The Wicked Willow trilogy were three original novels based on the U.S. television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In the UK, an omnibus of the entire trilogy was later released.
Wicked Willow: The Darkening
First of the trilogy.
Plot summary
Struggling with an increasing addiction to magic, Willow is crushed to find she cannot stop using her powers for the one she loves. It grows worse, however, when Tara is shot and killed by Warren, who had been trying to shoot Buffy. Losing herself in grief, Willow allows herself to be overwhelmed by the powers of dark magic. Determined to get revenge on those responsible for Tara's death, she begins her descent into evil. In the woods outside of Sunnydale she extracts a terrible price from Warren, Tara's murderer, by flaying him alive. Buffy, Xander and Anya arrive too late to stop her. Revenge is not enough to satisfy a grief-stricken Willow. Her friends hope to halt her trail of vengeance and magic-collecting before Willow does more damage.
Continuity
While it is supposed to be set at the end of sixth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, immediately after "Villains", the story is placed in a parallel universe to that established by Buffyverse canon. It moves from this event into an alternative set of events than the ones that took place on the screen.
Wicked Willow: Shattered Twilight
Second of the trilogy.
Plot summary
Willow's own coven has turned against her. Willow is condemned for saving Buffy from an evil phantom and for not adequately protecting other coven members. Willow must devise a way to restore their confidence in her, and reinforce her power. In truth, she battled the phantom because Tara's ghost asked her to do it, even though it would lower her status in the coven. Willow seeks infallible magic. Buffy and the Scoobies still hope to fight back, yet do not want to lose Willow forever.
Continuity
Continues an alternative storyline than the one that emerged on screen after "Villains". The story continues from The Darkening.
Wicked Willow: Broken Sunrise
Third of the trilogy.
Plot summary
Tara's ghost has disappeared. Willow suspected it was something she had done or that the universe was again conspiring to hurt her. She soon learns that the Scoobies are responsible. Willow desperately wants Tara to return. She misses the spectre's company and Tara's ghost is needed to perform a resurrection spell Willow hopes to use to bring Tara back to life. Her first impulse is to bring wrath upon the heads of her old friends, but the coven reminds her that in the past Willow's anger has controlled her, leading to subsequent failure. Willow must use an alternate idea to regain Tara's spirit and perform the spell to bring her back to life. Meanwhile, the Scoobies want to drain Willow's dark magic, and release fellow Scoobs Spike and Oz from enslavement. Willow's anger is deep; she may stop at nothing to carry out her plans.
Continuity
Continues an alternative storyline than the one that emerged on screen after "Villains". The story continues from Shattered Twilight.
such as this one are not usually considered by fans as canonical. Some fans consider them stories from the imaginations of authors and artists, while other fans consider them as taking place in an alternative fictional reality. However unlike fan fiction, overviews summarising their story, written early in the writing process, were 'approved' by both Fox and Joss Whedon, and the books were therefore later published as officially Buffy/Angel merchandise.
