Name: Against the Darkness
Author: Kendare Blake

Author: Kendare Blake

Genres: Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult

Series: In Every Generation

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Published: 2024-01-23

This epic finale to the Buffy: The Next Generation trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns) features the next generation of Scoobies and Slayers who must defeat a powerful new evil. For generations, the Slayer was supposed to be the chosen, the one girl in all the world with the power to stand against the vampires, demons, and forces of darkness. When Willow used the scythe to call up all the potential slayers at once, it changed everything. For years, the slayers have been working and fighting together as a team. Then the Darkness came, killing many slayers and trapping the rest in an alternate dimension. And Frankie Rosenberg, the world’s first Slayer-Witch, found herself fighting evil alone. Sort of. Sure, she has her new Scooby Gang, plus the help of her mom, Willow; Watcher, Spike; and even the brooding-but-hot Hunter of Thrace. But even though they have a master plan (obviously), the gang is more fragmented than ever. So maybe it really is up to Frankie–and Frankie alone–to stand against the darkness. With Jake’s wild werewolf brother back in town, Dark Willow threatening to return, and the Darkness preparing for the final stage of their attack, now is not a great time to wallow in teen angst. After all, she’s the Slayer. It’s time to slay.

Hold onto your stakes, Buffy fans, because “Against the Darkness” by Kendare Blake is a whirlwind finale that’ll have you cheering, laughing, and maybe shedding a tear or two!

Blake delivers a knockout punch with this third and final installment of the In Every Generation series. If you thought the Hellmouth was closed for good, think again! This book proves there’s still plenty of vampy goodness to go around, even 16 years after we said goodbye to Buffy and the gang on our TV screens.

Picture the Scooby gang, but with a Gen Z twist. We’ve got Frankie Rosenberg, a Slayer-Witch hybrid who’s cooler than a vampire’s complexion. Then there’s Jake, dealing with some serious werewolf drama (and a troublemaking brother to boot). Don’t forget Hailey, playing double agent with the rogue slayers, and Sigmund, nursing a broken heart with a stack of dusty old books. It’s like a supernatural soap opera, and I’m here for every second of it!

But it’s not all fun and games in Sunnydale (or what’s left of it). Our heroes are facing off against the big bad Darkness, and let me tell you, this villain makes the Master look like a kitten. With the Slayers trapped in an alternate dimension and the team more scattered than ever, Frankie’s got her work cut out for her.

What makes this book shine brighter than a vampire in sunlight is how it balances nostalgia with fresh, exciting storytelling. Blake nails the witty banter and heart-pounding action that made us fall in love with Buffy in the first place, while creating a story that stands on its own two feet (or, you know, whatever appendages demons have).

From start to finish, “Against the Darkness” is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, plot twists, and epic battles. It’s the perfect sendoff for a trilogy that’s been consistently stellar – seriously, I’ve given all three books a full five stars, and I’d give them six if I could!

So whether you’re a die-hard Buffy fan looking to relive the glory days or a newcomer ready to dive into the world of Slayers, demons, and questionable fashion choices, this book is for you. Just be warned: once you start, you won’t be able to put it down. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rewatch Buffy for the millionth time while I wait for Kendare Blake’s next masterpiece!