Just like Slayer referenced events in the comic series, so too does Chosen reference the same comics, in specific, the events in Tibet that happened during Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Retreat (Season 8, Volume 6).

I really absolutely loved the reference to Chao-Ahn, which was immediately clear through the ice-cream making one feel sick reference, as well as the throw back to Giles' terrible drawings outlining danger in both Season 4 and Season 7 of the TV series.

Nina is at odds with her sister Artemis in this book. Both of them are kinda trying to do the right thing in very different ways, a fact that we are only able to see clearly through the fact that we occasionally get snippets from Artemis at the ends of chapters from Nina's 1st person PoV.

After Leo's death at the end of last book, Nina is predictably devastated. The fact that her sister left the small cobbling together of what's left of the Watcher's Counsel doesn't help. The bourgeoning closeness starting between Nina and her mum doesn't really take away from the depth of these losses.

I've gotta say, the combination of these devastations and family connections felt very intensely familiar of the canon that it is a part of.

Tell you what, though, I am seriously sad that this is the final novelisation of those still left in as the Watcher's team. Can't wait to see what Kiersten White writes next, though.

I had my issues with the first book in this series, but as such a big fan of the show, I really hoped that the author could hit it out of the park with the sequel. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and, honestly, this book felt like a bit of a mess.

Artemis's acted completely out of character from how she was in the first book. Nina herself gets no real character ARC or character growth at all.

The biggest issue I had with this book however, is the characterisation of a certain character from the show who turns up. The characterisation was just so off from the character we know and love from the show.

Unfortunately, a big miss for me with this one.

I was so excited to get a copy of Chosen to read s I loved Slayer so much. I was slightly disappointed though because for me Chosen was a little flat and slow. In saying that I still enjoyed being back in the Buffy Universe but this one just didn’t flow as well as Slayer.

I loved that there were more references to the characters that we all love.... Buffy and Faith appear in Nina’s dreams and there are references to Spike and Giles ❤️ Nina is still learning to be the Slayer. She isn’t struggling with her Slayer instincts that are taking over. The desire to hurt and fight. It is not the way she is used to feeling. She wants to do the right thing and protect those that she loves but she is not sure what to do. She is still also grieving after the almost apocalypse in the first book. But the life of the Slayer never slows down and she has to learn to adjust.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Chosen begins a few weeks after the finale of Slayer, in which Nina successfully averted an apocalypse, but accidentally killed her (sort of) boyfriend/watcher, Leo, and was deserted by her twin sister, Artemis.

With the castle they call home being repurposed as a Sanctuary for Slayers and demons in need, Nina should be focused on their new mission, instead she’s distracted by grief, and the dark edge she feels to her newly restored powers. But with a new ‘big bad’ rising, Nina hasn’t got time to wallow if she’s going to save the world - again.

The storyline feels as if it would fit well within the Buffyverse. It’s nicely paced with a good dose of action and humour. I was delighted by the cameo’s from Clem and Oz, Buffy and Faith make an appearance in Nina’s dreams, and there are references to other characters such as Harmony, Angel and Spike, as well as events from Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes. As a fan, I love these canonical moments.

Unfortunately Nina is no less whiny in Chosen than she was in Slayer, and while she has good reason to be upset, I found the angst a touch too repetitive. Meanwhile Artemis has completely lost the plot as she schemes with Honora, and Nina is about to be blindsided by another betrayal. Cillian, Rhys’s boyfriend, has a larger role in Chosen, as does Coldplay fan demon Doug. There are a handful of new characters introduced too, including a teleporting demon child named Tsip, and refugee Slayer, Maricruz.

I’m a little thrown by the Epilogue which could indicate White has decided not to continue the series, I hope that’s not the case though as I’m enjoying it. Chosen is a quick and an entertaining read.