#BookReview Slayer by Kiersten White #YA #Buffy

Title: Slayer

Author: Kiersten White

Category: YA Fantasy

My Rating: 4 Star

Book Blurb:

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. 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.

My Review:

Oh, how I miss the Buffy-verse! I’ve had this book on my must-read pile for too long (I guess this lockdown is good for one thing!), so I was excited to lose myself in a world of slayers and demons once again.

The story centres around twin sisters, Artemis and Nina, growing up at the Watchers Academy even though Buffy the Vampire Slayer destroyed the Seed of Wonder – the source of all magic on earth. No more magic, no more slayers, no need for Watchers. The story is told from Nina’s point of view, a young girl who loathes Buffy more than anyone as the Slayer is responsible for the death of the twins’ father.

Out of the twins, Artemis is the warrior and Watcher in training, whereas Nina is the quiet, studious one – until she singlehandedly kills a demon.

Everything starts to change for Nina as she discovers strengths and fighting skills she didn’t know she had. With help from her friends, and sister, they uncover a prophecy, a mess of demon dealing, mysterious deaths, and make new acquaintances along the way.

There are so many references to the characters we loved and lost in Buffy, and a cameo appearance from the slayer herself! I loved the storyline, found the characters to be engaging and fun, and thoroughly enjoyed every page.

Whether you’re a Buffy fan or not, you’ll love the humour and feel of this novel.

BUY your copy from Amazon UK or Amazon US