In Every Generation by Kendare Blake

In Every Generation (In Every Generation, #1)

by Kendare Blake

A brand-new reimagining of the Buffy universe, this YA series by New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns) features the next generation of Scoobies and Slayers who must defeat a powerful new evil.

Return to Sunnydale in a brand-new series by New York Times best-selling author Kendare Blake, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 


Frankie Rosenberg wasn't yet alive when her mom, Willow, her aunt Buffy, and the original Scooby Gang destroyed the Hellmouth and saved the world from the First Evil. These days, life in New Sunnydale is blissfully quiet. Frankie is just trying to survive her sophomore year at the rebuilt high school and use her budding magical powers to make the world a better place.

But that world is suddenly plunged into danger when the slayer community is the target of a deadly attack, leaving the future of the line uncertain. Then Frankie discovers she's sort of freakishly strong. Oh, and there's something Willow never told her about her true identity.

Cue the opening credits.

Quicker than she can carve a stake, Frankie discovers there's more to saving the world than witty one-liners and stupid hot demons. now everyone looks to her for answers, but speaking up has never been her strong suit. And it's hard to be taken seriously when your mom is such a powerful witch she almost ended the world once, while your greatest magic trick is recycling.

Despite the many challenges standing in her way, Frankie must assemble her own bumbling Scooby Gang, get dressed up in Buffy's (vintage '90s) clothes, and become a new slayer for a new generation—before whatever came for the rest of the slayers comes for her next.

“A worthy successor to the Slayer stories.” –Booklist Starred Review

Reviewed by Berls on

4 of 5 stars

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If you know me really well, you know that I ADORE Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I can tell you details of probably every episode after watching the first minute, I've seen it so many times. My dog is named Buffy. So when I saw In Every Generation I was nervous-excited. The cover was gorgeous, and the premise actually sounded really promising. So I did something I RARELY do. I pre-ordered the Hardcover and started reading it the day after release. I honestly can't remember the last time I pre-ordered a book AND started reading it immediately. And I really REALLY wanted to love it. Well...

I Did! Yay!! Here's why:

1- Kendare Blake is quite clearly a fan. She throws in so many small references that do nothing to hurt the flow of the book if you don't know BTVS, but if you do they are fun little treats!
2 - While we're focusing on a new Slayer - Frankie - we do see some of the original Scoobies. And Kendare Blake chose characters I really wanted to see more of to be at the center of the story... Willow, Spike and Oz - Literally my favorites. I would have loved to also see Faith and Giles, but I can't complain with this line up.
3- It just fits. All the explanations/mythology, the humor/snark, and the emotion all matched. I was surprised to see how well Kendare Blake captured the personalities of characters that are practically real people to me.
4 - The story itself was solid. I don't want to spoil anything here, but we're back in Sunnydale (I know, right? How? you'll see LOL) and there's a new big bad to face -- and a new slayer, Willow's daughter (I know right?!?! Who? How? You'll see LOL) Frankie, to face it. And a new crew of Scoobies to fight alongside her.
5 - I enjoyed all the characters - old and new. I like the way the new characters are distinct and yet you also see a little bit of a mirror of the original Scoobies, kind of for nostalgia's sake.
6- the ending! Ok, I'm ready for book 2 now please!

I do have a couple *small* problems:
1 - they keep saying the Frankie is the first ever Slayer-Witch. We know this is not true. When they defeated Adam in season 4, they called upon the powers of old slayers - including one(s) that had magical abilities. It wasn't just Willow's magic that did the defeating there. Willow wasn't at that level yet.
2- I don't love the way Willow's sexuality seems to be up for debate. I get that Oz is there and we all loved him and Willow BUT I think we all loved the way Willow truly came into herself once she realized she was a lesbian. It's a huge part of what made the show great - the way it embraced her sexuality. So I hope future books don't play on that.
3- Ok I alluded to Sunnydale and while yeah, I can semi-believe the New Sunnydale scenario, I also saw that hole and I'm trying to figure out how you recognize someplace like the old Magic Box store? If there's a town, it's all brand new. There's no way anything is still recognizable after Spikeplosion (I do love that term lol).
... Those were really my only qualms, I think. There may have been other small things, but I loved the nostalgia mixed with the new so much I was willing to forgive and forget.

I'm so excited to keep reading. Also, I would very much love to see this become a new tv series. Unlike any other reboots I've heard thrown about in the past, this is original, fits 2022, AND has a really legitimate way to incorporate some of the original cast (but could they afford Alyson Hannigan and Seth Green these days???) Anyway, yeah this could absolutely be the tv show.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 January, 2022: Finished reading
  • 20 January, 2022: Reviewed