Pat Shand

I loved “Thor: Crusade of the Forgotten,” so when I went for another Marvel novel I chose this one specifically because Shand wrote it. And he knocked it out of the park again! Like other Marvel novels I’ve read, the characters are a blend of the film and comic universe equivalents, but the story mostly uses the comics as a basis.

Tony Stark is summoned by Maria Hill to a secret SHIELD lab to study a giant, alien robot. Unfortunately, Count Nefaria knows about the robot as well and has show more sent hacker-extraordinaire Ghost in to steal it. When Ghost wakes the dormant AI, it very nearly overwhelms his systems before immediately going on the offensive. Tony is barely able to hold it off because nothing he does damages it. Using his phasing tech, Ghost pilots the robot out of the base to Nafaria’s lair. However, Ghost makes the mistake of phasing into the robot whereupon it takes full control of him, his tech, and his access to millions of networks worldwide. How can Tony possibly stop it now?

One struggle of the novel and film universes is explaining why all the Avengers don’t just show up to tackle crises like this. Shand provides the most logical explanation – they’re already engaged in stopping equally dangerous events. Seriously, bad guys don’t just wait for another bad guy to finish before starting their own evil plots, right? Tony does try to call in the team, but it comes down to just Iron Man and War Machine, with unexpected assistance from Rescue, to save the day.

The plot is very well done. It’s exciting with strong action sequences and consequences beyond the immediate events. The robot is not autonomous; it has been sent to Earth. More importantly, though, Shand nails the character relationships perfectly and uses that to give readers a deeper look at what makes Tony Stark tick. Tony and Rhodey are close friends, and that is captured brilliantly in their banter and the way they work as a team in battle. Pepper understands Tony even better than he understand himself – and he knows it. Overall, this was a very entertaining read that I hope gets a sequel. Regardless, I will absolutely read more from Shand. show less

So, I wouldn’t be unhappy if Pat Shand just wrote all future Marvel YA novels. This is the fourth of Shand’s Marvel novels that I have read and every single one has been excellent.

"GOTG Castaways" was a huge disappointment because the author took away everything that makes the team special. Not so here. Readers get a rousing space adventure that embraces the quirky family dynamics of the team, while throwing in some cool technology and interesting new alien species. The team is on the show more way to Bojai to deliver urgent medical supplies when they literally run into an invisible wall around the solar system. The paranoid Spiralite Emperor takes the team into custody to find out why they’re here. He has formed an alliance with the Thrandids to protect the vast energy reserves which have been the object of countless invasions against his people. He eventually lets the team continue their mission, but when they arrive on Bojai they uncover a horrific conspiracy that puts the team in dire straits. Worse still – they aren’t going to get paid!! The team escapes, crashes on Incarnadine, encounters a Rebel Queen and devises a desperate plan to save themselves and stop a devastating war.

The story was incredibly exciting, with plenty of action scenes, across multiple worlds, that really showcase the GOTG’s skills. But the story also has heart. The GOTG are not just soldiers in arms, they are a family that care deeply for one another. They laugh and banter, fight, apologize, and have each other’s backs without question. They recognize each other’s strengths and weaknesses: when Gamora considers how reckless Quill can be, she also acknowledges that he’s invaluable when plans go awry. I also loved how the team develops a bond of camaraderie with the Incarnadine rebels. I cared about the new characters, mainly because the Guardians did.

In addition to the great plot, I also loved how the book alternated between the five Guardians’ POV – including Groot! The “I am Groot” schtick is still funny, but Shand adds new depth to it by revealing how he longs to have meaningful conversation with those he cares about. It was a great way to see each hero through the eyes of teammates. Overall, this was a great read. Highly recommended! show less

Obviously I need to read the first Robyn Hood TPB because I loved this one. It even solved my problem with Grimm Fairy Tales by having Robyn dress in basic, not-revealing clothes *and* complain about the seamstress who made her outfit the last time she was in Bree. Also, she is an archer, and I love me an archer.

All that being said, I just flat-out enjoyed this story. I like that she can be a hero in one land and wanted for murder in another. I like that I'm torn over her vengeance, because show more I can understand why she did it. And I love the identity of the Sheriff of Nottingham and how that effected her.

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I'm dying for more.

(Provided by publisher) show less

Marvel’s line of YA novels has expanded noticeably over the last few years. I enjoyed Margaret Stohl’s Black Widow books, so I started looking for others (despite being way beyond the target age group). Pat Shand blew me away with “Thor: Crusade of the Forgotten;” it is my favorite of all the novels so far. I enjoyed the author’s writing so much, I ordered this book after finishing. Shand has a gift for writing these heroes.

The story opens with Thor chasing an alien monster through show more a portal into New York City. Clint Barton is grilling on the rooftop of his apartment building when he spots the fight and jumps in to assist with some expert marksmanship. Across town, Natasha and Steve stumble across a murdered crime boss. The two events are connected by a young woman named Quantum Freak, who created the portal at the behest of Black Mamba – current leader of the Serpent Society. She’s not the only new person to appear with enhanced abilities. But, how did they acquire their powers? The book has several plot threads woven together that provide an underlying mystery to the overall adventure.

The story builds from comic history, without readers needing to have read any. The Serpent Society and Maggia have been staples of Cap’s comics for years, and so he mentions his history with them and updates the team (and readers!) as to their abilities during battle. This is a superhero story, so there is plenty of action, and those scenes are so well written I felt like I was in the story witnessing it. Every hero gets a chance to shine, but they also work together in groups and as a team. The action is organic to the story, not shoehorned in just because it’s a superhero book. While the action is some of the best I’ve read in these novels, it is the characterization that makes the story truly special.

The interplay between the Avengers reminds readers why they care about these people. Marvel’s trademark humor, usually in the form of banter between the heroes, is front and center in Shand’s writing. When the team gathers at Avengers Tower to discuss the latest threat, Cap is obliged to bring the snacks. After Tony arrives late, he whines at Cap for not getting BBQ chips – but it was Thor that ate them all! Cap is the leader of the team, and a skilled strategist. But, more than once during the story he listens to suggestions or alternatives from another hero and then acts on it. The bonds of friendship and camaraderie are clearly evident between the heroes and it enhances the story. And, their heroism is always on point – especially when the “villains” turn out to be people in desperate situations taken advantage of by the Society. Overall, this was a great read and I look forward to more in the line and from this author. show less