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Title: Chaos Bleeds by James A. Moore, James Moore ISBN: 0-7434-2767-X Publisher: Pulse Pub. Date: 01 August, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.44 (16 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Not an insulting book at all.....
Comment: As a HUGE fan of Buffy, I've read all of the books; ALL of them, Buffy, Angel, the Comic Books, Fray, the unauthorized readers from various publishers, etc. I found Chaos Bleeds to be, albeit not the best of the series, a good read. While the fight scenes were, at times, needlessly long and drawn out, the characters were written well, both in dialog and description. While the books states that it takes place during Season Six, the Author himself has stated that was an editorial mistake and the story actually takes place in Season 5, shortly after the death of Joyce and before Glory began her attack on the group in earnest. Based on the Video Game of the same name (aka Buffy 2:Chaos Bleeds) the story attempts to cram as many Buffy characters as possible into the pages. As I read this, I couldn't help but picture each scene as challenges in the game, rather than scenes from an episode. I'm sure the author had very little leeway in the plot or characters as a result of this.
As a fan, nothing makes me more upset when reading these books to come across continuity errors. There have been many times in both the Buffy and Angel series when a comment is made to refer to an episode in the series that contradicts when the story is actually supposed to take place. I cringe, and then I continue reading. For those who don't know, when the editors at Simon Pulse solicit a new story for the series, they have guidelines of when the stories can take place and what "status" the characters currently have. For example, last summer they were only taking new stories that took place in an "alternate Season Six" where Tara was dead and Anya was a Vengeance Demon. The latest Buffy/Angel crossover book, Seven Crows, followed these guidelines.
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Rating: 2
Summary: *A Truly Chaotic Book*
Comment: Based on the second Buffy game, Chaos Bleeds is understandably an action type book. There's not much in the way of plot but the writer has attempted to cram this in. One of the main problems with Chaos Bleeds was the long fight scenes and action sequences that went on and on. Although I do like reading action books, this one failed mainly since the plot was not explored until more than halfway through the book. For those who like reading action, you'll probably enjoy this. For those that haven't played the game, you'll be lost.
The plot of Chaos Bleeds takes place in the sixth season, before OMWF and there's not much in the way characterization. When Ethan Rayne returns to Sunnydale, he explains that he's challenged the First into battle. Five of his champions (Buffy and the Scoobs) against the First's. Unfortunately, the First can pick his warriors from any time or dimensions. If Ethan wins the battle, he will be granted ultimate power. Buffy and the Gang are fighting for their lives in this battle, but if they win, how will they deal with a power mad Ethan?
ALthough this book is very much like a reunion for BtVS with the return of Faith, Sid, Kakistos and Ethan, there's disappointingly a lack of interaction between the characters.
Basically to say, Chaos Bleeds is a very chaotic book that just bleeds from one fight scene to another.
Rating: 4
Summary: Now That You've Played the...
Comment: In a wry reversal of literary tradition (remember the days when the book was written first and the film second) Chaos Bleeds is a book based on a console game that is based on a television series. Given this wierd architecture I'm not sure what precise definition of 'successful' should be applied. Is the novel a good extension of the show, a fair representation of the game, or, last but not least, is it a good novel on its own.
Set in the Spike-just-got-his-chip era, the book opens with a short attempt to set the scene, followed by a battle, and then followed by a battle, and then a short cut scene, and then another battle... You get the picture - the primary purpose of Chaos Bleeds the novel is to provide a virtual reality version of Chaos Bleeds the game. If a novel could ever be considered a 'virtual reality' experience.
So while there really is a story arc, there is nothing so complicated as a plot. Is this a bad? Not really, Moore does concentrate a bit on character development, so personalities come through in a way that the game simply cannot do. And it is genuinely interesting to learn the motivations behind some of the madness of the game itself. And Moore writes as well as could be expected, given the literary constraints.
As a general rule, story telling games like the Shadowrun series translate into novels best. I think this is the first time an action game has attempted the transition, and it is almost a success from a pure readibility viewpoint. Unfortunately, the hectic pace of the game is less engaging when replayed in text. The book is hard to put down not because it is a fascinating story, but because the reader is provided with very few logical breaks in the action. So I find the book likeable, but I'm not at all sure that I would want to repeat the experience. Any more than I would look forward to the Playstation version of War and Peace.
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Title: Mortal Fear (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) by Scott Ciencin, Denise Ciencin ISBN: 0743427718 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Seven Crows by John Vornholt ISBN: 0689860145 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Cursed (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) by Mel Odom ISBN: 068986437X Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Chosen by Nancy Holder ISBN: 0689866259 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Blood and Fog (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) by Nancy Holder ISBN: 0743400399 Publisher: Simon Pulse Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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