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Marvel Titan Books #12
X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga
One of the most popular X-Men epics of all time, revealing the birth of perhaps the deadliest force in the galaxy--Dark Phoenix.Piloting a shuttle through a deadly solar flare, Jean Grey saves the X-Men, but is possessed by one of the universe's most powerful forces--the Phoenix. As she adapts to her new powers, the mutant team launches an assault against the clandestine organization known as the Hellfire Club. Once inside, however, Jean is tricked by the villain Mastermind into betraying her teammates. She becomes first the Hellfire Club's Black Queen and then Dark Phoenix, as the power to destroy worlds bursts forth uncontrolled. Shooting into deep space, Jean destroys an entire star system, then encounters a cruiser piloted by the spacefaring race the Shi'ar. When the cruiser is obliterated, the Shi'ar queen decrees that the Phoenix must die. But only the X-Men can hope to stop Dark Phoenix, and save Jean Grey.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2019
85 people are currently reading
557 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Moore
399 books69 followersSTUART MOORE is a writer, a book editor, and an award-winning comics editor.
Among his current writing projects are THE ZODIAC LEGACY, created and cowritten by Stan Lee and published by Disney, featuring an all-new team of teenaged super heroes in a series of illustrated prose novels and graphic novels; DOMINION: LAST SACRIFICE, a comic book series for Amazon/Jet City; and THANOS: DEATH SENTENCE, an original Marvel prose novel. Recent work includes EGOs, an original comic book series from Image Comics, and GARTER'S BIG SCORE, an original ebook novella for Kindle. He also contributed two series, TEACH and OUT WITH A BANG, to the launch of the online comics app Stela. Other comics work includes WOLVERINE NOIR and NAMOR: THE FIRST MUTANT (Marvel); FIRESTORM (DC Comics); assorted Star Trek and Transformers projects; and the science-fiction graphic novels EARTHLIGHT, PARA, SHADRACH STONE, and MANDALA. Prose writing includes the novel version of Marvel’s CIVIL WAR, and Disney Worldwide's JOHN CARTER: THE MOVIE NOVELIZATION.
Among his current writing projects are THE ZODIAC LEGACY, created and cowritten by Stan Lee and published by Disney, featuring an all-new team of teenaged super heroes in a series of illustrated prose novels and graphic novels; DOMINION: LAST SACRIFICE, a comic book series for Amazon/Jet City; and THANOS: DEATH SENTENCE, an original Marvel prose novel. Recent work includes EGOs, an original comic book series from Image Comics, and GARTER'S BIG SCORE, an original ebook novella for Kindle. He also contributed two series, TEACH and OUT WITH A BANG, to the launch of the online comics app Stela. Other comics work includes WOLVERINE NOIR and NAMOR: THE FIRST MUTANT (Marvel); FIRESTORM (DC Comics); assorted Star Trek and Transformers projects; and the science-fiction graphic novels EARTHLIGHT, PARA, SHADRACH STONE, and MANDALA. Prose writing includes the novel version of Marvel’s CIVIL WAR, and Disney Worldwide's JOHN CARTER: THE MOVIE NOVELIZATION.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
December 26, 2024
Actual rating is 3.5 stars.
This is the novelization of the famous comic story line. It is so famous that the powers to be have made this story line into a movie on two different occasions. Maybe the third time will be the charm and they will do it right. In this one Jean Grey mutates to even something more and she cannot contain this new mutation. She is a major threat to the universe.
Going into this I knew most of this story. I have seen the movies and I listen to an X-Men audio drama podcast that covered this story. I was looking for a more depth in story. I received that to a degree but not as much as I would have liked. There were parts of the story that seem fast tracked. I understand that they could not go into the depth like the comic run but this novel flew thru the buildup to rise of the phoenix. I was liking the story but I wanted more. I will say there were parts of this novel that I thought were fabulous. I loved the battle between the team and that is what I want to see on the big screen. I also thought the exploration of the relationship between Scott and Jean was terrific. The author really excelled with this and his portrayal of the other characters as well.
I think the enjoyment of this novel depends on how much prior knowledge the reader has of this famous event from the comics. If this is all new I believe it will provide much more enjoyment than readers who seen or read this story. For the most part it will feel like a rehash to them. That being said I did enjoy it throughout and there were some parts that were amazing.
This is the novelization of the famous comic story line. It is so famous that the powers to be have made this story line into a movie on two different occasions. Maybe the third time will be the charm and they will do it right. In this one Jean Grey mutates to even something more and she cannot contain this new mutation. She is a major threat to the universe.
Going into this I knew most of this story. I have seen the movies and I listen to an X-Men audio drama podcast that covered this story. I was looking for a more depth in story. I received that to a degree but not as much as I would have liked. There were parts of the story that seem fast tracked. I understand that they could not go into the depth like the comic run but this novel flew thru the buildup to rise of the phoenix. I was liking the story but I wanted more. I will say there were parts of this novel that I thought were fabulous. I loved the battle between the team and that is what I want to see on the big screen. I also thought the exploration of the relationship between Scott and Jean was terrific. The author really excelled with this and his portrayal of the other characters as well.
I think the enjoyment of this novel depends on how much prior knowledge the reader has of this famous event from the comics. If this is all new I believe it will provide much more enjoyment than readers who seen or read this story. For the most part it will feel like a rehash to them. That being said I did enjoy it throughout and there were some parts that were amazing.
May 25, 2019
This was a fun book to read. It is a 'modern take' on a classic story; aspects of it have been updated to bring it into the 21st Century as opposed to being 'stuck' in 1980. I thought the author did a great job capturing the character's attitudes, behavior, and thoughts. I almost wish I had a copy of the comics to read alongside this; it would be interesting to see what was changed, what was added, and what remained the same as the comics were translated into a novelized format (especially as the author freely admits that changes were made in the story in relation to the characters and how they interacted with each other).
What with it being an updated telling of a classic storyline, was there any character improvement or changes that occurred in the novel? Ummmm . . . . I think so, yes. From what I remember, Jean was always playing second fiddle to the other X-Men, even in relation to Ororo Monroe, in the comics. In this retelling of the story, we get a hint of Jean's frustration at 'always' being reduced to some kind of subservient role and feelings of not being her own woman, her own person, being able to make her own contributions to the team. The Phoenix Power "gives her the strength" to find her voice, to act out on her own, after she saves the team in the opening pages of the book.
Cyclops also has a bit of an epiphany. He comes to realize he has been dominating Jean more than he had realized, that she had dreams and desires and goals even he did not know about. He strives to change over the course of the novel once he has this epiphany, but I am not sure how well it works, to be honest. He still kept falling into his 'old ruts' of demanding things of her and telling her what to do, even after he has the discovery of how much she resents his being 'overbearing' and 'demanding' of her, of how he has 'run roughshod' over her and her feelings, her desires, without once considering what she might have to offer to the team in terms of powers, abilities, observations, or insight. Granted, this all stems from the updated retelling and adaptation of the story, but Cyclops never really seems to learn from any epiphanies he has, be it in novels, novelizations, or the comics.
I am not sure how much character development there was in terms of the other characters in the book. Perhaps if I go back and reread the comics and then ponder anew the novelized adaptation, I might be able to see where they grew as characters. It is interesting - I remember the first time I read this storyline, I was shocked at how it turned out. I knew Jean Grey had died, but I did not know everything behind why she died or how she died (other than she died on the moon). That storyline generated some very strong emotions in me, to be honest. I 'hated' the Shi'ar and their Imperial Guard for the longest time because of what happened in this series. This time around, reading the novelization, it did not generate very many strong emotions in me, to be honest. I was really kind of disappointed that this was the case; I thought it might generate something, some kind of emotional response. I kind of almost wish there was "more" in terms of some kind of internal conflict inside of Jean or the X-Men.
There were some of the differences between the comics and the novelization that I do seem to remember.
I also enjoyed some of the 'cameos' that were in the novel .
For the most part, I did enjoy reading this novelization of a classic storyline. I thought the author did an excellent job in adapting this story for 'modern times,' overall, but I did feel the 'emotional element, the emotional punch,' was lacking. I have no idea how tough it is to take a story that was written in the late 70s (1979ish and published in 1980) and adapt it for the 'modern times,' but I imagine it has to be a tough thing to do. So, yeah, it was 'fun' to read about modern technology as it was interwoven within the original storyline (such as cell phones, tablets, and updated computers, for example). I would rate it 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars. While I could see myself reading it again, at some point, in the future, it has made me want to read the storyline in the comics, now, to 'compare' how closely the novelized adaptation followed the original storyline and how the two differed.
What with it being an updated telling of a classic storyline, was there any character improvement or changes that occurred in the novel? Ummmm . . . . I think so, yes. From what I remember, Jean was always playing second fiddle to the other X-Men, even in relation to Ororo Monroe, in the comics. In this retelling of the story, we get a hint of Jean's frustration at 'always' being reduced to some kind of subservient role and feelings of not being her own woman, her own person, being able to make her own contributions to the team. The Phoenix Power "gives her the strength" to find her voice, to act out on her own, after she saves the team in the opening pages of the book.
Cyclops also has a bit of an epiphany. He comes to realize he has been dominating Jean more than he had realized, that she had dreams and desires and goals even he did not know about. He strives to change over the course of the novel once he has this epiphany, but I am not sure how well it works, to be honest. He still kept falling into his 'old ruts' of demanding things of her and telling her what to do, even after he has the discovery of how much she resents his being 'overbearing' and 'demanding' of her, of how he has 'run roughshod' over her and her feelings, her desires, without once considering what she might have to offer to the team in terms of powers, abilities, observations, or insight. Granted, this all stems from the updated retelling and adaptation of the story, but Cyclops never really seems to learn from any epiphanies he has, be it in novels, novelizations, or the comics.
I am not sure how much character development there was in terms of the other characters in the book. Perhaps if I go back and reread the comics and then ponder anew the novelized adaptation, I might be able to see where they grew as characters. It is interesting - I remember the first time I read this storyline, I was shocked at how it turned out. I knew Jean Grey had died, but I did not know everything behind why she died or how she died (other than she died on the moon). That storyline generated some very strong emotions in me, to be honest. I 'hated' the Shi'ar and their Imperial Guard for the longest time because of what happened in this series. This time around, reading the novelization, it did not generate very many strong emotions in me, to be honest. I was really kind of disappointed that this was the case; I thought it might generate something, some kind of emotional response. I kind of almost wish there was "more" in terms of some kind of internal conflict inside of Jean or the X-Men.
There were some of the differences between the comics and the novelization that I do seem to remember.
I also enjoyed some of the 'cameos' that were in the novel .
For the most part, I did enjoy reading this novelization of a classic storyline. I thought the author did an excellent job in adapting this story for 'modern times,' overall, but I did feel the 'emotional element, the emotional punch,' was lacking. I have no idea how tough it is to take a story that was written in the late 70s (1979ish and published in 1980) and adapt it for the 'modern times,' but I imagine it has to be a tough thing to do. So, yeah, it was 'fun' to read about modern technology as it was interwoven within the original storyline (such as cell phones, tablets, and updated computers, for example). I would rate it 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars. While I could see myself reading it again, at some point, in the future, it has made me want to read the storyline in the comics, now, to 'compare' how closely the novelized adaptation followed the original storyline and how the two differed.
July 19, 2019
Straight from the source
It was fun to read. A nice way to trek Jean's ascension to her demise. I definitely recommend to old or new fans.
It was fun to read. A nice way to trek Jean's ascension to her demise. I definitely recommend to old or new fans.
December 10, 2020
I have received this book for free for reviewing purposes. My opinions are my own.
I initially wanted to wait until I had seen the movie X-Men: Dark Phoenix before writing the review, but between my surgery and seeing the ratings, my boyfriend and I decided to wait for the blu-ray instead. So, here’s a really late review of this prose-adaption of the original story arc of the famous Dark Phoenix Saga!
Before reading this, I hadn’t yet read any prose adaption of a graphic novel (I didn’t even know it was a thing!). It was a completely new experience for me and I absolutely enjoyed it! It was great to start with THE story about my favourite X-Men character Jean Gray. I haven’t read any of X-Men comics yet, though I have a few laying around, so I had absolutely no point of comparison. Though I would have loved to compare the original and the adaption, I am now able to tell about how it is to read this as a standalone novel!
Adapting one media to another (book to movie, graphic novel to prose, etc.) is extremely hard and I have much respect for everyone who actively adapts stories. I have taken this into account with my rating and whatever flaws I have encountered along the way.
Some may have read my review of X-Men: Days of Future Past. I have actually read that AFTER this one, but I am glad I have a point of comparison to review this properly. If you look at my review of Days of Future Past, I mentioned that Alex Irvine was trying very hard to include enough visual descriptions that he overdid it and overall there was a lack of page time for the actual story. I am very glad to say that Stuart Moore did a very good job to balance the two quite well. At a few points you can tell where the graphic tile would have ended and a next would have begun, but it isn’t super obvious and easy to ignore while reading.
I think that one of the hardest things of adapting a story is actually writing it. With the graphic novel there, the story arc already exists. But telling the story from a graphic novel through prose writing is just completely something else. You really have to give the story a piece of yourself and I really enjoyed the way Stuart Moore did this. Though he really nailed it, it wasn’t seemless. There were still notable differences throughout the book that must be the difference between parts of the story that were already written and the parts he wrote or tied together. The differences weren’t major and flowed well together that if you don’t mind or pay attention too hard, you wouldn’t even notice them.
I absolutely loved the story itself. It was so different than what I expected, but much better really. There was a great balance in character spotlight which I really appreciated. The story is centered around the becoming and rising of the Dark Phoenix A.K.A Jean Gray, but it’s still an X-Men story. While Jean is easily the one taking up the front, the rest of the team still gets a chance to shine. I really love that. Another signficant thing about character balance is that Wolverine, while being the front person in the Fox movies, is just one of the team. That’s a really welcome change for me to be honest. While I love Wolverine, I like this balance better.
Something I miss in the MCU (but seems to be on its way) is the fact that the X-Men and the Avengers exist in the same universe. There were several short parts and nods towards the Avengers throughout the book and I just really wanted to nerd out about that! Now Disney owns Fox, I can’t wait for the MCU to become a collective universe for Marvel characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. Despite it having flaws, it was a very good read. I am not even bothered by the flaws as adapting stories is hard and some are just so hard to avoid if you want to stay true to your source. Besides, it was amazing to finally know the full story about the Dark Phoenix and have actually read the book (regardless of it being an adaption of another format) in preparation of the movie. I really hope the blu-ray releases soon enough so I can give you all a full comparison later!
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of X-Men, but also Marvel in general. I would even want to specify fans of Captain Marvel as the Dark Phoenix Saga has similar tropes, though the MC turns into a villain rather than a hero.
I initially wanted to wait until I had seen the movie X-Men: Dark Phoenix before writing the review, but between my surgery and seeing the ratings, my boyfriend and I decided to wait for the blu-ray instead. So, here’s a really late review of this prose-adaption of the original story arc of the famous Dark Phoenix Saga!
Before reading this, I hadn’t yet read any prose adaption of a graphic novel (I didn’t even know it was a thing!). It was a completely new experience for me and I absolutely enjoyed it! It was great to start with THE story about my favourite X-Men character Jean Gray. I haven’t read any of X-Men comics yet, though I have a few laying around, so I had absolutely no point of comparison. Though I would have loved to compare the original and the adaption, I am now able to tell about how it is to read this as a standalone novel!
Adapting one media to another (book to movie, graphic novel to prose, etc.) is extremely hard and I have much respect for everyone who actively adapts stories. I have taken this into account with my rating and whatever flaws I have encountered along the way.
Some may have read my review of X-Men: Days of Future Past. I have actually read that AFTER this one, but I am glad I have a point of comparison to review this properly. If you look at my review of Days of Future Past, I mentioned that Alex Irvine was trying very hard to include enough visual descriptions that he overdid it and overall there was a lack of page time for the actual story. I am very glad to say that Stuart Moore did a very good job to balance the two quite well. At a few points you can tell where the graphic tile would have ended and a next would have begun, but it isn’t super obvious and easy to ignore while reading.
I think that one of the hardest things of adapting a story is actually writing it. With the graphic novel there, the story arc already exists. But telling the story from a graphic novel through prose writing is just completely something else. You really have to give the story a piece of yourself and I really enjoyed the way Stuart Moore did this. Though he really nailed it, it wasn’t seemless. There were still notable differences throughout the book that must be the difference between parts of the story that were already written and the parts he wrote or tied together. The differences weren’t major and flowed well together that if you don’t mind or pay attention too hard, you wouldn’t even notice them.
I absolutely loved the story itself. It was so different than what I expected, but much better really. There was a great balance in character spotlight which I really appreciated. The story is centered around the becoming and rising of the Dark Phoenix A.K.A Jean Gray, but it’s still an X-Men story. While Jean is easily the one taking up the front, the rest of the team still gets a chance to shine. I really love that. Another signficant thing about character balance is that Wolverine, while being the front person in the Fox movies, is just one of the team. That’s a really welcome change for me to be honest. While I love Wolverine, I like this balance better.
Something I miss in the MCU (but seems to be on its way) is the fact that the X-Men and the Avengers exist in the same universe. There were several short parts and nods towards the Avengers throughout the book and I just really wanted to nerd out about that! Now Disney owns Fox, I can’t wait for the MCU to become a collective universe for Marvel characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. Despite it having flaws, it was a very good read. I am not even bothered by the flaws as adapting stories is hard and some are just so hard to avoid if you want to stay true to your source. Besides, it was amazing to finally know the full story about the Dark Phoenix and have actually read the book (regardless of it being an adaption of another format) in preparation of the movie. I really hope the blu-ray releases soon enough so I can give you all a full comparison later!
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of X-Men, but also Marvel in general. I would even want to specify fans of Captain Marvel as the Dark Phoenix Saga has similar tropes, though the MC turns into a villain rather than a hero.
June 28, 2021
I was walking around barnes and noble with one purchase in hand and enough money for 1 more paperback. When I can't think of what to purchase, or when nothing jumps out at me, I like to see if there are any adaptations that are available. Either movies or graphic novels that I haven't seen or read. Then I saw this. It was both a movie and a graphic novel lol
This was a fun read for me as I knew of the story and maybe a main point or 2 but I wasn't entirely familiar with it.
It was great to see the apparent death of Jean grey to the slow change from Phoenix to black queen to dark Phoenix back to the real death ??? Hmm. 1980. No not her real death either most likely.
I never knew she consumed a star and 5 billion people perished. Crazy.
I also liked the hellfire club. This was my first introduction to them as well. Always love reading of emma frost and thinking of january Jones. Lol.
This was a fun read for me as I knew of the story and maybe a main point or 2 but I wasn't entirely familiar with it.
It was great to see the apparent death of Jean grey to the slow change from Phoenix to black queen to dark Phoenix back to the real death ??? Hmm. 1980. No not her real death either most likely.
I never knew she consumed a star and 5 billion people perished. Crazy.
I also liked the hellfire club. This was my first introduction to them as well. Always love reading of emma frost and thinking of january Jones. Lol.
May 25, 2021
Bought this book online thinking it was a comic. Ooops.
Anyhow I own it so I read it. And it didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed reading the novel.
That being said it's for the comic book fans, cause if you don't know anything about the X-man comics you'll struggle following the storyline.
Anyhow I own it so I read it. And it didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed reading the novel.
That being said it's for the comic book fans, cause if you don't know anything about the X-man comics you'll struggle following the storyline.
December 6, 2024
Apie norą išsilaisvint. Apie aukas kitų labui. Apie galios troškimą.
July 9, 2019
I got this book and wanted to read it before the Movie releases June 7th 2019. Even though the movie property has never stuck to the original comic book story , Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force is one of my favorite characters/ stories from my favorite Comic book property: The XMen.
So how does this book hold up?
I would have to say the beginning is fairly slow and drags. Unless you're really familiar with what happens before the book you don't have much of a reason to care or understand Jeans connection to her team mates.
Its later in the story as you get more point of views and more background you really feel for what's is happening and begin to understand and relate to their struggle.
Id say you'll fly through the last 50% of the novel. Extra side note, Kitty happens to be one of my other favorite XMen and one of my all time favorite powers. I did NOT expect her to get as much time in the book as she did. So that was an extra bonus for me, loved it!
I originally bought this just as a collectible to put on my book shelf with my Phoenix collectibles/ statues but Im glad I read it. I recommend it to anyone a fan of X-Men whether you're hardcore or not its still a very good look at a beautifully tragic story.
So how does this book hold up?
I would have to say the beginning is fairly slow and drags. Unless you're really familiar with what happens before the book you don't have much of a reason to care or understand Jeans connection to her team mates.
Its later in the story as you get more point of views and more background you really feel for what's is happening and begin to understand and relate to their struggle.
Id say you'll fly through the last 50% of the novel. Extra side note, Kitty happens to be one of my other favorite XMen and one of my all time favorite powers. I did NOT expect her to get as much time in the book as she did. So that was an extra bonus for me, loved it!
I originally bought this just as a collectible to put on my book shelf with my Phoenix collectibles/ statues but Im glad I read it. I recommend it to anyone a fan of X-Men whether you're hardcore or not its still a very good look at a beautifully tragic story.
July 13, 2019
This story reminds me a lot of what happened in 90s cartoon of the X-Men. I loved that cartoon and story. This version, many of the events are the same, some are different, and not all of the characters from the 90s version are in this story - they were replaced (I won’t say who). I loved how he kept the story the same but changed it just enough so that it was slightly different.
May 4, 2022
X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga, by Stuart Moore is a novelization based of the Marvel comic’s X-Men comic story arc “The Dark Phoenix Saga” by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and John Byrne.
The focus of this story is Jean Gray, who makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the X-Men whilst piloting a doomed space shuttle through a mysterious solar flare. That is until a miracle occurs, and Jean finds herself reborn, as a literal phoenix reborn from the ashes. However, Jean’s transformation into the Phoenix is just the start of her journey, and we see the impact that it has on her having become one of the universes most powerful beings. Alongside the X-Men, she sets out to defeat an organisation known as the Hellfire Club, but complications ensue when her powers become difficult to contain, and her life takes a surprising, dark turn. When her new powers take her over creating an evil alter ego called the Dark Phoenix. That not only threatens her fellow X-Men, but the Planet itself.
Though I still haven’t been able to get a hold of the original comic series, I know enough about X-Men lore to understand its importance and legacy. I was excited to read this novelization and went in with an open mind. For the most part, I say it succeeded! The story is completely wild and bold. I believe it is fairly accurate, because I can tell some moments didn’t age very well. That said, it keeps the campy dialogue, high octane action, and creativity the X-Men are known for. Readers who enjoy the X-Men are the ones who will enjoy this the most. There are references to previous events that are essentially glossed over, and the assumption is that the reader knows who the classic characters are. I did, so the plot flowed relatively well for me. It’s always fun to see beloved heroes working together to beat up bad guys. Where this story wins however, is its depiction of the bond between Scott and Jean as she struggles to contain the Phoenix Force. That power is famed throughout Marvel and I never really understood why. Now I do, and to see it grow within Jean was shocking and horrifying. Jean fighting against this entity, warring with her own self, and Scott losing her is heartbreaking and makes for an epic tragedy. Moore’s writing with Jean under the Phoenix Force’s influence really sucked me into the moment. While I would have enjoyed a bit more characterization and internal thought, I think this is a thrilling, solid story for comic fans wanting to witness, or relive, one of the greatest story arcs in the X-Men lore.
The focus of this story is Jean Gray, who makes the ultimate sacrifice to save the X-Men whilst piloting a doomed space shuttle through a mysterious solar flare. That is until a miracle occurs, and Jean finds herself reborn, as a literal phoenix reborn from the ashes. However, Jean’s transformation into the Phoenix is just the start of her journey, and we see the impact that it has on her having become one of the universes most powerful beings. Alongside the X-Men, she sets out to defeat an organisation known as the Hellfire Club, but complications ensue when her powers become difficult to contain, and her life takes a surprising, dark turn. When her new powers take her over creating an evil alter ego called the Dark Phoenix. That not only threatens her fellow X-Men, but the Planet itself.
Though I still haven’t been able to get a hold of the original comic series, I know enough about X-Men lore to understand its importance and legacy. I was excited to read this novelization and went in with an open mind. For the most part, I say it succeeded! The story is completely wild and bold. I believe it is fairly accurate, because I can tell some moments didn’t age very well. That said, it keeps the campy dialogue, high octane action, and creativity the X-Men are known for. Readers who enjoy the X-Men are the ones who will enjoy this the most. There are references to previous events that are essentially glossed over, and the assumption is that the reader knows who the classic characters are. I did, so the plot flowed relatively well for me. It’s always fun to see beloved heroes working together to beat up bad guys. Where this story wins however, is its depiction of the bond between Scott and Jean as she struggles to contain the Phoenix Force. That power is famed throughout Marvel and I never really understood why. Now I do, and to see it grow within Jean was shocking and horrifying. Jean fighting against this entity, warring with her own self, and Scott losing her is heartbreaking and makes for an epic tragedy. Moore’s writing with Jean under the Phoenix Force’s influence really sucked me into the moment. While I would have enjoyed a bit more characterization and internal thought, I think this is a thrilling, solid story for comic fans wanting to witness, or relive, one of the greatest story arcs in the X-Men lore.
August 1, 2023
pro bem e pro mal, essa é uma das histórias mais fundamentais pra entender os x-men, né?
uma das coisas que eu sinto que os fãs e as pessoas falham em entender é o quanto toda essa história da fênix é um pastiche – e é isso que a torna irresistível. afinal, tem uma mulher ficando maluca e adquirindo poder incomensurável: claro que a gayzada do twitter vai amar (autocrítica). mas, o que eu mais gosto é como essa história em particular é uma síntese perfeita do tempo em que foi originalmente concebida. e, o mais fascinante sobre não é sobre o que essa história é... e sim o quão deliciosamente RIDÍCULA ela é.
primeiro, ela começa com uma sequência de ação gigantesca no espaço. depois, vira um coming of age sobre racismo. aí, se torna levemente um suspense erótico inspirado em romances góticos. não bastando, logo em seguida vira uma versão de o exorcista com collants apertados, só que, no lugar de um demônio, temos uma galinha cósmica com muito fogo no rabo (literalmente). por fim, temos uma ficção-científica duvidosa, com muitas armaduras coloridas, falas pomposas, poderes de pássaros mágicos e um debate imortal: você perdoaria uma maluca por cometer genocídio se ela fosse uma gostosa sofrida?
e aqui tem o verdadeiro X (hehe) da questão. não existe um traço de cinismo aqui. os mutantes enfrentam os perigos mais estapafúrdios sem nenhuma hesitação. você enfrentaria um tribunal espacial, homens brancos ricos peludos de sotaque e armados de preconceito e bala, um abusador palhaço de circo, a esposa malvada do seu antigo chefe e em certo ponto, até o divino, pra salvar quem você ama? os x-men sim. eles caem, ficam todos quebrados, fodidos. mas levantam. cospem em cima deles, xingam, os renegam. então eles vão lá. se levantam. não desistem.
de todas as comunidades que os mutantes representam, dá pra ver porque a queer é a que mais abraça e funciona. afinal, apenas existirmos parece ser o bastante pra enfurecer algumas pessoas. então, sempre que dá, gosto de ler algo que me lembre que, por mais sombrio que tudo possa ser, não posso me esquecer de continuar. vários lutaram antes de mim. vários terão depois de eu me for. mas devo continuar lutando. seguindo.
e claro, jean grey: encanta. wanda maximoff: espanta. e sem choro!
uma das coisas que eu sinto que os fãs e as pessoas falham em entender é o quanto toda essa história da fênix é um pastiche – e é isso que a torna irresistível. afinal, tem uma mulher ficando maluca e adquirindo poder incomensurável: claro que a gayzada do twitter vai amar (autocrítica). mas, o que eu mais gosto é como essa história em particular é uma síntese perfeita do tempo em que foi originalmente concebida. e, o mais fascinante sobre não é sobre o que essa história é... e sim o quão deliciosamente RIDÍCULA ela é.
primeiro, ela começa com uma sequência de ação gigantesca no espaço. depois, vira um coming of age sobre racismo. aí, se torna levemente um suspense erótico inspirado em romances góticos. não bastando, logo em seguida vira uma versão de o exorcista com collants apertados, só que, no lugar de um demônio, temos uma galinha cósmica com muito fogo no rabo (literalmente). por fim, temos uma ficção-científica duvidosa, com muitas armaduras coloridas, falas pomposas, poderes de pássaros mágicos e um debate imortal: você perdoaria uma maluca por cometer genocídio se ela fosse uma gostosa sofrida?
e aqui tem o verdadeiro X (hehe) da questão. não existe um traço de cinismo aqui. os mutantes enfrentam os perigos mais estapafúrdios sem nenhuma hesitação. você enfrentaria um tribunal espacial, homens brancos ricos peludos de sotaque e armados de preconceito e bala, um abusador palhaço de circo, a esposa malvada do seu antigo chefe e em certo ponto, até o divino, pra salvar quem você ama? os x-men sim. eles caem, ficam todos quebrados, fodidos. mas levantam. cospem em cima deles, xingam, os renegam. então eles vão lá. se levantam. não desistem.
de todas as comunidades que os mutantes representam, dá pra ver porque a queer é a que mais abraça e funciona. afinal, apenas existirmos parece ser o bastante pra enfurecer algumas pessoas. então, sempre que dá, gosto de ler algo que me lembre que, por mais sombrio que tudo possa ser, não posso me esquecer de continuar. vários lutaram antes de mim. vários terão depois de eu me for. mas devo continuar lutando. seguindo.
e claro, jean grey: encanta. wanda maximoff: espanta. e sem choro!
October 29, 2025
I'm starting to think that converting a comic series into a novel maybe isn't the best idea. I think it's smart in theory, but perhaps the mediums are more different than they may seem, so trying to expand a highly graphic and fast-paced comic into long-form prose is clearly tough. That's essentially what happened here. Cool storyline, lots of fun scenes and action sequences, tons of fun characters, so many tie-ins to other stories... but it's all just too much. I think more needed to be cut out to allow room for filler descriptions and emotions and breathing room, things novels need since they don't usually come with a visual aid like comics do. So while I actually did enjoy most parts of this book, I just didn't think they came together particularly well as a whole. I think an original novel story is a better route.
May 7, 2022
Very easy read. Has mainly dialogue so not a lot of text on the pages. Yes jumps from lots of different heads and their 1st person views but also take into consideration dealing with one of the world's most powerful psychics who has their powers drastically amplified. Overall easy to follow and good choice for getting a good understanding of the Dark Phoenix Saga.
December 26, 2023
Great walk down memory lane. Great xmas present. Finished in 2 days easy read. Updated just a little from what I remember.
May 25, 2025
This novelization of the comic run was so good!!!! X-Men/Jean Grey/The Dark Phoenix is one of my favorite parts of Marvel! I'm so sad that the movies haven't been super great... maybe they'll get it on the third try! Now, they have a series of comics AND this novelization to help them!!!
January 10, 2024
I have been an X-men fan for as long as I can remember. I started with the cartoon series X-men Evolution, and my love for the team blossomed from there. I knew about the story of the Phoenix, I knew about what happened to Jean. But I did not know the details, I had never read the original comic run. So when I saw this novelization at my local Barnes & Noble, I knew that now was the time to read this famous comics event.
Long story short, I liked it. For me, it started off really slowly. I understood why all that was being shown to us was important, but it dragged a bit. But once Jean returned to the Xavier school, I just could not put this book down, I was hooked.
The characters in this book were superbly written. The introspection and development of Jean through this book were excellently written, I understand why so many fans hold her as one of their favorite characters. Kitty Pryde was also used really well here. Here pretense was never too long, and she was incorporated into the plot seamlessly.
I liked that we get glimpses at all of the “First Class” of the school. We see how they have changed and evolved, and how they themselves feel about how they have changed and evolved.
This book changed my perception of one key character, for the better. It may not be the one you would think. Wolverine was the character I had the biggest view shift towards in this book. Seeing his turmoil of always being the one who needs to do the hardest things, the one who is the blunt instrument. We see him grapple with this and struggle with how his teammates, his family, see him because of this. Wolverine as a character had never clicked with me in the same way he had for others. I liked him sure, and I loved his portrayal in the “Logan” movie, but this book demented in my mind why he is a character so often utilized.
This book is fantastic. I recommend it to any comics fan, new or old.
Long story short, I liked it. For me, it started off really slowly. I understood why all that was being shown to us was important, but it dragged a bit. But once Jean returned to the Xavier school, I just could not put this book down, I was hooked.
The characters in this book were superbly written. The introspection and development of Jean through this book were excellently written, I understand why so many fans hold her as one of their favorite characters. Kitty Pryde was also used really well here. Here pretense was never too long, and she was incorporated into the plot seamlessly.
I liked that we get glimpses at all of the “First Class” of the school. We see how they have changed and evolved, and how they themselves feel about how they have changed and evolved.
This book changed my perception of one key character, for the better. It may not be the one you would think. Wolverine was the character I had the biggest view shift towards in this book. Seeing his turmoil of always being the one who needs to do the hardest things, the one who is the blunt instrument. We see him grapple with this and struggle with how his teammates, his family, see him because of this. Wolverine as a character had never clicked with me in the same way he had for others. I liked him sure, and I loved his portrayal in the “Logan” movie, but this book demented in my mind why he is a character so often utilized.
This book is fantastic. I recommend it to any comics fan, new or old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2024
they’ve tried to do this story as a movie on 2 separate occasions and still can’t do it
January 6, 2024
I liked how It started off in act one and built up through act two, but my interest dwindled at act three. Just ok in the end and my rating is held up by the first 2/3 of the book.
I did not read this story in X-Men comics prior to reading this book.
I did not read this story in X-Men comics prior to reading this book.
March 29, 2025
Jako, że kocham całe filmowe Uniwersum Marvela, to tutaj nie mogło być inaczej 🥰 Książka bardzo przyjemnie napisana i szybko się czyta
- 1 gwiazdka za zakończenie 😭
Mimo, że w filmach nie jestem jakąś dużą fanką Cyclopsa, to tutaj był wspaniały 😍
Totally in love with Scott Summers
- 1 gwiazdka za zakończenie 😭
Mimo, że w filmach nie jestem jakąś dużą fanką Cyclopsa, to tutaj był wspaniały 😍
Totally in love with Scott Summers
September 4, 2019
Originally reviewed online at BORG.com.
Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and John Byrne’s Dark Phoenix saga in the pages of The Uncanny X-Men has attained classic status in the eyes of comics readers, up there with The Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen, and Days of Future Past. So adapting the story into another medium forty years later is one of those cultural mainstays, a modern analogue to creating a new Sherlock Holmes film, Frankenstein movie, or another generation’s interpretation of a Shakespeare play. Marvel Comics itself has given this a go a few times now, usually as subplots or tie-in concepts, and at the movies Marvel tried it with X-Men: United, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Dark Phoenix, this year’s wrap-up to the X-Men films. X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga, the new hardcover novel from author Stuart Moore (Captain Ginger, Civil War, Thanos: Death Sentence) comes the closest so far to a faithful adaptation for Dark Phoenix purists.
We probably should blame Marvel’s bankruptcy and resulting character/universe splits and business decisions for the disjointed handling of the Dark Phoenix characters and plot points at the movies. Dark Phoenix is an interesting story, but not the only X-Men story, so it would have been better revealed over five or six movies culminating in a Jean Grey-centered finale, since the character has been defined as Earth’s most powerful superhero as the Marvel universe is concerned. She’s worth it. Now with the successes of theatrical comic book adaptations, and the formula of long-term story development in the genre a proven commodity, maybe fans will see more loyal movie adaptations coming (hopefully only after we get to see some of the hundreds of other stories adapted). But fans of the comics will be pleased here: Moore doesn’t play games with his novel. Readers will find the classic game of chess and all the key pieces: Emma Frost, Sebastian Shaw, Jason Wyngarde, Donald Pierce, Harry Leland, Lilandra, Moira MacTaggert, and X-Men Xavier/Charles, Kitty Pryde, Scott Summers and Logan & Co. (except notably Beast, who for some reason was not included).
Despite marketing to the effect of adapting the tale to the 21st century, if that’s true it’s only subtly handled. The bones of the story are the same (including the awkward 1970s Harlequin romance subplot from the comics with Jean and a Regency era lover, every cringeworthy bit). New readers, those unfamiliar with the story at all, will likely find some of those classic Claremont and Cockrum elements a bit jolting and distracting to the overall narrative, and episodic tangent shifts more typical to a monthly comic than longform story. But Moore brings it all together with the key conflicts and outcomes of the source material falling into place.
As a bonus, Moore does what I have found to be the best part of Titan’s new lines of novels for both Marvel Comics and DC Comics–expanding the stories with as many additional universe characters possible. So look for appearances from characters movie audiences have not seen commingled with the X-Men: Peter Parker, Doctor Strange, Tony Stark, and more.
Ultimately it all comes down to the success of translating a powerful young woman from Marvel Girl to the Black Queen, to Phoenix and Dark Phoenix, to arrive at good rationale for her to be unable to control her powers, and to face the destiny of every legendary tale of the Phoenix. Readers will wrestle with the question of fault, of responsibility, intent, and punishment, all those elements of criminal law that courts must address in the real world. This means challenging your own take on whether the writers got it right back in the 1980s with the original story. Does Jean deserve to die? Is Jean Grey one and the same with the Dark Phoenix or can they be seen as two distinct beings? If there’s an answer in Moore’s adaptation, it’s only to the extent the questions were raised in the source material.
Fans of the original novel will find a loyal adaptation by Moore, and readers only familiar with the film versions will learn some new nuggets inside some favorite characters’ backgrounds. X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga is available now in hardcover, published as part of Titan Books’ ongoing comic book novel adaptations.
Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and John Byrne’s Dark Phoenix saga in the pages of The Uncanny X-Men has attained classic status in the eyes of comics readers, up there with The Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen, and Days of Future Past. So adapting the story into another medium forty years later is one of those cultural mainstays, a modern analogue to creating a new Sherlock Holmes film, Frankenstein movie, or another generation’s interpretation of a Shakespeare play. Marvel Comics itself has given this a go a few times now, usually as subplots or tie-in concepts, and at the movies Marvel tried it with X-Men: United, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Dark Phoenix, this year’s wrap-up to the X-Men films. X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga, the new hardcover novel from author Stuart Moore (Captain Ginger, Civil War, Thanos: Death Sentence) comes the closest so far to a faithful adaptation for Dark Phoenix purists.
We probably should blame Marvel’s bankruptcy and resulting character/universe splits and business decisions for the disjointed handling of the Dark Phoenix characters and plot points at the movies. Dark Phoenix is an interesting story, but not the only X-Men story, so it would have been better revealed over five or six movies culminating in a Jean Grey-centered finale, since the character has been defined as Earth’s most powerful superhero as the Marvel universe is concerned. She’s worth it. Now with the successes of theatrical comic book adaptations, and the formula of long-term story development in the genre a proven commodity, maybe fans will see more loyal movie adaptations coming (hopefully only after we get to see some of the hundreds of other stories adapted). But fans of the comics will be pleased here: Moore doesn’t play games with his novel. Readers will find the classic game of chess and all the key pieces: Emma Frost, Sebastian Shaw, Jason Wyngarde, Donald Pierce, Harry Leland, Lilandra, Moira MacTaggert, and X-Men Xavier/Charles, Kitty Pryde, Scott Summers and Logan & Co. (except notably Beast, who for some reason was not included).
Despite marketing to the effect of adapting the tale to the 21st century, if that’s true it’s only subtly handled. The bones of the story are the same (including the awkward 1970s Harlequin romance subplot from the comics with Jean and a Regency era lover, every cringeworthy bit). New readers, those unfamiliar with the story at all, will likely find some of those classic Claremont and Cockrum elements a bit jolting and distracting to the overall narrative, and episodic tangent shifts more typical to a monthly comic than longform story. But Moore brings it all together with the key conflicts and outcomes of the source material falling into place.
As a bonus, Moore does what I have found to be the best part of Titan’s new lines of novels for both Marvel Comics and DC Comics–expanding the stories with as many additional universe characters possible. So look for appearances from characters movie audiences have not seen commingled with the X-Men: Peter Parker, Doctor Strange, Tony Stark, and more.
Ultimately it all comes down to the success of translating a powerful young woman from Marvel Girl to the Black Queen, to Phoenix and Dark Phoenix, to arrive at good rationale for her to be unable to control her powers, and to face the destiny of every legendary tale of the Phoenix. Readers will wrestle with the question of fault, of responsibility, intent, and punishment, all those elements of criminal law that courts must address in the real world. This means challenging your own take on whether the writers got it right back in the 1980s with the original story. Does Jean deserve to die? Is Jean Grey one and the same with the Dark Phoenix or can they be seen as two distinct beings? If there’s an answer in Moore’s adaptation, it’s only to the extent the questions were raised in the source material.
Fans of the original novel will find a loyal adaptation by Moore, and readers only familiar with the film versions will learn some new nuggets inside some favorite characters’ backgrounds. X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga is available now in hardcover, published as part of Titan Books’ ongoing comic book novel adaptations.
February 26, 2020
Currently streaming to a tv screen near you (and recently released on Blu-Ray and DVD) is the latest X-Men film: Dark Phoenix. To coincide with the release of the movie, Titan Books published the full prose novel of the Dark Phoenix Saga and it adds new depth and dimension to the original comic by Chris Claremont.
I first need to address the fact the movie seemed to receive mixed reviews – the first voices were not too flattering but I felt that as more people saw Dark Phoenix the perception shifted and the response seemed pretty positive. The original source material is a classic X-Men story and Stuart Moore’s novel of the story covers a lot of story, adds background and gives us more time with the characters we love and does a great job in bringing this much loved story to new readers. Also – it is a well established rule that the book is always better then the film!
We join the story just as the X-Men are facing imminent destruction. Only Jean Grey can save her friends but to do so will result in her own death. Jean knows she has only one option open to her and takes the heroic decision to make the supreme sacrifice to ensure the other X-Men survive.
Needless to say her death casts a long shadow and the X-Men take time to regroup and come to terms with the loss of their friend. Realising there are other mutants who may also need their help and guidance Storm and Colossus try to track down a young woman who has just come into possession of her powers – Kitty Pride. Unbeknown to the X-Men, Kitty has also come to the attention of Emma Frost. Ms Frost is Queen of the notorious Hellfire Club and she wants Kitty to come and learn under her guidance.
Dark Phoenix brings the X-Men into their first confrontation with the Hellfire Club and it is a great overview of how two powerful forces in Marvel’s universe became aware of each other. Clearly the characters are substantially developed in the comics and their original appearances don’t reflect the subsequent alliances which may be forged. However the book takes a good snapshot into a significant moment of X-Men history and gives much more background detail.
Here was where I found it a little strange – that expanded background. To take an iconic storyline and bring more detail and information to such a well known piece must have been a fascinating challenge. There were times I felt I was being treated to slightly too much additional detail and once I actually lost the thread of where we were in the narrative. But it was pulled back and the story progressed with me in tow.
Very much a story for the fans of the franchise. Despite being a big Marvel fan the X-Men has never been my favourite – just too many characters to keep track of down the years and I found it hard to dip in and out. But this book did what I wanted by delivering an exciting story with characters I knew well. Can’t ask for much more than that.
I first need to address the fact the movie seemed to receive mixed reviews – the first voices were not too flattering but I felt that as more people saw Dark Phoenix the perception shifted and the response seemed pretty positive. The original source material is a classic X-Men story and Stuart Moore’s novel of the story covers a lot of story, adds background and gives us more time with the characters we love and does a great job in bringing this much loved story to new readers. Also – it is a well established rule that the book is always better then the film!
We join the story just as the X-Men are facing imminent destruction. Only Jean Grey can save her friends but to do so will result in her own death. Jean knows she has only one option open to her and takes the heroic decision to make the supreme sacrifice to ensure the other X-Men survive.
Needless to say her death casts a long shadow and the X-Men take time to regroup and come to terms with the loss of their friend. Realising there are other mutants who may also need their help and guidance Storm and Colossus try to track down a young woman who has just come into possession of her powers – Kitty Pride. Unbeknown to the X-Men, Kitty has also come to the attention of Emma Frost. Ms Frost is Queen of the notorious Hellfire Club and she wants Kitty to come and learn under her guidance.
Dark Phoenix brings the X-Men into their first confrontation with the Hellfire Club and it is a great overview of how two powerful forces in Marvel’s universe became aware of each other. Clearly the characters are substantially developed in the comics and their original appearances don’t reflect the subsequent alliances which may be forged. However the book takes a good snapshot into a significant moment of X-Men history and gives much more background detail.
Here was where I found it a little strange – that expanded background. To take an iconic storyline and bring more detail and information to such a well known piece must have been a fascinating challenge. There were times I felt I was being treated to slightly too much additional detail and once I actually lost the thread of where we were in the narrative. But it was pulled back and the story progressed with me in tow.
Very much a story for the fans of the franchise. Despite being a big Marvel fan the X-Men has never been my favourite – just too many characters to keep track of down the years and I found it hard to dip in and out. But this book did what I wanted by delivering an exciting story with characters I knew well. Can’t ask for much more than that.
February 7, 2024
I was a big X-Men fan when I was in high school, well before the X-Men movies and well before the heyday of Marvel movies. I read every comic I could get my hands on, specifically with the X-Men. Yep, Dark Phoenix was one of those, even if it was in the X-Men Classic reprints. I was amazed at the writing, the art, the emotion in my merry mutants. About a year after or so, the X-Men Animated Series came out, and I pretty much bawled like a baby when they adapted the Phoenix Saga. I didn't think ANYTHING could ever match up to the original, or XMTAS, but this was QUITE impressive! They updated the late 70's/early 80's of the setting, the lingo, the clothes, the attitude...I felt much more for poor Jean, for Logan, for Scott. Ororo's pain for her sister, Piotr and Kurt's dilemma in loving Jean but fearing Phoenix...even Charles and Lilandra's relationship got a boost, and it all was so amazing and heartfelt!
The only thing that I don't remember (and that might be just me, since it's been years since I've read it) is Jason Wyngarde meeting Jean in Greece, and Jean learning information from the Kree warrior about the weapons...but it certainly made for nice little parts tied up in a bow. I also liked the tiny, TINY additions that was never in the original arc about Emma having a thing for Scott and trying to help him discreetly, and the blink-and-you-miss-it mention of the almost-triad of the current titles...it was a nice little way to give a nod to the current storylines when Emma hadn't even been close to the X-Men then and hadn't even looked twice at Scott. (I also liked Emma not liking the corset, leather and whips of the Hellfire Club, but staying because she had to. It was a nice nod to the strong, independent woman she came to be.)
I liked the update to the characters, Kitty especially, and how they fit into the current times. The only reason this book didn't get five stars was because it's a reboot of the original, almost the same and not quite of the classic. But I really enjoyed this, the way that Jean fought everyone's control, the way that Scott learned about Jean and respected her more (and the way Jason didn't learn at all, lol), and had a fun time with this read! It was a very nice tribute for this X-Men fan!
The only thing that I don't remember (and that might be just me, since it's been years since I've read it) is Jason Wyngarde meeting Jean in Greece, and Jean learning information from the Kree warrior about the weapons...but it certainly made for nice little parts tied up in a bow. I also liked the tiny, TINY additions that was never in the original arc about Emma having a thing for Scott and trying to help him discreetly, and the blink-and-you-miss-it mention of the almost-triad of the current titles...it was a nice little way to give a nod to the current storylines when Emma hadn't even been close to the X-Men then and hadn't even looked twice at Scott. (I also liked Emma not liking the corset, leather and whips of the Hellfire Club, but staying because she had to. It was a nice nod to the strong, independent woman she came to be.)
I liked the update to the characters, Kitty especially, and how they fit into the current times. The only reason this book didn't get five stars was because it's a reboot of the original, almost the same and not quite of the classic. But I really enjoyed this, the way that Jean fought everyone's control, the way that Scott learned about Jean and respected her more (and the way Jason didn't learn at all, lol), and had a fun time with this read! It was a very nice tribute for this X-Men fan!
October 29, 2020
I have been a fan of the X-Men for quite some time and The Dark Phoenix Saga is probably one of my favorite and most reread arcs from their very long history. I even managed to write a chapter on it in my PhD dissertation. Which is to say, I’m really familiar with the story and it holds a special place in my heart. That is why whenever I come across an adaptation of the story into a non comic medium I’m both willing to give it a shot, and anxious it is going to be terrible. Hello both attempts at adapting it into a film. Having been burned a lot at this point, I nervously pushed play on the audiobook. First, just as a heads up, this is the audiobook of Stuart Moore’s novelization of Claremont and Byrne’s comics. I initially went in thinking it was a audio play type performance like the recent Sandman or some of the DC Comic audios I have listened to before. That said, I wasn’t disappointed, all in all it was really enjoyable.
If you are already familiar The Dark Phoenix Saga, there aren’t going to be a whole lot of surprises narratively. And you can definitely find yourself thinking, oh yeah, next is when we get to ______. There are a number of things that have been updated though so you don’t feel like it is a late 70s/early 80s period piece. So Kitty Pride and her friends have cell phones and text, the machinations of the Hellfire Club are much more high tech. Though this also means some things have been taken out and streamlined for the updating and for the adaptation. Sorry Dazzler fans, we do not get an updated version of our Disco Queen.
So yeah, as I said before, this was really enjoyable. The story is still great, the adaptation makes it easily accessible for new and younger readers, and I really enjoyed the way the some of the characters internal conflicts and personalities were delved into. I can easily see this as the version of this story I would give to my nieces or nephews who have parents that don’t think comics are reading, or others that may be adverse to jumping into the medium and a story with a lot of continuity attached.
Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you are already familiar The Dark Phoenix Saga, there aren’t going to be a whole lot of surprises narratively. And you can definitely find yourself thinking, oh yeah, next is when we get to ______. There are a number of things that have been updated though so you don’t feel like it is a late 70s/early 80s period piece. So Kitty Pride and her friends have cell phones and text, the machinations of the Hellfire Club are much more high tech. Though this also means some things have been taken out and streamlined for the updating and for the adaptation. Sorry Dazzler fans, we do not get an updated version of our Disco Queen.
So yeah, as I said before, this was really enjoyable. The story is still great, the adaptation makes it easily accessible for new and younger readers, and I really enjoyed the way the some of the characters internal conflicts and personalities were delved into. I can easily see this as the version of this story I would give to my nieces or nephews who have parents that don’t think comics are reading, or others that may be adverse to jumping into the medium and a story with a lot of continuity attached.
Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2024
DNF at 35%. This was an interesting story, but very meh when put to prose. Simply put, this book was not interesting enough to read physically and the audiobook narrator was too awful to listen to it fully. The story with Jean flashing back to the past was intriguing, and Kitty Pryde’s origin as a teenage mutant was good, but neither plotline was developed as well as it could have, at least within the first third of the novel.
One of the most prominent issues, I think, is that this book is written by a man. Truly I don’t understand that choice. While there are many male side characters that impact the plot, the two main characters are women who deal with women-focused problems. I don’t think the original comic was written by a woman, so this would have been such a great opportunity to have a woman author recreate this narrative.
Here’s my issue with the narrative itself: There’s some seemingly crucial context to the story that we aren’t shown. We’re continually told about an event that happens in between the (pro-)epilogue and chapter one where the X-Men fight Magneto at a Volcano, the team is separated from Jean Grey, and both sides think each other is dead. We’re told this from both sides, which is nice, but we don’t get to see it. It sounds like a really cool event and fight scene, so it stings even more that we don’t see it. I know this is probably detailed in comics and I think I’ll look into reading about it, but still. It’s a weird thing to leave out.
This sort of thing seems to happen relatively often throughout the narrative. When three of the X-Men get captured by Emma Frost after trying to recruit Kitty Pryde, the chapter ends and the next time that story thread is picked up again, the narrative places us at the end of a battle that happened off-screen.
One of the most prominent issues, I think, is that this book is written by a man. Truly I don’t understand that choice. While there are many male side characters that impact the plot, the two main characters are women who deal with women-focused problems. I don’t think the original comic was written by a woman, so this would have been such a great opportunity to have a woman author recreate this narrative.
Here’s my issue with the narrative itself: There’s some seemingly crucial context to the story that we aren’t shown. We’re continually told about an event that happens in between the (pro-)epilogue and chapter one where the X-Men fight Magneto at a Volcano, the team is separated from Jean Grey, and both sides think each other is dead. We’re told this from both sides, which is nice, but we don’t get to see it. It sounds like a really cool event and fight scene, so it stings even more that we don’t see it. I know this is probably detailed in comics and I think I’ll look into reading about it, but still. It’s a weird thing to leave out.
This sort of thing seems to happen relatively often throughout the narrative. When three of the X-Men get captured by Emma Frost after trying to recruit Kitty Pryde, the chapter ends and the next time that story thread is picked up again, the narrative places us at the end of a battle that happened off-screen.
May 12, 2021
Actual rating 4.5! Though I still haven’t been able to get a hold of the original comic series, I know enough about X: Men lore to understand its importance and legacy. I was excited for this novelization and went in with an open mind. For the most part, I say it succeeded!
The story is completely wild and bold. I believe it is fairly accurate, because I can tell some moments didn’t age very well. That said, it keeps the campy dialogue, high octane action, and creativity the X: Men are known for.
Readers who enjoy the X: Men are the ones who will enjoy this the most. There are references to previous events that are essentially glossed over, and the assumption is that the reader knows who the classic characters are. I did, so the plot flowed relatively well for me. It’s always fun to see beloved heroes working together to beat up bad guys.
Where this story wins however, is its depiction of the bond between Scott and Jean as she struggles to contain the Phoenix Force. That power is famed throughout Marvel and I never really understood why. Now I do, and to see it grow within Jean was shocking and horrifying.
Jean fighting against this entity, warring with her own self, and Scott losing her is heartbreaking and makes for an epic tragedy. Moore’s writing with Jean under the Phoenix Force’s influence really sucked me into the moment.
While I would have enjoyed a bit more characterization and internal thought, I think this is a thrilling, solid story for comic fans wanting to witness, or relive, one of the greatest story arcs in X: Men history.
The story is completely wild and bold. I believe it is fairly accurate, because I can tell some moments didn’t age very well. That said, it keeps the campy dialogue, high octane action, and creativity the X: Men are known for.
Readers who enjoy the X: Men are the ones who will enjoy this the most. There are references to previous events that are essentially glossed over, and the assumption is that the reader knows who the classic characters are. I did, so the plot flowed relatively well for me. It’s always fun to see beloved heroes working together to beat up bad guys.
Where this story wins however, is its depiction of the bond between Scott and Jean as she struggles to contain the Phoenix Force. That power is famed throughout Marvel and I never really understood why. Now I do, and to see it grow within Jean was shocking and horrifying.
Jean fighting against this entity, warring with her own self, and Scott losing her is heartbreaking and makes for an epic tragedy. Moore’s writing with Jean under the Phoenix Force’s influence really sucked me into the moment.
While I would have enjoyed a bit more characterization and internal thought, I think this is a thrilling, solid story for comic fans wanting to witness, or relive, one of the greatest story arcs in X: Men history.
May 21, 2025
As a longtime Marvel fan, I’m so glad I finally got to experience one of my favorite storylines in novel format. There’s something refreshing about diving into the Marvel Universe through words instead of panels—letting your imagination fill in the action and emotion.
This book covers the legendary rise of the Dark Phoenix, one of the most powerful mutants ever introduced in Marvel history. It follows how the Phoenix Force chooses Jean Grey as its host and how that cosmic power slowly transforms her, both physically and mentally. Watching Jean’s development throughout the story—from hero to something far more dangerous—was intense and emotional.
That said, I have to admit—the writing style isn’t exactly stellar. Compared to other novels I’ve read, it felt a bit simplistic and less engaging. But even with that, it was still a really good experience. The strength of the story itself shines through, and it’s just fun to revisit such a classic arc in a different format.
I’ve already picked up Civil War in novel format, and I can’t wait to dive into it next. If you're a fan looking for a fresh way to explore iconic Marvel events, these novels are definitely worth checking out.
This book covers the legendary rise of the Dark Phoenix, one of the most powerful mutants ever introduced in Marvel history. It follows how the Phoenix Force chooses Jean Grey as its host and how that cosmic power slowly transforms her, both physically and mentally. Watching Jean’s development throughout the story—from hero to something far more dangerous—was intense and emotional.
That said, I have to admit—the writing style isn’t exactly stellar. Compared to other novels I’ve read, it felt a bit simplistic and less engaging. But even with that, it was still a really good experience. The strength of the story itself shines through, and it’s just fun to revisit such a classic arc in a different format.
I’ve already picked up Civil War in novel format, and I can’t wait to dive into it next. If you're a fan looking for a fresh way to explore iconic Marvel events, these novels are definitely worth checking out.
May 2, 2022
It's only fitting that I read a novelization of one of the X-Men's most famous arcs around the time of the 30th anniversary of the animated series from the '90s. I watched that show while in kindergarten. Sure some of the "deeper" meanings of the X-Men flew over my head But I was still able to comprehend the gist. The Phoenix saga of the show aired in 1994 and I'm sad to say at that point I stopped watching the show because my 7-year-old mind could not comprehend the drastic change of One of the characters I had become accustomed to seeing. However the dark Phoenix saga got me watching it again and unfortunately No other on-screen adaptation could do the Phoenix justice, sorry X3 sorry Sophie Turner.
This novelization follows the comic however there are some modern-day additions thrown in such as the use of cell phones, the internet, and SJW buzzwords which I shall not give attention to.
Reading this made me happy and angry at the same time. Happy because I was getting one of my favorite comic book stories in the in-depth form of naration, angry because WHY COULDN'T THE MOVIE BEEN LIKE THIS AND STUCK TO THE SCRIPT! 😡😡😡.
To the people at Marvel, excuse me Disney because we all know that evil mouse is pulling all the strings
Please give us more novelizations of classic storylines. This novelization felt more special than any MCU movie.
This novelization follows the comic however there are some modern-day additions thrown in such as the use of cell phones, the internet, and SJW buzzwords which I shall not give attention to.
Reading this made me happy and angry at the same time. Happy because I was getting one of my favorite comic book stories in the in-depth form of naration, angry because WHY COULDN'T THE MOVIE BEEN LIKE THIS AND STUCK TO THE SCRIPT! 😡😡😡.
To the people at Marvel, excuse me Disney because we all know that evil mouse is pulling all the strings
Please give us more novelizations of classic storylines. This novelization felt more special than any MCU movie.
October 14, 2020
I received a free copy of this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Though I've been wanting to read this book for a while, it was a bit of a letdown, if I'm being honest. I saw what it was trying to do with having Jean feel stifled by everyone in her life and then reclaiming herself, but it was honestly felt so messy and back and forth. Jean was evil and then she was good and then she was evil and then she was good? I needed an actual progression of her going from goodness into the darkness. I needed to see that development instead of getting hints of it and then pulling back again. Her whole character arc over the course of this book was just a mess and could have been handled a lot better.
My favorite character in this book was Kitty Pryde, and when she was such a small character and wasn't around all that often, that's saying a lot about how well this book grasped my attention. I did really like Logan's characterization as well, and loved addressing how everyone always expects him to do the hard things, but how he's actually the most good and loyal member of the team, how even though everyone always looks down on him, he is actually better than all of them. Also, Piotr was just my fave, the sweetie.
I thought the narrator did a really good job giving a voice to all these iconic characters and really helped me get through this book.
Though I've been wanting to read this book for a while, it was a bit of a letdown, if I'm being honest. I saw what it was trying to do with having Jean feel stifled by everyone in her life and then reclaiming herself, but it was honestly felt so messy and back and forth. Jean was evil and then she was good and then she was evil and then she was good? I needed an actual progression of her going from goodness into the darkness. I needed to see that development instead of getting hints of it and then pulling back again. Her whole character arc over the course of this book was just a mess and could have been handled a lot better.
My favorite character in this book was Kitty Pryde, and when she was such a small character and wasn't around all that often, that's saying a lot about how well this book grasped my attention. I did really like Logan's characterization as well, and loved addressing how everyone always expects him to do the hard things, but how he's actually the most good and loyal member of the team, how even though everyone always looks down on him, he is actually better than all of them. Also, Piotr was just my fave, the sweetie.
I thought the narrator did a really good job giving a voice to all these iconic characters and really helped me get through this book.
March 22, 2021
X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga is the perfect read for both new Marvel fans – and old. Written by Stuart Moore, this is an experience not to miss out on. Though I should mention that I took advantage of the audiobook version (narrated by Nancy Wu) to enjoy this tale.
Jean Gray takes center stage for this tale (though any longstanding Marvel fan probably already knew that!). She saved the X-Men, but doing so came at a cost. When she came to, she found herself possessed by one of the most powerful forces in the Marvel Universe – the Phoenix. Naturally, that is around the time when everything gets utterly insane for Jean Gray. Her world has been turned upside down, all while she's struggling to adapt to and control these powers.
This is one of those iconic Marvel moments that every fan needs to experience at least once in their life. It's dramatic, intense, and fun all at the same time. Nancy Wu's narration brought even more to the table, as she really did capture Jean Gray's voice. Pure perfection.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Jean Gray takes center stage for this tale (though any longstanding Marvel fan probably already knew that!). She saved the X-Men, but doing so came at a cost. When she came to, she found herself possessed by one of the most powerful forces in the Marvel Universe – the Phoenix. Naturally, that is around the time when everything gets utterly insane for Jean Gray. Her world has been turned upside down, all while she's struggling to adapt to and control these powers.
This is one of those iconic Marvel moments that every fan needs to experience at least once in their life. It's dramatic, intense, and fun all at the same time. Nancy Wu's narration brought even more to the table, as she really did capture Jean Gray's voice. Pure perfection.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
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