In Every Generation (In Every Generation, #1)

I love Kendare Blake. I love Buffy. So combine the two and it's an automatic win, right? In this case, yes and no. But first, HOLY NOSTALGIA. I knew this took place in the Buffyverse but I didn't realize it was legit the Buffyverse. I guess I kind of forget that Buffy and the crew are just a little older than I am but I enjoyed it, a lot. For someone like me, who grew up with the show - all of the feelings came flooding back. It made me want to rewatch the show asap. But that's where it about ended for me. I do think this was a solid book. With a new gang while the older one guide them through. But if it wasn't for those original main characters, I don't know how much I would have liked this book. And for those who don't have that connection to the original, I don't know how much they will like it. The story overall is simple, but it works. It keeps the mind going and I enjoyed the little bit of history that was thrown in there as well.

The new characters were okay. Frankie was a good protagonist and I honestly loved how she struggled. Growing up with Buffy and then having to become her? Not easy, and Frankie definitely did not adapt well. But this is what is to be expected and I'm glad it was shown that way, her failures but also her wins. Jake was a fantastic character. He definitely was the little bit of comic relief when his werewolf side shown through. Hailey was a good character as well but very one track minded. I felt like she was supposed to be the smart and rationale one but if it had anything to do with her sister, all reasoning was gone.

Overall, In Every Generation by Kendare Blake was good. Blake did an amazing job in recreating the Buffyverse world and all of those feelings. Drawing on those nostalgic strings to help us older readers push through. I do think it's a good introduction for new fans as well. I don't think they'll get the same reaction but this is a whole new gang. I do recommend this book if you are a fan of Buffy or simply vampires and chosen one tropes in general!

Frankie has grown up with the high stakes, life-or-death stories of Buffy, Xander, Spike, Oz, and Willow (her mom). The redeveloped Sunnydale is now, more or less, normal, and Frankie just wants to pass her classes and practice her eco-witchcraft. When an explosion rocks the spot all the slayers had just gathered, Frankie's future takes a sharp turn. Now, no one can tell if any slayers, let alone Buffy, are still alive, and suddenly, Frankie is really strong and able to fight vampires. As Frankie begins to assemble her own Scooby gang, they will have to combat the evils in Sunnydale who are ready to stretch their legs with the rumor that the slayers have died.

IN EVERY GENERATION is a fun callback to the vibes of early Buffy seasons. The humor is high, the one-liners are quippy, and it takes a team of lovable oddballs to save the world. Frankie is a refreshing protagonist, one who lacks the confidence of her aunt Buffy. Once she realizes she's been called as a slayer, she struggles with insecurity. There has never been a slayer-witch before, and she's barely developed her magic, let alone her newfound slayer abilities. While her aunt was able to take down bad guys while wearing heels and rocking great hair, Frankie can barely run away fast enough to not get killed. I love how Frankie keeps trying and how she learns to accept support from her own Scoobies (including her werewolf best friend, a Sage demon, and the sister of one of the potentially deceased slayers).

While I loved Frankie and her gang, I hoped the tone would focus more on their fresh adventures rather than the nostalgia. As an adult reader, I loved the Oz and Willow scenes (and am absolutely invested in what the sequels might hold for them), but between their scenes when they're alone together, Spike's role, and the situation with the slayers, I'm not sure teen readers will find this an accessible entry into the Buffyverse. Even as someone who has seen the show and read Buffyverse books, I still had to refresh myself on some background in order to keep up.

While I'm not sure I would recommend this to a teen unless they were already familiar with the Buffyverse and okay with a strong dose of nostalgia, I definitely highly recommend IN EVERY GENERATION to older Buffy fans who loved the excitement and humor that enthralled viewers in the early Buffy seasons.

IN EVERY GENERATION is an engaging continuation of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer story with a new generation and new slayer. Frankie lives with her mother Willow in the town of New Sunnydale, which was rebuilt after the destruction of Sunnydale and the closure of the Hellmouth. After Buffy and the other slayers are at a retreat with a huge explosion and presumed dead, Frankie finds herself called to be the Slayer. As Willow's daughter, she holds the distinction of being the first slayer-witch.

With the help of Willow, Oz, and Spike, who is her Watcher, Frankie has a lot to learn as the new Slayer, especially since the Hellmouth is leaking and dark creatures are using the gap left by the other slayers to wreak havoc. In addition to the older generation, Jake, a werewolf, and Hailey, Vi's half-sister, are willing to help Frankie as much as they can.

This was a really engaging new story in the Buffy universe. For old fans, there are a lot of great memories to reminisce about, and Willow, Oz, and Spike all felt very true to their characters in the show. For new fans, Frankie, Jake, and Hailey are all really fantastic new characters that breathe new life into this universe. The snark and humor injected into the story make this a highly entertaining read, and cut through all the danger and action, keeping it from getting too scary. In addition to Frankie's perspective, the book also includes interludes from the villains, the Countess and the Hunter of Thrace, that add to the world-building and give information about the darker side.

With the heart and voice of the original show in an entertaining expanded universe, IN EVERY GENERATION will delight old and new Buffy fans. Highly recommend for fans of the show, Riverdale, and Sabrina.