Steve Behling

I’ve been grabbing up all the new novels Marvel has been releasing to tie-in with the Avengers Infinity Saga films. Marvel does a crap job of publicizing them so it’s usually luck that I find them – as here. The Pirate Angel was recommended by Amazon when I reviewed “Titan Consumed,” the excellent prequel to Infinity War. This is another filler novel that doesn’t provide anything substantive, but is an enjoyable time spent with beloved characters.

The book takes place during Thor, show more Groot and Rocket’s trip to Nidavellir in the Infinity War film. Groot finds Rocket’s journal and secretly reads it during the journey. The book alternates between what is happening in the pod in the present, and a flashback to one of Rocket’s adventures. What’s great here is that readers get a glimpse into Groot’s mind and feelings as he reads (adding so much more emotional heft to his decision to complete Stormbreaker), and into Rocket’s via revelations from his “not a diary”. Intermittently, we get their interactions with Thor. I loved the fact that Thor can understand Groot and we get a bit more of that here, and also his empathy and respect for Rocket.

Overall, this was quick read that gave me more time with three of my favorite characters from Avengers. A great story with a lot of heart. Highly recommended! show less

First sentence: Moo! On a beautiful spring day, the amazing Spider-Man is swinging back home from a crime-fighting adventure. As he lands on a rooftop, he hears a loud moo. He swings down and sees a cow has broken loose from its corral on a local farm.

Why does this book exist? That's a question you might legitimately have. I certainly did. But this touch-and-feel book surprised me. I thought it would be worse than it actually is. I expected silly cheese, and in part that delivered. It had show more all the elements you'd expect from ANY farm book: the expected animals and their sounds. Spider-man was "helping" the misadventures. These misadventures weren't quite as dramatic as what you'd find like on Paw Patrol, but somewhat similar vibes. (One adventure is a horse stuck in the mud.)

Note to self: Though this one released in January 2024, it is NOT on GoodReads. I sure do miss being able to add books. show less

I’ve loved Captain Marvel since she was reinvented in Kelly Sue DeConnick’s seminal 2012 comic run. I was so excited to see her in the new film, but also excited for the merchandise and tie-ins like this. I read and enjoyed “Captain Marvel: Higher, Further, Faster” which covered Carol’s first year at the USAF Academy. This book focuses on the character while she is a member of the Kree Starforce and is known by the name “Vers.” Like the other book, this skews to the younger show more tween end of the YA audience.

Starforce on the Rise ties more closely into the film and focuses on two separate missions Vers goes on as part of the elite team. The first is a mission with Minn-Erva and for those who felt she was seriously underused in the film (like me), this was a nice way to expand on her character. The second is a team mission involving the war with Xandar. This was a great touch for fans of the MCU, since the GOTG film makes a big deal about the (eventual) peace treaty between Xandar and the Kree.

The book was fast paced, with a lot of action. Much like the Infinity War Heroes’ journals, this expanded on the film universe in an unessential but entertaining way. It was a very quick read, which isn’t surprising since I am far older than the target audience. If you enjoyed the film, or like the character, it was a worthwhile read. show less

I expected this to be a novelization recap of the Phase 3 MCU films. (The cynic in me was thinking “cash grab” to capitalize on Infinity War.) However, it does so much more than just recap events. This novel provides connecting threads between the films, with perspectives from other characters besides the Avengers. The book answers questions that, while not exactly burning, flesh out events and provide insight into characters.

What happened to Black Widow after the airport battle in Civil show more War? She has an encounter with Everett Ross where readers get a peek into her mind to see how she feels about Steve Rogers. Follow the events of Ragnarok from Heimdall’s perspective and learn how he feels about the sons of Odin. Witness Doctor Strange and Wong ward off a threat to the Earth. Follow Nebula through the events of the Guardians’s films. The book touches on events from each of the Phase 3 films, and even gives very brief recaps of events from prior phase films as well. Woven throughout, readers follow Tony Stark as he interacts with his old friend Happy Hogan all while being driven to upgrade his armor incessantly. Something is coming, and he has to be ready.

There is nothing ground breaking in this book, but it adds a layer of richness to the MCU leading up to Infinity War. It is a joy to spend more time with these characters and get to know just a bit better. Overall, a very entertaining read that is well worth the time. show less