Carnival of Souls (Buffy novel)

infobox Book |
name = Carnival of Souls
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First edition cover
author = Nancy Holder
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Buffy the Vampire Slayer
genre = Horror novel
publisher = Pocket Books
release_date = April 3, 2006
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 320 pp
isbn = ISBN 1-4169-1182-0
preceded_by = After Image
followed_by = Go Ask Malice

Carnival of Souls is an original novel based on the U.S. television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".

Plot summary

A traveling carnival arrives in Sunnydale. It seems the carnival might be another victim of Sunnydale's weirdness. Nobody seems to be able to remember it arriving despite the many old-style wagons, the numerous performers, and horse-drawn carts. The creepy calliope music seems almost to beckon out to people. Also nobody who goes into Hall of Mirrors comes out exactly the same as they were to start with. Inspired by a pair of once-homely twins now parading around the school like divas, the Scoobs decide to investigate the carnival. Its soon clear that entering comes at a cost above the price of admission. Willow becomes consumed by envy, Cordelia gets greedy, and Xander finds himself overtaken with gluttony. Angel is revealing a dangerous new persona, whilst anger rises in Rupert Giles. More serious still, Buffy's pride starts to threaten those she cares about.

Trivia

*Tagline: 'A timeless evil puts down stakes in Sunnydale'.
*Buffyverse canon characters include Buffy, Xander, Willow, Giles, Jenny Calendar, Joyce Summers, Angel, Ethan Rayne, Cordelia
*The book's plot, regarding a traveling carnival that causes changes in those who attend, is reminiscent of Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes".

Continuity

*Supposed to be set in BtVS's second season, after Spike and Dru have arrived in Sunnydale but before Angel has lost his soul.

Canonical issues

Buffy novels, such as this one are considered by most fans to not be part of Buffyverse canon. They are not considered as official Buffyverse reality, but are novels from the authors' imaginations. However unlike fanfic, 'overviews' summarising their story, written early in the writing process, were 'approved' by both Fox and Whedon (or his office), and the books were therefore later published as official "Buffy" merchandise.

Timing

*Stories that take place around the same time in the Buffyverse:

External links

* [http://whedonesque.com/comments/8237 Whedonesque.com - Whedonesquers discuss the book before its release]

Reviews

* [http://www.ifmagazine.com/review.asp?article=1262 "Ifmagazine.com" - Review of this book]
* [http://www.shadowcat.name/book0822.html "Shadowcat.name" - Review of this book]