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Editorial Review Book Description
** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED ** This collection of irreverent and surprising essays about the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer includes pieces by leading science fiction and fantasy authors. Contributors include bestselling legend David Brin, critically acclaimed novelist Scott Westerfield, cult-favorite vampire author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and award-winner Sarah Zettel. The show and its cast are the topics of such critical pieces as Lawrence Watt-Evans's “Matchmaking in Hellmouth” and Sherrilyn Kenyon's “The Search for Spike's Balls.” An informed introduction for those not well acquainted with the show, and a source of further research for Buffy buffs, this book raises interesting questions concerning a much-loved program and future cult classic. Customer Reviews (21) 
Fun, thought-provoking
Seven Seasons of Buffy is an anthology of essays about... duh... Buffy the Vampire Slayer, written by, it says, "science fiction and fantasy writers." Except that the reason I even knew about this book is that one contributor is Jennifer Crusie, and she's not by any stretch of the imagination a science fiction or fantasy writer. Unless you're one of those terminal cynics who classifies romance as fantasy.
The good:
The essays that took some aspect of the show and drew conclusions, and made me think, whether I agreed with them or not.
Those essays that left the biggest impression were the ones that were well-written, but that I disagreed with. Like the one praising Tara. In principle, I agreed, but in the show, she got on my last nerve--I really dislike sad-sack, pitiful, depressed, martyr characters.
The best thing about this anthology is that it provides a lot of food for thought, and springboards for conversation with other Buffy fan(atic)s.
The bad:
The essays that rambled on, more or less summarizing the series without actually making a point.
The essays that made a narrow-minded point or insulted those with opposing viewpoints, like the one praising Riley. I could follow the author's reasoning, but she lost me when she claimed that anyone who didn't agree with her was stuck in high school, and that real, adult, mature love was by definition, dull.
The verdict:
As in any anthology, there are good essays and bad ones. Fortunately, there were more good ones than bad.
Disappointing
I was really disappointed in this book.There were no great insights into the show or the characters.In some places it was a scene by scene narrative of almost entire episodes.I much prefered the philisophical musings in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosphy" edited by James B. South.At least it got me thinking.I was hoping this book (Seven Seasons) would show me aspects of the characters or plots that I hadn't seen - instead I got to read the very superficial musings of people with very little to share.
I actually found the final essay in the book, "Slayers of the Last Arc" to be the most enjoyable and not just because of it's insight into the show but also as a great "how to" guide for writers.I also really enjoyed Sarah Zettel's "When did the Scoobies become Insiders?" and Jennifer Crusie's "Dating Death".
This book is not a total write-off and I did finish it but I would look elsewhere if you're looking for something other than a basic episode guide.
Other Books
A bunch of other writers talk about the most excellent Buffy.These pieces range from a comedy test from the The Forces of Evil, through some critical articles, and one or two fanlike rants.
An interesting article by Jacqueline Lichtenberg looks at the rise in the 1990s of the type of television show that eventually led to Buffy.
BtVS Studies
A great book for researchers, writers, with science fiction interest and serious Buffy studies academics.Would not be too dry for the average fan, essays are enjoyable, and very personal to the writers.Fun to see what they like and why.
Why "Buffy" rules!
Probably best suited for die hard fans of the show, this book collects essays from fans and pros analyzing, praising, panning, and deconstructing Joss Whedon's groundbreaking show. As you might expect, some of the essays degenerate into outright fanboy babbling, but some really resonate, especially Sherrilyn Kenyon's "In Search of Spike's Balls," and Nancy Holder's "Slayers of the Last Arc."
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