Slayer

Gr 9 Up–In this paranormal novel set in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" universe, raven-haired twin sisters Athena "Nina" and Artemis live at the Watchers Academy, an Irish castle, training as Watchers. Nina hates Buffy because her father was Buffy's first Watcher and the slayer caused his death. Two months previously, another dimension was close to taking over Earth's. Watchers and many potential new Slayers were killed. Buffy destroyed magic and all interdimenstional portals and then disappeared. Now there's no Slayer. Her whole life, Nina's considered herself inferior to Artemis. Artemis trained as a Watcher and Nina was relegated to medic. Ever since magic was destroyed, Nina's felt stronger. After effortlessly killing a hellhound, Nina realizes that she's a Slayer—possibly the last one. Readers meet other characters, such as cute Leo, whom Nina once made a fool of herself over, who becomes her Watcher. And Honora, the hated Watcher whom Artemis adores, who endlessly teased Nina over her Leo crush. Nina also discovers a prophecy about twins: one is destined to mend the world, and another to tear it apart. "Buffy" fans will be thrilled with this opener. Readers unfamiliar with the series will also enjoy this exciting and well-plotted story with appeal to fans of Cassandra Clare or Robin McKinley's Sunshine.