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While buying cereal at the Quick Shop Buffy has a run-in with a bevy of demons, but when a demon turns his attention to a cowering girl, she surprises him and Buffy by killing the demon with her bare hands before fleeing into the night. Buffy is stunned. But then she learns that the girl's name is Arianna and she is a classmate of Dawn's.
The gang befriends Arianna and tries to uncover the source of her super strength and healing. But the clock is ticking down to Arianna's destiny and it all comes to an explosive climax at Arianna's sweet sixteen party.
A well-written and very good BTVS tale. The majority of the book focuses on Arianna as she deals with her emotionally abusive mother, absent father, bullying classmates and unexpected lineage. This tale is about Arianna trying to understand and come to grips with who and what she is. Meanwhile Buffy and Dawn have reasons of their own for wanting to befriend her, Buffy sees Arianna as a reflection of herself when she learned she had a calling meanwhile Dawn wants to use Arianna to gain admittance into the Scooby gang.
Xander, Willow, Giles, Spike, Tara and Anya play only small parts in the tale, the main focus is on Arianna/Buffy/Dawn. The tale is set in season 5 after Joyce's death but there is no mention of Riley, The Key, Glory or Ben. This is a nicely witty tale with snappy oneliners and nice blackly comic touches. Ciencin also nicely depicts Arianna's horrible mother, mentions Dawn reading 'Carrie' and then wonderfully describes how Arianna's sweet sixteen descends into something right out of that Stephen King classic. The author also takes a unique perspective on the fight scenes describing them from Buffy's POV as she plans her fight and sees what objects around her she can use as a weapon - yes, Buffy actually has tactics so why did this skill desert her in season 7?
A worthy edition to a BTVS fan's bookshelf even if you must endure snotty looks from shop assistants when you buy it.
Recommended.
P-Con VI March 27th/28th/29th 2009
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