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Marvel Thor: Crusade of the Forgotten
While seeking a weapon capable of standing against Thor's mighty hammer, Mjolnir, Loki unwittingly frees a Forgotten Asgardian warrior. Entombed for thousands of years, SágaÕs rage cannot be contained, and her thirst for vengeance will demand more than Thor's legendary strength to secure her defeat.
Marvel Thor: Crusade of the Forgotten will take Thor on an action-packed adventure that will force him and Loki to momentarily reconcile their differences to the face a greater adversary. Written by veteran comic-book and fantasy writer Pat Shand, this novel will delight fans of all ages.
Marvel Thor: Crusade of the Forgotten will take Thor on an action-packed adventure that will force him and Loki to momentarily reconcile their differences to the face a greater adversary. Written by veteran comic-book and fantasy writer Pat Shand, this novel will delight fans of all ages.
223 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2017
3 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Pat Shand
661 books91 followersPAT SHAND writes comic books (Robyn Hood, Family Pets, Charmed, Angel) and pop culture journalism (Sad Girls Guide, Blastoff Comics). He lives in San Diego with his girlfriend and their veritable zoo of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 16, 2018
Thor is my favorite superhero, and Loki my favorite villain. So, I read a LOT of material featuring them; either together, or separate, in comics, novels and in the retellings of the myths. With all that, I cannot even put into words how much I loved this story!
In the last few years, Marvel has been releasing more and more YA-targeted novels featuring their characters. These novels have done very well blending the comic versions of the characters with the often more familiar film versions, with originals stories from the authors. I had read and enjoyed Keither DeCandido's "Thor: Dueling with Giants", so I didn't hesitate to order this when I came across it. And it totally blew me away.
What makes Thor and Loki my favorite is the depth of their relationship - they have so much history and an unshakeable bond as brothers that underlies their antagonism. Shand uses that to great effect here. When Sif discovers a secret cavern, Odin violently forbids her and Thor from returning. So of course, Loki simply has to investigate and unwittingly unleashes a dangerous enemy upon Asgard. Saga will shake Asgard, and the royal family, to its core.
Loki and Thor are definitely written as fusions of the comic and film versions here. This allows references to both canon - such as The Hood referencing Loki dying during Siege and being reborn as a child, but, his dialog and mannerisms draw from the MCU. It's similar for Thor. I hope Shand writes more stories of Asgard, because he has a gift for these characters. Fantastic!
In the last few years, Marvel has been releasing more and more YA-targeted novels featuring their characters. These novels have done very well blending the comic versions of the characters with the often more familiar film versions, with originals stories from the authors. I had read and enjoyed Keither DeCandido's "Thor: Dueling with Giants", so I didn't hesitate to order this when I came across it. And it totally blew me away.
What makes Thor and Loki my favorite is the depth of their relationship - they have so much history and an unshakeable bond as brothers that underlies their antagonism. Shand uses that to great effect here. When Sif discovers a secret cavern, Odin violently forbids her and Thor from returning. So of course, Loki simply has to investigate and unwittingly unleashes a dangerous enemy upon Asgard. Saga will shake Asgard, and the royal family, to its core.
Loki and Thor are definitely written as fusions of the comic and film versions here. This allows references to both canon - such as The Hood referencing Loki dying during Siege and being reborn as a child, but, his dialog and mannerisms draw from the MCU. It's similar for Thor. I hope Shand writes more stories of Asgard, because he has a gift for these characters. Fantastic!
February 17, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. It was fun, fast, clever, and I thought well-done. Heroes like Thor, Superman, Sif, Hercules, and even the Hulk can be difficult to write about, as villains need to be created that can oppose them without being easily overcome. They are super-strong, may or may not have other abilities, and I personally believe Thor and the other Asgardians are truly smarter than they are portrayed as being. In any case, I thought the author did a nice job of tying this novel into his prior two novels (although moreso Avengers - the Serpent Society than Iron Man - Mutually Assured Destruction), as well. The character development was good - I liked how he developed not only Thor's character but Sif's and Loki's as well. I thought he handled the characters well, 'keeping them in their character' as established in the comics. This book seemed more inline with the comics, though, than the movies (or the S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show), which was fine with me.
It tells the story of a forgotten warrior who returns with a vengeance. It is a sad tale, to be sure, considering what happened to the "villain" and why the villain behaves the way the villain behaves.
There was quite a bit of humor in the book; I was kinda surprised by it, in some respects. I did feel the humor worked.
One thing I thought interesting about the book was that Thor does not return to Asgard until chapter four - nearly seventy pages into the book. The first three chapters, he is on Earth, aiding the Avengers before chasing down some villains. it was a bit of a surprise at 'how long' it took him to return to Asgard. It works, but it was unexpected. I kept expecting him to return to his home much sooner than he did. Also, the book takes place over a few days, so that was kinda interesting to me, as well. Not sure why, but it was.
I especially liked the interactions between Sif and Thor. I have always felt those two were 'destined' for each other (well, until Sif met Beta-Ray Bill and Thor met Wonder Woman), and I have not always liked the way their relationship is portrayed in the comics. I thought the author did an excellent job portraying their relationship. He did this by portraying their friendship and their relationship as having varying levels of closeness and intimacy throughout the entire book. I also liked that she did not get a short thrift in the book; the Warriors Three were taken out well before she was, which I was okay with.
I also enjoyed Loki in the story. He was not quite portrayed as being 'the same' way he is portrayed in the comics, but i also felt he was not portrayed in this book like he was in the movies. That being the case, Loki was his usual self, seeking out means of mischief while not necessarily considering 'the future' or the consequences of his actions. I liked some of his discussions with Thor in this novel, to be honest. I thought they helped make him more of a sympathetic character as well as enabling the reader(s) to understand Loki better. He did have it hard, in many respects, and Odin's claims of trying to keep him on the 'right path' ring a little hollow. It does make one wonder what Odin was thinking, adopting Loki like he did.
Overall, it was a fun book and I am glad that I read it. I will have to keep an eye out for more books like this as I think these books an their authors are doing an amazing job bringing Thor and the other Marvel characters to the masses.
It tells the story of a forgotten warrior who returns with a vengeance. It is a sad tale, to be sure, considering what happened to the "villain" and why the villain behaves the way the villain behaves.
There was quite a bit of humor in the book; I was kinda surprised by it, in some respects. I did feel the humor worked.
One thing I thought interesting about the book was that Thor does not return to Asgard until chapter four - nearly seventy pages into the book. The first three chapters, he is on Earth, aiding the Avengers before chasing down some villains. it was a bit of a surprise at 'how long' it took him to return to Asgard. It works, but it was unexpected. I kept expecting him to return to his home much sooner than he did. Also, the book takes place over a few days, so that was kinda interesting to me, as well. Not sure why, but it was.
I especially liked the interactions between Sif and Thor. I have always felt those two were 'destined' for each other (well, until Sif met Beta-Ray Bill and Thor met Wonder Woman), and I have not always liked the way their relationship is portrayed in the comics. I thought the author did an excellent job portraying their relationship. He did this by portraying their friendship and their relationship as having varying levels of closeness and intimacy throughout the entire book. I also liked that she did not get a short thrift in the book; the Warriors Three were taken out well before she was, which I was okay with.
I also enjoyed Loki in the story. He was not quite portrayed as being 'the same' way he is portrayed in the comics, but i also felt he was not portrayed in this book like he was in the movies. That being the case, Loki was his usual self, seeking out means of mischief while not necessarily considering 'the future' or the consequences of his actions. I liked some of his discussions with Thor in this novel, to be honest. I thought they helped make him more of a sympathetic character as well as enabling the reader(s) to understand Loki better. He did have it hard, in many respects, and Odin's claims of trying to keep him on the 'right path' ring a little hollow. It does make one wonder what Odin was thinking, adopting Loki like he did.
Overall, it was a fun book and I am glad that I read it. I will have to keep an eye out for more books like this as I think these books an their authors are doing an amazing job bringing Thor and the other Marvel characters to the masses.
June 7, 2018
My first Thor/Loki non-comic adventure on the page. I've read enough Loki-focused comics (read: I'm a little obsessive) to know what I do and don't like in a Loki arc... and I really enjoyed this one. I feel there's a little too much resentment coming from both bothers for when this lands in the comics timeline, but there is an engaging journey for both of them and it, once again, really drives home how Odin is literally the worst dad in the universe. Ever.
And while, as usual, I don't have any strong feelings about what females Thor entangles himself with, it was good to see Loki in an arc where he isn't manipulating a love/lust/like interest -- the genuine emotion Loki moments are what I live for, always.
And while, as usual, I don't have any strong feelings about what females Thor entangles himself with, it was good to see Loki in an arc where he isn't manipulating a love/lust/like interest -- the genuine emotion Loki moments are what I live for, always.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2021
It's a pokeball.
November 4, 2022
I loved this book!! I felt like i was watching a great marvel film! Lots of humor & seriousness mixed into one.
February 16, 2023
I don’t care much for heroes and villains who have seemingly limitless power, because it is a bit too convenient. Motivations for past actions were extreme, even for gods.
December 18, 2017
4.5
Wow. After reading Pat Shand's Avengers Serpent Society novel, I was expecting a decent read to pass the time, but I sorely underestimated this book. In the acknowledgments he states that Thor is his favorite character, and it certainly shows.
Not going into too much detail to give the plot away, it starts as much as you would expect, Thor with a couple of the Avengers working on tech Stark and Banner have created and Thor longing for action (careful what you wish for) as he is pretty much a test subject for Tony's seeming amusement. That is until his brother shows up. after Loki's seeming involvement in a secret criminal meeting gone awry, Thor chases him back to Asgard. And then, that is when the rubber hits the road, as they say. A forgotten being of the past somehow (Loki may have a hand in it?) returns. Mistakes and dark secrets unravel as what Thor and his friends come to find what they thought they knew may have been hidden from them. Shand's novel then takes Thor, his friends and family through a dark and difficult time of adventure, tragedy and has emotion embedded in the story.
I have to be honest, I bought this expecting a read to divert my attention from normalcy for a while but found a book that I will remember fondly for quite some time to come. I definitely recommend this book. Well done.
Wow. After reading Pat Shand's Avengers Serpent Society novel, I was expecting a decent read to pass the time, but I sorely underestimated this book. In the acknowledgments he states that Thor is his favorite character, and it certainly shows.
Not going into too much detail to give the plot away, it starts as much as you would expect, Thor with a couple of the Avengers working on tech Stark and Banner have created and Thor longing for action (careful what you wish for) as he is pretty much a test subject for Tony's seeming amusement. That is until his brother shows up. after Loki's seeming involvement in a secret criminal meeting gone awry, Thor chases him back to Asgard. And then, that is when the rubber hits the road, as they say. A forgotten being of the past somehow (Loki may have a hand in it?) returns. Mistakes and dark secrets unravel as what Thor and his friends come to find what they thought they knew may have been hidden from them. Shand's novel then takes Thor, his friends and family through a dark and difficult time of adventure, tragedy and has emotion embedded in the story.
I have to be honest, I bought this expecting a read to divert my attention from normalcy for a while but found a book that I will remember fondly for quite some time to come. I definitely recommend this book. Well done.
April 22, 2018
A very fun and easy read. Perfect for all Thor fans.
January 13, 2023
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews