BLOODY FOOL FOR LOVE

William the Bloody, aka Spike, plans a heist to steal a relic that he hopes will bring happiness to his love, Drusilla.

This tale kicks off a new series of prequels about notable characters from TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s 1901, and vampires Spike, Drusilla, and Darla are back in London after Spike killed a vampire slayer in China and Angelus abandoned them yet again. Dru still often speaks of Angelus, but Spike wants her attention for himself and a future of being wicked together. When he learns of a relic that will help focus her thoughts, he makes plans to steal it. Problem is, a notorious demon nabs it first. Ritter introduces several charismatic new side characters and nails the fan favorites’ voices, from Spike’s wisecracks to Dru’s hilariously bizarre musings. The tone—a mashup of funny, dark, and thrilling—fits perfectly with the show. That said, there’s little heft to the story. Subplots that give readers access to the interior thoughts of Darla and werewolf Rieka have more emotional weight than the lead story of Spike’s heist, but they’re nevertheless sparse. Still, this entertaining story will please Buffy fans and is easily accessible to newcomers who appreciate charming paranormal baddies. Of the characters with human skin tones, most are assumed White; Rieka has deep-brown skin.

A diverting Buffyverse tale.