Nemesis

another novel in the Buffy-verse by the husband and wife team, this one nearly as unwieldy and wrong as Mortal Fear. Again we get unnecessary comics references, this time with Gunn uncharacteristically penning one in response to stereotyping. The plotting of the novel itself also runs more like a comics script than a novel, with far too much attention to physical detail and motion rather than essential plot elements. They could also have used a thesaurus, or just cut down on the use of "suddenly".. To be fair, this is the only novel I've come across that gives significant attention to Fred, and for that it deserves applause. At the same time, nearly all of the characters come across as characatures; the writers obviously know the show and details about the timeline and cast interaction, but manage to completely miss the essence of each. The story also rapidly gets divorced from its "end of season 4 setting" - aside from Wesley's estrangement, there's little that couldn't happen at any other time, and it seems odd for the crew to ignore everything else.I'll admit I'm being a bit harsh, but only because there is so much untapped potential in the book - the plot's intricate and appropriately tricky, and the characters seem like old friends, but everything is just off enough to prevent true greatness. As such, it remains an above average episode novel, but fails to achieve the tight writing of the television show.

This story, set after Fred discovered that her favorite professor was really the reason for her trip to Pylea, investigates some of the darker possibilities unleashed by those events. A dear friend working at a local think tank contacts Fred but the reunion is interrupted by what appears to be a gangland slaying. Fred, displaying unexpected fortitude, determines to seek out the cause behind the crime, even if Angel and Gunn won't help her.The reason Fred is on her own is that Angel has been hired to look into the murders of a clatch of wizards who have gathered outside of Los Angeles to heal a breach in the spells that protect reality from the powers that shouldn't be. Gunn, as the only available assistant accompanies Angel to the Wizard's castle, and soon everyone is up to their ears in dimension hopping badness. Even Wesley and Connor get involved.Because there are multiple subplots leading up to the conclusion the story displays surprising complexity for an Angel novel. Intrigue and betrayal play a part in segment, and nothing is quite what it seems as the story shifts from scientific magic to magical science. One thing is sure, if Angel and Gunn can't help the mages complete their spells reality is doomed.This is the second novel that Fred plays a significant part in, and I honestly think that she gets better treatment from the authors than she does from the screenwriters. Her determination to resolve the crisis is palpable, and it quietly becomes apparent that she is much more than a highly intelligent but fragile person. The Ciencin's Fred has grown from her experiences and she is learning to be an independent person.What keeps me from handing out 5 starts to this book is that the scenes with the mages are a bit contrived and overplayed. This is often the case when mages have enough power to work miracles, but can't manage to defend themselves. It doesn't make sense, so the authors have to create little illogics to keep the plot from imploding. I think that if the wizards had been a bit less wizardly they would have been more believable.Even with that exception, this is a solid addition to the Angel series, certainly not something you will regret reading. the interplay of the regular characters is well captured, and there are even a few unique ideas to keep the brew boiling.

If you like the kind of book that "traps" you and doesn't let you put it down, then Nemesis is for you. The book starts out stating all of the characters but there is a constant mystery of who the characters actually are, throughout the book. Mystery is a big part of this book and you are always wondering what is gonna happen. And if you have ever read any of the other Lurker Files books Scott Ciencin incorporates characters from other books into the story. So you understand it more if you start with reading the first book and make your way to Nemesis. i have read all 3 of the Lurker Files books and there is still much mystery left in it for me.