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| 1416510737
| 9781416510734
| 1416510737
| 3.85
| 306
| Feb 27, 2007
| Feb 27, 2007
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really liked it
| Hugh Matthews' Wolverine: Lifeblood takes readers on an intense, high-stakes journey through time, uncovering a shadowy piece of Wolverine’s history f Hugh Matthews' Wolverine: Lifeblood takes readers on an intense, high-stakes journey through time, uncovering a shadowy piece of Wolverine’s history from World War II that resurfaces with deadly consequences. In this fast-paced novel, Wolverine is forced to relive some of his darkest memories as a Nazi scientist once obsessed with his mutant healing powers re-emerges decades later with unfinished business. Matthews brilliantly weaves together elements of war, espionage, and Wolverine’s signature grit into an engaging narrative that will keep fans of the Marvel universe hooked. The novel excels at fleshing out Wolverine’s character, diving into his conflicted, haunted past as a soldier during the war and his struggle with the horrors he witnessed and endured. Matthews skillfully explores Wolverine's internal battle, as his memories of the war collide with the present-day threat posed by the reappearance of Dr. Abraham Cornelius, the Nazi scientist determined to exploit Wolverine's healing factor for his own twisted goals. This exploration of trauma and survival adds emotional depth to the book, making it more than just a straightforward action-adventure. The villainous Cornelius is suitably menacing, with his obsession with Wolverine’s healing ability creating a chilling dynamic. Matthews succeeds in portraying him as more than a one-dimensional Nazi; he’s a character driven by a mad scientist’s obsession with unlocking the secrets of life and death, making his return all the more unsettling. The book skillfully keeps the reader on edge, blending flashbacks of Wolverine’s wartime encounters with Cornelius with present-day confrontations as the stakes escalate. The action scenes are well-executed and visceral, matching the tone and intensity fans expect from Wolverine’s stories. Matthews’ descriptions of Wolverine’s berserker rage, his indestructibility, and the raw, brutal nature of his combat abilities give the book its pulse-pounding energy. Matthews clearly understands the character and honors Wolverine’s iconic persona while bringing his own flair to the narrative. However, while the book delivers on action and character depth, the plot can sometimes feel predictable, following familiar beats of revenge-driven storytelling. Some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped, serving more as tools to move the plot forward rather than as fully fleshed-out personalities. Still, these shortcomings are minor compared to the novel’s overall entertainment value and the way it delves into Wolverine’s complex psyche. Wolverine: Lifeblood will appeal not only to die-hard fans of Logan but also to readers who enjoy action-packed stories with a darker, psychological edge. Matthews delivers a gripping tale of survival, vengeance, and the lasting impact of Wolverine’s violent past. The novel deftly balances heart-pounding action with introspective moments that shed light on what makes Wolverine the compelling, tortured hero he is. Overall, *Wolverine: Lifeblood* is a solid addition to the Wolverine mythos, providing a thrilling and thoughtful look at one of Marvel’s most enduring characters. ...more |
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not set
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not set
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Aug 28, 2024
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 1416510699
| 9781416510697
| 1416510699
| 3.89
| 327
| Jan 01, 2006
| Oct 31, 2006
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really liked it
| David Alan Mack’s Wolverine: Road of Bones is a gripping entry in the Marvel Universe, placing Wolverine at the heart of a high-stakes global adventur David Alan Mack’s Wolverine: Road of Bones is a gripping entry in the Marvel Universe, placing Wolverine at the heart of a high-stakes global adventure. The plot follows Logan as he embarks on a dangerous journey across continents to recover a stolen experimental drug developed by a sinister underground organization. This drug, initially designed to cure all human diseases, is now being used as leverage to blackmail nations. Mack crafts a tense narrative filled with thrilling action and complex moral dilemmas. The story takes Wolverine through a variety of landscapes, each fraught with peril, enhancing the sense of urgency and danger. Logan's relentless pursuit of the drug is not just a mission but a personal quest driven by his own sense of justice and the greater good. The character development in “Road of Bones” is particularly notable. Wolverine is portrayed with depth, his gruff exterior masking a deep-seated desire to protect humanity. The antagonist organization adds a layer of intrigue and menace, challenging Wolverine both physically and ethically. The plot’s progression keeps readers on edge, with unexpected twists and high-octane confrontations that are sure to satisfy fans of the character. Mack’s writing is taut and engaging, seamlessly blending action sequences with introspective moments. The pacing is brisk, ensuring that the narrative remains dynamic and compelling throughout. The global scope of the story provides a fresh backdrop for Wolverine's adventures, showcasing different environments and cultural contexts that enrich the narrative. Overall, Wolverine: Road of Bones is a thrilling read that highlights Wolverine’s enduring appeal as a complex and driven hero. Mack’s skillful storytelling and the high stakes of the plot make this a must-read for fans of the X-Men and superhero fiction alike. ...more |
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Aug 19, 2024
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 141652164X
| 9781416521648
| 141652164X
| 3.89
| 831
| 2004
| Oct 25, 2005
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really liked it
| Marc Cerasini's Wolverine: Weapon X delves into the dark and complex origins of one of Marvel's most iconic antiheroes. Set within the intricate tapes Marc Cerasini's Wolverine: Weapon X delves into the dark and complex origins of one of Marvel's most iconic antiheroes. Set within the intricate tapestry of the Marvel Universe, this novel explores the harrowing transformation of Logan into the feared Wolverine, a tale steeped in violence, betrayal, and personal struggle. Cerasini does a commendable job of expanding on the Weapon X storyline, providing a gripping narrative that intertwines Logan's brutal experimentation with his quest for identity and vengeance. The novel effectively captures Wolverine’s raw and relentless nature, as well as his deep-seated conflict between his animalistic instincts and his human emotions. The writing is vivid and intense, painting a stark picture of the harsh realities faced by Logan. Cerasini’s portrayal of the Weapon X program is chilling, adding depth to the brutal experimentation that defines much of Wolverine’s backstory. The pacing is well-executed, with tension mounting as the story progresses, keeping readers engaged throughout. Characterization is another strong point, as Cerasini successfully conveys Wolverine's internal struggles and external conflicts. Logan’s complex personality is explored with nuance, showcasing his transformation from a vulnerable man into a relentless weapon. Supporting characters, including figures from the Weapon X program and Logan’s past, are fleshed out, adding layers to the narrative. However, the novel’s intense focus on Wolverine’s physical and psychological trauma may be overwhelming for some readers. The graphic descriptions of violence and experimentation are integral to the story but can be quite intense. Overall, *Wolverine: Weapon X* is a powerful and compelling addition to the Wolverine saga. Marc Cerasini’s expertise in creating a gripping, character-driven narrative ensures that this novel is a must-read for fans of Wolverine and those interested in the darker aspects of superhero mythology. ...more |
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Aug 19, 2024
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| B09X62GRQW
| 3.96
| 48
| unknown
| Nov 01, 2022
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really liked it
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As a fan of Marvel universe , I’m absolutely loving the prose novels that have been coming out over the last few years. They give us a chance to get a
As a fan of Marvel universe , I’m absolutely loving the prose novels that have been coming out over the last few years. They give us a chance to get a deeper look at some of our favorite heroes and villains as well as giving some lesser known characters a chance for the spotlight they aren’t likely to get in the movies or TV shows. In this book, Sound of Light, author Amanda Bridgeman gives mutant rocker Alison Blaire aka Dazzler a chance to shine in this trans-dimensional team up adventure. Imagine a mutant who can convert sound energy into light energy. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect power for a rockstar? Marvel thought so too and Dazzler was born. But Dazzler isn’t interested in being an X-man or working for S.H.I.E.L.D., she just wants to sing. But now she’s being pulled back. Her father is missing and it’s related to her past. She hasn’t spoken to him in years but she can’t abandon him. Besides, he’s not the only father who’s gone missing. And the real plot is much more sinister than absent fathers. Can Dazzler save her father with the help of some fellow mutants with as many daddy issues as she has? Will they be enough to discover and stop the bigger plot behind these disappearing daddies? Let’s explore what Amanda Bridgeman brings in the Sound of Light The spotlight might seem like an odd place to try and hide but that’s exactly how Dazzler does it. She tried to be the perfect daughter and pursue law as her father wanted. And she tried to be a perfect mutant and attend the Charles Xavier School. But the call of the stage was too strong so she disappointed her father and mutants alike by pursuing those lights. That is until the night a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent cornered her after a show. She tells him to get lost but he tells her that her father is missing and she can’t walk away from that. Once he has her attention, he briefs her that Magneto and Cyclops are also missing. All the disappearances seem to be connected to a substance, MGH. MGH or Mutant Growth Hormone is a substance that was derived from Dazzler’s blood (against her will) that enhances mutant powers and gives humans boosted strength and speed. Between her anger and guilt over MGH, her karmic debts to Magneto and Cyclops, and her father in danger, Dazzler has no choice. She agrees to help S.H.I.E.L.D. with the case. Even though Dazzler agrees to help S.H.I.E.L.D., she doesn’t trust them. She does everything she can to escape their scrutiny and turns to the Charles Xavier School for help. There she encounters Emma Frost, a mutant with mind manipulation powers and the head of the school in Magneto’s absence. The two women have no trust or love for each other but they put their differences aside enough to work together for the sake of mutant kind. Emma Frost refuses to leave the school unguarded at such a dangerous time but she sends along Sage, a mutant with a “really good memory” to help Dazzler. Frost also reaches out to Wolverine at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning (a rival mutant school) for help. He brings Polaris and Rachel Grey, the daughters of Magneto and Cyclops respectively, to aid Dazzler and Sage. The girls have their own daddy issues they are trying to work through. Like Dazzler, neither is close to their father but also like Dazzler, neither wants their father to be hurt or killed. They agree to help, if somewhat reluctantly and the four women start pursuing leads. They are handicapped by their lack of trust though. Dazzler trusts no one, Polaris and Rachel don’t trust Dazzler and Sage, S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t trust Dazzler, Frost only trusts Sage, you get the picture. Because no one trusts anyone else, information isn’t being shared and the women walk into some dangerous situations as they work through their investigations. As they uncover a far bigger and more dangerous plot than anyone had thought was in motion they will need to learn to trust each other if they want to survive. Broken protagonists are becoming more and more popular. Authors have come to realize that people like seeing heroes that are a little less than perfect. It gives us hope for ourselves. It’s the reason Batman remains far more popular than Superman. Perfection is great but unattainable. A hero with problems we can see ourselves in. In Sound of Light, Amanda Bridgeman gives us not one but five strong women that are very capable of saving the day. The beauty is that all five save the day without being perfect. They all have their flaws. Most are some version of trust issues and all are very well deserved. But as deep as their issues are, they find a way to overcome them. Together they reach out and learn to trust again and it was very inspirational. As great as the group was and as strong as they end up becoming, Dazzler has a very one-track mind. She just wants to get it over with so she can get back to her band. She’s been hiding from responsibility in music for a long time, ever since her father wanted her to become a lawyer and she balked. Her mindset of rock and roll all night, and partying every day, would be perfectly placed in a teenage mutant just coming into her powers. But, while a specific age is never given, Dazzler has to be at least 30 based on the amount of back-story that is brought up. By thirty, she should be seeing a broader view of the world than just the selfish rockstar life. She does the right thing when pushed but she whines the whole time about how she just wants to be left alone and it gets a little annoying. Dazzler does work through some of her trust issues by the end of the book. She manages to work well in a team and even seems to have made some lasting connections with the people she worked with but she still can’t wait to hurry back to her band at the end and it feels like she hasn’t grown at all on that front, which was a little sad. Despite Dazzler’s character flaws, Bridgeman offers a nice story in Sound of Light. Sage is a really awesome powerhouse of ability and confidence that works as a nice foil to Dazzler, Polaris, and Rachel’s inexperience. The four start off bumpy, as you would expect four powerful people suddenly thrown together too, but they manage to come together nicely for some really great team-ups by the end. The women saving the men is a fun twist on a common trope that I greatly enjoyed. Anyone looking for a fun time with some powerful women is going to love this book. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 11, 2024
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Feb 16, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 1839081651
| 9781839081651
| 1839081651
| 3.80
| 35
| Sep 06, 2022
| Sep 27, 2022
|
really liked it
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As a fan of Marvel universe , I’m absolutely loving the prose novels that have been coming out over the last few years. They give us a chance to get a
As a fan of Marvel universe , I’m absolutely loving the prose novels that have been coming out over the last few years. They give us a chance to get a deeper look at some of our favorite heroes and villains as well as giving some lesser known characters a chance for the spotlight they aren’t likely to get in the movies or TV shows In this book, Sisters Of Sorcery, author Marsheila Rockwell gives sorceress Clea Strange chance to shine in this mystical team up adventure. Marsheila Rockwell pulls together some far-flung sorceresses and forges them into a potent team in Sisters of Sorcery: A Marvel Untold Novel. Clea, Sorceress Supreme of the Dark Dimension, Margali of the Winding Way, a former Sorceress Supreme, Holly, a young apprentice of Agatha’s, and Elizabeth Twoyoungmen, aka the Talisman, enter an uneasy alliance to fight a threat that’s too big for any one of them alone. Together they traverse multiple dimensions and fight deadly enemies, learning to trust each other and becoming true sisters along the way. We enter the Dark Dimension with this cast of fantastic magical females to defeat a supernatural tyrant (who just so happens to be Clea’s mother) and save a being of Cosmic power, Ardina, before Umar the Unrelenting uses her prisoner to conquer the whole of the Splinter Realms not just the Dark Dimension. I am a massive fan for Marvel’s mystical side but even if I wasn’t this novel was top tier. It reads just like a comic or watching a MCU film but with the added extra of getting a deeper insight into the characters within. What I mean is we have amazing action scenes and adventure, fantastical and dark settings and even cameos along the way. It makes this almost impossible to put this down once you start. Even when it isn’t in your face action with demons and beings of the Splinter Realms the novel still keeps you hooked with learning more about the characters fears and desires, seeing them overcome their distrust or dislike of each other and ultimately seeing them finally form a sisterhood. Rockwell manages to introduce each sorceress with such ease that even those who may not be familiar with the characters will quickly understand what makes them tick. I particularly loved Holly LaDonna, arguable the lynch pin that ended up tying the women together with her quirky humour and unwitting charm. I would actually love to read more about her and hope we may see her again in the future, bonus points if Elizabeth and Agatha are involved. Of course we have Clea who is, as always, perfect. Margali who’s sarcasm and animosity helped to create more problems for the women to deal with but ultimately helped. Elizabeth who is and was amazing. Again she brings her own brand of sarcasm and magic to the team. The sisterhood that she and Holly developed was also something I really enjoyed and hope is expanded on. On top of these amazing four we have the spectral form of Agatha Harkness, who while being killed by Scarlet Witch, is still there and arguably as powerful as ever. While not a main character on the adventure I adored her inclusion and how she managed to rub everyone up the wrong way. In short Rockwell mastered the characterisation of these powerful females and it made a thoroughly enjoyable read. The setting of the novel was also amazing. The description of the dimensions visited really did evoke images as if you were there, as I said early like you were reading a comic and seeing the settings on the page. It was wonderful and refreshing to see other realms and the rulers of these. Each creating their own issues and problems the females have to face. Again I like to avoid spoilers but I will say I adored the inclusion of The Dreamqueen and how she affected the team. Another refreshing aspect was that while dealing with this powerful sorceresses Rockwell manages to show their humanity or rather vulnerability both physical and mental. Our heroines suffer, they get hurt and bleed, they have to face their own fears and overcome these in order to continue on and complete their mission. I found this making me like them even more. Well it’s fun to have a strong and badass characters who seem to always win no matter the odds its always nice to see them struggle and fail. I find this makes them more human, easier to relate to and understand and creates a deeper bond between the protagonists and reader. Rockwell takes four strong and very independent personalities and manages to shape them into a powerhouse team. Rockwell does this in the best possible way, through respect. As the sorceresses face different challenges they each get to showcase their abilities, and also their weaknesses. Often when writing female heroes authors shy away from giving them weaknesses. I think the fear is that if a woman isn’t perfect she’ll be considered incompetent. But women, even heroes, are human(ish) and need to be seen as that. How else are we less-than-superhero status women ever supposed to feel adequate? But I’ve gotten off-track. The point is that when these women see each other at both their strongest and their weakest, they realize the total sum of their worths and respect each other because of it. Without that respect, the team would fall apart because you cannot have such strong personalities working together functionally without respect and trust. It was the perfect way to bind these women together in sisterhood and I loved it! Sisters of Sorcery has a strong story and strong characters to carry it. There is plenty of Marvel’s trademark humor sprinkled in to keep the heavy subject of interdimensional subjugation from becoming too much. I loved this book. I hate to do the whole “strong female” line, but I am eagerly awaiting the day when strong, well-written female characters are so common that they can just be called “strong leads”. But if you are looking for strong female characters this book is perfect for you. All in all, I could not recommend this one enough. I knew I would love it but I didn’t know how much. I really hope we see these characters back again in the future for more adventures, laughter, tears and struggles. It just ticked all my boxes. A must read for fans of Marvels should it be cap m leading ladies, of mystical fantasy, Marvel fans, good fantasy adventures, and people overcoming differences to take down the big bad. You will not be disappointed. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 16, 2024
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Feb 21, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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Paperback
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| 1839082461
| 9781839082467
| 3.50
| 42
| unknown
| Oct 03, 2023
|
really liked it
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Prepare to dive into a wacky, time travelling, zombie filled Marvel novel with Marsheila Rockwell’s fantastic tie-in book, Marvel Zombies: The Hunger.
Prepare to dive into a wacky, time travelling, zombie filled Marvel novel with Marsheila Rockwell’s fantastic tie-in book, Marvel Zombies: The Hunger. The Hunger is everything I didn’t know I needed in a Marvel Prose Novel. Taking inspiration from the Marvel Zombies comics. it sees a team of unlikely heroes try and stop zombie super heroes and villains from take over the world. When a mysterious object falls to Earth, landing in New York city, it unleashes a wave of evil and despair as the world’s greatest heroes are turned into ravenous zombies determined to feast on all living flesh. As the zombified superheroes begin to spread out across the planet, turning or eating everything before them, only Doctor Strange can briefly retain his sanity to try and find a way to avert disaster, but despite his best efforts, his overwhelming hunger threatens all around him. With no alternative, Doctor Strange is forced to turn to one of the few magic users left unaffected by the zombie outbreak, the librarian of the Sanctum Sanctorum, Zelma Stanton, who reluctantly takes up the burden and imprisons her zombified mentor. Despite her lack of experience, Zelma has access to all the magical knowledge and ancient artefacts in Doctor Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum, and she hopes to find some answer to the deadly chaos consuming her planet. But Zelma soon realises that even all the books in the Sanctum aren’t enough; if she wants to succeed, she’s going to need help. Pulling together a ragtag team of survivors, including Runaway witch Nico Minoru, monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone and the living embodiment of insanity, Deadpool, Zelma hopes that together they can find a solution. But their plan to trap the zombies in a time loop backfires on them, thanks to antics of Deadpool, unsurprisingly. Now with time fracturing all around them, an evil magic threat unleashed, and the zombie horde still determined to eat everything, Zelma and her strange team need to find a way to reverse the damaged they caused while still saving the world. But is this group of survivors truly capable of stopping the flesh-eating nightmares waiting for them? That was an insanely fun book about zombies and time travel shenanigans that I desperately needed, and I am sure glad that I decided to check this novel out. The Hunger was a very entertaining book that I ended up knocking out in a few hours because of how easy and fantastic it was to read. Rockwell came up with a very impressive story that quickly grabbed my attention and took me along a wild journey loaded with so many awesome moments. Starting off with a great new introduction to an alternate Marvel Zombies event, where Doctor Strange and pretty much every other hero gets brutally turned into zombies, the story gets bleak very quickly and rarely lightens up after that. The resulting narrative focuses on the intriguing figure of Zelma Stanton, a supporting character in one of the recent Doctor Strange comics, and it proves to be very interesting as you follow a young, inexperienced magician as she tries to survive in a very dangerous world. The resulting story has a lot of great features to it as Zelma finds her courage, gathers a unique group of allies, and then finds herself getting thrown into all manner of chaos as her actions produce more zombie mayhem and every time travel issues you could think of. The second half of The Hunger is pure, unadulterated bedlam, and I frankly loved every second of it, as Rockwell comes up with some outrageous and exciting scenarios that never really slow down. Bringing together some well set-up storylines in some excellent ways, you honestly will find it hard to put down The Hunger once you get rolling with it, and I found the entire story to be exceedingly entertaining, especially as Rockwell wove together some complex scenes that saw the characters journey through all manner of unique points the Marvel Universe timeline. This story was a riot from start to finish, especially the fantastic extended time travel sequences, and you will come away from this book very satisfied and honestly wanting more. Rockwell has a great writing style that I felt really lent itself to the emotionally charged and intense story that came together in The Hunger. Primarily told from the perspective of two young female magic users, The Hunger is a strong, character-driven tale that showcases how people grow under adversity, while also treating the reader to a brilliant amount of action, carnage and Marvel comics lore. Rockwell really leans into the Marvel Zombies background of her story to provide some gruesome and graphic moments, which I felt helped set The Hunger apart from some of the other Marvel tie-in books. While there is a lot of humour attached to the book, mainly thanks to the inclusion of a particular merc-with-a-mouth, The Hunger gets very deep and serious at times, and I loved the impactful dive into the traumas affecting the protagonists. I loved the fast pace that Rockwell sets for The Hunger’s story, and frankly there was not a single moment of this book where I wanted to stop, as I just wanted to see what was going to happen next. I did think some of the early sequences of the book felt a little simplistic in their writing, which almost threw me off. However, Rockwell found her stride as the book continued, and I loved some of the elaborate sequences that emerged, especially those that feature multiple figures, time elements and obscure bits of Marvel lore. Some of The Hunger’s twists were very well set up in the earlier stages of the book, and I loved how well things came together in the end, especially as Rockwell made such great use of the time travel elements to tell a very entertaining story. The Hunger serves as a rather interesting addition to the wider Marvel lore that exists as Rockwell makes fine use of several existing storylines, concepts and characters, to create a pretty fun read. Set in a version of the main Marvel universe that is suddenly impacted by a Marvel Zombies event, The Hunger has a ton of curious and distinctive elements to it that established fans of the comics will deeply enjoy. Not only are there a ton of different characters present, often in zombie form, but Rockwell goes out of her way to feature or reference multiple storylines from the comics. This includes a great mixture of more recent comics and some classic storylines, both of which work extremely well in the context of the story and its time travel elements. I felt that Rockwell did a very good job of cleverly introducing and then utilising these different storylines throughout the course of the comics, and the resulting crazy plot encounters and big moments were pretty damn awesome. Each of the main characters also makes sure to remember or mention many key story arcs from their history, many of which have a compelling impact on the current storyline or mental state. The author clearly has an appreciation for the various storylines and obscure characters that she featured and I loved how random and compelling the later scenes got. While Rockwell does go to some diverse areas of the Marvel universe and history, all of these elements and characters are explored in excellent detail so that anyone with some basic knowledge of Marvel comics can easily enjoy what is going on. I personally loved all the cool references that emerged, as well the excellent reimagining of the Marvel Zombies storyline which helped turn The Hunger into a pretty awesome tie-in novel. Rockwell chose to focus The Hunger on three intriguing and somewhat underused female characters from the Marvel universe, Zelma Stanton, Nico Minoru, and Elsa Bloodstone. All three characters are already epic, but it was great to see them forming a team here in The Hunger, especially when faced with an insane, world-ending threat. Of these three characters, Zelma is probably the one I knew the least about, mainly because I’ve never read any of the Doctor Strange comics she is in, but she soon proved to be the invaluable heart of this entire novel. Rockwell did a remarkable job of introducing and utilising Zelma as a character, even to a reader like me that has had no experience with her. You are swiftly brought up to speed on who Zelma is and why she is involved, and soon you follow this overwhelmed magical character as she is thrust into events beyond her comprehension. I loved the overarching narrative of this character finding her confidence and ability in this ultimate post-apocalyptic setting, and it was great to see her become the hero that Doctor Strange believed her to be. Watching her use her unique intelligence and experiences to survive and attempt to stop all the chaos is quite compelling, and you really grow to appreciate Zelma, especially as she has very relatable doubts and concerns. Zelma is the emotional heart of this entire book and I felt that Rockwell was very wise to use her as a central character, especially with how exceptionally she is portrayed. In addition to Zelma, I really enjoyed the fantastic use of Nico Minoru and Elsa Bloodstone in The Hunger who served as impressive joint protagonists. I particularly loved seeing Nico Minoru here in The Hunger, mainly because I’m such a big fan of Runaways, and Rockwell featured her in an excellent way. Focusing on her at a key part of her character development from the comics, this already jaded and wary Nico arrives on the scene after seeing her entire adopted family turned to zombies and is swiftly forced into another harrowing adventure with a new group of strangers. I really enjoyed exploring Nico’s fears, concerns and complex history throughout The Hunger, and she served as a great secondary point-of-view character for the plot. These female characters are further enhanced by monster hunter extraordinaire Elsa Bloodstone, who is well suited for this sort of dark, monstrous tale. The foul-mouthed, highly confident figure is a great addition to the focal cast of the novel, especially as her loud personality plays off the more reserved Zelma and Nico for a good chunk of the novel. While initially shown to be mostly carefree, there are some compelling darker feelings under the surface, especially related to the start of the zombie apocalypse, and I felt that Elsa was a brilliant and great addition to the plot. The final major character in the book really needs no introduction as Rockwell features Deadpool as the much need comic relief. Brought into the story for very unique reasons, Deadpool is his usual blend of irrelevant humour, catchy one-liners, and all-round killing machine that works well with the female protagonists to save the day. His constant jokes, weird comments and fourth wall breaks deeply add to the enjoyment I had of the book, even with its darker story content. So many of the best plot moments in The Hunger revolve around Deadpool’s antics, and he really is an unsurpassed character to include in a crazy book like this. His interactions with the other protagonists are also a lot of fun, with an intriguing blend of comedic conversations, crazed resentment, and even a grudging respect for his fellow survivors. Throw in a ton of zombified superheroes, an overpowered magical witch from history, a fun new mount for Deadpool, and some intriguing figures from the dawn of the Marvel canon, and The Hunger has an outstanding cast that are a lot of fun to follow, especially during their darker and emotionally charged moments. All in all, The Hunger really lived up to all its great potential and I had an epic time getting through this insane and highly exciting read. Marsheila Rockwell produced one hell of a story here that made great use of the Marvel Zombies theme and featured a bonkers story with fantastic time travel elements, complex characters, and a ton of compelling references to the wider Marvel canon. I honestly had such an incredible time with The Hunger and readers are guaranteed to get caught up in its cool story just like me. Highly recommended, for all Marvel fans, you will have fun with this book. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 26, 2023
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Oct 31, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 1839082275
| 9781839082276
| B0BQ4N6HDV
| 4.00
| 51
| unknown
| Jul 04, 2023
|
really liked it
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Even superheroes eventually grow old, if fate is kind to them. In Wastelanders: Star-Lord by Sarah Cawkwell, Peter Quill, A.K.A. Star-Lord, and Rocket
Even superheroes eventually grow old, if fate is kind to them. In Wastelanders: Star-Lord by Sarah Cawkwell, Peter Quill, A.K.A. Star-Lord, and Rocket Raccoon have managed to achieve old age. But they’re no longer the heroes they once were. The rest of the Guardians Of The Galaxy are gone, it’s just Quill and Rocket trying to make ends meet. So they take a questionable job from an unknown employer for a huge sum of credits. What could possibly go wrong? Since it’s the Guardians, the answer is everything. Everything could, and will, go wrong. The Guardians of the Galaxy were once heroes known across the universe. They had even saved it a few times. But that was then. Now, Quill and Rocket are just a couple of aging mercenary thieves pulling jobs to scrape by. Their latest one is set up with someone they don’t know doing who knows what. When they show up to meet with the client they discover it’s the new Collector. She wants the Guardians to track down an item called the Black Vortex. It’s an ancient object of immense cosmic power. Legend has it that if someone is willing to submit to the Vortex then they will be granted unlimited power. To ensure that the Guardians don’t double-cross her, the Collector tricks them into putting on adamantium guillotine necklaces that will decapitate them in exactly one week if they don’t deliver the Black Vortex to her. The Collector provides them with a map to the Black Vortex. The map leads them back to Earth, to the black hills of South Dakota. But the map is incomplete (of course). So once they get to Earth they still have some searching to do. Unfortunately, their return to Earth isn’t quite the triumphant arrival that Peter Quill envisions. They crash land in a desolate wasteland that used to be the American midwest after being attacked without warning as they approached Earth. They quickly learn that Earth is not the planet they left so many years ago. Furthermore, in true Guardian fashion, they manage to run afoul of the authorities pretty much as soon as they land. Now they get to search for the Black Vortex while avoiding capture. As time begins to run out for Quill and Rocket, it turns out that they’re not the only ones looking for the Black Vortex. Others seek its formidable power for their own villainous reasons. Will Rocket and Quill find it in time to avoid a gruesome death? And what will be the cost to recover this dangerous cosmic relic? What I found most interesting about Wastelanders: Star-Lord was seeing Peter Quill and Rocket as old men (okay, Rocket’s not a man, but you get it). Heroes are always presented as young and virile. But if we’re supposed to really think of them as real people then eventually, assuming they aren’t killed, they will get old. While it might be hard for us to see our heroes get old, think about what it must be like for them. To go from being super powerful and saving the world to being weak and vulnerable has to be really hard on someone psychologically. Showing Rocket and Quill like this humanizes them and makes them feel very real. But the inspiring thing is that even if their bodies aren’t what they once were, their spirits are still those of heroes. When they see an injustice they are compelled to act. It’s not so surprising out of Quill, his boyish enthusiasm and slightly warped view of himself and his abilities have always driven him to do great things. But Rocket has always worked so hard to appear disaffected. So when his golden heart comes shining through it’s a real heart-wrencher. And it makes a great point that we can all be heroes, even if we aren’t the perfect archetype like Captain America or Superman. The Guardians of the Galaxy are known for being the funny bunch of Marvel. They always have a lot of zingy one-liners and a huge part of their charm comes from the way they bounce comedic retorts off each other. Cawkwell keeps this humor alive in Wastelanders: Star-Lord but mixes it with a Grumpy Old Men vibe as Rocket and Quill rip on each other. Their chemistry is absolutely hilarious. And the care and sentiment that obviously lies just under their barbed words make it endearing. I loved how they were constantly going at each other but in the way that best friends or old married couples do. You can feel the love and it’s a great feeling. Their squabbling somehow makes them more likable. It works very well for them and it’s exactly how I would have envisioned these two aging if I had thought about it before reading Wastelanders. Author Sarah Cawkwell manages to cash in on that Marvel magic with Wastelanders: Star-Lord. She really nails the blend of comedy and emotion that works so well for Marvel. Now it should be mentioned that she adapted her tale from a scripted podcast by Benjamin Percy. So the overall story isn’t her creation. That nod goes to Percy and he absolutely created a great story. But Cawkwell has filled in the basic story and dialogue with a rich background and internal worlds that are very enjoyable. Overall, Anyone who likes Marvel, and especially Guardians of the Galaxy fans will love seeing how that band of misfits ended up as they aged. Just be aware, this story isn’t all fun. There are a lot of emotions explored in Wastelanders: Star-Lord and readers should keep a box of tissues handy, they’re gonna need it. So make sure to check out the newest Guardians adventure now! ...more |
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Aug 24, 2023
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Aug 29, 2023
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Aug 22, 2023
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| 178909772X
| 9781789097726
| 178909772X
| 3.48
| 147
| Nov 29, 2022
| Nov 29, 2022
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really liked it
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Midnight Suns: Infernal Rising By S.D. Perry, is a media tie-in novel based RPG video game Midnight Suns developed by Firaxis Games starring iconic Ma
Midnight Suns: Infernal Rising By S.D. Perry, is a media tie-in novel based RPG video game Midnight Suns developed by Firaxis Games starring iconic Marvel superhero heroes. Being a huge Marvel fan, going into Midnight Suns: Infernal Rising I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy it. After all it was written by S.D. Perry, who has had a history of ‘playing’ in established worlds. She’s written books taking place in the Resident Evil, Star Trek, and Aliens universes to name a few. And I was right, the story within Infernal Rising is solid. Set in it’s own separate Marvel Universe, It revolves around a evil group known as the Triumvirate an alliance made up of Arch demon Zarathos, the succubus demon Satana Hellstom, and an ex-Hydra scientist Fenn trying to claim a ancient relic that will give them control over the powerful demon lord Mephisto and the new supernatural superhero team the Midnight Suns attempt to thwart them. This version of the Midnight Suns is made up of Blade, Ghost Rider, Magik, and Nico Minoru with Caretaker acting in a type of team leader. Immediately, one of my favorite things about the novel is how each story section rotates through the different characters’ points of view. The novel is excellent for spotlighting each of the different hero and villain characters, even ones not in the game like Satana Hellstrom. The book also includes many deep-cut references from the comics, which helps flesh out the video game’s new universe and bridge the gap between the comics and the game. Infernal Rising presents an exciting two-pronged story structure by focusing closely on a team of demons (Zarathos and Satana) and a team of demon hunters (the Midnight Suns). Perry operates in multi-genre storytelling by using the two groups to juxtapose thriller and mystery. We are engrossed in the demons’ story as they try to pull off their master plan; at the same time, we’re also rooting for the demon hunters to uncover the demons’ plan and stop them. The two story threads come to a head in an epic cat-and-mouse adventure heist. The propulsive, non-stop action beats lead to a hellish finale filled with demons and witchcraft. While Infernal Rising is a fun story on its own, it doesn’t forget its role as a prequel to the video game. The book is written with the clear objective to introduce the readers to the game’s characters, personalities, powers, origins, histories, and the foundation of their team dynamics. Yet surprisingly, Perry incorporates these “info dumps” into her narrative in a way that feels natural and engaging. In fact, one of the greatest strengths of the novel is how well Perry explores the characters’ individual physical and psychological weaknesses, helping add nuance and relatability to these magical superheroes while forging them into a stronger team. Some of the early sections were a little exhausting with backstory, but the book quickly builds momentum as the action picks up. By the end of the first act, I was flying through the pages with a greater understanding of the characters. The commitment was fully rewarded by the end of the book because of the satisfying payoff of the characters’ evolution as a team over the course of the story. Even though the core of the book is focused on bringing the Midnight Suns together for their first team mission, the genuinely emotional, surprising ending leads into the video game storyline so smoothly and so meaningfully that this novel feels completely necessary for the video game and adds an extra layer of excitement and depth to the game’s storyline. Given that this is an alternate interpretation of characters in service of a more prominent video game, there are a number of differences from the comics. A major shortfall of this tie-in approach is that, while the characters are generally accurate, their exact history and canon has to be left vague and enigmatic. However, I must admit that while I’m a Marvel fan there were a few characters that I was only vaguely familiar with from my comic reading days, and had to look them up. I wouldn’t say it’s completely necessary to know the characters well before reading this novel, but having a basic knowledge of them does help. One the great things about this novel is how well Perry uses the novel format to inhabit the minds of these iconic Marvel characters. Being able to live inside their heads and experience the world from their unique perspectives. One of my favorite examples is the way Perry captures Blade’s painful self-loathing about being a vampire and the way the author vividly describes the world through his heightened senses. By taking advantage of the novel format, Perry is able to bring us into the broken psyches of these characters to create a surreally intimate sensory experience that no comic, film, or TV show has ever been able to match. Another one of my few reservations with the novel is that the writing style took a bit of time to get used to, but it grew on me as I kept reading. Early on, I found some of the descriptions a little confusing to follow, with certain things being described in unnecessary detail while more important things were left to the imagination or described much later in the book. When characters are thinking or experiencing action, some of the sentence structures become fragmented and flow loosely, almost in a stream-of-consciousness style. But as the book went on, I realized that Perry’s surreal style made for a refreshing reading experience and I was happy for the unique effect. Overall, Midnight Suns: Infernal Rising is a strong recommendation for all fans of Marvel’s supernatural characters in general, and especially for the fans of the new video game. SD Perry’s intimately sensory narration brings an invaluable new perspective to our understanding of these heroes, which makes this novel absolutely essential alternate universe reading for all serious fans. The strong character work and thrilling storylines feed into the game narrative so naturally that Midnight Suns: Infernal Rising should be an indispensable part of the full Midnight Suns experience. ...more |
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1
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Jan 19, 2023
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Jan 23, 2023
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Dec 15, 2022
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Paperback
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| 1368052371
| 9781368052375
| B07PRYGJ65
| 4.03
| 389
| Apr 02, 2019
| Apr 02, 2019
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really liked it
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Liza Palmer’s Avengers: Destiny Arrives is the novelization of the Avengers: Infinity War movie. In case you haven’t seen the movie, I’ll give you a b
Liza Palmer’s Avengers: Destiny Arrives is the novelization of the Avengers: Infinity War movie. In case you haven’t seen the movie, I’ll give you a brief summary right now. Thanos, the man behind all of the Avenger’s woes finally reveals himself as he hunts down the infinity stones. Once he has all the stones, he will use them to eradicate half of the population in the universe, this is his solution to the limited resource problem in all of existence. I know what yo’re asking yourself. If you already saw the movie, why should I read the book? I’ll tell you: because the book gives greater detail as to what happened in the movie. The highs are higher and the lows are lower. The book creates more depth to the decisions and losses the characters in the movie experience. Palmer also gives die-hard fans a little bit of trivia, she gives details that might have been cut out of the final version of the movie. Overall, If you enjoyed the movie, I recommend you read this book. The actors in the movie did a fantastic job in conveying the emotions their characters endured, but the book gives more weight to their experiences. Trust me, give this book a shot. You won’t be disappointed. ...more |
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Jul 31, 2022
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Aug 02, 2022
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Jul 31, 2022
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Kindle Edition
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| 1572971142
| 9781572971141
| 1572971142
| 3.79
| 607
| May 01, 1996
| May 01, 1996
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liked it
| X-Men: Mutant Empire: Book 1: Siege, By Christopher Golden is a original superhero prose based off Marvel Comic’s X-MEN. The book is split into two pa X-Men: Mutant Empire: Book 1: Siege, By Christopher Golden is a original superhero prose based off Marvel Comic’s X-MEN. The book is split into two parallel conflicts. The first, concerning Magneto’s takeover of Project: Wideawake, is deeply enjoyable. The second, a rescue mission on the Kree homeworld of Hala, is a frustrating mess. What hurts this structure the most is how disjointed the stories feel. There is the thinnest hint of similarity in themes, both discussing a battle against oppression, but it also carries an overwhelming feeling that only half the book is relevant. Splitting up the cast allows Golden to highlight multiple facets of the X-Men, but it also halts momentum every time the narrative shifts. The highlight of the book is the Magneto plot. The master of magnetism plots and plans to take over the Sentinel’s, the mutant hunting robots, at the US Government’s Project: Wideawake with the help of his zealous followers, the Acolytes. Here we get to understand the conflict from all sides, Magneto’s drive to create a mutant homeland, Xavier’s dream of peaceful co-existence, Amelia Voght’s skepticism and desperation, and Val Cooper’s desire to avoid anything that would make her life harder. Golden is at his peak when he taps into these character’s core and positions them around the conflict. He is less successful with the X-Men proper, Storm, Bishop, Wolverine, Iceman, and Beast. They all have a unique voice but are more passive observers than active participants. Less successful is Cyclops’ mission to rescue his father from Deathbird’s prison on Hala. Cyclops is written as the same dry character he was throughout the 90s, and the book suffers for it. Of the rest of his team, only Jean Grey gets any significant characterization. Rogue, Gambit, and Archangel get very little to do beside get into fights. Worse is the switch to Deathbird as the antagonist, she is a subtle and nuanced as the name suggests. Golden tries to add color by focusing on her lieutenant Gladiator, but his inaction in the face of evil only frustrates readers. This story feels like filler, padding to make this a trilogy, and the book is worse for it. It is incredibly skip able and half of a novel should not feel like that. X-Men: Mutant Empire: Book 1: Siege is an interesting, if flawed, book. The parallel structure is a massive flaw, and the shift in quality between the sections only amplifies this. There is a chapter in the middle of the book where Charles Xavier debates an anti-mutant activist and an unfriendly politician, all sides laying out their fears, it is gripping. If the entire book could be this smart, this interested in examining the place of mutants in the world, it would be a must read. Unfortunately, Golden drops the ball when it comes to the sci-fi action. Both arcs end on cliff hangers, one fascinating with a promising hook for the rest of the series. The other, groan inducing and promising that the story will continue to drag forward. There is a lot to love and hate in equal measure here, making it hard to recommend to anyone except the most die hard X-Fan. ...more |
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Aug 04, 2022
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Aug 08, 2022
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Jul 09, 2022
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 1572972475
| 9781572972476
| 1572972475
| 3.91
| 447
| Mar 01, 1997
| May 01, 1997
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really liked it
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The 3rd book in Christopher Golden’s X-Men Mutant Empire triology, "Salvation" wraps up the exciting series in true X-men fashion. Fast, decisive batt
The 3rd book in Christopher Golden’s X-Men Mutant Empire triology, "Salvation" wraps up the exciting series in true X-men fashion. Fast, decisive battles between heroes and foes, unexpected plot twists, government corruption, and fantastic surprises await the reader. “Salvation" brings to a close the trilogy where Magneto, the X-men's arch-enemy, has taken control of New York City, now renamed Haven, as a free mutant state. Magneto, however, has even more grandiose plans: Haven is just the start of a world-spanning Mutant Empire. Only the X-men can stop him. In the previous 2 books, the X-men, faced against overwhelming odds, try to do that: most of the team is captured while the rest are on another mission. In book 3, they return, and attempt to not only rescue their team mates, but battle the forces of Magneto, which seem to grow by the hour. In the background, the US government considers the "final option" to the problem, leading to a ticking clock that can only end in oblivion. In the previous books, Golden has orchastrated an elaborate tale of government corruption, mutant meglomania, and simple heroic measures that leaves the reader pleasantly surprised, breathless, and at times, shocked at what is perhaps a view of what the real world "could be" in terms of racial ideas and bigotry, evil versus good, and the human side of a person, be they mutant or human. It all comes to a climax in "Salvation". Fast paced and full of action, "Salvation" leaves the reader (even if they are not familiar with the world of the X-men) feeling a sense of contiunity with the previous books, and for possible future books. Golden neatly and expertly portrays each character as they are known in the comics, giving a fair share of exposure time to the main characters. He also ties in what X-men fans know will happen in the future in the terms of Magneto's eventual state (For non-fans, Magneto's mind is eventually wiped by Xavier, leading eventually to the current "Onslaught" storyline). Overall, X-Men: Salvation Is a must read for all hardcore X-men fans, and Marvel comic fans in general, I highly recommend the whole series. ...more |
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1
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Aug 13, 2022
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Aug 16, 2022
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Jun 20, 2022
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Paperback
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| 1572971800
| 9781572971806
| 1572971800
| 3.89
| 474
| Nov 01, 1996
| Nov 01, 1996
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liked it
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X-MEN: Sanctuary By Christopher Golden, is the second book in the Mutant Empire trilogy, picks up exactly where the first one left off, and develops t
X-MEN: Sanctuary By Christopher Golden, is the second book in the Mutant Empire trilogy, picks up exactly where the first one left off, and develops the story further toward the resolution in the last novel. Just as with Siege, Sanctuary keeps the X-Men team divided into two halves, with one half dealing with a crisis in space while the other half begins to fight Magneto's takeover of New York down on Earth. I should mention right off that this novel's development is a little slower concerning the "away" (space) X-Men team. It should be noted that they came a long way in Siege - they traipsed halfway across the galaxy to another planet, fought through a legion of alien soldiers to rescue two prisoners, fought their way back out to teleport home, and then were stranded in a dead ship. But Sanctuary spends the WHOLE novel detailing this team's attempts to get home in a poor attempt at stalling. In essence, this team remains in space for the whole novel, and this subplot overstays its welcome. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Magneto's new empire in New York City is slowly growing. The other half of the X-Men fly in to infiltrate it and fight the entire city. They run into many familiar villains, from the Marauders to the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, before charging Magneto head-on in the Empire State Building. Where the space subplot fades out, another one comes in. This one deals with Charles Xavier's attempts to deal with the political crisis. He does some spin-doctoring on the major news networks, but the major conflict in this subplot is the test of his ethics. Will he violate his code of honor and use his telepathic powers to avert the greatest crisis and setback in the struggle for mutant rights and acceptance? The answer will surprise both old and new readers - I was totally floored. And Golden develops yet another layer - the rivalry between Valerie Cooper and Henry Peter Gyrich, which previously merited only a few pages, now takes a level of importance in Sanctuary. Cooper wants a relatively clean end to this crisis, but Gyrich naturally obstructs her plan and proceeds to set up an assassination attempt called Operation: Carthage (and before it happens, you KNOW it will make Bay of Pigs look like a cakewalk). I also liked the portrayal of Gyrich as a slightly deranged bigot, as his reasons for hating mutants come to light and expose a very twisted mind. All in all, where Siege was the exposition, Sanctuary obviously serves as the buildup to the climax. While parts of the novel seem like pointless filler material, Golden still continues his masterful pacing and excellent characterization toward what will be one amazing finale. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 08, 2022
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Aug 11, 2022
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Jun 20, 2022
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 0425164489
| 9780425164488
| 0425164489
| 3.45
| 241
| 1997
| Sep 01, 1998
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it was ok
| X-Men: Empire’s End By Diane Duane, is a original superhero prose novel based on Marvel Comic’s X-Men franchise. In this novel the X-Men are summoned X-Men: Empire’s End By Diane Duane, is a original superhero prose novel based on Marvel Comic’s X-Men franchise. In this novel the X-Men are summoned to outer space to help the Shi'ar Empire and Empress Lilandra from a devestating cosmic space creature. That threatens both their galaxies. Most of this book seems to be about the love between Xavier and the ruler of the Shi'ar empire, Lilandra, and how they cannot be together. The book seems to almost be fluffed by this simple fact, repeated many times, enough to where it seems like instead of being a subplot, this is the main story, and the actual problem the X-Men are called in for is the subplot, yet very little develops in their relationship for the majority of the book. The characters are mostly under developed, and sometimes misrepresented. The X-Men's primary goal has always been to show the world that mutants and humans can live together, but in this story they use a plot device that gives them exponentially more power, and all of them become corrupted, and basically decide they want to go back to earth to rule as gods. Seeing this come from Storm, or Iceman, is just very strange, if you know their personalities at all. It is never truly explained why this happens to them, and the resolution is something akin to "Eh, nevermind." Early on in the book, Xavier is picking the team to go on the mission, which is all in space, and at that point as far as they know, they are going to be studying a natural disaster. Xavier picks Wolverine to go, and Wolverine flat out states that he is the last person that should go on such a mission, which is a very good point for him to make. It is never answered, never explained what the rational behind bringing him was, or why he accepted the mission, and throughout the entire book, all he really does is walk around being grumpy. This can only be a case of an author being afraid to write about the X-Men and not include the most popular character, regardless of the subject matter. It is worth mentioning that Beast was done very well, perfectly spot on, but he really is the only one that is done any justice, and he has a fairly small role. All in all, X-Men: Empire End is a disappointing Marvel prose novel. The book progresses slowly, with very little development, and the plot was generic enough where you could replace the X-Men with the cast of Star Trek, or any number of other things, and hardly notice a difference. ...more |
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Jul 28, 2022
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Jul 31, 2022
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Jun 16, 2022
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 1302902725
| 9781302902728
| 1302902725
| 3.81
| 194
| Apr 18, 2017
| Jan 01, 2017
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liked it
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Guardians of The Galaxy: Collect Them All By Corrine Duyvis, is a original Marvel YA “prose” novel based on the Marvel comic’s Guardians of The Galaxy
Guardians of The Galaxy: Collect Them All By Corrine Duyvis, is a original Marvel YA “prose” novel based on the Marvel comic’s Guardians of The Galaxy. When the Guardians attempt to evacuate a Kree prison planet and end up in a fight for their lives they discover their old pal Groot is mysteriously sick. It is somehow linked to someone planting stolen branches of the monosyllabic tree hero and selling the Groot saplings across the galaxy! The search to find Groot's missing duplicates forces the Guardians into an alliance with the unscrupulous Collector, but the real problem is more complicated than he wants them to believe. The seller is a kid. And she's got more than a few things in common with Gamora like green skin and a wild temper. Now with an unruly teen in tow, the Guardians attempt to track down the remaining Groots and discover an interplanetary conspiracy. War looms on the horizon. It's a race against the Collector, Groot himself, and the entire Kree Empire. Though it's not my favorite Marvel Prose novels - that honor, of course, still goes to Margaret Stohl's Black Widow books - Duyvis gives us a pretty unique and unexpected novel that proves to be a quick, fun read. It's not perfect, though. Some of the characterization of the various Guardians feels a little off to me - Quill/Star-lord comes across as less respectful of women than even his film counterpart, Gamora feels a tad underdeveloped, and Rocket...well, he's a scene-stealer for sure, but Duyvis' insistence on liberally filling his dialogue with made-up sci-fi swear words like "flark" and "d'ast" and "krutacking," in addition to the more standard "freaking," feels pretty out of place, as does his nicknaming of Gamora as "Gam" or, worse, "Gammy." But around these flaws, Duyvis gives us a story just as thought-provoking as the films - when Groot gets cloned and each clone's existence saps a little more of the original's power, is it ethical to collect them and wipe them out, or keep them alive and well-cared-for? There are no easy answers. Keep in mind before going into this book that it's not really related to the movies, despite featuring the same band of five Guardians. It wouldn't take place between the two volumes released thus far, so unlike Stohl's Black Widow books or other Marvel prose novels, it's really not explicitly part of the MCU. But if you like Marvel, and you like Guardians, you owe it to yourself to pick this book up and give it a good read. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 18, 2022
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Jun 23, 2022
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Jun 14, 2022
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Hardcover
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| 0425171256
| 9780425171257
| 0425171256
| 3.46
| 221
| 1997
| Jan 01, 1997
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liked it
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X-Men: Smoke And Mirrors By Eluki Bes Shahar, is a original superhero prose novel based off Marvel comic’s X-Men. The main villain is Mr. Sinister and X-Men: Smoke And Mirrors By Eluki Bes Shahar, is a original superhero prose novel based off Marvel comic’s X-Men. The main villain is Mr. Sinister and the featured X-men are Wolverine, Psylocke, Phoenix, Cyclops, Rogue, Gambit and Storm with Beast and Prof. Xavier as supporting characters. The plot is a continuation from the comics about normal humans' paranoia of the perceived mutant menace. Mr. Sinister, under the disguise as Arnold Brocklin offers a medical procedure to cure human mutation and thereby remove the mutant menace. The US government quickly moved to pass a bill declaration human mutation as a medical emergency and all mutants must under go the procedure. Unknown to the public is that the procedure has a 50% mortality rate. Thus the X-men are out to discover Brocklin's real identity and expose the deadly procedure to the public. I have to admit this book was a mixed bag. It was interesting and the characters were well portrayed. I'm a big Gambit & Rogue fan so for me it's especially nice to see a book with them as major contributing characters. I have fallen in love with the Ohio Mutant Conspiracy! I don't want to give the book away so i won't say anything else about them. This book kept me guessing the end up until it! Very few books have pulled that one on me. Obviously we all know who the villian is in this book, so that was a dead giveaway but i mean other than that i have no issues with this book. In fact it's one of my favs! I'd like to see another book dedicated just to the Ohio Mutant Conspiracy, they are amazing characters. While I did enjoy the good portion of Smoke and Mirrors it’s definitely the final chapters that kinda ruin it. The climatic battle between the X-men and Mr. Sinister's forces was a let down in the sense that Sinister's role in the battle was confusing and he just literally disappeared to "fight another day." The ending was kind like a cliff hanger in that the story does not end conclusively. Maybe it was done that way to make room for a sequel but it does leave the reader with a feeling of unfinished business. Overall, While I enjoyed a good portion of X-Men: Smoke and Mirrors, and it features some great original characters. The cliffhanger ending pretty much ruined it for me. While it’s not the best Marvel prose novel I’ve read recently. I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a decent X-Men adventure. ...more |
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Jul 24, 2022
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Jul 28, 2022
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Jun 14, 2022
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Paperback
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| 0425171116
| 9780425171110
| 0425171116
| 3.75
| 440
| 1998
| May 01, 2000
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really liked it
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X-Men: Codename: Wolverine By Christopher Golden, is a original prose novel based on the Marvel comic’s X-Men character Wolverine. A bit complicated, X-Men: Codename: Wolverine By Christopher Golden, is a original prose novel based on the Marvel comic’s X-Men character Wolverine. A bit complicated, but interesting story featuring Logan/Wolverine, Mystique, Black Widow, Saber Tooth, and a number of other characters from across the Marvel Comics Universe who either together or separately participated in an operation in the 1980s to retrieve a mysterious disk from a pair of KGB operatives who were trying to defect at the time. While Golden uses chapters to bounce back and forth between "then" and "now", the author does very well in keeping who is who and their various loyalties straight or this could have become a very confusing story. When, in the "now" various members of the old teams or individuals start disappearing from the scene, Logan and Mystique find themselves on the run from whoever is kidnapping former teammates/rivals, they have to work together to find out who's behind the kidnappings. The "then" chapters set in the 80s follow the various adventures behind the Iron Curtain as the teams and individuals race not only each other but the authorities in their pursuit of the seemingly all important disk. It's the past that informs the present, though it takes most of the book to find out how. Golden weaves the story and integrates the different characters very well without ever giving too much of the mystery behind the abductions away. As such I was captivated by the story right through to the end. Unfortunately, it's the ending that lets this book down as I found it to be weak compared to the anticipation that the rest of the book had built up and the pay off to the mystery and storyline was disappointing. All in all, despite is disappointing ending X-Men: Codename: Wolverine was an excellent read with a perfect mix of action, mystery and some good ol' fashioned Wolverine trash talking! ...more |
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Jun 13, 2022
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Jun 18, 2022
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Jun 01, 2022
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Paperback
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| 0743420705
| 9780743420709
| 0743420705
| 3.37
| 1,352
| May 01, 1998
| May 01, 1998
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really liked it
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X-Men / Star Trek: Planet X By Michael Jan Friedman, is a media tie-in novel based of the Marvel comic’s X-Men comic franchise and Star Trek: The Next
X-Men / Star Trek: Planet X By Michael Jan Friedman, is a media tie-in novel based of the Marvel comic’s X-Men comic franchise and Star Trek: The Next Generation TV show. the story opens on the planet, Xhaldia, where inexplicable transformations begin erupting amongst the populace. Dozens of young adults begin developing superpowers, to which the planet's government promptly rounds them all up and imprisons them until they can find out the cause of their mutations--inciting backlash and resistance from "the transformed". Meanwhile, the X-Men (consisting of Storm, Wolverine, Banshee, Colossus, Archangel, Shadowcat, and Nightcrawler) suddenly and unexpectedly are teleported from their own dimension to a starbase in "Star Trek's" dimension. They're reunited with the Enterprise crew soon after, and when the situation on Xhaldia reaches a breaking point, the Enterprise is called in to assist. With the X-Men along for the ride, our heroes have their work cut out for them. Can the X-Men trust this alternate dimension where everyone is seemingly accepted for what they are? Why are the people on Xhaldia mutating? Why is this unknown, violent race of aliens trying to capture the transformed? And will the X-Men ever get home? This book plays out like a professionally published fan fiction, and the author clearly loved both Star Trek and X-Men, as there's definitely a keen eye for little details that remind us fans why we love these characters to begin with. Unlike the two previous comics, which were operating under page limits, and therefore, had to constantly keep the action and plot moving, because this is a written novel, both fandoms are given much more time to interact with each other and draw comparisons between the two. Picard and Storm clearly catch each other's eye, and are the stalwart leaders of their respective teams--offering insight into how their respective universes operate. Worf and Wolverine are entertaining as all heck---loving and respecting one another's "warrior" lifestyles and taking every opportunity to fight alongside each other. And Dr. Crusher takes the creative route and conjures up the likeness of Professor Xavier in the holodeck so as to get a helping hand in figuring out the problem on Xhaldia---treating us to a scene of the Professor and Picard interacting (and making me laugh at the sheer ironic foreshadowing to Patrick Stewart's future film career). About the only thing that bothers me is that the ending is a bit rushed. The full on action doesn't really pick up until the last third of the book, and the entire plot and its explanation of what exactly is going on and why is just wrapped up a bit too neatly and in just a chapter or two. The villains don't really get any development at all, and almost seem like a last minute addition to give the heroes something tangible to fight. Most of the rest of the page length is spent with the characters interacting, but honestly, I don't mind at all, as each X-man and Enterprise crewmember that's paired up makes complete sense. Every character has something to do, and the things they talk about give plenty of food for thought. It almost makes me kind of sad when the X-Men have to return to their own dimension, as the Star Trek world is clearly more kind, considerate, and accepting towards them. All in all, X-Men/Star Trek: Planet X is Exciting, entertaining, and interesting, if you're a fan of Trek or Marvel, then this is the book for you. Hopefully, maybe someday, these two universes that aren't so different from each other can meet up again. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 24, 2022
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May 29, 2022
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May 06, 2022
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ebook
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| 1760663956
| 9781760663957
| 1760663956
| 3.88
| 633
| Feb 05, 2019
| Feb 05, 2019
|
really liked it
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Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster By Liza Palmer, is a media tie-in novel based on the (2019) MCU Film “Captain Marvel.” Set in the 1980s a few y Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster By Liza Palmer, is a media tie-in novel based on the (2019) MCU Film “Captain Marvel.” Set in the 1980s a few years before the events of Captain Marvel film, a younger Carol Danvers is about to commence her first days at the United States Air Force Academy and she finds herself in a spot of trouble when she tries to help out a stranger. As a result, she’s given some advice that follows her through her training: Let yourself learn. This guides everything she does afterwards, as she meets her roommate, Maria, and fights to prove that women are just as capable of being fighter pilots as men. She struggles with self-doubt, sexism and doing what’s right. I really loved this Marvel novel, not least because it features a strong, independent young woman reaching for her dreams – and not just succeeding at them easily, but also failing at times and having to pick herself back up. It’s a strong message to send to younger readers, because success doesn’t come without mistakes or failure along the way and to see such an iconic character go through those experiences is important. Carol is smart, charismatic and, at times, cocky, about her abilities, but just like everyone, she struggles with self-doubt at times, and then she turns to her friends – Maria and a group of other academy students – to help her get back on track. I was very impressed by the way that this book didn’t dumb down the technical talk – while it is, for the most part, basic flight information, Liza Palmer has included enough information to make it interesting and engaging and to explain to people unfamiliar with piloting an aircraft what it is that’s actually going on. Likewise, the training sequences are intense and sometimes confronting (including a training scene in a gas chamber), but they all feel very real and, most importantly, vital to Carol’s development. I don’t know how accurate the Air Force training portions are but I read this book knowing that Carol and Maria would have been in training back in the early 1980s, which would likely have been completely different from anything trainees would be likely to experience today. I also don’t know enough about planes and plane timelines to judge whether the aircraft mentioned would be viable for the time this novel takes place. With that said, it didn’t matter to me because the information about the training and the flying felt like it should be right. The author established solid believability in the world-building and that’s the important part for a book like this. I really like Carol and Maria’s friendship in this book and I liked how the obstacles put in front of both of them just made them determined to find a way to earn their place in the world of flying. I related a lot to Carol’s perspective on her surroundings and it was very easy to see her passion for flying in everything she does. The same goes for Maria. They are both so absolutely in love with flying that not flying is unfathomable to both of them. The way they work around getting to touch a special aircraft or how Carol listens to the sound of distant engines and how much of a ritual that is for her. Carol’s character really comes through in this story, even in tiny moments throughout the story. At one point, she protects a journal which isn’t hers. She defends people who aren’t present to defend themselves. She sticks up for everyone and works to build a cohesive team, even though she could have chosen to treat those who treated her badly the same way. She’s inclusive, hard-working, dedicated, and loyal, which are all traits that make really good people. I admire her character in this story and I think this novel sets a very positive example of what leadership and passion look like. Overall, It may not be what you expect from a Marvel superhero story, but that is a big part of what makes it so enthralling. It’s a grounded origin story that shows younger Carol Danvers before she’s gets hers powers. It may not be what expect from a superhero story, but it’s good read for fans of Captain Marvel or the general MCU movie universe. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 15, 2023
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Feb 18, 2023
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May 06, 2022
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Paperback
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| 0785165142
| 9780785165149
| 0785165142
| 3.90
| 433
| Dec 29, 2004
| Oct 2012
|
liked it
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The Astonishing X-Men: Gifted By Peter David, is an original prose novel based on the Marvel Comic’s Astonishing X-Men comic series. When former X-Men The Astonishing X-Men: Gifted By Peter David, is an original prose novel based on the Marvel Comic’s Astonishing X-Men comic series. When former X-Men Kitty Pryde returns to the rebuilt Xavier Institute as an instructor, co-heads Emma Frost and Scott Summers are keen to make the X-Men more of a presence on the world stage again. But when scientists announce a cure for the mutant gene, they find themselves in the midst of a controversy that could turn the mutant world upside down. Really well-written entry into the X-Men universe with the ground work laid for some intriguing story arcs. If you've seen most of the X-Men movies, you should be able to jump in to this narrative with very little bumps. I really enjoyed this book. The main problem for me was that the ending of the book felt like the end of a chapter. I felt like there was no resolution. If this was Part 1 in a ongoing book series then I would be okay, but it appears that this X-Men prose novel series will not be continuing, and the only way to continue the story is by picking up the comics this novel is based on. Overall, X-Men: Gifted is a decent read, but the fact the it just ends on cliffhanger with no resolution was disappointing for me, but I would still recommend to any fans of the X-Men franchise or superhero adventures. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 31, 2022
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Jun 03, 2022
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May 06, 2022
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Hardcover
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| 0785199551
| 9780785199557
| 0785199551
| 3.37
| 252
| Feb 14, 2017
| Feb 14, 2017
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really liked it
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Thanos: Death Sentence By Stuart Moore, is an original “prose” novel focused on the Marvel comic’s super villain character of Thanos. Author Stuart Mo Thanos: Death Sentence By Stuart Moore, is an original “prose” novel focused on the Marvel comic’s super villain character of Thanos. Author Stuart Moore delivers an engaging story about the Mad Titan, Thanos, the destroyer of worlds who gives the reader an insightful look into the psyche of this powerful villain who has been a deadly problem for the people of Earth. The story commence with Thanos arriving on Earth and unlike the film (Avengers: Infinity War), he is defeated by the Avengers and their allies, even with him wielding the legendary Infinity Stones and the gauntlet. Needless to say, things don’t go well for the Mad Titan and Stuart Moore really sets the scene of this novel in the first few chapters. Broken and defeated, Thanos seeks Death in order to make himself strong again so that he can challenge the Avengers again who have been a thorn in his side. However there is a price as Death sends the Mad Titan on quest of self-discovery and when this “god” has no memories of his past experiences, the writer creates an interesting story as we literally see what makes Thanos tick and the events that led him to become who he is today. You could easily consider this story a villainous take on Eat, Pray, Love which ironically suits this premise well. With a trio of quests for Thanos, this novel does sound like a premise out of a video game, however Stuart Moore’s knowledge of the Marvel universe is unparalleled as he explorers the outer and alien worlds of the comic books. Needless to say, Thanos is an emotional and flawed being which is highlighted in the book, especially the story that focuses on him having a family. However his brutality is also highlighted when he joins the nefarious organisation known as the Black Order. Furthermore, the Thanos: Death Sentence is well-written and for the majority flows well, even though at times, the dialogue can become a little heavy. Moore’s world-building (or universe building) is excellent and he really brings the variety of characters that Thanos encounters to life, even with superfluous Death who holds the power in this particular situation for the Mad Titan. While this is not an Avengers Story per se, it was also fun seeing these heroes in action who do manage to defeat Thanos with the Infinity Gauntlet. So while the ending of this book is different than Avengers: Infinity War, this is just another story in the Marvel Comic Book multiverse. All in all, a fun read from start to finish with a few unexpected twists along the way. All in all, If you’re a fan of the Marvel Comic Universe or need another fix of the Mad Titan, then Thanos: Death Sentence by Stuart Moore is that book as he takes you into the mind of one of the Avengers most powerful villains. Sure, some of the story is a little clichéd and predictable but overall, it’s enjoyable read from start to finish. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 20, 2022
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May 24, 2022
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May 05, 2022
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Hardcover
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my rating |
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| 3.85
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really liked it
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not set
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Aug 28, 2024
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| 3.89
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really liked it
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not set
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Aug 19, 2024
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| 3.89
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really liked it
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not set
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Aug 19, 2024
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| 3.96
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really liked it
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Feb 16, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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| 3.80
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really liked it
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Feb 21, 2024
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Dec 27, 2023
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| 3.50
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really liked it
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Oct 31, 2023
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Oct 10, 2023
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| 4.00
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really liked it
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Aug 29, 2023
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Aug 22, 2023
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| 3.48
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really liked it
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Jan 23, 2023
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Dec 15, 2022
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| 4.03
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really liked it
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Aug 02, 2022
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Jul 31, 2022
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| 3.79
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liked it
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Aug 08, 2022
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Jul 09, 2022
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| 3.91
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really liked it
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Aug 16, 2022
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Jun 20, 2022
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| 3.89
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liked it
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Aug 11, 2022
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Jun 20, 2022
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| 3.45
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it was ok
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Jul 31, 2022
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Jun 16, 2022
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| 3.81
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liked it
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Jun 23, 2022
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Jun 14, 2022
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| 3.46
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liked it
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Jul 28, 2022
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Jun 14, 2022
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| 3.75
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really liked it
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Jun 18, 2022
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Jun 01, 2022
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| 3.37
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really liked it
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May 29, 2022
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May 06, 2022
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|||||
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| 3.88
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really liked it
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Feb 18, 2023
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May 06, 2022
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|||||
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| 3.90
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liked it
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Jun 03, 2022
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May 06, 2022
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| 3.37
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really liked it
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May 24, 2022
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May 05, 2022
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