Note: there are a FEW MINOR SPOILERS below, but really nothing you don’t learn from the back jacket.
Tempted Champions by Yvonne Navarro. Navarro has written three other BtVS novels, the two “Willow Files” (I read the second and it’s basically just episode adaptations with nothing new) and an original “Paelo” (which I haven’t read) so she is not a newcomer to Buffy fiction. The story is set during season 5 sometime in November before Thanksgiving. Glory does not appear or get mentioned, though Dawn is present and Joyce is dead. Therefore, it is hard to put it firmly in the show’s timeline. Willow and Tara are included, though mostly in a supporting role as is Xander and Giles. Angel makes a strong appearance, though he is also not really a main character. Spike has quite a bit to do, and gets several good scenes. The two main story lines revolve around Buffy and Anya, both of whom get the most attention.
The main theme is one of temptation, for Anya whether she will accept an offer from D’Hoffryn to become a Vengeance Demon once again. Buffy is faced with another dark version of herself, though different than Faith, and tempted by the darker side of the her Slayer’s power. It might have been nice to carry this theme on to Willow a bit in regards to darker magic, but that would have significantly lengthened the book, and perhaps have given too much of season 6 away. Indeed, given the recent wedding episode, Anya’s dilemma seems both more poignant and somehow also sort of moot. The timing of the release of the book in relation to the show is a bit unfortunate in this regard.
Buffy’s temptation is also weakened in that it’s put forth almost at the end of the book, and is too momentary to feel like it was a serious issue. If she had been offered the chance to be a vampire and live out eternal life with Angel earlier on, and then reminded of what she and Angel gave up, the choice might have involved a bit more angst or reflection and definitely more tension. As it was written the temptation is awfully brief and fleeting and doesn’t quite seem a serious concern. Still, the intertwined nature of the temptations is a nice combination.
The introduction of Celina, a vampiric vampire slayer, is interesting and well done, but also slightly less shocking for two reasons. One, it has been done in the BtVS comics recently (again, timing is everything) and two it comes as no surprise since the back cover blurb gives that away, and just about everything else in the novel for that matter, as does an early encounter with Celina. Perhaps a greater sense of mystery here would have also lent some intrigue and heightened suspense to the book. Celina’s character is also not explored in too much depth, though what there was was probably enough. Her motivations are clear if a bit pat.
Despite these problems, and the fact that this is the worst edited professional novel I have read, Navarro has done a very good job capturing the characters and the flavor of the show. Everyone seems to be acting in character, the dialog rings true, and the overall plot lines could easily have been made into a couple episodes. She also does a very good job with the action sequences, which I found easy to follow and very descriptive. I also liked the depiction of Spike and his usefulness to the group.
Willow and Tara are usually present together, work in tandem though they both help out in their own unique ways. There is even a nicely described blessing near the end of the book, which includes Dawn, an interesting idea and the only thing that feels like it wouldn’t happen in the show. Unfortunately there are no cool W/T moments, though I suppose that is to be expected. Having also read “The Burning” trilogy which includes Willow and Tara, I believe this novel does a better job with both characters.
All in all, the book was written well and is a nice read. It lacks some of the world ending and overwhelming situations of either “The Burning” or “Gatekeeper” trilogies (which I actually thought were a bit too much. Armies of monsters running loose in Sunnydale SHOULD draw some government reaction, but I digress) but there was enough suspense and action to keep the story moving and maintain interest. It’s not outstanding, but solid, and worth picking up during reruns to tide you over till the next season.
Garner