Natasha Romanoff is one of the world's most lethal assassins. Trained
from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the
title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room,
Moscow's infamous academy for operatives.
Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager,
but her life has been anything but average. The daughter of a missing Russian
quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military
experiments-until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D.
protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but
Black Widow isn't really the big sister type.
Until now.
When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors
of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old
teacher has returned-and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop
him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must
unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed
boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava's dreams. . . .
Black Widow: Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure
readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author
Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill
loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black
Widow for the very first time.
Before
I even start this review, I have to give Stohl a virtual bear hug for writing
this book because Black Widow has to be one of my favorite comic book/fictional
character ever. So of course I was going to pick up Black Widow: Forever Red
simply because it had Natasha in it. I was so glad I picked this book up too
not only because it featured Natasha herself, but also two other characters who
I quickly began to like.
Black
Widow: Forever Red was told from 3 changing POVs: Ava, Alex, and Natasha’s.
Now, had I known that fact before buying the book, I might have been a little
apprehensive about it because as some of you may know, multiple POVs is a huge
turn off for me. However, I loved the way Stohl wrote all three POVs. There was
no pattern to the change in POVs so it was always fun to start a new chapter
and see whose view it was told from. Personally, I loved Ava's POV because she
was an amazing character filled with a lot of emotion. She was the kind of
character that you instantly gravitated towards because her story was so sad
that you couldn't help but get attached. Ava was also a really strong character
mentally. She could have been in the middle of a war zone and not run away
screaming like I would have. I really admired that about her, and the fact that
she had a free and loving side of her that showed up less often than the stoic
side.
Alex
was also a really interesting character. I immediately got the sense that he
was special somehow and it created a mysterious atmosphere about him that I
wanted to uncover. He was a huge goofball sometimes, but also a scary fighter
when he had to be. I loved reading about him interacting with the other
characters in the book because he always seemed to make everyone love him. I
know I did.
Then we
have the special characters (AKA the other Avengers) who everyone is wondering
whether they show up in the book and the answer is yes. Some of our favorite
characters associated with Black Widow made an appearance, and I loved it. It
was also hilarious seeing Alex, who happened to be a superhero/Avenger fan
react to meeting said characters. They were true to their original comic book
characters as far as I am concerned, and it basically felt like I was reading
another really long comic book. I would tell you who made an appearance, but
that would totally ruin the surprise. However, I can talk about the plot!
The
plot of Black Widow was a really complex and interesting one. Some may say that
the pacing in the beginning was a little slow, but I liked that about this
book. First, we got to know a little about the characters, which was really
important, then we got to the action. This book was full of action, mystery,
and twists that will have you holding this book to your chest with your mouth
dropped open in shock. I only know this because it happened to me. I was NOT
prepared for the surprises and twists that this book had in store for me. I
honestly did not see them coming, and I loved every minute of it because it had
my attention focused solely on the book. The twists and mysteries aren't the
only thing that had me hooked, the action had me on the edge of my seat too. I
knew this book would be full of badass fighting scenes and awesome moves worthy
of the Black Widow, but I wasn't prepared when Ava and Alex started acting like
super spies too. Reading Ava's fighting scenes was exhilarating and fun. I
loved reading about her fighting like Black Widow. Then I got to the part of
the book that crushed my heart and left me in tears. Literally. That twist was
one I did not see coming and it hit me like the Hulk. I wanted to cry and rant
about it here, but I can't spoil it. Just know that the ending will leave you
either hopeful that that certain event didn't happen or broken because you
realize that event did happen and there is no going back. I'm in the latter
category, and my eyes are leaking. THIS BOOK WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME CRY,
AND I LOVE AND HATE IT FOR THAT, Damn it. *walks off crying hysterically*
You
guys really need to read this book because it will satisfy every part of you
and leave you wanting, no, needing more. I cannot tell you how much I love this
book. Ava, Alex, and Natasha were amazing and so was the plot. Those of you who
love anything Marvel related, superhero related, or fans of mystery, action,
and twists will adore this book. Black
Widow: Forever Red has earned its rightful place on my favorites shelf. I give
it five out of five stars!
I also had the pleasure of meeting Margaret Stohl at YALLFest 2016 in Charleston, SC and she was so awesome! It made my day meeting her.
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