REVIEW: DEMONS OF THE HELLMOUTH, A GUIDE FOR SLAYERS

DEMONS OF THE HELLMOUTH, A GUIDE FOR SLAYERS

by Nancy Holder

Pages: 160

Publisher: Titan Books

Publication Date: September 4th 2015

ISBN: 9781783293384
Received From:  Titan Books

Summary 

Demons of the Hellmouth is a fully licensed guide to the vampires and other demons that flocked to the Sunnydale Hellmouth in Joss Whedon’s cult TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This in-universe illustrated guide is written by Rupert Giles, and also contains handwritten notes from Buffy and Willow. This unique book promises a diabolical romp through the highlights of the beloved show. 

Review

**Apologies for the lateness of this review, I have had it sitting in my drafts for a while and due to university commitments never got around to posting it. So I am happy to FINALLY give my review of Demons of the Hellmouth, a Guild  for Slayers.** 

Okay so this is something rather special, especially for all you Buffy loves like me. So it has been a long time since we watched our kick ass slayer dust a vamp or thirty but all you die hard fans will have watched your Buffy box sets so many times you know all seven seasons word for word by now. Titan books has published a great little companion book that will make every Buffy fan smile, Demons of the Hellmouth is basically Giles on paper. 

Okay maybe not the best representation of the great man but I couldn't help myself

This guide for slayers goes through all the demons and most of the vampires that appeared in the series, giving you information about the monsters and how to kill them. Think Charmed book of shadows but for vampires. Although it is great reading up on the characters and reliving many a night watching the show it is the little notes in the margin that make the book for me. Scribbled all over the book are notes from our favourite characters such as Buffy, Willow and Xander. These notes were probably my favourite part of the book because as a fan I could imagine them saying the little annotations. 

This was my first thought when the book came through the post

For any Buffy fan this is a must have, its been over 10 years now since the teenage slayer left our screens and this little book of demons will bring it all flooding back. It's easy reading for the summer and it will put one big smile on any fans face. Not to mention you'll have everything you need to survive the Hellmouth!

**I received this book as an ARC from Titan Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**

Review: The Squickerwonkers

THE SQUICKERWONKERS

by Evangeline Lilly
& Illustrated by Johnny Fraser-Allen

Pages: 42 Hardcover

Publisher: Titan Books

Publication Date: November 18th 2014

ISBN: 9781783295456
Received From:  Titan Books

Summary 

Meet Selma of the Rin-Run Royals, a clever little girl who is spoiled to the core. One day Selma stumbles upon a band of colorful marionettes, and gets more than she bargained for. The remarkable Squickerwonkers of the fabulous Squickershow are about to teach Selma that she’ll not always get her way.

Review

Okay so kids books are not really my thing, being as I'm 22 and all. However, I'm not going to sit here and tell you I didn't do a little happy dance when this came through the post. I'm a huge fan of Evangeline as an actress (I actually quite liked the ending to Lost) and had heard about this book at a panel she did for Nerd HQ at Comin Con 2014.

The Squickerwonkers is a story about a little girl named Selma who finds herself in front of The Squickerwonkers, a group of puppet like creatures that like to put on a show. However, Selma is spoilt and when she doesn't get exactly as she wants things take a dark turn.

There is something really enticing about The Squickerwonkers, once you figure out how to pronounce it. The story doesn't have the generic kids book feel to it, it has a slightly darker edge. All good kids books have a moral to the story and this is no different, however, there is no happily ever after. It's a story that teaches children that there are repercussions for your actions and there isn't always a fairy godmother on hand to fix it. Sometimes you have to accept and deal with the consequences of your actions.

As far as the writing goes, it's a good, fun book. I think there is this notion that all kids books have to rhyme and I personally feel that it would have been just as good, although a lot different, if it hadn't been in verse. But then again that would have changed the whole book, which I did love. The moral was clear and concise and a twist on what we're used to.

There is a huge bonus to reviewing a kids book, THE PICTURES! This book, whether you like rhyme or not is absolutely stunning. The illustrations are quirky, creepy and instantly perfect for the text. The pictures themselves tell a dark and magical story and it's one of those books you'll keep forever.

Overall it's a good book that was interesting, intriguing and mind-blowingly creepy - in the best possible way. I would recommend this book to any of you with children of your own, little siblings or even for yourself. Worth the read and I'm glad I was lucky enough to get sent a copy.

**I received this book from Titan Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**