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Wearing the Cape #9
Joyeuse Guard
Repercussions ended with victory, at a cost. A Sentinel is dead, Megaton lies grievously injured, and Astra is no longer a member of the Sentinels, America’s premier cape-team. Beyond the personal consequences, both the US and Europe must recover from crippling attacks. Now Astra and her Joyeuse Guard must find their footing in the world after the Chicago and Brussels Attacks. Mal deals with an unexpected complication to his recovery. A journalist is invited to ride along with the new team. Ozma and the rest pursue their campaign to liberate Oz. Santa Claus comes to all the towns. Shell and Shelly engage in a little side-conspiracy to ensure a happier ending than history would allow. And Hope just wants to get married. Again.
- GenresSuperheroesFantasy
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2021
About the author
Marion G. Harmon
25 books294 followersMarion G. Harmon picked up a Masters of History degree because he likes stories. He resides in Las Vegas, where he dabbles in various aspects of financial planning while trying to get the people in his head onto the page so they’ll stop pestering him.
Addendum: M.G.Harmon still lives in Las Vegas, but has ceased telling other people how to invest their money to become a "professional author," whatever that is. He has written nine books, all about Astra and Company. They still won't leave him alone.
Addendum: M.G.Harmon still lives in Las Vegas, but has ceased telling other people how to invest their money to become a "professional author," whatever that is. He has written nine books, all about Astra and Company. They still won't leave him alone.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 30, 2021
After two long years, Astra returns and Harmon does not disappoint. Having “left” the Sentinels due to problems in the previous book, Astra now has to lead a larger team as she attempts to stymie the bad guys on a global scale. Rather than present a single problem, the book stretches over months and consists of several novella (including the separately published, A Christmas Carol). The structure is more like book 6, Team Ups and Crossovers, which is the only thing I didn’t like about the novel. This is clearly a transitional work with many storylines (Astra’s marriage, Ozma’s problems with Oz) making significant advances even as Harmon brings the team to a better platform for global adventures.
As we venture out into the larger world, Harmon gets to share with the reader his vision of the problems and limitations of the supers in his world. Sometimes the politics of global situations makes it hard to identify the good guys from the bad guys, so what can heroes do to make a situation better? Harmon has clearly given these issues a lot of thought, bringing a little more reality to the globe by showing how the superhero dynamic plays out elsewhere. All in all, it’s another fine novel in the series.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
As we venture out into the larger world, Harmon gets to share with the reader his vision of the problems and limitations of the supers in his world. Sometimes the politics of global situations makes it hard to identify the good guys from the bad guys, so what can heroes do to make a situation better? Harmon has clearly given these issues a lot of thought, bringing a little more reality to the globe by showing how the superhero dynamic plays out elsewhere. All in all, it’s another fine novel in the series.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
November 25, 2021
More excitement for Astra
This ninth book in the series continues Astra's adventures as a superhero and leader of her own team. The story includes many of the great characters, both good and evil, she has met in the course of her adventures.
This ninth book in the series continues Astra's adventures as a superhero and leader of her own team. The story includes many of the great characters, both good and evil, she has met in the course of her adventures.
February 10, 2025
Very nice last book in this 1st story arc for this world. Very interesting characters and world building. Very recommended
December 8, 2021
Really enjoyed this, but after so long I was hoping this would be a full novel. Instead, it's more of a teaser full of short stories. The plot moves along as Joyeuse Guard gets their footing as a new hero group internationally and the stories involved were pretty great. Nice to see some old characters return too.
I'll be looking forward to the next.
I'll be looking forward to the next.
January 10, 2022
JOYEUS GUARD is the final installment of the Wearing the Cape series and wraps up the series without actually changing much. It is more a statement of status quo in their comic book world and how things will continue to go on for years to come in-universe than final resolution. Still, we have things like Astra's wedding to Kistune as well as the resolution of things like Ozma's reclamation of Oz. Sadly, Jackie is someone who doesn't play a big role in these stories and kind of fell by the wayside when she was my favorite character in the series. We also never get much resolution to Seven's plots. We do get some interesting political issues, though.
I will say I did have one complaint about the book where Astra does a talk about how it was not her position to prevent people from being driven off their lands via conquest. This is, bluntly, ridiculous because forced displacement is a war crime and defined as one of the forms of genocide. It is something that peace-keeping forces are SUPPOSED to prevent and Astra comes off as not only immoral but outright wrong here.
I will say I did have one complaint about the book where Astra does a talk about how it was not her position to prevent people from being driven off their lands via conquest. This is, bluntly, ridiculous because forced displacement is a war crime and defined as one of the forms of genocide. It is something that peace-keeping forces are SUPPOSED to prevent and Astra comes off as not only immoral but outright wrong here.
January 2, 2022
Perfect Ending!!!
This book was the final book in a 9 book arc of stories. The author promises to continue writing in this world, but will expand beyond the main hero, Astra. And it was the perfect ending!!
It was a series of adventures from various viewpoints, each that was a smaller adventure but each adding to a macro story of the book. However, unlike the other books, the plot and action were secondary to the characters wrapping up their stories. And the last part (no spoilers) was perfect end to the entire arc.
This was one of my favorite series—every book a five star experience.
This book was the final book in a 9 book arc of stories. The author promises to continue writing in this world, but will expand beyond the main hero, Astra. And it was the perfect ending!!
It was a series of adventures from various viewpoints, each that was a smaller adventure but each adding to a macro story of the book. However, unlike the other books, the plot and action were secondary to the characters wrapping up their stories. And the last part (no spoilers) was perfect end to the entire arc.
This was one of my favorite series—every book a five star experience.
November 16, 2022
The closing book of this grand arc!
Written in a Multi-POV anthology style, this is the closing chapter of Astra's story. She has gone from newby hero, met her lowest and highest point, traveled the multiverse and now is at the closing chapter of her story. No longer a member of the Sentinels, but in charge of her own international Super-Hero team, she helps wherever she can.
In All this is a fitting ending to Astra's story. I've always liked the series, and thought it got better as it gone along. As such I am gratified that it has gotten a proper ending. Unlike many long running series there are rarely any good endings to those series. Just open endings and or actual cliffhangers.
In any case this was a good book and I'm looking forward to more of Harmon's work.
Written in a Multi-POV anthology style, this is the closing chapter of Astra's story. She has gone from newby hero, met her lowest and highest point, traveled the multiverse and now is at the closing chapter of her story. No longer a member of the Sentinels, but in charge of her own international Super-Hero team, she helps wherever she can.
In All this is a fitting ending to Astra's story. I've always liked the series, and thought it got better as it gone along. As such I am gratified that it has gotten a proper ending. Unlike many long running series there are rarely any good endings to those series. Just open endings and or actual cliffhangers.
In any case this was a good book and I'm looking forward to more of Harmon's work.
January 26, 2022
Joyeuse Guard: as delicious as I hoped
What I don't like: that the Astra cycle isn't twice as long, or more.
What else I don't like: Not a single thing!
wonderful ninth book of the Astra cycle taking Astra from a youngster making faces at the child passenger in the next car over from where she's driving beneath the Ashland Avenue overpass, to serious commander of the superhuman Joyeuse Guard team of Capes trying, like their commander, to save everyone, everywhere. Wonderful from Ozma of Oz to Santa Claus and the Pieman. Utterly delightful! Astra is a wonderful protagonist of this series of wonderful books.
What I don't like: that the Astra cycle isn't twice as long, or more.
What else I don't like: Not a single thing!
wonderful ninth book of the Astra cycle taking Astra from a youngster making faces at the child passenger in the next car over from where she's driving beneath the Ashland Avenue overpass, to serious commander of the superhuman Joyeuse Guard team of Capes trying, like their commander, to save everyone, everywhere. Wonderful from Ozma of Oz to Santa Claus and the Pieman. Utterly delightful! Astra is a wonderful protagonist of this series of wonderful books.
December 26, 2021
As I had the great honor of having my character Imperator make an appearance in this book I’ll state that my review will be short and should be taken with several sea’s worth of salt as I’m rather biased. Obviously was wonderful seeing my character have a part in the story. The book was a fun, imaginative collection of stories set in the WtC multiverse filled with lots of action, humor, as well as philosophical, political, and religious asides. I’d recommend starting with book 1 in the series, though I am certain that fans of previous works within the series will love this book too.
January 9, 2022
Word of warning the book does feel like it is a short story Anthology that is set in the universe of Wearing the Cape but it is still good. You do start out with characters other than Astra but the scenes and chapters are good and worth reading. It also seems that Shell has a bigger part to play than Astra but she's not the primary character in any of the stories, she is just in every one of them. Ozma and the whole Wizard of Oz world gets better every time. Santa referencing Dostoyevsky was one of the best parts. Kitsune is great as usual.
January 17, 2022
Another solid entry
Wearing the Cape continues to be the gold standard of superhero fiction. Whilst not the best story in the series, this loosely joined series of short stories is still a lot of fun and caps off Astra’s first arc nicely. I continue to look forward to more stories in this universe, however they may come.
Wearing the Cape continues to be the gold standard of superhero fiction. Whilst not the best story in the series, this loosely joined series of short stories is still a lot of fun and caps off Astra’s first arc nicely. I continue to look forward to more stories in this universe, however they may come.
September 7, 2023
DNF 40%
It's been a while since I read the last book in this series. Perhaps if I'd rolled immediately from that book into this one I'd be more content with the lack of plot and the diffusion of points of view across so many characters. In short, if you love these characters and are happy to see them simply live their lives, there'll be few issues.
It's been a while since I read the last book in this series. Perhaps if I'd rolled immediately from that book into this one I'd be more content with the lack of plot and the diffusion of points of view across so many characters. In short, if you love these characters and are happy to see them simply live their lives, there'll be few issues.
November 26, 2021
Series of shorts.
Cast all here, series of short stories, detailing the lives of the new team. Couple of new characters make their entrances and exits, life of a hero. Recycled the Faith Christmas story, you have been warned.
Cast all here, series of short stories, detailing the lives of the new team. Couple of new characters make their entrances and exits, life of a hero. Recycled the Faith Christmas story, you have been warned.
December 6, 2021
A wonderful and extended epilogue
Following up on book 8, this handily deals with the transition between Astra's career as a sentinel, and her new team. The independent stories string together well and the ending was an excellent callback.
Following up on book 8, this handily deals with the transition between Astra's career as a sentinel, and her new team. The independent stories string together well and the ending was an excellent callback.
November 30, 2023
Very good read
Marion Harmon has once again brought the printed word to life. Book 9 of wearing the cap e was awesome. As with all her books read so far, I would say that they are also worth the time to read them. Looking forward to more of her books.
Marion Harmon has once again brought the printed word to life. Book 9 of wearing the cap e was awesome. As with all her books read so far, I would say that they are also worth the time to read them. Looking forward to more of her books.
November 25, 2021
Great Story
I greatly enjoy this series and recommend it to all. It’s well written and makes me smile and laugh every time I read them.
I greatly enjoy this series and recommend it to all. It’s well written and makes me smile and laugh every time I read them.
December 7, 2021
An awesome read
This collection of stories is worth the reading. It also ties up many different plot threads in the series. Looking forward to the next book.
This collection of stories is worth the reading. It also ties up many different plot threads in the series. Looking forward to the next book.
December 19, 2021
Great!
Another incredible book by Marion G. Harmon in the Wearing the Cape series. Awesome characters, great stories, well written! I can’t wait for the next one!
Another incredible book by Marion G. Harmon in the Wearing the Cape series. Awesome characters, great stories, well written! I can’t wait for the next one!
December 20, 2021
No mas
This started as a fun series, and has degraded into ... Oz fanfic?
It got really, really dumb and boring.
This started as a fun series, and has degraded into ... Oz fanfic?
It got really, really dumb and boring.
February 14, 2023
Great ending
Okay, i did not see that last one coming. Good note to go out on. (5 more words yet required)
Okay, i did not see that last one coming. Good note to go out on. (5 more words yet required)
October 24, 2025
Joyride Guard (Wearing the Cape Book 9)
Very good stories, that give us more a deeper look at a maturing Hope/Astra and crew. Been a lot of fun watching them grow.
Very good stories, that give us more a deeper look at a maturing Hope/Astra and crew. Been a lot of fun watching them grow.
November 30, 2025
Great as usual!
Simply a great addition to a hopeful, optimistic, and delightful look at heros in a grounded world building. Inspiring and uplifting as it is action packed!
Simply a great addition to a hopeful, optimistic, and delightful look at heros in a grounded world building. Inspiring and uplifting as it is action packed!
December 9, 2021
book 9. Astra's been around a bit. Spoilers for the others ahead.
It's a collection of short stories revolving about her new group. It opens with something villainous during the big attack on Chicago, while Mal was in the hospital, several Oz stories where Ozma's (and Brian's) plot lines get far advance, the question of Hope and Kitsune's wedding, the appearance of Santa Claus, a thread of interludes leading to a late story, and more.
It's a collection of short stories revolving about her new group. It opens with something villainous during the big attack on Chicago, while Mal was in the hospital, several Oz stories where Ozma's (and Brian's) plot lines get far advance, the question of Hope and Kitsune's wedding, the appearance of Santa Claus, a thread of interludes leading to a late story, and more.
March 6, 2022
Overall I like this novel. I don't like that there are several grammatical problems in this novel. Four stars.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews