a standalone story, manage your expectations and get ready to settle in for the start of an exciting and empowering new entry in one of my generation's most beloved fandoms!
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