Scott Allie

While I wouldn’t have personally written the second half of Season 8 the way it was, I think given that it took these turns that this was a solid wrap up to everything that has happened! There was plenty of action, maybe a little too much exposition, some REAL sadness, and a broadening of the Buffyverse that could potentially be a lot of fun to see explored in the future (coughBugSpaceshipcough).

The plot had grown a little too big and out of control, so the writers had quite a bit to reign in, and it was a good effort! I feel satisfied with this ending. I don’t ~adore~ it, mainly because several choices and action seem vaguely out of character, and because the universe got WAY bigger without a lot of buildup, but it was a good time and I’m glad I read it nevertheless!… (mere)

All short stories in this collection are side stories to the main events and this makes vol 5 standalone - you can skip it or you can read it, it wont make much of a difference for the main story line.

The Pickens County Horror is what you might call homage to Color from Space, standard body-snatcher horror where mysterious mist raises dead from their graves. It would be pretty oh-yeah-zombies-again-yaaay story if these same dead bodies weren't put in said graves by vampires. Interesting story, old school horror.

Transformation is very short but again it seems to be homage to Lovecraft and his favorite twist: everybody going crazy when in touch with the forbidden dark knowledge. Lots of hints, lots of wait for it .... and then pfffttttt.

Final arc is about BPRD group investigating strange house in Chicago. Here, contact with the mysterious sword will transfer one of the team members to ages past. Again homage to Lovecraft's circle, memories stored in things, in our genetic memories and people living through these strange times while looking comatose to everyone in their actual timeline (Jack Carter of Mars style, if you understand me).

Interesting collection, stories on their own are variations of what you might call already familiar horror stories with the twist. Only thing that sets them apart is the fact that main protagonists are your standard BPRD agents, and this means you are never sure who will survive the story.

Interesting stories, recommended.… (mere)