ARC Review--Slayer by Kiersten White

Into every generation a Slayer is born…

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.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.


I’ve always loved Buffy! I mean, who doesn’t?! Vampires were my favorite kind of paranormal so I was quick to take to Buffy in its heyday. And then I heard Kiersten White was going to be writing a brand new series in the Buffyverse and I was excited! And I mean EXCITED!!! Slayer is the first book in the yet to be determined length series and it chronicles the journey of the last Slayer.

Let’s first note that you do not have to be a Buffy fan or have any knowledge of Buffy in order to read and enjoy this one! It helps, there are names that are dropped, BIG names, events, and just the overall world that is Buffy. This is the world that Buffy lived in and things take off shortly after Sunnydale was thrown off the map! A lot has happened in those short months for Nina and her family.

What’s important to know about Nina is that she is the daughter of Merrick Jamison-Smythe aka Buffy’s first Watcher…as in the one from the movie, that came before the TV show we all know and love! I firstly LOVED this combination of the movie knowledge and TV knowledge! I haven’t seen that movie in ages and I am due for a rewatch of the TV show as well, so I can’t quite remember if these two worlds were one in the same before. I felt like not, but again, I am not positive! I had too many fandoms growing up so I could never just be absorbed in one, which is why you will not ever want me on your trivia team! Lol.

As I was saying though, you really don’t need to have all that knowledge in order to enjoy this book! My knowledge was sketchy at best and I still loved this book to pieces!! Nina and her twin sister Artemis have been training to be Watchers of a sort, in this new world that is without magic. Another thing that Nina blames on Buffy. Buffy did something a few months ago and it’s just another thing Nina blames on Buffy, first is the death of her father, Merrick. When that happened, something happened to Nina. Something she wasn’t entirely sure of either and it changed her. It’s not until later on that Nina realizes she’s a Slayer. One of the people she abhors as it was a Slayer that got her father killed. Her family was never too keen on Slayers.

Her mother forbids her to train as a Slayer though and her sister, Artemis, has become a bit cold and distant ever since. Nina was always used to Artemis being the best at everything. She’s the one her mother turns to when there’s a crisis and there’s a long seeded history about that too but I won’t get into it as I can see I am already making this into one long review!

What I loved about this book other than it being in the Buffyverse was Nina herself! She’s an amazing heroine that I can easily get behind! She’s not the strong and violent type, she’s really not fit for Slayer material, since she’d rather be a healer, but she takes the “gift” that destiny thrust upon her anyway. And what’s a Slayer without an attitude? Nina definitely has the snark.

There was some romance mixed in as well! Leo was Nina’s crush when she was younger and then he left. Now he’s returned and naturally, old feelings are starting to come back and all that! Of course, there’s much more to their history than just a crush. But again, I won’t spoil that for you! I was kind of happy that the romance played only a small role, really it was almost nonexistent. There’s just enough romantic tension thrown in with a few interludes as well that made for a highly satisfying read!

The pacing to this one was spot on! It had the right kind of buildup going into it! There was a great deal of mystery going on and so little clues to go on! It was a suspenseful and intense kind of read! This is a book no Buffy fan of any level should be without! The occasional references and dream cameos make for a highly delightful reading experience as well!

Slayer is without a doubt one of my most favorite reads of the year! I only wish I didn’t have to wait so long for the sequel now! The ending is one of those dreadful satisfying, yet not kind of endings! No killer cliffhangers but the kind of ending that makes you desperate for more! It’s truly the perfect way to end a series installment. You know you’re hooked into the series when the ending doesn’t make you scream in agony because of the cliffhanger but just yearning for the next one to come about!

Slayer was an action packed and intense read that made for high enjoyment! The pages were easily flowing between my fingers as I read and I found myself immersed back into the Buffyverse but with a new heroine at the helm! It was a heady feeling and I cannot wait to see where Nina’s journey will take her in the future!



Overall Rating 5/5 stars


 
Slayer releases January 8, 2019