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In Every Generation #2
One Girl in All the World
New York Times
best-selling author Kendare Blake takes us back to the demon capital of the world in this highly anticipated sequel to In Every Generation, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Frankie Rosenberg is coming to terms with the fact that she’s the newest slayer, but that doesn’t mean she has it all figured out just yet. She and her friends are still reeling from the deadly attack on the annual slayer retreat—and the new revelation that some slayers may still be alive. She’s got her own Scooby Gang, but sometimes feels more on the outside than ever. She throws herself into training with her mom, the great witch Willow, and her new Watcher, Spike, but they’ve got demons of their own to contend with (both of the real and metaphorical variety). Buffy made it look easy, but being a slayer is hard—and lonely.
But Frankie doesn’t have time to wander through Sunnydale Cemetery singing about her new responsibilities. With news of Buffy’s possible demise, Demons are making their way back to Sunnydale in droves, called by a Hellmouth that is starting to reawaken. And then an oracle brings news of a new Evil brewing…something called The Darkness. Could this be what attacked the slayers? And is it coming for Frankie?
With a satisfying blend of fresh and familiar, humor and (stakes through the) heart, One Girl In All The World is a breathtaking continuation of the series that Booklist calls “a worthy successor to the Slayer stories” (Starred Review on In Every Generation).
Frankie Rosenberg is coming to terms with the fact that she’s the newest slayer, but that doesn’t mean she has it all figured out just yet. She and her friends are still reeling from the deadly attack on the annual slayer retreat—and the new revelation that some slayers may still be alive. She’s got her own Scooby Gang, but sometimes feels more on the outside than ever. She throws herself into training with her mom, the great witch Willow, and her new Watcher, Spike, but they’ve got demons of their own to contend with (both of the real and metaphorical variety). Buffy made it look easy, but being a slayer is hard—and lonely.
But Frankie doesn’t have time to wander through Sunnydale Cemetery singing about her new responsibilities. With news of Buffy’s possible demise, Demons are making their way back to Sunnydale in droves, called by a Hellmouth that is starting to reawaken. And then an oracle brings news of a new Evil brewing…something called The Darkness. Could this be what attacked the slayers? And is it coming for Frankie?
With a satisfying blend of fresh and familiar, humor and (stakes through the) heart, One Girl In All The World is a breathtaking continuation of the series that Booklist calls “a worthy successor to the Slayer stories” (Starred Review on In Every Generation).
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2023
106 people are currently reading
6987 people want to read
About the author
Kendare Blake
41 books55.3k followersSo, I write books. The Anna Dressed in Blood duo is horror, The Goddess War trilogy is mythology, and Three Dark Crowns is fantasy, because the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you, may not be right for some. Love to read, too. Fiction, philosophy, good books, bad books, because you take the good you take the bad you take them both and there you have a stack of books and stuff. I mean, you've got to be adventurous. There's more to life that what you're living, so take a chance and face the wind.
There's more coming soon like ALL THESE BODIES and a new fantasy series, so don't waste another minute on your cryin. We're nowhere near the end.
My likes include animals, food, and nostalgia. I mean, whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, the evening TV? Used to be everywhere you look, there's a heart, a hand to hold on to.
Anyway, I love to hear from readers so drop me a line here or at my website and we'll talk about friends to know, and ways to grow, and how if you threw a party you would see that the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, thank you for being a friend.
We can also talk about all the sitcom theme songs in this bio. Sha la la la.
There's more coming soon like ALL THESE BODIES and a new fantasy series, so don't waste another minute on your cryin. We're nowhere near the end.
My likes include animals, food, and nostalgia. I mean, whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, the evening TV? Used to be everywhere you look, there's a heart, a hand to hold on to.
Anyway, I love to hear from readers so drop me a line here or at my website and we'll talk about friends to know, and ways to grow, and how if you threw a party you would see that the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, thank you for being a friend.
We can also talk about all the sitcom theme songs in this bio. Sha la la la.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
August 24, 2025
One Girl in All the World is the second novel in Kendare Blake's In Every Generation series, a revamp of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe; the Buffyverse.
The first installment, In Every Generation, released in January of 2022. I had so much fun with it and have been anxiously awaiting this sequel ever since.
The premise behind this is that we get to follow a new generation of Scoobies, but we still get a lot of nostalgic connections to the original series.
In fact, the new Slayer of this generation is Frankie Rosenberg, Willow's daughter, currently a student at New Sunnydale High.
In this installment, Frankie and the gang, continue their training with Willow and Frankie's Watcher, Spike. Due to Sunnydale's high concentration of demonic energy, you never know when these skills will be put to the test.
When demons begin popping up all over town, attacks and mayhem ensue. The gang fears perhaps the Hellmouth has been reopened. An eerie visit with an Oracle, however, brings to light a new threat as well, known only as The Darkness. Demons and The Darkness?
Continued from the first book, we also have the mystery surrounding the attack on the last Slayer Convention. Buffy's status is still unknown and the gang carries on searching for answers. Is she alive, dead, or something in between.
I continue to be hyped for this series. It's pure entertainment, and as a Buffy fan, hella nostalgic for me. It's clear that Blake is a true fan as well. She's nailed the original humor and tone of the series, which I love.
To me, these books have the perfect blend of old with new. It gives such great tribute to the original series, while not veering into copycat territory. This feels like its own thing. It's fresh and modern, successfully delivering solid Buffy-content to a new generation.
Again, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and definitely recommend that format. The narrator does a great job of bringing these action-packed, humor-filled stories to life. Their voice and delivery is a perfect match for what's happening here. I really enjoyed it.
I haven't heard it announced yet, but there has to be another book. This one leaves us on the precipice of many things. I cannot wait. I'm definitely hoping for a January 2024 release. I can't wait more than a year...
Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney-Hyperion and Disney Audio, for providing me with copies and to read and review. I adore this series and will continue to pick them up as long as they are published!
The first installment, In Every Generation, released in January of 2022. I had so much fun with it and have been anxiously awaiting this sequel ever since.
The premise behind this is that we get to follow a new generation of Scoobies, but we still get a lot of nostalgic connections to the original series.
In fact, the new Slayer of this generation is Frankie Rosenberg, Willow's daughter, currently a student at New Sunnydale High.
In this installment, Frankie and the gang, continue their training with Willow and Frankie's Watcher, Spike. Due to Sunnydale's high concentration of demonic energy, you never know when these skills will be put to the test.
When demons begin popping up all over town, attacks and mayhem ensue. The gang fears perhaps the Hellmouth has been reopened. An eerie visit with an Oracle, however, brings to light a new threat as well, known only as The Darkness. Demons and The Darkness?
Continued from the first book, we also have the mystery surrounding the attack on the last Slayer Convention. Buffy's status is still unknown and the gang carries on searching for answers. Is she alive, dead, or something in between.
I continue to be hyped for this series. It's pure entertainment, and as a Buffy fan, hella nostalgic for me. It's clear that Blake is a true fan as well. She's nailed the original humor and tone of the series, which I love.
To me, these books have the perfect blend of old with new. It gives such great tribute to the original series, while not veering into copycat territory. This feels like its own thing. It's fresh and modern, successfully delivering solid Buffy-content to a new generation.
Again, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and definitely recommend that format. The narrator does a great job of bringing these action-packed, humor-filled stories to life. Their voice and delivery is a perfect match for what's happening here. I really enjoyed it.
I haven't heard it announced yet, but there has to be another book. This one leaves us on the precipice of many things. I cannot wait. I'm definitely hoping for a January 2024 release. I can't wait more than a year...
Thank you so much to the publisher, Disney-Hyperion and Disney Audio, for providing me with copies and to read and review. I adore this series and will continue to pick them up as long as they are published!
March 25, 2023
This is the second book of a series that takes place in the Buffyverse. In this one we follow the new version of the Scoobies with some members of the old Scooby gang as they are still trying to figure out what happened to all of the slayers. Meanwhile a new threat is looming called the Darkness.
I liked the first one of this series and the second one is a step up from that one. The author has established her niche in this universe and it shows in this book. This really shows in the characters with both the new Scoobies and the established characters from the television show. They were all used to perfection in this book. Each one had a part to play with the overall story arc but the author had each character have an individual story. No one was relegated to the sidelines as each character had some time devoted time. This really helped me connect with each character that I did not exactly feel in the first book. As for the conflict I loved it. It fits in perfectly with the television show and it made me think about the actions of our characters from the show. I loved this direction and I applaud the author for making me view these actions in a different light. I was really invested in this story aspect and I want more of it. My only gripe with this book is the easter eggs. I want all the easter eggs but I feel like the majority of them were forced in this book. The problem was that most of them came from the new Scoobies as they are in a situation and they will say that it is exactly like a situation that happened on the show. These incidents happened twenty years ago. Why would a bunch of teenagers bring up incidents that happened to their parents? It really felt like the author was looking directly at me and saying it is time for an easter egg and not letting it happen organically. I know it is a minor complaint but it did take me out of the flow of reading the book when it happened.
I really enjoyed this book and my time in the Buffyverse. I liked the first book of this series but this book has me totally convinced now. I want the next book right away and I know I will totally dive into it as soon as it is released.
I liked the first one of this series and the second one is a step up from that one. The author has established her niche in this universe and it shows in this book. This really shows in the characters with both the new Scoobies and the established characters from the television show. They were all used to perfection in this book. Each one had a part to play with the overall story arc but the author had each character have an individual story. No one was relegated to the sidelines as each character had some time devoted time. This really helped me connect with each character that I did not exactly feel in the first book. As for the conflict I loved it. It fits in perfectly with the television show and it made me think about the actions of our characters from the show. I loved this direction and I applaud the author for making me view these actions in a different light. I was really invested in this story aspect and I want more of it. My only gripe with this book is the easter eggs. I want all the easter eggs but I feel like the majority of them were forced in this book. The problem was that most of them came from the new Scoobies as they are in a situation and they will say that it is exactly like a situation that happened on the show. These incidents happened twenty years ago. Why would a bunch of teenagers bring up incidents that happened to their parents? It really felt like the author was looking directly at me and saying it is time for an easter egg and not letting it happen organically. I know it is a minor complaint but it did take me out of the flow of reading the book when it happened.
I really enjoyed this book and my time in the Buffyverse. I liked the first book of this series but this book has me totally convinced now. I want the next book right away and I know I will totally dive into it as soon as it is released.
February 3, 2023
My review for In Every Generation got a decent amount of attention, mainly for how I criticized the book for how it handled Willow's sexuality, the lack of queer rep in the new Scoobies, and the awkward cis-oriented feminism jokes. I'm here to report that all of my critisms have been addressed in this sequel.
Willow's lesbian identity is addressed and reaffirmed early on, although it does still feel weird that it needed to done at all, but credit where credit is due. The Willow/Oz relationship focus is still a choice to focus on, and I honestly thought we'd moved beyond the "are you still in love with me?" plot by the end of book 1, but it does carry over here; honestly, it feels like Blake decided to drag it out slightly longer here because she wanted to handle it more respectfully from Willow's perspective and reaffirm her sexuality in a proud way, because Willow should not be guilty for being who she is. And she shouldn't have to defend her sexuality, which she literally says in this book, which to me reads like Blake heard the criticisms and listened and addressed them. And I truly appreciate that! Willow is also given a female love interest in this book, and I'm glad we were able to see her living her life and being shamelessly gay.
I'm EXTREMELY pleased with the new queer rep within the new Scoobies. Again, it feels like Blake was listening. She took the one opportunity that felt the most genuine, imo, and did it in a really cute, natural way. In short, my favorite character from book 1 was established as queer (probably bi or pan) here, and I was eating it up! It was a C plot overall, but it was consistent throughout the book, and the little scenes and moments around it were really cute and felt modern. I was hoping for a bit more development with it by the end of the book, but it seems clear that it will be something that unfolds throughout book 3 as well, and I'm here for it. This addition really made me feel seen as a queer fan, and it makes the group of characters feel more modern.
The weird cis-oriented feminism jokes were also completely gone! They were such a big factor in book 1 for some reason, and it really pulled me out of the book. This time around, we are no leaning into that kind of humor or themes. Again, it feels like Blake heard the people that spoke up about how those bits made them uncomfortable. The changes from book 1 to 2 really feel like Blake was just oblivious to a lot of social things when writing book 1, but then she really educated herself and made the effort when doing book 2, and again, I really respect that. It stinks that there was stuff to "fix," but she could have easily not done anything different this time around, but she did. And that's awesome, and the effort really shows, I think.
Everything good I mentioned in my previous review still stands too. This is Buffy fanfiction and it's fun! Some of the references to the show get a little too "aha! He said the thing he said that one time!" but overall they were fun. There are many demon cameos in this book, and people will have fun with them. If anyone is a big fan of Felicia Day's Vi they may be irritated at the borderline character assassination of her here, but she was so minor before that I just accepted the developments made with her, but others may be more reluctant to do so. Anyways, this was a fun middle book, and it actually did give us many answers and sets up book 3 well. If you liked book 1 at all, I say give this one a shot too, because the author really tried to rectify all the issues I had with book 1 here. 4/5 stars.
Willow's lesbian identity is addressed and reaffirmed early on, although it does still feel weird that it needed to done at all, but credit where credit is due. The Willow/Oz relationship focus is still a choice to focus on, and I honestly thought we'd moved beyond the "are you still in love with me?" plot by the end of book 1, but it does carry over here; honestly, it feels like Blake decided to drag it out slightly longer here because she wanted to handle it more respectfully from Willow's perspective and reaffirm her sexuality in a proud way, because Willow should not be guilty for being who she is. And she shouldn't have to defend her sexuality, which she literally says in this book, which to me reads like Blake heard the criticisms and listened and addressed them. And I truly appreciate that! Willow is also given a female love interest in this book, and I'm glad we were able to see her living her life and being shamelessly gay.
I'm EXTREMELY pleased with the new queer rep within the new Scoobies. Again, it feels like Blake was listening. She took the one opportunity that felt the most genuine, imo, and did it in a really cute, natural way. In short, my favorite character from book 1 was established as queer (probably bi or pan) here, and I was eating it up! It was a C plot overall, but it was consistent throughout the book, and the little scenes and moments around it were really cute and felt modern. I was hoping for a bit more development with it by the end of the book, but it seems clear that it will be something that unfolds throughout book 3 as well, and I'm here for it. This addition really made me feel seen as a queer fan, and it makes the group of characters feel more modern.
The weird cis-oriented feminism jokes were also completely gone! They were such a big factor in book 1 for some reason, and it really pulled me out of the book. This time around, we are no leaning into that kind of humor or themes. Again, it feels like Blake heard the people that spoke up about how those bits made them uncomfortable. The changes from book 1 to 2 really feel like Blake was just oblivious to a lot of social things when writing book 1, but then she really educated herself and made the effort when doing book 2, and again, I really respect that. It stinks that there was stuff to "fix," but she could have easily not done anything different this time around, but she did. And that's awesome, and the effort really shows, I think.
Everything good I mentioned in my previous review still stands too. This is Buffy fanfiction and it's fun! Some of the references to the show get a little too "aha! He said the thing he said that one time!" but overall they were fun. There are many demon cameos in this book, and people will have fun with them. If anyone is a big fan of Felicia Day's Vi they may be irritated at the borderline character assassination of her here, but she was so minor before that I just accepted the developments made with her, but others may be more reluctant to do so. Anyways, this was a fun middle book, and it actually did give us many answers and sets up book 3 well. If you liked book 1 at all, I say give this one a shot too, because the author really tried to rectify all the issues I had with book 1 here. 4/5 stars.
April 11, 2024
Reread 2024:
I swear this series gets better every time I read it.
I am so excited to read the last book!
Original Review 2023:
Well well well, Ms. Blake has outdone herself, again.
Filled with Scoobie adventure, character development, snappy dialogue and way more intrigue.
This was fabulous!
I hate that I now have to wait nearly a year for the last book.
Time to start stalking Disney's marketing department?
I swear this series gets better every time I read it.
I am so excited to read the last book!
Original Review 2023:
Well well well, Ms. Blake has outdone herself, again.
Filled with Scoobie adventure, character development, snappy dialogue and way more intrigue.
This was fabulous!
I hate that I now have to wait nearly a year for the last book.
Time to start stalking Disney's marketing department?
April 2, 2023
Most often than not, sequels tend to be a let down, just filler or they simply don’t quite hit the spot as the first book did.
However for me, this sequel ended up being a genuine surprise. I found myself devouring and loving book two.
Perhaps this is because after getting to know all the new characters in book one and having a bunch of the original Buffy characters having more scenes in this one, I was able to enjoy it that much more.
Packed with different types of really cool monsters, action packed scenes, surprises and the occasional humor and drama, this was just a great read for any Buffy fan.
After the events of book one we follow the Scooby gang as they try to find out who has reopened the hellmouth in Sunnydale and put a stop to the monster madness.
Really looking forward to the next book in the series. I am hooked now.
Perfect for: Buffy fans or new readers looking for a great action packed vampire tale with lots of heart.
However for me, this sequel ended up being a genuine surprise. I found myself devouring and loving book two.
Perhaps this is because after getting to know all the new characters in book one and having a bunch of the original Buffy characters having more scenes in this one, I was able to enjoy it that much more.
Packed with different types of really cool monsters, action packed scenes, surprises and the occasional humor and drama, this was just a great read for any Buffy fan.
After the events of book one we follow the Scooby gang as they try to find out who has reopened the hellmouth in Sunnydale and put a stop to the monster madness.
Really looking forward to the next book in the series. I am hooked now.
Perfect for: Buffy fans or new readers looking for a great action packed vampire tale with lots of heart.
February 9, 2023
I loved this and need more!
January 26, 2023
I received this book from the publisher for the blog tour in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Kendare Blake returns again to New Sunnydale with One Girl in All the World to join the newest slayer, Frankie and her own gang of Scoobies to help save the world from ending. As they say, a slayer’s job is never done…unless you die…permanently.
Things are shaking up in New Sunnydale. A set of murders has begun, and Frankie and her friends are trying to figure out what kind of monster could have done it. Just as they are fighting off one of these fishy bad boys, Grim comes back to town. But the fishy demons are not the only problem facing New Sunnydale. Other demons and monsters keep flocking back to the Hellmouth and it’s going to take all of the Scoobies together to figure things out.
Meanwhile, we get the perspective of another mysterious being who is very clearly working against Frankie. And we do get the answers as to who this person is and it is someone that will shake things up for Frankie.
This book was incredibly amazing! This is a series that is definite for fans of the saga that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer! We once again see familiar faces in this book and not just Willow, Oz, Spike, and Xander via phone call. It was beyond epic! Blake really captures the Buffyverse that we all know from the show, it’s truly amazing to me at how well this could fit into the Buffy canon.
The pacing to this one was perfect! While we start to follow through on one murder mystery after another, a bigger picture is formed and the Scoobies set off on dealing with that problem. Honestly if it wasn’t for work I would have finished this one after a day! But alas, real life problems.
I was excited for Grim to be back as well, being this new generation’s Angel! And oh my wow! That demon is a feat of mystery and we get to learn more about his missing slayer and how it presents more problems for any possible relationship for the two of them. I honestly love how involved Willow and Spike, and the other “adults” we know and love are in the story and helping Frankie out. It truly is a nice blend of bringing in the nostalgia for Buffy fans and still expanding upon the world with a new story.
Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will truly appreciate this series for how well it holds up to the show and still bringing about something new. Frankie and her cast of Scoobies are a fresh new generation of vampire slayers, whether chosen or not. This is a series that will call to all fans of the vampire world!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
Kendare Blake returns again to New Sunnydale with One Girl in All the World to join the newest slayer, Frankie and her own gang of Scoobies to help save the world from ending. As they say, a slayer’s job is never done…unless you die…permanently.
Things are shaking up in New Sunnydale. A set of murders has begun, and Frankie and her friends are trying to figure out what kind of monster could have done it. Just as they are fighting off one of these fishy bad boys, Grim comes back to town. But the fishy demons are not the only problem facing New Sunnydale. Other demons and monsters keep flocking back to the Hellmouth and it’s going to take all of the Scoobies together to figure things out.
Meanwhile, we get the perspective of another mysterious being who is very clearly working against Frankie. And we do get the answers as to who this person is and it is someone that will shake things up for Frankie.
This book was incredibly amazing! This is a series that is definite for fans of the saga that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer! We once again see familiar faces in this book and not just Willow, Oz, Spike, and Xander via phone call. It was beyond epic! Blake really captures the Buffyverse that we all know from the show, it’s truly amazing to me at how well this could fit into the Buffy canon.
The pacing to this one was perfect! While we start to follow through on one murder mystery after another, a bigger picture is formed and the Scoobies set off on dealing with that problem. Honestly if it wasn’t for work I would have finished this one after a day! But alas, real life problems.
I was excited for Grim to be back as well, being this new generation’s Angel! And oh my wow! That demon is a feat of mystery and we get to learn more about his missing slayer and how it presents more problems for any possible relationship for the two of them. I honestly love how involved Willow and Spike, and the other “adults” we know and love are in the story and helping Frankie out. It truly is a nice blend of bringing in the nostalgia for Buffy fans and still expanding upon the world with a new story.
Fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will truly appreciate this series for how well it holds up to the show and still bringing about something new. Frankie and her cast of Scoobies are a fresh new generation of vampire slayers, whether chosen or not. This is a series that will call to all fans of the vampire world!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
February 18, 2023
This is still just such a fun series. So much nostalgia. So in this book, we get to see some of the monsters that Buffy had already dealt with in the series. I can't remember by name but some are the giant praying mantis monster, the monster whose blood made Buffy telepathic and insane, the fish monsters that used to be the swim team, and the gentlemen *shivers*.
A lot of things were finally explained in this book as well. I'm excited about the next book. I would also really like to know if this series is meant to be a trilogy or if will there be more books. After that ending, I know it's not a duology. So let me know if anyone has answers.
A lot of things were finally explained in this book as well. I'm excited about the next book. I would also really like to know if this series is meant to be a trilogy or if will there be more books. After that ending, I know it's not a duology. So let me know if anyone has answers.
Want to read
April 10, 2022I need this published already!! I don't wanna wait until NEXT year 😫
January 14, 2023
I guess I review Buffy novels now … this is an unexpected perk of starting a Buffy rewatch podcast two years ago. Not only did we give away copies of
In Every Generation
to our listeners, but we actually interviewed Kendare Blake on our podcast. I received an ARC of One Girl in All the World. I’m happy to report that this sequel avoids the dreaded second-book syndrome. It builds on the success of the first book’s worldbuilding and story arc while addressing many of the critiques I levelled in my earlier review.
Spoilers ahead for the first book but not for this one!
Frankie Rosenberg, daughter of Willow, is the world’s first slayer-witch. She came into her powers after an explosion in Halifax—one might call it a Halifax Explosion—is presumed to have killed almost all of the extant slayers when they had gathered for a retreat. Frankie now patrols New Sunnydale along with her friend Jake, a werewolf related to Oz; Hailey, who sister of slayer Vi Larrson; Spike, now Frankie’s Watcher; and Sigmund, a Sage demon who feeds off stupidity and oozes charm when he isn’t careful. Having defeated the Countess in the first book, Frankie hopes she can have some downtime to grow into her new slayer abilities—but her hopes are dashed when some force begins to draw demons to the Hellmouth at an ever-increasing rate. It turns out that some new player—the Darkness—has a plan for the Hellmouth, Frankie, Willow, and the Scythe that is connected to the power of the slayers.
The elimination of the slayers right at the start of the first book felt like a bombastic but effective way to wipe the slate clean and give Blake a chance to tell a vampire slayer story without too many pieces on the board. Even in that book, there were hints that this event, however distant from New Sunnydale where the books are set, would drive the overall arc of this series. I’m very happy with how One Girl in All the World picks up that thread and runs with it.
By and large, I’d attribute that success to an expanded point of view. The first book was very focused on Frankie, with a little bit of time spent on Hailey and Sigmund. That was fine—I like Frankie and think she’s a great protagonist. This sequel, however, really stands out for how it brings in the points of view of Vi and even, at one point, Grimloch. Vi’s connection to the mystery of the other slayers’ disappearance provides the reader with an important perspective that the Scoobies don’t have access to. Similarly, there are some short but excellent moments between Sigmund and his mother, or between Willow and Oz, that help us see the events and characters of this book in a better light. Much like the original TV series, this book is at its best when it showcases the interesting facets of its ensemble cast.
That being said, Frankie remains the heart of the story just as Buffy did in her own series, and there is nothing wrong with that. Even though this book takes place mere weeks after the first one, you can already see how being the slayer is having an effect. Frankie feels more mature and sure of herself in this book—though that certainty isn’t always a good thing and, indeed, can land her in hot water.
Something I’ll be curious to see if this series continues past a third book would be whether Disney has Frankie age into late adolescence/young adulthood the same way Buffy did in the TV show, and what effect that might have on the atmosphere of the books. As it is, although these books deal with some very serious and potentially dark issues, such as violence, death, grief, and betrayal of the worst kind, there remains a lighthearted goofiness that definitely resembles Buffy circa seasons 1 and 2, when our characters were high school students still trying to balance slaying with more mundane concerns like dating, homework, or being grounded.
To that last point: I did not expect to love Willow as a parent so much!! Again, Blake writes this aspect of Willow’s character as a love letter to the TV show. There are a lot of allusions, both subtle and overt, to Joyce’s parenting of Buffy. Unlike Joyce, Willow has been aware of Frankie’s calling since it happened (she is, albeit indirectly, responsible for it). Yet that doesn’t obviate any of the worry that Willow feels, and she reflects on how Joyce must have felt back in the day. Her attempts to parent Frankie responsibly and set in place healthy boundaries—e.g., through grounding—are at odds sometimes with Frankie’s role as the slayer, and it’s fascinating to see Willow, Oz, Frankie, and the others work through all these power dynamics. Though Joyce and Buffy had a loving relationship to be sure, it was definitely strained at times; in contrast, Frankie and Willow’s relationship feels like it’s weathering the new stress of slaying quite well—I’m sure there’s an entire academic essay somewhere in here about this, but I’ll attribute it perhaps to Willow being “in the know” from the outset and having her own decades of experience with the supernatural and the hellmouth to help her navigate the warts and wrinkles of parenting a slayer.
Indeed, much more so than in the first book—which I think was really working overtime to establish the world of a New Sunnydale sixteen years out from the end of Buffy—relationships figure prominently here. Not just romantic ones either!
I was critical of In Every Generation for the ambiguity it created around Willow’s relationship with Oz, what this said about Willow’s sexuality, and in general the dearth of on-page queerness in a book for young adults. One Girl in All the World allays a lot of my fears about what the Mouse might have sanctioned—I use that word in both of its senses—in this series. It looks like Jake is questioning his sexuality in a very healthy and positive way, supported by his friends, and I love to see it. Meanwhile, Spike of all people calls out Willow’s will-they-or-won’t-they situation with Oz, and Blake addresses the ambiguity a lot more directly here. I won’t give anything away, but I’m really happy with how it plays out.
Outside of the romance, we see a lot of parent-child, sibling, and friendship dynamics play out that are super interesting. Vi’s return throws Frankie and Hailey’s budding friendship-cum-sisterhood into flux, just as Sarafina’s presence upsets Hailey and Sigmund’s romance in a way neither of them expected even as Sarafina herself makes eyes at Willow (and possibly Oz??). I love Jake’s frustration with not being in full control of his werewolf abilities and how he feels like this renders him less useful, especially when he’s trapped in a cage during the climax of the book. All in all, newcomers to the Buffyverse get an introduction to a dynamic that is plenty familiar to longtime fans of the series: the slayer must balance accepting help from her allies with the possible dangers this puts them in.
This works into a larger question of consent and informed consent. Can the Scoobies really know what they are getting themselves into? Arguably yes, given that Hailey has grown up as the sister of a slayer (though Vi tried to shield her from that) and Jake has been a werewolf from birth. But what about the Potentials who were activated sixteen years ago? What about the slayer herself? The entire foundation of this series rests on a nonconsensual act—first, long ago, men foisting the powers of the slayer on the First Slayer, and then sixteen years ago Willow and Buffy doing the same thing to every Potential Slayer. The TV show stopped at that point and never had the opportunity to grapple with the possible ramifications of such an action. Blake confronts it head-on here, and it’s brilliant..
I really like this development in the mystery of who targeted the slayers in Halifax. It makes a lot of sense in the context of the series mythology. Buffy has always been a show that talks about power corrupting, whether it’s people like the Mayor who steeped in it for so long it has literally become their raison d’être or people like Willow, who come to power with good intentions and find themselves always one step away from the abyss. I don’t really think you can have a Buffy story without it being, in some way, a story about power: who has it, who doesn’t have it, who deserves to have it, and what those with it do to those without it. Frankie has always had some power and has come into new power, and so far she seems to be making wise choices. Will that always be the case?
I concluded my review of In Every Generation with the somewhat pompous proclamation that “this series has a lot of growing to do before it can feel comfortable living up to Buffy’s legacy.” I stand by this opinion but will add that One Girl in All the World is precisely the kind of growth I was hoping to see. It has left me excited to see what the next book holds for Frankie, the Scoobies, and those who would snark against the Darkness.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
Spoilers ahead for the first book but not for this one!
Frankie Rosenberg, daughter of Willow, is the world’s first slayer-witch. She came into her powers after an explosion in Halifax—one might call it a Halifax Explosion—is presumed to have killed almost all of the extant slayers when they had gathered for a retreat. Frankie now patrols New Sunnydale along with her friend Jake, a werewolf related to Oz; Hailey, who sister of slayer Vi Larrson; Spike, now Frankie’s Watcher; and Sigmund, a Sage demon who feeds off stupidity and oozes charm when he isn’t careful. Having defeated the Countess in the first book, Frankie hopes she can have some downtime to grow into her new slayer abilities—but her hopes are dashed when some force begins to draw demons to the Hellmouth at an ever-increasing rate. It turns out that some new player—the Darkness—has a plan for the Hellmouth, Frankie, Willow, and the Scythe that is connected to the power of the slayers.
The elimination of the slayers right at the start of the first book felt like a bombastic but effective way to wipe the slate clean and give Blake a chance to tell a vampire slayer story without too many pieces on the board. Even in that book, there were hints that this event, however distant from New Sunnydale where the books are set, would drive the overall arc of this series. I’m very happy with how One Girl in All the World picks up that thread and runs with it.
By and large, I’d attribute that success to an expanded point of view. The first book was very focused on Frankie, with a little bit of time spent on Hailey and Sigmund. That was fine—I like Frankie and think she’s a great protagonist. This sequel, however, really stands out for how it brings in the points of view of Vi and even, at one point, Grimloch. Vi’s connection to the mystery of the other slayers’ disappearance provides the reader with an important perspective that the Scoobies don’t have access to. Similarly, there are some short but excellent moments between Sigmund and his mother, or between Willow and Oz, that help us see the events and characters of this book in a better light. Much like the original TV series, this book is at its best when it showcases the interesting facets of its ensemble cast.
That being said, Frankie remains the heart of the story just as Buffy did in her own series, and there is nothing wrong with that. Even though this book takes place mere weeks after the first one, you can already see how being the slayer is having an effect. Frankie feels more mature and sure of herself in this book—though that certainty isn’t always a good thing and, indeed, can land her in hot water.
Something I’ll be curious to see if this series continues past a third book would be whether Disney has Frankie age into late adolescence/young adulthood the same way Buffy did in the TV show, and what effect that might have on the atmosphere of the books. As it is, although these books deal with some very serious and potentially dark issues, such as violence, death, grief, and betrayal of the worst kind, there remains a lighthearted goofiness that definitely resembles Buffy circa seasons 1 and 2, when our characters were high school students still trying to balance slaying with more mundane concerns like dating, homework, or being grounded.
To that last point: I did not expect to love Willow as a parent so much!! Again, Blake writes this aspect of Willow’s character as a love letter to the TV show. There are a lot of allusions, both subtle and overt, to Joyce’s parenting of Buffy. Unlike Joyce, Willow has been aware of Frankie’s calling since it happened (she is, albeit indirectly, responsible for it). Yet that doesn’t obviate any of the worry that Willow feels, and she reflects on how Joyce must have felt back in the day. Her attempts to parent Frankie responsibly and set in place healthy boundaries—e.g., through grounding—are at odds sometimes with Frankie’s role as the slayer, and it’s fascinating to see Willow, Oz, Frankie, and the others work through all these power dynamics. Though Joyce and Buffy had a loving relationship to be sure, it was definitely strained at times; in contrast, Frankie and Willow’s relationship feels like it’s weathering the new stress of slaying quite well—I’m sure there’s an entire academic essay somewhere in here about this, but I’ll attribute it perhaps to Willow being “in the know” from the outset and having her own decades of experience with the supernatural and the hellmouth to help her navigate the warts and wrinkles of parenting a slayer.
Indeed, much more so than in the first book—which I think was really working overtime to establish the world of a New Sunnydale sixteen years out from the end of Buffy—relationships figure prominently here. Not just romantic ones either!
I was critical of In Every Generation for the ambiguity it created around Willow’s relationship with Oz, what this said about Willow’s sexuality, and in general the dearth of on-page queerness in a book for young adults. One Girl in All the World allays a lot of my fears about what the Mouse might have sanctioned—I use that word in both of its senses—in this series. It looks like Jake is questioning his sexuality in a very healthy and positive way, supported by his friends, and I love to see it. Meanwhile, Spike of all people calls out Willow’s will-they-or-won’t-they situation with Oz, and Blake addresses the ambiguity a lot more directly here. I won’t give anything away, but I’m really happy with how it plays out.
Outside of the romance, we see a lot of parent-child, sibling, and friendship dynamics play out that are super interesting. Vi’s return throws Frankie and Hailey’s budding friendship-cum-sisterhood into flux, just as Sarafina’s presence upsets Hailey and Sigmund’s romance in a way neither of them expected even as Sarafina herself makes eyes at Willow (and possibly Oz??). I love Jake’s frustration with not being in full control of his werewolf abilities and how he feels like this renders him less useful, especially when he’s trapped in a cage during the climax of the book. All in all, newcomers to the Buffyverse get an introduction to a dynamic that is plenty familiar to longtime fans of the series: the slayer must balance accepting help from her allies with the possible dangers this puts them in.
This works into a larger question of consent and informed consent. Can the Scoobies really know what they are getting themselves into? Arguably yes, given that Hailey has grown up as the sister of a slayer (though Vi tried to shield her from that) and Jake has been a werewolf from birth. But what about the Potentials who were activated sixteen years ago? What about the slayer herself? The entire foundation of this series rests on a nonconsensual act—first, long ago, men foisting the powers of the slayer on the First Slayer, and then sixteen years ago Willow and Buffy doing the same thing to every Potential Slayer. The TV show stopped at that point and never had the opportunity to grapple with the possible ramifications of such an action. Blake confronts it head-on here, and it’s brilliant..
I really like this development in the mystery of who targeted the slayers in Halifax. It makes a lot of sense in the context of the series mythology. Buffy has always been a show that talks about power corrupting, whether it’s people like the Mayor who steeped in it for so long it has literally become their raison d’être or people like Willow, who come to power with good intentions and find themselves always one step away from the abyss. I don’t really think you can have a Buffy story without it being, in some way, a story about power: who has it, who doesn’t have it, who deserves to have it, and what those with it do to those without it. Frankie has always had some power and has come into new power, and so far she seems to be making wise choices. Will that always be the case?
I concluded my review of In Every Generation with the somewhat pompous proclamation that “this series has a lot of growing to do before it can feel comfortable living up to Buffy’s legacy.” I stand by this opinion but will add that One Girl in All the World is precisely the kind of growth I was hoping to see. It has left me excited to see what the next book holds for Frankie, the Scoobies, and those who would snark against the Darkness.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
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April 23, 2023
No one is more surprised than me that I decided to pick up One Girl in All the World after my experience with the previous book. I guess April hits and I'm suddenly in a Slayer mood?? Who knows.
I am very happy to say that I did enjoy this book so much more than I thought I would, though! And I'm glad I gave it a chance. Pretty much all of the issues I had with In Every Generation weren't present here--with the biggest one being the Willow and Oz of it all. I'm very happy Blake's team paid attention to reviews and with how that was addressed in this installment.
My one absolute most favorite thing about One Girl was Spike lol I just love this domestic Watcher iteration of him and how much it warmed my heart. I also loved the developing dynamic of the new Scoobies and how they worked with the old team to solve tough situations.
There were a few plot points that didn't quite work for me, sadly. There were some incredibly underwhelming twists and reveals towards the ending that felt very rushed so they could be dealt with in a next book. I also really disliked the romance and sort of love triangle with Frankie and another character here.
Also! While I did enjoy some of the easter eggs here, others didn't fit all that well with the story and came across as a bit forced in a way that didn't happen in the previous book. I am glad Blake created some of her own rules and magic(al objects) to add to this universe, however, and didn't rely solely on TV show stuff. That made things pretty interesting, personally, and I'm actually quite excited to see where the series goes from there :D
I am very happy to say that I did enjoy this book so much more than I thought I would, though! And I'm glad I gave it a chance. Pretty much all of the issues I had with In Every Generation weren't present here--with the biggest one being the Willow and Oz of it all. I'm very happy Blake's team paid attention to reviews and with how that was addressed in this installment.
My one absolute most favorite thing about One Girl was Spike lol I just love this domestic Watcher iteration of him and how much it warmed my heart. I also loved the developing dynamic of the new Scoobies and how they worked with the old team to solve tough situations.
There were a few plot points that didn't quite work for me, sadly. There were some incredibly underwhelming twists and reveals towards the ending that felt very rushed so they could be dealt with in a next book. I also really disliked the romance and sort of love triangle with Frankie and another character here.
Also! While I did enjoy some of the easter eggs here, others didn't fit all that well with the story and came across as a bit forced in a way that didn't happen in the previous book. I am glad Blake created some of her own rules and magic(al objects) to add to this universe, however, and didn't rely solely on TV show stuff. That made things pretty interesting, personally, and I'm actually quite excited to see where the series goes from there :D
July 9, 2023
Second book in Blake's published fanfic sequel series. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. There are major middle-book issues, with almost no real plot and what little there is cliffhangered to the third volume. Also, while I still like Spike and Willow's friendship, and I like Frankie, the other Next Gen Scoobies don't progress as characters -- they barely feel like characters at all. (I have some quibbles with Spike's characterization, too, tbh -- in canon he's both very smart and very stupid, but Blake only seems to remember the latter; at one point she has another character say he's "hardly an orator" and like, HELLO? What kind of fan cannot recite from memory his speech from "Lovers Walk"?) Also, I don't really have a problem with immortals dating non-immortals, and I know Buffy certainly did, but Frankie feels like a very young sixteen, so her relationship with a 2,000-year-old demon pings me as super icky! Like, what are you doing, dude? You are a full-ass adult with a demonic job!
I probably should have just found a long Spuffy time travel fic and read that, but then all y'all wouldn't have gotten to hear about it. Yay?
I probably should have just found a long Spuffy time travel fic and read that, but then all y'all wouldn't have gotten to hear about it. Yay?
October 10, 2022
With book two in her super fun Buffy-verse series, Kendare Blake once again uses her unique skills at writing comedic action to blend banter with blades as Sunnydale’s favourite team of slayers, witches, werewolves, and their friends reunite to battle a new wave of “greatest hit” monsters and search for the slayers who went missing in book one. Quips fly as fast as fists while alliances shift, new romances bloom, and tensions mount. Though the books are clearly written for fans of the TV series, with lots of references that will delight those familiar with them, Blake fills us in on the essentials so the story works without prior knowledge of the world and characters. Did it inspire me to watch more of the series? Maybe. To pick up book three when it hits shelves? Absolutely.
July 12, 2025
exactement la nostalgie dont j'avais besoin.
February 17, 2023
Wow! This sequel was so good! I loved all of the star wars & Lord of the Rings reference we got in here! I will be doing (Or trying to do) a nonspoiler review later on but for now all I can say is: WHERE IS BOOK 3?!
April 19, 2023
3.5, kinda spoilers but if my 2000+ year old hot demon boyfriend moved on from my presumed death with a 16 year old girl I’d become evil too.
January 30, 2023
The nitty-gritty: The gang is back in this second book in Kendare Blake's Buffy-inspired series, with plenty of action, laughs and monsters.
I love when the second book in a series hits its stride and improves on the first book, and that was my experience with One Girl in All the World. I'll admit I didn’t love the first book, In Every Generation, and I was a bit hesitant to tackle this one, but I’m so glad I did. Blake not only ups the stakes, but the plot is tighter and more interesting in every way. The characters also continue to change and grow, and most of the Buffyverse jokes and Easter eggs hit their mark for me, which was a lot of fun.
Also, please note there will be minor spoilers ahead for the first book in the series!
When the story opens, the new Scooby gang is still trying to find out what happened to Buffy and many of the other slayers who were caught in an explosion at the beginning of In Every Generation. But not everyone is currently in Sunnydale. Vi, one of the slayers who escaped the blast, took off after helping the gang defeat the Countess at the end of the last book, and her sister Hailey is worried sick about her. Likewise, Grimloch the Hunter of Thrace is also absent, as he’s gone looking for another slayer. Frankie, the current slayer and Willow’s mystically-born daughter, has fallen for Grim and isn’t too keen that he’s gone chasing after another girl.
But relationship drama aside, Sunnydale is suddenly being overrun with demons, much more than normal. And the demons are…familiar. Something is drawing them to the Hellmouth, and Frankie and her Scooby gang—Hailey, Jake, and Sigmund—have their hands full trying to keep up with the slaying. With the help of Oz, Willow and Spike, as well as a vision from an oracle sent by an old friend, Frankie unveils a nefarious plot involving the magical Slayer weapon that once saved the world: the Scythe.
I had a bunch of fun with this book. As an uber-Buffy fan, I love spotting references from the original TV show, and there were a lot in this book. Probably my favorite element is the way many monsters and demons from the TV show made an appearance, sort of like a Buffy monster reunion. If you’re a fan, you’ll know what a Polgara demon is, and remember the episode when Giles turns into a Fyarl demon? The swim team-turned fish monsters from Season 2 make a cameo, and many others as well. I thought it was a great idea to include this, and yes, this “who’s who” of Buffyverse demons isn’t just random, it fits into the plot nicely.
Oddly enough, it’s the new characters that I connected with the most. Yes, I’m a big fan of Oz, Spike and Willow, but I’m also much more critical of how their characters are portrayed. Blake does a pretty good job of capturing the magic that I remember from the show, but still, not all of their dialog worked for me. Spike’s character in particular is a little odd. He’s now a Watcher himself, as well as the Sunnydale High librarian, so for me he’s lost a lot of the edginess and charisma that worked so well on the TV show. He’s gone a little soft, in other words, and not because he’s older (he’s a vampire, after all).
But I really loved Frankie’s character in this book. She’s sort of the underdog of the story. She’s the current Slayer, but she’s also a witch (in the story she’s called a “slayer-witch,” lol), so when she fights, she uses a combination of slayer powers and magic. But she struggles to be good enough, always under the shadow of the great (and still missing) Buffy. Frankie is her own person, though, and doesn’t compromise. She’s a vegan and insists on composting the dead demon bodies she slays, and she’s in love with a demon who eats organs (including the hearts of slayers). Spike rarely compliments her when they train, and Frankie’s convinced she’s a horrible slayer. For a “superhero,” she’s amazingly down to earth, and I loved that about her.
I laughed a lot while reading One Girl in All the World, mostly because Blake really nailed the Buffy style humor (I remember doing more groaning than laughing during the first book). There are also some sweet moments between the characters, as their relationships change and grow. One of the things I liked in the original series was the coming of age element, and the author does a really good job with it here. Maybe that’s why I liked the younger characters better than the old, familiar ones, who felt a little jaded and uninspiring to me.
The plot itself is full of tension, and Blake leaves her readers with a couple of unsolved mysteries at the end, perfect for hooking readers and getting them excited about the next book in the series. I’m definitely on board for book three myself, but in the meantime, I think a Buffy rewatch is in order…
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
I love when the second book in a series hits its stride and improves on the first book, and that was my experience with One Girl in All the World. I'll admit I didn’t love the first book, In Every Generation, and I was a bit hesitant to tackle this one, but I’m so glad I did. Blake not only ups the stakes, but the plot is tighter and more interesting in every way. The characters also continue to change and grow, and most of the Buffyverse jokes and Easter eggs hit their mark for me, which was a lot of fun.
Also, please note there will be minor spoilers ahead for the first book in the series!
When the story opens, the new Scooby gang is still trying to find out what happened to Buffy and many of the other slayers who were caught in an explosion at the beginning of In Every Generation. But not everyone is currently in Sunnydale. Vi, one of the slayers who escaped the blast, took off after helping the gang defeat the Countess at the end of the last book, and her sister Hailey is worried sick about her. Likewise, Grimloch the Hunter of Thrace is also absent, as he’s gone looking for another slayer. Frankie, the current slayer and Willow’s mystically-born daughter, has fallen for Grim and isn’t too keen that he’s gone chasing after another girl.
But relationship drama aside, Sunnydale is suddenly being overrun with demons, much more than normal. And the demons are…familiar. Something is drawing them to the Hellmouth, and Frankie and her Scooby gang—Hailey, Jake, and Sigmund—have their hands full trying to keep up with the slaying. With the help of Oz, Willow and Spike, as well as a vision from an oracle sent by an old friend, Frankie unveils a nefarious plot involving the magical Slayer weapon that once saved the world: the Scythe.
I had a bunch of fun with this book. As an uber-Buffy fan, I love spotting references from the original TV show, and there were a lot in this book. Probably my favorite element is the way many monsters and demons from the TV show made an appearance, sort of like a Buffy monster reunion. If you’re a fan, you’ll know what a Polgara demon is, and remember the episode when Giles turns into a Fyarl demon? The swim team-turned fish monsters from Season 2 make a cameo, and many others as well. I thought it was a great idea to include this, and yes, this “who’s who” of Buffyverse demons isn’t just random, it fits into the plot nicely.
Oddly enough, it’s the new characters that I connected with the most. Yes, I’m a big fan of Oz, Spike and Willow, but I’m also much more critical of how their characters are portrayed. Blake does a pretty good job of capturing the magic that I remember from the show, but still, not all of their dialog worked for me. Spike’s character in particular is a little odd. He’s now a Watcher himself, as well as the Sunnydale High librarian, so for me he’s lost a lot of the edginess and charisma that worked so well on the TV show. He’s gone a little soft, in other words, and not because he’s older (he’s a vampire, after all).
But I really loved Frankie’s character in this book. She’s sort of the underdog of the story. She’s the current Slayer, but she’s also a witch (in the story she’s called a “slayer-witch,” lol), so when she fights, she uses a combination of slayer powers and magic. But she struggles to be good enough, always under the shadow of the great (and still missing) Buffy. Frankie is her own person, though, and doesn’t compromise. She’s a vegan and insists on composting the dead demon bodies she slays, and she’s in love with a demon who eats organs (including the hearts of slayers). Spike rarely compliments her when they train, and Frankie’s convinced she’s a horrible slayer. For a “superhero,” she’s amazingly down to earth, and I loved that about her.
I laughed a lot while reading One Girl in All the World, mostly because Blake really nailed the Buffy style humor (I remember doing more groaning than laughing during the first book). There are also some sweet moments between the characters, as their relationships change and grow. One of the things I liked in the original series was the coming of age element, and the author does a really good job with it here. Maybe that’s why I liked the younger characters better than the old, familiar ones, who felt a little jaded and uninspiring to me.
The plot itself is full of tension, and Blake leaves her readers with a couple of unsolved mysteries at the end, perfect for hooking readers and getting them excited about the next book in the series. I’m definitely on board for book three myself, but in the meantime, I think a Buffy rewatch is in order…
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
May 19, 2023
The second book of a trilogy that would serve as a fantastic reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although there was a good amount of setup towards the end of this book, this did primarily tell its own story and was mostly well done. There are aspects of the story I don't love, but overall it's fun being in the Buffyverse!
A pretty solid audiobook listen, although some of the characters (through their dialogue) feel the same. Not sure if that's an author problem or a narrator problem. 3.5/5
A pretty solid audiobook listen, although some of the characters (through their dialogue) feel the same. Not sure if that's an author problem or a narrator problem. 3.5/5
February 13, 2023
A mass collection of Sunnydale greatest hits with an all new spin and adventure. I can’t get enough of this series and I’m so sad that it’s over…..for now
January 30, 2023
Frankie Rosenberg and New Sunndale's Scoobies are back, and being the first slayer-witch isn't as easy as Frankie hoped it would be. I mean she did defeat The Countess, didn't she? But the Hellmouth has something new in store for her, which may look (at least to Willow, Oz, and Spike) quite familiar.
Again, Kudos to Blake for nailing the voice of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" once again. It really made this second installment just like watching the TV show. Happy to see the sexuality of the characters explored a bit more and held true to cannon.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Sarah Mollo-Christensen nailed it once again in her voices for Willow, Spike, and Oz. All in all, an enjoyable 2nd in series.
Again, Kudos to Blake for nailing the voice of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" once again. It really made this second installment just like watching the TV show. Happy to see the sexuality of the characters explored a bit more and held true to cannon.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ALC. Sarah Mollo-Christensen nailed it once again in her voices for Willow, Spike, and Oz. All in all, an enjoyable 2nd in series.
January 11, 2023
Advance copy from NetGalley
Still really enjoying this Buffy sequel series. Die-hard fans of the show and comics will get the most out of it. Honestly, I don’t know if there’s any other audience for it. I can’t imagine a Buffy newcomer starting where Frankie’s story begins, but I suppose there must be some who decided to start their Buffy journey with this series. I don’t recommend doing it that way as there are tons of spoilers, besides all the fun references to the show you won’t understand.
Blake has a strong sense of the original Scoobies, the original humor and vibe of the show. She’s written a good cast of next generation slayer and Scoobies too, and I’m very glad she uses a structure similar to a season of the show, in which each book works as an episode that solves a smaller problem and doesn’t end on a dang cliffhanger. I like Frankie’s combination of witch and slayer skills and her hapless but effective fighting style. I also like that this group of teens, while they certainly have some relationship angst, don’t let it take over when lives are at stake. And the chapter titles are delightful.
I’m not a big fan of Grim as love interest. There’s something about his age and previous relationship with an older slayer that makes his interest in Frankie less believable and a bit creepy.
The endless parade of battles went a bit long, but I did appreciate seeing all the familiar baddies from the show.
Fans of Buffy: this is a great spin-off and should not be missed.
People who have never watched the show: don’t read these until you’ve watched all 7 seasons of the show.
Still really enjoying this Buffy sequel series. Die-hard fans of the show and comics will get the most out of it. Honestly, I don’t know if there’s any other audience for it. I can’t imagine a Buffy newcomer starting where Frankie’s story begins, but I suppose there must be some who decided to start their Buffy journey with this series. I don’t recommend doing it that way as there are tons of spoilers, besides all the fun references to the show you won’t understand.
Blake has a strong sense of the original Scoobies, the original humor and vibe of the show. She’s written a good cast of next generation slayer and Scoobies too, and I’m very glad she uses a structure similar to a season of the show, in which each book works as an episode that solves a smaller problem and doesn’t end on a dang cliffhanger. I like Frankie’s combination of witch and slayer skills and her hapless but effective fighting style. I also like that this group of teens, while they certainly have some relationship angst, don’t let it take over when lives are at stake. And the chapter titles are delightful.
I’m not a big fan of Grim as love interest. There’s something about his age and previous relationship with an older slayer that makes his interest in Frankie less believable and a bit creepy.
The endless parade of battles went a bit long, but I did appreciate seeing all the familiar baddies from the show.
Fans of Buffy: this is a great spin-off and should not be missed.
People who have never watched the show: don’t read these until you’ve watched all 7 seasons of the show.
January 20, 2023
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
One Girl in All the World is the second installment in author Kendare Blake's In Every Generation series. 16 year old Frankie Rosenberg, daughter of the infamous Willow, the witch who almost destroyed the world, is the first witch-slayer in history thanks to the devastating events that happened in Halifax prior to the first installment. Frankie and her new "Scooby Gang," Hailey Larsson, sister of the slayer Vi Larsson, Sigmund, a sage demon, Jake, born werewolf, plus Willow, Spike, and Oz, are trying to not only train Frankie into what it means to be a slayer, but to protect the school and population of New Sunnydale.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
One Girl in All the World is the second installment in author Kendare Blake's In Every Generation series. 16 year old Frankie Rosenberg, daughter of the infamous Willow, the witch who almost destroyed the world, is the first witch-slayer in history thanks to the devastating events that happened in Halifax prior to the first installment. Frankie and her new "Scooby Gang," Hailey Larsson, sister of the slayer Vi Larsson, Sigmund, a sage demon, Jake, born werewolf, plus Willow, Spike, and Oz, are trying to not only train Frankie into what it means to be a slayer, but to protect the school and population of New Sunnydale.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
March 6, 2023
Je pense que ce tome m’a plus plu que le premier même s’il reprend globalement la même formule : beaucoup, beaucoup de fan service. Évidemment, ça peut déplaire, mais en même temps c’est aussi ce qu’on attend d’un roman se déroulant dans un univers connu. Il y a bien eu des petits moments où j’ai trouvé que les références manquaient un peu de subtilité et paraissaient un peu forcées (comme quand un personnage qui n’a jamais connu Cordélia lui fait référence) mais ça fonctionne quand même très bien dans l’ensemble.
⠀
Ce que j’ai vraiment apprécié dans cette suite, c’est qu’on a des vraies réponses concernant les événements du premier tome. Attention, tout n’est pas résolu (c’est prévu comme une trilogie donc il manque encore une partie de l’histoire) mais on sait enfin ce qui s’est vraiment passé à la réunion des Tueuses à Halifax, et pourquoi. Et pour le coup, j’ai bien aimé la direction prise par l’autrice. Quelques petits détails sont un peu bancals mais l’idée est intéressante en tout cas.
⠀
La seule chose qui m’a vraiment posé problème dans ce tome, c’est la romance. Rassurez-vous, je ne parle pas d’une romance Willow-Oz. Les maladresses commises autour de ces deux personnages dans le tome précédent ont été réparées, heureusement.
⠀
Ceci dit, Willow a quand même un début de romance qui m’a agacé pour deux raisons : ça démarre un peu vite (a priori il y a un historique entre les deux personnages donc admettons), mais surtout, c’est comme si Willow mettait entièrement de côté sa personnalité pour impressionner l’autre personne, et ça, ça m’a beaucoup gêné. Au-delà du fait que Willow a la quarantaine et a, je pense, passé l’âge de se comporter de cette façon, je ne trouve pas ça cohérent avec le personnage.
⠀
Mais la romance qui m’a vraiment dérangé, c’est celle entre une ado de 16 ans et un démon (multi)millénaire. Certes, on avait ce genre de relations dans Buffy, mais je me dis que c’était une autre époque, qu’on n’avait pas la même sensibilité, même si dans l’idée c’était déjà gerbant quand on y pense. De nos jours, je trouve ça inacceptable.
⠀
Évidemment que même si le personnage était majeur, la différence d’âge avec le démon resterait démesurée, mais peu importe. Le fait est que si en lieu et place du démon on avait un mec lambda de 25-30 ans, on serait tous choqués, à juste titre. Pourquoi est-ce qu’on considère que ça passe juste parce que le type est pas humain et qu’il a un âge canonique ?
⠀
Bon voilà, je finis un peu sur un petit coup de gueule mais ça ne m’a pas gâché la lecture pour autant. Quand je lis du YA, mon cerveau a l’habitude d’ignorer un peu la romance donc j’ai réussi à me focaliser un peu plus sur le reste. Dans tous les cas c’était quand même très sympa et j’ai hâte de découvrir le dernier tome.
⠀
Ce que j’ai vraiment apprécié dans cette suite, c’est qu’on a des vraies réponses concernant les événements du premier tome. Attention, tout n’est pas résolu (c’est prévu comme une trilogie donc il manque encore une partie de l’histoire) mais on sait enfin ce qui s’est vraiment passé à la réunion des Tueuses à Halifax, et pourquoi. Et pour le coup, j’ai bien aimé la direction prise par l’autrice. Quelques petits détails sont un peu bancals mais l’idée est intéressante en tout cas.
⠀
La seule chose qui m’a vraiment posé problème dans ce tome, c’est la romance. Rassurez-vous, je ne parle pas d’une romance Willow-Oz. Les maladresses commises autour de ces deux personnages dans le tome précédent ont été réparées, heureusement.
⠀
Ceci dit, Willow a quand même un début de romance qui m’a agacé pour deux raisons : ça démarre un peu vite (a priori il y a un historique entre les deux personnages donc admettons), mais surtout, c’est comme si Willow mettait entièrement de côté sa personnalité pour impressionner l’autre personne, et ça, ça m’a beaucoup gêné. Au-delà du fait que Willow a la quarantaine et a, je pense, passé l’âge de se comporter de cette façon, je ne trouve pas ça cohérent avec le personnage.
⠀
Mais la romance qui m’a vraiment dérangé, c’est celle entre une ado de 16 ans et un démon (multi)millénaire. Certes, on avait ce genre de relations dans Buffy, mais je me dis que c’était une autre époque, qu’on n’avait pas la même sensibilité, même si dans l’idée c’était déjà gerbant quand on y pense. De nos jours, je trouve ça inacceptable.
⠀
Évidemment que même si le personnage était majeur, la différence d’âge avec le démon resterait démesurée, mais peu importe. Le fait est que si en lieu et place du démon on avait un mec lambda de 25-30 ans, on serait tous choqués, à juste titre. Pourquoi est-ce qu’on considère que ça passe juste parce que le type est pas humain et qu’il a un âge canonique ?
⠀
Bon voilà, je finis un peu sur un petit coup de gueule mais ça ne m’a pas gâché la lecture pour autant. Quand je lis du YA, mon cerveau a l’habitude d’ignorer un peu la romance donc j’ai réussi à me focaliser un peu plus sur le reste. Dans tous les cas c’était quand même très sympa et j’ai hâte de découvrir le dernier tome.
May 11, 2023
Fun enough but a bit young for me. I think I need to stop chasing that Buffy nostalgia.
I do think this had that Buffy-feeling, and it's me that's the problem.
For me, the ending was the best because it stopped focusing on relationships and got into the action and the mystery.
I do think this had that Buffy-feeling, and it's me that's the problem.
For me, the ending was the best because it stopped focusing on relationships and got into the action and the mystery.
January 12, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this novel!
Gosh do I love this series. Kendare Blake continues to completely nail the tone of the original "Buffy" series and its characters, the new characters like Frankie, Jake, Hailey, and Sigmund fit in with old favorites like Willow, Oz, and Spike. The humor and heart of the source material is there, and she also hits the right beats of broader problems that Frankie and her friends are facing that expand further than the building tension of a growing demon infestation in the Hellmouth. Frankie has a lot of pressure as the only Slayer available at the moment, and while her friends are supportive and trying to help her, they have their own (very relatable) problems they are also trying to contend with, be it parental expectations that are hard to meet, burgeoning feelings for friends, or torn loyalties between family and friends. And on top of all that, which Blake pulls of very well, we also have great explorations and expansions of the characters we love from the show. I was especially happy with how Blake is showing the stresses that Willow and Spike have been facing, as they are pretty much the new Joyce and Giles, and are having to deal with the wish to keep the world safe (And to help a still MIA Buffy), and to worry about Frankie getting hurt or even killed. On top of that there are worries about WIllow's magical wielding, and Spike's deep fears about Buffy never coming back. I loved all of it. THe old and the new come together perfectly.
ONE GIRL IN ALL THE WORLD is a great continuation of a series that is everything I wanted in continuing BUFFY stories. I can't wait to see what the final installation brings.
Gosh do I love this series. Kendare Blake continues to completely nail the tone of the original "Buffy" series and its characters, the new characters like Frankie, Jake, Hailey, and Sigmund fit in with old favorites like Willow, Oz, and Spike. The humor and heart of the source material is there, and she also hits the right beats of broader problems that Frankie and her friends are facing that expand further than the building tension of a growing demon infestation in the Hellmouth. Frankie has a lot of pressure as the only Slayer available at the moment, and while her friends are supportive and trying to help her, they have their own (very relatable) problems they are also trying to contend with, be it parental expectations that are hard to meet, burgeoning feelings for friends, or torn loyalties between family and friends. And on top of all that, which Blake pulls of very well, we also have great explorations and expansions of the characters we love from the show. I was especially happy with how Blake is showing the stresses that Willow and Spike have been facing, as they are pretty much the new Joyce and Giles, and are having to deal with the wish to keep the world safe (And to help a still MIA Buffy), and to worry about Frankie getting hurt or even killed. On top of that there are worries about WIllow's magical wielding, and Spike's deep fears about Buffy never coming back. I loved all of it. THe old and the new come together perfectly.
ONE GIRL IN ALL THE WORLD is a great continuation of a series that is everything I wanted in continuing BUFFY stories. I can't wait to see what the final installation brings.
August 28, 2022
One Girl in all the World is the sequel to Kendare Blake's In Every Generation. All of the scoobies from the last book are back and ready to support Frankie, the most recent slayer. Frankie is, after events of the previous book, only one of two slayers seemingly left in all the world. The previous book's mystery of where all the slayers have gone is picked back up again, and readers are given question after question. Grimlock is also back, following the problematic tradition of dangerous and way-too-old love interest for the main teenage character that both Buffy the Vampire slayer and countless other YA materials seem to follow.
The biggest draw of this book, of course, is its nostalgia for Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. The text is rife with references that only fans of the show will get and appreciate. That is, in some ways, the biggest strength and weakness of this book. If you watched the original, these references will leave you smirking, but if you haven't, it could get tedious and perhaps a little annoying. Black does nail the quirky and tongue-in-cheek tone of the original show, which is certainly enjoyable. Other than that, however, this is very much par for the course in YA supernatural lit. 2.5/5
The biggest draw of this book, of course, is its nostalgia for Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. The text is rife with references that only fans of the show will get and appreciate. That is, in some ways, the biggest strength and weakness of this book. If you watched the original, these references will leave you smirking, but if you haven't, it could get tedious and perhaps a little annoying. Black does nail the quirky and tongue-in-cheek tone of the original show, which is certainly enjoyable. Other than that, however, this is very much par for the course in YA supernatural lit. 2.5/5
February 8, 2023
Book One was great, but the second chapter in Kendare Blakes Buffy trilogy is bloody fantastic (pun intended). The nostalgia for the 90's tv show hit me hard and I felt like putting on my old leather duster again (Angel inspired).
The way she captures the voices of the OG cast is flawless it reads just like a mini BtVS TV movie would. My favourite character in this series by far is Oz, he's really developed into quite the role model in his late 30's with full control of his Wolf.
As for the new characters, much like the Slayer's Sythe feeling like an extension of the wielder's body, the new scoobes Frankie, Hailey, Jake, Sigmond and Grimlock are the additions of the original cast we didn't know we wanted.
My only complaint about One Girl in All The World is a very valid complaint . . . I have to wait another year to find out how it will conclude!
Or a Spike would say "Bloody Bollocks"
Just an idea to the Author if she reads this review, why stop at just three books 💁♂️
5 by 5
The way she captures the voices of the OG cast is flawless it reads just like a mini BtVS TV movie would. My favourite character in this series by far is Oz, he's really developed into quite the role model in his late 30's with full control of his Wolf.
As for the new characters, much like the Slayer's Sythe feeling like an extension of the wielder's body, the new scoobes Frankie, Hailey, Jake, Sigmond and Grimlock are the additions of the original cast we didn't know we wanted.
My only complaint about One Girl in All The World is a very valid complaint . . . I have to wait another year to find out how it will conclude!
Or a Spike would say "Bloody Bollocks"
Just an idea to the Author if she reads this review, why stop at just three books 💁♂️
5 by 5
February 7, 2023
One Girl In All The World is the second book in this new Buffyverse series, and I am loving it. As you can tell, I’m super into Buffy. So, it’s fun to dive back into the Buffy world. It’s super nostalgic for me. I grew up with Buffy and clearly never got over it ending. Blake absolutely nails this series. She understands the original characters and their personalities and included a lot of references from the show. The pacing and plot were perfect and very entertaining. I loved all the Easter eggs and references. Reading this book was like being back in Sunnydale in 1999. I honestly cannot wait for the next book! This is a must read for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
July 30, 2023
Pros: very fun big bad, librarian Spike (in a poetry club!!!!)
Cons: still supremely weird about Willow’s sexuality, pushes unnecessary tension between her and Oz, and a 2,000 YEAR AGE GAP ROMANCE (i mean, if you thought Angel and Buffy was bad enough…)
Cons: still supremely weird about Willow’s sexuality, pushes unnecessary tension between her and Oz, and a 2,000 YEAR AGE GAP ROMANCE (i mean, if you thought Angel and Buffy was bad enough…)
January 27, 2023
I really enjoyed the first one, In Every Generation, and so couldn’t wait to get my hands on this second one! It only took me a few pages to get back into the story and remember what happened, although I now want to go back and reread the first because of some things I can’t quite remember. One thing that I really love about this series so far is how much the author has totally brought into it the humor and snarkiness that was a big part of what I loved about the show. The goofy way they act in certain situations, the way the characters make up sayings or repurpose them into their killer comment as they finish off a baddie.
The Scooby gang is all here again. Well, the new Scooby gang. Although Xander makes a little bit of an appearance through mention at one point when they reach out to him. I love the new Scooby gang though, Jake, Hailey, Sigmund, and their slayer Frankie. Of course there’s Frankie’s watcher, Spike, and her mom Willow. This story we also get Sigmund’s mom, one of Willow’s exes? And then there is Grimloch from the first book, the reason I want to go back and reread that book. There is also someone who may not be part of the Scoobs at this moment, but by the end of the book, it seems they might have a chance at making it.
And then we also did get possibly a word or two from Buffy, as we find out where all the slayers might have gone, if they’re not dead from the explosion. The Darkness that comes to town is a bit of a betrayal in a way, but I like what it actually was. On the same thread as old friends, the hellmouth is attracting demons from before, so we do get some appearances of demons we know from the show. I chuckled at the Fyarl demon scene in the story when Spike had to “check” if it was Giles at first.
And I’m happy that while the big bad in this story was defeated for the most part, there is definite openings left for more stories. My hope being that this won’t just be a duology like the last BTVS remix was.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
The Scooby gang is all here again. Well, the new Scooby gang. Although Xander makes a little bit of an appearance through mention at one point when they reach out to him. I love the new Scooby gang though, Jake, Hailey, Sigmund, and their slayer Frankie. Of course there’s Frankie’s watcher, Spike, and her mom Willow. This story we also get Sigmund’s mom, one of Willow’s exes? And then there is Grimloch from the first book, the reason I want to go back and reread that book. There is also someone who may not be part of the Scoobs at this moment, but by the end of the book, it seems they might have a chance at making it.
And then we also did get possibly a word or two from Buffy, as we find out where all the slayers might have gone, if they’re not dead from the explosion. The Darkness that comes to town is a bit of a betrayal in a way, but I like what it actually was. On the same thread as old friends, the hellmouth is attracting demons from before, so we do get some appearances of demons we know from the show. I chuckled at the Fyarl demon scene in the story when Spike had to “check” if it was Giles at first.
And I’m happy that while the big bad in this story was defeated for the most part, there is definite openings left for more stories. My hope being that this won’t just be a duology like the last BTVS remix was.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
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