Shadow Avengers

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Aconyte Books for an advanced copy of this new Marvel tie-in adventure.

Team books in any genre can be hard to write. Even in non-fiction books someone always stands out, someone gets the focus of being the lead, be it scientists, sports, detectives, even superheroes. Writing about true team, keeping every character important and interesting and necessary to the story is hard. Carrie Harris in Shadow Avengers: A Marvel: Crisis Protocol Novel makes it look not only easy, but extremely fun reading as well.

The Dread Dormammu has set his fiery eyes on the Earth of the 616 universe, using an army of enslaved Asgardians from another universe, and some helpful villains from this one. Only the Shadow Avengers, formed by Doctor Strange to battle Dormammu and consisting of Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Black Panther and Luke Cage can stop the incursion. And what is the role of the creature known as Venom.

The novel is fun and very well plotted. This is book two of a series, but it is not necessary to have read the first. I have not, and it didn't affect my enjoyment. The characters here are all true to their comic origins, and each one has strong role and a reason for being in the story. This goes for the minor characters too. No big namers just to pump up sales on an issue, like when I was growing up. The story works well, and would make a very comic arc or animated movie. Ms. Harris has a real gift for writing these characters, making them not only heroes, but human too. Spider-Man, acts the hero he is, but acts like jerk to Venom, because well it is Venom, and I agree. Little things like this make the story a lot more interesting than the the usual monthly books.

Every release from this publisher has been excellent in all their series. The understanding these writers have, and the plots they develope for them really show. Big stories, that are interesting and engaging, with great characters, dialogue and writing .What I enjoy most about Aconyte Books is that I am exposed to writers that I might have missed or never been exposed too, but know can't wait to read more by Carrie Harris and more in this series. Perfect for comic book fans of all ages, or really anyone who wants to read a good adventure story.

Thanks to the publisher, I had the opportunity to read an advance of this adventure which hits bookstores on April 5th of 2022.

This was another fun Marvel romp, serving as a sequel to 2021's Target: Kree novel by Stuart Moore. Harris picks up on those plot threads and runs with them to a high-stakes, action-filled conclusion. This time we get Dr. Strange leading his special force against one of his dealiest foes. The cast is varied, both with heroes and villains, with everyone coming across exactly as they do in the comics. Harris nails every character angle to a T. She also makes sure to give something to the next author to play as this series continues.

This reminded me, in a very good way, of a 90's Marvel comic series called Secret Defenders. It was a quick read that I would recommend to most Marvel fans (old or new).



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 love these. To me, they're like reading a comic book, I can picture all of the action and the characters are a great blend of being unique while still recognizable to the MCU

This book was given to me by Aconyte Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Witches Unleashed was my first arc from Aconyte Books written by Carrie Harris. She didn't miss in that prose and when I saw she was putting out a new book, I just had to make a request. Talk about supporting your favorite tie-in fiction author.

After the defeating Dormammu, with the held of his niece, Clea. Dr Strange went ahead to form the Shadow Avengers to help defeat future crises that would arise if Dormammu should ever return.

Dr Strange now has banded the unlikey heros as a team— Black Panther, Spiderman, Ms. Marvel, Luke Cage, and the resident Sanctum Sanctorum's Cook and Dr Strange's confidant.

Even with defeating Dormammu, Dr Strange is still on his toes anticipating the dark lord's return. But he's not alone in his worry, the other team members of the Shadow Avengers are also finding weird activities around the city.

Now, I will be frank with you. I picked up this book and immediately I was sucked into a cinema room. Because no one can tell Me I was reading. It felt more like I was watching a marvel movie.

There's a way Carrie writes, that brings the superheros and even Villains to life. Honestly I can't explain it, but she didn't miss in the personality department for each characters.

Was it Spidey's constant 5 year old humor? Or Kamala Khan's constant doubt of herself, even Venom's Dialogues with Eddie. I don't know but Carrie, I hope there's a background conversation with Marvel Studios to start shooting this Superhero crossover of unlikely heroes and villains.

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. © 2020 MARVEL

Part of the Marvel Crisis Protocol series, this was a first for me because before now I've only ever read comic books, so reading a full size novel was awesome. Being familiar with all of the characters in the book, I could visualise them in all the scenes depicted & envision this in film format.

Very well written & a load of fun to read.

With Doctor Strange back in the limelight recently with his new movie coming this year, this is a perfect time for this book to come out, which sees his team, the Shadow Avengers, battling an invasion from the Dark Dimension. Throw in everyone’s favourite bad guy, Loki, who teams up with Venom and Green Goblin, and you’ve got another immensely enjoyable and riotous Marvel romp from Aconyte Books.
Carrie Harris’ “Shadow Avengers” is the latest instalment in the Aconyte’s Books” Marvel - Crisis Protocol series, but it isn’t necessary to have read the previous book (although I recommend you picking up “Target : Kree” by Stuart Moore asap) as it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone story.
Chapters are short and dynamic which makes the story pacy and exciting, and there is a veritable who’s-who of Marvel characters. Carrie Harris has a good handle on each of the characters, and she ensures each one gets equal exposure: something which is not always easy in a multi-character story.
Aconyte Books’ Marvel range is an enjoyable alternative history of the Marvel universe with every instalment being excellent. I recommend these books to all Marvel comics fans and want to assure them that they have nothing to fear from the longer prose format as it allows their favourite hero or villain to be fleshed out in a deeper way that comics can’t always achieve. I would go so far as to say that this range is one of the best things currently coming out under the Marvel banner.

Shadow Avengers is A Marvel Crisis Protocol Novel by Carrie Harris from Aconyte books as part of their world expanding tie-in fiction. Extending and expanding the wonderful of the tabletop hobby miniatures game set in the Marvel Universe and it most certainly does not disappoint!

Shadow Avengers sees earth on course for a devastaing invasion from the Dark Dimension, forcing the world’s mightiest heroes into unthinkable alliances. The Shadow Avengers were created by Doctor Strange to save the world from Dormammu, but instead they’re on the verge of dissolution. Suddenly weather anomalies across the world correspond with Asgardian heroes emerging from portals ripe with Dormammu’s magical signature, the Shade Avengers realise the ‘Master’ is making his move. Loki, Venom and Green Goblin are behind a ceremony plotting to open a portal big enough to encompass Dormammu’s Presence. From the Sanctum Sanctorum to the streets of NYC to beautiful Wakanda, the Shadow Avengers must stop Dormammu at any cost. Dormammu in his all cunning wisdom has something far greater in store that will doom the world once and for all.

I have to say right from the first page I knew I would love this. I won’t lie I have a soft spot for Venom (and Eddie) so I knew it would be good, throw in Loki (who DOESN’T like Loki?) and I knew it was going to be great. Carrie Harris does what she does best fuses the high-octane action of the comics (and game) with everyday life and humour to create the perfect prose novel tie-in. Within the first few pages we are drawn right into the action and introduced to some of our anti-heroes, villains and heroes. I was hooked.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The characters, each one is perfect. Harris manages to capture their personality and voice wonderfully and even helps create sympathy for the ‘bad guys’ (or maybe that was just me!). The characterization of some of the most iconic characters in the marvel roster is so on point but it’s more than that, we get a deeper insight into them and their personality and it is just truly fantastic. While it is written beautifully it reads truly like a comic in terms of actions and pace but has the added bonus of going so much deeper in prose form.

As always with any review I don’t want to ruin the plot or spoil it but I will say I was extremely pleased to see my favourite female Asgardian make a cameo (if you know me, you know!). I will also say that the plot is tight and well paced and thought out. We slowly learn what is happening for alternative perspectives and to see how it all fits together with the Master's plan is fantastic. I also adored and kind of hated how Spider-Man interacted with Venom and Eddie. Harris really invoked my love and hate of the webslinger in this book but more importantly she affirmed my love of Vemon as potentially one of Marvel’s best Anti-Heroes.

Honestly Shadow Avengers is a pure delight. It will definitely be enjoyed by fans of the books and showcases the wonderful possibilities the Crisis Protocol tabletop game holds. Not to mention we have a wonderful cast of characters.
Once again thank you for Aconyte and Netgalley for allowing me to review an ARC of this novel for a fair and honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for sending me this arc.
Let me tell you, I am obsessed with Marvel! I have watched every movie, especially Avenger movies. They are my favorite. I have read some comics, never a novel. This was a fun read and well-plotted. Looks like the author is a fan as well.
And it didn't feel like I was reading something other than one of marvel comics but in a large amount. As I was familiar with the characters, it was easy for me to follow.

I honestly can't say enough good things about how much I loved this book, I love Marvel and really enjoyed the flow of this book, the writing was punchy and grabbed my attention.
This is a book I will definitely reread and will look to buy in its published form when available with a few extra copies for friends

I really enjoy team-up superhero movies, so this book was right up my alley, with two of my favorite super heroes, Spider-Man and Ms. Marvel.

The book has them teaming up with Luke Cage and Dr. Strange to stop Dormammu from destroying earth.

It’s a strange group of characters but it works and it’s made even better by the addition of Loki and Venom, and other Asgardians.

If you loved the latest Spider-man film, this is great to read. Though not related, it has a lot of the same energy to me.