Wednesday, December 29, 2021

ARC Review: In Every Generation by Kendare Blake

In Every Generation

Author:
Kendare Blake
Series: In Every Generation (Book 1)
Publication: Disney-Hyperion (January 4, 2022)

Description: A new Slayer for a new generation...

Frankie Rosenberg is passionate about the environment, a sophomore at New Sunnydale High School, and the daughter of the most powerful witch in Sunnydale history. Her mom, Willow, is slowly teaching her magic on the condition that she use it to better the world. But Frankie’s happily quiet life is upended when new girl Hailey shows up with news that the annual Slayer convention has been the target of an attack, and all the Slayers―including Buffy, Faith, and Hailey’s older sister Vi―might be dead. That means it’s time for this generation’s Slayer to be born.

But being the first ever Slayer-Witch means learning how to wield a stake while trying to control her budding powers. With the help of Hailey, a werewolf named Jake, and a hot but nerdy sage demon, Frankie must become the Slayer, prevent the Hellmouth from opening again, and find out what happened to her Aunt Buffy, before she’s next.

My Thoughts: Fans of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER will be delighted by this revisiting to the world and will enjoy the many references to the story.

Frankie Rosenberg is a nerdy, eco-witch and very concerned with being environmentally friendly. She's a vegan. Her mother is Willow who has set aside most of her magic but not her wardrobe. Her best friend is Jake Osbourne who is being raised by his uncle Oz since his parents took his older brother to a werewolf enclave in New Zealand.

Then one day, Frankie develops slayer powers...

It seems that the slayers - Buffy, Faith, and most of the others - all died in an explosion while they were in Nova Scotia for a retreat. Xander and Dawn are there trying to find out what happened, but it doesn't look good.

Then Spike shows up in Sunnydale with Hailey whose sister Vi is also a slayer. Hailey has been kept secret by Vi who wanted to protect her. Hailey has grown up knowing about the supernatural world and knowing she has to keep it a secret. She has also secretly been training so that she could help her sister.

It looks like a new Scooby gang is forming around Frankie and just in time. Vampires and demons who have heard of the disaster with the slayers are starting to gather again in Sunnydale. And Frankie, totally untrained, is the one who has to defeat them. She is correctly concerned and really feels that she's in over her head despite help from her Scooby gang, her mom, Uncle Oz, and Uncle Spike. 

It also seems that there is a new head vampire trying to set up camp in Sunnydale. The Countess may or may not be Elizabeth Bathory but her predilection for virgins does lend the story some credence. So does the fact that simply staking her doesn't make her turn to dust. 

Luckily, Frankie has a semi-secret protector in the Hunter of Thrace who has his own reasons for hanging around despite the rumor that his preferred diet includes the hearts of slayers. 

The story was filled with engaging characters, lots of references to the TV series, and lots of vampire-fighting action. Fans of the series, which is available on Amazon Prime, will enjoy getting to know these new characters and will be eager for more since the ending left quite a few threads dangling. 

Favorite Quote:
Sunnydale High. It had been rebuilt so many times that it was known among the students as The Thing That Wouldn't Die. Unlike many of their classmates.
I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

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