Slayer by Kiersten White
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: January 8, 2019
Synopsis: 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.
Disclosure: ARC provided for an honest review. #partner
There are two things to know before you read this review. I love Buff and the Buffyverse. I love Kiersten White and her writing.
One time, at a signing, Kiersten mentioned writing a story in the Buffyverse. She mentioned that she was able to create a new Slayer. Now, I remember she had written a whole manuscript, and scratched it. Kiersten rewrote it, and that was an amazing feat in itself.
Slayer takes place after the end of the TV series. While there are comics and other stories out there in the ‘verse, Slayer enters new territory. There are no new slayers since Buff’s end. The Watchers live in the world, protecting what they can with the tools at hand. And enter Nina, who isn’t a Watcher, but has Watcher tendencies. Would you doubt her when she comes from a very prominent Watcher family? Nina is set in her destiny, until one day it is unwritten, and she becomes a slayer. The last slayer.
I really loved Nina’s voice. I was instantly drawn to her. She had a personality that I connected with, mostly because of how selfless she seemed to be, but also for the drive she had given that she wasn’t like everyone else. In her family, she is the only one that isn’t a Watcher, but that never stopped her from supporting those around her, in any way possible. At times, small details like these are what drive me to become a better person. But once she became a slayer? She transcended into a kick-ass boss babe. Nina took the role and ran with it. And the strength of this female character is why I adore Kiersten White so much.
Without spoiling too much, I loved travelling back into this world. There was a very unconventional beginning, and I love that. While there are many details that keep you connected to the Buffyverse, it was it’s own book with it’s own voice. The writing is intelligent and with a purpose. Each scene was related to another, and there were some twists! I felt the book were in parts, and the pacing matched the scenes in those parts.
But I loved the characters the most. They all were relevant to the cause of the story. There are times when I feel like there are some supporting characters that I don’t care for, or feel indifferent about. But in Slayer? I loved them all. Even the ones that are evil. Because if you know Kiersten, there always has to be an evil and menacing character.
Slayer comes out this Tuesday! Kiersten is on tour also! Make sure to visit her tour stops, or purchase a signed copy from Mysterious Galaxy and they’ll ship to you! https://www.mystgalaxy.com/White-01-2019
*Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.*