You do not enter a race to lose. ~ Opening of Wonder Woman: Warbringer
Wonder Woman: Warbringer (DC Icons #1)
by Leigh Bardugo, narrated by Mozhan Marno
Random House, 2017
Fantasy (YA); 376 pgs (12hrs)
Source: I purchased a copy for my listening pleasure.
Source: I purchased a copy for my listening pleasure.
High on the thrill of the recent Wonder Woman movie, I was interested in giving Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer a try. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, although I knew Bardugo was an author I had been wanting to read for a while. Wonder Woman and I go way back to the days of Linda Carter, when she magically changed into her blue, red and white costume as she twirled around to sound effects and music. In the TV series set during World War II, she battled Nazis and other especially evil bad guys. I had been skeptical about the 2017 movie, but I ended up loving it. Gal Gadot was perfect as Wonder Woman. Would Bardugo’s version of Wonder Woman and her backstory measure up? I had to find out.
Mozhan Marno, an actress on the Blacklist television show, narrates the audio version of Wonder Woman: Warbringer. I thought she did a good job of pulling me into the story and making me feel like I was a part of the characters’ lives.
I liked that Bardugo is able to get across just how different Diana is not only from mortals but also from the Amazons. She did not come to the island the same way as the other women did, dying a heroic death. Diana, a teenager, longs to prove to the Amazons she belongs and to find her place among them. When a ship wreck leads to her saving a teenage girl, Diana risks exile if she’s discovered. It soon becomes clear that the mortal girl’s presence on the island is detrimental to the Amazons, and Diana must make a choice.
Bardugo takes an iconic character and creates her own Wonder Woman story tied to legends and myths of old. Alia, the mortal girl, is being hunted by those who think she is a catalyst of war. I especially liked Alia’s backstory—or the backstory of who and what she is, to be more exact. I found it all very intriguing.
I found the book slow in spots, particularly when Diana first sets foot in New York. Her fascination with everything and everyone she encounters is interesting enough, but it dragged on a bit too long. Once Diana, Alia and friends are at the ball, however, the book picked back up for me. There was a definite YA feel to the novel (which, it is—so no surprise there), and the expected action sequences, shows of strength, a hint of romance and coming into one’s own for both Alia and Diana. There were expected and unexpected twists. Overall I enjoyed Women Woman: Warbringer, although it didn’t quite live up the hype surrounding it.
Mozhan Marno, an actress on the Blacklist television show, narrates the audio version of Wonder Woman: Warbringer. I thought she did a good job of pulling me into the story and making me feel like I was a part of the characters’ lives.
I liked that Bardugo is able to get across just how different Diana is not only from mortals but also from the Amazons. She did not come to the island the same way as the other women did, dying a heroic death. Diana, a teenager, longs to prove to the Amazons she belongs and to find her place among them. When a ship wreck leads to her saving a teenage girl, Diana risks exile if she’s discovered. It soon becomes clear that the mortal girl’s presence on the island is detrimental to the Amazons, and Diana must make a choice.
Bardugo takes an iconic character and creates her own Wonder Woman story tied to legends and myths of old. Alia, the mortal girl, is being hunted by those who think she is a catalyst of war. I especially liked Alia’s backstory—or the backstory of who and what she is, to be more exact. I found it all very intriguing.
I found the book slow in spots, particularly when Diana first sets foot in New York. Her fascination with everything and everyone she encounters is interesting enough, but it dragged on a bit too long. Once Diana, Alia and friends are at the ball, however, the book picked back up for me. There was a definite YA feel to the novel (which, it is—so no surprise there), and the expected action sequences, shows of strength, a hint of romance and coming into one’s own for both Alia and Diana. There were expected and unexpected twists. Overall I enjoyed Women Woman: Warbringer, although it didn’t quite live up the hype surrounding it.
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I enjoyed this one, and I've the next book of this series, The Batman: Nightwalker in my pile. I'm looking forward to reading it soon.
ReplyDeleteMelody - I am curious about the Batman book. I may try it in print though, instead of audio.
DeleteI loved the Wonder Woman movie and this sounds pretty interesting!
ReplyDeleteEustacia - The movie was really good, wasn't it? I loved it too. I hope you enjoy this book if you read it. I thought it was fun, and I liked Leigh Bardugo's take on the mythology.
DeleteInteresting to hear what you thought dragged on audio. I didn't feel that way with the book, but in a book you can sort of make your own pace. I love this author's other work though so I was favorably predisposed!
ReplyDeleteJill - I haven't yet read her other book, but I have a couple of them on my TBR pile. I did enjoy this one, even if not as much as I had hoped.
DeleteI can't wait to read this book! I still need to order it, but it's high on the list. It is a book that all the time you see around, so it got a lot of hype around it. Glad to hear that it still was very entertaining, but not so happy to hear that it wasn't amazing or anything mind blowing. I still want to give it a try, but I know now that I should not expect to much from it. :)
ReplyDeleteNina - I hope you enjoy it! A lot of people seemed to love it, so you may too. I enjoyed it, and think it is worth reading.
DeleteI'm glad there are female superheroes like Wonder Woman but reading about them isn't my thing. I'm glad you enjoyed this, though.
ReplyDeleteKathy - I am glad there are too. I enjoy the superhero movies and occasionally graphic novels, but this was my first foray into a novel.
DeleteThis is an author that I've been meaning to try as well! I still haven't seen the new movie yet - shame on me! I've had this one on my radar thanks to all of the hype also but still haven't picked it up yet. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteSamantha - You have to see the movie as soon as you can. It's really good. I think anyway. :-)
DeleteThis book is on my tbr list and I have been considering going with the audio. I thought I was Wonder Woman when I was young or maybe just wished that I was. I ended up loving the movie so I feel like I need to give this book a try. I am glad you liked it despite that fact that it was slow in spots.
ReplyDeleteCarole - I used to pretend I was Wonder Woman too. I hope you enjoy this book when you get to it, Carole!
DeleteI am not sure if I want to do the audio or read this one. It has been on wish list since I heard about it, but that is as far as it got.
ReplyDeleteKelly - It's a tough choice. I hope you enjoy this one whichever way you go!
DeleteI loved Wonder Woman but I do agree with you about some of the New York bits dragging on for too long. I remember skimming a lot in that section of the book.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - It was really good, but I am glad to hear I am not the only one who felt parts dragged. It was a fun book overall.
DeleteI still haven't seen the movie and probably will try to get that before I read this book. I admit this isn't high on my list simply because I prefer to watch superhero movies vs. reading superhero stories.
ReplyDeleteIliana - I probably should not have read the book so soon after seeing the movie, but it just worked out that way. I highly recommend the movie if you get the chance (and if you like superhero movies).
DeleteYou know I really don't know all that much about Wonder Woman. I've seen bits and pieces of the show and that's about it. I do really want to watch the movie and you have me wanting to read the book - despite the slow spots!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I think you might like it, Katherine. I hope you do give it a chance and enjoy it!
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