I think you nailed Buffy down to the very last detail. A very cold and singled minded person. I like Buffy, but thought she wasn't herself when she used Spike as a sex toy. This further proves my point. Your fic made perfect sense. She needs to get her a*ss kicked!

I hope you derail this fanfic and write another.

If you are a good author - you are a good author - writing what people like doesn't make you good. This story is a very good example of that, I don't really like this story (too tragic & sad) but it is creative and better written than a lot of stories posted here. Being a good author may get you published but if people don't like what you've written you won't sell many books. Unless you have a trust fund to live on you have to write what sells. There are people out there that enjoy reading dark and angst filled stories but the paperbacks on my bookselves are trashy romance novels with happy endings. That's why I started reading fanfic, Joss was never going to provide a happy ending for anyone so I have become dependant upon all you writers to provide the happily ever after Spuffiness.

Author's Response: With all due respect, don't depend on me then, that's not what i write, and never will. Too predictable.

While definately not the site's norm, your fiction shows definite thought and process. Furthemore, I think it stands as a lovely juxtaposition to other fictions which are occasionally almost obnoxiously unrealistic and overly happy in nature (not that I do not enjoy those fics, because most of them are very well written and I do, its just that sometimes I am in the mood for something darker). Whether or not I entirely liked or disliked the fic it was most assuredly "ballsy" and worthy of mention for that alone. Excellent job, I hope to read more from you in the future. Though hopefully I will be reading selections slightly less depressing in nature (and by the way I did catch the definite use of "demon" at the end, curious.... :) )

Author's Response: Taste of Death will be a bit less depressing, but definitely more "ballsy."

OK it doesn't make much sense in that Buffy still murdered him when he wasn't putting up a fight, but it does put an interesting what if situation.

Like for example if Spike isn't around that means no Buffy Bot, which could lead to the ugly Glory minions to actually capture Dawn, or her mother as they would see the two important people to Buffy, and we know neither would survive the situationa gainst Glory.

If that doesn't happen then there is still the final battle and without the added help from the Bot and Spike wouldn't that lead to Buffy getting squashed by Glory and the Doc not getting delayed, So open portal and hell on earth.

Angsty, unrealistic, but certainly gives you something to think about. Good job.

Author's Response: thanks.

Can't complain about the unhappy fic because you did warn readers. I have suffered from writer's block for years now so I have nothing but envy for the authors that can complete a fic and admiration for anyone brave enough to post their work and ask for reviews; however, I am a bit tired of writers that whine and complain about flames and demand only good reveiws or contructive critisim. Don't ask for my opinion and then complain about it - not everyone visiting here is a professor of a creative writing course - they simply enjoy fanfic and are going to say what they may like or dislike about your fic. If you plan to go pro learning what people enjoy reading could be an invaluable tool in a professional career.

Author's Response: I see what ur saying. But for example, just because I didn't like story, that doesn't give me the right to talk wrecklessly and tell the author he shouldnt post on the site anymore. No everyone will like this fic, I posted it knowing that, I just didnt agree with some of the outrageous things people were saying. Another thing on your last comment, if I wrote about what everybody likes to read, how would that make me a good author?

didn't review las night cause you upset me and i didn't want to flame such a well written piece.
thanks for a well written piece. I hated the almost callous way buffy just left the crypt door open and let the sun have him. i was shouting at the computer.
I don't know if enjoyed the story is the rigt word but it got me thinking. thanks for something different.

Author's Response: Like I've told other people, I hated writing this fic, it was kinda of neccessary. But what forced me to write was the evil beating Buffy gave Spike in Dead Things and I kept it up. But hey, that's what the sequel is for... thanks for the review.

I liked it. It's not really a Spuffy fic, though, more of a "reality" fic. The Spuffy relationship was always very ambiguous on the show, and I think this fic perfectly displays the opposite end of the spectrum, the side of the story we never see on this site. And particularly at this time, in season five, before Spike helped Buffy save Dawn and didn't not tell Glory about the key and didn't almost die for her yet. It was kinda heartbreaking. Looking forward to more from you. Don't let the reviews discourage you.

Author's Response: Hopefully you appreciate the sequel as well. Because I really hated writing this fic. I just kinda wanted to keep it real.

I had almost as much fun reading the reviews as I did in reading your story. I thought the story was extremely well thought out and written. It's your story, which I for one, was thankful that you shared with us. I beta for another author who always states that suggestions are always accepted and flames are always pointed at and severely mocked. I look forward to the sequel. :)

Author's Response: I feel bad that some readers took it bad. But I will never be a fluffy writer, I stick to dark fics with hope for the future. Some readers won't like it but, that's what makes me different then, eh?

sad fic dude. Don't worry about these other reviewers man, if you let them get you down then you are dumb. Honestly I want to see the sequel. Did Spike die?

Author's Response: Who knows bro?

well said nina.

first of all. I like others on here wasn't being rude or anything. and i did read the author's note. but i'm almost 90% sure that you changed it after i review the first time. i could be wrong on that. if so, then i apologize.

i will say it again. i don't like this story for many reasons. and i told you why.

that is all.

i wish you the best of luck with your stories.



Author's Response: So if you told me already, with all due respect, why are you writing on this review section again. If anything shoot me an email where we can discuss it like individuals instead of talking about it over a reviewer's section.

Okay, I'll bite - even if I am running the risk of you being overly hostile.

Your unbelievably condescending authors note aside, I didn't find this enjoyable. Not for the character death, but simply because I personally found both Buffy and Spike to be completely out of character. Spike didn't think Buffy hated him. On the contrary, he always ran with a deep seated feeling that Buffy was in denial of her feelings for him.

However, what I hope you find "constructive" criticism aside, I do feel a wee bit compelled to defend the readers of this archives point. While I agree it does say that it doesn't have to be a romantic relationship, 99% of the fics here do focus on the romantic relationship of Buffy and Spike and therefore, if you chance to venture into something a unconventional, you would have to have a certain expectation of harboring some disdain from readers who come here to enjoy Buffy and Spike together.

For me, personally, this bitter pill of a fic might have been easier to swallow if you hadn't started it off with an author's note that smacked of hostility. Perhaps you have been flamed in other archives however, it is difficult to expect a reader to have any faith in your sequel if you begin a fic with such a negative connotation.

I might also add, it is quite interesting that you pretty much demand your readers to not flame, and be constructive in their criticism, yet you don't hesitate to resort to name calling and condescension in your response to a review that doesn't meet your requirements.

Hopefully your next go round will be better received.

Author's Response: I won't be hostile. I'm not against negative reviews as long as they are constructive in a sense. I don't think they were out of charachter, S6 is a perfect example of what Buffy could do. I think that Spike thought Buffy hated him, his admission of love came at the worst time to do so, and it ended horribly. She disinvited him out of the house and told him to stay away. Personally I think a reader shouldn't expect a romantic relationship when everything points to the contrary. Just my opinion. And the reason you saw some sort of hostility might be because i deleted over half of the reviews which were overly ignorant as well sa condescending. I don't have review requirements, I do have a problem with people who leave bitter, angry reviews because the writer doesn't fit their style. If I seemed condescending in the authors note, it wasn't intentional. I do expect alot of hateful reviews, but when people read fics that have certain elements in it and are warned beforehand. It's really not my problem anymore.

Ok i read your response to one review where you said "and most importantly, who says it's Spike that dusted."

But how can someone NOT think that when at the end you write "Spike’s body smoldered and smoked.

As she walked away, tears streaming down her face, a demon screamed as it unwillingly turned to ash"

COME ON!!... seriously, i was hoping for a happy ending not this twisted shit. Buffy in ANY season wouldn't kill spike, not because she didn't want to all the time but she just wouldn't. SO no i don't like it and i don't think its right on this site which is for Spuffy fans.

Author's Response: God, you must be the dumb one of the bunch. 1). You're supposed to think Spike dusted. 2) It clearly says demon, not Spike, not William the Bloody. Demon. A demon dusted. 3) A happy ending, did you not read the disclaimer? 4) Why wouldn't Buffy kill a soulless, chipless Spike? 5) I'm a Spuffy author, which is why there is a sequel, but if you don't think I should be on this site, contact the administrators. According to the site, there doesnt have to be a romantic relationship between the two, so like Spike would say, "Sod off ."

can't say that I like the story. buffy beats up spike bad and then kills him.

and yes, this is a spuffy lovers site. why would we want to read something that has one of them kill the other with no feelings.

Author's Response: Well, think about it logically, do you honestly think Buffy would let Spike live if he got his chip out, without a soul too might I add. In this short fic, this is Buffy in Season Five, who hates Spike, found out he's in love with her(which she finds sickening and disgusting), and is driven by what her friends think. Yeah , Spike's screwed. Maybe that doesn't make you happy, sadly I don't feel bad. Another thing, Buffy obviously had feelings about how she "killed" Spike, and most importantly, who says it's Spike that dusted. For all it's worth, thanks for the review.