Jackson's exciting writing and fast-paced story make this a great read for Marvel and sci-fi fans. I have always been a fan of Storm, she is easy to relate to and strong, showing a complicated heroine finding herself. Some action parts feel quick, but the characters and world are great. This is a thrilling look at Storm's start. It prepares her to lead mutants in the future and is a good story on its own about growing up. If you like stories about heroes starting out with complex women and some magic, you have to read this.

Whether you’re a long time X-Men fan, or new to this world, Storm: Dawn of a Goddess is a fun read. You don’t need to know all the lore to appreciate this book learn about Storm’s backstory. I loved getting to see her go on a big adventure with T’Challa to understand her powers, and her journey to finally embracing them.

Thank you Random House for providing me with a review copy!

When I first heard about this book, I was so excited. I’ve read some killer superhero origin stories, so my expectations might have been too high. I’m a huge fan of YA books, so the young Ororo didn’t bother me. What did bother me was the focus on her love interest/relationship with T’Challa. This book could have been a great story about a teenage girl coming into her powers, learning strength and independence, and accepting her destiny. Instead, it spent chapter after chapter with Ororo falling for T’Challa and debating if she should stay with him on her journey to find her family or go on her own.

I enjoyed the Shadow King storyline, but I wish we had gotten more of him as a villain. The storyline had so much potential, but in the end it fell flat. The end of the book was disappointing. Without going into spoilers, it wasn’t satisfying and only wrapped up one of the plot lines. I’m sure the author did this to set it up for a sequel, but she could have tied up more of the plot threads.


*I received a free eBook ARC, but this is my honest opinion.

I wasn’t able to finish this before the publishing date which sucks because I was so excited to read this.

I got this as an advance release copy for my child who really loves graphic novels and superheroes, was trying to help branch out into more words less pictures. I didn't succeed in my attempt however was curious about the book myself being a big Marvel and superhero fan.

I didn't have any specific expectations going into this book, the summary I had read sounded very interesting and something my child would love. This was in my opinion very well written and perfect for the target age. Storm, main character, isn't exactly how I pictured her to be but I think one needs to keep in mind what audience the author is really targeting. It was a very easy detailed read, and I was quickly pulled into the story telling. The pace was good however the end felt a little rushed, but overall I would definitely suggest it on your TBR shelf!

Traditional novels are an underrated gem in the world of Marvel. The comic giant can pack so much emotion and action into the written word that readers are practically transported into the characters' minds. Jackson has captured the very essence of the iconic X-Woman and has brought the character to life.

In Storm: Dawn of a Goddess, New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson reimagines the origins of one of Marvel's most beloved characters, Ororo Munroe, better known as the X-Men Storm. Set within the exciting backdrop of Cairo, Egypt, the story picks up after Ororo loses her family and finds herself surviving on the streets. She hides in plain sight, blending in with a gang of local street kids. Ororo’s unique powers—manipulating the weather—are beginning to manifest, and she struggles to keep them under control while hiding her striking blue eyes and white hair.

This novel is more than just an origin story; it's a coming-of-age tale where Ororo begins to understand her powers and herself. As she tries to suvive the dangers of the streets, she encounters the sinister Shadow King, a villain capable of stealing souls. The Shadow King forces Ororo to question her worth and her place in the world, chasing her along the streets of Cairo.

Along her journey, she also crosses paths with T’Challa, the prince of Wakanda, and their budding romance adds a tender layer to the story.

Author Tiffany Jackson delivers an entertaining and action-packed narrative, balancing moments of romance with intense battles. The tension between Ororo and the Shadow King is realistic, making him a worthy adversary in her journey toward self-discovery. Jackson has crafted a story that has a mix of adventure, minor romance, and the exploration of Ororo’s powerful heritage.

Storm: Dawn of a Goddess is a must-read for X-Men fans and anyone who enjoys superhero origin stories. This novel brings a fresh perspective to Storm's legacy, making it a thrilling addition to Marvel's universe.

I am obsessed! I loved how this brought in T'chala and really showed Storm coming into her own. I immediately wanted more.

"Storm: Dawn of a Goddess" by Tiffany D. Jackson is a powerful and exhilarating reimagining of mythological themes with a contemporary twist. Jackson crafts a gripping narrative that follows a young heroine's journey as she grapples with her divine powers and a destiny that could reshape her world. The novel’s rich world-building, dynamic characters, and emotional depth make it a compelling and immersive read. Jackson’s storytelling prowess shines through, making this a standout addition to the fantasy genre.

As a huge fan of the X-Men, I thought this was such a well-written and beautiful origin story for Storm. I admired seeing her journey of self-doubt and trying to make herself small for others which ultimately led to a shift in her confidence and embracing who she is. I thought the bond that she formed with T’Challa was so sweet and organic especially because it tied the X-Men and MCU together. I can tell this author really did her research when it came to Storm and they did not disappoint at all.

I thought TD Jackson only wrote urban thrillers, but apparently she also writes banger superhero origin stories! A fresh look at Ororo Monroe before she became Storm of XMen. Born in New York, grew up in Cairo, but hails from Kenya, Ororo becomes an orphan at age six and spends 9 years living on the streets with a gang of thieves. She runs into the Shadow King and starts an epic journey to find herself- where she comes from and who are her people. I wanted her to find her family so bad- is she truly alone? She meets T'Challa (Black Panther), Professor Xavier, and Night Crawler in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and got my teenage son to read this too.

Ebook received for degree through NetGalley

I didn’t get the chance to finish this book (only got 37% in) but from what I read I loved it and wished I had read more before it timed out.

I love marvel so I was super excited to read this one. I loved the evolution of the characters and reading about them in different settings than we've seen before in films. The writing was really well done and there was Heartbreak, humor and so much action!

Ororo was not always the goddess known as Storm minor a member of the X-men. This is a breathtaking story of her early life as she seeks out secrets from her past while being stalked by the dreaded Shadow King, stealer of souls and villain supreme. What makes a hero? They is a fun and powerful coming of age story about a beloved and powerful female icon who must face her own demons as well as those hunting her to become who she is destined to be. Fast paced, well written, Greta book for any Marvel fan.

Combine a true Marvelite and one of the best YA writers around and you get the perfect choice to write the origin of one of the founding X-Men - Storm.

Ororo Monroe has searched for her ancestors since the loss of her parents. This search leads the youngster to Nairobi, Egypt and Kenya. Making her money by pickpocketing tourists may not be admirable, but it is necessary. She excels at staying in the shadows, always hiding her trademark white hair from her “brothers”. But she still hears a voice calling her “home”.

Her decision to leave is fast-forwarded due to an attack by the Shadow King, Amahl Farouk. He attacks Cairo, and tries to get in Ororo’s head with his telepathy. Ororo goes on the run through Africa, trying to get rid of her “curse”. She just wants to be normal. But beyond that, she wants her family back. And this is where Jackson excels.

Jackson is a master of detailing the struggles of young women. I have read her other works, starting with the excellent “Monday’s Not Coming”. Her writing makes a young mutant just a young struggling female.

Ororo stifles her grief, her identity, and her other emotions. And then she meets the future king of Wakanda, T’Challa. I knew that they were married in Marvel lore, but to see their bludgeoning romance start was enjoyable. (Even a future king has butterflies!) Not one for romance though, this is my only criticism. I thought the romance was too drawn out and could have been shorter.

The climax of the story was wonderful! It paced just like a sixth issue of a comic mini-series. I could see the art in my head. It was cinematic. The open ending leads exactly where it should - due to an intervention from you-know-who. It shows Storm as the strong, capable leader we all know and love. But having Jackson write this novel shows how that all started from a devastated young girl.

I have mixed feelings about this origin story. I love Storm, but reading this was very similar to watching X-Men: Apocalypse. While I understand origin stories have similarities, I felt like there were several liberties in this version that painted a very different picture and deviated. I wasn’t looking for an exact retelling, but some of our heroine’s demeanor didn’t feel right. Overall, enjoyable and I would recommend for an entertaining read.

Ororo Munroe is a thief on the streets of Cairo, hiding her blue eyes and white hair beneath a scarf. She must be stealthy, as strange things happen whenever she loses control. Sudden rainstorms and mysterious winds form, attracting attention to her. The Shadow King steals people's souls and is coming after her. With nowhere to turn, she listens to the inner voice she ignored and searches for her heritage. As she does, her powers grow stronger and the Shadow King comes closer. Can she outrun the shadows that chase her?

Storm is a powerful mutant, able to control the weather, but long before that, she was an orphan running the streets of Cairo. We see how that happened, and how she survived as a child. The bulk of the story is her life as a teen, long before she joined the X-Men. She tries to escape the Shadow King when he comes to Cairo to find her and hopes to make her way to Kenya based on a memory of her mother's background. Others once had blue eyes and white hair like her, and she hopes these women would be able to teach her how to control her emerging powers. She meets and develops a connection with T'Challa of Wakanda, who is doing a walkabout to learn about other African countries, as well as people of other villages. It's the farthest she'd ever been from Cairo, and the journey itself is fraught with dangers outside the risk of the Shadow King.

Ororo's journey is one of self-discovery. She sees her powers as a problem, an alien thing to get rid of so she can return to help the group of boys she considers her brothers in Cairo. They're problematic and flare in times of strong emotion or when she has nightmares of past trauma. We know it's not a curse or the mark of a goddess, but Ororo is still discovering that. Any talent can help as well as harm, and she has to face her multiple fears before she can even begin to meet the Shadow King head-on. This is a great look into Ororo's origin, and we understand where she's coming from. She's approachable and troubled and learns that doing the right thing is worth the cost.

I liked the X-men and Storm is one of my favorites. This is a really good book telling the character's origins. I have never read the comics, so I don't know if this is accurate or not based on them. Well written coming of age, self-acceptance and the beauty that lies within each and every one of us.

Tiffany D Jackson, Storm, Black Panther, and an African journey?! Take my money! The X-Men are my favorite superhero’s in both movies and comics. I am not an avid reader/watcher, but when I am in the mood that is what I reach for. So I was excited to hear about this book. This book did not let me down. Storm, or Ororo, doesn’t know about her heritage and isn’t quite sure who she is. She has trauma to deal with before her powers manifest and the bad guy shows up. So she has to take a journey to get answers about her powers and keep everyone safe from the bad guy. Along the way, she has to deal with her past and start figuring out her future. I really loved seeing her develop from someone who is just getting by to someone who is empowered make decisions for her life. I love novels like this that give me a new way to look at these characters.

This is a book Marvel/X-Men fans will love! It was great to learn the origin story of Storm. It was great to see an unexpected addition of a character (I don't want to give away any spoilers), though I was a bit disappointed at how the author felt the need to rush a relationship between this character and Storm. Characters are well developed and the storyline quickly pulls readers in. The active pace keeps readers engaged. If this book is a great way to introduce possible new fans to X-Men.


Key themes: family (including that which isn't blood relation), loss/grief, learning to be who you are meant to be

Possible trigger warnings: violence, parental death, poverty, grief