In my review of the first Tales of the Slayer compilation, I stated that the stories involved were uneven. The same thing is wrong with this book, but it still manages to entertain. Like any collection of short stories, this novel is bound to have its high and low points. What follow are mini-reviews of each story:"All That You Do Comes Back Unto Thee" - The first story in this book tells a story about Buffy. Its written (sometimes poorly) by series makeup artist Todd A. McIntosh, and its about a boy who dabbles in the black arts and awakens the spirit of an ancient Egyptian mummy. It is slowly paced and actually boring at times.
"Lady Shobu" - This is one of the better stories in the book. It tells the tale of a warrior woman in Japan who is called to the home of the Great Lady. She learns of her calling as the Slayer and sets out to find the place on the Ladys grounds where the demons are gathering. A very well-written piece of work... hopefully we will see more of Kara Dalkey in future Buffy novels.
"Abomination" - Another good story, though not great. This tale is of a young potential Slayer who falls in love with her Watcher. She bears his children, and is then called as the Slayer. The Council finds out about this and proceeds to handle things, leaving the Slayer in a bit of a mess with a demon. The first few pages had me hooked, but it tended to drag a bit in the middle. It picks up nicely and the end, though, and left me feeling satisfied.
"Blood and Brine" - I didnt particularly like this story. It tells of a Slayer who sails the seas disguised as a man... and is it just me, or does it seem like a ship isnt the best place to slay vampires? Anyway, this story bored me until the end, when one of my favorite mythological creatures made an appearance. Still, not a very good tale.
"The Ghosts of Slayers Past" - This is a completely silly story. Its a retelling of Charles Dickenss classic A Christmas Carol, and is pretty much pointless. The best thing about this story is that is only about 20 pages long.
"The New Watcher" - Short and sweet, this is one of the best stories in the novel. A Slayer is fighting in the Civil War, and a new Watcher shows up after her previous one was turned into a vampire. Extremely well-written and told by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
"House of the Vampire" - I have mixed feelings about this story. It was interesting on some levels, but very silly and far-fetched on others. This time around, a Slayer in England encounters Dracula (this guy is pretty popular with the Slayers, no?). The passage itself is written well, but the story isnt all that great.
"The War Between the States" - The second worst story here, which is surprising since it is coming from a writer of the actual series, Rebecca Rand Kirshner (she wrote such episodes as "Tough Love," "Tabula Rasa," "Hells Bells," and "Potential"). Its about a woman who tries to achieve the glamorous lifestyle she has always wanted. Very, very boring and we are not even completely who the Slayer is until the final pages (the story is not written about the Slayer... its written about an outsider). Kirshner took a different approach with this one, but it didnt work too well. Plus, the title is very unfitting.
"Stakeout on Rush Street" - Following one of the worst stories is one of the best. This Slayer is a private eye in Chicago on the heels of a gangster and a vampire. Extremely enjoyable and fun.
"Again" - And now we come to the end, and its no surprise they saved the best for last. Genius series writer Jane Espenson ("Band Candy," "Earshot," "Superstar," "Checkpoint," "After Life," "Same Time, Same Place," "Storyteller" to name a few of her episodes) contributes a story about, surprise, Buffy! In this particular adventure, Buffy, Xander, and Willow are sent back in time... into their old bodies, but with their current minds. Very inventive and unsurprisingly well-written, Espenson blew me away with this one. This woman is a great story teller... and watch for the strange, surprise ending.
This story alone caused me to raise the ratings by one star.
All in all, Tales of the Slayer, Vol. 2 can be and enjoybale read. But, it can be a tedious one also.
Some Excellent Stories of Past and Present Slayers
1 of the best Buffy books