I've heard of the novels. How are they? Were they sanctioned by TPTB to make sure the story got wrapped up properly? Was it based on the direction they were planning on going in season 3? Or was it just some writer that got permission and did whatever he wanted?

If it is the former and it was what the story was going to be in S3, I may eventually check out the books when I have money. If it's just some "what if" scenario that has no connection to what was planned, then I can do that with fanfic.