When I was diving into Slayer, I’ll admit to being filled with mixed emotions of excitement and concern over my expectations. This is the Buffyverse. It’s special, it’s sacred. Thankfully Slayer ended up being a big giant ball of awesome.

Chosen is no different in that aspect. While it is a more serious story, and there isn’t nearly as much teen angst as the first, it was the perfect conclusion to the story.

This duology is definitely required reading for every fan of Buffy. White does an outstanding job at keeping to the tone of the world we have all known and loved for decades. These books that she’s written really do feel like a proper extension of the series.

As a side note: if you’ve read Slayer but don’t remember the details, I would recommend a reread as there isn’t a whole lot of a “recap”. Plus it just means you get to reread an awesome story.

I think I preferred this one to the first one. I think I liked that we knew the characters, and got to focus more on the story now. I also liked the storyline in this one a lot. I do find the main character to be annoying a little at times, but given her age and the age group this is geared towards, I understand it. I also really enjoyed all references to the Buffyverse. I feel like any fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer would really enjoy these books. I will always continue with this series if the author writes more for it.

(This review will go up on my blog on January 3, 2020 at https://pingwings.ca/chosen)

I loved Slayer when I read it in 2019, so I was very excited to read this sequel. While I enjoyed Chosen, I didn’t love it as much as I did Slayer.

I appreciate what the author was trying to do by separating Nina and Artemis, but that didn’t really work for me. SPOILER: And I really struggled with Artemis’s actions and motivations. I wanted to believe that she believed what she was doing was right, but that was so difficult for me to buy into that it made reading this story a struggle at times. END OF SPOILER

But I loved the links to the Buffyverse and the appearance of certain characters, however briefly, into this story. I also thought the action scenes were well written and the setting – the Watcher’s castle – was fun. And the way different characters dealt with the events of Slayer were interesting to see.

Overall, while I don’t think this was as strong as Slayer, I enjoyed it and definitely want to see where Nina’s story goes next.

3.5 stars out of 5

I'm really struggling to summarize my thoughts and feelings on this book. Every time I think about it, nothing comes to mind. Things happened in the book! I know they did! But nothing was very memorable and the stakes (no pun intended) weren't high at all.

I love Buffy and this world. The first book in this series was like a warm hug. The characters were great, there were a ton of easter eggs, and the plot made sense. When you compare this one to it, it doesn't even begin to fill those shoes. I still loved the characters. There were more easter eggs, which I still enjoyed, even if they seemed a little too forced. I think the main issue was the plot.

What was the point of this story? Did it even need to exist? There was hardly any build up to the big bad, when things actually happened they were rushed, and the characters felt off and unlike themselves. When it ended, my reaction was "oh, that's it?" This could have been so much more than it was.

However, despite all of that, I still had a blast reading this. If you're a fan of Buffy and you liked the first book, I would definitely recommend picking this one up. It's still super enjoyable. Just be warned that it's not super necessary and the first book could probably be left as a standalone.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC!

This book was just as fun to read as the first book! I really enjoyed all the funny moments that happened and the plot was really interesting! I've always enjoyed books with a prophecy and this book didn't disappoint! And I can't believe all the twists and turns I wasn't expecting! I have to admit, I was annoyed with Artemis for the majority of the book but I'm glad things ended on a more positive note. I also enjoyed seeing Nina grow so much as a character and accepting her role as a Slayer.

I can't wait to read book three!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5/ 5 stars, rounded up to 3

I really enjoyed Slayer, so I was excited to receive an ARC of. Chosen. Unfortunately, I didn’t end up enjoying it as much as book one.

I think part of my disappointment was pacing issues and a weak plot, but most of it comes from there being so many characters that they all blend into each other.

It just didn’t click together for me the same way the first book did. And the resolution where everything goes back to normal and there seem to be no lingering consequences or real changes for anyone was disappointing.

This was everything I was hoping it would be. The same snappy dialogue, interesting plot and character growth. There were also so twists and turns I wasn't suspecting. And as with the first book, I LOVED all the Buffy references. I will definitely be recommending this book.

I loved the first one and the second one did not disappoint! The characters are so fun and attaching (except maybe Artemis from time to time). I really hope I get to see more of them in a third book!

So, listen. My experience with book one wasn't awesome because the first 60% or so was frustrating af but I thought the ending was intense and interesting and as a result was looking forward to this sequel.

Except CHOSEN was a miserable reading experience without charm, sense, or any kind of joy.

I won't drag this review out as I imagine, as per usual, I'm going to be an outlier but honestly? Other than name dropping and references, this resembled nothing of the Buffyverse I loved and deviated far from any potential from book one. Everything about this read, the plot, and the characters, was a chore.

I think it's over, I believe this is a duology, not a series, and I'm not sad about it.

I am a HUGE Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. It has been my favourite show for a long time, and I do a full rewatch at least once a year. I always watch an episode or two when I’m stressed out and need a distraction. I’ve been reading the graphic novel continuation of the series, and I love it just as much! So when I saw Slayer in early 2019, a book that takes place in the world of BtVS, I was immediately drawn to it! I picked it up from my library as soon as I could and could not put it down!

But this is about Chosen! I was super stoked to know that Slayer would have a sequel, and I have been eagerly waiting for 2020 to come around for this book!

Chosen picks up shortly after the events of Slayer, and throws you right back into the world of Nina. This time, we also get chapters in the POV of her twin sister, Artemis. Buffy and Faith also make brief appearances, as well as Chao-Ahn who was a potential in season 7. I love that this book is its own story within the Buffyverse, but it’s still got elements of the show.

Right from the start this book wraps you up in the mystery of prophecies, demons, and an unknown threat. We see how Nina handles the events of the previous book, coming to terms with both losses and gains, as well as learning more about what it means to be a slayer. I think Nina’s character development in this book is something worth mentioning, as she struggles with the darkness that comes with her powers, and comes more into who she wants to be as a Slayer, versus who she was as a Watcher.

Also we get to see how she has transformed the old castle into Sanctuary, a safe place for demons and Slayers alike, who need somewhere to stay. While that decision may have some consequences, Nina feels it is right, and defends Sanctuary and her charges with everything she’s got. I love Nina almost as much as I love Buffy! She’s witty and smart and I really feel like I understand her and her motivations.

From start to finish this book keeps you on your toes as the characters try to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. It has some shocking twists that made me gasp and kept me absolutely entranced while reading. The pacing of the story was great, keeping you interested, while still having time to give some character development and sweet, touching moments.

I really enjoyed the conclusion of this book as well. It wrapped things up nicely in a way that left me satisfied, but still hopeful for more. I’d love to see the author dive more into the Buffyverse, with Nina or even with new characters!

I am rating this book 5 Stars! I thoroughly love the characters, the story, and the writing. I think this is a great book for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Chosen from the author Kiersten White is book two in the Slayer series.

If follow up after the first book, Slayer, and we continue to follow Nina and her sister Artemis who as now left her. The castle is now a refuge for demons and slayers. Nina as also recover her power but feels different. She feels darker.

Really loved getting back into the Buffyverse. And appareance of characters from the Buffy the vampire slayer that I have loved.

Thank you for the advanced copy. In regards to Chosen, I felt like the story development was a bit slow, I would have also like a little more character development. This novel was just not my cup of tea, I felt like it couldn’t stand on its own as the first one could

This started off pretty slow and wasn't as exciting as the first book.
She did move the plot along and I got to spend more time with some of my favourite characters (Hello there Doug!).
I would probably say this is more of a 3.5 star, but rounded it up since 3 stars seems harsh.
Still good, just not as good as the first book.
Thanks goes out to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for my ARC.

PSA for all writers everywhere: If you are looking to create a spin off series to one of the biggest fandoms in the world, THIS is how it is done! Anything less is unacceptable. That is all.

I adore Kiersten White. I think she is a fantastic writer and has such a broad range of subject matter that there really is something for everyone to enjoy but what I really admire about her is her ballsy-ness. Let’s be honest here, readers are obsessive and completely unforgiving and there is nothing we protect more than our fandoms. NOTHING. We’ve all seen Misery....don't pretend it’s really all that far-fetched.
For White to take something as iconic as Buffy, put a new spin on it and bring it to the new generation AND to do it so well speaks not only to her talent as a writer but also for her love and respect for a
fandom that so many of us love. Hat’s off to you Kiersten!

Chosen begins not long after Slayer left off with Nina and the rest of the gang (they should have a name; I keep wanting to call them Scoobies) dealing with the aftermath of the previous events, Nina’s newfound Slayer-hood, abandonment issues and the conversion of the Watcher Castle into a sanctuary for lost demons and Slayers alike. With a new evil threatening another apocalypse, our team must juggle personal crisis, startling revelations, new faces and shattering betrayals all while keeping their wits (and stakes) sharp to save the
world...again. Just another day in the life, right?

I might have enjoyed Slayer but I absolutely LOVED Chosen. There was such a perfect balance of conflict,
teen angst and sarcastic wit that I swear I was thrown back 20 years. There was no shortage of surprises, especially when we not only get even more time with our new favourites (Cillian!) but we also get a huge blast from the past with some old ones! I’m not going to spoil the surprise but I squealed!! White
pulled out all the stops to give this book that good ol’ Buffy feel!

While I do still have some hesitation with accepting Nina as a Slayer, she really grew on me with this book. I think her journey is still in the beginning stages and she does have a loooong way to go but even from book one to the end of book two we can see how much she has grown as a person and I think she’ll do.

As I said after I read Slayer, Chosen will not only appeal to established Buffy fans (I refuse to call us old) but also to a new generation. Current lovers of the fandom will be thrilled at the ridiculous amounts of Easter eggs and Buffy-isms hidden throughout the book. I’m not sure exactly how many there are but I
got a little giddy every time I came past one. Yeah, I know, my nerd is showing. Don’t care. Happy.

I believe this is set as a duology and I respect the author’s decision, there are way too many who over-do a series, but I also feel that there is so much more to explore in this world and would love to see more from it.

Five by five, guys. I just loved it.

Big thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to

****🚨 SPOILERS 🚨 *****
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This is the second book in the Slayer series by Kiersten White. It follows Nina, a simple girl where all she wanted to do was help fix people up in her medical tower at the Watchers castle, turned Chosen One. Now she’s having to learn how to control her slayer power, With her twin sister gone, a distant mother and the boy she loved gone, she’s been busy saving innocent demons and trying to hold onto reality as a new and powerful darkness sets inside her. But what about the darkness on the outside? More threats come to the castle. Is Sean done with his demon drug dealings or has he come back for Doug?

There seems to be a lot going on in this book. I’ll admit... the first book took me a long long time to get through. Nothing was grasping at me. It wasn’t a page turner and that’s really upsetting because I LOVE Kiersten White! I read her Paranormalcy trilogy in a week! I couldn’t put it down. So I went into this Slayer series with high hopes... especially since I’m a Buffy fan too! I’m not sure what it was about this book. To me, it only started getting interesting just over half way through. I like that she has some old Buffy characters popping in every now and again. Oz was always my favourite ☺️
And she keeps the characters true. That’s one thing I do like about Kierstens books is that she’s great at character building. Maybe it was that there were too many people? Her scenes flow together nicely and I like that we started getting Artemis’s POV in this book after she left. It looks like a lot of other people loved it and the storyline and everything works out okay. There was just no push at the beginning to get you going. And there’s some repetition with the whole Buffy screwed everyone over - Leo loved me, died and he was a monster but loved me! I get that she’s gotta talk about it but also... his love seemed to have come out of nowhere. Like... they barely ever talked. There’s no back history except for when her journal was read in front of him.
There was no build up. It was just like... ok, I might die so I’m going to kiss you.... 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t know... I personally don’t like how that worked out. There was never really anything at the beginning that said “omg! I need to keep reading!” That’s what readers want. I know some people (myself included) will pick up a book at the store and read the first few pages... maybe the first chapter if I have time... to determine if I’m going to like the book. That being said... the book was just okay. Could have been better for me 😔

Chosen is book two of the Slayer series. After the events of book one the Castle is turned into a safe house for slayers and demons who have no where else to go. Ninas sister Artemis has left, things with her mom are off. Ninas powers which have been restored don’t seem the same, they are making her feel darker and not herself. As if that all wasn’t enough there is a new threat that seems to be connected to Seans demon drug ring and a friend of hers.

This was one of my most anticipated 2020 releases. I adore this series and was so excited to see where book two would take us, as there is limitless possibilities for this series. Chosen did not disappoint. There was great fight scenes, different fun demons species and characters and a few great twists. Nina struggles a lot in her head in this book, with who she is, what is right and wrong and issues with family and friends. At times it was exhausting and a little depressing but there was so much character growth because of it. I cant wait to see how this series continues and hope there are many more books to come.

I will definitely continue to recommend this series to anyone who will listen.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Kiersten White and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to read Chosen in exchange for a review.

Ahh I probably should of read the first book before I requested this one. However the story itself is incredible! Kept me hooked page after page. Off I go to buy the first