Every nerd had to start somewhere and my Fangirling started in the days of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Obsessed with the TV show, I actually cried one night when we were out and my VHS tape didn’t record the episode (the days before TIVO folks). It was with great delight that I began reading Buffy: Demons of the Hellmouth from Titan Books. Filled with images of monsters and vampires from the show, each page feels like a flashback to an episode. The guide is written from the perspective of Rupert Giles, Buffy’s Watcher, and includes his very British sense of humor as well as poignant reflections regarding his lost love Jenny Calendar.
The book was in fact written by Nancy Holder. If you want Buffy done right, you hire Nancy Holder. She has done Slayer’s guides before, as well as written a great deal of the television novelizations back from the early 2000’s. She knows her stuff, and knows how to make it sound authentic. Within the pages of Demons of the Hellmouth: A Slayer’s Guideare short and sweet little notes from Buffy, Faith, Xander and Willow. These notes are often references to bits of dialogue from the show and other inside jokes. Giles’ notes near theirs are neatly written and often provide guiding words of wisdom.
The book included some surprising information. For instance, I was a huge Buffy fan and yet had no idea that Faith’s last name is Lehane.
Buffy: Demons of the Hellmouth is a definite must have for the Buffy fan in your life. It is available now from Titan Books.