From the very beginning of the television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Nicolas Brendan has played the role of Xander Harris, the only character on the entire show that didn’t have super-powers, yet was surrounded by Slayers, witches, werewolves, Watchers, demons and mystical balls of energy placed in human form. Xander however, was just Xander.

In this second volume of “The Xander Years” three more episodes are transcribed from teleplays into novel form by Jeff Mariotte. They are taken one each from the first three seasons and are “The Pack” by Matt Kiene and Joe Reinkemeyer, “Go Fish” by David Fury and Elin Hampton, and “The Zeppo” by Dan Vebber. They are framed by short introductions in which Xander drives around Sunnydale in his car pondering on the landmarks and his involvement in Buffy’s life, and thankfully each episode actually centers on Xander. Often these ‘trilogies’ based on a character have nothing to do with the character involved (“The Willow Files” for example included “Dead Man’s Party”, an episode that didn’t really concern her character specifically). Here however, a Xander fan can find pure-concentrated Xander.

In “The Pack”, the ingenious writers of the show highlight the theme of high-school bullying and cruelty by having five of its students possessed by the spirits of hyenas. Unfortunately Xander is one of them, and Willow, Buffy and Giles create a plan to remove the spirit from him – whilst being hunted by the Pack themselves.

“Go Fish” concerns the Sunnydale High swim team, who are disappearing one by one. To watch the remaining team members more closely Xander volunteers to join the team, and is soon exposed to the swim coach’s secret. This story is of special significance since it is one of the few times he gets to save Buffy’s life instead of the other way around.

Finally “The Zeppo” is the quintessential Xander episode, possibly of the entire seven season run of the show. In just one night Xander gets a car, resurrects the dead, looses his virginity, is held at knife-point, takes on three zombies and faces down a bomb-toting lunatic – all whilst the rest of the gang battles the Apocalypse. It is his episode above any others, and best displays his role within the group: the unspoken hero that simply does his job without demanding recognition. It also gives us the phrase “The Zeppo”, which baffled me when I first heard it, but Mariotte explains its meaning within the narrative.

Xander’s other trademark characteristic is his uncanny ability to attract demon women, which oddly doesn’t come much into these three stories (unless you count Cordelia), so if you want some of that try volume one of “The Xander Years”. Mariotte has a brisk, clear style that highlights Xander’s virtues and shortcomings, and like all these character-based books has four double-sided pages of coloured photographs.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Xander, and out of all the relationships/friendships on the show it was the connection between Xander and Buffy that fascinated me the most. Although I have nothing to back this up, I’ve always been of the opinion that his failure with women was simply because he never really gave up his love for Buffy. But that belongs in a fan fiction, whilst this is a great item for any Xander-fan, as is volume one. Is a third volume forthcoming?
Rating: 3 / 5

This addition to the Buffy series and to the Xander-centeredXander Years part of the series captures the true essence of thecharacter Xander.From his hyena stage in his sophomore year (The Pack) to his experienceas with swimmers-turned-fish (Go Fish) to being the odd man out (The Zeppo), this book is an overall celebration of Xander’s true self.
Rating: 5 / 5

This was another good Buffy book. Even if you have seen the three episodes novelized here (The Pack, Go Fish, and The Zeppo) this book adds something. Anyway, I reccomend this if you like the show Buffy, especially if you are a Xander fan.
Rating: 5 / 5