*I got this book for review for my honest thoughts*

I really thought his book was so fun. I really wish I had re-read book one before the reading book 2. But I really loved being back in the Slayer world. I really loved the new characters overall. I also loved the main plot and mystery at the heart of this novel. I also loved the various camoes we got from buffy verse characters including one of my all time favorite characters. I really loved how Kirsten tackled this world and this character and would def check out future books if we ever get them!! ( )

*I got this book for review for my honest thoughts*

I really thought his book was so fun. I really wish I had re-read book one before the reading book 2. But I really loved being back in the Slayer world. I really loved the new characters overall. I also loved the main plot and mystery at the heart of this novel. I also loved the various camoes we got from buffy verse characters including one of my all time favorite characters. I really loved how Kirsten tackled this world and this character and would def check out future books if we ever get them!! ( )

You know when you’re reading a book, and the main character is keeping secrets that are going to make everything worse, and you yell at the book, “Stop keeping secrets, Nina!”? That was me this whole book.

Keeping secrets for contrived reasons is maybe my least favorite plot device, so that was a strike against this one for sure. Besides that, there was just a lot of angst and martyrdom at play, and I was frustrated by that too.

But I do like the crossover that this duology has with the Buffy TV series and the Buffy comics. Having watched/read both made this a fun read when characters weren’t driving me crazy. And Oz shows up! I loved that. I liked the Watcher angle, and I enjoyed the friendships among the watchers and the demon characters. The big finale was decent, and I was happy with the ending, even though parts were tied up rather tidily.

If you’re a die-hard Buffy fan, these are pretty quick reads and kind of fun. I haven’t read any other tie-in novels—just the graphic novels—so I don’t know how it compares to other stuff out there. ( )

Reading Chosen, being back in the Buffyverse, made me feel twenty years younger. It made me feel as if anything – and everything – is possible, the way I did before adulthood punched me in the face. Twenty-something Michelle shouted with joy every time a beloved character entered a scene. Hells, I practically sobbed with joy at every Buffy mention. The nostalgia factor is just as huge in this sequel as it was with the first book.

In this book, Kiersten White really proves that she understands what makes the Buffyverse so special. Yes, she did this to some extent in the first book, but her knowledge of the voice and tics of the story really shine in this second novel. She perfectly captures the tenor of the dialogue and the pacing of the story. She also excels at balancing the violence with the humor with the lessons learned. Plus, her characters are stars in their own right. Nina has the best sense of community. Yet, you totally understand Artemis’ desire to feel special. I may have started the Slayer series because of my love of all things Buffy, but I continue to read the series because it is everything I love about Buffy with a modern-day approach to inclusion, duty, and love.

The Chosen begins a few weeks after the finale of Slayer, in which Nina successfully averted an apocalypse, but accidentally killed her (sort of) boyfriend/watcher, Leo, and was deserted by her twin sister, Artemis.

With the castle they call home being repurposed as a Sanctuary for Slayers and demons in need, Nina should be focused on their new mission, instead she’s distracted by grief, and the dark edge she feels to her newly restored powers. But with a new ‘big bad’ rising, Nina hasn’t got time to wallow if she’s going to save the world - again.

The storyline feels as if it would fit well within the Buffyverse. It’s nicely paced with a good dose of action and humour. I was delighted by the cameo’s from Clem and Oz, Buffy and Faith make an appearance in Nina’s dreams, and there are references to other characters such as Harmony, Angel and Spike, as well as events from Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes. As a fan, I love these canonical moments.

Unfortunately Nina is no less whiny in Chosen than she was in Slayer, and while she has good reason to be upset, I found the angst a touch too repetitive. Meanwhile Artemis has completely lost the plot as she schemes with Honora, and Nina is about to be blindsided by another betrayal. Cillian, Rhys’s boyfriend, has a larger role in Chosen, as does Coldplay fan demon Doug. There are a handful of new characters introduced too, including a teleporting demon child named Tsip, and refugee Slayer, Maricruz.

I’m a little thrown by the Epilogue which could indicate White has decided not to continue the series, I hope that’s not the case though as I’m enjoying it. Chosen is a fun, easy sequel ( )