Buffy The Vampire Slayer The Lost Slayer Books
Buffy is Thrown 5 Years Into the Future to Battle a New Vampire
Sep 4, 2009
Book Information
Title: Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Lost Slayer
Published by: Pocket Books
Publish Date: October 2001
ISBN: 0-7434-1187-0
Buffy The Vampire Slayer The Lost Slayer is set during Season 4 of the television show, and is separated into 4 volumes written by Christopher Golden. The stories focus on the aftermath of Giles’ kidnapping by a new group of vampires that worship the Bat God Camazotz. Buffy is thrown ahead 5 years when Sunnydale is under vampire control. The new leader of the vampires is none other than Rupert Giles.
The Lost Slayer Overall Plot
Initially Buffy, whilst in her freshman year, decides to take charge of her own life and do everything herself in order to be master of everything in her life. Unfortunately she ends up isolating herself from those closest to her, and her problems further escalate when new vampires, with bat tattoos across their faces and glowing orange eyes, arrive in town. The story then jumps ahead 5 years to a time when Buffy has been imprisoned in a cell for 5 years and vampires rule Sunnydale.
The Lost Slayer books do not fall into the trap of making the first book good, the middle books more about just filling, and the last book good. Each book is thrilling to read as Buffy plunges deeper into the world Giles has created during her absence. The characters that are so crucial to the Buffyverse are all present, and correct. During her absence the main characters have evolved, Xander has lost his humour becoming harder, Willow is a powerful sorceress and Oz now has the ability to change into a werewolf whenever he chooses. Vampire Giles’ plans for the world and for Buffy in particular all have a warped echo of the man Buffy once looked to as a father-figure.
Golden successfully writes a great saga which explores the world around the Slayer. Too often in the series Buffy tells everyone that she doesn’t need any help because she is the Slayer and yet the only reason that Buffy has lived as long as she has is because of her friends. She would have died at the hands of the Master in Season 1 if Xander had not been around to give her mouth to mouth.
Buffy’s attempts to reconnect with her friends after her absence are also especially difficult as she learns the fate of her own mother along with Anya.
Well Crafted And Original Story
The Lost Slayer is an excellent series of books which have been approved by Joss Whedon (or at least his office) so that they can be considered canon. The notion of Giles becoming a vampire is a stroke of genius, taking Giles’ knowledge, expertise and love for Buffy and twisting them into something evil is a delight to read.
There are many examples of Buffy books which talk about the Slayer hunting this demon or that demon, whilst she tries to have a normal life. The Lost Slayer books show that it was her own arrogance when Giles was kidnapped that resulted in the hell Sunnydale as now descended into. Spike, Drusilla and Angel all appear with the two former characters working for Vampire Giles and the latter being the focus for an ingenious form of revenge.
Final Verdict
When done right a Buffy book can be a wonderful thing, which makes the audience laugh and cry. It also makes it impossible to put the book down.
Sadly really well-crafted stories are difficult to come by; however, The Lost Slayer is a glorious example of a story that could (and should) have been made into a television movie.
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