Tag: Wonder Woman

REVIEW: Nubia: Real One by L. L McKinney

REVIEW: Nubia: Real One by L. L McKinney

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

You might think a second person with the powers of Wonder Woman would be welcome. But when she has brown skin like Nubia, it’s… complicated. For example, Nubia stops an armed robbery, but the victim assumes she is one of the culprits. She’s even cuffed and questioned by the police.

Nubia’s moms want her to lay low and stay out of the limelight. When her powers were discovered before, they always had to move to a new community. Nubia doesn’t want to leave her friends and a place where she is starting to feel she belongs. So she promises to keep her head down and stay out of things. But when trouble comes close to the people Nubia loves, she’ll have to decide what she is willing to risk to keep them safe.

Review

I was unfamiliar with the story of Nubia from DC comics history. This story is an amended take on the version where Nubia is Wonder Woman’s twin sister. (Yes, there’s an explanation here for the age difference.)

The Wonder Woman pieces of this are small. The larger focus is on Nubia and her peer group (friends, potential love interest), which I liked. Nubia’s friends are her world (in a good way), and they are the ones she wants to defend using her powers.

The conflict with Nubia’s moms is to be expected. They are torn between protecting her and giving her space to become the adult she is going to be. And there are also more stereotypical parent/teen conflicts they are working through as well.

My favorite parts were the places where Nubia’s journey intersects with contemporary issues – racism, sexism, sexual assault, police brutality, gun violence, etc. These very present, very real issues are placed up against Nubia’s supernatural gifts in a way I really enjoyed. (The publisher has included a content warning on the copyright page as well as reader resources in the back matter.)

Superhero fans, especially those looking for racially diverse and relevant characters and stories, should not miss this one! (Language, LGBTQ+, TW: racism, sexism, sexual assault, gun violence, school shooter)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science by Amanda Deibert

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls: Weird Science by Amanda Deibert

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The DC Super Hero Girls are friends at Metropolis High. And it’s time for the science fair. The judge of this year’s fair is a Cadmus scientist, and the first prize is an internship at Cadmus as well as a year of treats from the Sweet Justice Cafe. All of the girls are excited to get their science on!

All the girls except “Zee” Zatara.

Zee is all about magic, not science. But the Cadmus scientist and Zee’s friends encourage her to help her friends with their projects while she tries to come up with one for herself.

Each project ends in some sort of disaster. Is Zee bad luck? Is she sabotaging her friends? Or is something else going on?

Review

I’ve enjoyed the previous DC Super Hero Girls series, which takes place at Super Hero High, for awhile now. You can read my reviews of those graphic novels here. This is my first book, though in this new Metropolis High series. I prefer the earlier series myself, but I enjoyed this new iteration and setting.

At Metropolis High, the girls have to balance their superhero lives with their alternate identities at school which adds an interesting dynamic to this series. I also enjoyed references to other DC characters. There are appearances here from Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, Steve Trevor, and Lex Luthor as well as references to Superman. The next book – Midterms – promises Lois Lane and Harley Quinn and will release this fall.

This is a meaty story. Zee “helps” Bumblebee, Batgirl, Supergirl, Wonder Woman and a Green Lantern as she prepares for the fair. (It looks like this was originally published as 15 issues of a comic book series. There’s a lot here to dig into.) Every time Zee tries to use magic to fix a problem or speed something along. And almost every time it backfires. Zee doesn’t really learn a lesson from this, but she does find her way to the science fair for herself, and the mystery of the disasters gets solved.

Hand this to DC fans, graphic novel fans, super hero fans, and fans of this series!

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Diana and the Island of No Return by Aisha Saeed

REVIEW: Diana and the Island of No Return by Aisha Saeed

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Diana has been looking forward to an event where women leaders from around the world travel to Themyscira to share art and wisdom and weaponry with one another. It’s the one time Diana’s best friend, Princess Sakina, comes to visit. They get to spend one thrilling week together exploring the festival.

But instead of getting a week with her best friend, Diana finds a boy on the island – something that is NOT allowed. Augustus manipulates Diana into trusting him while he lies to her about Sakina’s family. But the truth is even worse. He’s been sent to the island by a demon who holds all of Augustus’ people hostage. Either Augustus brings Diana back, or all of his people die.

Diana and Sakina are on their own to decide how to deal with the threat as all of the woman on the island are in an enchanted sleep. What can three pre-teens do against a deadly demon?

Review

Young Wonder Woman is getting a lot of attention lately in the world of books. Young readers will be fascinated by Diana before she gains and understands her full powers. The various books that have come out lately – Diana, Princess of the Amazons; Wonder Woman Warbringer; and the many iterations of the DC Super Hero Girls – don’t seem to be connected to one another, but they all explore this idea of a young Diana figuring out who she is. (This is NOT a graphic novel, but a traditional middle grade novel.)

I enjoyed the team up with Sakina in this book. Sakina had the background knowledge they needed while Diana had the tactical knowledge, physical skills, and determination. The story is very suspenseful. There’s one challenge after another after another, even before they confront the demon. It made for a stressful yet compelling reading experience. I think kids will love it!

My review copy included a two chapter teaser for book 2 – Diana and the Underworld Odyssey. I was hooked after those two chapters and now I have to read the sequel! Hand this to Rick Riordan/mythology fans because I think the challenges here will appeal to them. Wonder Woman fans shouldn’t miss this one either!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson

REVIEW: Wonder Woman Tempest Tossed by Laurie Halse Anderson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Amazons were created by the Five Mothers – Athena, Aphrodite, Demeter, Artemis, and Hestia – to protect the world from great evil. As they wait to be called to duty, they train.

In the waiting, the queen of the Amazons longs for a child. And the Mothers grant her wish. Now it is Diana’s 16th birthday. For the last year she has had mood swings and fainting spells. But she’s hoping that is all over now that she is 16 because that would mean she can start training with the warriors.

During Diana’s birthday celebration, alarms sound. Refugees have broken through the barrier to their island. While the queen works to send the refugees away and repair the barrier, Diana defies her and dives into the ocean to save drowning children. Once she saves everyone, the barrier is repaired… with Diana on the outside. The island – her home – disappears.

Review

This was fantastic! It’s a great contemporary Wonder Woman story. Diana ends up in a camp with the refugees. Then she meets a couple of UN staff – a married couple named Steve and Trevor, who recognize her intelligence and her gift for languages and help her get to the US. There Diana gets to know her host family. She sees homeless people and gives food to hungry kids. Her sense of justice is strong and grows stronger. Then she takes on the issue of child trafficking.

All of the social issues covered in the book are age-appropriate (in my opinion) for teens. They are issues a lot of teens today are already concerned about.

I wasn’t clear if Diana’s “changeling” behavior is supposed to just be puberty or if there’s something more going on there. And the young woman from her host family runs hot and cold in ways that aren’t completely explained in the story. But in the end, the two of them fight side by side to care for the people who need help and a voice when no one will listen to them.

There are some unfinished story threads here, which makes me wonder if there might be a sequel. If so, I am here for it. DC continues to do an excellent job with the storytelling in their new graphic novels for kids and teens. You can check out more of my reviews here.

DC Entertainment has graciously shared some pictures of the artwork from the interior of the book.

 

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Wonder Woman: Warbringer (Graphic Novel) by Leigh Bardugo

REVIEW: Wonder Woman: Warbringer (Graphic Novel) by Leigh Bardugo

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgally and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, fashioned a daughter out of clay, and the goddesses gave the girl life and many powers. Some of the Amazons don’t trust Diana, or what her existence might mean for the the island and their people. But Diana is determined to prove herself to everyone – the doubters, her mother and herself – by winning an epic race.

An accident occurs during the race, and Diana breaks one of the most basic rules of Themyscira – she rescues a human named Alia and brings her to the island. This sets off a chain reaction that endangers Diana’s home and all who live there. The girl she saved is a Warbringer, a young woman like Helen of Troy who leaves war and destruction in her wake simply by existing. If Diana lets the girl die, Themyscira will go back to normal. But Diana is determined to save everyone – her family AND Alia. Which means she must make a quest to the human world to overcome Alia’s destiny as a Warbringer.

Review

This was terrific! I think this format worked for the story even better than the full prose novel which published in 2017, the first of the DC Icons books. While I enjoyed the full novel (♥♥♥♥), it felt long at times. I enjoyed the graphic novel format for this so much. This has a Percy Jackson feel with the gods and goddesses, an oracle, and a quest to fight monsters and save the world. I loved the contrast of the Themyscira stories and New York stories when Diana and Alia go to the human world. The art in this is incredibly well done, and it was easy to follow the characters and the story.

I enjoyed the identity pieces of this story. All of the teens in this are dealing with identity issues in and around the quest to save Alia and the world, Their personal quests dovetailed nicely into the larger story and gave this a deeper plot in that way.

This is a rich and meaty story that moves quickly in the graphic novel format. I highly recommend this for Wonder Woman fans, DC fans, graphic novel fans, and readers who enjoyed the original book. While I have not personally clicked with the DC movie universe, their recent novels and graphic novels have been really well done!

DC very generously shared some of the interior art for the book. Here are a few sample pages of what you can expect when you pick up this terrific story!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Diana, Princess of the Amazons by Shannon and Dean Hale

REVIEW: Diana, Princess of the Amazons by Shannon and Dean Hale

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Diana, princess of the Amazons, is lonely. It’s hard to be the only kid on Themyscira. She’s too old for her dolls and other things she used to play with. And she’s too young for warrior training or to be included in her mother’s work running the Paradise Islands.

While playing with some clay, Diana fashions a friend the way her mother formed her. She doesn’t expect magic to happen – like with her own “birth.” But it would be awfully cool!

Then her creation, Mona, comes to life. At first, it’s everything Diana hoped it would be. She has a friend to play with, someone her age. But Mona doesn’t want Diana to tell anyone about her. And some of her choices lead Diana to do things she’s never done before – like lie, steal and rebel.

When one of Mona’s “great ideas” puts everyone on Themyscira – and the world – in danger from monsters, Diana has to rethink her choices and her new friendship.

Review

This was great! I loved this new look at young Wonder Woman. Poor Diana is struggling as the only kid on the island. Add to that the fact that all of the Amazons are strong and perfect. How can a young girl live up to all that? And when the business of the islands consumes her mother’s attention, Diana is set to take a fall.

I think kids will see the trouble Mona is up to before Diana does. And there’s lots to talk about and think about in her manipulations.

The wrap-up is perfect – there’s a happy ending, Diana takes responsibility for her actions, AND the adults actually listen to her concerns and ideas and take action. I loved it.

The art work in this graphic novel is lovely. Kids are going to adore this. Mythology fans (and Percy Jackson or Kate O’Hearn fans) will see some familiar references here. And kids who haven’t moved to Percy Jackson yet will find a place to launch their mythology journey here.

Librarians and teachers should stock up on this one. It’s going to be a hot commodity in your schools and libraries!

DC graciously sent me some pictures of the art for this one that I wanted to share with you so you can see how great it is.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop

REVIEW: Dear Justice League by Michael Northrop

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Zoom in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Your favorite DC superheroes – Superman, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern and others – fight crime and answer emails from fans like you!

  • Does Superman ever make mistakes?
  • Does Wonder Woman have any birthday advice for an almost-11-year-old girl who’s also growing up on an island (Long Island)?
  • Has Batman ever been the new kid in town?

This graphic novel shows all the heroics and all the answers to these questions and more

Review

This is a fun book with a clever set up. The Justice League has an alien invasion to deal with. But while they work, they also handle their messages from fans. Both the messages and the battles are shown in comic-style art panels.

I got a kick out of this! It’s funny and sarcastic. The heroes are a nice mix of the expected – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman – and the less expected like Hawkgirl and Green Lantern.

The questions range from silly to serious, tackling typical kid concerns like new schools, birthdays and making big mistakes. I think graphic novel fans will enjoy the format of this, and DC fans will get a kick out of seeing their favorite heroes answer mail from fans.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls Graphic Novels by Shea Fontana

REVIEW: DC Super Hero Girls Graphic Novels by Shea Fontana

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of both of these books from Netgalley and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

DC Super Hero Girls Out of the Bottle – Summary

Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Supergirl and Katana are in the art room at Super Hero High working on their comics project. Katana’s is one of the best their teacher has ever seen, but Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn are struggling with theirs. While Wonder Woman checks out Supergirl’s project, Harley decides to try their teacher’s “magic paint” on her own.

When Katana checks on Wonder Woman’s project in order to encourage her friend, one of Harley’s drawings has moved from her project onto Wonder Woman’s. And the comic version of Harley is only interested in causing trouble. Soon she is off the pages all together and hassling the heroes face to face. Then she sets all of their comic characters free, too – and they all become villains.

Review

This is a fun addition to the Super Hero High graphic novel collection. It was the sixth book in the series so far (although in some places it is marked as book 5), after Date with Disaster and before Search for Atlantis. The story for this one is delightfully wacky, which fits the focus on Harley, with more chaos in every chapter, especially when the art teacher gives in to her dark side. The solution to the runaway comic characters is a little cheesy, but I think kids will get a kick out of it (although it may elicit some groans). The story takes a serious turn at the end when the characters talk about anger management, mental health, and therapy. This seems like a great message for the audience – it’s okay to need help and to get help!

These are fun characters, familiar in a lot of ways but still growing up, learning about friendship, and gaining confidence in themselves and their gifts. This particular book had some nice moments celebrating creativity along with the usual friendship and teamwork themes. Fans of this series will gobble up this story.

This is a lighter, sillier version of the characters in Lisa Yee’s middle grade novels. One series or the other (or in my case, both!) will appeal to superhero fans in general as well as fans of these particular heroes.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

DC Super Hero Girls Search for Atlantis – Summary

Mera has arrived from Atlantis to go to Super Hero High. Wonder Woman offers to help her get settled in. The two become friends, leaving Bumblebee feeling left out. Mr. Fox, the weaponomics teacher, leads the heroes on a field trip to Atlantis. But after a battle with a giant squid the group discovers Atlantis has gone missing! It is a lost city once again.

The kids discover Brainiac has shrunken the city and keeps it on his ship. Their elaborate plan to rescue Atlantis requires Miss Martian to impersonate a criminal; the Teen Titans to back her up; and Bumblebee, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Mera to shrink down and wait in a fake miniature city until Miss Martian’s team sells it to Brainiac. What could possibly go wrong?!

Review

This series just gets better and better! I loved this story. It’s intricate with lots of suspense and conflict in each chapter. The characters are smart and play off one another in familiar ways (the Teen Titans are a great example). I loved the emphasis on Bumblebee, Raven and Miss Martian in this story. I know Raven from a few episodes of Teen Titans Go! and Miss Martian from Young Justice. I enjoy both of those characters a lot, so I loved seeing them get a lot of focus in this story. The author does a great job with these characters as well as with Bumblebee’s angst and jealousy over Wonder Woman’s friendship with Mera.

In the midst of superhero powers and super villain schemes, there’s a very relate-able friendship crisis that plays out through the larger Atlantis/Brainiac story that’s fantastic! Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Summer Olympus by Shea Fontana

REVIEW: Summer Olympus by Shea Fontana

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

It’s summer break at Super Hero High. Wonder Woman has been invited to Olympus by her father, Zeus, to spend time with the godly side of her family. She invites her friends to join her but most have plans. Super Girl, Big Barda and Lady Shiva are heading to the Kent’s farm in Kansas for the summer. Batgirl, Beast Boy and Katana are touring Europe. So Bumblebee is the only one who can go to Olympus with Wonder Woman. But one best friend is more than enough!

While there, the heroes meet Wonder Woman’s siblings including Ares, the god of war. Meanwhile, Super Girl and friends are tackling farm chores and the Europe gang is tracking a thief who is stealing Greek artifacts.

It all comes to a head in Olympus when the thief is revealed and the Olympians wage war on Metropolis – and on the kids from Super Hero High!

Review

Such a fun story! I love the graphic novel format which gives an image for all the DC characters. Some are less familiar to me than others, and I appreciate seeing what they look like. It’s especially helpful when I go back to the Lisa Yee middle grade books which aren’t illustrated (Katana, the latest in that series, is out this summer!).

At the core, this story is about identity. Wonder Woman is a demigod – half Olympian god, and half Amazon. Growing up an Amazon, she feels comfortable in Themyscira and knows who she is there. In Olympus, she feels less certain about how she fits in – or if she belongs there at all.

While it starts as just the BFFs, Wonder Woman and Bumblebee, the whole student body of Super Hero High gets into the act when the battle hits Metropolis. This is a fun story for fans of the property and and good introduction for those new to Super Hero High.

Thanks to the publisher, DC Comics, for an electronic review copy of Summer Olympus in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥