You had me at Wonder Women written by Laurie Halse Anderson. There was no way I was going to miss out on this one. It's an interesting look at what Wonder Women might think of today's society of she arrived here now. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed features a Diana Price who is just turning 16-years-old. Little does she know; her life is about to change radically on her 16th birthday. As with other DC YA graphic novels, the story presents a new origin story for a familiar character that focuses on feminism, diversity, social issues, and other relevant topics for today’s young adult reader.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed deals with the typical struggles of growing up along with some of the tougher social issues that many people face. The subject matter deals with racism, refugee experience, gentrification, human trafficking, and facing adversity. So, parents may want to keep that in mind when it comes to younger readers and be ready to answer any questions that they may have. (The recommended reading age is 15+).

My favorite quote from the book is, “When the rules are wrong – you have to break them. Especially when little ones are in trouble.” Diana witnessed a lot of injustice after leaving Themyscira to help those in need.

I found Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed to be a very inspirational read. Diana didn’t just observe what was going on around her. She got involved. She saw the injustice that refugees and immigrants face and fought back against it. She devoted all of her time to helping and providing for others in any way that she could, including feeding the hungry and physically fighting human traffickers. Diana saw some of the worst that humanity had to offer and she showed love, compassion, and kindness to those who were affected by it.

My full review can be read here: https://thegeekiary.com/a-very-timely-new-origin-story-wonder-woman-tempest-tossed-graphic-novel-review/83139

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is the latest DC Graphic Novel focused on reaching a younger audience. Once again we're diving back into the life of Diana and her life on Themyscira. But this is a tale like you've never seen before.

This may be another origin story, but this one feels so fresh and alive. It's Diana's tale told through new eyes and perspectives, with the intention of reaching a new audience.

Diana, as you all know, is the Princess of Themyscira. She was the only child on this island of warriors, and she stood out. Yet she always knew that she was destined to do more. More than her current limits would allow, certainly.

Given this is Wonder Woman we're talking about, when the moment comes for her to make the biggest decision of her life, she doesn't hesitate. Before she even knows what's happening, she's in the water, saving the humans around her.

A moment that changed her life forever. Now, Diana must adjust to the world of humans. It is nothing like she was led to believe. And yet, there is room for her to make a home for herself here.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed was a delightful and enthralling read, from start to finish. I know that it may be tempting to turn away from another Wonder Woman origin story, but I encourage you all to give this one a try.

This tale blends origin story with a coming of age tale to perfection. Here Diana struggles in ways that I've never really seen before, and it made her feel even more human than ever. Which may be a bit ironic, all things considered.

Tempest Tossed was written by Laurie Halese Anderson. I'm really hoping that name rings a bell for you. She's the author behind Speak and Shout – and as far as I'm concerned, seeing her writing for one of my favorite comic characters is like a dream come true.

Meanwhile, Leila del Duca was behind the artwork for Tempest Tossed, and she did an absolutely amazing job here. She's been behind some of my favorite series, most notable Scarlet Witch, so I'm not surprised that she did an awesome job here.

What I loved the most about this graphic novel is that it really captured modern-day plights. Yes, there is war. There's always war, and thus always somebody that needs Wonder Woman. But that's not the only reason the world needs her, as this series did an excellent job of portraying.

Realistically, I know that this is a standalone graphic novel, but part of me really wishes that it would become a series. I'd love to see this version of Diana continue moving on in her journey. It'd be fascinating to see more of her daily struggles, as well as the battles she fights outside of war, so to speak.

I was instantly curious when I saw Laurie Halse Anderson was writing a DC character. I haven't read any Wonder Woman comics before so my only knowledge of the character comes from the recent novel by Leigh Bardugo and newest movie (both of which I enjoyed). I really liked the experience of a refugee that was shown in this story. It made the DC hero's perspective much more compelling and one I wanted to read more about. I think this story really adds to the canon of Wonder Woman and hopefully fans and newcomers will enjoy her journey.

3.5

Not much out of the ordinary told in this version of Wonder Woman. I will give credit to giving information to any reader that is unfamiliar with the origin story. The overall story and plot is more telling of a current day teenager. The cover is more appealing than the inside artwork which I found to be okay. I did however love the coloring.

On the sixteenth anniversary of her birth, Diana expects her life to change, and it does, just not in the way she expects. A boat of refugees breaks through a weak part in the shield that protects Themyscira from the outside world. Diana can hear the cries of those who were thrown overboard and, ignoring her mother’s orders, she jumps into the ocean to rescue them, becoming separated from her home, another refugee. Diana finds the world is full of greed and darkness, but also light, especially in the form of children who do not exist in Themyscira. When an evil organisation threatens the safety of those children, Diana steps up as a warrior to protect them.
My favourite part comes right at the beginning where Diana is depicted aged sixteen. She is clumsy, suffers with acne and is unsure what to do as her body grows hair in strange places and curves. She feels out of place among the graceful amazons who didn’t have to go through puberty as she is. Diana learns to embrace who she is by finding another tribe who are struggling with the same bodily changes, teenagers.
The artwork is clear and uncomplicated which adds to the overall reading experience. The style is reader friendly with clear panel separation, so it is easy to follow the action. I prefer comics where the panels focus on the central story rather than on background detail which, while it might be gorgeous, can be quite distracting. If you are trying to attract a younger audience who may be reading graphic novels and comics for the first time, this is the right approach.
There is also a lot of action, the energy is barely contained within the panels, and this meant, for me at least, it was a little disjointed. It doesn’t ruin the story, but it did stop my flow as I backtracked to make sure I hadn’t missed a panel. Out of my whole reading experience, that would be my only issue.
There are a lot of DC origin stories at the moment, a little while ago I reviewed Wonder Woman; Warbringer which also covers Diana’s first experience of the world outside of Themyscira. Tempest Tossed stands out for me as it picks one central theme, the invisibleness of female immigrants, and works through it. The clarity of story, the use of Diana as an immigrant herself, packs a powerful punch.
Tempest Tossed is a strong feminist story, highlighting the sexism and hypocrisy women suffer daily. It is a powerful lesson in standing up for what is right, regardless of who you are. Recommended.

Welcome Back,


Today is an exciting day! It's Tuesday which means book release day! There are so many new releases coming out today that I can not wait to dive into. I have pre-ordered a ton of new books and one of the books on my list is Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed, a book that I was super fortunate to be able to read early! I have been reading a lot of the new DC comics and really enjoying my time with them. This one might be in my top five favorites so far (definitely top two, the other one in the top two I will be talking about soon)!


SPOILERS AHEAD


Diana is about to turn 16, she has been going through some tough times but now that her birthday is upon her she is excited to be entering into the Amazon Tribe. In the middle of Diana's birthday celebration, people from the outside world break through the barrier into and the Amazons must act fast to get them out and close the barrier. However, in this process, Diana decides to jump in the water and leave the barrier to save people who are drowning. While she is saving the people the barrier closes and Diana is now stuck in the outside world. She finds herself in a war-torn country, living in a refugee camp, trying to help the people the best she can. That is until one day, she meets two gentlemen who notice her helping the people and offer to take her back to NYC with them where she can attend school and make even more differences in the world. Diana agrees to go with them to NYC where she learns more about herself, her people, the outside world, and how she can help everyone with her powers.


In all honestly, before reading this I did not know a lot about Wonder Woman. I have seen the movie but that is literally it. So this graphic novel was a whole new thing for me and I enjoyed it so much. I loved the art style, the colors, the characters, and the story. I was utterly hooked by the story of this graphic novel, from start to end. Then once the story ended I wanted more, I found myself sitting in front of my laptop being like no where are the other pages? (Because I just wanted to keep reading anything in this storyline). I am really hoping (fingers crossed) that there will be a second graphic novel in this new series because I can not get enough of this storyline (I have read it three times now).


Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars





**Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm going to have to wait for release to properly review Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed. I have tried various times to read/redownload and every time the book is fine up until around page 7. After that all the pages are blank and white.

Thank you for the review copy. I will resubmit a review when I get a chance to read a different copy.

Out of all the wonderful DC graphic novels i have had the pleasure of reading, none have done what this did. Tempest Tossed tackled multiple social problems and raised awareness of child trafficking. While most of the novels we read help one overcome their own insecurities and troubles, this one takes Diana away from her home and literally in the place of these children. She was able to witness these problems and come to know that they aren't right.

This book is directed for younger readers while the topics are not childish at all. Yet, it goes about bringing awareness to them in an impactful way for these readers.

Not only do I think that Anderson nailed the Wonder Woman character, I think she outstandingly created her as an even greater role model for the younger community of readers. I say that because Diana (classic) is this naïve yet determined character. Anderson nailed that for a younger audience and stepped it up by allowing Diana to grow.

Tempest Tossed tackled a bunch of different issues like LGBTQ, bullying, acne, cultural differences, loss of family, homelessness, poverty, child trafficking, and even foster care. I mean so many issues are displayed within these pages, but done in a realistic way you could easily overlook one.
Diana's earnest sincerity is what this whole novel is based on and I loved every second of it. She is from a world of Amazons that she didn't fit into. She struggled to be like them and when she selflessly helps outsiders, she finds herself trapped in a different world and unable to get back home. The whole time she learns that the world is disgusting and troubled and all she wants to do is make is better. Yet while she is new and feels very alienated, she goes above and beyond to help the community and save the children.

This novel is very timely in our society. The reasoning to just be a good person and help out your own community is well enough to allow any young reader to love this book. By allowing them to understand that these issues are real, is a great way to get them to be more productive members of society and fight these issues. So, why not allow an influential character help these young readers grasp these issues? Diana is a perfect example throughout this novel and this twist of her origin story is perfect for readers today. I have never read anything so significant while being able to manage a storyline, character arc, all with a load of social issues attached. Anderson's writing combined with Del Duca's artistry is the perfect mix to modernizing literature to extinguish the stigma around graphic novel reading.

Thank you to DC Comics for sending me a copy and the images to use for this review. All my thoughts are my own.

Until next Time,
Brittany from DauntlesslyReading

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is a timely and timeless story about having compassion for one another.

Wonder Woman’s origins have been revisited and reborn countless times since her comic debut in 1941. Tempest Tossed is the Wonder Woman origin story that the world desperately needs right now. It’s not just a coming-of-age story, it’s a story about immigration, government corruption, homelessness, and child trafficking. Rather than facing off against gods or supervillains, Diana is faced with the grim reality of the world beyond the oasis of Themyscira. The villains of New York City come with higher stakes — childhood hunger, kidnapping, and morally bankrupt men.

Despite being far from Themyscira, the spirit of her family and her culture are present with her in New York City. She looks for signs that she belongs; whether it’s a road sign for Queens or in the way she sees Hestia, the goddess of family and home, in the Statue of Liberty. She feels the presence of the Five Mothers as she lives her day-to-day life. It’s a message that says, even when you’re far from home, your home is always with you.

Familiar Wonder Woman characters are given new lives in Tempest Tossed. Steve Trevor has been split into the form of a couple, Steve and Trevor Chang, who work for the United Nations and meet Diana as a refugee fighting to reunite a sick child with their mother. Steve’s plucky and beloved assistant Ette Candy is now Henke Cukierke, a compassionate Polish grandmother who takes Diana in when she moves to New York City. I was amused by this clever name choice, Cukierke is Polish for “candy” and Etta and Henke both mean “home”.

In Themyscira, Diana grapples with who she is. She feels limited by the fact that she is a “changeling” and she is disheartened that she lacks the strength of the Amazonians around her. Her strength, however, isn’t physical — her strength is her heart and her drive to do the right thing. That compassion is what drives her to help the refugees that wash ashore on Themyscira, which inadvertently traps her beyond the barrier in the middle of the Mediterranian Sea.

Set to the stunning artwork of Leila del Duca and colorist Kelly Fitzpack, Laurie Halse Anderson has outdone herself by tackling serious issues with a deft hand. While some readers might feel that there are too many topics packed into one graphic novel, they are a harsh reminder of what citizens face daily. She introduces Diana, and the reader, to the plights of immigrants with a reverence and understanding that the world could use more of.

In a sense, Tempest Tossed is a call to arms to use our individual strengths to do something to help our neighbors.

I really enjoyed this story of Diana aka Wonder Woman when she was 16. I love seeing a more vulnerable hero but also one that doesn’t let anyone tell her no. This story focuses on the everyday evil we see (children and adults going hungry or not having a home, racism, human trafficking, and the difficulties of immigration/ asylum and being a refugee. Diana’s perspective should be anyone’s perspective, how can these things be happening?

“Apparently, mortals can’t speak all of the languages like Amazons. Maybe that’s why they’re always fighting.”

DC Comics has a brand new graphic novel for fans of one of their most beloved superheroes: Wonder Woman. Released on June 2nd 2020, Laurie Halse Anderson—author of other remarkable works, such as Speak, Shout, and The Seeds of America—lends her beautifully captivating words to this new reimagining of Diana Prince’s first steps towards her bright future as Wonder Woman. Joining forces with Leila del Luca, who has also worked for Marvel’s Scarlet Witch and collaborated on The Wicked + The Divine, the results are nothing but an outstanding YA graphic novel.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is not your typical superhero comic. Anderson’s take on Wonder Woman and her arrival to the human world is real, raw, and extremely relevant. Diana Prince has always been portrayed as an advocate for those people who cannot defend themselves. However, being an Amazon, she has always been kept at a distance from mortals. In this take of Wonder Woman, Diana is just as human as any other.

From the very beginning of the book, Diana is portrayed, first and foremost, as a teenager. She experiences mood swings and changes in her body, which makes the rest of the Amazons underestimate her most of the time. These very human characteristics make her feel alienated in her own world, but also brings her closer to humanity. Thus, when she is trapped outside the protective walls of Themyscira, Diana is able to automatically feel for the new people she meets outside: a group of refugees seeking protection and a new life in Greece.

By making use of a gorgeous blue and orange colour palette, the powerful, captivating illustrations full of small details add extra layers of meaning to the story. Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed becomes a complex tale about finding your place in the world. Anderson establishes a very clear parallelism between Diana, who does not fit among the other Amazons and is stranded from the island of Themyscira, and the reality of refugees. Due to prejudices, both are victims of a constant feeling of alienation and otherness.

Diana is different to the rest of the Amazons, because she was born from clay, instead of being created by the gods like the rest of them, so she is able to understand how it feels to be an outsider looking for their place in the world. Establishing this parallelism, the novel also takes a deep dive into the reality of refugees: wasting away in refugee camps with nothing to do or a way to build a new life, because they don’t get real help. They are just abandoned to waste away. That reality is what jumpstarts Diana’s path towards activism and learning that not all wars are fought with fists, guns, and knives.

In opposition to what someone would expect from a typical superhero comic, there is barely no “physical” action. Instead, Diana demonstrates the importance of fighting “silent” battles. She doesn’t have to physically fight to be a warrior. Invisible battles against poverty and injustice are just as important, even more so than the most traditional idea of a war. That is why Diana puts all her effort into activism and defending the most vulnerable groups of society to make the world a better place. In defending minorities against hunger, homelessness, poverty, and other social injustices—such as child trafficking—Diana finds her driving force and her own strength is reinforced, thus becoming the true Amazon she was always meant to become.

In addition, it is also essential to highlight the thought-provoking exploration of the cultural value of languages and the barriers of communication that refugees and immigrants have to experience time and time again. Diana lacks a lot of prejudices because she is able to understand and speak every language in the world, which turns her into a powerful tool for tolerance and peace. Diana finds her own power, not only in her superhuman strength and abilities as an Amazon, but especially in being able to help people with words.

At the same time, the inclusion of notes specifying which in language each person is talking is a subtle yet powerful touch. Using English as the default language when writing, even when a character is speaking a different language, tends to display a certain sense of erasure. By remarking which language each character speaks, the reader is able to understand the vast diversity of languages the world has to offer and how that should be celebrated, instead of overlooked.

Finally, this is also linked to the importance of cultivating and nurturing cultures. Through a beautiful scene where Diana and her host family attend a polka dance event, Anderson and del Luca show how keeping in touch with one’s roots, helps immigrants find a home away from home, with people who understand their reality. Also portrayed in Diana and Raissa’s blossoming relationship, they illustrate how easy it is to feel isolated and on edge in a strange country, far away from home and surrounded by alien traditions, and so being able to find some sympathy is key to grow and mature.

The sheer number of relevant topics and the luscious array of emotions portrayed in Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is truly outstanding for such a short piece. In just about 208 pages, Laurie Halse Anderson and Leila del Luca are able to create a full-fledged narrative about current social inequality and how minorities tend to be its target, while also emphasising the power teenagers have to change the world through activism and small gestures of compassion, even if, paradoxically, they sometimes feel powerless in a world directed by adults. Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is a beautiful example of how anyone can be a superhero.

<b>4 out of 5 🌟Wonder not-yet-a-Woman, a social justice warrior</b>

Wonder Woman, as every comic character from both DC and Marvel worlds, has been recreated multiple times with a new origin story. Sometimes they are related to each other, and sometimes they built with totally different narration. 'Tempest Tossed' belongs to that second category, the plot is unlike any other iteration of Diana's beginnings. That creates a great opportunity to jump on the Wonder Woman's bandwagon even for readers who don't know DC Universe.

Amazons live in Themyscira, a secret island far from civilization, unbeknown to people. Loosely based on Greek mythology, these warriors are the favorite making of the Ancient Greeks' Goddesses. Wonder Woman vel Princess Diana is a teenager, or rather a "changeling", as she's called on her island. Diana has never been outside of Themyscira and amidst the story's events, she gets to know our world and tries to make sense of it.

'Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed' is both hilarious and heartbreaking graphic novel. On the one hand, the book shows teens' problems and challenges of puberty. Diana's learning about our world is full of gags about nowadays slang and technology. And it is funny, like mentioned "changeling" as a way to call teenagers - doesn't that feel true? On the other hand, Diana receives brutal lessons about life on Earth, when she tries to understand social un-justice and poor living conditions that some children experience.
I believe that comics would've opened my eyes to the issues I've never thought about as a teen and reading it now, I didn't feel it was forced or cheesy. I enjoy my reading time and I'm looking forward to the next volumes.

<i>Thank you Netgalley and the publisher DC Entertainment for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and feelings are my own.</i>

Princess Diana is approaching her most important birthday… at 16 she will receive some of her most famous accessories, but also an opportunity to see the outside world for what it really is. On this day she hears the cries of refugees stuck on boats off the coast of Themyscira. With her cuffs and her whip and her vast knowledge of languages, Diana swims out to help the people on the rafts. Unfortunately, her plan goes awry and instead of making their way back to the island, they finally land on Greece where they are taken to a refugee camp.

It is at the camp where Diana is able to befriend a couple of Americans who help her figure out this new global landscape. They are amazed by her rawness and also her translation skills. She is given an opportunity, and a choice. What will this mean for the rest of her life? How will her time on Earth affect her relationships with her fellow Amazons and create new goals?

Wow. This graphic novel hit on so many points. I loved how Diana is repeatedly challenged. Her coming-of-age is complicated. At first she needs to adjust to life as an “adult” on the island of Themyscira, and then she needs to navigate the scary place called Earth. She takes on the task of helping the refugees… and she makes big decisions that will shape her future.

And the art! The colors connect so well with the story arc and the artwork is drawn in a perfect combination of the realism of the refugee experience and the fantasy of the superhero. There are actions scenes and heartfelt drama, and each coloring perfectly accents the feelings and emotions. I read through this book twice to really get the experience and I’m sure you will too.

Pick this up for a complete story, a wonderful take on Diana’s character, and some well-placed social commentary.

4.5 out of 5.

Thank you to NetGalley, DC Comics, and the authors for an advanced copy for review.

Amazing! Gorgeous illustrations. Lovely origin story. I would love to add this to my middle school library.

Diana has always known she was different than the other Amazons. She was created out of clay and her mother’s tears. She isn’t as strong or agile as the other women, but she has been promised that will change when she turns sixteen. It is now her sixteenth born day and she is excited to be “normal.” Not only is she still clumsy on her born day, but a refugee raft also comes through the barrier and she dives into the water to help. Unfortunately, her helping them strands her on the other side of the Themysciran barrier. Diana is now plunged deep into the refugee crisis and many other human rights issues that are plaguing the world.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is a graphic novel origin story that is powerful and timely. I have to start by saying that I wish more time was spent in the second half of the book. Anderson used a lot of pages to give back story and then the climax was sort of thrown in to give the book meaning. I would have liked more information about the issues at the end, even if that made the book longer. I still enjoyed this story and liked the different view it gave of Diana and her struggles with the modern world. I hope there will be another story written about THIS Diana … Wonder Woman.

A great edition to any superhero collection!! Laurie Halse Anderson has brought wonder woman to the front lines and shows a side fan's will want to see and know!!!

I love Laurie Halse Anderson, and after I read Speak: The Graphic Novel I was excited to see what she could do with an original story in graphic form. Halse writes teenage girls SO well, and Del Duca's illustrations are beautiful.

The story follows Diana, Princess of the Amazons as she celebrates her 16th birthday with her Amazon family. She's still not as strong as an Amazon needs to be, which both frustrates and saddens her. When tragedy comes to their island, Diana finds herself trying to help...only to be separated from her home and becoming a refugee in a strange new land.

If you're looking for crazy Wonder Woman action, this probably isn't the story for you. Diana learns to live in a new home (New York City) and discovers what it means to be a normal human teenager. She learns about serious human-world issues (human trafficking, immigration, homelessness, hunger, poverty) and really doesn't use any of her "powers" until the big "confrontation with evil" at the end.

I think this will be a great addition to my library's graphic novel collection, and I know that many readers will appreciate the female superhero story.

Wow. This comic made me tear up.

Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is a beautifully written, emotional graphic novel that reimagines Diana Prince as a teenager who becomes a refugee in Queens, NY. Shortly after turning 16, the barrier that shields Themyscira from the world breaks, bringing refugees close to the Amazons's shores. Against her mother's wishes, Diana enters the waters to save the refugees, but in the process finds herself locked out of Themyscira. Her journey takes her from the ocean to a refugee camp in Greece, where she is picked up by U.N volunteers, to Queens, NY where she becomes involved in the community, and in superhero style, eventually saves the day.

My familiarity and knowledge of Wonder Woman isn't as deep as other comic fans, but this graphic novel does justice to Diana's character as a purveyor of justice and truth, and protector of normal citizens. Diana is intelligent, curious, and passionate, making her the perfect person to question why the world and societies are in such a bad state, and it allows the comic to layout foundations of social justice and activism and showcasing how different paths towards a better world can be achieved.

The writing is sharp, but also very emotional, as it goes through the ups-and-downs of Diana's journey. Del Duca's art is fluid and expressive and stunning.

Overall, Wonder Woman: Tempest Tossed is a fantastic addition to the Wonder Woman myth with a story full of hope and inspiration that champions doing good and being kind.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The author reimagined Wonder Woman's origin story in a fascinating and new way while still staying true to her values as a character.

This packed so much storytelling into such a small book. It never felt rushed or like too much was going on and it dealt with heavy topics in a constructive way.

The art was well done and matched the tone and complexity of the story. It was never a distraction and only added to the overall effectiveness of the book's message.

I really enjoyed this.