Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. It’s Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing the second book in Kendare Blake’s Buffy: The Next Generation series, One Girl in All the World.
One Girl in All the World was published in January 2023 by Disney-Hyperion and is 352 pages long.
The Plot
Following the catastrophic explosion at the annual Slayer retreat in the previous book, many Slayers, including the legendary Buffy Summers, are still missing and presumed dead. Frankie, daughter of the powerful witch Willow Rosenberg, has been activated as the new Slayer. As she grapples with her dual identity as a Slayer and a witch, Sunnydale’s Hellmouth reawakens, attracting myriad demons that once plagued the town. Alongside her friends—collectively known as the new “Scooby Gang, “Frankie confronts these emerging threats while seeking answers about the missing Slayers and the new ominous force known as “The Darkness.”
Characters
Frankie Rosenberg
As with the first book in the series, Frankie is the protagonist. She is the first-ever Slayer-witch, a unique combination of the traditional vampire Slayer and a powerful magic user. As the daughter of legendary witch Willow Rosenberg, Frankie struggles with the weight of her new responsibilities while still trying to navigate the ups and downs of being a teenager. Her story continues here with Frankie determined to discover what has happened to her aunt Buffy—convinced she must still be alive somewhere.
Hailey
Hailey is a key member of the new Scooby Gang and the younger sister of Vi, a Slayer who was among those missing after the attack on the Slayer retreat until the events in the last part of the previous book. She has a fierce and determined personality, driven by her desire to find her sister and prove herself as a valued member of the Scooby gang.
Jake Osbourne
Jake is the cousin of Oz, another Buffy alumni once part of the original Scooby Gang. Like his cousin, Jake is also a werewolf and an integral part of the Scoobies.
In this book, he gets some expansion of his character as he starts to feel attracted to Sam, a fellow student and goalie of the lacrosse team at Sunnydale High.
Sigmund
A half-demon with an incredible intellect and deep knowledge of supernatural lore, Sigmund serves as the group’s research expert. He is somewhat awkward but highly resourceful, often providing essential insights that help the team understand the threats they face. His half-demon nature makes him an outsider in some ways, but Sigmund proves invaluable to the group’s efforts. When his mother shows up, he wants nothing more than for her to like Haylie, his girlfriend, leading to some tension between them.
Spike
The infamous vampire with a soul, Spike has now taken on the role of Frankie’s Watcher, a mentor figure traditionally assigned to guide and train Slayers. He retains his sarcastic, rebellious nature but also has a strong sense of loyalty and care toward Frankie and the new Scooby Gang. His vast experience in fighting supernatural threats and his complicated past with Buffy add extra layers to his role in the story.
Willow Rosenberg
Willow is Frankie’s mother and a well-known and powerful witch who played a crucial role in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer series. Now older and wiser, she tries to guide Frankie, helping her understand magic while being a protective and sometimes overbearing parent. Willow’s past experiences, including her struggle with dark magic, give her a depth that influences how she guides her daughter.
Serafina DeWitt
Serafina is Sigmund’s demon mother and an old flame of Willow Rosenberg. Now in town visiting her son, she and Willow begin to rekindle their relationship.
Oz
Oz is the same laidback character from the show and the first book. In this book, he starts to feel frustrated when Serafina begins spending more and more time with Willow.
Vi
Vi is Hailey’s older sister and was, until the end of the last book, presumed dead, along with the other Slayers. Now she’s back in Sundaydale, acting shady, and she doesn’t like that Hailey is one of the new Scoobies.
The Darkness (Antagonist)
A mysterious and ominous force threatening to consume Sunnydale, The Darkness is a looming presence throughout the novel. While much about it remains enigmatic, its influence over demons and supernatural beings makes it a significant threat that Frankie and her friends must confront.
Writing Style
Just as she did with the first book, Kendare Blake captures the essence of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with her sharp, witty dialogue and fast-paced storytelling. The novel blends humour, horror, and heartfelt moments in a way that mirrors the tone of the original series.
While I had issues with some of her characterisations in the last book, and in particular, Willow, in this book, Willow felt more like the character Buffy fans know and love.
Another strong point is Blake’s ability to pace key moments. Whether it’s an intense fight scene or a reflective conversation in the aftermath, you’re given just enough detail to fully immerse yourself but never enough to make the story drag.
This novel also touches on themes such as identity, grief, and the weight of responsibility, making it a relatable and immersive read.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this second book much more than the first. It felt like a more cohesive story, and I could see the growth of some of the characters between the two books, which made me want to read more. I recommend reading this book if you are a die-hard Buffy fan because there are some nice callbacks to early seasons of the series I think you’ll appreciate.
I’m giving One Girl in All the World an 8/10.
Have you read One Girl in All the World or any books in this Buffyverse-set trilogy? What did you think?
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review!
Until next time,
George
© 2025 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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