The Faith Trials Vol. 1

FROM THE ARCHIVES (Buffy book reviews)

THE FAITH TRIALS, VOL. 1

By James Laurence (2001), based on teleplays “Faith, Hope & Trick” by David Greenwalt, “Bad Girls” and “Revelations” by Douglas Petrie, and “Consequences” by Marti Noxon

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Three

CAST APPEARANCES: Buffy, Faith, Xander, Willow, Oz, Giles, Angel, Cordelia, Joyce, Principal Snyder, Wesley, Kakistos, Gwendolyn Post, Scott Hope, Mr. Trick, Lagos, The Mayor, Deputy Mayor Allan Finch, Balthazar, Detective Stein

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: “Sometimes, it’s gotta be a drag to be the Chosen One. Occasionally a girl would rather be at the mall, talking on the phone, or even doing homework than saving the world from unstoppable evil. Fortunately, Buffy Summers has always had a support system of friends and family to help her cope. But what if she hadn’t? She might have been just like Faith. Faith, the ‘shadow-shelf’ Slayer, is strong, sexy, and willful. When she first arrives in Sunnydale, Watcher-less and fancy-free, Buffy has doubts about the tag-team approach to patrol. As times goes on, though, she learns to find the fun in synchronized slayage, and appreciates Faith’s zest for life. . . . Until Faith’s impulsive attitude toward her calling takes her one step too far, and her inability to cope with consequences eventually pushes her over the edge. . . .”

REVIEW

The first (and so far only) Buffy novelization centered on Faith, Volume One of the Faith Trials focuses on the rogue Slayer’s adventures in Season Three. James Laurence, a newcomer to Buffy-authordom, provides a solid and straightforward adaptation of four episodes: “Faith, Hope & Trick”, “Revelations”, “Bad Girls”, and “Consequences” (contrary to the book’s cover, “Enemies” is not included, with “Revelations” as the surprise substitute).

“Faith, Hope & Trick”, as the title indicates, is the first appearance of Faith, Scott Hope, and Mr. Trick, and involves Faith’s confrontation with Kakistos, the vampire who slew her former Watcher. A solid story, the best part of both the episode and the novelization is seeing Buffy’s jealously over how quickly Faith moves in on Buffy’s mom, friends, and even would-be boyfriend. A short prequel is added to the novelization, detailing Faith’s arrival in Sunnydale, but it’s not of any particular interest.

After a similarly so-so original intermission, the book moves on to adapt “Revelations,” which tells of evil Watcher Gwendolyn Post’s pursuit of the Glove of Myhnegon. Laurence does a skillful adaptation of an episode that has plenty of humor, plenty of romance, and an important betrayal, as Faith loses (what else?) faith in someone she had trusted--this episode starts Faith on the downward spiral that makes a strong story arc for Season Three.

“Bad Girls” features a rather silly major villain--an overweight, immobile bather named Balthazar. However, the episode is redeemed by great scenes with the Mayor and Laurence does a good job in the adaptation of making us feel the rush that Buffy and Faith get during slaying. For die-hard fans of the “rogue demon hunter,” Bad Girls is also Wesley’s first appearance.

The final episode adapted, “Consequences”, tells how Faith tried to set Buffy up for the accidental killing of the very-human Deputy Mayor in “Bad Girls”. Giles and the other Scoobies see right through Faith’s plan, but they’re unable to redeem her and she decides to go seriously evil by allying herself with the Mayor. The episode is far more interesting than my description makes it sound.

All in all, Volume One of the Faith Trials contains four solid stories, with smooth, straightforward adaptations by Laurence. Although the book doesn’t contain very interesting original material, hardcore Faith fans shouldn’t hesitate to pick it up.