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Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed?
An upcoming book to be published by Penguin Random House.
Hardcover
About the author
DaVaun Sanders
47 books118 followersDaVaun Sanders (he/him) resides in Phoenix, Arizona. His short fiction has appeared in FIYAH, PodCastle, Broken Eye Books, Dancing Star Press, the New York Times bestselling anthology, Black Boy Joy, and elsewhere. He continues to expand his work in children's SFF, for his own twins and kids everywhere who deserve to enjoy inclusive stories. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @davaunsanders for Rottie shenanigans, #twinlife updates, and occasional writerly things.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 6, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Again, prolly a 3.5 end of the day butttttttttttt
Ok, a lot of my criticism is gonna be personal, so to get objective and good things out of the way: well written, very distinct voices for each character, which is very important for a large ensemble like this (personally very big fan of America’s near constant use of Spanish) and the story is interesting and resolves in unique ways.
That said!
Oof this was a struggle to get through!
I think it can be tied to a very specific plot point that features the removal of my personal favorite of these What If characters from the back half of the book which happens to be when I felt when the story really dragged and I stopped reading this for like a month before I saw that my ARC was going to expire and I decided I still wanted to finish this. Cuz I love this series! All the others I read in like a couple of weeks! But I just kind of hit a wall here and had to actively push through to finish. And I think there we have my personal second problem and that’s that by default, as it’s the finale to the series, this is all more, not new, and longer as well. And I just didn’t feel as engaged.
It’s still good and a banger finale, I just didn’t run with it as much. And again, it’s mostly just cuz I didn’t like an early story choice and then that bled into my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
Oh also though, the pop culture references got very cloying. KPop Demon Hunters dates this book like crazyyyy (and I love that movie!) And when Doctor Doom referenced pop culture? That took me out every time
So yeah. I loved how this ended, wrapping up everyone’s story, and I’m soooooo glad those two got together at the end!!! But long stretches of eh in the middle really hurt my overall enjoyment.
Again, prolly a 3.5 end of the day butttttttttttt
Ok, a lot of my criticism is gonna be personal, so to get objective and good things out of the way: well written, very distinct voices for each character, which is very important for a large ensemble like this (personally very big fan of America’s near constant use of Spanish) and the story is interesting and resolves in unique ways.
That said!
Oof this was a struggle to get through!
I think it can be tied to a very specific plot point that features the removal of my personal favorite of these What If characters from the back half of the book which happens to be when I felt when the story really dragged and I stopped reading this for like a month before I saw that my ARC was going to expire and I decided I still wanted to finish this. Cuz I love this series! All the others I read in like a couple of weeks! But I just kind of hit a wall here and had to actively push through to finish. And I think there we have my personal second problem and that’s that by default, as it’s the finale to the series, this is all more, not new, and longer as well. And I just didn’t feel as engaged.
It’s still good and a banger finale, I just didn’t run with it as much. And again, it’s mostly just cuz I didn’t like an early story choice and then that bled into my enjoyment of the rest of the book.
Oh also though, the pop culture references got very cloying. KPop Demon Hunters dates this book like crazyyyy (and I love that movie!) And when Doctor Doom referenced pop culture? That took me out every time
So yeah. I loved how this ended, wrapping up everyone’s story, and I’m soooooo glad those two got together at the end!!! But long stretches of eh in the middle really hurt my overall enjoyment.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for an advance copy of this new adventure featuring Marvel characters from all over the myriad universes combing to forma group to stop the actions of Doctor Doom, actions that mean the end of everything.
I have been reading comics for the longest time. However unlike many I am not a person who is stuck on continuity. Maybe it is because when I started comics, my only supplier was my grandmother buying them for me at a local candy shop. As such I would read the middle of an adventure, sometime the end, or even a beginning with no idea what happened. I'd get Spider-Man one month, Sad Sack the next, Superman, after that. Continuity is a problem for new readers. One shouldn't have to learn 50 years of back story to enjoy a comic book. Which is why I enjoy stories like What If...? Sure some of them are based on important events What if Gwen Stacy didn't die, or if Captain America was never found. Or my personal favorite Conan the Barbarian in the Marvel Universe. Many though feature characters coming together, having adventures with explanations along the way. And are a lot of fun. Like this novel series. Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed? is the fifth book in the What If...? series this one by DaVaun Sanders dealing with the aftereffects of the previous book, and an emboldened Doctor Doom on a quest for ultimate power, and leaving a trail of destroyed universes behind him.
America Chavez is a hero with the ability to travel between worlds with a past and burden that has tested her as a hero. Recently Chavez has crossed path with a Kitty Pryde from an other universe, an X-Man but one who is now filled with the most destructive power in the universe the Phoenix Force. Chavez and Pryde are finally at rest, enjoying pizza, a burgeoning friendship, and some peace from universal destruction, Watchers giving orders. However they know this is only temporary. Doctor Doom is loose in the multi-verse, seeking power the way on Doom can. Destroying those weaker than him, leaving a path of obliterated universes, and Doom more powerful than before. Doom's goal is Franklin Richards, the son of the Reed Richards and Sue Storm Richards, an Omega level mutant with untapped potential. Chavez and Pryde must form a super group, an Avengers of the Multiverse with other universe-displaced heroes to stop Doom. For it might mean the end of all things, for if Doom can't win, no one else will either.
This is the fifth book in the series, so I would really suggest reading the others. DaVaun Sanders does a good job of catching new readers up, but with the other books all written by other authors, some things might be missed. The story is good, cosmic in scope, big in problems, and yet the characters are all well-developed and interesting. I must say the book starts out a little teen fiction-ish, but I am old so that could be me. There are a lot of minor and major changes with characters, so continuity is not an issue. These characters are explained enough for new readers, though familiarity with Marvel in general would be helpful. Not movie Marvel, though most of these characters have appeared, or will appear soon. There is a nice pace to the story, intro, what has happened, pizza party, and whomp the adventure begins. The ending is good, makes sense, and leaves the story open for more.
A nice adventure, similar to the early prose adventures from the 1990's where one just had to know a bit about the characters to enjoy. I think these are the way to go, as What If...? allows a lot more story potential without having to bog those familiar down with the same old character backgrounds to keep new readers interested. A lot of fun, and the first work by DaVaun Sanders that I have read, and an author I will have to look out for.
I have been reading comics for the longest time. However unlike many I am not a person who is stuck on continuity. Maybe it is because when I started comics, my only supplier was my grandmother buying them for me at a local candy shop. As such I would read the middle of an adventure, sometime the end, or even a beginning with no idea what happened. I'd get Spider-Man one month, Sad Sack the next, Superman, after that. Continuity is a problem for new readers. One shouldn't have to learn 50 years of back story to enjoy a comic book. Which is why I enjoy stories like What If...? Sure some of them are based on important events What if Gwen Stacy didn't die, or if Captain America was never found. Or my personal favorite Conan the Barbarian in the Marvel Universe. Many though feature characters coming together, having adventures with explanations along the way. And are a lot of fun. Like this novel series. Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed? is the fifth book in the What If...? series this one by DaVaun Sanders dealing with the aftereffects of the previous book, and an emboldened Doctor Doom on a quest for ultimate power, and leaving a trail of destroyed universes behind him.
America Chavez is a hero with the ability to travel between worlds with a past and burden that has tested her as a hero. Recently Chavez has crossed path with a Kitty Pryde from an other universe, an X-Man but one who is now filled with the most destructive power in the universe the Phoenix Force. Chavez and Pryde are finally at rest, enjoying pizza, a burgeoning friendship, and some peace from universal destruction, Watchers giving orders. However they know this is only temporary. Doctor Doom is loose in the multi-verse, seeking power the way on Doom can. Destroying those weaker than him, leaving a path of obliterated universes, and Doom more powerful than before. Doom's goal is Franklin Richards, the son of the Reed Richards and Sue Storm Richards, an Omega level mutant with untapped potential. Chavez and Pryde must form a super group, an Avengers of the Multiverse with other universe-displaced heroes to stop Doom. For it might mean the end of all things, for if Doom can't win, no one else will either.
This is the fifth book in the series, so I would really suggest reading the others. DaVaun Sanders does a good job of catching new readers up, but with the other books all written by other authors, some things might be missed. The story is good, cosmic in scope, big in problems, and yet the characters are all well-developed and interesting. I must say the book starts out a little teen fiction-ish, but I am old so that could be me. There are a lot of minor and major changes with characters, so continuity is not an issue. These characters are explained enough for new readers, though familiarity with Marvel in general would be helpful. Not movie Marvel, though most of these characters have appeared, or will appear soon. There is a nice pace to the story, intro, what has happened, pizza party, and whomp the adventure begins. The ending is good, makes sense, and leaves the story open for more.
A nice adventure, similar to the early prose adventures from the 1990's where one just had to know a bit about the characters to enjoy. I think these are the way to go, as What If...? allows a lot more story potential without having to bog those familiar down with the same old character backgrounds to keep new readers interested. A lot of fun, and the first work by DaVaun Sanders that I have read, and an author I will have to look out for.
September 11, 2026
Let's wrap it all up with the final book in the Marvel: What If... series with
Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed?
by DaVaun Sanders. While each author had a tough task in crafting these stories, Sanders by-far at the toughest of all. Sanders brings together four other books with varying stories together in a final tale that caps of the series, but was also a lot to take in.
So many worlds, so little time. Infinite possibilities, creating infinite realities. Long have we watched Doctor Doom claw after power, dominion, and godhood. But what if there was a higher calling just out of his reach? What if he would tame the entire cosmos to claim it?
What if . . . a Watcher saved the Multiverse?
Victor von Doom was never one to simply accept his fate. He swept his way across the vast labyrinth of the Multiverse, altering the course of universe after universe. But their sacrifice was one he was willing to make. Every new world granted him the means to conquer his destiny and embrace something bigger than himself, a fate beyond the confines of his own reality. And at long last he has the final piece he needs to uncover the whereabouts of the person this was all for: a boy named Franklin.
America Chavez and Kitty Pryde are battered and broken. Thrown together by the wreckage of a shattered universe, they realize that even with the Phoenix Force barely contained within Kitty, they need a team. A team who has as much skin in the game as they do. So America must gather the nexus beings that survived Doom—Loki, the Scarlet Witch, and Venom-Moon Knight—to make one last stand.
Love is an immutable constant in all of reality. But it also is the catalyst for the greatest change. Taking up arms as Avengers of the Multiverse, the group must give up their comfort and security to find Franklin Richards before Doom. Can they save all of reality, or must they avenge everyone they’ve ever loved?
With each book in the series featuring a different Marvel character, in addition to The Watcher and Doom, it was nice to see most of them again in this final tale. However, that is a big task to take on, a lot of characters in one story (not to mention the few additional characters added to this book), and connect them all in a way that makes sense and gives the series its purpose. So, I will say that Sanders did what he had to do to make this all work, but for me it was a bit overwhelming.
I get what Marvel and Random House Worlds were setting out to accomplish with this series, a collection of books that feels similar to what we have gotten on the big screen with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this time across the multiverse featuring different versions of our favorite characters. Four individual tales then one tentpole book to cap things off. However, I don't think it landed as well as the movies did as each character needed page time to make an impact and can't just be part of a battle in the background without mention and we can see with out eyes. Therefore, at times I felt overwhelmed.
It was refreshing to see Kitty Pryde and America Chavez at the center of this all, not to mention Doom being the antagonist, setting itself apart from most other big storylines we have seen from Marvel over the years. While it might be necessary to read all four books in the series prior to reading this one, I can also see merit to jumping in here as you only really need to know the basics of each character to get this story and Sanders does enough to lay that foundation.
Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed? is an epic and fitting conclusion to the series of novels. DaVaun Sanders had the incredible task of wrapping things up in this final book and handles the task well. Overall the series features some excellent stories and others that are good, so in the end a success on Marvel's and the author's part.
Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed? is available at bookstores everywhere from Marvel / Random House Worlds. The audiobook, narrated by Kevin R. Free, is available via Libro.fm!
So many worlds, so little time. Infinite possibilities, creating infinite realities. Long have we watched Doctor Doom claw after power, dominion, and godhood. But what if there was a higher calling just out of his reach? What if he would tame the entire cosmos to claim it?
What if . . . a Watcher saved the Multiverse?
Victor von Doom was never one to simply accept his fate. He swept his way across the vast labyrinth of the Multiverse, altering the course of universe after universe. But their sacrifice was one he was willing to make. Every new world granted him the means to conquer his destiny and embrace something bigger than himself, a fate beyond the confines of his own reality. And at long last he has the final piece he needs to uncover the whereabouts of the person this was all for: a boy named Franklin.
America Chavez and Kitty Pryde are battered and broken. Thrown together by the wreckage of a shattered universe, they realize that even with the Phoenix Force barely contained within Kitty, they need a team. A team who has as much skin in the game as they do. So America must gather the nexus beings that survived Doom—Loki, the Scarlet Witch, and Venom-Moon Knight—to make one last stand.
Love is an immutable constant in all of reality. But it also is the catalyst for the greatest change. Taking up arms as Avengers of the Multiverse, the group must give up their comfort and security to find Franklin Richards before Doom. Can they save all of reality, or must they avenge everyone they’ve ever loved?
With each book in the series featuring a different Marvel character, in addition to The Watcher and Doom, it was nice to see most of them again in this final tale. However, that is a big task to take on, a lot of characters in one story (not to mention the few additional characters added to this book), and connect them all in a way that makes sense and gives the series its purpose. So, I will say that Sanders did what he had to do to make this all work, but for me it was a bit overwhelming.
I get what Marvel and Random House Worlds were setting out to accomplish with this series, a collection of books that feels similar to what we have gotten on the big screen with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this time across the multiverse featuring different versions of our favorite characters. Four individual tales then one tentpole book to cap things off. However, I don't think it landed as well as the movies did as each character needed page time to make an impact and can't just be part of a battle in the background without mention and we can see with out eyes. Therefore, at times I felt overwhelmed.
It was refreshing to see Kitty Pryde and America Chavez at the center of this all, not to mention Doom being the antagonist, setting itself apart from most other big storylines we have seen from Marvel over the years. While it might be necessary to read all four books in the series prior to reading this one, I can also see merit to jumping in here as you only really need to know the basics of each character to get this story and Sanders does enough to lay that foundation.
Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed? is an epic and fitting conclusion to the series of novels. DaVaun Sanders had the incredible task of wrapping things up in this final book and handles the task well. Overall the series features some excellent stories and others that are good, so in the end a success on Marvel's and the author's part.
Marvel: What If...The Multiverse Was Doomed? is available at bookstores everywhere from Marvel / Random House Worlds. The audiobook, narrated by Kevin R. Free, is available via Libro.fm!
September 20, 2026
As a Marvel lover, this book was magnificent to me. So much happened and there were so many twists and turns. It had a great comic book vibe with all of the cameos and small references and different realities being visited by America and our Nexus beings. I love that it took the time to show us all of them bonding and training together, especially between America, Wanda, Marc/Steven/Jake/Khonshu, and Venom at Strange Academy. Then a little with Loki when he finally joins them later in the story. Doom is such a brilliant psychotic character and truly could not be stopped until everybody locked in and then even Sue Storm and Quinn Thorsdottir, along with Franklin Richards all lent a huge helping hand in his defeat. There were so many callbacks to the previous books in this series and it was fun to catch and it was also fun to visit each of their realities again and kind of get an update on their stories from where we had left off at. This book was a journey and a wonderful ending to this 5 book series. It covered all of the bases for each character and their development. I love how they all felt like family by the end and it was shown by them partying together and celebrating and getting matching tattoos. It was nice to see them all getting to have fun and be a little carefree after all of the doom and gloom they endured (pun intended). I’m also so glad Kitty came back and her and America got to stay together in the end. This book was pretty action-packed from the first page until the last. It was such a fun read and I’m glad that I decided to read this series as both an MCU and Marvel Comics fan. The Avengers of the Multiverse are such a fun and sometimes dysfunctional group. I hope maybe we can see more of them somehow in someway, but even if we don’t, I am definitely satisfied with the way everything concluded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2026
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
⭐⭐⭐
So I have to be fair and say this probably just isn't my kind of book hence my lower rating.
The story is fun and well written. The characters are well developed and kept me interested in the story.
Reading the other books in the series are a must in order to fully enjoy this installment.
A great read for comic fans who enjoy multiverse team-ups and adventures that go big on cosmic stakes.
⭐⭐⭐
So I have to be fair and say this probably just isn't my kind of book hence my lower rating.
The story is fun and well written. The characters are well developed and kept me interested in the story.
Reading the other books in the series are a must in order to fully enjoy this installment.
A great read for comic fans who enjoy multiverse team-ups and adventures that go big on cosmic stakes.
September 19, 2026
This was for sure the weaker book in the series. They let the author have too much free reign and every time a bit of the author came out it made me cringe. I just wanted to read about this world I grew up reading comics about and not about Dr. Doom taking America Chavez Scotty Pippen sneakers or how Doom is good at basketball. With this storyline it felt like if you watched the MCU where Tony sacrifices himself but instead you have him saying something silly instead of I am Iron Man. It just ruins the magic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2026
3.5 rating! The Multiverse is very vast and confusing haha! I would have liked to enjoy this more with Avengers Doomsday coming in a few months but there were far too many characters to keep up with. I feel like you will have to go back and reread some of the earlier books in the What If series to see how everything ties together in this book. Nevertheless, it was a fun time with this series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another fantastic read for Marvel fans. This is the third book in the ‘what if’ series set in the multiverse. Brings all the favourite heroes to life, with unique combinations you can only get within these novels and rare appearances not seen on film or tv. Really enjoyed this just like the previous two. Highly recommended.
August 31, 2026
The final novel in the series has America Chavez and Kitty Pride facing off against Victor Von Doom.
I would read this before the upcoming movie release, as it has some good clues.
Sanders references the Oscar winning movie:
Everything Everywhere All at Once
I would read this before the upcoming movie release, as it has some good clues.
Sanders references the Oscar winning movie:
Everything Everywhere All at Once
August 22, 2026
3,5 / 5 ☆
September 6, 2026
*2.75
September 15, 2026
Sadly, this conclusion was the second worst novel of the entire series for me.
September 28, 2026
The book had some cool concepts (Venom Moon Knight, Kitty with the Phoenix Force, etc) but I just didn’t find the overall plot that interesting.
August 6, 2026
What an absolute triumph! This finale is a spectacular conclusion to this exciting series. I have been delaying my completion because I'll never be able to read it for the first time again. There are countless characters to keep track of while maintaining their characterization, and Sanders excels at it. These characters-- with sometimes limitless abilities-- have been brought to life in such a meaningful way. I have read a lot of Marvel prose, but this series (and especially this conclusion) takes the cake. Genuinely grateful to Sanders and the other authors for crafting this section of the multiverse.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews