Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review this graphic novel. "The courageous hero Heimdall returns to save the Rainbow Bridge and Earth from dark sorcery in this swashbuckling fantasy adventure set in Marvel’s Legends of Asgard."

I love reading Marvel graphic novels and books, and this one was no different. I enjoyed the art style, characters, and the storyline.

I was unable to provide review due to time constraints of me starting college. I look forward however to reading this book in the future simply as a fan, not a reviewer.

This was a fantastic story that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. There is so much action, adventure, and sorcery that there was never a dull moment. I just couldn't put it down and read it in one evening. The characters were brilliant, fully developed, and so very interesting. The story was exciting , thrilling, and full of great atmosphere. This is definitely a fantastic page turning novel. I definitely recommend reading this book and series. What I like about this story is that if you have watched the thor films, this book is very easy to get into without reading the rest of this series. Even though I have read nearly all the books in this series. I really loved this authors story as it was full of great description and had such a wonderful pace to it. It played in my mind like watching a movie.

Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such an amazing action-packed story. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this fantastic author. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog today https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/the-prisoner-of-tartarus-by-richard-lee-byers-aconyte-5-stars under ladyreading365

The Marvel Legends of Asgard series of books have been some of my favourite Marvel prose novels ever written. Whilst set within the Marvel comics universe (everything suggests this is the 616 universe from the comics) it doesn't really touch upon what you'd find in an issue of Thor, and this isn't a series where you'll find the Odinson battling villains in New York. This is, at its heart, a series of fantasy novels involving the Norse gods; and that's honestly one of the best decisions that was made for these books. You don't have to know anything about the comics to enjoy these, and I dare say you could even hate the comics and still love these stories.

This book is the third in a trilogy of tales by beloved fantasy author Richard Lee Byers that focuses on Heimdall, the protector god of the Rainbow Bridge. Over the course of the previous two books we've seen him go from a common warrior to a hero of Asgard, he's gained the powers of Mimir, and receive the magical weapons that he'll wield for centuries. But we've not seen him become a god, and we've not seen him take his place as protector of the Bifrost. Well, those that have been waiting for that to happen might just be interested by the final part of the series; as yes, that most certainly is the Bifrost Bridge on the front cover.

The Prisoner of Tartarus brings readers to Earth for the first time in Heimdall's story, as he has been sent to Midgard to oversee and protect the building of a huge mystical engineering project, the Bifrost. But the project has attracted the attention of some of the gods that make Earth their home, and two representatives of a nearby pantheon, Pluto and Hephaestus, have travelled to the site with an entourage of warriors in order to watch over the construction and make sure that it's not going to be used in opposition to their own interests.

Things go well for the construction, with the project moving forward on schedule; but when one of the cyclops protectors of the visiting deities is poisoned and killed it begins an investigation that reveals someone is not only trying to sabotage the project, but might have murderous intent. As the investigation into the culprit begins, Heimdall travels to the visiting gods underworld, sneaking his way inside in order to question the cyclops and find out what he knows. But this decision will leave Heimdall trapped, powerless, and without his memory as dark forces move to use the Bifrost to bring untold destruction. Now, without his experience or knowledge, Heimdall has to try to find a way out of the underworld before it's too late.

The Prisoner of Tartarus is a little different to the other books in this series, and not just the Heimdall focused ones. It not only includes elements from the Norse focused comics and myths, but, as the name suggests, draws upon the Greco-Roman pantheon of gods and their respective mythology. In previous books we've had ice giants, elves, draugr, and the world tree, this time we get the River Styx, Cerberus, cyclopses, and gorgons, to name but a few of the things that Heimdall will have to contend with.

These new elements makes it feel like the book is something a little special. It's not just one type of mythology and one pantheon being explored anymore. This book reminds you that these other gods and monsters exist too, that they share this universe; and that they can interact with each other. This results in some great moments in this book where, depending on your own personal knowledge, the reader is way ahead of the heroes at times. Heimdall and his allies understand how Asgard and the other realms work, they know the major player and the politics; but they don't when it comes to these other gods. They're trying to figure things out, they're trying to find out who's who and how things fit together; but if you know your mythology you know that of course Heimdall doesn't have to worry about Cerberus when he sneaks into Tartarus, but its on the way out he has to worry.

Outside of meshing of mythologies, the book also continues the stories of a couple of characters introduced in previous book, including Amora the Enchantress, and Uschi the Valkyrie. Both characters have appeared in a previous book in the trilogy, second and third respectively, and their inclusion in the final part feels like a nice culmination. It's also great to see that the partnership between Uschi and Heimdal wasn't just a one off, and that the two of them continue to have a strong relationship after the events of The Rebels of Vanaheim.

The book also brings in a familiar face for fans of Thor, Malakith the dark elf. Malakith is a character that has appeared across several important Thor stories over the years, and was featured as the lead antagonist in the second Thor feature film. As such, it feels like his inclusion in the Legends of Asgard books has been a long time coming. Thankfully, Richard Lee Byers has crafted a great story for him here, and seems to know how best to use him; having him as a master manipulator in the background, pulling strings as he puts his various plans into place. Malakith here is an incredibly dark and manipulative character, betraying his own allies more than once. His willingness to lie, cheat, and turn on anyone at a moments notice makes him one of the more unpredictable antagonists in the series to date; and I hope that we get to see more of him in the future.

It does feel like The Prisoner of Tartarus might be the end for Heimdall for a while, that the story that Byers set out to tell has finally reached its conclusion. There are other stories in this world to be told, with the next Legends of Asgard novel already announced, so this might not be the last time we see the character. But, if it is, it feels like a decent conclusion for him. The place he ends come the final pages of the book feels earned, and if there are no more stories focused on Heimdall I might be disappointed, but I wont feel cheated in any way. For fans of this series, these characters, and fantasy novels in general, this is a book that you're definitely going to want to read.

Sadly this book was a did not finish. This book didn't hold my attention at all. I enjoy all things marvel but not this. I'm sure other will enjoy it.

As always I want to start by saying that I was given a copy of this to review. My review is honest and left voluntarily and avoids spoilers. #MarvelEnt #Marvel #AconyteBooks #Netgalley #ThePrisonerofTartarus #RichardLeeByers


I have to confess that out of the numerous worlds, heroes and villains within the multiple Marvel Universes those that deal with the Asgardians and other real world myths are some of my favourites. Richard Lee Byers Heimdall trilogy ticks all the boxes you could ask for about the Asgardian heroes (and villains). They have been a joy to read and while I am sad this set has come to an end I hope we do see more in the future!


Despite the book being the third and final instalment in the trilogy it does equally stand up on its own. Although references are made to Heimdall’s previous adventures a new reader could easily enjoy this novel without reading the other two but I highly recommend reading both the Head of Mimir and The Rebels of Vanaheim because you will not be disappointed.


The Prisoner of Tartarus sees Byers combine Marvel pantheons with the introduction of the Greco-Roman inspired gods and heroes. We join a Heimdall we have not seen before now; deprived of his Gjallarhorn, the enchanted sword Holfund, his winged steed and worst of all his memories Heimdall has to flee across the underworld of Tartarus with the minions of the dark god Pluto in hot pursuit. His only friend is Kamorr a Blackhammer dwarf who aims to help Heimdall piece together his memory and escape the realm. But it is not just his amnesia that is the threat. The dark elf Malekith has plans to corrupt the newly created Bifrost. Thus Heimdall is thrust into a race against time to defeat Malekith and his allies before they can use the Rainbow Bridge to destroy both Asgard and Midgard!

This final novel has all the trademarks you may have come to expect. Fast paced action, tension and suspense and a wonderfully brought to life Heimdall. I will go as far to say that Byers has truly made Heimdall his own while staying true to the source material, Marvel and Norse mythology alike. We get to see Heimdall both at his weakest, not physically but without his memories and full faculties, and also see the keen sense and love of knowledge that lead him to be imprisoned in Tartarus to begin with. I adored the dark edge this novel took, of course being set in the underworld did help, but at certain points this bordered on horror and I adored it!

As a bit of a mythology geek (aren’t we all?) I adored the inclusion of other pantheons and further links to the Marvel universe. The creatures Heimdall encounters from the other pantheon also made me so happy although tense to see if he would survive! I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect cross over! But arguably the best part because I am completely biased was Amora being there and I know I saw no spoilers but seeing her join in the action was just, perfection!

I feel that even if you have no knowledge of the Marvel universe or even are coming to it from something like the cinematic universe you would find it hard to not enjoy this novel and the trilogy as a whole. It’s full of all the trappings of a great fantasy series, combining myths and magic, action and adventure, a group of friends working together and more. It’s hard to find something not to like…Maybe the fact this series is over?

On one final note the other thing I have adored about this series is how it is framed in the old Norse oral tradition. All the tales start with one of the warriors three recounting one of Heimdall’s adventures to teach an important lesson to one of the younger generation, this touch is what first drew me in to the Head of Mimir and of course Heimdall himself (and Amore – but I am biased remember!). It is a little touch that completely hooked me in.

So to finally draw this review to a close while I am sad this series is over that centres fully on Heimdall I am hopeful that Byers will continue to work with Aconyte and perhaps has he hinted in his author’s note we might see more Pantheon centred work in the future. But if you love Marvel’s Asgardians, Action and Adventure, Myths and magic or just good old fantasy you are sure to love this novel and all the others in the Legends of Asgard Series!


About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL

I wasn't aware until after I finished this book that it's actually the third book in a trilogy. I suspect my knowledge of Marvel comics may have contributed to not realising it at the time, however, looking back, I think this story just stands really well on its own.

I'll be honest, reading about Heimdall going on swashbuckling escapades to ensure the safety of the Rainbow Bridge wouldn't usually grab my interest so I'm very grateful to Aconyte Books for giving me a free digital copy of this book to review as I actually really enjoyed.

I've now read several of Aconyte Books's Marvel novels and I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one.

The writing in this particular story was really good and I enjoyed Byers's interpretation of the characters.

I also liked that there was a mix of Marvel pantheons involved in the story.

I wasn't completely sold on the framing device of a story within a story but I wonder if that's something that is used across the trilogy?

I would recommend this book to fans of Thor comics (and other Asgardian titles), the Thor movies, and general fans of Marvel comics.

Thank you NetGalley, Aconyte Books, and Richard Lee Byers for giving me a free digital copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

•••
About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL

Richard Lee Byers has really made the character of Heimdall his own as we join him in his third outing, The Prisoner of Tartarus.

As usual, I am going to rave about these Aconyte Marvel Legends of Asgard series. It is a series that I have enjoyed with not only Richard Lee Byers, but also books by C.L. Werner and Anna Stephens and they have been fantastic adventure stories using Marvel’s Asgard as a backdrop.

As I said, this is third outing for Heimdall and I have really seeing his character develop from the youth that gets his magical sight in The Head of Mimir to this one which deals with the construction of the Bifrost and how Heimdall becomes the Guardian of the Bifrost.

The story is framed as a story within a story as Fandral (one of the warriors three) uses the story to frame in one of his classes that truth and honesty are the best policy. When a sword from his class goes missing, one of his pupils admits to Farandal that he stole the sword and that in order to not get punished for his mistake of over-exuberance he broke the sword. Instead of ejecting the pupil from his class, Farandall illustrates his point by telling this tale of the mighty Heimdall who searched for the truth when a cyclops engineer attached to Hephaestus and Pluto is murdered.

We learn that Hephaestus and Pluto are there to see that the Asgardians in their construction of the Bifrost, which serves as method of travel between Asgard and MIdgard and also ferries the souls of dead warriors to Valhalla, is not in actual fact an elaborate plan to steal worshippers.

As usual, Richard Byers writes an action packed story that is full of great characters and plenty of adventure. If you are a marvel fan and want to see stories that do not centre on the main Marvel canon, then these stories are perfect.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL

Got this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As a big Marvel fan who also loves Richard Lee Byers Forgotten Realms work, I have no idea how I missed that these Aconyte novels existed. After I got this review copy from NetGalley, I checked and found there's tons of them! Going to be working my way through the backlog!

After I finished this book, I found it was the final part of a trilogy. Being a massive Marvel nerd, I didn't spot anything that meant that I'd needed to read the previous two before picking up this one, it seemed pretty self-contained, being the origin of Bifrost, the rainbow bridge and telling how Heimdall came to watch over it.

Taking place in the distant past with next to no scenes involving humanity (all the characters are Asgardian, Dark Elf, Olympian gods and the like), it might not appeal to the typical Marvel reader who is looking for a story featuring Thor fighting in Manhattan but as a fantasy fan, I loved it.

I'm not familiar with the valkyrie thane Uschi, I think she's a creation of Byers but I enjoyed the sections from her POV as much as the ones from Heimdall. Heimdall's sections suffered slightly in that the whole thing is a tale within a tale told by Fandral to some children and then Heimdall loses his memory and has to have some sections of the plot recounted to him by his companion so keeping track of what was happening when was sometimes an issue.

Excellent fantasy adventure with Heimdall, well worth the time for fantasy fans.

#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2022 MARVEL

#Marvel #MarvelEnt #Aconytebooks #review

I cannot, I repeat CANNOT, get enough of the Legends of Asgard novels. Each book I've read, I've loved... and "The Prisoner of Tartarus" is among the best so far. The Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall, heroes and villains (and some in between). Who could ask for me? Well, me... and I got it. Action, adventure, some "ahhh" moments when things connect, and an absolutely cracking, first class story (with some pretty awesome writing too!).

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media for over eighty years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing, publishing, games, and digital media.

For more information visit marvel[dot]com. © 2022 MARVEL

(I was provided an ARC to review through NetGalley)

I don't know if I'm just kind of burned out on this series after reading three of them in a row, but I had a hard time getting through this one. It was an okay adventure and it was fun seeing the different Marvel pantheons. I hope this is the end of the Warriors Three framing device, because it's really worn out its welcome by this point.

I always love knowing more about the marvel universe and its character. The Prisoner of Tartarus is an interesting story, but It didnt fit me well. I dont know why, but the story seems a bit off for me. Although I enjoyed so it wasnt so bad. If you like marvel, Im sure you would like TPoT

The Prisoner of Tartarus by Richard Lee Byers is a fun and engaging read set in the Marvel Universe--not necessarily the Cinematic Universe.
Richard Lee Byers is a lot like Alan Dean Foster in that they have an dizzying number of books to their credit and you have probably read a few without being aware of it. Richard Lee Byers is probably best known for his novels set in the Forgotten Realms but here, as state, he turns his attention to the Marvel U in a story set in Asgard's past--before Bifrost the Rainbow Bridge exists--and this story tells the tale of how Heimdall came to be assigned the task of watching and guarding it.
I really enjoyed the combination of Greek and Norse myths in this story and it is fun to see some other characters in Asgard take the spotlight.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #AconyteBooks and Richard Lee Byers for the ARC copy of #ThePrisonerofTartarus. I plan on checking out more books in the series.